The Painting

We went to a performance the other night. During intermission we were out in the lobby looking at a painting. I asked the kids (Rachel, Megan, and their cousin Kate) some questions about it. Things such as what they thought the picture was about and what was their opinion of it? Why did the artist use those colors? What message do you think the artist wants us to get from this work of art? (OK, so I might not have gotten to that one.) One of the questions led to a discussion about the large sun in the painting and the fact that the person depicted was not really that close to the sun. I asked them why they thought that. Kate made the obvious statement that you can't get that close to it because it was too hot. The way she said it also let us know that her six year old brain knew that was an obvious answer and that I should have been able to figure that out without asking them. I almost laughed out loud. But, I didn't (although, her father did). Sometimes things like that happen and you can have even more fun with it. So, I asked if they could think of any other reasons. (I also like to extend ideas whenever possible.) Megan came up with the idea that the sun is made of gasses and they could hurt you if you got too close. Kind of fun to explore the mind of a child. Kind of fun to learn/be reminded of what you know in an everyday setting. After all, I think most of what we learn is applied in an everyday setting anyway. So, we might as well learn it that way. I also think it's fun to find out what my kids know by the ever probing question. Wouldn't it be a great world if everyone kept questioning enough for us to continually be learning?

Sunday Discussion

Our Home Teachers were just here. We talked about General Conference a bit and as we did so the conversation turned to missionaries and missionary work. The boys were asked where they wanted to go. Jonny responded with Australia and Jacob stated that he'd want to go to Japan. Those opinions didn't surprise me a bit - they actually sounded a little familiar.
It came time to end our visit with a prayer. Right before we did, Megan made a little 'ahem' sound (or something like it). We weren't sure what was going on. So, we asked and she stated that she wanted to go to Brazil. We then asked Rachel where she wanted to go. She couldn't really think of anything so our home teacher jokingly suggested Disneyland. She could talk to Mickey Mouse and all the Disney Princesses about the gospel. A couple of other thoughts were shared about how missionaries could set up a booth or talk with people while they were in line. Then Rachel came up with the idea that she wanted to go to Mapleton. I asked if she wanted to go on a mission somewhere in Utah and she responded with resolve that she would go to Mapleton. Hmm...we'll see. She obviously feels like it's a place where she likes to be.
I felt bad for a minute because I didn't think to ask the girls about it. We've talked about it before - but, I think in the moment we had just been talking about older kids or those who were about to go so I didn't think to ask the younger kids. I'm glad Megan spoke up! (Her mention of Brazil was not a surprise either - she's been saying that since the stake did a primary activity about missions and that's where she 'served' her mission that day. So grateful for all those who have a positive influence in our children's lives.)