Builders

In Primary this month we're learning a song about being a builder.

The words are as follows:

I am a builder working each day
To build my family.
And I will do the best I can
To serve them lovingly.
I am a builder growing so tall
And learning every day
To speak with kindness in my home,
To help at work and play.

My Heavenly Father sent me here
And he knows I can be
Strong and righteous as I build
My eternal family.

I am so blessed to have grown up with a very special builder in my life. He literally built the house that I grew up in with his own hands.

Under construction, around 1976

I felt so safe in this house. I was always so proud to call it home.

But so much more important than its physical construction is the building that went on inside its walls: half-awake scripture studies; piano recitals and dance performances; Father's blessings; basketball hoops and tetherballs hung from the ceiling for easy practice; heartfelt and understanding discussions; prayer, prayer, and more prayer; yes, some forced Johnny Mathis listening and Lawrence Welk watching; hard work and early mornings; apple peeling and coring; picture-taking; celebrating; schoolwork-helping; family-history digging; and so much more!

Thanks, Dad, for not just building our house, but--with Mom--building our Eternal Family.

I love you. Happy Birthday!