the real world

In the third grade, we learned how to write in cursive. My teacher told us time and time again that in high school, if your teacher sees that you didn't write in cursive on an assignment, they would simply throw it in the trash. She said she was preparing us for the real world.
In high school, I had a tendency to be late to class. My teachers reprimanded me, and warned that in college, if I was late, the professor would kick me out of the classroom without even asking for an explanation. That's how the real world is run, they said.
The "real world" seemed so harsh and unforgiving; no second chances! One mistake and you're outta here! But it's not like that at all. Sure, there are instances where those principles apply, but not when it really matters.
I've made lots of mistakes in my life, some not so big, some huge! So have you, I'd wager. But want to know something wonderful? I have always been able to fix them. I've always been able to recover and move on.
I love that I am able to repent of my sins. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is a marvelous thing! The Savior bled for us in the Garden, died for us on the cross, and rose again, all so that we can fix our mistakes and return to Him. What a beautiful plan! What a true manifestation of love! 
2 Nephi 10:20 says "let us remember Him, and lay aside our sins, and not hang down our heads, for we are not cast off". My friends, we are never cast off from the Lord. He is not harsh or unforgiving. We are His children and He will always provide a way for us to return to Him.
In high school, no one cared that I never mastered cursive. In college, no professor dismissed me from class. And in the "real world," I have never been denied the opportunity to correct my wrongdoings and feel my Heavenly Father's love.

our little orator

Portia is funny. Today was testimony meeting at church, and she put on a show.

She had been bugging Brandon to take her to change her diaper, which in reality means that she wanted him to take her out in the hall to run around the church; her diaper was fine. So when he stood up to go bear his testimony, I think she thought he was going to go out in the hall. Naturally, she started yelling for him to take her with him. He did.

At first, Portia just sat in Daddy's arms, watching. But about halfway through his testimony, she got a sneaky little smirk on her face, leaned forward, grabbed the microphone and started talking. She didn't say anything in particular, just babbled.

Brandon pulled her away, and she might have been done after that, but everyone laughed. She realized that she was being cute and funny. So she did it again. And again.

Finally, Brandon turned to her and asked if she had something to say. He then whispered to her to say "Thank you for Jesus," and clear as an adorable little bell, she leaned forward again and said "keenku Jesus!"

It was pretty cute.