First grade has been amazing for Ashley. She has learned so much in reading and math. She also is a good citizen. Her teacher, Mrs. Heath, has a lot to do with Ashley's progress. She is such a sweet, patient teacher that really understands the rates at which kids learn. 
I just had one of those experiences that a parent will never forget. I was so thankful that I had been on a mission, so I could help Jessi with her following problem. I just had to write it down so I wouldn't forget.
Jessi came up to me with tears in her eyes as I was sweeping the kitchen. She told me that she didn't know if she believed in Jesus and Heavenly Father. The reason being, she'd prayed to have a dream of Jesus as a sign that he was real. The dream hadn't come to her and now she was a bit disappointed. I took her into our bedroom and talked about how to gain a testimony and the difference between signs and feelings of the Spirit. I told her that Laman and Lemuel had multiple signs given to them, but they still didn't believe in Jesus. Testimonies come when we ask if something is true and have faith that we will receive an answer. I explained that the answer usually comes in feelings of the Spirit: hope, love, happiness, peace, overwhelming feelings in our hearts.
She was still teary at this point, so I challenged her to read scriptures about Jesus every night and continue to ask if what she reads is true. She got excited about this, so I printed out 3 Nephi 11 in chunks so she could read a little every night.
I felt like a missionary when I asked if she'd like to read a little out of the Book of Mormon with me and then pray together. I read to her about Alma talking to his son Helaman. I pointed out that Helaman first believed the words of his own father. She could also start her testimony by believing and trusting that I have a testimony. Alma then asked Helaman to follow the commandments. If Jessi also followed the commandments her life would be blessed. She will be able to see that by following the commandments her life will be happy. Helman and his brethren were blessed by keeping the commandments and "they gave thanks unto the Lord their God; yea, and they did fast much and pray much, and they did worship God with exceedingly great joy." So if Jessi sees blessings in her life, I challenged her to thank God by fasting and praying and then going to church and that she'll feel joy.
I asked her to pray with me right then so that I could identify the Spirit with her. After her simple prayer of "help me have a testimony," she was overcome with emotion. I asked if she was still feeling sad? She said no, but that she couldn't explain how she felt. I pointed out that her emotions were overwhelming her, but that if she thought about how she felt and then wrote it down she could make sense of these emotions. I told her that I could feel the Spirit because I felt excited and happy and great love after her prayer. I then testified to her that I know Heavenly Father lives and loves her and that I could feel that through the Holy Ghost. She couldn't stop hugging me that telling me how much she loved me.
We talked about how she feels each time she bears her testimony and I think that clicked with her. She ran downstairs to write how she was feeling!
She just brought a little paper to me that said, "Right now, I feel overwhelmed because mommie and I talked abut how Jesus is real. I am crying tears of joy."
I'm so proud of her!
