We are exactly one month since our lives changed forever.  In some ways it seems to be an eternity ago, in other ways it's been a blink of an eye.  There have been many eternal lessons that I have learned through this journey.  When I was at the hospital with Marty, Bishop Jarvis gave both Marty and I a blessing.  I don't remember much from it, other than him promising me eternal lessons.  That has stuck in my head.  Eternity is a long time.  I'm a little stubborn and it would take a 2x4 for the Lord to teach me some things.  Eternal things may take a 4x4 post.

The first thing I have learned is the importance of journaling.  When I started my blog in 2008, that was my goal.  A journal of family events.  In 2008 I wrote 23 entries.  2009-37.  2010-25. 2011-13.  We are one month into 2012 and this is my 37th entry (plus some on a private blog).  I don't think I will be a daily blogger for the rest of the year, but I have learned the importance of writing in a journal.  President Kimball urged over and over again to keep a journal.  I grew up with him as the prophet of the church.  I remember hearing it, but it is one of those counsels I didn't follow:

1977: "A word about personal journals and records: We urge every person in the Church to keep a diary or a journal from youth up, all through his life."

1978: "I urge all of the people of this church to give serious attention to their family histories, to encourage their parents and grandparents to write their journals, and let no family go into eternity without having left their memoirs for their children, their grandchildren, and their posterity. This is a duty and a responsibility, and I urge every person to start the children out writing a personal history and journal."

1979: "Every person should keep a journal and every person can keep a journal. It should be an enlightening one and should bring great blessings and happiness to the families. If there is anyone here who isn’t doing so, will you repent today and change—change your life?"

These are eternal lessons.  Year after year, President Kimball gave the same message. I said I was a little stubborn.  I have found therapy in writing things down.  I pray that as my children get older, they too may gain comfort and understanding from them.

Another eternal lesson centers around music.  Music is a HUGE part of our family.  There isn't a single room in our home, including bathrooms that doesn't have the ability to play music.  We always have the radio, CD, Pandora, piano, trumpet, something playing.  Marty's progression changed the day Chamber choir came and sang.  If you missed it, check it out here.  Marty's speech therapist is wanting Marty to try to sing some things.  We started with the alphabet, happy birthday, and anything else Marty wanted to try to remember.  She said that often times people who can't speak, can sing, especially very familiar songs.  So here comes the eternal lessons:

1. You can learn things through music.  I love the primary songs we teach children.  They are able to learn their articles of faith, scriptures, gospel principles.  Once learned, they are stuck there.  A friend of mine has taught her 3 year old all of the articles of faith through song.  3 year old!!!  I don't have them all memorized perfectly, yet Toby does.
2. Be careful of your music choices.  You never know when that will be the only thing you'll be able to say.  To this point, I have only heard Marty sing 3 things.  The phrase, "Oh, Baby You, You got what I need", the ABC song, and all of "Happy Birthday"  However, I know that there is a lot more music stuck in Marty's head.  One day it will come pouring out.  I know that in our lifetimes we haven't always made good choices in music.  It could be interesting.