This Little Light of Mine

I love that song because ever since Corbin learned it in preschool. He always sings,

 "this is a little bit mine, I'm gonna let it shine. This is really mine, I gonna let it shine! Let it shine, let it shine, it's all mine!" 

True sentiments of a 5 year old: "This is mine". 

Our back to school family night did not disappoint. Of all the traditions we do with our children, releasing lanterns before they begin school has definitely become my favorite.  

We invited our friends, The Pendletons to join us this year, and we started with an FHE lesson at the house first about feeding our own spiritual light and keeping it bright.  We gave the children glow stars and flashlights and had them experiment with how the glow on the star fades quickly after awhile if it hasn't had any exposure to another source of light to "charge" it.  This is like our own testimony and the strength of our light can fade if we don't nourish and charge our mind with Spiritual substance on a regular basis.  

I made a back to school cake and gave each of the kids little "pencils" made from Rolos and Hershey kisses. And each child received a lantern zipper pull that I made from charms. I hope they remember the symbolism of light and live as an example to others while they are at school.

Once the sun had set, we went over to Lake Ann and released about a dozen lanterns filled with the warm glow of our memorable summer together.  It was beautiful. 

Just look at this little light of mine.  Nothing but pure joy. Am I ready to release him to the world?! Can't I keep him for myself? 

This one was special because we all participated. 

I love how our little circle of hands around the lanterns has grown over the years. I love the way the fire makes their faces glow. I love their excitement as they push the lantern into the night sky. My kids are like a personal little collection of sparkling stars. Bits of shining goodness giving light not just to me but all the world.

On the way home, the kids requested their favorite song, "Hold Your Light Up" that they listen to every year on the way to school the first day. They sang along, belting the words out as they waved their glow sticks and bracelets in the air. Their voices in the dark filled my heart with so much of their light that I spilled tears of joy that glowed contemptment and motherly pride.