First real prayer

Tonight was a heart warming parental moment for us.  For family prayer we take turns and when it is Maci's turn to pray, David and I switch off helping her.  She is really good at repeating whatever we have her say.  Probably about two weeks ago, we encouraged her to start on her own and to our surprise she said "Heavenly Father, thank you for this day."  That is as much as she would say.  We were ecstatic she got even that far!  Well tonight, we encouraged her again to start and much to our surprise she kept going and going.  It went like this:

 "Heavenly Father, thank you for this day, thank you for Ryan, thank you for Aaren, thank you for Krystin, thank you for Boden, thank you for toys, thank you for our home, thank you for Book of Mormon, thank you for Blaine, thank you for Elzie, thank you for Zoey, please bless work." 

She then was quiet and we helped fill in with gratitude for family, temple, prophets, good health for her baby brother and then she ended it on her own.  Wow!  We had just spent the evening with the first 4 people and the others she named were kids from the nursery and we normally ask for David to be safe while he is at work during the day.  I will admit that I was beaming during her whole prayer and it brought tears to my eyes.  She understands and articulates so well at such a young age.  It is so fulfilling already to see her think for herself and learn about the gospel and to express it!  Such a tender mercy from Heavenly Father!