Brothers Don't Shake Hands, Brothers Gotta Hug

James is smitten with this little guy. He's constantly wanting to hold Archie, hug him and kiss him. I admit, sometimes it's a little much and it gets on my nerves BUT I am very grateful that he has such adoration for his baby brother and not any resentment. James tells me at least once a day that he loves the baby more than the whole family and that if anyone ever tries to "steal the baby, I would go to Cabela's and buy a real gun and kill the robbers." Ooookay... Not sure where he got such a violent idea but, if I were take something positive from that, it would be that I'm glad that he wants to protect and watch over little Archie.

The boys are both sporting the shirts that Uncle Aaron, Adam's little brother, recently brought home for them from his mission to Brazil. When I look at the above picture I can't help but think about Adam's relationship with his brother Aaron. I think Aaron was only eleven when Adam left for his mission. Aaron totally idolized Adam and took to heart a lot of the spiritual heeding that Adam would send to him through letters. It was because of Adam's encouragement that Aaron started reading the scriptures and eventually desired to serve a mission of his own. Adam sometimes feels like he didn't influence as many people as he had hoped on his mission (Manchester, England is one of the toughest missions) but I truly believe that Adam's influence was extended to South America because Aaron's testimony and missionary service came about, in a significant way, because of Adam's example. I hope James will be that kind of example for Archie and Ruby. On Sunday, as we were getting ready for church, I look over to see James kneeling next to Archie holding a large picture of Christ and then I hear James say, "Do you know who this is? It's Jesus. Do you remember Him? You lived with him before you lived with us."