Be all that you can be, just leave the choices up to me

I am breathing a sigh of relief. Our primary program was yesterday. Lace had her part memorized and I was so touched by all the kids singing and participation. However, I was once again reminded how the children who are sent to us have their own ideas about what they will or won't do. During our practices, Carter sang and did his part just fine. Unfortunately just before the program started he was drawing a picture and messed up and he got mad. He went up onto the stand with me, but during the entire program he sat with a scowl on his face with his fists balled up and needless to say did not sing or do his part. I realized how important it is for me to know that Heavenly Father loves us even when we don't do the things we should. Because I love my children, even when I am frustrated with their choices. I know that it is going to happen more and more as they choose to do things that I have no control over. I have to be okay in the fact that I have taught them and tried to set a good example for them. I think that is why I have been trying so hard to do everything we are told to do. But I know one thing, my children have their free agency to choose not to follow what I teach them. I pray that I will be strong enough to handle that. Because even for something like the primary program, my heart was broken just a little, even if it was probably funny to those watching him. And as of right now, it's not okay with me that they make wrong choices, I don't know how my mom did it! Now that I am a mom, I think free agency stinks! Who's idea was this anyway? Can't we grow without it? No? I guess it all boils down to having faith and hope that they will all turn out to be joyful good people and in the meantime I guess I better find a different mantra, maybe "Be all that you can be, just be careful with free agency? Hmm...