Family Home Evening

Every family unit has different traditions for FHE.  Our family has been working on setting a pattern to have FHE every Monday night.  We're going on 22 weeks & counting.  I found that SIMPLE is the key!  Tonight's FHE (directed to our boys ages 7 & 5)..."BUILDING BLOCKS TO A SOLID TESTIMONY"

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Song –How Firm A Foundation


Prayer by Invitation

Scripture—3 Ne. 14:24–27

Lesson –Emphasis on "Building Blocks" to a Solid Testimony! --Show a few blocks & label with gospel centered topics like Faith, Repentance, Tithing, Kindness, Follow the Prophet et al.

“…Our personal journey through life provides us with many special experiences that become building blocks of faith and testimony. These experiences come to us in vastly different ways and at unpredictable times. They can be powerful spiritual events or small enlightening moments. Some experiences will come as serious challenges and heavy trials that test our ability to cope with them. No matter what the experience may be, each gives us a chance for personal growth, greater wisdom, and, in many cases, service to others with more empathy and love. As the Lord stated to the Prophet Joseph Smith in a reassuring way during one of his most significant trials at Liberty Jail, “All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good” (D&C 122:7). As experiences accumulate in our lives, they add strength and support to each other. Just as the building blocks of our homes support the rest of the structure, so too do our personal life experiences become building blocks for our testimonies and add to our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ…Faith is increasing among God’s covenant people, and I believe it is through having a personal treasury of such valued experiences that an increase of faith can happen for each of us. President Monson said: “[The Lord] commands. And to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple, He will reveal Himself in the toils, the conflicts, the sufferings which they shall pass through in His fellowship, and … they shall learn in their own experience Who He is” (in “The Way of the Master,” Liahona and Ensign, Jan. 2003, 7; quoting Albert Schweitzer, The Quest of the Historical Jesus [1948], 401; emphasis added). …In these days of worldly intrusions into our lives, when trials and difficulties may seem to engulf us, let us remember our own special spiritual experiences. These building blocks of faith will bring us conviction and reassurance of a caring, loving Father in Heaven, of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and of Their restored true and living Church. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.” -- Ronald A. Rasband, "Special Experiences", Ensign, May 2008, 11–12

Song –My Eternal Family
I am a builder working each day To build my family.
And I will do the best I can To serve them lovingly.
I am a builder growing so tall And learning ev’ry day
To speak with kindness in my home,  To help at work & play.
My Heavenly Father sent me here And He knows I can be
Strong and righteous as I build my eternal family.

Prayer by Invitation

Activity – Have Fun Building with Legos

 
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I've learned that Family Home Evening doesn't have to be complicated or elaborate.  In fact, the more preparation and fancy that I get..the less the children are interested.  What we normally boil the lesson down to is the basics.  The simple truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and what really matters.  We obey the Prophet and hold Family Home Evening one night a week.  We learn and grow together setting an example for the children to hold the tradition in their own family when they are older.  We enjoy the time together as family.

Christmas Bells

If they ring, what do they say to you?

Gratitude.

Jesus Is Born.

Thank you.

God is great.


Earlier this week, I got a voicemail from the Bishop mentioning that the Adventure Scouts would like to come put up Christmas lights and to call him back.

First, I don't hang Christmas lights outside.  Second, I am tired.  Third, I think I can do everything myself. 

But without hesitation, I accepted the help and called the Bishop back saying he could relay the message that the Scouts could come over, just have someone let me know what time so that I could be ready.

Then, I panicked...I don't have Christmas lights to hang.  I don't know when they are coming.  The house is a mess!

But without hesitation, I calmed.  I said a prayer.  I went to sleep.

In the morning, I looked at the wreckage that is my house and sighed.   I got the kids ready, dropped them off at the sitters and school.  And I went to work wondering.

Then, I got inspired.  I could buy some lights.  I could have them hang a picture that is too heavy for me to do myself.  I could have them build a bookshelf that has been waiting to be built for awhile.

With the husband out of town on business for the next month, its been a challenge to keep everything in order.  But part of being a mom is looking on the positive side.

I got a message saying the Scouts were coming over between 7:15 and 8:15pm.  That meant I could pick up all the kids, buy lights and get home to clean the house between 6-7pm.

So I prayed and felt that ring tingle that everything would work out and committed to be NICE. (Stressful times call for extra nice thoughts, words, deeds from the Momma).  I bought the kids candy and they played in their room while I cleaned the downstairs, holding the baby.  In a mere 15 minutes, went from chaotic disaster to respectable and ready for guests (At least I wasn't embarrassed).  A miracle!

As I held the baby watching two leaders and 5 Scouts work...I smiled.  I finally understood what it meant  when people talk about service bringing you closer together.  I wasn't all that interested in help from Scouts when the Bishop called, but I wasn't going to reject the willingness of others to serve.  And so I let them into our house.  And grateful to their Mothers for raising such good natured Young Men. 

Let me tell you that I'm grateful! They were gracious and kind and very responsible. In 30 minutes, the Scouts hung lights on the porch, the tree, the banister, hung the picture on the wall and built a bookshelf for us.  All things that I now smile brightly when seeing.

I feel like Angels are ringing bells and cheering for:  Me--because I stopped fretting & let them help.  Them--because they did a marvelous service.  You-- because you deserve a smile.