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“The poorest shack in which love prevails over a united family is of far greater value to God and future humanity than any other riches. In such a home God can work miracles, and will work miracles. Pure hearts in a pure home are always in whispering distance of Heaven.”
David O. McKay Church News, Sept.7, 1968
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For an idea to organize and teach GOSPEL TOPICS in your home, go to GOSPEL STUDY in the side bar.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Family Time and Traditions Worth Keeping



“A fiddler on the roof.  Sounds crazy, no? But in our little village of Anatevka, you might say every one of us is a fiddler on the roof, trying to scratch out a pleasant, simple tune without breaking his neck.  It isn’t easy.  You may ask, why do we stay up here if its so dangerous?  We stay because Anatevka is our home.  And how do we keep our balance?  That I can tell you in a word – tradition!
Because of our traditions, we’ve kept our balance for many, many years.  Here in Anatevka we have traditions for everything – how to eat, how to wear clothes.  For instance, we always have to keep our heads covered and always wear a little prayer shawl.  This shows our constant devotion to God.  You may ask, how did this tradition start?  I’ll tell you – I don’t know!  But, it’s a tradition.  Because of our traditions, everyone knows who he is and what God expects him to do.”                                                                                                     (great musicals for the American Theater, ed/ Stanly  Richards, vol. 1 Radnor Penn: Chilton Bk Co 1973 p. 393) 

And speaking of recognizing traditions, we don’t want to be like the woman who 
said, “traditions?  I don’t think we have any.  We just do the same old thing 
year after year!”



One idea is to have a few discussions as a couple to decide which traditions to carry on from your families of origion, and what new traditions you want to begin in your family.
This is not only for newlyweds!






A great source for studying family traditions is a book entitled
 "Strengthening Our Families - An In-depth Look at the Proclamation
on the Family" edited by David C. Dollahite (School of Family Life BYU 2000)

Our children surprised us one Christmas with a "Family Tradition Book" of our traditions along with comments from all of them.  At the time this gift was given, we had several of our seven children married an a bunch of grand-children. Our kids got this ideas from our friends, the Petersons, who made a tradition book for their parents.  WE LOVE IT !!!!!! Here are some catagories:



One month our family (along with some others)
studied "Light and Truth"  for a month.  At the end of the 
month in order to "finalize" and create an adventurous experience 
where-in the children could feel the spirit, we hiked Timpanogos Cave. 
and When we hiked down into the cave amidst stalactites 
and stalagmites - when the lights were turned off, we
talked to our families about what being in the dark felt like, and let them share feelings.
We discussed light and darkness, and how the light of the spirit makes us feel, 
and how to keep the Holy Ghost with us.  So effective - we weill never forget this experience.

                                           
                                                Click HERE for more ideas on family topical
                                                                    gospel study and activities




Each year before the children start school - from 
Pre-School to College (and even for children in graduate 
programs if they so desire), Scott offers to give them a 
priesthood blessing to help them begin the new adventure.  

One fun tradition for newly called missionaries is to have a 
party and invite any missionaries who served in the mission 
to which the new missionary has been called come to share 
information and inspiration. Also, we have asked the 
missionary if he or she would like us all to write our name by 
a scripture that means a lot to us in his or her set of scriptures.  
This way the missionary will be reminded of our love and 
support anytime that scripture is read 
and studied while they are serving 
(and foreverafter for that matter!)

For graduations, we give a nice gift, and try to have our own 
"commencement" at home to applaud 
and congratulate the graduate.  The graduates 
also have a chance to be valedictorian and give a 
speech to us!

YW, Duty to God, and Scout awards are a big deal...
deserving of a party to celebrate!

This is the mom speaking...I ask you, can a 
college student going away to school leave home without a 
 homemade quilt to carry love from home 
with him or her?  Not at our house!
                                         
                                         I (Angelle) grew up with "brown bag" birthdays where
                                            all the gifts were in brown paper bags and the
                                              person giving the gift hit us on the head with
                                                          the bag before we could open it.
                                                "Heavy heavy hang over thy poor head -
                                       what do you with this person with a bump on the head!"
                       We continue that tradition (which probably got started because 
                       my parents were short on funds as they raised their children in 
                       the early years, and couldn't afford nice wrapping paper. ha! ha!
                     Another tradition we have is to say some wonderful things
                                  about the birthday person (and tell hem that we love them)
                                 while he or she opens the gift from each of us. One of our sons
                                      used to say "I love this person because I am genetically
                                                         obligated to!" haha...
                                   We tried to teach the kids that we love no matter what, and
                                    we appreciate and love some things they do and are also.



January 1st (or there about) we have an "Awards Banquet" 
and give awards to family members for 
ways they grew in the last year.

                                             
                                                   For a meaningful Christmas tradition idea
                                                      - a Gift to the Savior - click HERE 


                                      We love to bang pots and pans to welcome in the new year.
                                       Thank goodness most of our neighbors join in the fun!









                                                     For more ideas on enjoying wholesome family
                                                            recreation click HERE







                                   For ideas to promote and enjoy family history, and for fun
                                                            projects to do, click HERE












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