Creating Personal Pages for the Year

One idea is to have your children create a page that can be posted or displayed for the year.  It could include their goals and dreams, gift to the Savior (see here) and committee assignment for the year (see here).  Lots of fun and very "fun"ctional!

Stories, Scriptures, and Quotes used in our lectures...

Stay tuned...we are trying to add more as fast as we can!


The story goes of a family who in the midst of house fire stood watching their home burn down

A bystander on the scene said to one of the children, “so sorry that your home burned down.” The little boy answered –not our home—that was just our house! We still have our home—we just don’t have anywhere to put it right now!

After giving a lesson on motherhood, Janeane Baasgauard was approached by a mom who said: I have one child in preschool, one in elementary, one in jr high, one in high school, and one on a mission!
What does that make me? A Mom for al seasons? No that makes you tired!

We asked our young son how we were doing as a family.  He answered, "Well, for enders we are not doing so great, but for beginners we are going great!"


“Now the word create…does not mean to create out of nothing; it means to organize, the same as a man would organize materials and build a ship.” “Hence, we infer that God had materials to organize the world out of chaos…” Joseph Smith King Follett Discourse

In our homes, we seem to have plenty of chaos – so we are half way there!

Until the toddler years are well behind them, many parents opt for the new disposable houses.






“Out of the dreariness
Into it’s cheeriness
Come we in weariness—
Home.”
Steven Chalmers

Doctrine and Covenants 52:14
“… I will give you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived.”
Pattern = example

“Because our Father in Heaven loves his children, he will not leave us to guess about what matters most in this life concerning where our attention could bring happiness or our indifference could bring sadness."  

“There is only one place in heaven where there will be families—the highest degree of the celestial kingdom. That is where we will want to be.”

Elder Eyring Ensign Feb. 1998

Family Life here is the schoolroom in which we prepare for family life there. And to give us the opportunity for family life there was and is the purpose of creation.”
Elder Henry B. Eyring Ensign Feb. 1998

“And these words… shall be in thy heart; And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when  thou  sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down and when thou risest up.”   Deut. 6:6-7   

“…we should build a consistent, planned program of introducing the principles of the gospel [to our children]…Of course there are other organizations that can help, but we should want to be certain that we know what they are learning, and that we take the time and have the patience to determine carefully and in a planned, organized way, that they are growing up with a sure foundation on which to build their lives.”                

                                                                                                        Elder L. Tom Perry Ensign Nov. l988 

“Do not be discouraged because you cannot learn all at once; learn one thing at a time, learn it well, and treasure it up, then learn another truth and treasure that up, and in a few years you will have a great store of useful knowledge which will not only be a great blessing to yourselves and your children, but to your fellow men.”       
G. Homer Durham, Discourses of Wilfred Woodruff, Bookcraft, l969)

‎"Satan cunningly calls to troubled souls in truly tempting tones. Do not yield to his enticements; rather, stand firm for truth. The unsatisfied yearnings of the soul will not be met by a never-ending quest for joy amidst the thrills of sensation and vice. Vice never leads to virtue. Hate never promotes love. Cowardice never gives courage. Doubt never inspires faith.” Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, July 1988

“To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,

Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.” 

 William Blake, “Auguries of Innocence.”

“Praying, holding family home evenings, and studying the scriptures with our children are important foundations. As we strive to create a spiritual environment, our family members can be led to those experiences that will help them build their own personal testimonies” 

(Elder Joe J. Christensen, One Step at a Time, 92).

“If you wish your children to be taught in the principles of the gospel, if you wish them to love the truth and understand it, if you wish them to be obedient to and united with you, love them! and prove … that you do love them by your every word and act to[ward] them” (President Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 316).

God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom” (Spencer W. Kimball “Small Acts of Service,” Ensign, Dec. 1974, pp. 2, 5).

“Every noble impulse, every unselfish expression of love, every brave suffering for the right; every surrender of self to something higher than self; every loyalty to an ideal; every unselfish devotion to principle; every helpfulness to humanity; every act of self-control; every fine courage of the soul, undefeated by pretense or policy, but by being, doing, and living of good for the very good’s sake—that is spirituality” (“Something Higher Than Self,” in Speeches of the Year, 12 Oct. 1965, pp. 4–5).

President Ezra Taft Benson taught that “when you choose to follow Christ, you choose to be changed” (“Born of God,” Ensign, Nov. 1985, 5). 

“I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems … no divine voice is speaking, … if I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball)

: “We sow our thoughts, and we reap our actions; we sow our actions, and we reap our habits; we sow our habits, and we reap our characters; we sow our characters, and we reap our destiny” (quoted in The Home Book of Quotations, sel. Burton Stevenson [1934], 845).

“For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another” (3 Ne. 11:29)

re·plen·ish  (r-plnsh)

v. re·plen·ished, re·plen·ish·ing, re·plen·ish·es

v.tr.

1. To fill or make complete again; add a new stock or supply to: replenish the larder.

2. To inspire or nourish: The music will replenish my weary soul.

v.intr.

To become full again.

 ^“…seek me diligently and ye shall find me…” (D&C 88:63)

                         “Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall   

                          work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the     

                          covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another.” (D&C 90:24) 

 “But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to

  grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking     

  forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a

  tree springing up unto everlasting life.

“Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your  

  diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring  

“Happily, the Lord really does increase the capacity of the diligent…”

                               Neal A. Maxwell, “Wisdom and Order,” Ensign, Jun 1994, 41

“As our sons were growing up, our family did what you have done and what you now do. We had regular family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening.  Now, I am sure what I am about to describe has never occurred in your home, but it did in ours.

Sometimes Sister Bednar and I wondered if our efforts to do these spiritually essential things were worthwhile. Now and then verses of scripture were read amid outbursts such as “He’s touching me!” “Make him stop looking at me!” “Mom, he’s breathing my air!” Sincere prayers occasionally were interrupted with giggling and poking. And with active, rambunctious boys, family home evening lessons did not always produce high levels of edification. At times Sister Bednar and I were exasperated because the righteous habits we worked so hard to foster did not seem to yield immediately the spiritual results we wanted and expected.

Today if you could ask our adult sons what they remember about family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening, I believe I know how they would answer. They likely would not identify a particular prayer or a specific instance of scripture study or an especially meaningful family home evening lesson as the defining moment in their spiritual development. What they would say they remember is that as a family we were consistent.” David A. Bednar, “More Diligent and Concerned at Home,” Ensign, Nov 2009

On the eve of our oldest daughter’s marriage, my husband and I had an interview with her. She was not only our oldest daughter, but our oldest child. The next morning she would become the first of our seven children to marry and “leave the nest.”
 “Jana, tomorrow you will be beginning a family of your own. How have we done in preparing you for this new life?”
She observed our concern, and with loving-kindness said, “Mom and Dad, we have had our challenges over the years, but I have always known that you loved me and you loved the gospel of Jesus Christ.  And that is what matters to me.”

"We cannot control what others choose to do, and so we cannot force our children to heaven, but we can determine what we will do. And we can decide that we will do all we can to bring down the powers of heaven into that family we want to have   forever." Elder Eyring Ensign, Feb. 1998

Family Home Evening, family prayer, Scriptures, Sunday time, wholesome family recreation (see First Presidency letter 11 Feb. 1999) “Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results. “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33). Consistency is a key principle as we lay the foundation of a great work in our individual lives and as we become more diligent and concerned in our own homes.” David A. Bednar, “More Diligent and Concerned at Home,” Ensign, Nov 2009 "...it is clear that no matter where a family lives, it is family life and gospel living, intimately intertwined, that most help teenagers become competent, spiritually strong, and faithful Latter-day Saints."                  Brent L. Top and Bruce A. Chadwick, "Helping Teens Stay Strong" Ensign, March 1999 "We must build a consistent, planned, program of introducing the principles of the gospel... It rests solely upon the shoulders of parents to establish a gospel foundation in the lives of their children. Of course, there are other organizations that can help, but we want to be certain that we know what they are learning, and that we take the time and have the patience to determine carefully, and in a planned way, that they are growing up with a sure foundation on which to build their lives." Elder L. Tom Perry  Ensign, Nov. 1988 "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior." Pres. Packer  Ensign, Nov. 1986 "We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, and we prophecy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." 11 Nephi 25:26 "...the hearts of you fathers and mothers must be turned to your children right now, if you have the true spirit of Elijah, and not think that it applies merely to those who are beyond the veil. Let your hearts be turned to your children ... If you are neglecting your family home evening, you are neglecting the beginning of the mission of Elijah just as certainly as if you were neglecting your genealogy research work." Harold B. Lee Priesthood genealogy seminar, 1973; quoted in Leaun G. Otten and C. Max Caldwell, Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants   Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company 1982 "I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase- mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to   the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity-the pure love of Christ-will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness.” Marion G. Romney Ensign May 1980 "There are those hours on Sunday and in a family home evening on Monday the opportunity to combine genuine caring, teaching the gospel, and the bearing of testimony. Across the earth there are families who love and understand their covenants who do that. There is a caution I would give and a promise I would offer about such choices of how to us family time. For a person not yet a member of the Church, to fail to provide such moments of love and faith is simply a lost opportunity. But for those under covenant, it is much more. There are few places where it can matter more for those for whom we are accountable. For members of the church, my caution is that to neglect those opportunities is a choice not to keep sacred covenants. Because God always honors covenants, I can make a promise to those who in faith keep the covenant to create experiences of giving love and bearing testimony with their families. They will reap a harvest of hearts touched, faith in Jesus Christ exercised unto repentance, and the power to keep covenants strengthened. I bear solemn testimony that   this is the true Church of Jesus Christ, in which the ordinances and the covenants are offered, which if accepted and honored produce peace in this life and assure us eternal life in the world to come."                                 Elder Eyring Ensign Nov. 1998

In the beginning there were two families with many children.  And it came to pass that these two families dwelt in the very same ward in the land of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Yea, the the son of the family Anderson was much impressed with the daughter of the family Clark - she being extremely fair (having no suntan).  Likewise, the daughter of the family Clark was in great awe of the son of Anderson - he being very kind, intelligent, handsome and large of stature (to her anyway).

And they got to know each other through serving, learning, and singing together.  Not to mention playing, reading, attending church, and working together.  Oftimes, they would even take younger brothers and sisters on dates with them - to movies and to the park and places like unto those.  They also loved to dance together, and dream about the future.

And in but a few years (after the son Anderson did serve a mission to the land of Germany while the daughter Clark kept busy and accomplished much back in the country of America) the will of the Lord was made manifest, and Scott (the son Anderson) did take Angelle (the daughter Clark) to be his wife.  And yea, they did seal their love and marriage in the temple of their Heavenly Father.

And they dwelt in an apartment...but that is a story for another day. :)

And it came to pass that after much tribulation and joy, they brought forth many children.  Janalyn was born in 1972, the year of seeking the University of Utah degree while dwelling in the apartment.  Jonathan was born in 1974, the year of the first Seminay teaching job.  Scott and Angelle discovered that having two children was not only more fun than only one child, but more work, too.  But they did not mind the work, so they added a third child in the bi-centennial year of 1976.  Angeli was born two months prematurely weighing just over three pounds -teaching that miracles sometimes come in small sizes. Spencer tipped the scales in the opposite direction weighing in at ten and seven ounces.  Shortly after his birth (which taught that miracles also come in large sizes), the family moved to the "farm" and Scott began teaching and attending college at Brigham Young University.  In the year 1983, Lolly was born in the midst of Scott and Angelle (and various helpers) building a new home, Scott finishing a doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy, and a term as bishop of the Bluffale 2nd Ward. Nate was born in the year 1987, and the next year, year both Angelle and Scott walked through the BYU graduation line - he with a PhD and she with a BA. The year 1990 brought in a new decade and the last of the seven children born to Scott and Angelle. Jenali was destined to be the most spoiled of all of the children, but she has always enjoyed having it that way.  And all of these children were born of goodly parents who love them more than they have words to say.

And it came to pass that these children brought forth children, and behold!  The joy of their parents in becoming grandparents was great!!!

And yea, were the days of the Anderson family always rosy?  I say unto you, nay.  But they learned much and will learn much more in course of their days, and there will continue to be much need for rejoicing in the land of their inheritance.

Through missions, marriages, and more generations to come, the Book of Anderson is being written - a book of beginnings and a story that has no end.

And thus we see that those who diligently strive to do the will of the Lord are blessed beyond measure, and that by small and simple things...great things come to pass!

                                                                  

HSH packet - The Joy of Work

One idea is to make check-off charts for each of your children (and spouse?) 

for motivation to accomplish work this month.

Use check marks, stickers, etc. and help each other in this quest.

Of course, there can be a fun reward for a completed chart.

                                               For Ensign articles and information on the topic of "work" click here .

                                              For suggestions of how to create family committees, click here.

For an "end of the month" wrap-up activity you could select from the FHE ideas, 

or come up with one of your own.

The ideas is that you have an opportunity as a parent or parents, to bear witness

of the truth of this gospel principle, share your feelings about it and create an environment

in which your family can feel the spirit witness of the importance of work.  A chance to work and reap rewards from laboring together will also witness of the joy of work!!!

Family Home Evening

Hi everyone!
WE LOVE FHE AND ALWAYS WILL! Thats not to say it hasn't been a challenge to have it over the years...
We will post more on the subject...but for now, you can go to
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&vgnextoid=e419fb40e21cef00VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRD
and 14562 articles will come up when you click the search bar and type in Family Home Evening!
LDS.org also has sections specifically on FHE and strengthening your family.  Wow!

Family Executive Committee Meeting, Family Council, Parent-Child Interviews

We think its a great idea to create forms (and make copies and have them ready) for these important meetings.   


Yes, even for executive meeting...



About parent-child interviews...
When we first introduced this concept to our children, they were not sure they wanted to participate, so we initiated "ice-cream interviews" and they liked them a lot!  After a while, they discovered that having mom or dad (or both of us) all to themselves was not all so bad!  In fact, the interviews got quite lengthy, so we had to limit the amount of time they could take, and then plan for some more one-on-one time during the week.
The goal was to have personal a parent interview (PPI) with each child each week.  More often than not, we ended up having them on fast Sundays. The records kept on our "forms" are priceless. They are a journal of sorts, and have helped us remember what was said and decided, our hopes, dreams, concerns, and feelings...its all there - right on paper!


PS... Don't skip the gratitude and compliments...Mark Twain said he could live four months on a good compliment!


Summary of Family Council

Family home evening is a social and teaching time. In a family council we talk about the needs of the family and the needs of individual members of the family. It is a time to solve problems, make family decisions, plan day-to-day and long-range family activities and goals. It is a time to share one another’s burdens and joys and counsel together, to keep each family member on the right track spiritually. It is the time when we discuss family matters, much as a bishop or branch president does with his ward or branch leaders. It is when parents use the tremendous powers of the council system. A family council could certainly be part of family home evening, but it could also take place at any time.

M. Russell Ballard and Barbara Ballard, “Family Councils: A Conversation with Elder and Sister Ballard,” Ensign, Jun 2003, 14

Family Executive Committee Meeting

Date

Opening Song and Prayer

Applause and gratitude for each other

Agenda (items to discuss)

Discussion of each family member--one by one

Action plans

Time of next Meeting

Hugs and Kisses

Closing prayer

Family Council

Date

Conducting

Opening Song/hymn  (can be the one for the month)
Scripture (one for the month or other)

Opening Prayer

Calendaring:  Sunday - Saturday

Stewardship Committee Report and Review

Action plans

Time of next meeting

Hugs and Kisses and Family Squishes

Closing Prayer

Personal Parent Interview (PPI):

Name

Date

Interview with _______________ 

Scripture of the month (or other)

song (hymn for the month or other)

O.Prayer

Feelings/happy things in life/ compliments/ applause/gratitude/ask for forgiveness

List concerns to be discussed now and/or during 
personal/parent time

Family Night assignment and input

Family Stewardship committee goals, needs and ideas

Calendar items

Finances and tithing

Personal Time with parent or parents for the upcoming week

Dinner day (menu)

Primary/Personal Progress/Scouting/Duty to God info,  updates, ideas, goals

hugs and expressions of love to each other

Closing prayer

Steven B. Glade, “Twelve Tips for Parent-Child Interviews,” Ensign, Jun 1997, 59
read

Carlos E. Asay, “Parent-Child Interviews,” Ensign, Nov 1983, 14
read


Wendell P. Droubay, “Heart to Heart,” Ensign, Jun 1997, 57
read

M. Russell Ballard and Barbara Ballard, “Family Councils: A Conversation with Elder and Sister Ballard,” Ensign, Jun 2003, 14
read

M. Russell Ballard, “Counseling with Our Councils,” Ensign, May 1994, 24
read


Ensign, Nov 1993, 76 “M. Russell Ballard, Strength in Counsel,”
read


Marvin K. Gardner, “Family Councils: Making Decisions Together,” Ensign, Dec 1978, 18
read


“Working Together in Family Councils,” Ensign, Feb 1985, 28
read

Rex W. Allred, “‘Support Your Local Family Council’,” Ensign, Feb 1982, 50
read


"When we have a family home evening, a family council, or a meaningful gospel conversation with our children, we have the opportunity to look into their eyes and tell them that we love them and that Heavenly Father loves them. In these sacred settings, we can also help them understand, deep in their hearts, who they are and how fortunate they are to have come to this earth and to our home and to participate in the covenants we have taken in the temple to be a family forever."

Robert D. Hales,

 "Our Duty to God: The Mission of Parents and Leaders to the Rising Generation," Ensign, May 2010, 97

“We should regularly review our family income, savings, and spending plan in family council meetings. This will teach our children to recognize the difference between wants and needs and to plan ahead for meaningful use of family resources. . . . Whenever we want to experience or possess something that will impact us and our resources, we may want to ask ourselves, ‘Is the benefit temporary, or will it have eternal value and significance?’ Truthfully answering these questions may help us avoid excessive debt and other addictive behavior.”
Robert D. Hales, “Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually,” Ensign, May 2009, 9–10