Alright all you busy moms out there. It's that time of year again (I talked about this last year) to dedicate ourselves for following our Prophet. I think after years and years of trying Family Home Evening. I have finally found a system that works for me. Pretty much it's SIMPLE and I'm super FLEXIBLE. I don't have a cute chart...because honestly my kids fight over who does what, and Alayna would just boss the other boys around. So we just assume that I run the show...(I'm sure this will change as, yes, they learn not to argue with one another!)
This year with FHE is going to be more fun because after what, seven years or something Jared gets home for dinner and FHE now. (YIPPEE) This honestly is the best SURPRISE each and every Monday. (I mean, I've had him home for one week!) It's been great so far.
FIRST IDEA: Anyways, back to what works for us. Simple. We get the Friend out one week and have the kids each pick a number between the first page of the friend and the last. We then read the three different articles and IF the treat listed inside is SUPER easy and not to long of a process and if we happen to have the ingredients we then will make it or something similar. The kids love this night.
THIRD IDEA: A third option that I really enjoy is taking a FEW extra minutes earlier in the day to find something extra special that pertains for our family that week. (Anywhere from...Modesty, respect, prophets, scriptures reverence, etc.) (EXAMPLE: Alayna is preparing for her baptism so we focus pretty much everything on that decision ) For example today we talked about Baptism and I found this darling story and ideas on ROAD SIGNS back to our loving Heavenly Home. It was perfect because my kids love Maps, and I printed off some road signs (I found it all done online) that are commandments that have been given us to help us return home. It was darling. Anyways, we did a little scripture chase with two teams, we read the scriptures, wrote down the answers on then a review.
FOURTH IDEA: Finally, we love to use the ipad and the Mormon channel. My kids are HOOKED to any and all Mormon Message. I love how impacting they are to them. They honestly remember and love each and every movie. I'm so thankful for that.
BACKUP IDEA: The only other thing we do each morning as we are racing out the door and eating breakfast before school is we recite and attempt to memorize the Primary Scripture. I love this because if our morning scripture reading hasn't happened (due to crazy kids and ornery parents!) then we all say it. Alayna is sweet because she's so consistent and predictable and she always says if we've forgotten..."But Mom, I can't leave without a scripture in my mind!" I think it speaks volumes for the repetition of spiritual things, what great counsel we have been given from our loving prophets.THOUGH we are all super imperfect and really just trying to do better each day. I've compiled them yet again for this new year so print them off if you desire....
PRIMARY 2013 MONTHLY SCRIPTURES
Being a parent is a challenge. A great rewarding one, but a challenge nonetheless I think often and even have this scripture printed on my fridge) of this quote from Elder Bednar's talk given in General Conference October 2009. (Man I only had two kids then...wow how time changes!)
In my office is a beautiful painting of a wheat field. The painting is a vast collection of individual brushstrokes—none of which in isolation is very interesting or impressive. In fact, if you stand close to the canvas, all you can see is a mass of seemingly unrelated and unattractive streaks of yellow and gold and brown paint. However, as you gradually move away from the canvas, all of the individual brushstrokes combine together and produce a magnificent landscape of a wheat field. Many ordinary, individual brushstrokes work together to create a captivating and beautiful painting.
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.
Good luck to you all with your consistency in your homes. Am I the only one who loves a new year with a new start?
