Thursday, September 30, 2010

Promoting Measures That Strengthen the Family as The Fundamental Unit of Society

Well, we've arrived at the end of our month-long celebration of 
The Family: A Proclamation to The World.


It's difficult to find words to describe how wonderful and amazing this month has been
without sounding trite.  Whether you were with us all month or if you are just now joining us, it's worth going back and reading all of the posts.  All of our guest bloggers did a wonderful job, and the link-up posts that you did were spectacular.  I gained so much wisdom, appreciated some new perspectives, and picked up many important ideas on how to strengthen my family relationships and how to enjoy my role as a Mother more.



Thank you for reading and for contributing your testimonies and experiences to this celebration!
Thanks so much to our sponsors who donated the prizes for this fun blog party!


I am ever so grateful to Montserrat of Chocolate On My Cranium for including me in this wonderful adventure.  She was truly inspired when she came up with this idea, and it has in turn inspired all of us.  Please drop by her site to thank her...and check out the article that was written about her recently in The Mormon Times.


Although our month together has come to a close, I hope that you will continue to celebrate Family and your divine role in the family...each and every day.  Come back to visit often, as I know that I'll be dropping in on all of you as well!
XOXO!


Now, on with the show!
Our final guest blogger is Nita Newswander.
She is a bright, talented, outspoken new mother.  
She's also my cousin...(well, my cousin's wife, anyway!)  
Here's Nita...




As responsible and concerned citizens, we have a duty to “promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society,” as stated in the family proclamation. What are some of “those measures” and how can we support them? I’ve put together just a few ideas to get us started.


1. Activism and support of the family begins at home. Teach your children by example that the family is a sacred unit, that mothers and fathers work together to love and nurture their children, and that civic education is important. Learn about key issues together.


2. Be involved and let your children see it. Whatever your cause—school-district re-zoning or the rights of unborn children—let your voice be heard. Don’t shy away from talking about important political issues with your family at the dinner table. Volunteer your time for a cause that is important to you.


3. Support legislation that protects children and families. Locally and nationally, we can do this with our voices and our votes. Campaign for candidates with shared values. Encourage open discussion of issues or legislation regarding those values. Blogs are an excellent way to enter the public sphere and share our opinions with friends and neighbors near and far. If you have more time or resources, consider making phone calls, handing out literature, or otherwise sharing your talents.


4. Let others know how you feel. If formal involvement in a cause is too intimidating, visit a neighbor and share your feelings or concerns with them. In the worst case, they will disagree with you. But even then they will know where you stand and will have gained an increased awareness from the conversation.


5. Vote. And encourage others to do it. Elections are not won by private hopes or worrying.
Protecting our families is our responsibility, and as citizens of a democratic republic, we have a right to call upon our government to support us as we do so.


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Thank you, Nita!




And here are Winners of the party favors for this final week of our celebration!
Family for Time and  Eternity vinyl lettering wood mini-sign READY TO SHIP

"Family: for time & eternity" wooden sign
by Love Letters


WINNER:
My Photo
Heather of Women in the Scriptures


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Personalized Family Night Magnet Set
Personalized FAMILY NIGHT Magnet Set
by Primary Bird


WINNER:

Lara of The Golden Seven

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Family Home Evening Jar - PDF

Family Home Evening Jar - PDF
by JuBEAN Designs


Stacy of Mom of Five And Still Alive
(PS - Stacy, no you didn't win this because of the comment that you made!  You actually came up on Random number generator, believe it or not! :)


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Love Is Spoken Here - 5 x 7 in Pink

"Love Is Spoken Here" Print
by Sugar Fresh


WINNER:
Niki of Desserts on Demand
(LOL!)


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Young Women's Virtue charm bracelet

Young Women's Virtue Charm Bracelet
by Serendipity Beaded Creations


WINNER:

Cherry of Motherhood, Legacy of Faith and Love


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Family Home Evening Manuel - PDF file
2010 Family Home Evening Manual - PDF
"I Know My Savior Lives"
by Becca Stoker of Just Beccuz


WINNER:

Renae of Toledo Marks The Spot

CONGRATULATIONS to all of the winners.

Please email me your contact info so you can receive your prize!

And as always, please remember to check out Chocolate On My Cranium
and be sure to THANK MONTSERRAT for bringing us all together for this wonderful celebration!

Continue reading... »

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Ode to My Mother





Today's guest blogger is my dear friend Cherry.
Cherry was one of my first blog friends and has been so supportive of all of my crazy blogging projects...and this one is no exception! She loves to blog about Motherhood over on her blog. She is all heart, and I am so blessed to have her as a friend!
Here is Cherry...
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Oh, how I love talking about my journey as a mother. It is a gift from God. How this noble calling brings a lot of fun, challenge and excitement into my life. If I had to live my life once more, I would still love to be born to my Mom and Dad, marry my husband, Alan, and be blessed with daughters who sometimes give me a headache but most of the time bring joy into my heart and into my life.


Due to my very demanding schedule as a full-time wife to my husband-Alan, mother to two beautiful and smart girls-Geri [141/2y/o] and Shelley [11y/o], Registered Nurse, teacher both at home and in our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a friend, church organist and more!! I had a hard time deciding what topic to share with you in this wonderful, month-long celebration of family.
But then, I thought of a very special person who has indeed taught me through her great life experience how I can be the kind of person I am now and the kind of mother God expects me to be. She truly lives a righteous life so she can "perform the sacred duties and responsibilities God has commanded parents to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another." 

That person is my Mother.


My Mother did not have a convenient life, but she proved that in spite of life's hardships and trials it is possible to obey God- to raise good children and righteously provide for their needs both temporally and spiritually. Her[my parents] wise and good choices brought forth “blessings that will perpetuate beyond the grave” in the eternities to come with fruits that can be enjoyed forever by her[their] posterity.
Last summer, I had the opportunity to go home in the Philippines to visit my Mom and Dad. After 6 long years since we came here in the States, this is the first time I would see my parents again. It was a very long trip, my parents did not probably notice the excitement in my tired, haggard face. Although I noticed that my parents were not as young as I think of them anymore. I also found out that my mother was sick causing her to lose a lot of weight. I realized that the time has come that I will be the one taking care of them already. Somehow my vacation plans changed. I was there for a different purpose: which is to serve them, to take care of them and to comfort them. To let them feel how grateful I am for the sacrifices they've made to raise me and my brother, to provide for our needs, temporally and spiritually, when we were still young.
We were in and out of doctors' clinics seeking for the best medical advice and treatment to all the symptoms my mother was suffering. It was heart-breaking to see her suffer physically and emotionally as well. Until my time was almost over and I had not really seen any improvement in her condition, It was hard to leave her in that situation. A few days before I left the Philippines, my mother managed to write me a letter. It was a very emotional but very loving and inspiring letter. [Please allow me to share her exact words, translation is added for the part that she expressed in our language.]
 
To my ever dearest Cherry,
I hope you'll treasure this book and everything that is written in it. I got the inspiration of doing this from the talk of Sister Susan W. Tanner-Young Women General President. The title of her talk is "Did I tell you?"
I know there were many things that I did not tell you and there are many things that I must tell you. Perhaps I did not tell you that you are very precious and very dear to me.
I won't forget the day when you were born, "halos hindi ka pa naitataas ng Midwife ay "umuuha'' ka na ng napakalakas at sinabi nga ng Midwife na babae ang aking anak ay may kakaibang ligaya sa aking puso kahit medyo nahirapan ako sa pagle"labor''. [I wont forget the day when you were born, you were already crying loudly as soon as you got out of my womb and when the Midwife told me that my baby was a girl there was an unexplainable feeling of joy in my heart amidst the difficulty felt during labor and delivery.]



There are many good memories about you worth remembering-like one time when you and your brother were still very young and small, I was feeding you and Ramon, "sobra kayong makulit kaya nagalit ako, iniwan ko kayo, inilagay ko ang pagkain sa medyo mataas na lugar, pero pagbalik ko ay kumakain na kayo at ikaw pa ang nagsusubo sa kapatid mo. Nang makita ko ang tagpong yun ay napangiti na lang ako." [I got angry because both of you won't sit still to eat. So I stopped feeding you, put the food on top of the table and left the room. When I finally decided to come back I saw you holding the food and you were even the one feeding your older brother, that scene put a smile on my face.]
You decided early to go to school. You were not yet six years old when we enrolled you in first grade. Your love for your studies, waking up early just to continue reviewing for a test even when you were still in grade school, then the same thing in High school, and even more when you were in Colloge, esp. when you were preparing for the Board exam, then CGFNS[Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools] and TOEFL/TSE tests.
I admire you more when you are the Relief Society President in your ward and in your stake. I sometimes wondered where you were getting your strength to perform all your duties, but then I know for sure the Holy Ghost was with you always-lagi nga kitang pinagmamalaki sa mga members.
You have always been a good daughter, a good mother to your two kids, and a good wife too. I'm always thankful that you've been active in the church. I knew even when you were still single you did all your best to keep the commandments and the standards of the church. I know that you really valued all our Lord's teachings that's why you had overcome even the biggest temptation that came into your life.
Being your mother I can feel how much love our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ have for you.
When you gave birth to your two daughters esp. to Shelley I didn't tell you how much fear and pain I had felt because I knew that you had a hard labor and delivery, but I had never seen any trace of hardship on your face and countenance and the more I have admired you for that.
I dont remember a time that you had ever complained about our very poor living condition (when you and Ramon) were still growing up. I have always wished I could have done more for you and Ramon when both of you were still growing up.

It seems like she never had a chance to finish this letter, she was very weak and sick during that time. She truly has a good heart. I see "Charity--which is the pure love of Christ" in her actions. She would still think of my father's welfare and our welfare even if she was already sick. I wanted to dedicate this post to my mother to let her know that she has done more than what is needed. She didnt have to wish for it, because she actually did it and is still doing it.


I know that she will live long to behold and witness the fruits of her hard labors....to be the best great- grandmother to her great- grandchildren. As the Prophet Joseph Smith said to the women of the Relief Society in April of 1842 "If you live up to your privilege, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates."


She has been serving as a Relief Society President , in the branch or in the District since I was young. In fact, she is currently the District Relief Society President. Growing up, I saw her life spent in simplicity and righteousness. I never heard her complain to my Dad about our poor life. She lived the gospel of Christ that is taught at church to improve her life and her family’s future.

You see, motherhood [parenthood] is like a chain reaction, it is imperative that we perform it righteously bridging to stronger links in the family. “The Family is ordained of God.” He is the author of successful marriages and families. Whatever circumstances in life that we may be in, it is possible to obey God’s commandments, to raise good children and strengthen families. We are all His children, and He wants us to come back to His presence which is “made possible through the sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples.”

Her most treasured legacy: it is MOTHERHOOD.


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Thank you, Cherry!

Now it's YOUR turn to link-up your Family Proclamation posts.
Sadly, this is our last link-up for our Family Celebration!
Many thanks to all of you who have added so much to our month-long blog party!









And here are the party favors for this final week of our celebration!

Family for Time and  Eternity vinyl lettering wood mini-sign READY TO SHIP

"Family: for time & eternity" wooden sign

Personalized Family Night Magnet Set

Personalized FAMILY NIGHT Magnet Set

Family Home Evening Jar - PDF

Family Home Evening Jar - PDF

Love Is Spoken Here - 5 x 7 in Pink

"Love Is Spoken Here" Print

Young Women's Virtue charm bracelet

Young Women's Virtue Charm Bracelet

Family Home Evening Manuel - PDF file

2010 Family Home Evening Manual - PDF
"I Know My Savior Lives"
by Becca Stoker of Just Beccuz

To win one of these lovely party favors, simply comment or link-up all this week.

And as always, please remember to check out Chocolate On My Cranium
and be sure to THANK MONTSERRAT for bringing us all together for this wonderful celebration!
Continue reading... »

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Warnings and Forewarnings In The Family Proclamation

Today, I'm happy to introduce you to a very special guest...My Mother!
Susan is known for getting directly to the heart of the matter.
And I think that she does so here.

Go for it, Mom!
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I have been most interested in the title of this piece of doctrine and have been since it was given.  But I am always more surprised that people just refer to it as The Family Proclamation.    In truth, the title is:
The Family:
A Proclamation to the World

I am sure it doesn’t matter to anyone else but to me, there’s a fine difference.  My name is Susan, do not call me Sue!)  The doctrine is The FAMILY.  And that’s what it deals with. But it is a proclamation that was and is sent to THE WORLD.  It occurred to me that just being THE FAMILY sets it forth as a definitive title…with it then being sent out as a proclamation to the world.  It’s the world that needs to figure out what the family is all about since it’s the world that has lost track of what that truth is.

And the next thing I always notice is that “The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” followed the title immediately and does not come at the bottom of the document as we usually hear read in pulpits around the LDS communities.  As Latter-day Saints, this ought to beat loudly in our hearts. These are the men we sustain as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.  These are the inspired men who we ought to give ear to, heeding their counsels.  These aren’t just men who are educated by men in the societal aspect of home and family living. These are Men of God, inspired men who have a whole other level of education.  And they are anxious to share this with us.  We need to be just as anxious to set aside our own views and listen and obey.

The Proclamation to the World was given in 1995, during the General Relief Society Conference. I remember sitting there, listening to the Prophet talk to women!  Not to the brethren in their Priesthood Session and thinking:  “Wow!”  This has import. This has permanence. This is meant to wake me up.”  And later on I wondered, why first to the women?  Why not to the brethren?  I never saw it as a pacifier to women so the world would think, “Oh at last!  The Mormons are finally seeing women as important.” We always were important. To our leaders and to the Lord!  But there’s something reminiscent of the old saying that the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.  Perhaps it was a wake up call to the women that it’s time to rock that cradle again, to teach and inspire those innocent babes who are entrusted to our care, so that they then will grow and rule the world by rocking more cradles.

Listen to the preamble President Gordon B. Hinckley gave before setting forth The Family:  With so much of sophistry that is passed off as truth, with so much of deception concerning standards and values, with so much of allurement and enticement to take on the slow stain of the world, we have felt to warn and forewarn. In furtherance of this we of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles now issue a proclamation to the Church and to the world as a declaration and reaffirmation of standards, doctrines, and practices relative to the family which the prophets, seers, and revelators of this church have repeatedly stated throughout its history.”

Again, Wow!  Could it be any plainer?  Women! Women of the World Wake!  Women of the CHURCH…wake up!  You are being deceived by the world.  All the things the world is telling you that you deserve, that you need to be validated, is a bunch of bunk!  It’s a stain!  Listen up ladies…We will Warn and Forewarn You!  Now the use of those two words intrigued me as I was writing this piece.  I called and chatted with a friend who moved recently and I asked Randy what he thought about those two words.  And his explanation made sense.  When we are warned we are being told about risky things, dangerous things that are happening now.  But in being forewarned we are being shown what else will occur.  President Hinckley is saying the world you are living in now is filled deception/sophistry in case you didn’t notice.  And because of this, as  the living prophet I am going to forewarn you….get your act together and strengthen your family because the calamities that await you are right at your door. Sooner than you can imagine.  Be smart!  Listen up!  Change!  Turn back to the eternal doctrines that have existed since before the world was.

Yes, The Family went out to every single person, male and female, on the face of the earth.  And yet it was another reminder of what previous prophets have said.  I grew up with President David O. McKay’s advice to families, more importantly was his advice to couples.  I remember President Spencer W. Kimball telling moms to stay in the home.   The years speed by and the counsels keep being given.  Personally, I think those previous words were stronger.  Definitively stated. No excuses.   And what happened?  Anger.   Rejection.  Sophia, who attended that conference  in Utah with her friends, heard President Kimball tell the women to remain in the homes. Afterwards, they went out to eat (of course they did….what else do we do after meetings) and she reported how upset and mad these women were.  How dare the prophet tell them to stay home.  They had jobs that fulfilled them!  They weren’t going to quit working!  How sad Sophia was that night.  And how much sadder the world became.  Last month in Sunday School, we talked about how pride is reflected in how people don’t think God can tell them how to live their lives (So what’s the point in prayer?)

And now look what the state of the family is today, 15 years after this proclamation went out to the world.  Did anyone listen?  Very few!  Oh sure, this document gets framed and hung on walls.  And then what?  Is it ever read again or is it just another piece of LDS artwork, decopaged or mirrored or phrases put in vinyl on tile. 

Look at families today.  Divorce isn’t the only thing that is rampant.  Children are being raised by who knows what or whom?  If raised at all.  And I know the proper word useage here should be REARED. But very few children in the world are reared today.  They are often left to their own devices.  There is little discipline in the homes and consequently the ability for anyone to educate these children is lessened.

The cruelty to children is horrific if it hits the news media.  And what about the abuse that occurs between spouses. And don’t think women are the only ones who are abused.  Women can be physically cruel as well.  There are women who overstep and think it’s their place to preside, taking the right and responsibility from the fathers, women who belittle their husbands to their friends and in front of the children.

And then there’s the issue of the sanctity of procreation.  Decades ago I jumped at the chance to be a charter member of our county’s first Right to Life organization.  I value life.  I abhor abortion. I have very strong views on this topic.  I typed the monthly newsletter and this all before the advent of home computers. This was in the day when copy/paste meant exactly that. We sat in classes that taught us about abortions and how it got legislated.  We battled upstream the whole way.  But we tried to education anyone who would listen.

In the end, this proclamation begs the world’s people  and the world’s government to promote the doctrines listed within, to strengthen the family and return it to it’s righteous and fundamental state in society.

Marriages are ordained of God, and are to be between a man and woman.  Couples are to be chaste before marriage and faithful only to each other after.  Together the man and the woman work to raise a righteous generation.  A strong generation.  And it will be the strong and the righteous who withstand the attacks of the adversary, of the world.

It’s time to take THE FAMILY: A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD off the walls and start reading it.  Start applying it daily, hourly.  Use it as you did your college textbooks.  Outline it.  Red pencil the points you need to work on.  Highlight the warning areas that apply to you in your family, in your relationships.  Research what the scriptures have said, what previous prophets, seers, and revelators have said and then mark it in the margins as a reminder.

Declare your support of this doctrine from the rooftops  or your blogs if you must but first  proclaim and live it in your homes, with your spouses, with your children.  The rooftops don’t care.  The blogs don’t either. But you and your family should.  Stand as another witness to these truths.  Do not waiver.  But in all things be kind and gentle.  Not everyone stands on your lofty mountaintop yet.  Don’t allow your militant stance to cause another to stumble.  Ever gently lead them to a greater understanding of what truth lies within these words.

~~~
Thank you, Mom!
Don't forget to check out Chocolate today too!
And here are the party favors for this final week of our celebration!
Family for Time and  Eternity vinyl lettering wood mini-sign READY TO SHIP

"Family: for time & eternity" wooden sign

Personalized Family Night Magnet Set

Personalized FAMILY NIGHT Magnet Set

Family Home Evening Jar - PDF

Family Home Evening Jar - PDF

Love Is Spoken Here - 5 x 7 in Pink

"Love Is Spoken Here" Print

Young Women's Virtue charm bracelet

Young Women's Virtue Charm Bracelet

Family Home Evening Manuel - PDF file

2010 Family Home Evening Manual - PDF
"I Know My Savior Lives"
by Becca Stoker of Just Beccuz

To win one of these lovely party favors, simply comment or link-up all this week.

And as always, please remember to check out Chocolate On My Cranium
and be sure to
THANK MONTSERRAT for bringing us all together for this wonderful celebration!
Continue reading... »

Monday, September 27, 2010

FHE Lessons About The Family Proclamation & Scripture Study On The Go

Lara is my "Ripples of Birthday Service" friend, and I am happy to have her share this great idea for keeping family centered on Christ even during those busy, busy days!

Lara also shares all of her family's FHE lessons online for you to download here.
Remember that today's link-up theme is FHE ideas pertaining to The Family Proclamation...
Please feel free to link-up at the end of this post.
Here's Lara!
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Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.”   


Happiness.  Isn’t that what we’re all seeking in this life?  But how do you take the crazy life with kids, with their sports’ practices, music lessons, church activities, chores, hanging out with friends and homework and center family life “upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ”?  The greatest resource to learn the teachings of Jesus Christ is in the scriptures.  Indeed, we are instructed to feast upon the words of Christ.
 

With five kids ages 5-15, there are some days when I feel like half our lives are spent in the car rushing to another sports practice or church activity.  We often roll into our driveway just in time to rush the kids off to bed, hoping they (and I) get enough sleep to repeat the craziness again tomorrow.  Sadly, with our busy schedule wreaking havoc with our scripture reading routine, we felt like we were barely nibbling on the scriptures, much the less feasting.  

I don’t remember how it all started, but one day we decided that it was time to stop using the excuse of being too busy to read the scriptures together, and start using our time together in the car, while everyone’s buckled into place, to invite the spirit into our lives and better keep up with our routines and that is how our “Scripture Study On-the-Go” routine was born.  


Basically how it works is that on those crazy nights we find ourselves in the car approaching bedtime (or on vacation), we work on memorizing scriptures in the car rather than waiting until we get home (and probably skipping scripture reading altogether since it’s late).


We teach them scripture mastery scriptures from our seminary days, articles of faith, and other scriptures that have caught their attention.  It usually takes a couple of car rides before they have it completely memorized, then after that we just go around the family and “say our scriptures”.  They usually keep the same scripture for a couple of months and then we’ll challenge them to learn a new one.

It’s not exactly scripture study per se, but it is highly effective for getting the kids (and us) to keep up the routine of scripture reading on those crazy days.   One of the beautiful things I love about this tradition is that because of the repetition, each child usually knows not only their own scriptures, but most of the rest of the family’s scriptures as well.  I feel like it’s really embedded these scriptures into their minds and hearts from their earliest years.

We have found that the kids can usually start memorizing scriptures when they are about four-years-old, but can participate when they are much younger (about 2-years-old) by repeating scriptures phrase by phrase that a parent or older child is reciting.  

Our rules for this routine are pretty loose.  Basically we don’t allow repeats on the same night and we don’t allow super short scriptures like “Jesus wept,” or anything.

We usually combine our scripture recitation with a round of songs because it’s something the kids have always enjoyed.  Plus we like the fact that singing is a great tool for further inviting the Spirit.


Sample of our family’s Scripture Study On-the-Go:
Dad:  Ellie, choose a song.
Ellie:  “Jesus Once was a Little Child”
All of us:  ♪♫♪♫♪
Dad:  Okay, Adam what song would you like to sing?
…on it goes through the whole family picking a song and then all of us singing along
Dad:  Ellie, can you say your scripture?
Ellie:  We believe in God the eternal father…
Dad:  It’s your turn Adam.
….on it goes with the whole family reciting their memorized scriptures.

Total time elapsed (including a full round of songs):  5-10 minutes.


(Okay, so this is a posed picture, but it shows a little glimpse of our family having a “Scripture Study On-the-Go”.  Of course, normally everyone is buckled and my oldest son is not giving me dirty looks for asking him to pose for a picture.)  :)


This routine does not preclude our actual reading of the Book of Mormon together,  rather we save this routine for those crazy nights when we would most likely skip reading, since we’re getting home so late.  I feel like the two routines--reading straight from the scriptures and reciting our memorized scriptures in the car--are a great complement to each other.   Some weeks it seems like we do the “Scripture Study On-the-Go” almost every night and other weeks hardly at all.  For us, it’s all about balance and consistency.   One huge bonus about being in the car too, is that it practically guarantees that no one will get up and walk to the bathroom in the middle.  :)  


Perhaps “Scripture Study On-the-Go” does not rise to the level of a feast, but we feel that it has added a few more mouthfuls of the words of the Savior for our family to carry in our hearts during our daily lives.  Over the years that we’ve implemented this new element to our scripture study, I truly feel that it has helped bring us a little closer to what was meant in the Proclamation to base our family life upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.


********************
“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.”  Elder David A. Bednar
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Thanks, Lara! I love that picture of your kids! Too funny!


Now it's your turn to share...Please share your FHE Proclamation posts here.
And here are the party favors for this final week of our celebration!


Family for Time and  Eternity vinyl lettering wood mini-sign READY TO SHIP


"Family: for time & eternity" wooden sign
by Love Letters


Personalized Family Night Magnet Set


Personalized FAMILY NIGHT Magnet Set
by Primary Bird


Family Home Evening Jar - PDF


Family Home Evening Jar - PDF
by JuBEAN Designs

Love Is Spoken Here - 5 x 7 in Pink


"Love Is Spoken Here" Print
by Sugar Fresh

Young Women's Virtue charm bracelet

Young Women's Virtue Charm Bracelet
by Serendipity Beaded Creations


Family Home Evening Manuel - PDF file


2010 Family Home Evening Manual - PDF
"I Know My Savior Lives"
by Becca Stoker of Just Beccuz


To win one of these lovely party favors, simply comment or link-up all this week.


And as always, please remember to check out Chocolate On My Cranium
and be sure to
THANK MONTSERRAT for bringing us all together for this wonderful celebration!
Continue reading... »