I hope you had an absolutely wonderful General Conference weekend! My children amazed me with their ability to sit and listen this time around. I guess that's what NINE years of practice watching all of the sessions together will do for ya! Either that or they were in a candy coma! :)
Seriously, though, I think we've all grown *a lot* in the process of watching General Conference together, including/especially myself!
As I mentioned on Facebook, neither my printer nor my oven were working this weekend, so we kept things very simple! Just putting that out there...less IS more. Since we were forced to watch it in our back room, I think there were also less distractions back there...and fewer ways out!
In this post, I'm including pictures of some activities that helped us learn during Conference this weekend. More than ever, the kids really enjoyed writing notes on the Apostles' talks on our erasable chalk board banner (read more about it here.) And we kept track of our memorized scriptures quoted during Conference on this big paper on our wall.
The other activity that proved to be precipitous was writing down every mention of children, stories about children, songs sung from the Children's Songbook, etc. My children were given this note-taking sheet by their Primary teachers, and boy did they use it, especially on Saturday, when children were spoken of in nearly every talk!
The day/morning following conference, I like to poll my children to see what teachings they remember. If they take good notes, they usually remember a lot. Scarlett took good notes.
This time around, I asked them which talks they'd like to be in charge of teaching to the family during our General Conference lessons. I wrote down the stories that they volunteered:
This always tells me what they really heard, what stories grabbed their interest, who was paying attention, and how much did they actually retain!
I'm proud of Autumn for being the first to volunteer a story: "stay by the tree!" Knowing her like I do, this just made me happy to see her growing in her ability to vocalize her beautiful thoughts. Guy did not take very many notes, so he struggled to recall three teachings/stories from Conference. Scarlett, being such a compassionate girl, can't stand to see anyone struggle, so she volunteered some of her notes for Guy to "use" for his answers. (Sharing her oil, as it were!)
Well, we've had a very adventurous Spring Break so far, and we've got the day off today, so I must be off and doing with my kids! I wish I could journal/blog about all of my thoughts from the weekend/week previous, but there's no time for that.
I will share the scripture that I read today...as part of my General Conference resolution to "every day, every day, every day" read The Book of Mormon and learn from the living prophets. I happen to be reading in Jacob 6...might be a good one to read with your families tonight in FHE (as we did this morning!) and think about how it applies to you and General Conference!
7 For behold, after ye have been nourished by the good word of God all the day long, will ye bring forth evil fruit, that ye must be hewn down and cast into the fire?
8 Behold, will ye reject these words? Will ye reject the words of the prophets; and will ye reject all the words which have been spoken concerning Christ, after so many have spoken concerning him; and deny the good word of Christ, and the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and quench the Holy Spirit, and make a mock of the great plan of redemption, which hath been laid for you?
9 Know ye not that if ye will do these things, that the power of the redemption and the resurrection, which is in Christ, will bring you to stand with shame and awful guilt before the bar of God?...
11 O then, my beloved brethren, repent ye, and enter in at the strait gate, and continue in the way which is narrow, until ye shall obtain eternal life.
12 O be wise; what can I say more?
(Jacob 6: 7-12) #LDSConf
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Yes! Practice make permanent (Larry Gelwix, Rugby Coach). Conference was a magnificent spiritual feast. All of my questions and concerns were answered, almost all in the first session. Although I had harbored no doubts about these brethren being true apostles of the Lord, I had such a strong witness born to me during the conference that it was overwhelming and I broke down sobbing. I'm so grateful to be led by God's chosen servants. Thanks for sharing your sweet children's reactions.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. The witness was absolutely there. Clearly, their teachings are prophetic and spot on to what we need to hear at this time. They strengthened the faithful, and gave everyone a key to regaining a weakened testimony, to overcoming fear and worries of society. Because of our busy schedule I (for once) wasn't able to ponder and write down my questions before-hand, but any question I might have written down were absolutely answered. Great comment, thanks!
DeleteIt was a terrific conference, and I wish I had been as purposeful and creative as you are in watching conference with my children in their youth. I always felt like just getting them to sit quietly in the room was a victory, but you are teaching them to hear the music of the gospel and not just the dance. I really like what you are doing!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue! I have been blessed by the wisdom of my Mother and other wise women like you who have come before me! It's a cumulative body of wisdom and experiences that I've gleaned from! Keep up your great work! And thanks for encouraging me!
Deletejust beautiful, the fruit of your many efforts!
ReplyDeleteWe were reviewing Elder Ballard's talk and I asked Toria if it is okay to be lazy and stop going to church after your mission. She said no. I asked, "Is it ever okay?" She said that "Daddy stopped going to church once when he was little [a toddler]. He said 'Look Mom: I got away!' and someone took him home."
ReplyDeleteI loved reading about how you watched conference with your family. You did an awesome job of working with them. It was all just so sweet. The pictures of course were fun. Thanks you for sharing all the you did; it was inspiring.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and hugs for you all!