* 2 T-Ball games this week for Nathan
* Date night for Mom and Dad after the adult session of Stake Conference
* Lots of "ups and downs" with the photos from the Dance Studio :(
* Ben's first scout campout!
In Our Homeschool This Week...
We've gotten back on track with the task cards - which feels great! During our Enrichment (devotional) time we memorized the 10 commandments in order and have had some great scriptural discussions. We also went on a field trip to the Aquarium on Friday...
Kids Say... here are two conversations from this week (coincidentally both involving Lexi)
Lexi: Mom, am I going to live with you even when I'm a mom?
Mom: Probably not... you'll have your own place to live.
Lexi: (after thinking a bit about it) I know where I'm going to live! The Oregon Coast!
Today at Stake Conference Lexi turns to me and said "Nathan just made a face at me... he must not be feeling the Spirit right now!" That made me chuckle.
Spiritually Speaking... In addition to the miracles that we saw with the Boston Marathon and Kathryn earlier this week, I wanted to share some of my notes from Stake Conference. Today was a broadcast (to most of the stakes in Idaho) from Salt Lake City where Elders Nash, Osguthorpe and Hales spoke to us (and also Sister Burton - the Gen RS President). All of the talks were so very GOOD and they all had the same theme running through them - STRENGTHENING THE FAMILY!
Elder Nash related how we could become "Tight Unto A Dish" like the barges that the Brother of Jared built. Here are some of the points he made:
* Pray - as a Family, Individual and Couple and to pray always.
* FHE - great blessings are promised to those that do this diligently; More love at home and increased obedience to parents. Whether there's reverence or not during FHE - STILL DO IT regularly and consistently.
* Read Scriptures Daily in our Home. When things come up on our lives (trials, tribulations, etc) be like the Brother of Jared and go to the Lord in prayer and ask for help.
* Use the New Youth Curriculum - this approach brings the gospel light to our children
* Prepare names fo the Temple and teach our youth how to do the same
* Do NOT punch holes in the Barge - which can be created by pornography, abuse and any unclean thing.
* If we are currently less than diligent in these things (and if we're being too casual) then we need to repent immediately!
* Be CEASELESS and CONSTANT in our obedience to the God. (Pres. Monson)
Elder Robert D. Hales:
3 things we need to be doing:
1) Prayer - alone, with our spouse and with our family
* We should start off with expressions of gratitude - including the gift of the Atonement
* Then we should confess our sins/shortcomings and then ask for our needs/desires. Be specific.
* It's essential that we contemplate and ponder and leave time for the Spirit to motivate and inspire us.
2) FHE - Fathers and Mothers should work together
* involve the children in planning FHE
* What are each Family member learning in Primary and their personal scripture study?
* Use FHE to prepare for missions
* It's a time for wholesome recreation. Provides precious moments to learn together and share our testimonies with each other.
3) Hold Family Counsels
*These should be patterned after the counsels at church
Addiitonal notes form his talk that touched me...
* We need to fill our homes with WORTHY MUSIC. Particularly the Hymns and Primary songs.
* Have meaningful mealtime discussions
* Have GOOD FRIENDS!
* Invite friends and neighbors to special occassions
* Strive for life long learning - which includes Christian Service AND Self Reliance
* Let our Homes be a Holy Place
* Never raise your voice to your spouse. Once we raise our voices, the Spirit will immediately depart and we will be left ot make decisions on our own.
* How couples treat each other and talk to one another is the biggest example to their children
* Satan is working hard to slip in things that are acceptable that are contradictory to Gospel Values and to our own Family Values.
The other speackers also spoke on strenthening the family and during the Adult session, the talks were the same - and very much emphasized The Proclamation. It has been a very uplifting weekend and I'm so glad that I was able to "hear" the words that I needed to am walked away with certain pieces of inspiration that I'm excited to implement. These nuggets of inspiration include:
* During Family Prayer, we will take the time to go around and everyone say 1 positive thing about the person saying the prayer (including that person saying 1 positive thing about themselves)
* Implementing more self reliant topics in our home school
* Teaching the boys more about Family History and Genealogy
* Playing the Hymns and Primary songs as background music throughout the day and when we're preparing to start school
* Impress upon the kids that when we raise our voices that the Spirit is no longer with us and guiding us.
* I need to make our home (and homeschool) an oasis that is filled with all of the right "ingredients" to have the children flourish in their gospel growth.
* Focus on Kindness
* Have a little notebook close by to write down any thoughts/impressions that I receive during my prayers so that I won't forget them throughout the day and can be of better use to Heavenly Father.
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