Because of the current economic climate, it's easy to think that there is no way to add to your wealth without getting a full or part-time job outside of your home. But, believe it or not, there are still some relatively easy ways for you and your family to earn extra cash in these difficult times, and many of them you can do from the comfort of your own home.
Sell your wares online. Do you like to make jewelry or sew? Do you paint or do crafts in your free time? There are plenty of online stores, like etsy.com, where you can sell your homemade products. All you need is a valid email address to join. If you are a photographer, in addition to selling your photos on Etsy, there are stock photography websites that will buy your photos. Try fotalia.com, dreamstime.com, shutterstock.com, and bigstockphoto.com.
Pick up extra hours. If you do have a job outside of your home, find out if your company has any overtime or part-time positions that you could pick up after hours or even do from home. If you work shifts, make sure to let your co-workers know that you are interested in picking up extra hours and would be willing to sub for them.
Offer your services to local businesses. If you enjoy bookbinding, go to local stationary stores or boutiques and see if they will sell your products in their store. If you sew or quilt, make yourself known to local fabric and quilting stores as someone willing to do custom jobs from home or at the store. If you're really a master with a sewing machine, you can make prom dresses, wedding dresses, or do alterations. If you don't have a special skill, offer cleaning services.
Reap profits from your garden. You can plant seeds in the winter and transplant the seedlings into individual pea pots when they are several inches tall, or just sell some of your harvested produce at your local farmer's market in the spring, summer, and fall.
Use eBay and Craigslist. Find old furniture and belongings that you no longer need or use and, before you give them away, identify what you can sell online. Make sure you to include a picture of your product and an honest description of its wear and tear.
Become a mystery shopper. Why not get paid to go to the mall or out to eat? Volition.com has a database of legitimate mystery shopping companies, as reported by actual mystery shoppers. Look through their database and make a list of companies that you would like to work for and then apply. It's as simple as that.
Become a substitute teacher. You can earn up to $250 substituting, depending on your area. Check local schools'requirements for substitutes, and remember to look at private schools. Indeed.com is a good database that lists positions and requirements for substitute teachers all over the U.S.
Tutor or teach music lessons. If you are really good at math or English or have a particular musical talent, you can earn money. Advertise where parents are likely to look: at schools, the library, at grocery stores, and in the newspaper.
Offer genealogical services. Lots of people are interested in doing their family history—in and out of the Church—but just don't have the time to do it. With tutoring and databases readily available, use your resources and help someone discover their family's story.
Teach a language. Put your mission tongue to use; many people need to learn foreign languages for a variety of reasons, and many prefer to do it conversationally than learning by bits and pieces. If you don't know a foreign language, advertise English assistance in your local newspaper. Plenty of foreigners want to improve their English as well.
Become a census taker for the 2010 Census. The U.S. government needs thousands of people to help them update address lists and conduct interviews with people in your community. While most positions require a valid driver's license and use of a vehicle, you will be reimbursed for authorized mileage and other related expenses. Just call 1.866.861.2010 or visit the website at census.gov/2010censusjobs/howtoapply.php for more information.
Get paid to take surveys. Sign up with a paid survey site and complete a member profile. The site will send you an e-mail any time they have a survey that matches your profile. Legitimate survey sites do not require a fee, so make sure that they don't charge you to join the database. Once you have completed the survey (expect to spend about fifteen to twenty minutes per survey), you will be compensated with cash, points that can be redeemed for prizes, sweepstakes entries, or, in some instances, new products to try. Reputable sites include pineconeresearch.com, panelbase.net (a UK company), and americanconsumeropinion.com (rated very well, although they provide fewer opportunities).
Go through this list of suggestions and see what works for your lifestyle. (Be sure to check out the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act currently under consideration before marketing children's products.)
If you try something and it doesn't work, try something else and see what happens. There are countless opportunities to make money, if you are only willing to put forth some extra effort.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Clues for Quick Cash
Vote for Dinner!
With the presidential elections just around the corner, here is a great way to teach your kids about the democratic process while creating a meal that everyone can enjoy.
Dinners got out of control a while back. I thought with all the Tupperware around, I could easily let everyone pick their own vegetable, side dish, or fruit, or just save the rest for later in the week. My reasoning was that if everyone had what they wanted, at least they would eat it.
But the requests started coming in for separate main dishes. I justified potatoes, pasta, and even grilled chicken as separate or combinable entrees and sides, using up even more space in the fridge with the leftovers.I was working harder than necessary, the food bill was going up, and we were actually wasting more leftovers than we were using. And the kids were getting used to having their way a little too much.
Then on evening while my husband and I were discussing the heated presidential primaries, the kids said they wanted to vote, too. We explained they'd have to wait a few more years, and noting their disappointment, I tried to think of another way they could participate in a voting experience.
The next day when I was cleaning out another ten Tupperware containers, the light bulb came on, and I instantly knew what the kids could vote on. Dinner would no longer be made-to-order for everyone. Instead, each family member would nominate a "candidate" for each part of the meal--entree, side dish, vegetable, fruit, drink, and dessert. Each of the four kids got to pick one item for each category.
I printed off ballots with pictures next to each item (for the two younger kids), and each child made one poster for one of their chosen items and spent the next three days campaigning for that item. The night before the elections, each child privately filled out a ballot and slipped it in a taped-up shoe box with a slit on top.
The next day I surprised them with the results at dinner and we talked about what everyone had voted for. The kids realized that if one person had voted another way, dinner would have been a little different.
We had this activity again, on the "American Idol" finale night, and we plant to have an extra special dinner vote on the night of November 4 to coincide with the presidential elections.
My Great Idea: The Money Jar
At first I blamed my eyesight when images on our computer monitor seemed fuzzy. However, when my kids and husband complained about the blurriness, I knew that the problem was our years-old monitor. Our computer was used heavily on a daily basis for work, study, and relaxation. My exasperated impulse was to grab the charge card and order a new monitor online.
Then I paused. I considered our financial balancing act with past medical bills, kids in college, two broken cars, and a son's mission only a few months away. I visualized the debt-logged credit card bill, precariously near its limit. I heard the voices of church leaders repeatedly admonishing us to get out of debt. Yet, a new monitor wasn't a frivolous item; it would benefit our family in practical ways. I felt so trapped--the cycle of debt seemed endless.
Suddenly I remembered a phrase from a book I was reading, "Every household, no matter the circumstances wastes a certain amount of money each and every month, and that is the money you will use to get out of debt." (_Debt-free on Any Income_, by Lyle and Tracy Shamo, Deseret Book, Salt Lake City, 2004, p. 27)
My heart lightened as I thought, "How much wasted money would it take to buy a new computer monitor?"
I excitedly told the family my great idea: We would put a jar on the kitchen table and everyone could contribute spare change or a few dollars towards a new computer monitor. To actually save up to buy something was, unfortunately, a new concept in our home.
We covered a jar with plain paper. We attached a photo from an advertisement of the type of computer monitor we were saving for, including its price. We wrote the starting date on the jar's paper cover. The project was begun by dropping in coins found in the clothes dryer, and change snatched from the car's cup holder.
At dinner we would all try to guess how much was in the jar. That was a great weekly reminder of our goal, and it was fun to see whose guess was the closest. The new money amount would be written on the outside of the jar, so it was easy to track our progress. As the jar filled, its contents were taken to the bank and changed into cash, which was hidden to remove the temptation to use it.
My habits were altered as I refrained from impulse buying at the store, thinking of the new monitor, and I found myself purposely rounding up payments at the checkout so I could stuff the extra money into the jar. My husband regularly emptied his pocket change into the jar.
Two and a half months went by; a new school year was approaching. To my surprise, I saw that in all the back-to-school store ads that computer monitors were on sale! We actually had enough money in our jar to afford one at the current sale price. Coins were changed into bills, and we literally paid cash for our new flat-screen monitor.
Today, our old, glass jar is on the table sporting a new paper wrapper, heavy with cash towards our next goal. Thanks to a blurry computer monitor our family now has a clearer vision of what financial independence looks like.
Family Etiquette Dinner
Plan a nice, sit-down dinner for your family and make sure everyone participates in the preparation; include rolls, salad, appetizers, a main course, and dessert. Set the table with nice plates, glasses, and silverware if you have them (food dishes are set to the left of a setting; glasses to the right), and instruct your children in common eating etiquette. Some things may seem basic, but remember: your kids probably don't know them! Some habits include:
Unfold (don't shake) your napkin when you sit down, and use it for wiping your mouth and fingers (licking is only acceptable when you are eating meat off the bone, as in ribs).
Work from the outside in with your silverware; the shorter forks are for salads and appetizers, the longer for the main dish. Utensils shouldn't touch the table after use.
Place butter and a roll on your individual plate. Break off bite-sized pieces of the roll and butter them individually; don't butter the whole roll at one time.
Ask for things to be passed to you if you can't reach; stretching over the table is considered bad etiquette.
If you get a bad bite of something (such as gristle from meat or an undetected garlic clove), put the napkin to your mouth and discreetly spit it into the napkin. Don't forget it's there!
Leaving some food leftover is acceptable, but you shouldn't make your plate look like you licked it clean!
If you have to leave during the meal, place your napkin on your chair to signify you will be returning. When finished with the meal, place the napkin folded on the place setting; put your knife and fork together and set to about 4 o'clock on your plate.
You might think some of these traditions are silly, but at the very least your etiquette night will be a fun, cultural experience your family can enjoy together. Your children can also thank you in the future when they know how to behave in circumstances where etiquette is expected!
21 Things to Do before Summer Ends
Even if money is tight, there are still plenty of ways to have an exciting summer. In fact, the best summer memories are often made up of small, simple pleasures. When the heat's on, don't sweat the big stuff. Take time to sip lemonade, read a good book, and enjoy the beauty of nature. At LDS Living, we've looked, asked, and researched the top twenty-one things to do before summer ends.
1. Take a Hike
Being outdoors is like owning a pet - there's just something healthy about it. It feels great to get back to nature, so while the weather is nice, why not explore some of the wonderful parks, trails, and reserves near your home? Bring a magnifying glass and pair of binoculars for a closer look at insects, birds, and other wildlife.
2. Read a Biography
Books are an easy vacation you can fit under your arm. They are distractions our tired brains love, and there are few things as gripping as a good biography. Many people throughout history have lived lives of achievement and inspiration. So bring a blanket and find some shady trees - they were made for reading good books.
3. Make Real Lemonade
Summer just doesn't seem like summer until you've had a nice cool glass of real lemonade. Try this recipe:
Peel three fat lemons. Cut them into smaller pieces. Drop the pieces into a blender with 1-1/2 cups of sugar and 1-1/2 cups of water. Use the blender to chop until coarse, then strain into a pitcher. Add ice cubes. Adjust as needed.
4. Host a Neighborhood Block Party
Summer is always a season of change, meaning at least one new family will move into the neighborhood. So why not host a potluck block party and give everyone a chance to get to know one another better? You can oftentimes obtain a special permit from your city that allows you to block off the street.
5. Go on a Field Trip
Remember the time you were reading about the art museum that wasn't far from your home? Summer is the perfect time to explore all that your community has to offer. How about visiting an aquarium, aviary, or zoo? Or try your state capitol building.
6. Sleep Outside
Most of us have fallen asleep outdoors a few times in our lives, or at least slept with the window open. Brigham Young once said that summers were meant for sleeping outdoors, and that the fresh air does the mind good. So take a trip back to your school days and enjoy sleeping under the stars.
7. Go to a "Dive-in" Movie
Sometimes you need to take a break from the sticky summer night heat. One great way to spend a summer evening is cooling off while watching a good movie. Many water parks show movies on giant screens while people relax in the pool. Can't find any in your area? Opt for a matinee. A nice cold soda and a dark, cool theater can provide a much-needed break from the hot summer sun.
8. Take a Dip
Studies show that 86 percent of all the swimming you'll do in your life is completed before you're twenty years old. And most of that was done in the summer. Make this the summer of swim. Visit the community pool, or better yet, take a trip to the ocean or a nearby lake. You can do some beachcombing or fishing while you're there!
9. Have a Yard Sale
Yard sales are a great way to get organized and cleaned up before the school year starts. Get your kids involved and let them earn some money. They may not want to give away some of their toys, but they might be interested in selling them. Have a yard sale - and don't forget to sell some of that good lemonade.
10. Eat Homemade Ice Cream at Sunset
Making ice cream is one of the crowning events of any summer - eating it while watching a beautiful sunset makes it even more special. This event needs to be planned and executed as though your summer depends on it. Go all out - get berries, cones, and whipped cream to dress up simpler flavors, which are easier to make and tend to turn out better than complicated flavors. Make it a fun time you'll always remember.
11. Attend a Concert in the Park
Many cities host a series of free concerts during the summer months, often with a wide variety of music from Celtic to bluegrass to classical. So grab a blanket or a lawn chair, pack a picnic, and sit back and enjoy!
12. Go Horseback Riding
Most people don't have the chance to ride horses very often, so saddle up and go on a mini adventure. Even if you're not an experienced rider, there are many businesses that can accommodate beginners. This will be great for kids, too, who tend to enjoy close contact with animals.
13. Visit an Amusement Park
If horseback riding isn't your style, you can always opt for a horse on carousel. Most amusement parks have something for everyone to enjoy. Even if you'd rather not take a spin on the roller coaster, there is sure to be dancing, singing, or some kind of entertainment for you to enjoy.
14. Attend a Festival
During the summer months, festivals are everywhere. So grab the kids and spend the day learning about the food, crafts, history, music, and dance of another culture. From Greek to Scottish to Polynesian, you're sure to find a great cultural event to attend. Check your local paper for dates and details.
15. Shop at a Farmers' Market
Local farmers' markets are overflowing with fresh, delicious fruits and vegetables. In summer, you're sure to find perfectly ripened tomatoes, sugar-sweet corn, and delicious watermelon. Go to localharvest.org or farmersmarket.com to find a farmers' market near you.
16. Pick Fresh Fruit
You can also enjoy the bounty of summer by going to the farm yourself to gather juicy strawberries or plump blueberries right from the field. Later in the season, try picking peaches or apples from a local orchard. Check pickyourown.org to see if there is a kid-friendly farm in your area.
17. Clean Up a Park
With the kids out of school, it is often hard to keep them busy with productive, meaningful projects. So grab some gloves, some garbage bags, and a rake and head to your neighborhood park. After you finish cleaning up, let the kids spend some time at the park to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
18. Build a Fort
Kids love to have a special place of their own. Let them drape sheets and blankets over some tables, chairs, and piles of couch cushions for a few days, or round up some scrap lumber and cardboard boxes for the perfect outdoor escape.
19. Attend a State or County Fair
A great event for the whole family, local fairs usually have carnival rides, games, food, entertainment, competitions, crafts, and displays. It's the perfect way to celebrate your local culture.
20. Go Stargazing
Warm summer nights are perfect for stargazing. You can make it as simple as admiring the stars in the night sky, or, with a little planning, you can catch meteor showers, locate constellations, and even find out when other planets will be visible. Find a secluded area near your house that has less light pollution so you can enjoy the full glory of the night sky. Go to stardate.org for lots of tips and a weekly calendar of celestial events.
21. Complete a Triathlon
Races are popular and common in the summer, and the days are long enough to give you ample time to prepare. Find a "sprint" triathlon, a form of triathlon that typically includes shorter, more achievable distances for novice racers. Your whole family can participate in the training, making it a summer of health. It can also bring you closer together as you all work towards a common goal! If you can't race, find out how you can assist with one.
Sharing Time: Sensing God's Creations
This sharing time will involve the children in an activity to help them learn about the beautiful world around them.
Preparation: On ten index cards write a sense word: SMELL, TASTE, TOUCH, HEAR, and SEE (two cards of each word). Place them face down on a table at the front of the room. Post the "sight" pictures somewhere in the room. Gather the other items needed for the sensory activities below.
Be familiar with the scripture Doctrine and Covenants 59:18-20:
Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart;
Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul.
And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man.
Presentation: Slowly read the scripture D&C 59:18-20. As you read, touch your eye, put your hand on your heart, mime eating, act out putting on clothes, point to your mouth and nose, and make a strong muscle with your arm (see bolded words).
Tell the children that they are going to discover some of the things God created for them by using their senses. Ask the children to name the senses (help them remember all five senses).
Point out the cards on the front table. Have a child come pick a card. Have them complete one of the sensory activities that matches the word they picked. Repeat until all the cards are used or time is up.
Smell: Blindfold the child and have them sniff as you hold something under their nose. Let them guess what it is. (Suggestions: orange, flower, or peanut butter.)
Taste: Blindfold the child and have them open their mouth and taste the item you give them. Let them guess what it is. (Suggestions: apple slice, popcorn, or chocolate.) You may wish to give each child a small portion of one of the items to taste at the end of the lesson.
Touch: Blindfold the child and have them feel an item that you place in their hands. Let them guess what it is. (Suggestions: cotton ball, pinecone, rock, or feather.)
Hear: Blindfold the child. Show the other children a picture of an animal and have them imitate the sound that animal makes. Let the blindfolded child guess what animal it is. (Suggestions: bird, cow, cat, or sheep.)
Sight: Describe something to the child and let them find a picture of it somewhere in the room. (Suggestions: sun, flowers, fish, or river.)
Bear your testimony that Heavenly Father loves us and created the world with many wonderful things in it for our families to use and enjoy.
Sing songs to reinforce the lesson such as, "My Heavenly Father Loves Me," Children's Songbook 228; "I Think the World is Glorious," CS 230; "Two Little Eyes," CS 268; and "I Have Two Ears," CS 269.
Sharing Time: Family Members in the Scriptures
This sharing time will teach the children about different family members in the scriptures and Church History.
Preparation: Familiarize yourself with the people in this sharing time. If possible, obtain pictures of each of them (Lucy Mack Smith, Mary [the mother of Jesus], Lehi, Alma, Miriam, Mary and Martha, the Brother of Jared, and President Gordon B. Hinckley.)
Presentation: Tell the children that you are thinking of a person in the scriptures or in the history of our church. You are going to give them some clues. When they think they know who it is, they should quietly raise their hand (do not shout out the answer). Continue to give all the clues, then call on someone with their hand up to guess who it is. If they are not correct, ask for other answers. If none of the children know who it is, tell them the answer. If you have a picture, show it to the children.
Option: Cover the picture with a sheet of paper cut into six pieces. Take one piece off with each clue until the picture is fully revealed.
Lucy Mack Smith (see Joseph Smith--History 1:4, and Richard Lloyd Anderson, "The Early Preparation of the Prophet Joseph Smith," Ensign, Dec 2005, 12-17):
1. This person is a mother.
2. She taught her children to read the scriptures.
3. She moved many times. At one time she lived in a log cabin in the state of New York.
4. When one of her sons needed surgery, he asked her to leave the room so she didn't have to see him in pain.
5. Her husband and one of her sons are named Joseph.
6. Her son Joseph became a prophet.
Lehi (see 1 Nephi 1-2, 8, 16):
1. This person is a father.
2. He prayed to Heavenly Father.
3. He had a vision and taught his family the things the Lord wanted them to do.
4. He took his family out of Jerusalem into the wilderness, because the people in the city had become very wicked. They lived in a tent in the wilderness.
5. He found a curious ball that showed him the way to go, it was called the Liahona.
6. One of his sons is named Nephi.
Mary and Martha (see John 11-12, Luke 10):
1. These clues are about two people, they are sisters.
2. They were friends of Jesus, cooked for him, and listened to his words.
3. They had a brother named Lazarus.
4. They sent for Jesus when their brother was very sick, because they had faith and knew Jesus could heal him.
5. They were very sad, because Jesus didn't come in time and their brother died. But after Jesus arrived, He brought Lazarus back to life.
6. One of the sisters anointed Jesus with oil. (Mary)
Brother of Jared (see Ether 1-3):
1. This person is a brother.
2. He was a large and mighty man.
3. He had great faith.
4. He prayed for his family, so the Lord wouldn't confound their languages.
5. He built boats for his family and made stones to light them.
6. He saw the finger of the Lord, then saw the Lord and spoke with Him.
Mary (see Bible Dictionary, page 729):
1. This person is a mother.
2. She had a cousin named Elizabeth.
3. While she was expecting a baby, she went with her husband to Bethlehem to pay their taxes.
4. Shepherds came and visited her when she had the baby.
5. When her son was 12 years old, they went on a trip. Her son became lost. They found him in the temple, teaching the doctors.
6. Her son is Jesus.
Miriam (see Exodus 1:22, 2:3-8; Numbers 26:59, Bible Dictionary, page 733):
1. This person is a sister.
2. Her name means exalted.
3. She had great courage.
4. She watched over her baby brother when her mother hid him in the bulrushes.
5. When the Pharaoh's daughter found her brother and decided to adopt him, this person told Pharaoh's daughter of a woman who could help take care of the baby.
6. Her brother became a prophet named Moses.
Alma (see Mosiah 18, 27, 29):
1. This person is a father.
2. He became a prophet, and the leader of the church after he heard Abinadi preach.
3. He has a son with the same name.
4. His son was an unbeliever and tried to destroy the church.
5. He prayed that his son would learn the truth.
6. An angel visited his son and told him to stop trying to destroy the church. After that, his son became a great missionary and later became the high priest over all the land.
President Hinckley (see Jeffrey R. Holland, "President Gordon B. Hinckley: Stalwart and Brave He Stands," Ensign, June 1995, 5 and Gordon B. Hinckley, "Lessons I Learned as a Boy," New Era, Oct 1998, 4):
1. This person is a brother.
2. He and his brothers and sisters learned to work hard when they were children.
3. He had a brother named Sherman.
4. In the summertime, he and Sherman would sometimes sleep outside in a wagon filled with hay.
5. They would watch the stars, and learned that the North Star never changed. He wanted to pattern his life after the North Star and always be someone his family and others could depend on.
6. He became a prophet and the President of the Church.
Explain that we should love and take care of our families just as these people did. Bear your testimony of the importance of your family.
Sing songs to reinforce the lesson such as, "My Eternal Family," 2009 Outline for Sharing Time, 10-11; "A Happy Family," Children's Songbook 198; "Families Can Be Together Forever," CS 188; and "Love is Spoken Here," CS 190.
Sharing Time: Following His Way
This sharing time will help children understand that by following Jesus they can return to live with Heavenly Father.
Preparation: Obtain a ball of yarn and the pictures of Jesus Christ mentioned in the presentation. Before sharing time, post the pictures around the room. Tie one end of the yarn to a chair near the back of the room.
Presentation: Ask the children to look around the room and raise their hand if they can see a picture of Christ. Choose a child. Have them take the ball of yarn and string a line from the chair to the picture they found. Place a chair near the picture and tie the yarn to it. Discuss what Jesus is doing in the picture and how the children can follow His example. Sing a song that reinforces the principle, if desired.
Choose additional children and repeat choosing pictures, stringing yarn, discussing principles, and singing until all the pictures have been used.
Jesus Washing the Apostles Feet (Gospel Art Kit #226 or Gospel Art Book #55)
Jesus served his Apostles by washing their feet. (See John 13:14-15.) During Christ's time the people's feet got very dirty from walking on dirt roads, so washing their feet was a kind service. We don't have to wash feet to give service, we can serve in other ways. Children can do things like setting the table, sharing a toy with a younger child, helping set up chairs for Pack Meeting, vacuuming the car, feeding their pets, or many other things.
Song: "I'm Trying to Be like Jesus," Children's Songbook 78.
Boy Jesus in the Temple (Gospel Art Kit #205 or Gospel Art Book #34)
When Jesus was twelve years old he went to the temple and sat "in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers." (See Luke 2:46-47.) Jesus listened and learned from the wise men of the Church. We can go to Primary and Sacrament Meeting and listen and learn.
Jesus' Baptism (Gospel Art Kit #208 or Gospel Art Book #35)
Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist to "fulfill all righteousness." (See Matthew 3:15.) He knew it was a commandment to be baptized, so even though He had no sins, He obeyed this commandment. We can follow Jesus' example by being baptized when we are eight-years-old.
Song: "Baptism," Children's Songbook 100.
Jesus Praying (as a child: Gospel Art Book #33; as an adult: Gospel Art Kit #227 or Gospel Art Book #56)
Jesus taught the people that they should pray to Heavenly Father. He showed them how to do it. (See Matthew 6:5-13.) We should remember to pray to Heavenly Father every day.
Jesus Reading the Scriptures (as an adult: Cover of Teaching, No Greater Call or Ensign, Jul 2002, p. 46; as a child: Ensign, Dec. 2005, p. 44.)
Jesus taught the people that they should search the scriptures because they testify of Him. (See John 5:39.) Jesus went to the synagogue (the church building) and read to the people from the scriptures. (See Like 4:16-17, 20-21.) We should read our scriptures to learn more about Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.
Song: "Search, Ponder, and Pray," Children's Songbook 109.
Jesus Teaching (Gospel Art Kit #212 or Gospel Art Book #39)
On many, many occasions Jesus taught the gospel to those around Him. (For example, see Matthew 5.) He bore testimony of the truth. We should be good missionaries and teach others the gospel. We should bear our testimonies.
Song: "I Want to Be a Missionary Now," Children's Songbook 168.
Have some of the children start at the first chair, and follow the yarn from picture to picture. Reinforce the idea that we can FOLLOW Jesus Christ's example. Bear your testimony that Jesus shows us the way to return and live with our Heavenly Father.
Photo by Marija Rajkovic
Sharing Time: To be Baptized
This sharing time will help children learn more about baptism.
Preparation: Obtain a flannel board and cutout pictures of a mother, a father, and two sisters from Primary Visual Aids Cutouts, Set 7-Pioneers and the Restoration; two missionaries from Primary Visual Aids Cutouts, Set 2-People; and a winter scene from Primary Visual Aids Cutouts, Set 3-Nature. Put tape or flannel on the back of each picture.
Make enough copies of the baptism coloring page on page 111 of the Nursery Manual for each Junior Primary child. Write one letter on seven separate sheets of paper to spell B-A-P-T-I-S-M. Post the papers at the front of the room.
Presentation: Using the picture cutouts and the flannel board, tell the following true story:
As a young girl, Christina and her family lived in Uddarp, Sweden. Her father was a mason who built houses, fences, and fireplaces out of stone. There was a forest nearby where her father and older brother, Lars, would hunt for meat for the family. Christina and her mother grew vegetables in their yard. Not far from Christina's home was a large grist mill where grain was ground into flour so they could make bread.
In 1858, when Christina was ten years old, the wife of the miller asked Christina to come stay with them and tend her baby. Even though Christina was young, she was very good with babies and the woman liked her. Christina went to live with the miller's family, but was able to visit her own family often.
Christina liked living at the mill. The townspeople would gather there, and other people would come from many miles away to have their wheat ground. It was a place where everyone enjoyed talking to one another and sharing news. Christina liked sitting and listening to all the things the grownups had to say.
One day Mormon missionaries came to Uddarp and began teaching the restored gospel. People were afraid of this new religion from America. Most of the townspeople did not like the missionaries and would not listen. Christina even heard many people say the missionaries were evil. She believed all the rumors that she heard.
Meanwhile, Christina's family invited the missionaries into their home. The elders taught them about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. They soon came to know that the missionaries were teaching the truth.
After Christina had lived with the family who ran the mill for three years, they moved away. Christina did not want to return home because her family had been listening to the missionaries and had been baptized. She went to work for another lady in the neighborhood whose husband was the blacksmith.
After a few months, her family convinced her to come back home. When the missionaries came to visit, Christina would refuse to listen to them. She did not want to sing or pray with them as her family did. Her parents were very worried about her, but the missionaries told them she was old enough to make this important decision for herself.
One day Christina picked up the Book of Mormon and began looking though the pages. Her sister, Anna, teased her and said, "Be careful, it might burn you." Christina didn't pay much attention to her sister. But as she read, she became more and more interested. She soon felt the book was true.
In December of 1862, two days after Christina's 14th birthday, the missionaries came to her parents' home. Elder Josephson told Christina, "I had a dream last night that I'd caught a fish." He teased her about it and said, "It couldn't possibly be this little girl?" Christina did not laugh at his joke. She was thinking very hard about what Heavenly Father wanted her to do. While her family talked to the elders, Christina went into another room and knelt down and prayed. She asked to know what she should do. Her prayer was answered, and the Holy Ghost made her feel as if she had been "lifted up." She returned to her mother and whispered that she wanted to be baptized. Her family was very pleased.
The next day they walked six miles to the sea where they broke a hole in the ice and Christina was baptized. She felt very happy. She was glad she had found out for herself that the Church is true. ("To Know for Herself," by Shauna Gibby. A true story about Christina Peterson Jeppson.)
Bear testimony of your own decision to be baptized. Help the children understand that Heavenly Father wants them to be baptized and He wants them to know for themselves it is the right thing to do.
Have the younger children color the baptism picture.
Point out the letters at the front of the room to the older children. Explain that baptism is a wonderful blessing. As you point to each letter ask the children to think of other blessings that start with that letter. Have them share their ideas.
Sing baptism songs such as, "Baptism," Children's Songbook 100; "When I Am Baptized," CS 103; "When Jesus Christ Was Baptized," CS 102; and "I Want to Be Baptized," Friend, July 2005, 45.
Photo from LDS.org
Sharing Time: Seeking the Lord
This sharing time will engage the children in a game to help them learn principles that will strengthen their families.
Preparation: Obtain a small rock, a package of seeds, a bar of soap, and a coin. Familiarize yourself with the scriptures in the lesson below.
Presentation: Tell the children that they are going to learn about some principles of the gospel that will help strengthen them and their family. Explain that after they learn about each principle, they will play a game.
Faith. Tell the children that the Book of Mormon prophet Alma taught that faith is like a seed (see Alma 32:26-32). When we plant a seed, then take care of it and water it, it will grow. When we want to know the truth we "plant" the seed of faith. Then we take care of it by obeying the commandments and seeking the Lord's help. Our faith will grow and we will learn truth.
Ask the children what seek means (remind them of the game "hide and seek" if they need help). Tell them that they have to seek after faith. Show them the package of seeds. Explain that they are going to play a game of hide and seek. Ask one child to leave the room. Ask another child to hide the seeds somewhere in the room. Have the first child return and look for the seeds. Have the other children sing "Faith" (Children's Songbook, p. 96) as he looks. Sing louder when he gets closer and softer when he gets farther away. Once the child finds the seed packet, ask the children how faith can strengthen them or their family.
Prayer. Tell the story of Daniel in the lion's den (see Daniel 6:1-23). Reiterate that Daniel knew it was important to pray, even when others told him he shouldn't do it.
Show the children the small rock. Tell them that some people have a prayer rock they keep on their pillow to remind them to say their prayers every night. Play the hide and seek game again using the rock as the hidden object. Sing "Seek the Lord Early" (Children's Songbook, p. 108) as the child seeks the rock. Once the child finds it, ask the children how prayer can strengthen them or their family.
Repentance. Tell the story of Aaron teaching the Lamanite king. Once the King was converted to the church he was willing to "give away all his sins" to know God (see Alma 22:1-11, 15-18). Help the children understand that giving away your sins means repenting, or not sinning anymore.
Show the children the bar of soap. Explain that repenting cleans our spirit from sin just like soap cleans our bodies from dirt. Play the hide and seek game again using the soap as the hidden object. Sing "I Am a Child of God" (Children's Songbook, p. 1) as the child looks for the soap. Once the child finds it, ask the children how repentance can strengthen them or their family.
Forgiveness. Tell the parable of the unmerciful servant (see Matthew 18:23-35). Explain that God expects us to forgive others.
Show the children the coin. Explain to them that the talents and pence in the story are kinds of money. Play the hide and seek game again using the coin as the hidden object. Sing "How Firm a Foundation" (Hymns, no. 85) as the child seeks the coin. Once the coin has been found, ask the children how forgiving others can strengthen them or their family.
Bear your testimony of these principles of the gospel. Tell the children how they have blessed you and your family. Challenge them to seek these things in their own lives.
Image from LDS.org image library
FHE: Fasting
Thought:
A few years ago a high-ranking official from China visited Salt Lake City. . . . Fasting and giving the value of the meals not eaten to help the poor captured his attention. . . . He said, "If we all loved each other like this, the world would be a more peaceful place."
(Keith B. McMullin, "God Loves and Helps All of His Children," Ensign, Nov 2008, 75-78.)
Song:
"Because I Have Been Given Much," Hymns, # 219.
Scripture:
Verily, this is fasting and prayer, or in other words, rejoicing and prayer.
(Doctrine and Covenants 59:14)
Lesson:
Do an activity with your family that involves things that go together, or pairs. As you say the first word or show the first item, have your family fill in the blank with the name of the second item.
"Salt and ________" (pepper)
"Table and _________" (chairs)
"Husband and ________" (wife)
"Shoes and _______" (socks)
Tell your family that Jesus demonstrated the power of "pairing" two important principles. Have your family look for the important pair as they read the story in Mark 9:14-29. Ask:
After Jesus had cast out the evil spirit, what did His disciples ask privately?
What was Jesus' response?
How does prayer make fasting more meaningful?
How does fasting make prayer more meaningful?
Ask family members if they have had an experience with fasting and prayer they would be willing to share. Invite the family to unite in fasting and prayer next fast Sunday.
(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The New Testament, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2006], p. 69.)
Story:
"He Fasted, and He Prayed"
Matthew Cowley
Two boys in New Zealand graduated from a high school down there. The principal came to me and told me this story about one of them.
"This young man came to me one day. He was living in the dormitory. He was what they called the monitor. It wasn't a native high school, but he was a native. He came to me one day, and he said, 'Mr. Hogan, I want to go home for three days.' I said, 'Why, you can't go home, you have a job here. What do you want to go home for?' He said, 'Well, I am preparing to take my matric,' [as they call it down there, matriculation examination for entrance into a university]. He said, 'I want to go home for three days and fast and pray.'
"I was astonished. I excused myself and went to my office and called up one of your members, one of our native members, and I said, 'Listen to me, do you people have in your Church something you call fasting?' He said, 'Yes.' I said, 'What do you do it for?' 'When we want a blessing, we fast and pray.' I said, 'Well, I have read about it in the Bible, but I have never heard of anybody doing it.' I went back to the young man and said, 'You go home for three days.' He went home, and he fasted, and he prayed, and he was the top man in passing his matric examination."
(Jay A. Parry, Jack M. Lyon, Linda Ririe Gundry, editors, Best-Loved Stories of the LDS People, Vol.2, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1999], 63-64.)
Activity:
Divide your family into two teams. Give each team a paper and pencil. Set a timer for a predetermined amount of time (2 or 3 minutes) and have each team write down as many "pairs" as they can think of (like the examples in the lesson). Give one point to each team for items on the list that the other team didn't think of.
Refreshment
Chewy Chex Mix
This treat is a hit with all ages.
8 cups Rice Chex (or the Chex cereal of your choice)
1 cup coconut
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup chow mein noodles
1â„4 cup butter or margarine
6 cups miniature marshmallows
Combine Chex, coconut, almonds, and noodles in a large bowl. Melt butter over medium heat; blend in marshmallows and stir until melted. Pour over cereal mixture; spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in
an airtight container or individual plastic bags. Makes about 10 cups.
FHE: Virtue
Thought:
Virtue begins in the heart and in the mind. It is nurtured in the home. It is the accumulation of thousands of small decisions and actions.
(Elaine S. Dalton, "A Return to Virtue," Ensign, Nov 2008, 78-80)
Song:
"Hum Your Favorite Hymn," Children's Songbook, p. 152.
Scripture:
Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
(Doctrine and Covenants 121:45)
Object Lesson:
Materials needed: A beat-up, dirty, rusty hanger; a new unused hanger; and a beautiful delicate article of clothing.
Procedure: Display the hangers and the clothing. Ask on which hanger you should hang the clothing. Discuss why.
Explain that when we allow our bodies or minds to be used in an unrighteous or worldly way our spirituality becomes dirty and rusty. Just as we would not want to hang our best and most delicate clothing on this hanger (hold up the dirty hanger), the Lord does not wish to cloak us with some very sacred, beautiful experiences (temple, priesthood) until our lives are in order and we are ready to receive them. (You may wish to discuss repentance and what could be done to make the hanger ready to be used again.)
(Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, More Power Tools for Teaching, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1991], p.8.)
Story:
When I was about ten years old, we lived in a home surrounded by an orchard. There never seemed to be enough water for the trees. The ditches were always fresh-plowed in the spring, but after the first few irrigating turns, the weeds would spring up in the ditch bottoms and soon they were choked with water grass, June grass, and redroot. One day, in charge of the irrigating turn, I found myself in trouble. As the water moved down the rows choked with weeds, it carried enough leaves and grass and debris to lodge against the weed stocks and flood the water from the ditch. I raced through the puddles, trying to build the banks up a little higher, to keep the water in the channel. As soon as I had one break patched up there would be another one flooding over in another spot.
About that time an older brother came through the lot with a friend of his who was majoring in agriculture. He watched me for a moment, then with a few vigorous strokes of the shovel he cleared the weeds from the dampened ditch bottom and allowed the water to course through the channel he had dug.
"You will waste the whole irrigating turn patching up the banks," he said. "If you want the water to stay on its course, you have to make a place for it to go."
I have learned that thoughts, like water, will follow the course if we make a place for them to go. Otherwise, we may spend all our time frantically patching up the banks and may find that our "turn" is over and that we have wasted the day of our probation.
I want to tell you of one way you can control your thoughts. It is simple. It may seem so elementary that you will think it unimportant. But, if you will, it may help you. . . .
Let me suggest that you choose from among the sacred music of the Church one favorite hymn, one with lyrics that are uplifting and the music reverent. Select one that, when it is properly rendered, makes you feel something akin to inspiration.
Now, go over it in your mind very thoughtfully a few times. Memorize the words and the music. Even though you have had no musical training, even though you do not play an instrument, and even though your voice may leave something to be desired, you can think through a hymn. I suspect you already have a favorite. I have stressed how important it is to know that you can only think of one thing at a time. Use this hymn as your emergency channel. Use this as the place for your thoughts to go. Anytime you find that these shady actors have slipped in from the sideline of your thinking onto the stage of your mind, think through this hymn. "Put the record on," as it were, and then you will begin to know something about controlling your thoughts. "Music is one of the most forceful instruments for governing the mind and spirit of man" (William F. Gladstone). It will change the whole mood on the stage of your mind. Because it is clean and uplifting and reverent, the baser thoughts will leave.
Virtue will not associate with filth, while evil cannot tolerate the presence of good.
At first this simple little procedure may seem to you so trivial as to be unimportant and ineffective. With a little experimenting, you will learn that it is not easy, but it is powerfully effective.
(Boyd K. Packer, Memorable Stories and Parables, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1997], p.78.)
Activity:
Print the following on wordstrips:
Dating
Dress/Appearance
Friendship
Honesty
Language
Movies/Books
Music/Dancing
Sexual Purity
Sabbath Day
Place all wordstrips face down on a display area. Have a family member choose one wordstrip and read it to the family. Talk about choices that must be made in each area and discuss way that each of us can be a righteous example. Repeat for every wordstrip. If questions arise, use For the Strength of Youth as a resource.
(Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, Building Blocks for Better Lessons, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1998], p. 63.)
Refreshment
Yvoni's Pineapple Cake
1 yellow pudding-in-the-mix cake mix
1/2 cup cream of coconut
1/2 cup pineapple juice
4 eggs
1/3 cup oil
1/2 to 3/4 cup crushed pineapple, drained
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9×13-inch cake pan.* Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except crushed pineapple. Blend well, then fold in pineapple. Place in prepared pan and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on rack. Makes about 15 servings. Good topped with whipped cream and pineapple.
*Cake may be baked in any shape pan, such as a bundt cake pan or an angel food cake pan.
FHE: Angels
Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read "The Ministry of Angels," by Jeffrey R. Holland, Ensign, Nov 2008, 29-31.
Thought:
In times of special need, [the Lord] sent angels, divine messengers, to bless His children, reassure them that heaven was always very close and that His help was always very near.
(Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Ministry of Angels," Ensign, Nov 2008, 29-31.)
Song:
"Dearest Children, God Is Near You," Hymns, #96 (especially verse 2).
Scripture:
Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?
Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain.
(Moroni 7:36-37)
Lesson:
Give each family member a piece of paper and pencil and ask them to draw an angel. Have them show their drawings to the rest of the family and discuss briefly what angels look like. Tell your family that Joseph Smith taught, "An angel of God never has wings." (History of the Church, 3:392.) Have one family member read the section heading and another family member read D&C 129:1-3. Ask:
What are the two kinds of beings spoken of in these verses?
What is the difference between "angels" and "just men made perfect"?
What examples can you think of in scripture of angels appearing? Why did they appear?
Tell your family you will pretend to represent an angel. Stand next to someone and say "poof," as if you suddenly appeared. Invite the person to extend a hand for you to shake. Grasp the person's hand and shake it. Have your family scan D&C 129:4-9 and tell what kind of a being you represent. Move next to another family member and say "poof." Have the person extend a hand to shake yours, and as you go to grab it, miss the clasp. Have your family scan the verses and find the kind of being you represent this time. Move to another person and say "poof." This time when the person extends a hand, stand still and do not extend your hand. Say that you are an angel from the presence of God and that you have a message to share. Again have your family look for the kind of being you represent.
Share the following insights concerning the ministering of angels:
"The veil between heaven and earth usually hides the angels from our sight. Yet often in the early stages of our spiritual development, we may experience unmistakable contact with the angels of the unseen world." (Bruce C. Hafen, Ensign, April 1992, 12.)
"One of the things that will become more important in our lives the longer we live is the reality of angels, their work and their ministry. I refer here not alone to the angel Moroni but also to those more personal ministering angels who are with us and around us, empowered to help us and who do exactly that." (Jeffrey R. Holland, Ensign, January 1996, 12.)
Invite family members to strive to live so they can better discern the importance of angels in their lives, both seen and unseen.
(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Doctrine and Covenants, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004], p. 289.)
Story:
[While serving as Mission President in Russia], we saw indications that the Lord's spiritual emissaries had already been there before us, preparing specific people for the coming of the missionaries. For example, the four missionaries who opened Kharkov baptized in their first few weeks a number of converts who had considerable leadership abilities. I took occasion during my first monthly visit to Kharkov to interview a number of these wonderful new converts. I was amazed and humbled to hear so many of them tell me sacred experiences - events that had helped prepare them to recognize and receive the restored gospel - that had happened to them just before the arrival of the
missionaries.
The same was true for members in other cities we visited. In Odessa, as in Kharkov, a large number of choice people, many of whom would be future leaders, were baptized during the first two months. Again, as I interviewed new converts, they volunteered to share the same kind of sacred personal experiences as those discussed above. Similarly remarkable spiritual experiences occurred in Minsk. The pattern of events became so predictable that as each set of missionaries was sent to open a new city, I felt I could promise them that angels were already there. I encouraged them to live close to the Spirit so that the Lord could bring to them those whom he had prepared.
When the Lord's servants are clean, seek to know his will, and learn to recognize and obey his promptings, fearing not to act as he has inspired them to act, he is able to work great miracles through their efforts.
From what I have seen, I am certain that the Lord makes the same promise to missionaries opening new cities in our day that he made to the Apostle Paul and later to the Prophet Joseph Smith: "For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city" (Acts 18:10).
(Howard L. Biddulph, Morning Breaks: Stories of Conversion and Faith in the Former Soviet Union, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1996], p. 102.)
Activity:
Everyone leaves the room except for one person, who hides a small object, such as a coin, key, or thimble. Most of the object needs to be in plain sight. The rest of the family then returns to the room and searches for the object. When someone spots the object, he or she sits down and quietly says, “I know where it is.†The rest of the family continues to hunt until everyone has found the object.
If the object is difficult to find, the players can ask for help. The person who hid the object then tells the players, based on how close they are to the object, whether they are hot or cold. When everyone has found the hidden object, the person who found it first gets to hide it, and the game continues.
(Max H. Molgard and Allan K. Burgess, The Best of Fun For Family Night, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003], p. 36.)
Refreshment
Strawberry Heavenly Hash
1 package (3 oz.) vanilla pudding
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup strawberry jam
1 cup cream, whipped
3/4 cup pineapple tidbits
1/2 cup miniature marshmallows
1/4 cup maraschino cherries, well drained and diced
Prepare pudding according to package directions using 1 1/2 cups milk. Pour into a bowl. Chill. Blend strawberry jam into chilled pudding. Gently fold in remaining ingredients. Spoon into dessert dishes. Chill. Garnish with additional whipped cream and a whole maraschino cherry.
Makes 6 servings.
FHE: Arms of Safety
Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read "Arms of Safety," by Jay E. Jensen, Ensign, Nov 2008, 47-49.
Thought:
"By coming humbly and fully repentant to sacrament meeting and worthily
partaking of the sacrament, we may feel those arms [of safety] again and
again."
(Jay E. Jensen, "Arms of Safety," Ensign, Nov 2008, 47-49)
Song:
"Keep the Commandments," Children's Songbook, p. 146.
Scripture:
But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his
glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love. (2 Nephi 1:13-15)
Lesson:
Have a family member sit in the center of the room, clap his hands once,
and then hold his hands together. Take a thread or string that can break and wrap it once around the hands and tie it. Ask the family member to break the string. Then have them close their eyes and pretend to be asleep. While asleep, wrap the string around the hands many times so it can't be broken. Have someone else read 2 Nephi 1:13 out loud and tell the one whose hands are tied to try to do as the scripture says. When the family member cannot "shake off" the chain, ask your family:
Why can't the chains be broken?
What kind of chains do you think Lehi was referring to?
What does Lehi say chains do to us?
Ask your family how this demonstration is like the following statement:
"The chains of habit are too small to be felt until they are too strong to be broken." (see Elder Marvin J. Ashton, "'Shake Off the Chains with Which Ye Are Bound,'" Ensign, November 1986, p. 13.)
Next have someone read aloud 2 Nephi 1:15 and have your family imagine
being held in the loving arms of the Savior. Ask them what they would rather be surrounded by, the "chains of hell" or the "arms of Christ's love." Have family members ponder these two questions:
What bad habits or other things do I have in my life that bind me and keep me from becoming a
better person?
What must I do to break the chains that bind me?
(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Book of Mormon, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003], p. 48.)
Story:
As a young girl I remember standing at the kitchen window of our home and looking down the gravel road toward the east as far as I could see. On each side of the road was tall grass in the summer and deep snow in the winter, and there were only a few houses sprinkled along the way. I used to wonder, "What is out there for me? Where do I belong?" I'm sure you must wonder that sometimes. Things didn't seem too hopeful at that time. School had been very difficult for me. My friends were moving on without me, and I felt dumb. Do you have any idea what that feels like? It's awful.
When I was twelve years old and feeling very discouraged after a long, hard winter, my mom and dad had a plan they worked out at some sacrifice that they hoped would give me hope. They determined to take me with them beyond our gravel road, out across the Canadian border, through the big states of Montana and Idaho, and on to Salt Lake City, Utah, the headquarters of the Church, to attend general conference.
We arrived early on the first day of conference and waited in line, hoping to enter the great domeshaped Tabernacle, which I had seen only in pictures. Finally we found seats in the balcony, where I could look down and actually see the prophet in real life, and hear him speak, a thing I had never dreamed would ever happen to me. The feeling I had at that time was one of hope, and I began to understand about the real road to somewhere. I determined right then to plant my feet on that road, the straight and narrow path leading to the celestial kingdom, and to never ever give up. I have come to know without any question that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the pathway to hope that leads us back to our Heavenly Father and our eternal home.
Listen to our Father's promise to us. He says, "Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love." (D&C 6:20.) And he comforts us, saying, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29.)
Now if we were sitting together on my back porch, I would stop and ask you, "Do you understand the plan of our Heavenly Father and your part in it?" To every young [man and] woman, I plead: Find your own back porch, away from the demanding, loud voices of the world. Learn to listen, not to the crickets, but to the constant whisperings of the Spirit with its messages of hope that will prompt you each step of the way on your road to the celestial kingdom.
(Ardeth Green Kapp, I Walk by Faith, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1987].)
Activity:
Have young children stand on a chair and jump into your arms. Older children can stand on the floor and fall backwards to land in your arms. Help them know that your arms are there to prevent hem from hitting the floor. Relate this to our relationship with our Heavenly Father. His arms are there to prevent us from failing in our stewardships. If we jump in to carry out our responsibilities, He'll be there to help us.
(Mina S. Coletti and Roberta Kling Giesea, The Family Idea Book Two, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1982], p. 91.)
Refreshment
Rocky Road
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 (6-ounce) Hershey's® milk chocolate bars with almonds
1 (1-ounce) square unsweetened chocolate
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup toasted pecan halves or almonds
3/4 cup miniature marshmallows
In the top of a double boiler, combine sweetened condensed milk, Hershey's chocolate bars, unsweetened chocolate square, and butter. Stir over low heat until melted. Stir in vanilla. Cool for about 15 minutes. Stir in nuts and marshmallows. Pour into a greased 8×8-inch pan. Let cool until firm.
Cut into squares. Makes 16 pieces.
FHE: Strengthening Others
Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read "Returning Home," by Eduardo Gavarret, Ensign, Nov 2008, 98-100.
Thought:
What a tremendous impact we can make in the lives of so many less-active families and of those who are not members of the Church when we accept the Savior's invitation to feed His sheep and help everyone to come unto Christ!
(Eduardo Gavarret, "Returning Home," Ensign, Nov 2008, 98-100.)
Song:
"We'll Bring the World His Truth," Children's Songbook, p. 172.
Scripture:
Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee.(Alma 31:35)
Lesson:
Hide the following items in the room before Family Home Evening:
A stuffed sheep. (Any stuffed animal that could be a pet will work.)
A coin
A toy action figure.
Ask your family if they have ever lost something that they loved. Invite them to share what it was and what they did to find it. Explain to your family that Jesus taught parables about three things that had been lost (a sheep, a coin, and a son).
Tell your family that you have hidden three objects representing these three items somewhere in the room. Invite them to search for these three items and to bring them to you as they find them. Ask:
If one of these objects was a favorite of yours, how would you feel when you finally found it?
What would you have done if it hadn't been found?
Can you think of a time when a child was either missing or lost? What effort was made to find and recover that child?
Have your family think of individuals who might be considered "lost" or "prodigal sons" at this time in their lives. What can we do to help those people?
Challenge family members to pray for those individuals and continue to love them.
(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The New Testament, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2006], p. 98-100.)
Story:
Steven R. Covey
After a zone leaders' meeting in the mission field, one of the missionary leaders approached his mission president and expressed appreciation for the meeting and then made a rather strange remark. "For the first time since I have been in the mission field, I can believe and accept your expression of appreciation and affection for me."
"Why would you say that, elder? You have been out here eighteen months. What is it that made you feel this way now?"
"Remember in the meeting when we were talking about that elder in that far-off city, and how his zone leaders gave such a critical report of his rebelliousness and slothfulness?"
"Yes, I remember that."
"Well, I sensed as the report was being given, and as the other elders chipped in their two-bits on this elder, that you sincerely cared for him as a person."
"I do sincerely care for him. I am concerned."
"But it was more than that. As you questioned the zone leaders back and forth, I felt you were really looking for a way to help him, and that you really cared for him, if you know what I mean."
"I'm not sure I do know what you mean. Besides, why would this make such a particular impression upon you?"
"Well, that's the very point. You sincerely do care about us as individuals and want to help us. You see, I am rebellious too - only you don't know it. Whenever I am around you I am always on my guard and trying to make the best impression. But many times I get very rebellious inside myself, and so critical about my companion, about mission rules and about a lot of things. But I just never let on as that elder does.
"So all through these months when you have expressed your affection for me, and when you have congratulated me on my work, inside I kept saying to myself, he doesn't really know me. If he really knew what I was like, he wouldn't say that. But this afternoon when you didn't join in on some of the sarcasm and laughter over this elder's antics, I felt that even if you did know what I was really like, you would still have sincere regard and care for me too. I am so glad I had that experience in the meeting. Otherwise I wouldn't even have the courage to tell you what I've just told you. I would have been too afraid of disappointing you and of opening up too much of myself. But now I feel you would accept me and try to understand and to help."
To the mission president this sobering experience taught him an invaluable principle of human influence - that the way to inspire and preserve the many (the 99) is in the treatment given to the one. Going after the one "lost sheep" results not in neglecting the 99, but in effectively reaching them.
(Leon R. Hartshorn, Powerful Stories from the Lives of Latter-day Saint Men, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1974].)
Activity:
Have your family divide into pairs and sit closely, facing each other. Explain that you want them to play a game called Mirror. Pick one person to be the leader and the other to be the mirror. Tell the leader to slowly move his hands, body and face. The person acting as a mirror will try to do the exact same thing as the leader. As the two move slowly enough and in unison, it will become difficult for an observer to tell the difference between the leader and the mirror. After a time have them switch roles.
Challenge your family to try to "mirror" Jesus by serving others.
(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The New Testament, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2006], p. 193.)
Refreshment
Mud Slides
4 cups cold milk
2 3-ounce packages chocolate-flavored instant pudding
28 chocolate sandwich cookies, finely crushed, about 3 cups
4 cups Cool Whip, thawed
Pour milk into a 1-quart container with a tight-fitting lid. Add pudding mix, cover tightly, and shake vigorously at least 45 seconds; pour evenly into 6 glasses. Gently stir 2 cups of the cookie crumbs into whipped topping until blended. Spoon evenly over pudding in glasses; sprinkle with remaining cookie crumbs.
Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serves 6.
FHE HOPE
Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read "The Infinite Power of Hope," by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Ensign, Nov 2008, 21-24.
Thoughts:
We learn to cultivate hope the same way we learn to walk, one step at a time.
(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Infinite Power of Hope," Ensign, Nov 2008, 21-24.)
Song:
"Hope of Israel," Hymns, #259
Scripture:
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God. (Psalms 146:5)
Object Lesson:
Read Ether 12:29 together and have family members identify the three important attributes Moroni writes about. (Faith, hope, and charity.) Ask how hope can bring us to Christ.
Story:
Hope for a Discouraged Missionary
As a mission president, I was afforded the privilege of guiding the activities of precious young men and women, missionaries whom the Lord had called. Some had problems, others required motivation; but one came to me in utter despair. He had made his decision to leave the mission field when but at the halfway mark. His bags were packed, his return ticket purchased. He came by to bid me farewell. We talked; we listened; we prayed. There remained hidden the actual reason for his decision to quit.
As we arose from our knees in the quiet of my office, the missionary began to weep almost uncontrollably. Flexing the muscle of his strong right arm, he blurted out, "This is my problem. All through school my muscle power qualified me for honors in football and track, but my mental power was neglected. President Monson, I'm ashamed of my school record. It reveals that 'with effort' I have the capacity to read at but the level of the fourth grade. I can't even read the Book of Mormon. How then can I understand its contents and teach others its truths?"
Activity:
Have your family divide into pairs and sit closely, facing each other. Explain that you want them to play a game called Mirror. Pick one person to be the leader and the other to be the mirror. Tell the leader to slowly move his hands, body and face. The person acting as a mirror will try to do the exact same thing as the leader. As the two move slowly enough and in unison, it will become difficult for an observer to tell the difference between the leader and the mirror. After a time have them switch roles.
Refreshment:
Cox Honey Cookies
1 1/2 cups shortening
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup honey
4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup sugar
3 teaspoons cinnamon
In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening, 2 cups sugar, eggs, and honey. Sift together flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Stir into creamed mixture. Combine H cup sugar and 3 teaspoons cinnamon. Form heaping teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and roll each ball in sugar/cinnamon mixture. Place balls on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Do not overbake. Makes 3 dozen cookies.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Family Home Evening...
One of my favorite FHE is when we have a testimony meeting with the kids. We will usually have everyone stand up and say 3 things that they love about each person in the family, this helps our family create a bond with eachother. Sometimes I am really surprised at the comments they say to eachother, this is a time when they are the most honest and sweet with eachother. We usually will allow them a few minutes each to bear testimony about whatever they are feeling at that time in their lives. My kids do not feel real comfortable getting up in front of the ward to bear testimony, so the family setting is much more comfortable.
Eric and I are both so impressed with the love that our children show to eachother, of course when they were younger they did their fare share of arguing, but for the most part they really love each other, and we hear them on a regular basis day to day tell eachother how much they love eachother.
