Thanksgiving (And Turkeys!) Through Prayer

Since this is a month of thanksgiving, I wanted to do a Family Night discussing one of the greatest ways we have of showing gratitude, prayer.  I wanted to get back to the basics of prayer and stress the importance of gratitude, which is one of the most valuable personality traits we can have.  Personally, it has been the greatest tool in fighting Depression.  I also wanted to make some turkey art to put in our front window, so this is what I came up with...a paper turkey that explains the parts of prayer.

 

We started by making the face of the turkey as we remembered who we speak to when we pray (hence, the beak) and look to for answers (and the eyes.)

The body of the turkey represents the body of the prayer.  That is hopefully the majority of it!  For every thing they said they were thankful for they got a feather to put on their turkey.

  It was nice to remind them that while we are thankful for a lot of the same things every day, it's also good to come up with new things we are grateful for and mention those too.  We got pretty creative!

Next we added feet to represent the last two parts of prayer, asking for blessings and closing in the name of Jesus Christ.  The mercy of God & Atonement of Christ are our foundation, what we rely on in our lives.  One foot represented the blessings of God.  We taught how near the end of our prayer we ask Him for blessings we hope he will bestow in His wisdom if it is what we need.  I explained we don't always get exactly what we ask for, but since He is our Father we trust His wisdom.  The other foot represents ending our prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior.  

I was really touched by the following quote from the recent General Conference of the LDS church: "One of the most meaningful things we can do as parents is teach our children the power of prayer, not just the routine of prayer...As parents, we can teach our children to pray for things of eternal consequence- to pray for the strength to be morally clean in a very challenging world, to be obedient, and to have the courage to stand for the right."

This quote comes from a talk titled "Parents: The Prime Gospel Teachers of Their Children" that you can read here.  If there is anything I hope I can teach my children it's the importance of fervent prayer.  When we give thanks we improve the quality of our own lives.  We see the good we sometimes overlook.  Praying gives thanks to the ultimate Giver.  When we pray we can talk to someone who understands us and loves us unconditionally.  And when we choose to ask for those things we feel line up with His will for us, we are a greater force for hope and good than we can ever be on our own.  Hope you have a happy FHE!  Love, Eva

 

Chutes & Ladders to the Temple

We've had a really nice month learning about the 6th Article of Faith, covenants, and the steps to having Forever Families.  It's actually been a great past 6 months!  But there has been some adjusting time as we as we've dealt with my father passing, some major home remodels and setting up our home school.  So, it's time to play catch-up!!!
Here is CTR Chutes & Ladders, an easy and fun activity to use anytime, but that fit in quite nicely with this month's theme...

I made these little slips of papers to cover some of the squares of a Chutes & Ladders game.

Here's a closer look at the ones with writing.  Basically, I tried to choose good steps that lead us toward making and keeping covenants.  Some of those things are ordinances and keeping God's commandments.  Then wherever there's a ladder I taped one of the accomplishments at the bottom and a smiley face at the top.

The kids were excited to play this game before bed.

When someone landed on a chute and slid down we talked about how they could fix the mistake they had made.  I would ask them if their little character repented.  After a "Yes!" they were allowed to go back up the chute and resume their place in the game.

I really believe in strengthening our testimonies of repentance and forgiveness.  We all make mistakes.  I hope I can instill a confidence in Jesus' and Heavenly Father's love in my children so they never doubt that miracle of the Atonement.

I even played too!

The best part of the night was the good sportsmanship of my eldest daughter when my son won.  Five minutes earlier there had been arguing over whose turn it was to spin the spinner.  I reminded them that the whole point of this game was to learn how to choose the right more, in a tired and frustrated mommy voice.  So hearing her be so proud and happy for him was music to my ears.  As well as seeing Michael smile and say once he reached the top "I made it to the temple!"

Remember, every effort we make to teach our children is eternally valuable.  The Gospel IS true!  Good luck this week!
Love, Eva

Softened Hearts, Leaves & Cookies:One Last Lesson on Attitude

One more lesson on Attitude that actually transitions quite nicely into this month's new theme, Gratitude.  A great visual for kids is the idea of the "softening of the heart."  Elder Eyring's talk "Write upon My Heart" has some great quotes on this subject of having a heart that is impressionable, moldable (I know that's not a word, but you know what I mean...) and softened.  Here's one of my favorites...

Our goal when we teach our children to pray is for them to want God to write upon their hearts and be willing then to go and do what God asks of them. It is possible for our children to have faith enough, from what they see us do and what we teach, that they can feel at least part of what the Savior felt as He prayed to have the strength to make His infinite sacrifice for us: “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matt. 26:39).

I have had prayers answered. Those answers were most clear when what I wanted was silenced by an overpowering need to know what God wanted. It is then that the answer from a loving Heavenly Father can be spoken to the mind by the still, small voice and can be written on the heart.

Wow!  Isn't that what we all want for our children?  That their attitudes might be changed, ready and willing to have the Spirit write upon their hearts?  I used 3 objects to teach the importance of having a softened heart...

1) Playdough!  (If you don't have any on hand there are lots of quick recipes online using ingredients you probably have in your kitchen.)

It's easy for kids to understand that when the playdough is fresh and soft we can shape anything out of it. God can shape us into what he wants us to be when our hearts are softened too.  That is when we are impressionable and he can "write on our hearts."  You could even use a butter knife or other carving tool to have them "write" on the playdough.  When our hearts are hardened though and we don't want to change our attitudes or choices, we are stuck the way we are and God can't mold us and help us anymore.  You can have some hardened playdough out to show this too.


2) Leaves!  (Thank you Autumn for providing this item!)

We did a simple craft of making leaf art by gluing leaves to paper.  I asked them which leaves were brightest and easiest to work with.  Of course, the ones that weren't all dry, hard and crusty.  The ones that were still soft and fresh.  I explained that the difference between the dry ones and soft ones was the amount of water still in them.

 Appropriately, Jesus Christ is the Living Water for us.  If we want to have softened hearts, we must turn to him and bring him into our lives.  The same is true for playdough that is starting to dry out.  Often you can add some water to soften it and bring it to life again.  This was a great connection to make with my kids!

3) Cookies!

The best way to compare the benefits of a softened condition is by using food.  Nobody wants to bite into a hard cookie!  My kids found out the hard way (no pun intended) since my "softened" cookies were apparently a little on the hard side. LOL  Hard cookies don't taste good and a hardened heart doesn't feel good.

Feeling happy feels good, and we feel most happy when our lives are in line with Heavenly Father's plan for us.  Truly, choosing to have the attitude of "Thy Will Be Done" is the most simple, yet most important choice we can make.  Our softened cookies have happy faces because they are following God's plan!

I have to add a tender moment we had.  I've been working 4 part-time jobs to try to help get us out of debt and try to figure out which job works best for our family, so I was hurrying to wrap up this lesson and get to work.  But Michael REALLY kept trying to say something.  Finally, it was his turn and he pointed out two jack-o-lanterns in our Halloween decorations.  He showed how one was having a happy attitude and the other one was sad because it wasn't.  He explained how we should be like the happy jack-o-lantern.  How precious and sweet to see that after a month of discussing this topic he is getting it!  He IS understanding how important a positive attitude is!  As I rushed out the door to work it was comforting to know that the little 10 minute lessons we have here and there DO add up to a greater understanding and positive character in our children.  And WE grow as teachers and parents and disciples in the process too!  So excited for another month of activities and learning in November as we discuss, of course, Gratitude!

Love,
Eva

"Sharing" Success!

We had a great FHE last night (yay!) based on the First Presidency message in this month's Friend, "The Gospel- A Gift To Share."

First, I "shared" some ice cream that I really liked with everyone.  Then the kids "shared" some songs with puppets we had been enjoying them perform earlier in the day so Dad could see them too.  Then (Surprise!) Dad wanted to do a puppet show!  He used the puppets to teach a lesson about sharing.  He showed everything from nice sharing to bullying and not sharing to saying sorry and being friends again.

We wrapped things up by explaining how when you have something you like you want to share it with others.  Not everyone knows aobut God or Jesus.  What could we do?  I practically saw the lightbulb go on over my daughter's head!

"We can share the gospel with them!"

Yes, we can!  We can pray for missionary opportunities.  Missionaries and friends shared the Gospel with both of my parents and I'm so grateful they did and that they then shared it with me.

I think FHE went better last night because I didn't think of it as a huge event that needed to be planned.  I wanted us to enjoy a dessert together, the songs the kids had been practicing and a spiritual message.  That was it.  We had a lot less stress and a lot more learning and fun this way.

I hope this gives you some ideas you can "share" with your family!  The Gospel is true!  What you are doing is worth it and will affect more people than you can imagine!  Love, Eva

Writing Before Sunrise...And the BEST Family Home Evening

Today I am writing before the sun comes up.  This seems to be the best time for me to write, as once kids are up and the day is rolling it is so hard to pull myself away from them.  Mostly, because I don't want to. :)

But not writing makes me grumpy, and evening time is hubby time.  So this is how it will be at least on those blessed mornings where Samuel actually sleeps 6 hours straight!  I have a feeling today is going to be a great day!

I wanted to share a quote I've been thinking about for weeks...

"...insisting that you have a picture-perfect family home evening each week—even though doing so makes you and everyone around you miserable—may not be the best choice. Instead, ask yourself, “What could we do as a family that would be enjoyable and spiritual and bring us closer together?” That family home evening—though it may be modest in scope and execution—may have far more positive long-term results.

Our journey toward perfection is long, but we can find wonder and delight in even the tiniest steps in that journey."  

The entire wonderful "Forget Me Not" talk is linked below...

http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-relief-society-meeting/2011/09/forget-me-not?lang=eng&query=forgotten,+%28name%3a%22Dieter+F.+Uchtdorf%22%29

It's true.  My favorite FHE from the past month was not the one were we went out to the lake as a family, or started our own journals.  They were fun, but it was the most simple one that meant the most to me.

 We made lemonade.  I did some mock-whining and kept trying to drink it before it was done, to explain the need for working.  This made the kids and Daddy laugh.  "You have to stir it Mom!"  "Your arms aren't tired!"  We talked about how work brings us blessings.  So important for all of us to remember sometimes!

 Then we just played a memory game with pictures of the prophets that I bought at Dollar Tree.

We flipped over the card said a sentence or two about the picture and then tried to find the matches.  It was simple, sweet and taught our family at the same time.

I hope you have an enjoyable and spiritual moment as a family today!  Happy Monday Night!  The Gospel IS true!  I'll leave you with one more wonderful quote from President Uchtdorf's talk "Forget Me Not"...

Dear sisters, many of you are endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others. Please remember also to be compassionate and patient with yourself.

In the meantime, be thankful for all the small successes in your home, your family relationships, your education and livelihood, your Church participation and personal improvement. Like the forget-me-nots, these successes may seem tiny to you and they may go unnoticed by others, but God notices them and they are not small to Him. If you consider success to be only the most perfect rose or dazzling orchid, you may miss some of life’s sweetest experiences.  Luv, Eva

Just One Scripture CAN Make A Difference...

Last week we printed out this coloring page from www.lds.org/friend.  The picture is of a child inviting another child who looks lonely to play a game of basketball.  The caption beneath it reads
"Jesus Christ is the perfect example for me."  Then the following scripture is printed:

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. (John 13:15)

We talked about what was happening in the picture as they colored.  By the end of this activity there was an argument about markers and my son was complaining his hands were tired so he couldn't clean up and ended up throwing a fit...ugh.

But another night, again, we looked at this picture and read the verse as our family scripture study.  Sometimes, actually quite often, one scripture is all we get for family study since we are all frazzled and tired and ready for bedtime (well, at least my hubby and I are.)  Reading just one verse kind of felt like a cop-out but I felt like something was better than nothing...

Imagine my sweet surprise to hear the following when my little boy said prayer last night:

"And if we're playing basketball and somebody is sad please help us let them play with us and be nice to them."

What more could I ask for from a 4 year-old?  Seriously.  Every time I feel like giving up on this whole teaching-my-kids thing, or I'm frustrated or don't feel like my efforts are making any difference, Heavenly Father blesses me an experience to show it IS worth it and my attempts DO matter.  In fact, to that little boy they mattered a lot.

I'm reminded of one of my favorite quotes by our late prophet, President Hinckley:

"...be strong and bold and brave and march forward with gladness in your eye and love in your heart...You are doing the best you can and that best results in good to yourself and to others" (Gordon B. Hinckley, "To The Women of The Church," Ensign, Nov. 2003, 113).

The Gospel IS TRUE!  You ARE doing the BEST YOU CAN and that best DOES result in GOOD to yourself and others!!!    LOVE, Eva

"Marching" On...Teaching Integrity To Our Kids!

Well, as you might already know our family has had a wild past several months!  With a job change and move mostly out of the way though (the boxes left to unpack can wait!), I am so excited to be able to focus more on spending time with my kids, and teaching them good values.  My forwarded mail is just arriving, and seeing The Friend in my mailbox was a reminder that even with crazy schedules and moves, I have to make time for teaching my kids!

We all learn by repetition, so lately I've been focusing on trying to tell stories with the same theme and then point out those principles whenever there is an opportunity.  The Friend has some great helps this month. Hhere are the 7 I've used so far...


Decide Right Now by President Monson focuses on choosing now, before the situation comes up, what good choices you're going to make.  There's a little worksheet where kids can write if they are going to say "yes" or "no" when faced with tough choices from their friends.  We took the game a step further with some role playing which was super funny.  Watch for that video soon!


That article also talked about being good 100% of the time, so choosing the right "all the time" has been a phrase we've used a lot this week. 

When my daughter wanted to do a craft and saw we had paper plates she insisted on making her trademark lion mask. :)  Since the idea of being good "all the time" was already on our minds it was easy to bring up the story of Daniel in the Lion's Den.  He prayed and did what was right even when it was illegal with the penalty of death!  We watched the short video clip the church was for the story on their website.  I even put it on the desktop so it was easy for the kids to click on it and watch it on their own.  Then we printed out the story and made a booklet for them to read which was super cute!  Michael was excited to have something that was small, important and his.  We even did some more role playing of that story.  I might post that video. LOL

I pulled open my Friend to the story titled What Scared The Barnyard Roosters and the Bright Idea art page illustrating Joshua 1:9.  Now, not only the idea of choosing the right was relevant but also praying for strength.  This cute story about the little boy with the chickens was our bedtime story again tonight, and the kids are learning they can pray if they need help or are scared.

The Coat is another wonderful story that we watched the video of online.  The video is beautiful and really brings home that message of doing good all the time, even when it's hard.

Since that was a lot of doctrine, we did some of the game pages this week too.  Saturday is A Special Day was fun.  I gave my son more things to find after we found the items the page called for.  Then we looked at the Bulletin Board section.  It actually had a part about eating healthy which gave us another opportunity to learn about Daniel and when he refused the king's food and wine.  Once again being good "all the time" came up, are we all seeing the pattern? :)

Finally, I had to share the story Abu Learns Honesty with them because it was right in line with the theme of The Coat, Daniel and the Lion's Den, and President Monson's story.  We need to choose the right "all the time."  And when we don't, well, that's why we have a Savior, so we can repent and make it right.

I know that by being a more dedicated, teaching-oriented parent I learn more.  The short, true stories in The Friend and the scriptures touch my heart every time I read them.  My kids are so used to me "happy crying" because I can't help but feel the Spirit and feel blessed that I have this little window of time to share these principles of faith and hope with my kids, and myself.  And the repetition is working.  We are starting to understand these concepts together.  
March is still early, spring is upon us and it is a time for new beginnings!  I hope you can find some time to share these stories with your little ones.  If you have to, read them on your own and bring them up when the topics come up.  The opportunities will be there if we are prepared and ready because this is the Lord's work.  We are his missionaries in the home and he supports us!  Remember, the gospel is true!  Love, Eva