Family Proclamation Book for kids

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The doctrine of the Family

At the beginning of the summer, we went to Cache Valley to visit our family. My kids were playing with their cousins, and when I went to check on them, they were playing what we used to call "House", but they were calling it, "Family".

I had forgotten all about it until this morning, when I heard Dillon ask his brothers if they wanted to play "Family".

I was thrilled to hear this, because I've spent my week reading and re-reading a talk that Sister Julie B. Beck gave to seminary and institute teachers last year. My bishop is a seminary teacher, and gave out copies of this talk at a ward correlation meeting that Todd attended, just after it was given. I read it then, and liked it so much that I put it in my basket of magazines next to my rocking chair. It gradually made it's way to the bottom of the pile and was forgotten, until I dug it out this week.

In her talk, Sister Beck talks about the doctrine of the family, and how important it is that we, as well as our children understand it. I would highly recommend reading it if you haven't. In one of my favorite paragraphs, she says that if we teach so that our [children] know all the rivers in the Book of Mormon, if they can name all the prophets of the Old Testament, if they can describe to you the pioneer trek and the history of the Latter-day Saints in the restored times but they don't understand the promises made to the fathers and their part in it, it is "utterly wasted."

A year ago, probably after reading this talk, I realized something that rocked me to my core.

My boys are going to grow up.

And not only are they going to grow up, but someday they will get married, and I will no longer have influence in how they live...their wives will. What if my future daughter-in-law's don't understand the doctrine of the family? What if they want a career over children? There won't be much that I can do at that time. My time is now.

It occurred to me that the only thing I could do, was to magnify my calling as a mother, teach my boys the doctrine of the family, make my home a place of refuge from the world, and do it in a way so that my sons will WANT to choose a wife that has those values.

Sister Beck talks about the story of Isaac and Rebekah, which is pivotal. "Everything depended on a man and a woman who understood their place in the plan and their responsibilities to form an eternal family, to bear children, and to teach them. So what I submit to you as one of your responsibilities...is to send Isaac and Rebekah forth from every classroom."

"Next, I would have you live in your homes, in your families, in your marriages so your students have the hope of eternal life from watching you. Your objective is to live in the kind of a home life that your students want to have--have that kind of a family. They won't get that message from many other places. Live it and teach it with so much clarity that what you teach will cut through all the noise they are hearing and pierce their hearts and touch them. You don't need to compete in the number of words; you just need to be very clear in your examples. Live in your home so that you're brilliant in the basics, so that you're intentional about your roles and responsibilities in the family."

Sister Beck talks about when she and her husband got married. They had three dollars. They entered that relationship as a faith-based work. She says, "We knew that we had made a covenant with the Lord and that He would bless us. It didn't take money; it took faith. Those are the messages they need to have and get confidence in because of you."

"This generation will be called upon to defend the doctrine of the family as never before in the history of the world. If they don't know it, they can't defend it...If you don't know that they are meant to be fathers and mothers, then they won't know that they are meant to be fathers and mothers. Your effort will be wasted. The time will come when only those who believe deeply and actively in the family will be able to preserve their families in the midst of the gathering evil around us."

This morning, I found some staggering statistics here:

In 2007 40% of all babies born in the US were born to unwed mothers.

The number of people cohabitating in the US increased by 90% between 1990 and 2007.
50% percent of first marriages, 67% of second and 74% of third marriages end in divorce.
Throughout the world countries such as Sweden, Nepal, Norway, Belgium, South Africa, Spain and others have legalized same-sex marriage.

In the US every action to redefine marriage has occurred after 1995.

I find that last line significant because this year marks the 15th anniversary since President Hinckley introduced "The Family: A Proclamation to the World". It is obvious that the adversary is waging a war against the family, and I am so grateful for the "warning" of the proclamation.

As hard as it is, both emotionally and financially, to be a stay-at-home mom, I know how important it is. It truly is a "faith-based work". I only hope that I can overcome my weaknesses and be a better mother, so that my time with my kids will not be wasted...so that they understand their place in the plan, and the importance of eternal families.

I am grateful to my own mother, as well as my Aunt Joyce, who have been two especially wonderful examples to me. I've mentioned before how my mom taught by example the importance of prayer and scripture study. Aunt Joyce was amazing at Family Home Evening, and I watched her make sacrifices her entire life so that she could be at home with her children. They were "brilliant in the basics" and I hope that I can be like them in so many ways.

Oh, and I applaud whichever of my cousins taught their children to play "Family" instead of "House" because that is how it should be.

Tender Mercies

The other day, I was walking past my dining room window, and noticed this little "spot" of a rainbow in the sky. I'm not sure why, but at that moment I felt an instant peace, and knew that Heavenly Father was watching out for me and my family.

My camera was sitting on the hutch, so I hurried and took this picture because I wanted to remember the feeling I had.

I had two more experiences this week, both will probably seem insignificant, but I had the same feeling.

I was trying to hurry and put together a menu for the week, so that I could make a shopping list and get to the store before my boys got home from school.

I debated whether or not to add Henny Penny's to my menu because it would require me to buy three ingredients that I didn't necessarily need right now, and I knew I could make a different dinner for less. (Henny Penny's are a chicken sandwich, on a bun, from the restaurant where I worked in college). When I got to the store and got to the hamburger buns, they were on sale for 99 cents. I know it sounds silly, but as I pulled them off of the top shelf, I knew that Heavenly Father was watching out for us.

It happened again, on the other side of the store. I put a head of iceberg lettuce (1.89) in my cart. I don't even really like iceberg lettuce all that much, but I wanted to make a salad I'd seen in a magazine and it called for iceberg lettuce. Before I made my list, I debated using the spinach and green leaf lettuce that I already had in my fridge (because I like them better anyway) but it just seemed like this salad needed iceberg lettuce. Then I noticed that I could get a bag of salad (the iceberg kind) for 99 cents, which would make my meal even faster to prepare. I put the head of lettuce back, grabbed the bag of salad, and once again I had that feeling that I was being watched over.

Things are tight right now (babies aren't cheap), but we aren't so bad off that I couldn't have bought the head of lettuce, or the buns at regular price. It probably only saved me $2, and I didn't even have to use iceberg lettuce, or make Henny Penny's, I just wanted to.

I don't know why the experience was so significant, but it was.

And then today the blessings continued. I got home from a dentist appt. this morning, and found two of my friends in my living room, folding the pile of laundry on my couch. They knew I had a busy day yesterday with soccer games, back-to-school night, and a going away party for our friend who is moving. After the laundry was folded, they made me sit and feed the baby while they diced and froze the zucchini that THEY GAVE ME, because they know I love to put zucchini in my spaghetti sauce year round, and they knew my garden had only yielded one squash so far.

How grateful I am for the Holy Ghost, which brings comfort both in times of need, and in times when we least expect it.

When it rains, it pours...

It all started last week.

I took the van over to "the wal-mart" to have the oil changed before our Dr. appt/mini vacation. The "professionals" in the tire center confirmed Todd's opinion that our van needs new tires.

We also have to replace the windshields in both our vehicles before they'll pass inspection this year.

When we returned from our vacation, I had a message from my bank letting me know I had bounced a check.

It was my own paycheck...to myself...from myself. And it ended up costing me $43 in fee's.

It turns out that when I deposited a recent quilting check, I copied the account number from my client's check (rather than my own business account number) and wrote it on the deposit slip, so the money left her account, and went right back in to her account instead of mine. I blame it on pregnancy brain.

A couple days later our power went out for 3 1/2 hours, and we discovered that all the batteries in our flashlights are dead, and that we are out of extra batteries 'cause the kids have used them all up in the Wii remotes.

That night, I had a gall bladder attack that took me a few days to recover from.

On Saturday, Todd left to help our friends load their U-haul, and his truck died. The local mechanic was there as well, and the two of them decided that it was the battery. On Monday morning, Todd got a new battery, installed it, and $100 later his truck still wouldn't start.

We had to have it towed from our driveway to the auto shop (which is a block away). Still no word on the diagnosis.

Today we juggled a trip to the pharmacy, scouts for two boys (at two different times and locations), a WIC appointment, and getting Todd to and from work with one car (thankfully we also had the use of two bikes).

I spent the afternoon trying to figure out a way to squeeze some money out of the budget so the boys could take swimming lessons this summer, only to discover at dinnertime that our 2 year old fridge is dying. It's possible that something short-circuited when the power went off. No wonder my milk tasted funny today.

I called Maytag and discovered that there's only one place that will service "the middle of nowhere" and it will cost $200 just to have them drive over the mountain to "take a look". Then we still get to pay for parts and labor.

I spent this evening re-arranging my deep freezer to fit everything I could from my fridge, and then I took the rest of our stuff to my neighbor's house (who is out-of-town) and borrowed her fridge. The boys spent their evening eating popsicles before they melted.

Poor Todd spent part of his day walking around in wet pants because when a co-worker gave him a ride from the barn to his office, Todd sat on the passenger side where a water bottle had leaked. He figured nobody would notice, but as he walked up the stairs to the clinical building, another therapist drove by with his window down and yelled, "Hey Wet-butt!"

He also got sunburned.

And one of our fish died.

As we gathered the kids for family prayer (at 10:30 PM), Todd asked everyone to name something they were thankful for. We did this a few days ago, and that day Dillon was thankful for a freezer to keep things cold. He even mentioned it in our family prayer that night. The rest of us thought it was kind of funny, but now we all realize what we had been taking for granted.

Sometimes it takes weeks like this to remember what is most important.

“For the natural man is an enemy to God...unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit...and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.”

Our baby is healthy and active. We have a job. We have a roof over our heads. We have good friends, and most importantly, we have each other, and a Father in heaven who knows our needs.

I guess we're a pretty lucky bunch.

tender mercies

I have been a crying fool this week, but all for good reason.

On Sunday, I was worried about money. On Monday, I realized we had a VISA gift card from Christmas with $200 on it that we had never used. I also found a $35 Western Family gift card that I'd forgotten about (again, from Christmas).

On Monday, all worries about money vanished with the news that my sister was in an accident, and her car went UNDER A SEMI and she and her kids came out without a scratch. I still get teary when I think about it. It's amazing how fast our lives could be turned upside down, and yet she was watched over and protected and I will forever be grateful.

On Tuesday, I got to see my sweet baby boy in an ultrasound, and everything looks good. It's still so amazing to me how many things have to go "right" in order to "grow" a baby. After a history of miscarriage, I sometimes wonder how any of us made it here.

I've given away most of my maternity clothes and baby things, and so many people have come to my rescue. My sis-in-law Becky let me borrow all her maternity clothes, my sister offered her stroller and actually sent pictures of her son's baby clothes to see what I want/need. My friend Cathy called to see if we needed a crib, and it turns out we do need a crib mattress, so that has been taken care of as well.

On Wednesday, I got news that my brother-in-law, my brother, and my dad are coming (voluntarily) this weekend to help us work on our basement. Jon (b-in-law) is traveling over 7 1/2 hours, and Dad and Tyler are traveling for 5, to spend less than 18 hours here tiling, painting, and putting up baseboards, before they have to leave to be home for Dad's bishopric meeting on Sunday morning...and I couldn't be more grateful. With Todd on-call this week (and it's also parent week at work), we just don't have very many hours to spend downstairs, and the carpet will be here a week from today. I don't think we'd make our deadline without their help, but now I think we can do it.

I am so grateful for tender mercies. Heavenly Father watches over us, knows our needs, and blesses us with the things we need, often through other people.

Whine flu epidemic

We've had a whining problem at our house, and I had WAY too much time to think on our five hour drive home from Cache Valley last night, so I came up with this FHE lesson:

For the rest of this week, when we hear whining, we will raise the red yarn on the "whineometer", and the guilty party will have to take a "Gratiflu tablet", write down what they are thankful for, and place it in the "glass of water" pocket.

For example, if the room is just "too messy to clean" then we will be grateful to have so many toys.

And if we wish for ice cream, instead of crackers,for our after-school snack, then we will be grateful just to have food.

And my personal favorite from last week: If someone simply cannot participate in family scripture study because he "wants to sit right here" and his scriptures are "way over there" then we will be grateful that we have legs to walk all the way across the livingroom to get them.

For the lesson part, we will talk about how the Savior set the perfect example for us, by submitting to the will of Heavenly Father during his greatest trial by saying, “Father, if thou be willing remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Jesus trusted that Heavenly Father knew best.

Sometimes we get upset when things don't go the way we want them to, and we whine or complain. We need to learn to recognize our blessings during those difficult times.

Whining or complaining shows ingratitude. We will use examples (like the ones above) to help everyone recognize blessings amid their trials.

Just as we wash our hands to prevent germs, we can prevent whining and ingratitude by counting our blessings.

Create

I love this!

You can also view it on the Relief Society page at lds.org.

Learning

This is going to be a long post, and it's pretty much just for me. I need to get some thoughts out. My only request is that if you decide to start reading what I'm about to write, you stick with it to the end...otherwise I'm afraid it's going to sound whiny, and nobody needs any extra whining in their life. I just need to get it out so I can move on. It's almost embarrassing to type it, since everything I have to say is so trivial compared to the adversity that some people face.

I've been looking forward to General Conference in a way that I haven't for a LONG time. Almost like a kid waiting for Christmas. I can't wait to be able to download the talks and listen to them while I work around the house. There is too much to take in all at once, and I'll admit that during this morning's session, I had so many thoughts going through my own head, that I struggled to pay attention to what was being said. That is why I'm writing now...to get my thoughts out so I can hopefully hear more of the last session.

I have struggled lately with living in my small town. Struggled is probably not a strong enough word. At times I have been almost bitter. Do not get me wrong. I LOVE small town living, and I LOVE the good people here. But I also came from a small town with good people, and I left behind a lot more.

I left my family, and moved further away from Todd's. I always wanted my kids to grow up knowing their cousins, like I did. I miss 5th Monday FHE's with the whole-fam-damily, and Sunday dinners at Grandma Great's house. Since moving here, two of Todd's siblings have moved to Cache Valley, which only makes it harder to be away.

I left a vast group of wonderful OB/GYN's, including my own who "keeps up with the latest" and helps write textbooks. I left his PA who specializes in women's moods and hormones, which I struggled so much with after my miscarriage in '07. I miss being able to have an ultrasound done in the doctor's office, and getting blood test results in an hour.

I do have to say that I am very happy with the doctors at our local clinic. They are good men, and they truly care. What they lack is the facility to give the kind of medical care I was used to in Logan. Don't even get me started on the x-ray machine at our clinic. The hospital an hour away has to get authorization just to perform an appendectomy. I shudder to think what would have happened with me if I had lived here when I had to have my appendix out while I was 20 weeks pregnant with Dillon. I worry about what will happen if I have trouble with my gall bladder again during a future pregnancy. I wonder if, when I get pregnant again, I will be able to convince the technicians at our hospital to do a vaginal ultrasound in order to get a better picture.

My only options for an OB/GYN are in Utah County (2 1/2 hours away). But a friend of mine did some research and found that the only hospital in that area, that is covered by our insurance, is NOT a hospital that these OB's deliver at. So because of my insurance, I can choose a doctor, or a hospital, but not both. Again, I am "stuck" with a family doctor at a hospital that would have to life-flight me if anything out of the ordinary happened.

I left a temple that was so close. We used to have a "date group babysitting exchange" every Friday night. It was only three hours long, but we were able to get to the temple, do a session, and return home in that 3 hours. Here, three hours will only cover the travel time, not the session.

And for that matter, I miss dates with my husband. I can only think of one date (where we left the house without kids) since we moved here. I can't afford to pay a babysitter very often, and we just haven't found the right option for a "trade". We had one worked out with some friends who also had three kids, and then they moved away. I am grateful to my mom, who always watches our kids when we visit, so that Todd and I can go to the temple and out to dinner.

I left behind USU. I truly never realized how much of an impact a college has on a community until I moved to a place without one. We have the USU extension, and I have felt the effects of Snow College, but it is not the same. I miss the Small Business Development Center and all their FREE services. I miss all the resources that USU provides for children with disabilites. The FREE testing, the programs available, the accredited preschool, and the music lessons at the conservatory.

I left behind two quilt guilds. One for longarm machine quilters where we met to discuss our machines, customer quilts, and find solutions to problems. It was like continuing education in my field. I also left a group of 80 women who paraded the most amazing quilts before my eyes every month. I was constantly inspired, and excited. I left behind two great quilt shops to come to a place with none. And the closest shop here is failing. There is a large group of quilters here, but many of them are very against machine quilting. They only "approve" of hand-quilted quilts, which doesn't make my job any easier.

I left behind stores. I like to shop...and hunt for bargains. I love being inspired by what's out there. I don't even have to buy anything...I just like to see it all. I get frustrated when I read tips online about saving money. Everything requires coupons, rebates, or shopping around. My choices are so limited that I often feel stuck. I get upset when I find out that the caselot sale in my Dad's grocery store is selling twice as much tuna for the same price as my store here. Or when they have access to boneless skinless chicken that is half the price I pay. I left Michaels, Jo-Ann's, (and now Hobby Lobby), and the biggest D.I. in the state, where I find the stuff that helps me use my creativity. Don't get me wrong. I learned a long time ago that "stuff" doesn't bring happiness. I know that having an endless supply of crafts won't bring happiness...but using my creativity and talents will. I just get frustrated when I'm working on a project and I picture something in my mind that I want, and I know I could get it in Logan and not here. It happens to me at least weekly. Sometimes I envy the people who grew up here and truly have NO IDEA what they are missing out on.

The other day, I found out that there is a violin teacher who comes down from Utah county to the town an hour away from us. I seriously started to cry, just knowing that I had that option for Brayden if we decided it was right for him. I truly don't think we can afford it, nor do I even know if it's what we want. It was just the fact that the option was there. That is how "stuck" I have felt here.

***And now to finally share what I have learned from conference so far***

For the past couple years, I think I thought deep down that if I really wanted to be happy here, I would have to change who I am, or what I want out of life. I thought I would have to suddenly like the fact that I have to pay a higher price for some things, or the fact that there are fewer opportunities for Brayden with his diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome, or enjoy missing out on extended family activities.

The talks I have listened to have helped me to come to the realization that I am who I am. I will always love to shop for bargains. I will always miss my family, and long for the resources from a bigger city. I do not have to like my situation...I just have to endure, and trust Heavenly Father. I have to spend my time concentrating on the good (and there's plenty of it here) and make the best of the things I can't have right now.

When we first moved here, we thought we'd stay for five years. I never dreamed that half way through our "time" the bottom would fall out of the economy and jobs would be so scarce. I think the feeling of being stuck here is what has made it so difficult for me. There is plenty of good here, but when the option of leaving suddenly started to fade away I got scared. I worry about what would happen if any of the three Aspen programs in our town had to shut down. There wouldn't be anyone coming in to buy our house if we wanted to move. I don't want to be stuck with a house in a place where I don't want to live forever.

That is where faith comes in. I know that we are where Heavenly Father wants us to be right now, and I know we were supposed to buy our house. Those are the things I can lean on. From now on, I am not going to focus so much on changing my feelings or goals, but learning to be happy despite my circumstances by focusing on the good that there is. Things could certainly be much worse (I wouldn't even say they are bad...just frustrating), and I will just hold on to hope that someday, I might get to have more of these opportunities again.

I just did a google search to find the scripture about charity enduring all things, and was surprised to find an article about one of my ancestors that sums up what I want to say:

"Drusilla Dorris Hendricks was among the Saints who were living in Missouri in 1838 when mob violence broke out. Drusilla’s husband was shot and paralyzed from the neck down. She drove back the mobs and nursed him, but his condition grew worse.
During this time, she wrote,“The conflict began in my mind: ‘Your folks told you your husband would be killed [if you joined the Mormons] and are you not sorry you did not listen to them?’ I said, ‘No I am not’. … After that a third person spoke. It was a still,small voice this time, saying, ‘Hold on, for the Lord will provide.’ I said I would [hold on] for I would trust in Him and not grumble.”
(Ensign, Apr. 1979, p. 55.)

Though the trials we face may not be the same as Drusilla’s, we will all experience some hardship and suffering. “Satan is increasingly striving to overcome the Saints with despair, discouragement, despondency, and depression,” President Ezra Taft Benson has said. (Ensign, Oct. 1986, p. 2.)
Our trials need not overcome us. In fact, they can teach us humility, faith, courage, and compassion, and can ultimately help us develop charity, the pure love of Christ, which “beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, [and] endureth all things."

I feel a closeness to Drusilla. I am not sure how we are related (Aunt Hollie will be able to tell me) but I think she's my 4th great grandmother. I remember reading a portion of her life history a few years ago, and I wish I could find it in my files to get it right, but she wrote about her husband finding her crying, because she was afraid that she wasn't up to the task of crossing the plains. Any time since then, when I feel like I can't do something, I remember that one line from her history.

Though my trials are nothing compared to hers, our feelings were the same, and I find inspiration in the fact that she made it when she thought she couldn't. In the last paragraph of her life history, she writes:

"The restored gospel is true. I have rejoiced in it through all my trials, for the spirit of the Lord has buoyed me up, or I should have failed."

She is buried in Richmond, Utah, near the school I attended in 8th and 9th grade. How grateful I am for her example.

I owe it to her to "trust Him and not grumble". We have been very blessed here. There is a LOT to be grateful for, and I am setting a goal to focus on the good. It is not going to be easy, but I have to do it.

It passes all my understanding

Those of you who follow my blog, probably remember that I've been thinking a lot lately. I feel like there is something I need to be doing, but I'm not sure what it is. I've felt lost, directionless, and like I can't find my purpose. It sounds silly, since I have many years left of rasing my children, but that's how I feel. I was talking to Todd about it the other day, and I told him, "I just feel like something is missing, but I don't know what it is."

A couple days later, I asked the bishop if I could be set apart for my new calling in cub scouts. I've been doing the job for a couple months, but had completely forgotten to be set apart.

On Sunday afternoon, we went into his office, and one of his counselors gave the blessing. I was first set apart to be a cub scout leader/primary worker, and he blessed me with the things I would need to fulfill that calling. Then he paused, and out of nowhere he said, "I bless you that you will find what it is that is missing in your life."

I immediately started to cry. Brother Petty, who gave the blessing, has no idea what I've been thinking about lately. I know that those words came from a Heavenly Father who knows me, loves me, and has a plan for me. I know that the priesthood is God's power on Earth.

I've pondered a lot about what people of other faith's believe. I realize that some of the doctrines of the LDS church may sound ridiculous to some. It truly "passes all my understanding" how it can all be true, and yet...I know it is. I know it because I have studied the doctrines, prayed to my Heavenly Father, and I have felt it in my heart. I cannot deny what I feel.

**I downloaded this song by Cherie Call from ldsaudio.com on Sunday night, and I thought it fit perfectly.

This is how WE do it

I thought I'd post this, in case it will help anyone. These are idea's that have worked well for our family. Every year I like to make up a very general yearly plan for our FHE's. Do we follow it exactly? No way. But it gives me a direction on those busy nights when I haven't planned anything and have to "wing it". I do not let myself feel guilty for not sticking to it, but use it as a guide.

Our topics include:

Week 1 - Primary theme for that month

Week 2 - Conference talk; Friend; or Ensign article from the current magazine

Week 3 - Pertinent Subject (whatever Todd and I feel needs to be taught)

Week 4 - Kid's teach (their choice of topic or scripture story)

Week 5 - Fun Activity (since there are only 4 of these per year, these are the times we get to spend $$ on bowling, or eating out, or whatever we decide).

As a backup, if ALL these idea's fail on any given night, we will work on Brayden's Scout requirements, or Faith in God goals.

We usually sing the song that they are learning in primary that month. After being a primary teacher for a year, I've noticed that there is not usually enough time for them to learn all the songs really well, unless they are also learning them at home.

Our lessons are pretty short. I used to think that I had to go "all out" and have flannel board stories, activities, etc. but then they weren't getting done because it took too much time. If the spirit is there, the job is done. Kids CAN learn without all the fluff. (but the "fluff" does help, so I'm still always seeking out object lessons, activities, songs, etc. It's the preschool teacher in me.) If you come up with something really great this year...PLEASE SHARE IT WITH ME!

Our "pertinent subject" often ends up being board games, playing lego's, or watching a movie because we tend to get so caught up in our jobs, that we don't have enough fun together. Gotta have those "wholesome recreational activities".

Something else we have done, is give our kids "callings" in the family. Dillon is the reminder (he helps us remember to read our scriptures every night). Caleb is the service coordinator (we set a family goal for 2009 to do a service project each month, so Caleb will plan them). Brayden is the Activity Coordinator (he plans a monthly family activity). We will change them whenever we feel like it. Dillon's last job was music coordinator (he led the singing at FHE). We haven't done so well at this in the past (except for Dillon), and hope to do better this year.

You can click here for a pdf copy of the Primary Outline for this year.

And last of all, this has been our most successful method for reading scriptures:

On either Sunday or Monday night, we watch one scripture "reader" story on DVD (from the distribution center). The next night we read it from the "reader". The next night we might read the SAME story from the Gospel Art Picture kit. This is new this year, but if we have a flannel board story, I'll have the kids tell it, and after we know the story or the subject REALLY well, then we finally read it in our scriptures. By then, it's so much easier for the kids to understand.

We've done *most* of the Book of Mormon this way, and this year we are going to do The Doctrine and Covenants.

Maybe it's not a good substitute for the actual scriptures every night...but my kids are enjoying it, and they are really learning the stories. Caleb and Dillon do their "personal scripture study" by watching the Book of Mormon reader on CD-ROM on their computer. Brayden reads out of the readers.

Another idea that has worked well in the past, is to post an article of faith on the fridge. We try to read through it during breakfast in the morning, and it's amazing to me how fast the kids pick up on them. We need to get back to it...

None of this happens regularly. I am probably the WORST at keeping a schedule like this, but I figure that anything that works for awhile is better than nothing. We go in cycles where we do really well, and then times where we get caught up in "life", but by using a schedule like this in the past, I feel that OVERALL we are taking baby steps in the right direction.

Random thoughts...

I put away my maternity clothes today.

I'm not sure why it has taken so long. After 2 1/2 months of hanging in my closet, it took a total of six minutes to take them off the hangers, fold them, and put them in the rubbermaid container under my bed.

There's not really any reason. I just haven't gotten around to it. They were only in my closet for two days before I found out that my pregnancy might not go well.

For some reason, the sting of miscarriage is bothering me today. The first thing I thought of when I woke up, is that we would have had an ultrasound sometime this week (I remember that it was going to be right after Christmas).

Maybe it's because my "baby" (Dillon) is wearing underwear today. Or because he is going to be a Sunbeam in primary now. Yesterday when I asked him to do something, he replied, "Mom, who cares?" (it starts young when you have older brothers...)

I've really been doing quite well. I haven't had any of the symptoms of the hormone imbalance that had plagued me since my miscarriage in '07. It's like my body was thrown "back into whack" and I've felt so much better. I can think better. I've had several people say, "We have our Felicia back" and I feel it. For that I am so grateful.

Perhaps that's why it needed to happen. But regardless of the reason, today is hard. Maybe it's because I have only opened two of the doctor/hospital bills that I need to pay. They were due last week and I just can't bring myself to deal with them. The rest are probably past due, too, so I guess I ought to open them. I will, don't worry. I just haven't...yet.

Todd has had a pretty rough few months at work. It would have been so much harder on both of us if I had been pregnant through it all. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for us. I know that He can see the bigger picture and knows what's best. I also know that the atonement is for sorrow, as well as sin. I have learned for myself the importance, and the significance of the power of hope, and the blessings of friendship.

Always, I will remember...

...The surprise of finding out I was pregnant,

because I am usually sick before it's even time to test.

...The excitement that always comes with a positive pregnancy test.

...Wondering how we were going to pay for a baby,
and wondering where to put you in our two bedroom house.

...Telling your dad that we were going to have a baby,

and watching his realization that we HAD to finish another room in the basement.

...The good feeling I had, like this time was going to be different.

...The fun of being pregnant at the same time as my sister.

...Grandma spending two weeks with us,

helping me organize the basement so we could finish another room.

...Seeing the ultrasound screen and knowing

immediately that something was wrong.

...The frustration in waiting two weeks to find out if you were still growing.

...The anxiety and paranoia of not knowing.

...The friends who prayed, and listened, and cared.

...Wondering why I felt so strongly you were meant to be,
and why you were taken so soon.

...2008 as the year that my friends got me through.

...The peace that only comes from knowing that
Heavenly Father has a plan, and that He knows what's best.

...those ten short weeks
last fall.

We won the battle...but the war rages on

I copied this entry from my brother, "pianoman's" blog. I hope he doesn't mind. I'm just so darn proud of all that he and his wife, and also my cousin, have done to help pass proposition 8 in California. I wanted this recorded in my "journal" too.

November 4, Election Day: I woke up before the alarm went off. I didn't sleep much. Weeks and weeks of phone calls, door-knocking, sign-posting and re-posting, blogging, Facebook-ing--and of course--praying, all pointed to this moment.

7:00 am. The polls open.

8:00 am. Our zip code coordinator comes by our house to deliver my poll-watching assignment.

9:00 am. I visit two different precincts trying to find where VD and I are registered to vote (recently moved after registering).

10:00 am. Empty ballot in hand, I walk solemnly to my private voting booth. Everyone in line conveys a similar attitude of reverence and respect for the privilege of taking part in the government of our people. I open the ballot to the Propositions page...there it is! I carefully square the ink-puncher over the "yes" on the eighth proposition. Albeit less grandiose an act, I cannot help thinking of Moroni raising the Title of Liberty: "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children" (emphasis added). I return my completed ballot. Little me, one out of nine million California voters who will hover their ink-puncher over the "yes" or the "no" spot. But I know my voice is heard, and I know where I stand. That's what voting is all about.

11:00 am. My poll-watching is well underway. I have three different precinct lists of registered voters who told us previously their intention to vote "yes" on 8. I compare my lists with the publicly-released street indexes of persons who have already voted. Each time I cross out a name, it's almost like punching another "yes" on the ballot.

12:00 noon. I report in to headquarters to provide the results of my most recently updated lists. (I still get a little choked up every time I think about what I saw.) There in the warehouse of Interstate Batteries were rows of tables lined with people in all the chairs, people my age, my parents' age, my grandparents' age, with cell phones in hand, lists of persons being called. Power strips for chargers, laptops and printers for up-to-date info, food and water bottles for the masses...Everything about the setup evoked images of a mobilized army, ready at a moment's notice to heed the call of the commanding officer.

1:00 pm. Phone calls take a priority over poll-watching from now until 4:00 pm. So, I grab a stack of names and start dialing. I speak with one woman who says she doesn't understand English. "¿Puedo hablar con Usted en español, entonces?" I talk with her about Prop 8. She says she still hasn't decided which way to vote. My heart racing--much like a young soldier in battle--I immediately wield my sword... I translate my prescripted thoughts into Spanish. By the end of the conversation she says, "Yes, I will vote 'yes' on 8." I hang up to a couple of cheers from neighboring callers who had witnessed my transition from English to Spanish to a yes vote. And so the day goes on. As I am preparing to dial a new number, I overhear the woman behind me: "I am a school teacher. I, and most of my friends are voting 'yes' on 8. Don't believe those TV ads..." When she hangs up, she crosses off the name, adding another 'yes' to the final count. We cheer the school teacher on.

4:00 - 7:50 pm. The pace accelerates. Amid my frequent trips from poll-watching locations to headquarters, the full-time callers move into the final phase: no more leaving messages on voice mail, only targeted calls to "high yield" areas (demographics where a "yes" vote would be most likely.) Joined by VD for the final stretch, we make calls and look forward to crossing the finish line together.

8:00 pm. The army disbands. The tables and chairs are put up, and we all return to our homes.

Every ten minutes for the next 12 hours. We watch as the numbers trickle in. VD sees the first results: "We're winning!" Those are perhaps the best words chosen to describe this ongoing fight. I wish there were a way we could triumphantly declare: "We won!" But deep down, each of us knows the war is far from over. I'm pleased to see the results of our efforts. I'm honored beyond measure to ever be part of such an army, defending truth and virtue. The days and years that lie ahead will surely present greater challenges still. But I take courage in VD's simple expression: "We're winning." May it ever be so.

Humbled

Yesterday morning, after I had done my hair for church, I stepped into the kitchen and saw the fast offering check that Todd had written, laying on the table.

I looked at him and said, "Do you realize that when this check clears, I will not be able to go to the grocery store this week?"

He said, "We need the blessings...how can we not?"

And I said, "I'm not talking about NOT paying, I'm talking about paying LESS...at least let me buy milk this week".

He said, "Do we have it in savings?"

And I said, "Yes"

And he said, "Then transfer it".

I knew he was right, so I let it go. I know full well the importance of paying tithing/fast offerings, so who am I to argue about the amount?

Then we got to church, and it turns out that our Area Authority Seventy, Elder Dan Jones, was presiding at our meeting. After the testimony portion of sacrament meeting, he was given a few minutes to speak.

He told us that as he sits in different wards, he receives inspiration and thoughts about the things he should say. He said that he felt impressed to stress the importance of paying our tithing and fast offerings. (At this point, Todd turned and gave me a smug look, which I deserved) Before General Conference, Elder Jones was in a meeting with Pres. Packer, who told the seventies that "the people need to be reassured during these difficult economic times". He (Elder Jones) promised us that as we paid our tithes and offerings, we would be given comfort and direction in the decisions we make. He closed by bearing his testimony that the ANSWER to the economic challenges that our world is facing, is in paying tithes and offerings.

Let me just TRY to tell you how grateful I was that I hadn't re-written our fast offering check for $5 less. I was at peace all day because of what I HADN'T done. If I'd paid less, I think I would've been stressed all day.

We have our food storage. We are going to be just fine this week without going to the store. I tried giving Dillon powdered milk this morning, just to see what he thought, and he didn't even notice. Some "sacrifice" this is going to be...

How grateful I am for my husband, and his vision....and his lack of looking at our checking account :o) Because he didn't know the numbers, he just wrote out the check. I worry too much about the numbers, but really the most important thing is faith. I know that we'll be just fine this week, because we've paid our tithing and our fast offering.

We support proposition 8

My brother and his wife, as well as my cousin (who all live in California) both had this picture on their blogs today. It made want to laugh and cry at the same time.

Although I cannot vote in the CA elections, I wanted to let all of you who have spent so much time and effort on this important issue, know that we support you and are grateful for what you have done (and are currently doing) to fight for religious freedom, and for families.

Stand for truth and righteousness at all times,

and in all things, and in all places...

Tender mercies

I received some "tender mercies" of the Lord this morning during conference. The first, being that we got to watch conference at all!

We cancelled our DishNetwork in the Spring because we were tired of the monthly payment. We didn't watch enough TV to justify it. We've spent over $100 buying two different digital antenna's and an amplifier to try to get digital channels on our TV. When it works, the picture is crystal clear...but we never know if we will have a signal or not. Todd spent two hours this morning (in the rain) fiddling with our antenna, and cables, trying to get KSL to come in on our TV. I found that I could stream it on the Internet without too much pausing, but I didn't want to sit in my computer chair to watch conference...I really wanted to curl up on the couch and watch it on TV.

Ten minutes before conference started, we were pulling in 9 analog channels, but no digital channels. The channel we needed was too fuzzy to hear. I called my mom to clarify what show was on to make sure I had the right channel, and when I got back downstairs, it came in PERFECTLY.
All of a sudden, five minutes before conference started, we had 18 digital channels (we've never gotten more than 11). It is a small thing, but it meant so much to me today. There is nothing else I wanted to do, but watch conference.

I started to cry, when the choir sang "Do What is Right" because that is a song that helped my mother through a difficult time following her miscarriage at 17 weeks. The third verse reads:

"Do what is right; be faithful and fearless. Onward, press onward, the goal is in sight. Eyes that are wet now ere long will be tearless. Blessings await you in doing what's right!"

I also particularly enjoyed L. Tom Perry's talk on a Simple Life, and President Uchtdorf's talk on Hope. Here are some of his words:

The things we hope in, sustain us during our daily walk. They uphold us through trials, temptations, and sorrow. Everyone has experienced discouragement and difficulty. Indeed there are times when the darkness may seem unbearable. It is in these times, that the divine principles of the restored gospel we hope in, can uphold us and carry us until once again, we walk in the light. We hope in Jesus Christ, in the goodness of God, in the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, in the knowledge that prayers are heard and answered.

I well remember the days in my childhood encompassed by the horrors and despair of a world war; the lack of educational opportunities; life threatening health issues during youth; and the challenging and discouraging economic experiences
as a refugee.

The example of our Mother, even in the worst of times, to move forward and to put faith and hope into action, not just worrying or wishful thinking, sustained our family and me, and gave confidence that present circumstances would give way to future blessings.

I love Dale's cone!

Since I have SO many relatives who teach primary right now, I thought some of you might like this. Or maybe you'll just think I'm a dork because I love Dale's cone ;o)

A friend of mine who homeschools her kids made a comment about homeschooling on her blog, and it got me all excited about teaching, and my training in preschool education, and my favorite...Dale's cone. I'm a little funny about Dale's cone. I've actually given a couple of enrichment classes on it.

Even though I could never homeschool because of my ADHD tendencies (those of you who know me well, stop laughing at the thought...in the next life I'll have my brain back), I've had the opportunity to to teach kids plenty...and this is the model I use and love, even for teaching PRIMARY (although, I need to explain adapting it to a church calling so bear with me here).

I hesitated to post this picture I found online because I've read that Dale's cone is often misrepresented, and I have no idea if the statistics are correct, but it really doesn't matter. You can still improve your teaching with it. Just ignore the numbers.

I'll start with an example of flowers. If you're going to teach children about flowers, the top of the cone would suggest reading about flowers. Take it a step further, and you might look at pictures of flowers, or color a flower. Even better would be to watch a movie about a flower, or take a walk and actually look at flowers. Moving on down the cone, you could pick flowers, dissect them, smell them, press them, make arrangements, etc. And finally, the best way to learn about flowers, would be to actually plant a seed, watch it grow, do all the activities that I just mentioned, and document it.

Any time I planned a preschool lesson, I would apply Dale's cone to try and come up with the best way to teach any given topic. Unfortunately, most of the time in church and schools, teachers are stuck at the top of the cone...giving out worksheets or a coloring page. It drives me crazy! There are so many better ways to teach something--especially to kids.

Why do a worksheet where you cut and paste the life cycle of a butterfly, when you can actually watch a caterpillar make the chrysalis, and come out a butterfly...or act it out with music...or have the kids re-tell the life cycle with flannel figures, or toys? They remember it so much better if it's fun.

After I graduated in preschool education, I thought I was a pretty good teacher...

And then I was called to teach the Sunbeams.

At first I was very frustrated with the lessons because I couldn't get very far down on the cone. I remember one lesson on the Godhead. As hard as I tried...I just couldn't get the Godhead to come to our class that day :o) Some lessons were easier (like I am thankful for fish), and I was able to move pretty far down the cone and provide some fun learning experiences, but others seemed impossible.

As I've continued to try to use this model in Family Home Evening, and in my current calling teaching primary, I've learned a little something. Any time you have the spirit there, and the kids feel it, you've reached the bottom of the cone. The spirit can teach their hearts and they can know and really experience what you're talking about. I am grateful for this because some of the topics we teach in church seem so far over their heads...but I know they are getting something if we make the effort to prepare, and invite the spirit.

Missing President Hinckley

My brother just called to let me know that President Hinckley passed away this afternoon. I always thought I would cry when I heard the news but right now I'm just numb, and at peace knowing that he is with his dear wife.

After the Relief Society conference meeting in September 2006, I felt inspired to write a letter to President Hinckley. I sent it on a Monday morning (the week before conference). Among other things, I expressed my love and appreciation for him, told him of how inadequate I felt sometimes as a mother, and asked him how he managed his busy schedule and how he resisted the urge to take a nap. I never in a million years expected to get a letter from the church office building the following Monday morning (just after conference). The reply was written by his secretary, but included words that President Hinckley himself wanted me to hear. In his usual humorous style, he told me that it was okay for me to take a nap! Oh how I love this letter! I keep it with my scriptures.

Also, I remember well the day that President Hinckley conducted my Great Uncle Ed's funeral. I was newly married (only 5 or 6 weeks) and Todd was not able to attend. I don't remember what he said, but as he spoke the spirit bore witness to me that Heavenly Father had a plan for me and my new husband. It was a very simple revelation, but one that I will never forget. I even told President Hinckley about it in my letter. I am grateful for the chance I had to be in the same room with him, and feel his amazing spirit in such a secluded setting.

What I know

I've been thinking for a couple months now that I needed to start including bits and pieces of my testimony of some of the principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on my blog. Charlotte's entry about Journals finally kicked me into gear.

Since I don't keep a journal other than my blog, I suppose some of this stuff ought to be recorded, and since my Mom prints this stuff out for me--it just doesn't get any easier.

My patriarchal blessing tells me to bear my testimony often--not only to those who haven't heard the gospel before, but to those who are near and dear to me. So, that means all of you. I'll try not to get too sappy, but just post the things I've learned from life experience.

One of my most recent discoveries (well, in the past couple years) is the words to the Hymns. Several have had a significant impact on my life, so I'll start by sharing those.

A year or so ago, I was visiting Mom and Dad and went to church in their ward. My cousin Erin was there and made a comment in Relief Society that stuck with me. She talked about how her Grandpa always said, "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven," and shared a story about her sister who put that statement to the test. She decided that rather than reading her scriptures at night (which was easier), she would "sacrifice" and get up early to read them. Doing so brought a lot more insight, and blessings she may not have otherwise received.
What a small thing that brought about great results! I think quite often we live below our priviledges in this church. If we are seeking a particular blessing--maybe we should make a small sacrifice, and then stand back and watch the blessings of heaven pour in. It is such a simple concept, but often overlooked. I have put this to the test and want to tell you that I know that Sacrifice DOES bring forth the blessings of heaven. And whenever I hear or sing, "Praise to the Man" that is what I think about. Thanks, Erin, for your comment, and thank you Clarissa for your example.

The next one is very simple, yet difficult to describe, but hear it goes. Last year the primary children sang "Dearest Children, God is Near You" in their annual primary program. As they sang the words, "...He will bless you, He will bless you, if you put your trust in Him," the spirit touched my heart and confirmed the truth of that line, and even though the congregation was supposed to join in, I was unable to sing because I was so moved. Again, a simple concept that requires a little effort on our part for a huge return.

Another song I "discovered" is "Today, While the Sun Shines." It was during the time that we were living with my parents, and the job that Todd had supposedly lined up--fell through. I was feeling pretty hopeless and didn't know where to turn. I just wanted him to finally have a job in his field, and get settled before Brayden would start Kindergarten. The words to this song taught me to look for the good, and that even though we were going through a hard time, there were many things to be grateful for. "Today, while the sun shines work with a will. Today all your duties with patience fulfill. Today while the birds sing harbor no care. Call life a good gift, call the world fair. Today seek for treasure greater than gold. The peace and the joy that are found in the fold. Today seek the gems that shine in the heart; While here we labor, choose the better part."

On September 11, 2001, I found comfort in the 2nd verse of "We Thank, Thee O God, for a Prophet," which reads: "When dark clouds of trouble hang o'er us, and threaten our peace to destroy, there is hope smiling brightly before us, and we know that deliverance is nigh. We doubt not the Lord, nor his goodness. We've proved him in days that are past. The wicked who fight against Zion, will surely be smitten at last." I also think this song fits President Hinckley very well. He is such a great example of "hope smiling brightly" during these troubled times.

And lastly, at least for today, I will mention the 3rd verse of the Star Spangled Banner. Nobody knows it, but it is my favorite, and when I hear the national anthem played, I sing the 3rd verse in my mind. It has particular significance right now, as my good friend will be sending her husband to Afghanistan next week, while she spends the next year or so taking care of her four young children by herself. I am desperately trying to get my life in order so I can spend a night each week "stitchin' and bitchin'" with her. "V", this is for you:
"Oh, thus be it ever, when free men shall stand between their loved homes and the war's desolation! Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land praise the pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust!' And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"

Sorry for the "naughty" word in the middle of my testimony--but that's truly what we'll be doing. And now I need to get on with my day, but I will continue to type "What I know" in the future, in case what I've learned will help someone else along the way.

Missing President Faust

I was sad to come home from the boys' swimming lessons to find that President Faust passed away this morning.

President Faust walked into me and Todd's Eternal Marriage class one day at Ricks College, and I will never forget the look in his eye, and the spirit he brought into our classroom. Our teacher started to cry. He didn't say a word, he just looked around, and then left. It's amazing the influence he had on my life, just from those two minutes that I was in the same room with him. I have told people about it many times. He will be greatly missed.