I believe in Family Home Evening and daily scripture study. Even though my kids can sometimes behave like wildabeasts, I still have a strong testimony of the importance of both studying the scriptures as a family and spending time one evening a week learning the gospel and enjoying being together.
Traditionally, FHE is held on a Monday evening. We set aside this time and make every effort to keep it open. It is sacred to our family. When something comes up on a Monday that is unavoidable, like a graded band concert, the whole family attends.
As important as I feel FHE is, it can be a challenge with 6 kids who might be thinking more about dessert than anything else. So, I'm always open to ways to improve this time. While at education week, I heard an idea from a religion professor and decided to do it with my family.
So. . . last night for our FHE activity we made FHE/Scripture journals. The concept is very simple. I purchased nice notebooks, the kind that normally cost $1-$2, but go on sale for 50 cents this time of year. The kids get to have them during the FHE lesson and our daily morning scripture study. They may draw pictures and take notes as desired to help them absorb what is being taught or discussed. As soon as I heard the idea, I knew it would help at least two of my kids be less likely to do gymnastics off the couch during lessons.
Last night I introduced the idea and shared some statistics from the class where I heard about the journals. In a nutshell, this professor has scientifically researched and discovered that taking notes increases the spiritual take away by about 8 percent. Other things that help people feel the Spirit are pre-reading and participating orally at least 4 times. Anyway, back to the journals.
I gave everyone a notebook and then offered up my complete stock of cardstock and stickers. These babies date back to 1997 and I figured it was time to actually use some of them. Everyone cut and glued for the next hour and a half until each member of my family was satisfied with his or her journal. And here they are. . .
My book is influenced a conference talk about "hearing" the music of the gospel.
Judd made the Holy Ghost
Tim has a little violin on the front, cause he plays the violin.
The back of his book is weaved.
Reuben's says "Journal, Journal" It also offers a 25 year warranty on pianos and organs in the bottom left. He likes to be random.
Amy went to town with all kinds of fun papers and cutouts.
For Audrey was all about the stickers.
Emmeline didn't know when to be done. She still wants to add stickers.
Clara's journal is not pictured because, well, somehow I missed taking her picture and she has hidden the journal. It must be somewhere safe.
After finishing our journals, there was only one reasonable thing left to be done- DESSERT!
We greatly enjoyed homemade cookies and ice cream and finished the night off with family prayer. Everyone said it was a great Family Home Evening and the kids started using their journals this morning for family scripture study at 6:40 A.M. Yes, 6:40 A.M.
Mini blog two:
We used to have scriptures at 7 A.M. last year. Reuben left at 5:40 T-Th for early morning seminary, so he missed out. I never felt good about that. At Education Week a speaker by the name of Merilee Boyack inspired me to basically put my feet where my mouth is. . . she said we should be moving HEAVEN and EARTH to have scripture study and twice daily family prayer with our families. I felt in my heart that this was something we need in our family to strengthen us in the midst of a world that teaches many things that oppose what we believe. I told my husband how I felt and he jumped in with two feet, supporting the idea completely to add evening prayer and to find a way to include all of our kids in scripture study. The kids talked about it and decided it should be moved to 6:40 A.M. I initially felt some resistance because I exercise from 6-7, but then I realized that NOTHING is more important than putting on the armor of God each morning, and I decided to shorten my exercise time. I know it's the right thing to do. It's only been a week and a half of these two changes, but already I feel an increased peace and love in my home. It is such a small change really, but it's bringing my children closer to each other and to my husband and me. I love the feeling of calm and quiet peace that we have at night as we kneel together on the floor of my little girls' room and unite together to speak to our Heavenly Father.
