FHE: "Doing Our Dailies" Teaching the effects of daily scripture study & prayers

This lesson popped into my head a few Sunday's ago. I was sitting next to my husband in church thinking about the way I feel in my Sunday School class. We have an incredibly wise and amazing Sunday school teacher. I told my husband that I feel like a dried out, thirsty sponge, in his class. I feel myself trying to take in every little bit of information, like it is water filling me up. Then I started to think about sponges a little more and this lesson came together. Please feel free to adapt it, along with any other FHE lesson on this blog, to fit the needs of your family!

I placed an old dried out sponge on a plate and had everyone feel it. It was not pliable. It was hard and rigid. 

We talked about and compared this to the scripture stories that talk about people being hard-hearted, or stiff-necked, and discussed how this happens when we aren't living our lives close to the spirit, following the prophet & keeping the commandments. 

We talked about how "doing our dailies" (Daily scripture study, serve others & prayer, etc), is what keeps us from becoming hard like this sponge. 

I also told them about how sometimes a sponge can become so hard that it requires a lot of wringing over and over to get it to let the water in, and sometimes that can be like trials that happen in our lives that can be used to remind us to turn to the Lord in all things. 

We poured water on the sponge little by little. Explaining that it was like each time we say our prayers, read scriptures or do an act of kindness. Those actions change us. 

They make us softer and more teachable. 

And when we continue to do these things each day, like a sponge that has pressure applied, we "ooze" those things that we have filled our selves with. We talked about the prodding being like missionary work or being asked questions by others about our faith. When our sponge was moist, but not full, nothing came out. We lacked the conviction in our testimony, or the knowledge, to teach. However, when we have "done our dailies" consistently, our testimony flows easily. 

Then we talked about how adding things to our dailies like going to the temple frequently, serving and looking for more opportunities to serve, being quick to forgive and kind to everyone, paying our tithing and fast offerings, etc, what we have put in cannot be contained. Everything we do or say is a reflection of our beliefs and conviction of the reality of our Savior Jesus Christ. It "oozes" from us, in our actions and words. 

  

THIS is the best place to be!

We brought another hard sponge into the mix and talked about how it could represent our friends, or people we meet or associate with. 

When we consistently, everyday, participate in scripture study and be sure to say prayers, serve, etc. In other words, when we fill our lives with the things of the Lord, our testimony cannot help but affect the people around us! 

As our testimony "oozes" the people around us begin to feel of the Lords love for them, through us, if we listen to the spirit! 

When we do everything that we can, each day, to fill our lives and minds with the spirit, the Lord can use us as instruments to reach out to our brothers and sisters around us and we can help bring them back to Him! 

HIS First

This last Sunday I had such an interesting impression during the Sacrament.

Jake was about to pass the Sacrament for his first time. This is a BIG DEAL! He has really been so worried about it. Worried that he wouldn't know where to go, worried that he would mess up or get confused....just a whole lot of worry. We had promised him that we would all be praying hard for him. So, he summoned the courage and took his place.

While I was praying for him, and thinking about how much I love this little man of mine. I suddenly had a very strong impression about my role as his mother, and Ryan's role as his father. These roles are a privilege and a calling.

Our children each come to this world with a specific purpose and mission to fulfill and the Lord is entrusting us, his children, to guide these little ones through their lives. He knows us all personally, and so He knows the order in which we should come to this Earth. We were chosen to come before our children, because  the Lord knew that we would be able to give our children what they would need to meet the requirements of their lives. The interesting thing about this feeling was the sense of being a secondary parent, for lack of a better term. Sometimes I think I look at my kids as being totally mine, but they are not. They are His first! He loves them infinitely! He knows their spirits and their potential and their weaknesses, because He, our Father in Heaven, is literally our Father! Likewise, He knows us, our potential and our weaknesses, because He is our Father as well! His love for my children, and His trust in me, as well as His gratitude for the work I am trying to do with my kids, was so profound today! I know where I fall short, and so does He. I think that is why He sent this loving reminder to me today.

Perspective always seems to do a world of good! I can't help but feel a desire to do a little better, be a bit more patient, pray a little more on their behalf, knowing that the Lord will guide me in this role, when I think of my children as His children first!

FHE: Flying High by Keeping the Commandments

This was SUCH a fun FHE! I heard this analogy once a long time ago and thought an object lesson was definitely in order! This lesson carries such a HUGE impact and really helps the kids understand the role rules and commandments play in our lives! 

To start, we gathered the children around as we flew one kite. 

We asked, "What are some of the commandments or rules in the gospel?" They listed some and we added here and there. 

Then we asked, "What are some of the rules in our home?" They listed and we helped again. 

Then we asked what the kids thought would happen if we were to cut the string on the kite. They all responded, "It will fly away!" 

Then we cut the string, with plenty of gasps from the kids. The kite immediately plummeted to the ground! 

We then talked about how the rules and commandments are a lot like the string of the kite. We may feel, at times, that they are holding us down, or restricting us. However, they are actually what holds us up and gives us the ability to accomplish the things we want to do in life. 

We then discussed a few of our commandments, and/or rules, and how they might help us. 

For Example: 

Word of Wisdom = A life free of addiction. Helps us have a healthy body, smart mind, etc. 

Law of Chastity = Protects us from disease, prevents teenage pregnancy, unnecessary heartache, etc. 

Being Honest = Helps protect us from stress and troubles that come in relationships or with the law. 

Daily Chores = Keeps our home clean and helps us have order and be able to feel the spirit in our home. 

Speak Kindly = Helps us have stronger happier relationships. 

.....and so on. 

We brought up rules in our home or certain commandments and asked the kids to come up with a reason why they would be good for us. Having them come up with them really helps them learn to think this way about these things in their lives. It helped us all to see how important these guidelines are in helping us live a fuller life, and actually showed us how freeing rules and commandments can be! 

We talked about.....

DOCTRINE & COVENANTS 82:10

"I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." 

When we follow the rules the Lord has set for us He is "bound" to keep the promises He has made. He has promised to give us ALL that He has! And He will!

Then, of course, we ended the night with the activity of a whole lot of kite flying! Kite Flying with a whole new perspective! 

Because of this.....

My Savior knows exactly how my heart has ached over my weakness and my struggles. Only He knows, and has felt, how my heart has ached for the loss of my sweet son. 

BECAUSE OF THIS.....

My Savior made it possible for me to receive forgiveness for my sins. He made it possible for me to be worthy of the sweet sweet husband I have, and the opportunity to be sealed to him for eternity! He made it possible for me to be worthy to be a mother to my children, and to have the opportunity to be a mother to one of His most choice and sweet spirits. 

BECAUSE OF THIS......

My son will be with us in the flesh again! His body will be new and unbroken, and by the power of the holy priesthood, my husband will call our Dawson from his grave, when Christ comes again, and I will have the opportunity to continue raising him where we left off, only this time his body will be perfect! 

Today, the blessings in our lives, because of our Savior, are fresh in our minds. We have a personal connection to the blessing of the Resurrection, as so many do. The realness of this sacred blessing and the way we depend upon it brings new gratitude for the celebration of Easter. 

Today I am grateful for the opportunity to make the Atonement more personal! There are a million things I could list under all the pictures above. We all could! What could you put under each one? What does the Savior mean to you personally? You don't have to share, or you totally can, cause I would love to hear it. I just hope that we all take time to reflect on our personal relationship with the Savior today...and everyday! 

JESUS IS THE CHRIST!  

Recipe #20: Blackberry Banana Ice Cream (non-dairy)

This is just a yummy little recipe I figured out and whipped up myself. So good, dairy free AND done in under 10 min! Perfect! 

BLACKBERRY BANANA ICE CREAM

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 c. Blackberries
• 1 Frozen Banana
• 1 packet Stevia
• Non-Dairy creamer
• Honey (to desired sweetness)

DIRECTIONS: 

• Add fruit & Stevia to blender. Start with about 1/4 c. of creamer. Blend. If you need more liquid gradually add very small amounts until it is the right consistency. 
• Add honey or other sweetner to taste. 
• Serve and enjoy! 

M.I.A.

Yes, yes, I am missing in the internet world, as of late. However, it is all for a good cause! See, I am doing a fireside in Houston, TX this week and I decided to get the most out of it and spend an entire week with my sweet little sister and her fam!

So, while you are not reading all the thoughts that run through my little mind, think about me basking in the glorious 80 degree weather on a beach in Galveston, or wandering through the streets of Woodlands....or just simply breathing in this perfect air....I swear humid air feels like breathing in conditioner or lotion for my dry, moisture deprived lungs...and I can't get enough of it!

As soon as I head home, I will be off on a fun date with my hubby for the weekend in St. George. THEN you can have my undivided attention! :) See ya next week ya'll! :)

Fishes Wishes

Have you heard about these little girls? 

This is Alice (2) and Natalie (8). They both have a very rare disease called Leaky SCIDS. It is an auto immune disorder that was threatening their lives. The only hopeful cure was a bone marrow transplant. So, over that last few months, this family has been going through the process of finding donors, going through chemo to kill the marrow in their bodies and then through the transplant process. 

Both of these girls are my friend Lisy's daughters. One of their brothers was a perfect match for Natalie and able to donate. Alice finally received a match from an anonymous stranger. Thank goodness! 

I have been amazed at the burden Tyler and Lisy have been carrying on their shoulders. 2 girls in the hospital, plus surgery for one son to be able to donate, no to mention the fact that they have a very young baby that also needed to be with Lisy. So crazy! 

This has been something they have been dealing with for so many years. However, only recently has anyone known about it. My friend Wendy has organized so much of the donations, media attention, etc, needed to help them through this process. She has been so inspirational to me. I have never seen anyone, with enough on her own plate as it is, so willingly and lovingly give every ounce of energy she had, and then some, to aid and share in the burden of someone else. She is really quite an example! 

I want to thank Lisy and Tyler for letting us share in this experience with them. I know it is hard to share your burdens and experiences with so many, but because you have my testimony of modern day miracles has grown infinitely! My testimony of the power of prayer and the reality that God hears and answers them is stronger than ever! There is no possible way to know what has happened thus far in this experience and doubt the existence of a loving Father in Heaven. So thank you! Thank you for letting us watch this experience unfold! 

If you want to see something incredibly amazing you should really read their blog! They have documented daily the things they have experienced. Videos included. 

Just over a week ago I read the blog and saw that Alices body was not "engrafting" or accepting the transplant. I feared so much for her little life. My heart ached to think of the grief that was waiting to receive Tyler, Lisy and their family. I know that grief, and I ached for them to face the same. 

We decided to hold a fast for little Alice. As this decision was made and just as the fast began, little Alice took a turn for the worst. She had a seizure and crashed totally. You can read about that night HERE. It is heart breaking! 

We were all grateful that the inspiration for the fast had come earlier that day and the fast had already begun. The next day was filled with heartbreaking fear. To be honest, I watched my phone all day worried for the phone call to come that Alice had returned to our Father in Heaven. It didn't come. Thank goodness! 

Instead their was a post that left no room for the denial of miracles. Though Alice had been incoherent, she was suddenly talking just like her cute little self. Tests were done, there were no lasting effects, or even signs that the seizure or any damage had taken place. Within hours Alice was back in her normal room, and hours after than, miraculously, engrafted! Her numbers that indicated the marrow was taking hold grew day after day. Just over a week after this terrifying accident came a post stating that Alice was going home! You have to read it and watch the video! So amazing! You can see that one HERE.

Alice has changed lives! She is a positive little girl, with a very strong spirit! Her parents just posted this about her! So profound! So inspirational! I just had to share it with you! I hope you read it! I hope I can be more like Alice with the ability to see the good in everything....even, and especially in the hardest times! 

 READ "ALICE INSPIRED" POST HERE! 

If you would like to help the Fish family in anyway, be sure to check their blog, on one of the links above, for details!