Family Home Evening

 A couple of months ago, I got a call from the Stake Relief Society president asking a favor. They have a big, stake Relief Society conference every March and they wondered if I'd be willing to teach a class for it. My topic: Family Home Evening for younger kids. I must have stammered or drooled or something before I got out a timid, "yes". 

I am ashamed to admit that on most Monday nights, our FHE consists of grabbing the nursery manual, flipping open to a random lesson, scanning the page then "teaching" a quick lesson. On Collin's request, singing "Once there was a Snowman" is usually thrown in there a few times. Other nights when we've completely forgotten, we'll reason that, eh we spent the evening together as a family. That counts, right? 

Not so much.

When asked to teach, I'm not usually one to go half way on it. So I spent the next 6 weeks feverishly reading about FHE, asking friends what they do, and putting together FHE packets. I didn't want to sound like a complete hypocrite, so I knew I needed to get some quality lessons in there with my kids before it came time to preach about it. 

I learned some important lessons. 

This quote spurred a few of them.

“I wish to mention … family home evening. We are fearful that this very important program is fading in too many areas. Brethren, there is nothing more important than your families. You know that. This program was begun back in 1915, 87 years ago, when President Joseph F. Smith urged the Latter-day Saints to set aside one evening a week devoted specifically to the family. It was to be a time of teaching, of reading the scriptures, of cultivating talents, of discussing family matters. It was not to be a time to attend athletic events or anything of the kind. Of course, if there is family activity of such a kind occasionally, that may be all right. But in the increasingly frantic rush of our lives it is so important that fathers and mothers sit down with their children, pray together, instruct them in the ways of the Lord, consider their family problems, and let the children express their talents. I am satisfied that this program came under the revelations of the Lord in response to a need among the families of the Church.

“If there was a need 87 years ago, that need is certainly much greater today.

-Pres. Hinkley

FHE is not only important, it's very near critical. 98 years ago, it was instituted by President Smith as a program that was NEEDED to strengthen and support families. I often find myself wishing I could have raised my kids in the 80's or some other decade that was more blissfully innocent than the one we're in right now. 98 years ago was before Leave it to Beaver, folks. And it was needed then?! How much more must we need it now?! There is nothing I can do about the time and age I was born in or am raising children in. But there sure as heck is something I can do about teaching and preparing them to live in it! 

This quote made me realize that throwing together a haphazard night of maybe playing a game or doing an activity together is not going to cut it. It's not necessarily bad , it's just not what this night was meant to be about. We should spend this time teaching our children and reading the scriptures. Of course it doesn't all have to be seriousness and no fun, but primarily this is our time to teach and instruct our children in matters of the gospel. 

Not every FHE needs to be an elaborate FHE packet either. But I found as I copied and laminated away, that putting some time and effort into a lesson made me that much more excited to teach it. I've prepared about 7 or 8 lessons via the "FHE packet" route and my goal is to add one a month to my collection. It's not something we'll use every Monday night, but it will be nice to use at least every month. Plus, the boys don't have the longest attention spans, so being able to see a visual or help put magnet pictures up has helped them be more involved during the lesson.

Since being asked to teach this class, we have also focused more on the scriptures. I ordered a couple of children's Book of Mormon stories books and we read those together before bed instead of telling other stories. And the most encouraging part is, Collin loves it. He looks forward to the stories and seems to be learning from them. In fact, the other night, I finished the story and went to put the book away, when Collin stopped me and prompted me by saying, "Mom! And what did we learn from this story?" Parroting what Trav or I usually say when we're done reading, but I had forgotten to do that night. It made me smile.

OK, the only reason I scanned and included the program was that if I'm ever in a presidency and need to organize something like this, I want to remember how they organized this one. It was so well done. Everything went smoothly and stayed on time. They had an amazing video in the opening devotional that spotlighted the theme, "Something Extraordinary" and the stake president's wife spoke during the closing devotional. The had a yogurt parfait bar for breakfast and chicken salad sandwiches on croissants for lunch. Besides the stress I felt from teaching my class twice, it was the most uplifting church program I had been to in a really long time. The Spirit was so strong and as cliche as it sounds, I felt so uplifted by the time it was over. It just made me really grateful for all the hard work that the stake put into it, as well as the presenters from the other classes.  

Here is my table spread for my class.

The only downside (you're going to think I'm really superficial!)... I had to wear this big, puffy pink flower on my dress the entire day! They had all the teachers and speakers wear these flowers and I felt really sheepish with it on. I already felt very spotlighted, I wasn't looking for anything else to draw attention to myself! 

I also need to thank my sweet husband for staying up with me WAY too late the night before, cutting out laminated pictures for the two FHE packets I gave away as door prizes. This is how he always was when I taught 5th grade. Grading papers, organizing crafts, helping in my classroom. He always wants to help, even if it's incredibly boring or way past his bedtime. :) Love that man. 

Now to preface my next post. One of the classes I chose in the morning, was the "Turning Our Hearts and Families to the Savior During Easter" class. Oh, I'm so grateful I did! The lady that taught it was so inspiring! She gave me a whole new perspective on a holiday I'd previously glanced over. So with that, be prepared for a whole lotta Easter pics coming your way! :)