This week, we have more ideas from Sherry Ann Miller, "writer of miracles," and author of Mama's Lemon Pie.
"Each week before Family Home Evening," Sherry Ann says, "we already had a topic assigned (we rotated assignments at the end of each FHE), and everyone had a full week to prepare. The kids tried to think of ways to make the refreshments and game or activity relate back to the lesson topic. It was always interesting to learn a little more each lesson the children gave. Many of them "traded" lesson assignments with each other when they were in Seminary, because they often learned something in Seminary that they were dying to share with the family."
Sherry Ann continues, "Back in the 80s, I recall learning how children were more likely to stay in the Gospel as they grew older if the family observed Family Home Evenings on a regular basis. This observation had a great impact on me and my husband, and we were delighted that we had already decided FHE should be the single, most important thing we did together with our family.
"Today, our children are grown and we have twenty-seven grandchildren, and all of them enjoy spending time with each other . . . the grandchildren, too. We can see the love and compassion they have for one another, and we realize their family-oriented lifestyles were nurtured during Family Nights. We're glad we took FHE so seriously back when the children really needed it."
I feel the reason Family Home Evenings are so difficult to accomplish is because of their extreme value in binding families, which makes them number one target for the Adversary. Listen to Josi S. Kilpack, author of many LDS books (Sheep’s Clothing and others) and see if her experience sounds familiar.
“I’m afraid that my family home evenings aren’t quite ‘writable’ since we’re hit and miss and often doing a cub scout or young women thing to pass something off—or like last night, we delay until Dad gets home at 7:30, then forget about this homework project and that phone call and Dad goes in to record the game and gets sucked in while. I sit down at the computer for JUST ONE MINUTE and BAM it’s 9:30 and time to berate the kids for staying up too late, and this one says he didn’t get any dinner, and that one remembers she has to write a book report and this one (that’s me) wants to go to bed.”
There are two things I love about Josi’s comments. First, she’s honest enough to admit that holding Family Home Evening isn’t easy. Second, at least the family does make an effort and succeeds now and again—and now and again is way better than never. Her description of one success made me chuckle.
“The best FHE we’ve had over the last 6 months,” Josi said, “was a lesson on how our bodies work, and why we need to treat them with respect. The part that held their attention was when I explained in detail the urinary system of the body, why pee is supposed to be light yellow, and that they all really need to start flushing the toilet.”
I have the feeling Josi’s children will find that particular lesson popping into their minds throughout their lives, and it will make a difference to their health and spirituality, because body and spirit work together.
It’s never too late to hold Family Home Evenings, no matter what age our children, or where we find ourselves in life--or what obstacles we need to navigate.
This week, Canadian writer of unique LDS Romantic Suspense novels, Julie Coulter Bellon, shares an excellent idea from a Christmas Family Home Evening. Julie is also the author of #1 Deseret Book Best Seller, Be Prepared: A Parents Guide to Boy Scouts and the Duty to God Award -- What You Should Know.
“One of our family traditions,” Julie says, “has been making a laminated 8 1/2 by 11 inch ward list with the names, addresses, and phone numbers on one side and a ward map on the other and giving those out as a Christmas gift to our ward. It's nice to have when new neighbors move in, so you can go and greet them throughout the year, but it's a really practical, fun gift to give during the holidays. We make it a bright color so it's never lost in a pile of paper, we do different colors for each year so we can keep each year straight and any changes that may have occurred, and we also put a magnet on it so it can be magnetized to the refrigerator as well. That way it's always handy!”
She continues, “When we go out as a family to pass out the gifts, we make an evening of it. It's just a really great way to get to know your neighbors better as well as spend time together as a family doing a service for your ward family.”
One of Julie’s family, fifteen year old Lauren, adds, "It's really fun to go to everyone's house and wish them a Merry Christmas."
Author and working screenwriter, Jeanne McKinney is trying to get films made that have a positive impact on the industry and will give audiences not only an exciting entertainment experience, but also a spiritual lift--the perfect entertainment for that special Family Home Evening activity.
Check out Jeanne's website at The Eagle Warrier Trilogy and turn up the sound for some of the glorious music composed especially for the movies by renowned composer, Alan Williams. The trilogy is grabbing much attention at film festivals. Jeanne and I have also collaborated on a new screenplay coming soon – yet another great film for a family night out. More details on that later.
With one son at home, Jeanne and her husband find Family Night can still be fun, informative, and sometimes important for survival.
Jeanne says, "One activity my family benefited from was a personal Emergency Response course. My husband taught us how to best react when helping people in trouble with sudden health issues, trauma, accident victims, etc. He had taken a course through his work where he became certified, and passed it on to us. We practiced on each other.
"One could most likely find basic information on a Red Cross or American Medical Association site on what to do with heart attack, shock, drowning, snake bite, choking, broken bones, burns, etc...until professional help can arrive. It could be part of an Emergency preparedness family plan, along with food and water storage.
"As we've gone through two major wildfires and experienced an emergency response involving millions of people of all ages and health conditions, sometimes there are not enough medical personal to go around. Sometimes the disaster itself prevents response access to the injured or sick, if they are trapped, or stayed behind for whatever reason. Its good to know basic emergency procedures that can help save or life or at least, not complicate the situation until a emergency response team can arrive.
"Hospitals and medical personnel are on high alert during these times. One entire hospital had to be evacuated during one of biggest of the ten fires, the Witch fire, in October 2007, causing an overload on other facilities. Power can be an issue to when it comes to treating the sick and injured. Some areas lost all power, which can hinder medical treatment in some cases. San Diego County was on power rations for a while, because power lines had been burned or gone down in the wind, creating a dangerous overload on the main lines. Parts of major freeways and roads were closed due to fire encroachment, which prevents access to Red Cross Evacuation Centers and area hospitals for people living in remote, rural or even city areas surrounded by fire.
"We found that knowing how to best treat acute emergency situations can come in handy for oneself, one's family or others in need."
An author of Christian books,
gained recognition for her short stories in the New Era, an internationally acclaimed magazine for LDS youth.
Her inspirational fiction appeared in the magazine for over sixteen years.
