FHE Lessons

Family Home Evening is a favorite for all of us, I truly believe. I feel so blessed that it is that way. I love that we can get together as a family and draw closer to the Savior. We talk and discuss; sing A LOT; family missionary goal discussion; scripture stories and scriptures; fun; a yummy treat. Seriously, I love it. How blessed are we to know that through doing FHE, so much can be accomplished. I love the spirit that fills our home...love the closeness we have...and love feeling close to our Savior. I loved a talk from Sister Esplin about the Sacrament during Oct 2014 General Conference. She spoke of the enabling power of the Savior. I love that through that enabling power, Andrew was so inspired for a great FHE lesson!! We first made a list of all the things we fill our time with each day. Then, we filled up a pitcher with sand first...then ping-pong balls...the ping-pong balls didn't all fit in the pitcher. THEN, Andrew showed us that if we put the ping-pong balls in first - the sand can fit in all the cracks! Awesome!! Just like that, we need to know each day what our ping-pong balls are and put them first. We looked at all the things we spend our time doing and read in the scriptures how Christ teaches us to first seek for the Kingdom of God. Think not of other. We thought about what were the most important things we fill our time with. THEN, we each got 5 ping-pong balls and filled them with 5 (1 for each ball) things we wanted to be SURE to be FIRST in our bucket. This has been a life-changer the past 8 days in our home! The girls love thinking about their ping-pong balls and what they felt they needed to do each day. It's been so amazing. How AMAZING that 2 hours of Family Home Evening can be so life-changing! We've continued to do it this week and it will be a FAMILY TRADITION for ping-pong balls!

Angela wanted me to take a picture of her with each ping-pong ball she made. Maybe I should have posted them all...hehe

Yesterday for FHE we jumped in leaves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy FALL! Thanks Em for the fun family activity!!

 Angela kept making us all laugh with her crazy smile :) What a goof pot :)

For the lesson, we discussed the Sacrament. We read the account in 3 Nephi how Christ taught about the Sacrament. It said that after He explained the Sacrament, they partook and were FULL. We went onto discuss how Elder Groberg said that each Sacrament should be a spiritual experience - that the first supper was the first of many spiritual feasts. We talked about how we can prepare and have a spiritual experience each Sacrament Meeting. I loved Sister Esplin's talk from Oct 2014 Conference about the Sacrament. How during the sacrament we can think of the Atonement's cleansing power as well as the enabling power.  We then each got a copy of Sister Esplin's picture she spoke of during Conference. It sits in my scriptures so I can reflect each day how I can make Sacrament Meeting a spiritual experience. I love that today Angela pulled out paper and did an activity she felt that she should do to prepare for the Sacrament. She drew pictures (because that one of her ways of expressing her testimony and thoughts) of things that make her happy and things of Christ. The other were things that made her sad. Like coffee. It was so sweet. I love her testimony.

Pumpkin Patch and Babysitting fun

So fun that Alex could come this week for the Broncos Game. Today was fun. We went to the pumpkin patch with him and Chris' family and then came home and babysat for a couple of our good friends. We had a Halloween Party with them and a late night. Fun Day...CHECK! ( I laugh because Carolyn made a list in a notepad that she brings in the car while we drive to school each day. She calls out the item and all respond as "CHECK!" if they have that item....soo..she'll say, "Library Books?" Everyone yells, "CHECK!" if they got it).

Ward Halloween Par-Tay!

A Hermione...

A Rapunzel...

 And a school teacher....

 What a bunch of cuties.

Ward Party was fun. Angela's friend (River) and his whole family came to the party with us. We met them at Henderson Elementary School. They are looking for a church right now and we are praying for them. It was so fun to have them come with us. Jessica, Brandon, Luke, and River are such an amazing and sweet family. So blessed we have them. And so happy Angela is good friends with such a nice boy!

 Angela teaching Alex :)

Kim Missionary Super Heros!

I wish I always remembered to write down the experiences the girls have while taking opportunities and seeking for them to share the true knowledge they have of their Savior and His gospel. Carolyn had an experience today. I'll have to be better at writing these missionary experiences down. Carolyn was talking to her friend Alyssa. They were writing a letter to anyone of their choice. Carolyn picked her best friend, Kaycee. The conversation went something like this:

Alyssa: "Who is Kaycee?"
Carolyn: "She's my friend from Turnberry and my ward."
Alyssa: "What is a ward?"
Carolyn: "It's a group of people I go to church with."
Alyssa: "I only go to church with my Grandma."
Carolyn: "You can come with me!"
Alyssa: "I would love to, but don't have your address."

The next day Carolyn brought a piece of paper with her address on it to give to Alyssa.

I completely laugh over the fact that my phone has about 50 (or more) selfies of Emily. Seriously. She knows how to use the camera and isn't afraid of using it. My life is pretty awesome. Who wouldn't want to constantly finding these on the phone?!

 She let me in for a few :)

Angela got a "how-to-draw princesses" book this week when we went to the Library. Tonight while Andrew was at the Priesthood Leadership Stake Training, Angela and I pulled out the book and had some serious fun with drawing. Look at our pretty pictures! :) Thanks Ang!

I love that my good friend, Brindi, and I switch off babysitting so we can go to the temple during the day. It was my turn to babysit and I love that it fell on a day off of school. They have 3 girls...all the same ages.

 Carolyn and Mayci have this card exchange thing going on. I am not allowed to read the cards (as Carolyn tells me) but do know they have started some clubs together.