This entry is written for my children to read in 2032 when they are parents and the thought comes across their mind, "why do I subject myself to this insanity?". Referring to being a commander on the battlefields of parenthood and literally dragging & muzzling (if feels at times) their children through FHE, family prayer, scripture reading, and attending Church meetings as a family. Because it really feels like sometimes it would be a lot easier to just go to your room read a book.
resolute |ˈrezəˌloōt; -lət|
…an adjective which means "admirably, purposeful, determined, and unwavering".
Last night Lexi asked if she could teach our family "the" lesson during FHE. I was thrilled and gave a hearty "YES!" I had been thinking of an activity, but hadn't gone as far to detail a lesson. Here is a typical family night at our house: spend 15-20 minutes locating and collecting children (and adults) to designated area, double check with Lily if all of the tags telling what each person is responsible for are correct on our board. Listen to kids take turn deciding what song they can play for an opening song and who will get to play it. Last night Olivia played the piano while we sang the song, "Happy Family". About this time, we are wondering where JT went. He comes back in and we have him hold a board book of the Book of Mormon Stories to keep him focused. We sing a slow version of Happy Family and use patience as the piano needs extra rests to accommodate note corrections. The song ends and we wait for JT to finish looking through every page of his book to fold his arms for the opening prayer. We are still resolute in having this FHE, but as you can tell it isn't without a little work.
Lily gives her favorite scripture, 1 Nephi 3:7 and bears her testimony of it, and then (since she is the one conducting) she turns the time over to Lexi for the lesson. Lexi stands and asks everyone to turn their scriptures to 1 Samuel 16:7. Before we read it, she explains the background of what has transpired and then asks for a volunteer to read the scripture. Three eager arms shot up (including Mason's) and he was the chosen one to read. At this point JT has brought in about 6 toys and Olivia is treating Stephen like he is a jungle gym. So Mason reads the scripture and then Lex proceeds to explain how the Lord looks on the inside of a person. At this point I am feeling very grateful for the Seminary program and how much Lexi has learned this year. She loves seminary and apparently really listens when she is there. She finishes off her lesson by having us read about David and Goliath and helping us realize what some of our "Goliaths" could be. (I'm thinking lack of PATIENCE is one of my Goliaths) I also can't help but think about this boy David and his resolute faith and look around the room and wish it for all of my precious children! If each is blessed to have a portion of that kind of determination to trust in God, we will be set. I say a silent prayer for this.
JT begins ringing bells and it is a good signal that FHE is about to wrap up. Lily stands and closes announcing the closing prayer, treat, and activity. After the prayer we journey to the kitchen to eat Lily's cake pops that she has made from one of her Christmas presents – delicious I might add. We then finally create our 2012 New Year Resolution Posters. We have fun cutting up magazines and finding the perfect representations of our goals. This is all interspersed with melt downs, frustrations, and distractions. I put it this way to prove a point: Even when "perfect" times with family can't be found, consistency CAN. I believe and have "resolute" faith that Heavenly Father will bless us in ways we don't even realize. I take comfort in words found in Elder David Bednar's October 2009 General Conference address, "More Diligent and Concerned at Home." He said:
"As our sons were growing up, our family did what you have done and what you now do. We had regular family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening. Now, I am sure what I am about to describe has never occurred in your home, but it did in ours. Sometimes Sister Bednar and I wondered if our efforts to do these spiritually essential things were worthwhile. Now and then verses of scripture were read amid outbursts such as “He’s touching me!” “Make him stop looking at me!” “Mom, he’s breathing my air!” Sincere prayers occasionally were interrupted with giggling and poking. And with active, rambunctious boys, family home evening lessons did not always produce high levels of edification. At times Sister Bednar and I were exasperated because the righteous habits we worked so hard to foster did not seem to yield immediately the spiritual results we wanted and expected. Today if you could ask our adult sons what they remember about family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening, I believe I know how they would answer…The consistency of our intent and work was perhaps the greatest lesson—a lesson we did not fully appreciate at the time."