FHE

There are a lot of types of family home evenings which take place in our home.

• There's the kind that didn't actually happen despite our best intentions because we got busy and someone had too much homework or life just got too crazy. That's not so good.
• There's the family home evenings well-prepared ahead of time by Dan or I with a short lesson, some sort of activity, and a big treat afterward.  That's good.  What's even better is if all the kids are sitting up and awake and participating without spending significant time in time out.  That's really good. That doesn't happen all the time, needless to say.
• But, by far, my favorite kind of FHE is the type that the kids prepare and present themselves.  Each of them has taken a turn doing a fantastic lesson recently.  All on their own - the preparation, the activities, the insights and testimonay.

If there is any payment for this really hard job called parenthood, this is it. To hear my children explain gospel principles and testify to the level of their understanding. To see them learn how to give an effective lesson and lead a discussion. To have a chance to better understand their thoughts and their unique personalities.

On Sunday both Joseph and Aubrey wanted to give the lesson (Aubrey has play practice on Monday nights, so for now FHE is Sunday evening).  So,we had a two part lesson and they shared the teaching assignment.

Joseph found a story in the Friend magazine that he wanted to share - it was about choosing appropriate media. He cut out the figures from the story and wanted to tape them to popsicle sticks so I could hold them up for him during the lesson. When he couldn't find popsicle sticks, he settled for taping them to plastic forks! During the day he and I also did a craft he found in the Friend - it involved crayon shavings, wax paper, and an iron, and created these really cute hearts.

Our art project also made a tremendous mess of crayon shavings all over the counter, but that's the price you pay for true artistic expression.

Aubrey had prepared a lesson on the Plan of Salvation. She was passing off a goal she had set in the Personal Progress program. She created a great visual, gave clear explanations, led a discussion, showed us a wonderful Mormon Message that supported the theme, and then closed with her sweet testimony.
Everyone listened, everyone participated, nobody was in time out, there was a peaceful feeling and the Spirit was present in the room.

These are the family home evenings that make me feel great.