Speak Kind Words

1

Posted in Commandments, Family, Individual Worth | Posted on 09-05-2013

Tags: , ,

FHE Scripture

Scripture

Proverbs 15:1

“1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”

FHE Lesson Hymn

Hymn

Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words - Hymn #232 or Kindness Begins With Me -Children’s Songbook #145

Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words

1. Let us oft speak kind words to each other
At home or where’er we may be;
Like the warblings of birds on the heather,
The tones will be welcome and free.
They’ll gladden the heart that’s repining,
Give courage and hope from above,
And where the dark clouds hide the shining,
Let in the bright sunlight of love.

(Chorus)
Oh, the kind words we give shall in memory live
And sunshine forever impart.
Let us oft speak kind words to each other;
Kind words are sweet tones of the heart.

2. Like the sunbeams of morn on the mountains,
The soul they awake to good cheer;
Like the murmur of cool, pleasant fountains,
They fall in sweet cadences near.
Let’s oft, then, in kindly toned voices,
Our mutual friendship renew,
Till heart meets with heart and rejoices
In friendship that ever is true.

 

Kindness Begins With Me

I want to be kind to ev’ryone,
For that is right, you see.
So I say to myself, “Remember this:
Kindness begins with me.”

 

FHE Lesson

Lesson

*For Younger Children* 

Read and use the tips from “Cutting Out Cutting Remarks”  (taken from the Ensign). Testify of the importance of avoiding cutting words and using kind language. 

I was becoming increasingly concerned with the mean comments and name-calling that my children seemed to be using more and more frequently. I had tried several approaches to stop the negative talk without much success.

Then one Sunday my oldest son mentioned that his Primary lesson had been about the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. I knew the story: the Lamanites, who had been converted by the Spirit through the teachings of Ammon and his brothers, repented and buried their weapons of war, covenanting with God that they would never use them again (see Alma 24:15–19).

Suddenly an idea came to me. If they could bury their weapons, or swords, then why couldn’t we bury our weapons—our words? An idea for a family home evening lesson began to take shape.

Cutting Remarks

First, I asked my son who had mentioned the story to be prepared to tell it to the family and to read verses 17–18 from Alma 24 [Alma 24:17–18]. Next, I prepared some small slips of paper on which to write the words and phrases that needed to be buried. As a visual aid, I used a “Mormonad” poster showing a boy with knives flying out of his mouth and captioned, “Cutting remarks are really hurting.” For our songs, I chose “Kindness Begins with Me” (Children’s Songbook, 145) and “Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words” (Hymns, no. 232).

When Monday night came, I had the children write down on little slips of paper the objectionable words and phrases they had been using. Because it was pouring rain, I had to abandon my original idea of burying our words in the backyard and instead used the trash can. Still, the kids’ enthusiasm was remarkable. We made a ceremony out of burying our word “weapons” by promising not to use them again.

Since that time my children have found new and better ways to express themselves. And the Mormonad hangs in a prominent place as a reminder to speak kindly to one another. On rare occasions when someone forgets and uses unkind words, it is enough to say, “We buried that, remember?”—Alice E. Workman, Vancouver, Washington

Testify of the importance of avoiding cutting words and using kind language. 

 

*For All Family Members* 
Read or summarize “Speak Kind Words” by Marion G Romney (taken from the Ensign). Testify of the importance of avoiding cutting words and using kind language. 

 Speak Kind Words

My appeal in this message is that we control our tongues, and by speaking kind words to each other emulate in our relationships with each other the loving kindness the Lord has for his people, as expressed by Isaiah when he said:

“I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.” (Isa. 63:7.)

Jesus said, “Do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” (Luke 6:35–36.)

The following succinct statement epitomizes the matchless loving kindness of the Savior:

‘Twas a thief said the last kind word to Christ: Christ took the kindness and forgave the theft. (Robert Browning, Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations,13th ed., 1955, p. 573-b.)

It is not clear that Jesus forgave the theft, but he did speak the kind words: “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43.)

And for his crucifiers he prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34.)

Paul, in his epistle to the Ephesians, said:

“I … beseech you … with all lowliness and meekness … to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace [and] let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. …

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Eph. 4:1–3, 29, 31–32.)

In his general epistle, the apostle James gives this counsel:

“Be swift to hear, [but] slow to speak.” (James 1:19.)

He then thus contrasts the outspoken pretender with the man who has so bridled his tongue as to in truth control his words:

“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, … this man’s religion is vain.”

And then he adds:

“If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” (James 1:26; James 3:2.)

This bridling of the whole body is a lofty objective. To reach it requires a real struggle, however. For notwithstanding the tongue is a small member of the body, it is very effective and it seldom wears out. James reminds us that as with a small bit in a horse’s mouth “we turn about [his] whole body” and with a very small helm great ships driven by fierce winds are easily controlled, so with the tongue, a little member of the body, great things are boasted and great fires are kindled. He charges it with being “a world of iniquity,” with defiling the whole body and setting “on fire the course of nature,” pointing out that although “every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” (See James 3:2–8.)

Although nearly two thousand years have passed, the evils against which James so forcefully, counseled are still with us; but they are no more consistent with the life of a Latter-day Saint than they were with the life of a former-day saint.

Long before the time of Jesus and Paul and James, the Old Testament prophets were expounding the same doctrine and giving the same advice:

“A soft answer turneth away wrath,” said the wise author of Proverbs, and added, “but grievous words stir up anger.

“The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. …

“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. …

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. …

“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” (Prov. 15:1–2, 4; Prov. 31:10, 26.)

In America, King Benjamin instructed parents not to suffer their children to “fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil, who is the master of sin, or who is the evil spirit which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness.” (Mosiah 4:14.)

In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, he has Polonius instruct his son Laertes to “give thy thoughts no tongue. … Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice: Take each man’s censure, but reserve thy judgment.” (Act I, Scene 3.)

Someone else has said:

“If wisdom’s ways you widely seek, five things observe with care: of whom you speak, to whom you speak, and how, and when, and where.” (Anon., The New Dictionary of Thoughts, Standard Book Co., 1961, p. 678a.)

In these latter days—more than a year before the Church was organized—the Lord, in projecting missionary service and specifying qualifications for the work, said:

“Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence” (D&C 4:6; italics added)—thus identifying these virtues as essential to missionary service.

Later the Lord specified them as prerequisite to the exercise of priesthood power.

“No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

“By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile.” (D&C 121:41–42.)

“Discretion of speech is more than eloquence; and to speak agreeably to him with whom we deal is more than to speak in good words or in good order.” (Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations, 13th ed., 1955, p. 121-a.)

The Prophet Joseph Smith told the Relief Society sisters of his day that “the tongue is an unruly member” and gave them this counsel: “Hold your tongues about things of no moment—a little tale will set the world on fire.” (History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5:20.)

Let us, therefore, resolve to control our tongues and by speaking kind words to each other emulate the loving kindness of our Lord.

Should we be moved by anger to speak rashly, think of these lines by President Charles W. Penrose:

School thy feelings, O my brother;
Train thy warm impulsive soul;
Do not its emotions smother,
But let wisdom’s voice control.

(Hymns, no. 340.)

And these of H. R. Palmer:

Angry words! oh, let them never
From the tongue unbridled slip;
May the heart’s best impulse ever
Check them ere they soil the lip.
Love is much too pure and holy,
Friendship is too sacred far,
For a moment’s reckless folly
Thus to desolate and mar.
Angry words are lightly spoken;
Bitt’rest tho’ts are rashly stirred—
Brightest links of life are broken,
By a single angry word.

(Deseret Sunday School Songs, no. 67.)

Rather than malign, defame, slander, or speak evil of another, let us remember and implement the message of the beautiful hymn, “Nay, Speak No Ill,” and then be as lenient with failings of another as we are of our own.

Let us go further and, in the words of Joseph L. Townsend,

… speak kind words to each other
At home or where’er we may be;
Like the warblings of birds on the heather,
The tones will be welcome and free.
They’ll gladden the heart that’s repining,
Give courage and hope from above,
And where the dark clouds hide the shining,
Let in the bright sunlight of love.

(Hymns, no. 94.)

Testify of the importance of avoiding cutting words and using kind language. 

 

FHE Treat

Treat

Dulce Quesadillas or Sweet And Spicy Pretzels

Dulce (Sweet) Quesadillas

Ingredients (makes 2)DulceQuesadilla

  1. 2 medium flour tortillas (spread olive oil on one side of each tortilla)
  2. 1/4 cup of chocolate chips (semi sweet or dark)
  3. 1 banana, sliced
  4. 1/4 cup of peanut butter, smooth
  5. 2 teaspoons sugar (separated into 1 teaspoon portions)
  6. 2 teaspoons cinnamon (separated into 1 teaspoon portions)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Rub olive oil on one side of each tortilla. Place one tortilla on cutting board with olive oil side down.
  3. Spread peanut butter on the tortilla. Place banana slices on peanut butter, then strawberries on the bananas. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the fruit.
  4. Close the quesadilla with the other tortilla. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon and sugar mixture over the quesadilla.
  5. Place in oven and bake for 7 minutes, flip the quesadilla, sprinkle with other half of cinnamon and sugar, and return to oven. Bake for an additional 8 more minutes (make sure the chocolate has melted and the quesadilla gets a little bit crisp).
  6. Remove from oven, let cool just a bit and cut into sections. Enjoy!

(Taken from A Cedar Spoon)

 

Sweet And Spicy Pretzels

IngredientsSweetAndSpicyPretzel

  1. 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
  2. 2 tsp. fresh rosemary, chopped and divided
  3. 3/4 tsp sea salt
  4. 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  5. 1/4 tsp ground red pepper
  6. 1/2 cup pecans
  7. 1/2 cup almonds
  8. 1 1/2 tbsp butter
  9. 4 cups tiny pretzels (salted or unsalted)
  10. 2 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Combine brown sugar, 1 tsp. thyme, salt, cinnamon and red pepper (optional) in a small mixing bowl.
  3. Combine the pecans and almonds on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Baked at 350 degrees for 9-10 minutes, or until the nuts begin to brown.
  4. Combine the nut mixture and butter in a medium bowl, stirring until the butter melts.
  5. Stir in the pretzels and syrup. Sprinkle the sugar mixture evenly over pretzel and nut mixture and toss gently with tongs or two wooden spoons.
  6. Spread the pretzels evenly in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes, stirring once.
  7. Sprinkle the remaining thyme over the cooked pretzel mixture.
  8. Cool completely and serve at a party, or eat as a snack on the go. Store in an air tight container

(Taken from A Cedar Spoon)

FHE Game / Activity

Activity

 

1- Bury your “weapons”:  Write words and phrases you would like to stop using against each other at home and bury them symbollically. (see Cutting Out Cutting Remarks)

2. Bowl-quet (bowling + croquet): Set up three to five empty plastic soda bottles on a flat surface, then see how many you can knock down in two tries with a croquet mallet and ball.

 

Awake My Soul

0

Posted in God's Love, Individual Worth, Scriptures | Posted on 18-04-2013

FHE Scripture

Scripture

Gal. 5:22-23

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.”

FHE Lesson Hymn

Hymn

There Is Sunshine In My Soul Today - Hymn #227 or A Smile Is Like The Sunshine -Children’s Songbook #267

There Is Sunshine In My Soul Today

1. There is sunshine in my soul today,
More glorious and bright
Than glows in any earthly sky,
For Jesus is my light.

(Chorus)
Oh, there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine
When the peaceful happy moments roll.
When Jesus shows his smiling face,
There is sunshine in the soul.

2. There is music in my soul today,
A carol to my King,
And Jesus listening can hear
The songs I cannot sing.

3. There is springtime in my soul today,
For when the Lord is near,
The dove of peace sings in my heart,
The flow’rs of grace appear.

4. There is gladness in my soul today,
And hope and praise and love,
For blessings which he gives me now,
For joys “laid up” above.

 

A Smile Is Like The Sunshine

A smile is like the sunshine;
It brightens up the day.
It gives the eye a twinkle
And chases frowns away.

 

FHE Lesson

Lesson

*For Younger Children* 

Read and use the tips from “Remembering Jesus”  (taken from the Friend). Testify of the importance of being like Jesus and comforting those in need. 

Comfort those that stand in need of comfort (Mosiah 18:9)

One Wednesday afternoon, I really made a difference in my life as well as in another person’s life. A girl in my class had been very annoying and had refused to answer our teacher when he asked her questions. He very patiently asked her to go to the principal’s office, but again she refused, so he decided to do something different.

All the girls at our group of desks were stunned when he had her sit by us. Then he told us that since she was being disagreeable, we could move our desks away from her. One by one, the other girls moved their desks.

We all know how it feels to be left alone without anyone. I could have increased my popularity by going off, too, which I thought about doing. Or I could stay with her and be more Christlike and not have a guilty conscience. I remembered all the times that Jesus stood up for those who had no one, and I decided to be like Him.

The poor girl started crying, so I put my arm around her and comforted her. I knew that I had chosen the right, and I knew that Father in Heaven smiles when He sees us love each other. That was the day when I knew that, indeed, it is very possible to love one another.

Testify of the importance of being like Jesus and comforting those in need. 

 

*For Teenagers and Young Adults* 

Read and use the tips from “Sick of Being Sick”  (taken from the April 2013 New Era). Testify of the comfort that the scriptures and the spirit can bring to us in time of sickness or affliction, and the blessings that we can receive from remembering them. 

I trudged back from the bathroom, my stomach rumbling and my head pounding. Falling back into bed, I grimaced. For the second time in two months, I was sick with a stomach virus. I had missed school classes and work. I could hear others having a good time and laughing in the kitchen, but I was curled up in bed, feeling miserable.

I pulled the blankets tighter around me and turned to face the wall. I was frustrated, but I didn’t know where to aim my anger. It wasn’t my fault I got sick. The more I dwelt on the injustice of it all, the more upset I became. My frustration turned into sadness, and I started crying. I just wanted the pain to go away. Hoping for some type of encouragement, I reached for the scriptures and turned to 3 Nephi 17, my reading for the day. I was amazed by the words of comfort found in verse 7:

“Have ye any that are sick among you … or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.”

I was still crying, but I was no longer upset. Instead of dwelling on the pain, I focused on the invitation of the Savior to come unto Him and be healed. I read the chapter over and over, lingering on the phrase “all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, … and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him” (3 Nephi 17:9).

The Savior was opening His arms to me, inviting me to be healed, if not of the virus, then definitely of my frustration at that moment.

Reading that chapter didn’t stop the stomach pains or headache, but that night the words of the Savior healed my heart. I was no longer bitter, because I understood that this stomach virus, like other trials, was simply a fact of life. Heavenly Father knew I was sick, and although He didn’t instantly cure me, He reminded me of the individual love and concern He feels for each of His children. This love is manifest through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, who came to show us compassion. As we soften our hearts and come to the Savior with sufficient faith, we can all receive His healing grace.

Testify of the comfort that the scriptures and the spirit can bring to us in time of sickness or affliction, and the blessings that we can receive from remembering them. 

 

*For All Family Members* 
Read or summarize “Awake My Soul” by Steve Gilliland (taken from the Ensign). Testify of the comfort that the scriptures and the spirit can bring to us in time of sickness or affliction, and the blessings that we can receive from remembering them. 

Last Sunday a young woman asked to talk with me after sacrament meeting. As she talked, I heard her sharing feelings that have troubled literally hundreds of individuals I’ve talked to as a branch president and institute director. The individuals, the situations, and the words may be different, but the feelings are the same.

“I feel so worthless.”

“No matter how hard I try to perfect my life, I’m becoming more and more aware of how weak I am. I fail at everything I try.”

“I feel so out of place at church. Everyone there but me seems to have his life in order.”

“There is so much to be done, so many people depending on me, and I always let them down.”

Feeling discouraged and inadequate happens to all of us, but when these feelings become a way of life, or even frequent visitors, they’re signs of trouble. And especially if they become clinical states of depression.

How does it help to start with feelings? Don’t I need to change what I’m doing before I’ll feel any better?

Not necessarily. Maxwell Maltz describes people who have gone through drastic plastic surgery to improve their appearance but who still, after the operation, feel ugly. 1 I’ve talked to people who have made significant positive changes—like giving up drinking and smoking—but they still feel discouraged about themselves.

I am impressed by the description of the Nephite multitude after King Benjamin’s sermon: “The Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ.” (Mosiah 4:3; italics added.) I’m aware, from my experience with people, that they can change their lifestyle and take the steps of repentance without having peace of conscience. Many times the Spirit of the Lord has spoken to repentant and worthy persons, but like the Lamanites converted by Nephi and Lehi, “they knew it not.” (3 Ne. 9:20.)

I think I see what you mean. But how do you shut out the negative voices?

I think Nephi was faced with this problem. He had a hard time after his father died and he could see the conflict coming with his brothers. In the beautiful chapter that we call Nephi’s psalm, some of the critical voices within Nephi begin to break through:

“My heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

“I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

“And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins.” (2 Ne. 4:17–19.)

I’ve experienced this myself—seeing that I could and should rejoice, but feeling burdened by my inadequacies. I don’t know if Nephi was discouraged at other times or how long it took him to conquer these feelings, but this same chapter tells us how he did it. First, he remembers the good experiences he has had, the times that he has been so acceptable to the Lord that he has been blessed with wonderful manifestations:

“My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

“He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.

“He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.” (2 Ne. 4:20–22.)

In other words, Nephi is reminding himself that his Heavenly Father has trusted him enough and cared enough about him to bless and protect him. He can’t be totally worthless.

Recalling these experiences gives him confidence enough to argue with those negative voices:

“O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?

“And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul?” (2 Ne. 4:26–27.)

Once we can turn off the negative voices, we can see their source. Discouragement is not the Lord’s method—it’s Satan’s. Satan emphasizes your weaknesses; the Lord, your ability to overcome. Satan urges immediate perfection to make you feel inadequate. The Lord leads you toward perfection. Once we recognize the source, we can cry with Nephi, “Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.” (2 Ne. 4:28.)

(See more Questions and Answers)

What to Do When You Feel Down

At bedtime, you can’t sleep. In the morning, you can’t wake up. Dishes, laundry, cleaning go undone. You feel helpless, hopeless, sad. For weeks, months, or even years nothing seems to go right. You feel like a burden to your family. You cry uncontrollably over little things.

You blame yourself for being unhappy. Your sympathetic family takes over your duties, but friends begin to avoid you. You stay home more. Your favorite activities go flat—it’s been a long time since you went for a walk, skied, or played the piano.

You are depressed, and you don’t know what to do about it. Worse, because the gospel promises happinesses, you feel terribly guilty.

Something, however, can be done, says Eugene Mead, a Brigham Young University professor affiliated with the BYU Marriage and Family Counseling Clinic. All types of depression can be helped, and Church resources stand ready.

First, stop feeling guilty. Depression afflicts persons of all ages and both sexes. Statistically, married women with children at home are most subject to depression, single women least. The proportion of depressed married women has risen in the last ten to fifteen years, according to a study taken in the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. Women in general are somewhat more prone to depression than are men.

Depression is a high-risk condition. National statistics show that the suicide rate among depressed people is one in 100, compared to one in 10,000 for the general population.

Second, ask what caused the depression. It may be mostly chemistry, a physiological condition that your physician can prescribe medication for. People forty and over are particularly susceptible to this kind of chemical imbalance. Counseling can help too, sometimes.

Usually, though, depression follows some event—the birth of a baby, the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, separation, children leaving home. This kind of depression is in your mind, not your body, and may last two to three months, with some effects continuing up to a year to two.

“People can do something about this themselves, if they know what to do,” says Dr. Mead. He suggests a combination of disciplined attitudes and disciplined behavior:

1. Consider how you’re looking at the world. You may think everything is going wrong, but usually a lot is going right, too. Are you being rational? Match your picture against reality. Get help doing this; see your bishop, who can draw upon Welfare Services professional help, if necessary.

2. Set a workable schedule. Get enough sleep. Eat enough.

3. A depressed person usually punishes himself by doing few things he enjoys. Try new things, but also make a list of things you used to like doing: rearranging your furniture, making fancy snacks, washing your hair, eating out, visiting friends, discussing politics, playing ping-pong, telling someone you love him, going shopping, doing favors for people, and those all-important spiritual things—meditating, praying, reading scriptures.

Then, every day make yourself do some of these things; increase the number and increase the amount of time you spend.

4. Do your duties. If the floor is filthy, scrub it, or you will feel guilty. Go visiting teaching whether you want to or not. Count simple things, such as answering the phone, as real personal victories. Start to notice how often you win each day.

Dr. Mead also has some suggestions for the depressed person’s family. Be understanding, but not too sympathetic. The more sympathy he gets, the more he may talk about his depression. But the more he talks about it, the less family and friends will want to be with him.

Instead, acknowledge the depressed feelings but expect the depressed person to function—to do his own work, to serve others, to participate in group activities. “If you do his work, you may reinforce his feelings of uselessness.” Also, the backlash may come when family members feel burdened and angry.

Family members can best help by telling the depressed person that he is capable and competent, even if he is not yet able to do all he did before his depression. “Show that any little improvement is appreciated,” Dr. Mead says, “and it will continue.” If the depression persists, help the depressed person see his bishop, who can draw upon Welfare Services professional help.

Testify of the comfort that the scriptures and the spirit can bring to us in time of sickness or affliction, and the blessings that we can receive from remembering them. 

 

 

FHE Treat

Treat

Brownie Waffles or Bunuelos

Brownie Waffles

IngredientsChocolate-Brownie-Waffles

  1. 1 cup brownie mix (NOT the whole box)
  2. 1 egg
  3. 2 Tbsp oil
  4. 1/3 c milk
  5. 2-4 Tbsp butter or margarine (for coating the griddle)
  6. Any Toppings you would like (whipped cream strawberries, etc)

Instructions:

  1. Heat waffle iron.
  2. Mix the 4 batter ingredients together until smooth; it will be thinner than a typical brownie batter.
  3. Grease cooking surface (either with cooking spray or with melted butter/margarine).
  4. Pour about 1/2 cup of batter onto the cooking surface, depending on how large your waffler is.
  5. Close lid. If your waffler has a “done” light, use that as a timer. Otherwise, count about 120 seconds. Open waffler, remove waffle with a fork, place onto a serving plate.
  6. Add toppings
  7. Serve immediately. Wait for the gasps! You should have enough batter for 4 to 6 giddy guests–or 2 very hungry but madly delighted guests.

(Taken from)

 

 

Bunuelos

Ingredients (makes 8):bunuelos

  1. 8 Flour Tortillas
  2. 3 Cups of Cinnamon/Sugar (1 part Cinnamon to 3 parts Sugar)
  3. Honey for drizzling..optional!
  4. Cinnamon Sticks for garnish..optional!
  5. Oil for frying
Instructions:
  1. In a large, shallow plate with a lip, add the Cinnamon Sugar mixture.
  2. Heat up about 1.5″ of Oil in the fry pan and gently lay one tortilla at a time into the hot oil.  Shallow fry both sides of each Tortilla, until they’re puffed, golden & crisp…
  3. Take the fried Tortillas out of the Oil and place them directly into the Cinnamon Sugar, making sure to coat both sides VERY well…
  4. Stack them up because that’s the authentic way of serving them, grab a plate and get busy…
  5. Give it a sweet drizzle of Honey…
  6. Now, crunch into your sweet & crispy Bunuelo!  ~Enjoy!

(Taken from Oh, Bite it!)

FHE Game / Activity

Activity

 

1- If the weather permits go to a park and play with a Frisbee, Soccer Ball, etc.

2. Create your own fog machine. Fog seems very mysterious, but it’s actually just a cloud that’s close to the ground. Find out how fog is generated and where the foggiest places on earth are. 

You’ll need a bottle (a two-liter soda bottle works fine), some hot water, rubbing alcohol and an ice cube. Gather these supplies together in the kitchen, and grab an adult to help you.

Fill your bottle about one-third full of very hot water. Add several drops of rubbing alcohol to the hot water. The water and the rubbing alcohol will supply the warm air necessary to make fog.

To make fog, you’ll need to introduce some cold air. Put an ice cube over the top of the bottle and watch what happens.

When the warm air and cold air meet, tiny droplets of water will condense out of the air to form fog in your bottle!

Values

2

Posted in God's Love, Gratitude, Individual Worth | Posted on 22-03-2013

Tags: , , , , ,

FHE Scripture

Scripture

Articles of faith – Article 13

“We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul-We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”

FHE Lesson Hymn

Hymn

How Firm a Foundation - Hymn #85 or High on the Mountain To Hymn #5

How Firm a Foundation

1. How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
Who unto the Savior, who unto the Savior,
Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?

2. In ev’ry condition–in sickness, in health,
In poverty’s vale or abounding in wealth,
At home or abroad, on the land or the sea–
As thy days may demand, as thy days may demand,
As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be.

3. Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
Other Verses…

High on the Mountain Top

1. High on the mountain top
A banner is unfurled.
Ye nations, now look up;
It waves to all the world.
In Deseret’s sweet, peaceful land,
On Zion’s mount behold it stand!

2. For God remembers still
His promise made of old
That he on Zion’s hill
Truth’s standard would unfold!
Her light should there attract the gaze
Of all the world in latter days.

3. His house shall there be reared,
His glory to display,
And people shall be heard
In distant lands to say:
We’ll now go up and serve the Lord,
Obey his truth, and learn his word.

4. For there we shall be taught
The law that will go forth,
With truth and wisdom fraught,
To govern all the earth.
Forever there his ways we’ll tread,
And save ourselves with all our dead.

 

FHE Lesson

Lesson

*For All Family Members* 
Read or summarize “Focus on Values” by Elder Russel M. Nelson (taken from February 2013 Liahona). Testify of the importance and blessings of maintaining these values in our lives.

Developing eternal values will help us become all our Heavenly Father wants us to be.

ValuesPicI would like to talk about some of the values you ought to be focused on in your daily lives. You young women will recognize them. And you young men, they are not exclusively for the young women. These values are just as worthy of your attention as they are for the young women.

Faith

The first Young Women value is faith. In fact, faith is the first principle of the gospel. Your faith should be focused on our loving Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. You should also continually strengthen your faith in God’s plan of salvation.

It is important to develop faith to keep all of the commandments of God, knowing that they are given to bless you and bring you joy. You will encounter people who pick which commandments they will keep and which they will ignore. This practice of picking and choosing will not work. It will lead to misery. To prepare to meet God, you need to keep all of His commandments. It takes faith to obey them, and keeping His commandments will strengthen that faith.

Divine Nature

The second Young Women value is divine nature. That’s a grown-up way of saying, “I am a child of God.” You have divinity within you. Our Heavenly Father created you.

Have you ever thought to be thankful for your heart? Look at the job it’s doing. It’s pumping enough fluid every day to fill a railroad tank car, about 2,000 gallons (7,570 liters). Inside the heart are four sets of valves that open and close 100,000 times a day, more than 36 million times a year, and they don’t break. No man-made material—paper, plastic, metal, or steel—can open and close that many times, with that frequency, without breaking. Every organ in the body is so well designed and so marvelous in its function.

You know if you try to swim underwater without taking a breath, you can go only so long. What is it that drives you up to take a breath? Carbon dioxide is being measured by two small meters in the neck, and they send word up to your brain as if to say, “Your carbon dioxide level is too high. Get rid of it.” So you swim up to the surface and exhale, getting rid of the carbon dioxide.

What incredible abilities your body possesses! Take good care of your body. Don’t do anything that would defile the natural beauty of this marvelous, God-given creation.

Individual Worth

The next Young Women value is individual worth. A faithful disciple of Jesus Christ will become a devoted son or daughter of God—more concerned with being righteous than with being selfish, more anxious to exercise compassion than to exercise dominion, more committed to integrity than to popularity.

You know of your infinite worth. Indeed, each faithful young woman in the Church proclaims that individual worth is one of her most cherished values. She declares, “I am of infinite worth with my own divine mission, which I will strive to fulfill” (Young Women Personal Progress [booklet, 2009], 29). The same applies to young men. Each son and daughter of God is of infinite worth because of his or her divine mission.

Individual worth also includes the development of your faith as an individual. No one else can develop your faith for you. You can wish you had the faith of President Thomas S. Monson or some other hero, but you must develop it yourself. When you make a mistake, as an individual you repent of these past problems. When you were baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost, it was done as an individual. So, as an individual, you make covenants. These ordinances of salvation are all an individual matter.

The greatest ordinances and blessings of membership in the Church come in the temple. There we have the ordinances of the endowment and the sealings to parents, spouses, and ancestors. All ordinances of exaltation are a family matter. Do you see that difference? The ordinances of salvation are individual; the ordinances of exaltationinvolve more than one person.

Knowledge

The next Young Women value is knowledge. In the Church, obtaining an education and getting knowledge are a religious responsibility. We educate our minds so that one day we can render service of worth to somebody else. Being educated is the difference between wishing you could do some good and being able to do some good.

Often people ask me what it’s like to be a doctor. They ask, “How long were you in school?” Well, it was a long time. From the time I got my medical degree until the time I sent my first bill for professional services rendered was 12½ years. It was a long time, but how old would I have been 12½ years later if I weren’t doing that? Exactly the same. So you might as well strive to become all that you can become.

My medical education is what allowed me to perform a heart operation on President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) in 1972. So don’t discount knowledge. The glory of God really is intelligence (see D&C 93:36).

Choice and Accountability

The next Young Women value is choice and accountability. This is another way of saying “moral agency.” Moral agency is part of life because Heavenly Father wanted each one of us to act for ourselves and to become what we want to be.

Choice and accountability tells you that for every choice you make, you are accountable for the consequences of that choice. So we need to make responsible decisions. It probably doesn’t matter much whether you wear a blue tie or a red tie or a purple dress or a green dress, but what does matter is whether your choice draws you closer to or away from the Lord and His way of life. And why do we counsel and plead with you to follow the way of the Lord? It’s simply because that is the way to happiness.

Good Works

Next comes the Young Women value of good works. This value is patterned after the life of Jesus Christ, who loved people. To show His love for people, He served them. When we love somebody, we show it by doing something nice. So learn to serve: find a need and fulfill a need. Surprise people with a good deed they hadn’t planned on. We have that opportunity at home, at school, and at church.

I remember the first time I went to Africa as a General Authority. My traveling partner was Elder Russell C. Taylor. Each morning when I woke up, I found that he had shined my shoes. He didn’t need to shine my shoes, but that was his way of saying, “I love you.”

Integrity

The next Young Women value is integrity. The word integrity comes from the word integer, meaning “whole” or “intact.” In medicine we talk about the structural integrity of the heart. So when something goes wrong—for example, a wound to the heart—we say it has lost its integrity; it no longer does what it’s supposed to do. Applied to the human being, integrity means you’re dependable—you can be counted on.

In the scriptures we read that the Prophet Joseph Smith’s brother Hyrum was loved by the Lord because of the “integrity of his heart” (D&C 124:15). The Lord was not talking about the anatomy of the heart; He was talking about the integrity of Hyrum’s spirit.

Virtue

The newest Young Women value is virtue. Virtue is a wonderful word. What does it mean to you? Virtue means “purity.” But there’s also another meaning. Do you remember in the New Testament when the woman who had the issue of blood touched the hem of the Savior’s garment? The Savior said, “Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me” (Luke 8:46). In that case, virtue has a different meaning. In the Greek language it’s the word dunamis, which is the root from which we get the words dynamo and dynamite. It means “power.” We want both kinds of virtue for you precious young men and young women.

Become All You Can Be

Knowledge brings power; purity brings power; love brings power. We want you to have the power to become all that the Lord wants you to become. You’re growing, you’re changing, and you are in charge of what you will end up being.

I don’t think it makes any difference whether you are a furniture salesman, a surgeon, a lawyer, or an architect. Any worthy occupation, whatever suits you, is wonderful. But what really matters is what you are becoming.

Ask yourself these questions: Do I have integrity? Do I have purity? Do I have love? Do I have compassion? All of these attributes are beyond measure. And as you think about and live by the attributes of the Young Women values, they will help you become all that you can be.

Photo illustration by Derek Israelsen

Testify of the importance and blessings of maintaining these values in our lives.
*For Younger Children* 

Read or summarize “Friend to Friend”  (taken from the October 1996 Friend). Testify of the importance and blessings of maintaining these values in our lives.

Love one another, and … serve one another (Mosiah 4:15).
We believe in being honest (A of F 1:13).

I’d like to share with you two important lessons that I learned in my youth. When I was young, my friends and I often played ball in an alley behind our home. A woman named Mrs. Shinas rented a tiny house nearby, and she used to watch us play from her window. She rarely came out of her house, and when she did, she never smiled. We all thought that she was mean. She had a big dog, an English setter, and whenever one of our baseballs rolled in its direction—which happened often—Mrs. Shinas would send the dog to fetch it. We wouldn’t see the ball again. Soon we ran out of baseballs.

In those days, we didn’t have lawn sprinklers, and so each day I watered our lawn by hand with a hose. One day as I stood there watering our little stretch of grass, I noticed that Mrs. Shinas’s lawn looked a little shabby. It took only a few more minutes to water it, too, and soon I was watering her lawn each day.

When autumn came that year, one of my tasks was to clear our yard of leaves. I sprayed the ground with a hose, pushing the leaves into a pile with the force of the water. I decided to gather up the leaves on Mrs. Shinas’s yard as well, and as I was doing this one day, she came to her door and beckoned for me to come inside. I turned off the hose and went into her house.

She invited me to sit in her living room, and she gave me a cookie and a glass of milk. As I sat there eating my cookie, she showed me her collection of little china dogs. I could tell that they were her most prized possession. Then she thanked me for taking care of her lawn. It was the first conversation I had ever had with her.

Mrs. Shinas then went into her kitchen and returned with a box. In it were all the baseballs that her dog had taken. She handed me the box, said thank you—and smiled! It was the first time I’d ever seen her smile.

I believe that love is shown by how you live, how you serve, and how you bless others. When we serve others, we are showing them that we love them, and we are also showing Jesus Christ that we love Him.

The Primary theme this year focuses on love, a most important principle. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments. … He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.” (John 14:15, 21.)

I like the following poem, which is about love:

Which Loved Her Best?

“I love you, mother,” said little John;
Then, forgetting his work, his cap went on,
And he was off to the garden swing,
Leaving his mother the wood to bring.
“I love you, mother,” said rosy Nell;
“I love you better than tongue can tell”;
Then she teased and pouted full half the day,
Till her mother rejoiced when she went to play.
“I love you, mother,” said little Fan;
“To-day I’ll help you all I can;
How glad I am that school doesn’t keep!”
So she rocked the baby till it fell asleep.
Then, stepping softly, she took the broom,
And swept the floor, and dusted the room;
Busy and happy all day was she,
Helpful and cheerful as child could be.
“I love you, mother,” again they said—
Three little children going to bed;
How do you think that mother guessed
Which of them really loved her best? *

Another important principle is honesty.

I was in the Navy at the end of World War II, when I was a very young man. My training took place near San Diego, California. Everyone in the Navy had to know how to swim, or they wouldn’t let him out of boot camp (training camp). I had learned to swim as a boy and could do it quite well.

One day an officer said, “All of you who can swim get to go to San Diego for the day. Those who can’t must have a full day of swimming lessons. So those of you who can swim, line up over here, and we’ll put you on a bus and take you into town.” I lined up with the swimmers—there were about thirty or forty of us. But instead of having my group get on a bus, the officer marched us into the gym, where the swimming pool was.

I thought, You’re mixed up, fellow. We’re the ones who can swim. But, of course, I said nothing. We prepared for swimming and were ordered to jump into the deep end of the pool.

Most of us obeyed, but about ten men in our group didn’t know how to swim. They had thought that they could go to San Diego without measuring up. The officer didn’t let them just stand there—he pushed them into the water. He let them go under the water, come up gasping for air, and then go down again. When they came up for the second time, a big bamboo pole was held out to them, and they were pulled to safety. Then the officer said sternly, “Don’t you ever lie to me again!” I tell you, I was glad I hadn’t tried that! The experience taught me the value of being honest and true to yourself at all times.

Love and honesty are two principles that will guide us all our lives.

Testify of the importance and blessings of maintaining these values in our lives.

 

FHE Treat

Treat

Oreo Brownies or  Caramel pecan rolls

Oreo Brownies

IngredientsOreoBrownies

  1. 5 1/2 oz unsalted butter
  2. 7 oz semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
  3. 4 eggs
  4. 5 1/2 oz light brown sugar
  5. 3 tbs cocoa powder
  6. a pinch of salt
  7. 16 Oreo cookies, broken into pieces

 

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to about 350°F (180°C). Line an 8x8x3-inch (20cm) baking pan with baking paper with the paper overlapping the sides (this will make them easier to lift out of the pan after baking.
  2. Melt your butter in a pan over medium heat. Remove from heat and add the chopped chocolate, stir until smooth and well combined.
  3. Whisk the eggs in a large mixing bowl until they triple in volume. Add half the brown sugar around the outer edge of the eggs in the bowl (so you don’t knock the air out of the mix) and whisk until incorporated. Add the remaining sugar again around the edge, and whisk again for a few minutes until the mix is smooth and you can’t feel any sugar crystals in between your fingers. Whisk the melted chocolate into the eggs quickly to incorporate it.
  4. Add the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa, salt and a third of the broken up Oreos) around the edge of the bowl and fold in until combined, taking care not to knock the air out. Pour the mix into the paper-lined baking pan. Scatter the remaining chunks of Oreo cookies over the top of the mixture, pressing some into the batter. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the middle is only slightly gooey.
  5. Get the pan on a wire rack to cool completely. When cooled, lift the baking paper and brownies out of the pan and set on a cutting board. Cut into 2×2-inch squares (in half and then half again, both ways). Makes 16 Oreo brownies.

(Taken from Sugar and Snapshots)

Caramel pecan rolls

Ingredients:CaramelPecanRoll

  1. Sweet Dough
    3/4 c +2 tbsp Milk
    2 tbsp Honey
    2 tbsp Vegetable Shortening
    1 tsp + 1/9 tsp yeast
    1 Egg, Medium size
    1 tsp Kosher Salt
    1-3 c All Purpose Flour
  2. Sugar Filling
    2/3 Sugar, granulated
    1/3 c Brown Sugar, packed
    1 tbsp Cinnamon, ground
    4 tbsp Unsalted Butter, softened
  3. Caramel
    2/3 c Brown Sugar, packed
    2/3 c Heavy Cream
    1 tbsp Vanilla Paste (optional)
    2 c Chopped Pecans
Instructions:
  1. In a small sauce pan combine the milk, honey, and vegetable shortening. Bring up to 110°F no higher, or it will kill the yeast. Pour the milk mixture into the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add in the yeast and let bloom for 5-10 minutes.
  2. While the yeast is doing its magic, measure out 3 cups of flour. In a small bowl combine the sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon, mix well and set aside. Prepare your work surface by lightly dusting it with flour.
  3. Turn your attention back to the stand mixer, turn it on medium speed and add in the egg and salt. Mix until well combined. Once combined slowly add in 1 cup of flour. It will turn into a batter like constancy. Keep adding in the flour 1/4 cup at a time just until the dough pulls away from the sides. Let it kneed for 5 minutes. Transfer to your prepared work surface and kneed until the dough forms a ball, that is not sticky to the touch, but quite elastic. Cover with a towel, and let rise for 40 minutes.
  4. After it has risen for the 40 minutes, punch down the dough into a rectangular shape, and cover with a tea towel and let rest for at least 15 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare your baking pan I used a 10″x10″x4″ square cake pan. Line with foil, or spray with bakers spray. Set aside and begin making the caramel.
  5. In a small sauce pan add the brown sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla. Bring up to a boil and simmer until the sugar is melted completely. Pour the caramel into the bottom of your baking pan. Add 2/3 of the chopped pecans into the caramel in an even layer. Time to work the dough.
  6. Roll the dough out into a 24″ x 10″ rectangle. Take the softened butter and with a pastry brush create an even layer of butter over the top of the dough going to the edges. Pour the sugar mixture over the butter and with your hands spread out into an even layer.
  7. Roll it up length wise so you have a 24″ long tube. With a sharp knife, slice into twelve 2″ pieces.
  8. Place the rolls on top of the caramel pecan mixture in the pan leaving around 1″ between each roll. Cover and let rise for 1-2 hours, until doubled in size. Bake at 350°F for 35-45 minutes until the tops of the rolls are a golden brown.
  9. Remove from the oven and let cool for 30 minutes, place a piece of parchment over your serving tray, and put it over the warm rolls. Flip the pans so now the caramel pecan mixture is on top, and the rolls are on your serving tray.Serve warm covered in extra pecans and caramel with a cup of coffee, and watch your loved ones devour them with glee.

(Taken from Sugar and Snapshots)

FHE Game / Activity

Activity

1- Play Value’s Hide and go seek – You can have each family member stand for a value and/or use objects to represent them.

2- Play a game like Monopoly or Ticket to Ride

Agency

2

Posted in God's Love, Individual Worth | Posted on 22-02-2013

FHE Scripture

Scripture

Moses 3:17

17- “Thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee.”

FHE Lesson Hymn

Hymn

Choose The Right- Hymn #7

1. Choose the right when a choice is placed before you.
In the right the Holy Spirit guides;
And its light is forever shining o’er you,
When in the right your heart confides.

(Chorus)
Choose the right! Choose the right!
Let wisdom mark the way before.
In its light, choose the right!
And God will bless you evermore.

2. Choose the right! Let no spirit of digression
Overcome you in the evil hour.
There’s the right and the wrong to ev’ry question;
Be safe thru inspiration’s pow’r.

3. Choose the right! There is peace in righteous doing.
Choose the right! There’s safety for the soul.
Choose the right in all labors you’re pursuing;
Let God and heaven be your goal.

 

FHE Lesson

Lesson

*For All Family Members* Read or summarize ”The Fulness of the Gospel: Agency”  (taken from the Mar. 2006 Liahona). Testify of the importance of Agency and the choices we make every day. 

A basic tenet of Christianity is that God has given His children free will, the ability and privilege to choose. But the concept of agency, taught in the Book of Mormon and by latter-day prophets and apostles in concert with other gospel truths, is a doctrine rich in power and eternal in its implications.

An Eternal Principle

Agency is essential to Heavenly Father’s plan for His children, for without it we cannot become as He is. Agency is an eternal attribute of all intelligent beings. It did not begin with mortal birth. We possessed agency in our premortal existence. As the Lord revealed:

“Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be.

“All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has placed it, to act for itself, as all intelligence also; otherwise there is no existence.

“Behold, here is the agency of man” (D&C 93:29–31).

We do not believe in a deterministic God—that is, one who determines in advance the eventual fate of His children. Rather, we believe in a God who has perfect foreknowledge of the choices His children will make. He may use this foreknowledge to guide us or even to warn us, but He does not use it to preempt our agency. He allows us to become what we truly desire to become. As Elder James E. Talmage (1862–1933) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wrote: “[God] knows what each will do under given conditions, and sees the end from the beginning. His foreknowledge is based on intelligence and reason. He foresees the future as a state which naturally and surely will be; not as one which must be because He has arbitrarily willed that it shall be.” 1

Most Christian churches believe God created His children ex nihilo—out of nothing. If this were true, then God might be held accountable for any evil we would do because He created us with flaws and weaknesses. But we know our Heavenly Father did not create us out of nothing, and He is not responsible for our weaknesses or sins. He merely places us, His spirit children, in spheres where we can learn and grow by exercising our agency, if we employ it correctly.

Conditions Required for Agency

Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that agency requires four conditions:

1. Laws ordained by an omnipotent power must exist, laws we can either obey or disobey.
2. There must be opposites—good and evil, right and wrong.
3. We must have knowledge of good and evil; we must know the difference between the opposites.
4. We must possess an unfettered power of choice. 2

We must also be accountable for our choices if we are to enjoy agency fully. The laws that exist must bring consequences—and not just the natural consequences resulting from our actions, such as losing people’s respect if we lie and cheat. The laws must also bring blessings from God if we obey them and punishments if we do not.

Satan’s Attack on Agency

Of the premortal existence, the Lord says, “Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man” (Moses 4:3). For his rebellion Lucifer was cast out of heaven, but here on earth he continues to undermine our agency. He does this in many ways, two of which are:

Disobedience. “Behold, here is the agency of man, and here is the condemnation of man; because that which was from the beginning is plainly manifest unto them, and they receive not the light. … And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men” (D&C 93:31, 39). Disobedience damages our agency in two ways. First, when we lose light and truth, we become blind to many opportunities to do good; and second, some forms of disobedience are addictive—we become entrapped in behaviors that are extremely difficult to forsake. We may even hurt others and damage their agency.

No accountability. Satan whispers in our ears, telling us, “Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; … and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God” (2 Ne. 28:8). Some mistakenly believe that once we have “confessed Christ” and have been “saved by grace,” it doesn’t matter what we do—we are saved. This doctrine is a subtle manifestation of Satan’s ongoing deception that we are not accountable for our sins and that there are no consequences for them.

Blessings of Agency

When we use our agency to choose righteousness, God not only blesses us, but our agency is strengthened and enhanced. When our Heavenly Father sees that He can trust us to make correct decisions, He does as any loving parent would do: He blesses us with new opportunities and more responsibility. Thus, if we use our agency wisely, the possibilities for doing good and blessing others become infinite. Obedience always leads to greater agency and increasing possibilities. It is sin that shrinks our options.

Testify of the importance of Agency and the choices we make every day. 

 

*For Younger Children* Read or summarize “Agency And Accountability“ by (taken from the For the Strength of Youth manual). Testify of the importance of Agency and the choices we make every day. 

Heavenly Father has given you agency, the ability to choose right from wrong and to act for yourself. Next to the bestowal of life itself, the right to direct your life is one of God’s greatest gifts to you. While here on earth, you are being proven to see if you will use your agency to show your love for God by keeping His commandments. The Holy Ghost can guide you in using your agency righteously.

 

You are responsible for the choices you make. God is mindful of you and will help you make good choices, even if your family and friends use their agency in ways that are not right. Have the moral courage to stand firm in obeying God’s will, even if you have to stand alone. As you do this, you set an example for others to follow.

While you are free to choose your course of action, you are not free to choose the consequences. Whether for good or bad, consequences follow as a natural result of the choices you make. Some sinful behavior may bring temporary, worldly pleasure, but such choices delay your progress and lead to heartache and misery. Righteous choices lead to lasting happiness and eternal life. Remember, true freedom comes from using your agency to choose obedience; loss of freedom comes from choosing disobedience.

You are also responsible for developing the talents and abilities Heavenly Father has given you. You are accountable to Him for what you do with your talents and how you spend your time. Choose to do many good things of your own free will.

Testify of the importance of Agency and the choices we make every day. 

 

*For Teenagers or Young Adults*  Read or summarize this excerpt from ”Agency and Accountability: Above the Clouds“ by Charles W. Dahlquist II (taken from the Oct. 2008 Liahona).  Testify of the importance of Agency and the choices we make every day. 

Choose righteousness and happiness, no matter what your circumstances. Take responsibility for the choices you make. Develop your abilities and talents, and use them for good. Avoid idleness and be willing to work hard.

Above the Clouds

Not long ago I had the opportunity to fly in a small plane. As we were preparing to board, one of the passengers asked the pilot at what altitude we would be flying. He indicated that we would be flying at 9,500 feet (2,900 m). He said, “That will get us just above the clouds.” Then he explained, “If we fly below the clouds, the ride will be fairly rocky. However, if we can get through the clouds and up on top, we will have a much smoother ride.”

It was a concept that proved prophetic. For us in that airplane, it took a little bit more effort, a little bit more fuel, and a little turbulence to get through the clouds. However, once we were above the turbulence, the ride was, for the most part, smooth sailing. Although there was some brief turbulence and the need for the pilot to always be mindful of the flight conditions, the flight was much more comfortable.

Later I thought about the pilot’s words: “If we can get through the clouds and up on top, we will have a much smoother ride.” I thought about how much that applies to life itself. As we live in a mortal existence, there is much of the ugly and the base and the evil that we have to move above if we are to live the life of a Latter-day Saint. Then we can have the Spirit with us and feel the peace that is there for us to enjoy. It takes effort, it takes willpower, it takes courage, and it takes making correct choices for us to get above the turbulence around us. That turbulence includes the filth that surrounds us in the media. It includes discouragement, despair, and all the challenges of the “natural man” (Mosiah 3:19).

However, if we exercise our agency appropriately, if we live the standards given to us by the First Presidency in For the Strength of Youth,and if we make conscious efforts day by day to rise above the things of the world, our ride in this life will be much more pleasant. We will be able to feel peace along the way, and we will be able to arrive safely at our journey’s end.

It is not that the ride will be uneventful and completely peaceful. That was never promised, for there will be challenges along the way, and there will be a need for continued vigilance and alertness all along the way. However, by choosing to be on the Lord’s side, we can rise above the temptations of our mortal existence, and that will guarantee us peace and happiness in this life as well as in the life to come.

Testify of the importance of Agency and the choices we make every day. 

 

FHE Treat

Treat

Chocolate Mug Cake or Candied Almonds

Chocolate Mug Cake

IngredientsChocolate Mug Cake

2 tablespoons flour (I often use 1 T AP and 1 T barley flour)
1/2 teaspoon of sugar (or to taste)
2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch salt
2 tablespoons milk (or almond milk, my fav.)
1 tablespoon oil
handful of mini chocolate chips
1 Tbs peanut butter (or caramel, jam, nutella, almond butter, etc)

Instructions:

STEP 1: In your mug, stir together the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt). Make sure there are no clumps.

STEP 2: Stir in the vegetable oil and milk until the mixture is smooth. Drop a tablespoon of peanut butter into the center and push it down into the batter.

STEP 3: Microwave on high for one minute and then enjoy!

(Microwave power varies slightly, so you may want to experiment with the cooking time, give or take 5-10 seconds. One minute is a good place to start).

(Taken from Budget Bytes)

 

Candied Almonds

Ingredients:Candied Almonds above

1lb Shelled almonds
1/3 cup Brown sugar
1/3 cup White sugar
1tsp cinnamon
1/2tsp salt
1 large egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, and salt until well mixed.

STEP 2: Separate the egg white from the yolk. Place the white in a large glass or metal bowl and whisk until light and frothy, but it is not yet forming peaks (no clear liquid should remain in the bottom of the bowl). Add the vanilla extract and whisk again until incorporated.

STEP 3: Add the almonds to the egg whites and stir to coat. Add the cinnamon and sugar and stir to coat again.

STEP 4: Spread the sugar coated almonds out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil coated with non-stick spray. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring once half way through. After baking, allow the almonds to cool, during which time coating will solidify into a crunchy candy shell.

(Taken from Budget Bytes)

 

FHE Game / Activity

Activity

1- Play “Bound Together” as a family.

Bring several family members close together and wrap a long rope or string loosely around them so they can still move but they are bound together.  Now have them play “follow the leader” with you around the room doing various things that are difficult to do being tied into a group – things like follow you around chairs, under tables, over obstacles, hopping on one foot, etc.  (You could even have one of the girls be the leader rather than yourself).

Application:  Ask if the experience was difficult.  Ask them why they stayed in a tied-up bundle?  You never said they had to stay as a group – that was their choice.  They could have easily gotten out of the string.  Would the tasks have been easier outside the string?  What is peer pressure:  Why should we make our own wise choices in life?  Why should we choose friends who uplift us and not those who don’t support our ideals and standards?

2- Have the family choose their own activity!

Sharing the Gospel

0

Posted in Commandments, Individual Worth, Jesus Christ, Missionary Work | Posted on 07-09-2012

Tags: , , , , ,

FHE Scripture

Scripture

Alma 29:1

1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance to every people!

 

FHE Lesson Hymn

Hymn

 I Hope They Call Me on a Mission - Primary Songbook #169 or  High on the Mountain Top - Hymn #5

I Hope They Call Me on a Mission

1. I hope they call me on a mission
When I have grown a foot or two.
I hope by then I will be ready
To teach and preach and work as missionaries do.

2. I hope that I can share the gospel
With those who want to know the truth.
I want to be a missionary
And serve and help the Lord while I am in my youth.

High on the Mountain Top

1. High on the mountain top
A banner is unfurled.
Ye nations, now look up;
It waves to all the world.
In Deseret’s sweet, peaceful land,
On Zion’s mount behold it stand!

2. For God remembers still
His promise made of old
That he on Zion’s hill
Truth’s standard would unfold!
Her light should there attract the gaze
Of all the world in latter days.

3. His house shall there be reared,
His glory to display,
And people shall be heard
In distant lands to say:
We’ll now go up and serve the Lord,
Obey his truth, and learn his word.

4. For there we shall be taught
The law that will go forth,
With truth and wisdom fraught,
To govern all the earth.
Forever there his ways we’ll tread,
And save ourselves with all our dead.

 

FHE Lesson

Lesson

*For All Family Members* Watch the video “By Small & Simple Things” below as a family. Brainstorm ideas of how each member of the family can share the gospel with those they come in contact with daily. Visit Mormon.org & watch  / view a few members Mormon.org profiles. Testify of the importance of missionary work.


  • Brainstorm ideas of how each member of the family can share the gospel daily
  • Visit Mormon.org – Browse the website as a family
  • Testify of the importance of missionary work

*For Younger Children* Read or tell the story “Missionary Friend” (taken from the Sept 2012 Friend magazine). Share ideas that we can each do to be a missionary to those around us. Testify of the importance and simplicity of missionary work.

Alex asked his friend Jake to play at his house on Saturday. They were having fun with race cars when Jake noticed a picture hanging on the wall.

“Who’s that?” he asked, pointing to the picture of Thomas S. Monson.

“That’s President Monson,” Alex said.

Jake didn’t say anything.

“You know, the prophet of our Church,” Alex said.

Jake looked embarrassed. “We don’t go to church anymore,” he said.

“Why did you stop going?” Alex asked.

Jake shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“Do you want to come with me on Sunday?” Alex asked. “We could go to Primary together. My teacher is really great.”

Jake’s eyes brightened. “I’ll have to ask my mom, but I think she’ll let me go,” Jake said.

At lunchtime, Alex asked his mom, “Can Jake go to Primary with me tomorrow?”

“We have to check with Jake’s mother,” Mom said. “If she says yes, then of course he can go.”

Later that day, Jake’s mom came to pick him up.

“Can Jake go to Primary with me tomorrow?” Alex asked.

“Can I, Mom?” Jake said. “Alex says Primary is really great. They read stories, sing songs, and learn about people in the scriptures.”

“I don’t know,” Jake’s mom said, looking uncertain. “We haven’t been to church for a long time.”

“Please, Mom,” Jake said. “I want to go.”

“Jake is welcome to come with us,” Alex’s mom said.

“Are you sure you want to go?” Jake’s mom asked.

“I’m sure!” Jake said.

“Then I guess it’s OK,” Jake’s mom said.

Jake gave his mom a quick hug. “Thanks,” he said.

On Sunday morning, Alex’s family picked up Jake. He was dressed in his Sunday clothes. After sacrament meeting the boys went to Primary. When they got to class, their teacher said, “We’re so glad to have you here, Jake.”

After church, Alex’s family took Jake home.

“Thanks for taking me to church with you,” Jake said.

Alex’s mom smiled at him. “You’re welcome, Jake. We hope you’ll come with us again,” she said.

That evening at dinner, Alex asked, “Can I invite Jake to go to church with us next Sunday?”

Mom nodded. “I’m going to follow your example and invite his mother to go with us too,” she said.

“You’re a good missionary, Alex,” Dad said.

Alex was surprised. “I was just being a friend,” he said.

“That’s what a missionary is,” Mom said, “a friend.”

Share simple ideas of how we can be a missionary to those around us everyday.

Testify of the importance & simplicity of missionary work.

*For Teenagers or Adults* Watch the video below: “By Small & Simple Things“. Then read / share points from “Sharing the Gospel Through Social Media” (taken from the Sept 2012 New Era). Make a list of things family members can do with social media to share the gospel. Testify of the importance & simplicity of sharing the gospel.



 Sharing the Gospel Through Social Media

How many times have you heard how important it is to share the gospel? The prophets have taught “every member a missionary.” In the scriptures, the Lord declares that everyone should have the opportunity to hear the gospel: “For, verily, the sound must go forth from this place into all the world, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth—the gospel must be preached unto every [person]” (D&C 58:64).

“The uttermost parts of the earth” may sound huge, but reaching every person has become easier thanks to technology such as the Internet and social media. Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has said, “We are blessed to be living in such an exciting gospel dispensation. God is inspiring the minds of great people to create inventions that further the work of the Lord in ways this world has never known.”1

The Internet and social media allow free and fast communication, but it can be easy to forget that the Lord has given us these tools to share the gospel with people we know. Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught, “Today’s ‘manner of conversation’ seems to involve the Internet more and more. We encourage people, young and old, to use the Internet and the social media to reach out and share their religious beliefs.”2

To help you reach out and share your religious beliefs in this way, the Church created Mormon.org, a website for those interested in learning about the Church. There, Church members 14 years old and older can create an online profile, sharing their feelings about the gospel with the world. For step-by-step instructions, visit Mormon.org/create. Once you create your profile, you can share the link on blogs and social media pages.

Mormon.org is also a place where those not of our faith can learn more about our beliefs and our people and can even chat with full-time missionaries. If your non-LDS friends ever want to learn more, you can invite them to visit Mormon.org.

A more personal way to share the gospel and invite your friends to learn more is through social media. Mormon.org has pages on Facebook (facebook.com/mormon), YouTube (youtube.com/mormon), Google+ (gplus.to/mormon), and Twitter (twitter.com/mormonorg).3 On each of these social media sites, uplifting content about the gospel is posted (like videos, pictures, posts, and status updates). If your parents have given you permission to use these social media tools, you can share this content on your personal social media page.

On Facebook, YouTube, and Google+, you can leave comments on each post with your testimony, engage in online conversation with other users from around the world, and share the content on your own page. Sharing lets all your friends see the posts and learn more about the gospel. On Twitter, you can reply to posts and “retweet” them so others learn what you believe.

Be sure to add your own testimony when you share the Mormon.orgupdates, videos, pictures, and posts on your personal social media pages.

The Internet and social media are tools the Lord has given us to live His commandment that the gospel be taken to the “uttermost parts of the earth.” They make sharing the gospel so easy; anyone can do it. It’s never been easier for every member to be a missionary.

Make a list of things family members can do with social media to share the gospel.

Have each family member pick one thing from the list to do this week.

Testify of the simplicity & importance of sharing the gospel.

 

FHE Treat

Treat

Strawberry Oatmeal Bars or Lemon Crisps

Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

24 Servings

Ingredients

1 3/4 sticks salted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for greasing pan
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cup oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
One 10 to 12-ounce jar strawberry preserves

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch rectangular pan.

2. Mix together the butter, flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Press half the oat mixture into the prepared pan. Spread with the strawberry preserves. Sprinkle the other half of the oat mixture over the top and pat lightly. Bake until light brown, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely, and then cut into squares.

 Lemon Crisps

42 Servings

Ingredients:

1 stick(s) (1⁄2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup(s) sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 tablespoon(s) each grated lemon zest & lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon(s) baking powder
1/4 teaspoon(s) each baking soda and salt
1 1/4 cup(s) all-purpose flour
Lemon Drizzle
1 cup(s) confectioners’ sugar
4 teaspoon(s) to 6 tsp lemon juice
Yellow nonpareils (optional)
Instructions:
1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Beat butter and sugar 2 minutes or until fluffy. Beat in egg, lemon zest and juice, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda and salt until well mixed. On low speed, beat in flour just until blended.
2. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 1 1⁄2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool on baking sheet 1 minute before removing to wire rack to cool completely.
3. Stir ingredients in small bowl until blended. Drizzle over cookies; sprinkle with nonpareils, if using.

FHE Game / Activity

Activity

1- Draw a picture or write a letter to missionaries serving from your ward or branch. Share your testimony, goals, experiences, etc.

2- Create a Mormon.org profile.

3- Have each family member write their testimony in a Book of Mormon & challenge them to give it away before the end of the month or year.

The Worth of Souls

2

Posted in Individual Worth | Posted on 17-08-2012

Tags:

FHE Scripture

Scripture

D&C 18:10

10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

 

 

FHE Lesson Hymn

Hymn

My Heavenly Father Loves Me - Primary Songbook #228 or I am a Child of God – Hymn #301

My Heavenly Father Loves Me

1. Whenever I hear the song of a bird
Or look at the blue, blue sky,
Whenever I feel the rain on my face
Or the wind as it rushes by,
Whenever I touch a velvet rose
Or walk by our lilac tree,
I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world
Heav’nly Father created for me.

2. He gave me my eyes that I might see
The color of butterfly wings.
He gave me my ears that I might hear
The magical sound of things.
He gave me my life, my mind, my heart:
I thank him rev’rently
For all his creations, of which I’m a part.
Yes, I know Heav’nly Father loves me.

I am a Child of God

1. I am a child of God,
And he has sent me here,
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear.

2. I am a child of God,
And so my needs are great;
Help me to understand his words
Before it grows too late.

3. I am a child of God.
Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will,
I’ll live with him once more.

4. I am a child of God.
His promises are sure;
Celestial glory shall be mine
If I can but endure.

Chorus

Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.

Optional descant (with verse 3) for voice or instrument
I am a child of God,
And blessings are in store;
If I learn to do his will,
I’ll live with him once more.
Oh, lead, guide, walk beside,
Help me to find the way.
Teach me what I must do
To live with him someday.

 

FHE Lesson

Lesson

*For All Family Members* Watch the Mormon Message “Child of God”.  Discuss how you felt and what it means to be a Child of God.  Have everyone write down things that make them unique and of worth.

 

 

Object Lesson

Start by holding up a relatively crisp bill. Ask how much this bill is worth. Then crumble it up into a ball, stomp on it, punch it down, do whatever you want to make it yucky. Finally, unfold the bill and hold it up again. Ask how much it is worth now. Is there anyone who wouldn’t want it now that is has been tarnished? Point out that this is similar to our worth in Heavenly Father’s eyes. Nothing we do can detract from our worth to Him.

Set a goal as a family and as an individual of how to increase your sense of self worth. Customize to the needs of your family.

Goal Ideas:

For two weeks, every negative thought you have about yourself, replace it with at least two positive thoughts.

For two weeks, every negative thought you have about others, replace it with at least two positive thoughts.

If you struggle with your worth, make it a matter of prayer for a certain amount of time. Pray to know that God loves you and pray to understand your mission on this Earth.

For two weeks, notice the worthwhile qualities in others and acknowledge them verbally or in writing.

 

*For Younger Children* 

Read the following story with them:

 The Worth of Eddie Porter

(Based on an experience from the author’s family)

I wanted to save more tadpoles, so Dad and I went to the creek near General Vallejo’s old historic adobe place. There wasn’t much water left in the creek, just puddles with tadpoles in them. When the water dried up, they would die—unless we rescued them. Dad and I caught hundreds of those tadpoles in our jars and took them to the lake. Dad said that God wouldn’t waste time creating anything He didn’t love. The least we could do was respect His creations and help whenever, wherever, and whatever we could—tadpoles included!

One day while we were taking tadpoles out of the creek, Dad looked troubled. “What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I’m worried about Eddie Porter,” Dad replied. Dad was Brother Porter’s home teacher, and he and his companion could never get Brother Porter to let them into his home. “He doesn’t come to church,” Dad said. “He’s getting old, lives alone, and has a lot of problems. He seems depressed most of the time, and I think he believes that God has given up on him.”

Dad scooped out three tadpoles and dumped them into a pail of water. “He never says much when Brother Phillips and I talk to him at the door. Just nods and says he has things to do. But last month when we stopped by, he had moved. Where, I don’t know.” Dad looked up the creek bed as if he hoped he might spot Brother Porter coming out of the heat rising from the rocks like a thin, wavy wall. “I doubt he moved out of town, because he has lived here all his life,” Dad continued. “I’ve got to find him, Matt.”

“Why, Dad?” I was confused. “If Brother Porter wants to be alone, why worry about it?”

“He’s my responsibility, son,” Dad explained. “And I feel that he’s in real need. Brother Phillips is out of town for a couple of months, so I’ll try to find Brother Porter on my own.” Dad smiled at me. “Unless, of course, you’d like to help.”

“But what about these tadpoles, Dad? If we don’t get them moved, they’ll die. They want to be helped. Brother Porter doesn’t.”

“They have enough water to last a few more weeks. But I don’t know if Eddie Porter has the same amount of willpower,” Dad said. “Besides,” he added in a voice that made me look straight at him, “like you and me, Brother Porter is a child of God. The scriptures teach us that the Savior spent His entire life loving, lifting, and healing others. These little critters are important, but what is more important than all these tadpoles?”

“Brother Porter?” I guessed.

For the next two weeks, Dad and I were like detectives. We searched for clues, asked questions, and talked to people. But most of all we prayed that Heavenly Father would lead us to the right house.

Then one evening Dad and I walked up to a little old place, kind of jammed between two warehouses near the canal. Dad knocked on the rusty screen door, and we waited.

We were about to leave when the door opened. The old man standing behind the screen seemed like a ghost—kind of there and not there at the same time. He had whiskers and wore rumpled, worn-out clothes.

“Brother Porter,” Dad said.

The old man’s eyes looked sad and surprised, maybe even angry. “How did you find me?” he asked.

Dad smiled. “It wasn’t easy, Eddie. It’s taken us two weeks.”

Brother Porter looked at me. I guess I was nervous because my voice was shaky. “Hi, Brother Porter.”

Brother Porter looked back up at Dad. “Why?” he said. “Why did you want to find me? I’ve never—”

“Because you’re important, Brother Porter,” I said. “You’re a child of God. He loves you. And so do we. Yep, we do.” I said it again because he looked so surprised. It was quiet for a little bit, so I said, “Dad and I were saving tadpoles from the creek that’s drying up, but Dad wanted to start looking for you instead. You’re more important than all the tadpoles that ever hatched. Mom thinks so, too.” I held out a lunch bag. “She made some cookies for you.”

Brother Porter turned away from us. I thought he was still mad at us for bothering him, but when he turned back, he was crying. He pushed open the door. “Won’t you come in?” Dad didn’t say anything. He was crying, too.

We went inside, and Dad squeezed my hand. Suddenly I knew how important Eddie Porter—and everyone else—was. Jesus wouldn’t have spent His whole life helping others if it weren’t so.

The tadpoles could wait. They would be all right. Dad and I needed to make sure that Brother Porter would be all right first.

 

*For Teenagers or Adults* Read or watch the talk “You Matter to Him”,  by Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

 

Use this as an opportunity to express your love and appreciation to your children and how special each one is to you. Consider writing a letter to each one telling them of their unique spiritual gifts and qualities that you love about them and then give it to them at the end of the lesson.

Testify of the value that each child has in God’s eyes as well.

 

FHE Treat

Treat

Triple-Deckers and Pineapple Coconut Sherbet

Triple-Deckers

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 4-ounce Mr. Goodbars, with peanuts
20 to 23 large marshmallows

 

Instructions:

1. Heat the oven to 375. Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and blend with an electric mixer.

2. Add the peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract, combining thoroughly. In a separate bowl, combine the salt, baking soda, and flour, then mix them into the wet ingredients.

3. Shape the dough into 1 1/4-inch balls and bake for 8 minutes on an ungreased cookie sheet. Meanwhile, your child can break the chocolate bars into small squares and use kitchen shears (with your supervision) to snip the marshmallows in half lengthwise.

4. Remove the cookies from the oven, top each one with a marshmallow half, and return the tray to the oven for an additional 3 to 4 minutes.

5. Finally, remove the cookies from the oven and place a piece of chocolate atop the marshmallows. Allow the cookies to remain on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to cooling racks. Makes 3 1/2 to 4 dozen cookies.

Pineapple Coconut Sherbet

Ingredients:

1 quart cultured buttermilk
1 1/2 cups superfine sugar
1/3 cup canned cream of coconut
1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Whisk together the buttermilk, sugar, and cream of coconut in a large mixing bowl until it is evenly blended. Stir in the pineapple and vanilla extract.

2. Cover the bowl with foil and place it in the freezer for 1 hour. Then remove the bowl and stir the mixture briefly, scraping the sides well. Return the sherbet to the freezer for another 45 minutes and then stir it again. Repeat this process once more, then let the mixture freeze overnight. When you’re ready to serve it, allow the sherbet to soften slightly, then process it briefly in a chilled blender to make it smooth and easy to scoop. Serve it at once in chilled dishes. Makes 6 to 8 servings

(Recipes taken from www.familyfun.go)

FHE Game / Activity

Activity

1-  H2-Ohhh!
Who says pool noodles are only for the pool? We turned one into a super squirter that can be used to launch all sorts of fun and games, such as the High Water Jump shown here.

Start by poking holes in a pool noodle with a large nail. Plug one end of the noodle with a wadded-up plastic shopping bag, then seal that end with duct tape. Insert a garden hose about 4 inches into the other end and secure it with duct tape if needed.

To play, swing the noodle and have your child jump over it, use it for a watery limbo contest, attach it with duct tape to a swing set so that kids can swing through the shower (as shown above), or let your kids come up with their own wet and wacky games.
2- Beach Bowling
The appeal of seaside bowling lies in its advantages bare feet allowed, the alley’s free, and there’s an unlimited supply of pins.

What You Need:

Plastic cup
Ball

Instructions:

1. Make 10 pins by filling a cup with moist sand (add water if the sand is too dry to hold a shape). Carefully turn the cup over and lift it off. Create the pins in a triangle with one pin in front, two pins in the next row, three in the next and four in the back row.

2. Draw a line in the sand about 6 or 8 feet from the pins. Take turns standing behind the line and rolling a softball or other small ball toward the pins to knock them over. Each player gets to roll the ball twice.

3. Count how many pins you knock over, set them up again and keep score in the sand.