TRADITIONS

Today at church for the 5th Sunday all the Priesthood and Relief Society Sisters met with the Bishopric in the Cultural Hall for an hour. It was fabulous! We were broken up into three different groups: parents with small children, parents with teenagers, and empty nesters. We were each to discuss the following questions keeping our specified age group in mind. The empty nesters were to relate traditions that were used in their homes and found to be successful.

1. What is a tradition (We always......)
2. How many traditions does my family have?
3. What sigificant traditions did I gain being raised in my home?
4. What are the most important traditions I want to pass on to my children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends?
5. What tradition will I strengthen, modify or start this week?

Topic Areas for Discussion:

1. Spiritual/religious
Reading the scriptures, prayers, honor Sabbath, missions, temple, Family Home Evening.

2. Finances
Saving, spending, investing, budgeting, etc.

3. Love/respect/kindness
Inter-spouse, between kids, between the whole family, etc.

4. Appropriate family time
Governance of TV, video games, sports, friend time, homework

5. Bonding/connection between family members
Vacations, holidays, birthdays, reunions

6. Service

7. Cultural
Greetings, ceremonies, holidays

8. Grandparents
Family memories, genealogy, blogs, e-mail, cell phones, reunions

9. Education
Reading to children, visit libraries, homework together each night

One of the things that each group strongly recommended was that families 'eat together at least their evening meals sitting around the table.

THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE FUN if you shared some of your traditions under 'comment' and how they have worked for your family.

Reading Scriptures with Children

"Because the scriptures are sometimes difficult to understand, we often avoid reading them with children, particularly younger children. But children need and can be helped to understand and love the word of God. Many Bible stories are exciting and have all the elements of stories that children love. However, you cannot just sit down and read long passages to young children and expect them to understand. They can benefit from reading the actual words, and this should be included when you teach your children about the scriptures, but you also need to adapt the scriptures to the level of your children's understanding. All of us benefit from a study of the scriptures, not just a reading of them. Questions and discussion will help both younger and older children to gain a better understanding of scriptures." [Family Home Evening Resource Book]

Why is this important? 2 Peter 3:16 and Alma 13:20, 41:1 These are a couple of scriptures I ran across studying the SS lesson manual.

Several of you are using these, which are great!

Another idea we found while visiting Matt and Heather's home is where they would read the scripture on the back of a picture from the "Gospel Art Picture Kit" each morning and then talk about it and how it relates to us personally...likening the scriptures to us today. Mosiah 1:5, "that we might read and understand...and have his commandments always before our eyes."

The "Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting" booklet that came with your Ensign Magazine this month also has some great ideas.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

A Father is someone who gives you the tools you need to build your life,
The knowledge you need to use them successfully,

The encouragement to overcome obstacles,

And the confidence to take pride in a job well-done"

We started our morning with Lisa, Dan, and children for a delicious breakfast of waffels, berries, whip cream...hmmmm so good. Then off to church where the primary children sang to the dad's and the youth passed out candy bars.
Later that afternoon we went to Marrianne & John's home for a Barbeque, music and dance. We always enjoy spending time with Marrianne's family and also Carnell.

You did a great job RAISIN my mom! We know you are an old softy [marshmallows]. You're the Big Cheese-tos. You're Never a Stixx-in-the-mud. Here is a '100 Grand Candy Bar' to show you how much you are worth to us. Tootsie Roll -- To show the big 'roll' you play in my mom's life. You are a little nutty. My mom is the chip off the old block. Kiss-ables to show you how much we love you. Mint Musketeers bar to show my mom's appreciation of your commint-MINT to her. And last a Bag of Popcorn - to let you know that without our "pop", our family would not be 'corn'-plete. [Gavin, Annika, Marylyn & Andy]

Here's a big kiss and brand new 'father's day tie'

[Ruth, Ben & Ashley]

Dad especially enjoyed all the phone calls and being able to talk with each of your families!

Matt & Heather's UPDATE on the twins...fun pictures

Seminary Teachers...???

Two of our children have recently been called to be Seminary Teachers in their area...Can you guess who they might be????? OK.....HERE THEY ARE...
Well, the Merrill brother's have been asked to teach early morning Seminary. Matt will be teaching at the Stake Center and Dave will be teaching at his Ward Building. Even though they live in the same city, they will be teaching two different high school youth. Matt will have 10th graders and Dave's teaching 9th -12th graders. They will be pretty busy during the school year, but they get summers off to study and prepare for the next year. This year is New Testament study.

New Temple in Brazil

"We dedicate it as a house of baptism, a house of endowment, a house of sealing, a house of righteousness for the living and for the dead....We are thankful that Thou sent Thine Only Begotten Son to this earth to be its Savior, and the Prophet Joseph Smith to bring about the Restoration, and that Thou did appear to the Prophet in person to open the heavens and to restore to the world the knowledge of Thee and Thy Son and Thy holy purposes...Today, when the family unit is under attack and things long held sacred are often ridiculed by the world, we seek Thy help to make us equal to our tasks, that our homes may be havens of peace and happiness. In our families, may we pause to pray and think to thank....Oh, Holy Father, bless Thy children everywhere with the peace promised by Thy Son--even the peace which passeth understanding. Shield us, we pray, from selfishness or sin and provide the power that we might rise above all that is sordid or below the dignity of Thy children." [A portion of the Dedicatory prayer, Church News June 7, 2008]

Friends of ours from the L.A. Temple were able to attend the dedication of the new Temple in Curitiba, Brazil. He had served as a missionary there several years ago and was able to reunite with friends, converts from his mission, and missionary companions. He and his wife said it was a very inspiring time. As I read the church news, June 7 issue, I was impressed with a story of this young man.
" To get the dedication underway, President Monson presided over and conducted the symbolic sealing of the temple's cornerstone...After General Authorities and the temple presidency and their wives participated, President Monson looked around and saw a group of children who had been invited to stand on the platform erected for the ceremony. Among them was 6-year-old Lincoln Vieira Cordeiro, who appeared to be very cold; he was wearing a winter coat and a hat with flaps that covered his ears. President Monson invited him to place some mortar on the cornerstone. Lincoln's hat was removed so that his face could be seen in photos and video footage recording the historic event. His head had no hair. President Monson guided Lincoln in placing mortar around the cornerstone, and then invited several other people to participate. Then he announced it was time to conclude that part of the ceremony.

However, he paused, looked around the crowd of onlookers and said that there was someone else who needed to be called upon. He walked around the platform. He looked to his left, and said he wondered who that person might be. He turned to his right. Several dozen people stood on the ground between him and a choir that performed at the outdoor ceremony. He kept looking, saying that he knew that there was one particular person who ought to be invited to place mortar around the stone. Finally, his eyes rested upon a woman. He pointed to her, and invited her to come join in the ceremony. Later, President Monson was told that the woman, whom he had never met, was Odilene Cordeiro, Lincoln's mother. "Of all the people he could have called upon to participate, it was that boy's mother," said Elder Nelson. "That said to me that Heavenly Father is communicating to His prophet, and that President Monson is responding. That was not just Thomas S. Monson standing there. That was the prophet responding to a revelation as it flowed from heaven through him to bless that mother who has gone through so much in caring for her son who is so sick. President Monson had no way of knowing who that woman was, or that the little boy he called upon has cancer. But the Lord knew." That example of a prophet receiving revelation for the Church, and even its individual members with special needs, was reflected in many ways throughout the day of dedication in Curitiba."

Some Results of Service...

I remember once when someone at church did something for our family and I wanted to do something in return to say thank you....they told me to "just pass it on and do something for some else who might need help". Well, it seems that Marylyn and Andy's Kindness Service Project is being passed on: "Annika's swim teacher was one person we gave the 'kindness: pass it on' cookie plate to. She told us tonight that she decided to finally meet a few of her neighbors on her street and give them treats to. She was very appreciative of the 'pay it forward' and said it made her think outside of her comfort zone. Mary also mentioned she keeps our little card on her fridge to remind herself to show more kindness and serve others more often."

Marv and I just came back from a family home evening dinner and program here at the temple apartments. Two of our friends had just returned from a church mission in Ghana and shared slides and stories with us. It is hard to believe that there are people on this planet living in such poverty when we have just way too much! In reading the scriptures about this subject, I cannot help but believe we, who have so much, will some how be held accountable one day. Anyway, it was a wonderful fireside and made us grateful for what our Stake Youth are doing for their service project this summer....collecting school supplies to send to Africa. Madison and Brooke have been helping their mom get supplies to send there...that is so needed.

When this couples started their mission they were sent to an area that had not had missionaries before, really out in the Bush. There was only one member that had been to the temple...then they showed one of their latest pictures with 20 or so members from their area standing in front of the temple. Another picture they showed was the roads after a big rain storm...sometimes clear up to your waist and more. It was a Sunday and everyone was trying to get to church. One of the elders came across a road that had turned into a river...he took off his shoes and slacks, put them over his shoulders and swam through the water to get to church. The people, young and old always come to church with their close clean and pressed for the Sabbath day...sometimes walking miles and miles to arrive on time. Their iron looks like one the pioneers used, except inside the iron are hot coals that keep the iron warm. Families live together in one small room, their food is very meager. Apple? how do you eat it...never heard of them. Mortality rate for children is very low. That is one area the church is trying to help train them in caring for one another...and also have put in water pumps. Think for a minute of all the toys your children have...then picture in your mind these little children sitting on the dirt road playing with bottel caps as their toys. Oh, you should see what they carry on their heads...lots of very heavy stuff. But the people are happy and the children always have a smile on their faces.

Becki's family is still giving service to that lady by also painting her fence. Becky goes over there regularly to help with the horses where she is learning to ride and care for them. Service with a blessing!

Happy Birthday Marv

This was the big "65" birthday and all Marv wanted for his birthday was for each of his children to do a "Family Service Project" in the area where they lived. So Sunday we headed for Newbury Park where Lisa and Marrianne put together Marv's favorite dinner, "Pizza" and salad. Each person made their own pizza and then Dan put them on the barbeque....yes, we had barbequed pizza's and they were delicious!

These two girls put on a little singing show.Madison had been to a school carnival where she wone a pie or a cake. She chose 'cheese cake' since that was grandpa's favorite. We also had lemon pie and ice cream.
HERE ARE THE DIFFERENT SERVICE PROJECTS

Matt was the first "Service Project" we received in video. "We had a lot of fun doing the service project. Plus, because everyone new it was for Grandpa, we had no whining or complaining. Thanks. Great idea. i think for my Birthday I'm going to ask for clean bedrooms. (ha-ha)". Their family helped the city plant flowers in pots, with the twins laying in the shade under the table where all the beautiful flowers were. Hopefully I will be able to figure out a way to include the video soon.
Our automatic sprinkler controls had broken, so without telling us, Dan put in a new one which also has a remote. Dad really likes the remote. Here's what Lisa had to say about their project: "As for us, we worked all day Saturday (literally) on their/our yard/garden and counted that. It was a huge project. Wow, they have a big yard with tons of weeds. The kids are still young and wanted to do something a little more for grandpa, so we came up with the candy gram below. The kids had so much fun and they were even more excited to share the candy with grandpa. So, happy birthday Dad! We love you!" [And the berries she picked were delicious]

Ruth and Ben have some friends by the name of Kirk and Gretchen who live down the street from them and are in their ward. They were expecting a baby and shortly before Gretchen’s due date Ben and Ruth realized that neither of them were at church. On their was home they drove by Gretchen and Kirk’s home and saw that their car was not there. They were suspicious and decided to call Kirk’s cell phone leaving a message “We noticed you weren’t in church today, and the secret cameras we have inside your home told us no one was home. If our suspicions are correct, you are having a baby and are probably totally hungry. If you would like us to bring you some food, please call us back and we’ll drop some off for you. If our suspicions are not correct, please disregard this message.” It turned out they were, in fact, at the hospital having a baby, and both were hungry since neither of them had eaten all day and being Sunday the cafeteria was closed. Less than an hour after receiving their phone call, Ben, Ruth and Ashley were on their way to the hospital with a bag full of hot food and snacks. Kirk and Gretchen were amazed and very appreciative of their wonderful hot meal, “I want to get pregnant again ASAP so that we can get some more Harrell gourmet on the go food.”

Joe's family did a service project up at the Elk Ridge City office this Saturday morning. They weeded and clipped the hedges and flower beds in front of our city office. "Here are some pictures. Happy birthday dad. Hope you have a wonderful day".

For Youth Conference this year, the youth in our area decided to do a service project for the people living in the Reublic of Malawi which is located in southeastern Africa. John's family have decided to make this their family service project in helping collect things. Marrianne has been collecting clothing, while Madison and Brooke are asking the children from their school to help provide school supplies to be sent to Africa. John has done research on the area to teach their children.This is what Marylyn family shared: "As a family, where everyone could help, we decided to make chocolate chip cookies for four people who have impacted our lives in some way. Andy made the cookies, Annika helped me make the cards and we all went together to share our appreciation to our friends that we chose. The card says, "Kindness: Pass it On". The families were very appreciative of the kindness (and yummy cookies) and also excited to now do something for someone else. I spoke with a couple of the mothers later in the week and they mentioned how excited their kids were and were already making a list of people they want to do something for. The reason why we chose this service project is because I don't think we share our appreciation for others as often as we should. This was a great way we could do that, and hopefully this gesture of kindness will continue on and make others feel good as well."
Here's from Dave's family, "We spent on Saturday working our tails off doing service for a sister in the ward. She has a farm outside of town and her husband isn't a farmer by any means... So she was worried about getting the farm ready for spring. David told her we would be out to help.We had racks and diggers etc. and took care of her front yard area which is bigger than our house and yard together. We racked out all the dead under growth and then Mikal would drive the tractor to scoop it up and then dump in the back field. We had a pile that was the size of two vans parked next to each other of leaves and brush etc. We felt really tired but really good to clean up the area, now she wouldn't have to pay anyone to do it. :0) we had accomplished a small part to help her on her large farm. After we were done, we helped her burn the pile talk about a bonfire. It was really cool and took 2 days to burn, still had a lot of moisture from the snow. But we had fun. She is a great lady who is very giving and so we like to give to her too. Later today we are going back to paint her fence. We should have years of service just helping her and her farm. Happy Birthday Popason!David's family ;)"

Little Steven also does service by helping his mom with the laundry; she puts it on the dryer lid and he shoves it in to the dryer. then laughs. He also likes to help with raking the yard.

The Saturday night before Marv's birthday I took him out to dinner and to see the new Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull movie. A Couple night before that we went out for hot fudge sundae's with friends from the temple. Then this past Wednesday night we had 4 couples come over to celebrate with dessert, visiting, game, and just laugh...very fun evening.