Home...a Little Bit of Heaven

We heard a talk Sunday in the Westwood I ward that we thought was worth passing on since we live in such a hurried busy world today....taking time for what's really important. The speaker referred to an article by President Monson, "Memories of Yesterday, Counsel for Today" which you can get on lds.org. He gives 10 suggestions from President Benson in making our home a little bit of heaven:

1. Take time to always be at the crossroads in the lives of your children, whether they be six or sixteen.
2. Take time to be a real friend to your children.
3. Take time to read to your children. Remember what the poet wrote:
You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be—
I had a mother who read to me.
4. Take time to pray with your children.
5. Take time to have a meaningful weekly home evening. Make this one of your great family traditions.
6. Take time to be together at mealtimes as often as possible.
7. Take time daily to read the scriptures together as a family.
8. Take time to do things together as a family.
9. Take time to teach your children.
10. Take time to truly love your children. A mother’s unqualified love approaches Christlike love
[Ezra Taft Benson, To the Mothers in Zion, pamphlet, 1987]

As we visit many of our children's homes, it is such a blessing for us to see parents taking the time to read to their children on a regular, daily basis....reading a scripture at bedtime and reading a favorite story. Nate, Madison, and Spencer have really picked up on this, as they have attended school to learn how to read. After scriptures, prayer, story, you will find them with their little night lights on reading their favorite book. What a gift these children have received. I know it takes time and at the end of the day moms and dads are just tuckered out...but it is so worth it!

One reasons the church changed to the 'three hour block' on Sundays was so that parents would have time to spend with their children in teaching gospel subjects through stories and games, family counsel, PPI, writing letters to missionaries, and visiting family, genealogy, family history and journal writing, etc. And Monday was set aside for Family Night to learn and play together. Remember the water fights, dance lessons, park for a game of kick ball, making and then flying paper airplanes in the street?

We are constantly counseled to take the time to have meals together which is a perfect time to listen to what has been going on in their lives that day. Turning the TV off is another good idea for families to have more time with one another. We use to have a 'lock' on our TV when the children were young which helped most of the time. Maybe sit down each week during family night and list the TV shows that would be worth watching and don't turn it on just to vegetate.

President Benson leaves us this counsel: “make it a family objective to all be together in the celestial kingdom. Strive to make your home a little bit of heaven on earth so that after this life is over, you may be able to say:
We are all here, Father, mother, sister, brother,
All who hold each other dear.
Each chair is filled— We’re all at home …
We’re all—all here.