I am so grateful to have a personal testimony of our Savior. I know that He was born of Mary. I know that He loves us and that He lives.
Next week for primary I have prepared a flip chart for Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus. It is a beautiful song about the prophet Samuel who testified of the Savior. I wonder how it was to live during that day? I have been pondering the Ten Virgin video titled They That are Wise often and wonder how much oil is in my lamp? How are the lamps of my children? Oh how I love them and want their lamps to always be full with the light of Christ!
I think I noted here that I had been studying love. Christmas is Love. How do we share love with others? Why is it easy to share love with strangers? Why within the bounds of family do we withhold love? Why do we hurt those we love the most? How do we show them love?
I find it easy to visit with strangers, especially missionaries of the Church and I am eager to snap their photos and request an email so I can share the photos with their family. I know how fun it is to get a glimpse into the lives of my missionary children around the world. I also see their struggle to get someone to take their photo! I seem to get lots of everyone else, but not so many with them in the photo! That's who I want. So, I have started snapping photos of missionaries all over and sending them to their families. It makes me smile and is so simple! Yesterday we visited with some Elders as we fed the ducks in Cedar Hills with Harr Grandparents. We talked about love and touch and how a simple touch on an arm or as one of the Elders chuckled a "slug in the arm" speaks love.
For my memory, the books I have been reading include "Deliberate Motherhood" and "I Love You Rituals." I have also been reading quite a lot from this website: Marriageenvy.com. Check out his ideas on how to have a strong family here (each of the titles on this page links to topics he deems most important!)
He has a philosophy that a strong family includes ACCCTS. I have only read from his site, but I do books for our law office and can't help but see this as accounts! How are our family relationship accounts? What do we deposit into them, and how do we deposit love? I believe that too often, we only know how to deposit by buying gifts. Is this a deposit? Ok, it may be one form, but it is certainly not the only and in my opinion, it is not a good choice! (I must admit... it is much better than yelling, name calling and pointing fingers!) I have also been reading this book about Love Languages. I like the Child version because the relationships I am struggling most with are not spouse. My B is sooo awesome! We have taken the quizzes in these books several times, and have observed that they have changed over time which is interesting. I am SO grateful for such an awesome husband who practices and lives the attributes of ACCCTS. I believe as Stephen Covey that these are not new principals - he claims his 7 habits weren't either - indeed they are the habits of Great ones who have gone before us! Study those who have good relationships! Too often we look for examples to those who have not succeeded or been Greats! I want to find those who are Great and emulate them! :) Like my Savior and Heavenly Parents! ACCCTS stands for...Appreciation and Affection... Committment... Creative Coping and Problem Solving..... Communciation... Time Together.... Spiritual Wellness. Yes, I have to agree these are each vital to successful families! They are very similar to the principals outlined by Linda and Richard Eyre, who I have studied for a long time... (learn more about them here.)
I had the privilege this weekend to attend a Time Out for Women in Salt Lake and heard Sister Sheri Dew and Ann Romney speak. They are both powerful, beautiful women! Indeed I believe they are "Greats" of my day! I am so grateful to be a women in these winding up scenes of the earth! I am grateful for the blessings of the temple. I am grateful for personal revelation! I am grateful for the power of God on the earth, even the Priesthood, that speaks peace, joy and Love!
Indeed I have much to be grateful for!
Today in Primary I shared the first two stories from Seven Miracles that Saved America. I know that miracles happen everyday and we need to open our eyes and our hearts to see and appreciate His hand in our lives more and more! Thank you Heavenly Father! Laus Deo!
Next week for primary I have prepared a flip chart for Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus. It is a beautiful song about the prophet Samuel who testified of the Savior. I wonder how it was to live during that day? I have been pondering the Ten Virgin video titled They That are Wise often and wonder how much oil is in my lamp? How are the lamps of my children? Oh how I love them and want their lamps to always be full with the light of Christ!
I think I noted here that I had been studying love. Christmas is Love. How do we share love with others? Why is it easy to share love with strangers? Why within the bounds of family do we withhold love? Why do we hurt those we love the most? How do we show them love?
I find it easy to visit with strangers, especially missionaries of the Church and I am eager to snap their photos and request an email so I can share the photos with their family. I know how fun it is to get a glimpse into the lives of my missionary children around the world. I also see their struggle to get someone to take their photo! I seem to get lots of everyone else, but not so many with them in the photo! That's who I want. So, I have started snapping photos of missionaries all over and sending them to their families. It makes me smile and is so simple! Yesterday we visited with some Elders as we fed the ducks in Cedar Hills with Harr Grandparents. We talked about love and touch and how a simple touch on an arm or as one of the Elders chuckled a "slug in the arm" speaks love.
For my memory, the books I have been reading include "Deliberate Motherhood" and "I Love You Rituals." I have also been reading quite a lot from this website: Marriageenvy.com. Check out his ideas on how to have a strong family here (each of the titles on this page links to topics he deems most important!)
He has a philosophy that a strong family includes ACCCTS. I have only read from his site, but I do books for our law office and can't help but see this as accounts! How are our family relationship accounts? What do we deposit into them, and how do we deposit love? I believe that too often, we only know how to deposit by buying gifts. Is this a deposit? Ok, it may be one form, but it is certainly not the only and in my opinion, it is not a good choice! (I must admit... it is much better than yelling, name calling and pointing fingers!) I have also been reading this book about Love Languages. I like the Child version because the relationships I am struggling most with are not spouse. My B is sooo awesome! We have taken the quizzes in these books several times, and have observed that they have changed over time which is interesting. I am SO grateful for such an awesome husband who practices and lives the attributes of ACCCTS. I believe as Stephen Covey that these are not new principals - he claims his 7 habits weren't either - indeed they are the habits of Great ones who have gone before us! Study those who have good relationships! Too often we look for examples to those who have not succeeded or been Greats! I want to find those who are Great and emulate them! :) Like my Savior and Heavenly Parents! ACCCTS stands for...Appreciation and Affection... Committment... Creative Coping and Problem Solving..... Communciation... Time Together.... Spiritual Wellness. Yes, I have to agree these are each vital to successful families! They are very similar to the principals outlined by Linda and Richard Eyre, who I have studied for a long time... (learn more about them here.)
I had the privilege this weekend to attend a Time Out for Women in Salt Lake and heard Sister Sheri Dew and Ann Romney speak. They are both powerful, beautiful women! Indeed I believe they are "Greats" of my day! I am so grateful to be a women in these winding up scenes of the earth! I am grateful for the blessings of the temple. I am grateful for personal revelation! I am grateful for the power of God on the earth, even the Priesthood, that speaks peace, joy and Love!
Indeed I have much to be grateful for!
Today in Primary I shared the first two stories from Seven Miracles that Saved America. I know that miracles happen everyday and we need to open our eyes and our hearts to see and appreciate His hand in our lives more and more! Thank you Heavenly Father! Laus Deo!