Scripture of the Week: Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

In the last month my entire family has been sick with something. Nothing terribly serious (mostly coughs and runny noses and some fevers and ear infections) but enough to be annoyed by all the sickness. So I saw this great lesson on staying healthy at Family Home Evening Planner and decided it was just what we needed tonight.

I gathered each of the items pictured above and used them as props to discuss the following ways that we can work at staying healthy.

Hand soap--wash hands with soap and water, rub the soap all over the hand surface for as long as it takes to sing the ABC song (this included a demonstration!).

Hand sanitizer--rub a dime sized amount of cleanser all over the hand surface until it evaporates (this also included a demonstration and practice run!).

Toy food--eat healthy, nutritious foods and limit sweets.

Toy dishes--don't share dishes, food, or drinks.

Medicine--use medicine as needed (but only when Mom or Dad give it!). Keep a supply on hand for emergencies.

Pillow--get enough sleep.

Tissue--use a tissue to cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, or use your arm and not your hands (another demonstration and practice run).

We also talked about the importance of getting regular exercise, but I didin't have an object for that.

I chose this scripture for the week to remind us of the additional strength that we can receive from the Lord. I certainly want to "run and not be weary"!

Scripture of the Week: 3 Nephi 13: 23-30

"Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin;
And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these.
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith."
3 Nephi 13:28-30

For Family Home Evening tonight we celebrated the birthday of our Sweet Bee, but we still had a brief lesson. We chose a scripture to discuss that has her name in it! We talked about the meaning behind the scripture and listened to the beautiful arrangement of Consider the Lilies performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. If you like that song, you might be interested to read a little background on how it was written.

Recently Read: Specials

Specials by Scott Westerfeld

I had to read this third book in the series, to finally get some closure to the story. Thankfully, most of the details got wrapped up nicely. This series is an interesting take on a futuristic world.

Scripture of the Week: D&C 4:4

"For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;"
D&C 4:4

This scripture was chosen to go along with our Family Home Evening lesson on missionary work (specifically ways that we can be missionaries now). We played a game that I created for a Sharing Time last year, and ended the evening off with some silly magic tricks from Dad and Grandpa.

My Gospel Study in September 2009

2009 Outline for Sharing Time and the Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation
September Theme (and weekly gospel principles): Prophets teach me how to strengthen my family.

September Scripture: "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken,...whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same" (D&C 1:38).

Chapter 40: How Glorious Are Faithful, Just, and True Friends

General Conference Addresses April 2009

Boyd K. Packer, “Counsel to Young Men,” Ensign, May 2009, 49–52

President Clark described youth as “hungry for things of the Spirit [and] eager to learn the gospel.” He said: “They want it straight, undiluted. They want to know … about our beliefs; they want to gain testimonies of their truth. They are not now doubters but inquirers, seekers after truth.”

President Clark continued: “You do not have to sneak up behind this spiritually experienced youth and whisper religion in [their] ears; you can come right out, face to face, and talk with [them]. … You can bring these truths to [them] openly. … There is no need for gradual approaches.”

David A. Bednar, “Honorably Hold a Name and Standing,” Ensign, May 2009, 97–100

These scriptures help us understand that the process of taking upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ that is commenced in the waters of baptism is continued and enlarged in the house of the Lord. As we stand in the waters of baptism, we look to the temple. As we partake of the sacrament, we look to the temple. We pledge to always remember the Savior and to keep His commandments as preparation to participate in the sacred ordinances of the temple and receive the highest blessings available through the name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, in the ordinances of the holy temple we more completely and fully take upon us the name of Jesus Christ.

The Ensign, September 2009

The Friend, September 2009

Scripture of the Week: D&C 64:33

"Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great."
D&C 64:33

For Family Home Evening we talked about General Conference and some of the things that we learned. This led to a discussion about families and things that we like about each member of our family.

I have been thinking a lot about this scripture and thought it would be a good one for our family to focus on this week.

Recently Read: Pretties

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

This is the second book in the Uglies series. It was an interesting read, but like the first one it really leaves the reader hanging at the end. I'll have to hurry and put the last book in the series on hold at the library to finally get some closure!