I haven't had one of THOSE days for a while. I've loved the past few years of having my children home with me each day, working along side them, reading with them, wondering with them, discovering new places with them, and learning patience and forgiveness with them. But, I have an occasional day when the chaos gets under my skin ~ I'm only human. I've learned that it is usually only for a moment, or a day ~ the kids and I call these "Crazy Mom" days. So, it was the beginning of June, one of those unstructured, lazy summer days. The baby was sick, the oldest three children were fighting over everything it seemed, and my husband and I were in the middle of discussing the monster task of selling our business. Yep, it turned into a "Crazy Mom" day! After my impatient mother's heart was softened, I was reminded of the recent General Conference talks that I just listened to on my ipod. I had an overwhelming sense that I should study them so that I can remember them always. So, I've been studying the beautiful talks referencing teaching our children and I have a renewed sense of my role as mother in our HOME. My quotes to remember...
By Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
"Teaching in the home is becoming increasingly important in today’s world, where the influence of the adversary is so widespread and he is attacking, attempting to erode and destroy the very foundation of our society, even the family. Parents must resolve that teaching in the home is a most sacred and important responsibility... Parents must bring light and truth into their homes by one family prayer, one scripture study session, one family home evening, one book read aloud, one song, and one family meal at a time. They know that the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily parenting is among the most powerful and sustaining forces for good in the world. The health of any society, the happiness of its people, their prosperity, and their peace all find common roots in the teaching of children in the home."
That Our Children Might See the Face of the Savior
By Cheryl C. Lant Recently Released Primary General President
"It is our sacred responsibility as parents and leaders of this rising generation of children to bring them to the Savior so that they might see His face and the face of our Father in Heaven as well. If we want our children to come to Christ so that they might see His face, it is important that we seek to see it as well."
Our Duty to God: The Mission of Parents and Leaders to the Rising Generation
By Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
"For all of us, doing our duty to God as parents and leaders begins with leading by example—consistently and diligently living gospel principles at home. This takes daily determination and diligence... When we have a family home evening, a family council, or a meaningful gospel conversation with our children, we have the opportunity to look into their eyes and tell them that we love them and that Heavenly Father loves them. In these sacred settings, we can also help them understand, deep in their hearts, who they are and how fortunate they are to have come to this earth and to our home and to participate in the covenants we have taken in the temple to be a family forever."
"Teaching in the home is becoming increasingly important in today’s world, where the influence of the adversary is so widespread and he is attacking, attempting to erode and destroy the very foundation of our society, even the family. Parents must resolve that teaching in the home is a most sacred and important responsibility... Parents must bring light and truth into their homes by one family prayer, one scripture study session, one family home evening, one book read aloud, one song, and one family meal at a time. They know that the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily parenting is among the most powerful and sustaining forces for good in the world. The health of any society, the happiness of its people, their prosperity, and their peace all find common roots in the teaching of children in the home."
That Our Children Might See the Face of the Savior
By Cheryl C. Lant Recently Released Primary General President
"It is our sacred responsibility as parents and leaders of this rising generation of children to bring them to the Savior so that they might see His face and the face of our Father in Heaven as well. If we want our children to come to Christ so that they might see His face, it is important that we seek to see it as well."
Our Duty to God: The Mission of Parents and Leaders to the Rising Generation
By Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
"For all of us, doing our duty to God as parents and leaders begins with leading by example—consistently and diligently living gospel principles at home. This takes daily determination and diligence... When we have a family home evening, a family council, or a meaningful gospel conversation with our children, we have the opportunity to look into their eyes and tell them that we love them and that Heavenly Father loves them. In these sacred settings, we can also help them understand, deep in their hearts, who they are and how fortunate they are to have come to this earth and to our home and to participate in the covenants we have taken in the temple to be a family forever."
By President Henry B. Eyring First Counselor in the First Presidency
"So we help God’s children best by providing ways to build faith in Jesus Christ and His restored gospel when they are young... The family has an advantage in the first eight years of a child’s life. In those protected years, because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, Satan’s use of the mists of darkness to hide the path to return home is blocked... They realize that if the children are strengthened with faith and testimony, they will be less likely to need rescue as teenagers. They realize that a strong spiritual foundation can make the difference for a lifetime."
Mother Told Me
By Elder Bradley D. Foster of the Seventy
President James E. Faust said: “There is no greater good in all the world than motherhood. The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation”
"So we help God’s children best by providing ways to build faith in Jesus Christ and His restored gospel when they are young... The family has an advantage in the first eight years of a child’s life. In those protected years, because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, Satan’s use of the mists of darkness to hide the path to return home is blocked... They realize that if the children are strengthened with faith and testimony, they will be less likely to need rescue as teenagers. They realize that a strong spiritual foundation can make the difference for a lifetime."
Mother Told Me
By Elder Bradley D. Foster of the Seventy
President James E. Faust said: “There is no greater good in all the world than motherhood. The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation”
Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
By Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
"The stories of Jesus can be like a rushing wind across the embers of faith in the hearts of our children. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The stories of Jesus shared over and over bring faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strength to the foundation of testimony. Can you think of a more valuable gift for our children?
Are the life and teachings of Jesus Christ embedded in the minds and souls of our children? Do they think about the Savior’s life when they wonder what to do in their own lives? This will be more and more important in the years ahead."
By Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
"The stories of Jesus can be like a rushing wind across the embers of faith in the hearts of our children. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The stories of Jesus shared over and over bring faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strength to the foundation of testimony. Can you think of a more valuable gift for our children?
Are the life and teachings of Jesus Christ embedded in the minds and souls of our children? Do they think about the Savior’s life when they wonder what to do in their own lives? This will be more and more important in the years ahead."
Back in June, I spent a day (something like13 hours!) with these lovely ladies, creating a vision for our new CoOp and discussing the needs of our 45 precious children. I loved getting to know each one of the children through their mother's eyes. Grateful to have these amazing women in my life!
1 comment:
Thanks for sharing! I'm sure it must be a lot of work, but it looks like you have a lot of fun! I'll have to start working on this for my children.
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