Tonight for Family Home Evening we talked about seeking Christ. We sang "Seek the Lord Early", which is one of the songs we're learning for the Primary program this year. And we read D&C 88:63, "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. "
I don't know that much of it sunk in with the boys. Per usual, they were bouncing off of the walls with excitement over having FHE. (Literally. They were bouncing off the walls. And couch. And ottoman. Any other surface.)
I often wonder why we put the effort into things like Family Home Evening, family prayer, family scripture study, and such. I know they're commandments. I know we're supposed to do them. But with the kids running around and acting up and being generally obnoxious, it's hard to think that there's a long-term benefit.
I guess it's just one more act of faith on our part. (And countless other parents, I'm sure!)
Anywho, the boys might not have paid much attention to the lesson, but they sure paid attention when our activity turned out to be a treasure hunt. (Get it? Seeking Christ... treasure hunt...?)
They raced from spot to spot, happily taking turns opening the clues.
Chubby little fingers clung sweetly to each piece of paper found.
Even with all of the running and laughing and shouting, it was the most peaceful part of my day.
The treasure turned out to be some glow-in-the-dark bracelets that I had bought for the Fourth but didn't get to use. The boys liked them, but weren't terrifically excited. In fact, Joshie wanted to do the hunt all over again and was quite dissappointed when we told him we couldn't tonight. (I guess it's all about the journey, right?)
We ended the evening making s'mores with our grill.
Spencer loved being able to catch his marshmallows on fire and then blow them out. Joshie got sand on his s'more and still ate it.
And it got me thinking. Even if the boys had actually listened to the lesson, what would they remember most about the evening? Not the song. Not the scripture. Certainly (hopefully!) not Lance and I grumpily getting after them for not behaving.
I don't think Family Home Evening is only about the actual doctrine taught. It's about the time spent as a family and the feelings of love and unity they produce. And which is more likely to influence my children while they are young?
So even though I'll probably continue to often wonder why we're doing this as my boys wrestle/run around like madmen/howl like wolves during our lesson, I'll keep doing it. Because the potential blessings that come from this are a treasure I'm more than willing to seek.
I don't know that much of it sunk in with the boys. Per usual, they were bouncing off of the walls with excitement over having FHE. (Literally. They were bouncing off the walls. And couch. And ottoman. Any other surface.)
I often wonder why we put the effort into things like Family Home Evening, family prayer, family scripture study, and such. I know they're commandments. I know we're supposed to do them. But with the kids running around and acting up and being generally obnoxious, it's hard to think that there's a long-term benefit.
I guess it's just one more act of faith on our part. (And countless other parents, I'm sure!)
Anywho, the boys might not have paid much attention to the lesson, but they sure paid attention when our activity turned out to be a treasure hunt. (Get it? Seeking Christ... treasure hunt...?)
They raced from spot to spot, happily taking turns opening the clues.
Chubby little fingers clung sweetly to each piece of paper found.
Even with all of the running and laughing and shouting, it was the most peaceful part of my day.
The treasure turned out to be some glow-in-the-dark bracelets that I had bought for the Fourth but didn't get to use. The boys liked them, but weren't terrifically excited. In fact, Joshie wanted to do the hunt all over again and was quite dissappointed when we told him we couldn't tonight. (I guess it's all about the journey, right?)
We ended the evening making s'mores with our grill.
Spencer loved being able to catch his marshmallows on fire and then blow them out. Joshie got sand on his s'more and still ate it.
And it got me thinking. Even if the boys had actually listened to the lesson, what would they remember most about the evening? Not the song. Not the scripture. Certainly (hopefully!) not Lance and I grumpily getting after them for not behaving.
I don't think Family Home Evening is only about the actual doctrine taught. It's about the time spent as a family and the feelings of love and unity they produce. And which is more likely to influence my children while they are young?
So even though I'll probably continue to often wonder why we're doing this as my boys wrestle/run around like madmen/howl like wolves during our lesson, I'll keep doing it. Because the potential blessings that come from this are a treasure I'm more than willing to seek.
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