tonight we had our latest relief society additional meeting, with the topic being
"this little piggy"
i totally swiped the idea from one of the worldwide rs presidencies pages i am on, there are some amazing ideas out there, just waiting to be found!
the focus of the evening was going with the old nursery rhyme:
this little piggy went to market
(budgeting and meal planning to get the most out of your money)
this little piggy stayed home
(tips and ideas for holding regular family home evening)
this little piggy had roast beef
(simple and quick meals)
and this little piggy had none
(how to cope when you're running on spiritual empty)
and this little piggy went wee wee wee, all the way home
(or in our case, off to eat!)
we had assigned a lot of food on the night, so that there was samples of many of the recipes that had been discussed. i think it gave it that extra something, because it certainly encouraged sisters to try them at a later date! we also had printouts of the recipes available (and a list to make them available via email after the evening) which was a great decision, there was so much enthusiasm for all the speakers and the recipe stacks were gone before that presenter had even finished!
one of our girls is so clever... here is a pig in straw haha! it make me have a giggle
our pink juice... the evening was decorated beautifully with pink accents all over the place.
i didn't have an assignment on the evening, (which was such a nice change!) but unfortunately the girl who was presenting the section on family home evening ended up unwell and i had to step in last minute... thank goodness we actually have family home evening, or i would have been at a total loss! so for a little look into our evening, here is what i spoke about:
What is Family Home Evening? I know you all know this already, but here we go again… Family home evening is a time to strengthen family ties. We do this by learning the gospel together, by listening to each other’s feelings, thoughts and ideas, and by enjoying activities together. It is usually held on Monday evenings.
The practice of learning the gospel in the home began all the way back with Adam and Eve. It has continued throughout the generations, as prophets counselled parents to teach their children to love God and follow His ways.
Family home evening is a time to enjoy each other and have fun together. Through simple activities—games, service, sharing talents, visits to local sites of interest—families create connections and build unity.
Family home evening is for everyone. Recently married couples, fathers and mothers with children, single parents with children, couples who have no children at home, single adults in home evening groups, and those who live alone or with roommates can all be blessed by holding family home evening.
So why have family home evening? Prophets have promised great blessings to those who follow this counsel, including greater faith in the hearts of the youth, increased ability to resist temptation, and greater peace, love, and harmony in the home.
So… who here has FHE regularly? Do you follow a particular format with the evening? I know as children FHE could go one of two ways. Even though we knew our assignments (thanks to my dad’s handiwork, a wooden FHE house with each of assignments listed...) It was either a magical night full of fun, or a disaster that ended with stressed parents and fighting children. I’ve learned now that I have my own children, that it really it comes down to one thing, whether or not we are organised. If I haven’t planned the evening, don’t have dinner ready early enough for us to have it afterwards, it doesn’t always happen and gets put off for another night.
In our home, we generally have a simple gospel lesson, often could be reading one of these books which the Goodlet family have had since the 70s, could be a video on youtube, or a discussion about something we thing the kids need to learn about. We read scriptures together, we started from the simplified versions, but this year now the kids are both in school we’ve moved to the family version, which is the full book, with some illustrations, background and definitions along the base.
One idea that we stole from a friends house when Madeline was a baby, that has stuck with us, was to begin the evening telling our “good news and bad news.” Sometimes it’s hilarious, sometimes it just helps you get to know any visitors a little better. Let’s have a round! Hi everyone I’m Jade. My good news is that I’m here with you all having a good time at our additional meeting. My bad news is that I had to replace Kate and I am sure she would have done a much better job! Now… a few of you? Can I have a volunteer? If not, I’m going to pick people at random! (which i did...) Okay thanks guys. Maybe try that one at your house. I promise it’s a lot of fun!
The most important thing we need to remember is to tailor FHE to our own family and our needs. If your kids are young and don’t have a long attention span, keep the lesson short! Focus on one principle and make it something that will stick in their mind and that they’ll think about later. If they are older, make it a little more in depth. A few weeks ago we watched the press conference (I figured it was worth a shot!) where they announced the new first presidency and I was amazed that the kids asked questions and took it all in. Remember it doesn’t have to be a Monday either. Sometimes you have to do what works for you, anytime is fine, as long as it’s set aside and a regular thing. Being organised and making FHE a priority will make sure it happens.
A few ideas:
- Involve close friends or extended family. We have FHE with the Pinker family once a month and it is a hoot. We all love the time together and have so much fun.
- If you are older and it’s just you and your husband? Find a topic and have a discussion. Watch a movie together. Have date night. Take a walk together? The possibilities are endless.
- If you’re single and it’s just you? Have a little gospel time once a week. For the rest of us? Invite people around for FHE. Seek out someone that you think could use some family time and invite them over.
I would just like to leave you with a quote from President Thomas S. Monson, “We cannot afford to neglect this heaven-inspired program. It can bring spiritual growth to each member of the family, helping him or her to withstand the temptations which are everywhere. The lessons learned in the home are those that last the longest.”
as always, thanks to our committee, it was an awesome well planned evening. i remember when i first was called as the relief society president, the additional meetings weren't very well attended, now it seems that each time we have one, more and more sisters are attending! it makes me so happy to see that, because we as women, need to spend time with other women! to be uplifted and strengthened and just to be us! i am so grateful to be around the sisters in our ward, they are an awesome bunch!
