Family – Page 34

Family Home Evening With Teenagers: Just Wing It

October 27, 2008 by rickety 4 Comments

Just Wing It

My advice for Family Home Evening with teenagers is to just wing it. If you get to fussing about it you may never start. Just get up and go and make it up as you go along. If you can plan ahead then that is great but don’t let lack of structure hold you back.

Lighten Up

When our children were young we held reasonably structured Family Home Evenings. They went well and our children learned a lot, especially as we gave them responsibility for a portion of the proceedings at the earliest possible age. As they became teenagers we moved to a loose program which went over just as well.

This Evening

For example, consider tonight’s Home Evening. We only have one teenager left but the relaxed approach works just as well with our returned missionaries. Sometimes we use our little wooden rickety house to figure out who is on what assignment but most times we go from memory — that is one advantage to holding Family Home Evening every week. Daniel is on conduct so he tells me to start on the music. I distribute the hymn books and pick the hymn. I choose “Count Your Blessings“, hymn number 242, which Paul plays on the piano. Jake gives the prayer. Jill teaches the lesson which will turn into an activity (Jill loves to have an activity). To begin she quotes a well-known Book of Mormon scripture:

And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. (Mosiah 2:17)

She continues: The September Ensign has an article about how service can be done in quiet and simple ways. For example one person purchases unstained baby blankets at yard sales, washes them, and donates them to charity. Another member gives the extra items from her buy-one-get-one-free coupons to the sisters on her visiting teaching route or to families with children. Another sister has gorgeous rose bushes and shares a vase of them with the sisters in the ward during the summer.

Jill told how when she was single and had some time to spare she would spend two hours a day at a school helping the teacher. She would grade tests and help in small ways to keep the classroom running. A few years ago my wife and children went to a nursing home and sang for the residents. Our daughter Sarah played the accompaniment.

Jill then had each us write our names on a piece of paper along with something we would like done in the next 15 minutes. Here is what we wrote:

Rick: Clean the garage for five minutes.
Jill: Put all the winter clothing in the closet and remove all the summer stuff and put in boxes.
Paul: Put the blue basket of laundry in the washer.
Jake: Make me two sandwiches.
Daniel: Vacuum my room.

I ended up with Daniel’s service request. Jill went to the garage while Paul made sandwiches for Jake, providing an extra one for Jill. Daniel put the laundry in the washer and then helped Jake fulfill Jill’s request, which no-one wanted to draw.

We came back for the lesson conclusion. Jill asked that we share our feelings about our service. Now that is one losing request — ask four males to share their feelings. Jill said that she didn’t know that the boys had so many roller blades. Paul commented that we should do it again next year. Jake said it was a good lesson. Daniel mentioned that his was easy so he was able to help Jake. I said that I knew it would take a long time to vacuum Daniel’s room because it is the first time in five years I have seen the carpet. It seems that departing for a mission on Wednesday was incentive enough for him to pick up his room. Jill finishes with this quote by President Monson:

Along your pathway of life you will observe that you are not the only traveler. There are others who need your help. There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save. (Thomas S. Monson, “How Firm a Foundation,” Ensign, Nov 2006, 62, 67–68)

The most important item of all was furnished by Paul — FatBoys for the treat.

Conclusion

Rather than listen to me you may want to check with the experts before you leave tonight. If you are still reading I advise for Family Home Evening to just let your hair down and relax. For the lesson Jill picked up a nearby Ensign and flipped to an article and began. Most teenagers enjoy just winging it. If they are in seminary then they will likely do well with scriptures and quotes from the prophets. At times we would have a seventeen or eighteen year old just lay on the floor and sleep rather than participate. I found it best to leave them alone and in a few weeks they would become involved again. Family Home Evening works in raising faithful members who are not afraid to be involved because it encompasses much of what happens at church: prayer, lessons, teaching, singing, listening, activities, and yes even preparation at times.

Daniel Speaks in Sacrament Meeting

October 19, 2008 by rickety 3 Comments

Daniel leaves the chapel after his talk

Today Daniel spoke in sacrament meeting on the subject of the Holy Ghost. He leaves for his mission this month and family and friends were in attendance. Here are some highlights of his talk:

Mission Call

When my mission call came I carefully opened the envelope and began reading the letter. I wasn’t able to pronounce the name of the mission at first, which had five A’s, a B, and a U in it. It looked more like a report card than a mission name. When my mother heard me say I was going to the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission she asked, “No, tell us where are you are really going.”

The Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost is a gift from God which comforts, protects, answers questions, and reveals truth. It is the way that God communicates with us. After baptism we receive the Holy Ghost:

Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost?
Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. 2 Nephi 32:2-3

Everyone has the light of Christ, or conscience, to help guide them. Those possessing the Gift of the Holy Ghost can come to a greater light and understanding. The Holy Ghost can calm our worries and give comfort when we are sad.

Daniel with a few of his friends

The Rest Stop

A boy got his favorite drink from the store. He liked it so much that he drank all 64 fluid ounces of it straight away. Immediately his parents took him on a trip. After awhile on the road he realized his favorite drink might not stay with him. This caused him great discomfort and he was really worried. But then up ahead he saw a sign that said “Rest Stop 1 mile.” The comfort that the boy received from seeing the sign can be like the peace we get from the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Ghost Protects Us

The Holy Ghost protects us from physical and spiritual danger. The gift of the Holy Ghost will prompt us to resist temptation by reminding us of the gospel law in the very moment of temptation. Daniel shared a short story of how he was protected on his scooter from being hit by a car.

The Holy Ghost Reveals Truth

The Holy Ghost reveals the truth of all things. He helps us have a sure knowledge of truth. The way we get this knowledge is found in Moroni:

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. Moroni 10:4-5

Daniel said that he tried this for himself and he received the answer that the Church was true. This quote by Elder Bednar added additional insight:

Please notice how the power of the Spirit carries the message unto but not necessarily into the heart…. Ultimately,…the content of a message and the witness of the Holy Ghost penetrates into the heart only if a receiver allows them to enter. David A. Bednar, “Seek Learning by Faith,” Ensign, Sep 2007, 60–68

Here is a quote that Daniel didn’t have time to read but is worth including here:

I believe the Spirit of the Holy Ghost is the greatest guarantor of inward peace in our unstable world. It can be more mind-expanding and can make us have a better sense of well-being than any chemicals or other earthly substance. It will calm nerves; it will breathe peace to our souls. This Comforter can be with us as we seek to improve. It can function as a source of revelation to warn us of impending danger and also help keep us from making mistakes. It can enhance our natural senses so that we can see more clearly, hear more keenly, and remember what we should remember. It is a way of maximizing our happiness. James E. Faust, “The Gift of the Holy Ghost—A Sure Compass,” Ensign, Apr 1996, 2.

Daniel with Rachel, Amy, Adri, Joni, and Katie

Baby Bryson: Six Days Old

October 13, 2008 by rickety 4 Comments

When we put Bryson on the floor he woke up but didn't cry

Bryson on the couch so I can get a better angle for the photographs

Derek and Sarah came by our house to eat with us on Sunday. They brought Bryson, who was born last Monday, along and I took the opportunity to take a few photographs. A six day old baby doesn’t move very much and his head is a little rickety so there is a limited amount of photography available. We also had to wait until he woke up. I mentioned that I have never heard Bryson cry and her parents said he would cry if you put him on the floor. I tried that but he didn’t cry. I think I’m going to like this baby.

I have placed online a high res (2.6 MB) image of Bryson.

Bryson at six days old

The flash photography was bugging Bryson but he didn't complain

Derek, Sarah, and Bryson

October 6, 2008 by rickety 7 Comments

Jill holding Bryson at the hospital

It was a happy day as Bryson Henry Moss came into the world. Finally you can call me Grandpa Rickety. Here is how it all happened. Sarah had been having some labor pains Thursday so we were expecting an early arrival. On Friday morning Derek sent an email to Jill that read:

He was born last night!
Bryson Henry Moss, 7 lbs, 6 oz, 21 inches long!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations Grandma!!!!!!

It turns out he was just kidding so on Sunday Jill was skeptical when this text message arrived at 10:32pm:

We’re in the hospital. They are going to start her in probably a couple of hours. We’ll spend the night and probably have the baby some time in the morning.

Jill called Derek to see if he was joking again. This time it was the real thing. We went to sleep. Well, I did but Jill was too excited and she stayed up awhile longer. I told her to go to sleep, the baby isn’t going anywhere. Jill and I had already arranged to be off work on Monday because Sarah was going to be started today anyway. The following text messages arrived from Derek to keep us posted on the birth:

5:13am — She just had the eperderal put in. Jill texted: Dilated to what? Derek: Don’t know but she’s doing great now.
6:49am — She is at a 4, the doctor is here.
6:53am — Jill texted: Is the water broken? Derek: I think the doctor just broke it.
9:30am — She is at a 7 now.
11:13am — 9.
11:14am — Jill texted: Is the doctor there? Derek: No. He’s delivering another baby.
11:29am — She’s going to start pushing in a couple of minutes.
12:13pm — 8 lbs. 13 oz., 22 inches.

Bryson Henry Moss born 12:05pm., 8 lbs. 13 oz., 22 inches.

Congratulations Sarah and Derek. In a few days check Derek’s blog for some baby snaps.
Rickety signature.

Past Pictures: Hill Aerospace Museum

October 2, 2008 by rickety 2 Comments

In April 2001 I took my sons Paul and Jake to Hill Aerospace Museum. We had a great time looking at all the planes. Some of the early biplanes looked rather rickety. The admission was free and along with the planes there were a number of displays that taught us about events in history like the Doolittle Raid. Here is what the museum website says about itself:

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Thanksgiving In September

September 28, 2008 by rickety 2 Comments

Peeling the Potatoes

Daniel is leaving for the MTC in October and from there to Mongolia for two years. Jill decided to have a Thanksgiving meal for Daniel today because he won’t be with us in November. He’ll probably end up eating some unappetizing rickety meal on Thanksgiving Day.

My assignment in getting the meal ready was to peel the potatoes. Because I was in the Army my children naturally think that I should be good at peeling potatoes. It turns out that I am but I didn’t learn the skill from my time in the Army. My family in England ate a lot of potatoes and that is where I acquired my spud abilities. Anyway I got away light because I went to help with some church membership duties.

Thanksgiving Meal

Daniel’s married siblings and their spouses joined in the feast. In the photograph above we have (left to right) Sarah, who is due in a week, Derek, Steven, Adelaide, Paul, Jake, Daniel, Rick, and Jill. All four of Daniel’s siblings were present. The meal was really good and the turkey was just right. Later in the evening we had a choice of pumpkin pie or cheesecake for dessert. I mentioned to Sarah that now that we have had Thanksgiving we don’t need to celebrate in November. She said, “O no, this is just for practice.” I want to point out here that I always ask that the potatoes be left whole but every time someone brutally mashes them. What do my readers think. Mashed or unmashed?

We Will Miss Daniel

We will miss Daniel. He is always cheerful and runs like the wind. He carried a few trophies home from his track events to the delight of his parents. He was elected Student Body Officer and made this great video for his election campaign. He diligently attends to his priesthood duties. He went out and got himself a leadership scholarship at the University of Utah. This type of behavior is a favorite with me because it potentially saves me a lot of money. But most of all he will be missed because for the last five years he has done the dishes and mowed the lawn!

She will be a Girl

September 25, 2008 by rickety 4 Comments

This afternoon I was in the basement and I heard a-whooping and a-hollerin’ from upstairs. It was my wife reacting to some great news from Adelaide. I sensed what it was and it was so — our second grandchild will be a girl, expected on Valentines day. So Grandpa Rickety now has, or will have, one of each. About time we had some more girls in the family. I might mention that Adelaide smiles beautifully for every photograph whereas Steven contorts his face as much as he can at just the right time to ruin the picture. So we are really lucky to have this photograph.

Birthday Celebration: Adelaide

September 14, 2008 by rickety 3 Comments

Jake, Sarah, Daniel, Derek, and Steven get their food

Reed Sprague graciously invited us to join in celebrating Adelaide’s 24th birthday with their extended family. We congregated at the Barnes Park Bowery on Saturday afternoon. Before we ate, the younger elements played an obscure rickety ball game that they seemed to enjoy. They worked up an appetite for the great potluck meal.

Daniel and Kelsey are all wet

The children kinda posing for a picture

After we had eaten, six couples played water balloon volleyball. Watch out, the spectators were in the line of fire! Lots of water-filled balloons were tossed back and forth with some taking extra effort to break. Of course, the object of the game was to catch the balloons with the towel and then be coordinated enough to throw it back.

A new baby was there for everyone to enjoy. Birthday cake for dessert and pleasant afternoon weather. Happy birthday Adelaide!

Back at our home Adelaide opens gifts