FHE: Alma 43

"It is ok if the houses a mess, the children are still in pajamas, and some responsibilities are left undone. The only things that really need to be accomplished in the home are daily scripture study and prayer, and weekly family home evening." -- Linda S. Reeves.

So grateful I came across that quote this morning! (Now I can postpone the dishes, plan FHE, AND  feel good about it!) 

Catch ya later, guys!

We're doing so good with reading the Book Of Mormon at night!! And I have really noticed the difference it makes. We still get upset sometimes, our children still fight sometimes, we get frustrated at times, but overall there is a greater sense of harmony in our home. We forgive quicker, and our night time routine of reading has NEVER been questioned or disputed. 

(Hopefully I'm not jinxing it!!)

For our FHE lesson tonight I thought I'd base it on what we're reading in the Book Or Mormon.

We're in Alma, just read chapter 42 last night and we'll be reading 43 tonight so I want to incorporate how Captain Moroni prepared the Nephites.

Ugh. My husband loves the gruesome, war chapters... I don't. Not exactly what I envision reading my babies before bed, but the righteous planning, revelation and Faith is there. And that's what counts.

Forget yourself...

Good morning, Monday. I think I'm getting the hang of this whole "morning person" thing! It's quieter, and cooler, and not as hard as I thought... I just hate that I'm exhausted by 8pm!! 

A quote has been popping into my head the past couple days, and I really like it. It's from one of Pres Hinckley's talks, about advice he was given on his mission.
And really, it applies to any aspect of live- in any situation.

But oh how applicable it is to MOTHERHOOD!


"Forget yourself, and go to work." -- Bryant Hinckley 

'As a new missionary serving in Preston, England, (My hubby served in Manchester, England!) Elder Gordon B. Hinckley was facing a major trial in his life. He was sick when he arrived in the mission field, and he quickly became discouraged because of the opposition to the missionary work. At a time of deep frustration, Elder Hinckley wrote in a letter to his father that he felt he was wasting his time and his father’s money. A little while later, Elder Hinckley received a reply from his dad. It said, “Dear Gordon, I have your recent letter. I have only one suggestion: forget yourself and go to work.”

I'm not sick, or serving in the mission field, but I am a mother. And I am "primarily responsible for the nurture of" my children, {{ and also the keeping and functioning of our home!}} And I, too, get "discouraged from the opposition of" the work.

Because like all good things; all good things we want to last- it takes hard work. Every day! 

After much prayer,  and a lot of faith in Heavenly Father, I have  learned that when I take President Hinckley's fathers advice, and "Forget Myself And Go To Work," I am blessed.

 I feel it. 

My children are blessed. 

I see it. They see it. 

My prayers are answered. 

My marriage is blessed.

My testimony is fed.
I feel closer to my family, my children, my husband.
Life is put in the right perspective.
I have the ability to accomplish what I need to.

When we forget ourselves and go to work, we are in the service of others. And when we are in the service of others, we are in the service of our God.

Sometimes "others" are those in my neighborhood. Sometimes "others" are those in need in my ward... And sometimes, "others" are just within my own family. 

When I am serving my family: cleaning, preparing meals, laundry, keeping my home... I am serving my God. I am serving my purpose, my duty. 

"Unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little meaning to our own lives."  --Elder James B. Martino

Here's to loosing myself to bloom!