I Delight in the Sabbath

I Love the Sabbath Day.

Looking back over my life I always have had respect for the Sabbath day, which which was taught early by my parents. Growing up we were a family that did not watch regular TV, attend sporting events, shop, go out to eat, do homework, or attend parties or events on the Sabbath. We had a large list of things that we could do like read from good books, attend church, work on future talks or lessons, watch church movies, learn family history stories, make treats to share with others, write letters, go for a walk, visit other wards or branches in our area, and spend time as a family. We often had guests spend the day at our home and they were included in Sabbath activities. We listened only to uplifting music and grew to love the hymns, primary songs, EFY albums, and classical music. It was a wonderful way to keep the Sabbath distinct and different from any other day of the week. It has been easy to carry those similar habits over into my home and family.

In our most recent General Conference, Elder Russel M. Nelson spoke about the Sabbath. His talk articulated so much that I already felt about the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a Delight

I defend, protect, and plan for things that I feel strongly are important in my life. I Love celebrating birthdays and holidays. I spend hours and hours in preparation for each event. I look up things online, discuss ideas with friends, set aside time, and really plan to create memorable experiences.

My Sabbath observance is no different. My feelings for the sacred nature of the Sabbath day directly determine my behavior. I defend, protect, and plan for experiences that will occur weekly in my home. I do this through selecting music to play in the background all day long, making sure things are picked up on Saturday evening so we aren't in the middle of messes and projects, and waking up before my family so that I can set the tone in my home. I plan my Sabbath menu ahead of time. I plan for the children to help make a treat that we can enjoy and share. I plan for church and ask questions to help prepare my family for the Sacrament as we drive. I plan for Hour of Power and family time.

Hour of Power is one of my favorite weekly traditions. During this time (which isn't always a full hour) the children can read from the Friend, scriptures, or family histories, watch any church videos, and write in their journals. I have found that writing down something they felt, learned or liked has been a tremendous blessing. As they record their own thoughts, they are growing personal seeds of faith and testimony. (When they were younger, I wrote down some thoughts for them.)

Yesterday our Hour of Power included designing their Mission Statement/Goal pages and watching a short video about an amazing young man. His story is incredible. 

Butterfly Boy Shows Strength

This was a powerful lesson for every member of my family. We spoke about Jonathan's amazing attitude. He encourages everyone to look at the positive. We talked about how we take so much for granted in our busy lives. Our hearts were touched by his struggles, his pain, and his determination. Each of my children felt a connection to this impressive young man. Jonathan has such a good spirit about him and he taught us so much yesterday. Our home was filled with light. 

I certainly felt a surge of determination and resolve to endure my difficulties with grace. I felt recharged by our family discussion in Hour of Power. I felt the sweet spirit of the Lord's Sabbath in my home. 

Between attending church, taking the sacrament, leading the choir, enjoyable family dinner and game time, and a very sweet discussion in our Hour of Power, I most assuredly state that I delighted in this Sabbath Day. 

Kendra

Flying Lessons

With the beginning of another school year, I seem to be thinking a great deal about teaching my children how to fly. Flying means facing the future with confidence and hope. I want them to soar beyond expectations, achieving their goals and dreams.

I have been pondering the question:

I have felt led to this simple, straightforward answer: “Strengthen the roots”.

A shift in focus from wings to roots

My initial reaction was something like, "But that doesn't fit with the imagery of flying... It would appear strengthening roots would be in opposition to flight." However the more I pondered, the more I realized the following:

• Roots allow us to be grounded. 
• Roots provide nourishment and strength.
• As roots reach deeper, greater stability is achieved.
• Roots provide connections.

Isn't that exactly what I want for my children? The answer is a resounding, "Yes!" I want them to be sure and strong, stable, and confident individuals. I want them to always feel connected to people that love them.  

Roots are found in family history. True stories of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or great-grandparents that faced real challenges, survived difficult situations, or persevered through life with all of its ups and downs can provide examples of fortitude and resilience. Sometimes these individuals found success, but occasionally it was failure and heartbreak that provided the valuable life lessons. These are the stories that will build and uplift my children. These are the stories that create connections, nourish despairing hearts, and offer hope.

There is a great deal of research that supports the importance of family history and family roots. Here is a snippet from one of those articles. 

Bruce Feiler (Author of “The Secrets of Happy Families”):

“…researchers at Emory did this study that showed that the kids who know more about their family history had a greater belief that they could control their world and a higher degree of self-confidence. It was the number one predictor of a child's emotional well-being.”   http://theweek.com/articles/444395/6-things-happiest-families-all-have-common

These are the phrases that really stood out to me:

• Self-confidence
• Greater Control
• Emotional Well-being

That list looks like Wings to me! Those characteristics that are developed through roots, are the precursors to safe and confident flight. 

The more we learn from the past, the more hope we can have for the future. If the number one predictor of emotional well-being is found in the roots of family history, every parent should feel the responsibility of binding their family together through ancestral stories. 

I find great significance in Malachi 4:7 which states, “And he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers...” This verse speaks to more than simply figuring out your family tree. Rather, it is an invitation know and love those family members and their stories for our continued benefit.

I commit to do whatever I can to “Strengthen the Roots” of each one of my precious children by teaching them from family histories. 

Flying lessons have begun.

Kendra