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Winter 2004 Season to Strengthen
In This Issue
I am a "theme and pattern" person. My brain works in organized patterns. There has to be purpose for every activity and then an organized theme to carry out that activity. From family gatherings to my Church callings, I am sure this "theme and pattern" personality has created frustration in more than one loving family member or friend who has had to learn to endure my passions. But I believe they endure because they know me....they know where my passions come from. For as long as I remember, I have had a passion for patterns...the rhythm of music; stitch patterns as I am sewing; words typed into sentences and paragraphs; even the snoring of my husband is a pattern that, after 29 years of marriage, lulls me to sleep. The greatest patterns of all are the ones that the Lord has subtly put all around us to testify of Him and His love for us. "I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceiving." (D&C 52:14) What a strength it is to have the Lord's promise that He will be there to provide direction so that we will not be deceived. But, also, in that one little scripture is a profound statement..."for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceiving." We live in a world where many "call evil good, and good evil," putting "darkness for light, and light for darkness" (2 Nephi 15:20). Oh, how we need the Lord's patterns so we will not be deceived! Because I am a "theme and pattern" person, my family will endure...and hopefully be strengthened by....our family's theme for the year along with a scripture that will build a pattern for our family throughout the year:
Building A Forever Family in 2004 I introduced our 2004 theme to my family during our first Family Home Evening of January. I had prepared a large poster with the theme and scripture. In the center of the poster is a picture of Christ surrounded by a family who is intently listening to the Savior. We, as a family, came up with activities we could do that would go along with our theme and also shared ways that the Lord provides patterns, through our scripture, to accomplish our goal of becoming a forever family. If we follow these patterns, what peace and love will dwell within our home. I had prepared for each of my children, a small version of the poster to put next to their beds. I prepared a bookmark for each family member to help us with our Book of Mormon scripture study this year. It is not only a bookmark, but also a reading chart that we color in the box of each chapter we read. I also printed out the theme and scripture on inkjet window cling decals. My husband just shook his head as I stuck them to the mirrors, the windows and even the windows of my vehicle....the children just laughed. Okay, I know what you are saying...."She is totally crazy! Who has time to do all that!" Believe me...this is one of those "passion" moments! In Linda and Richard Eyre's book, "The Happy Family...What's Happening to Families..and How to Save Yours!", they say, "Most of us think we have our priorities straight and that our hearts are in the right place. Nearly 90 percent of us say that commitments to family is very important. But compare the claims we make with how we actually live. Parents spend less time with children and more time with work than ever before. Divorce rates shock us, and an increasing number of people don't seem to want to have children at all, let alone devote time and effort to them. Why is this? When we try to do so much.. to spread ourselves over so many activities, ambitions, interests, and demands....we leave lower concentrations of ourselves for the most important thing....our families! How can it be otherwise when a parent is trying to keep track of 2 jobs, 500 TV channels, 30 favorite internet sites, 4 favorite sports teams, 5 lessons or sport leagues, 11 friends with cell phones or email addresses, 6 alternatives for next summer's vacation, and 3 mutual funds? We try to stuff too many things into 24 hours and leave little time for our families." My dear friends, our Prophet Spencer W. Kimball stated, "The time will come when only those who believe deeply and actively in the family will be able to preserve their families in the midst of the gathering evil around us." I believe deeply in my family. My children and grandchildren hear a thousand voices we never heard and face a thousand challenges we never faced. Families are under attack. It matters not what season of our lives we are in, as women, our united influence in the world is needed more now than ever.
At the
World Wide Leadership meeting on January 10, 2004,
President Hinckley gave these closing remarks: And as our Heavenly Father gives us patterns in all things, so do our leaders today. In that same World Wide Leadership meeting, President Faust gave us the pattern to safeguard, protect and strengthen our families:
1)
Family prayer to invite the spirit of the Lord into
our family. Yes, my family's 2004 theme will mean more preparation time on my part, but, I am determined to "Do my best....My VERY best!" for those who mean the most to me. Our prophets have spoken.....Women who will hear the voice of the prophets and respond to the promptings from the Lord become invaluable instruments in His hands. May our united effort bring great strength and power to our families and the the families of the world.
Deb Cox Small version of the Cox Family 2004 Family Theme Poster Book of Mormon Reading Chart Bookmark Building A Forever Family - Family Home Evening
If you would like to share ideas that will help build strong women and families, please contact us. Home, Family and Personal Enrichment, Family Home Evenings, Youth Programs, Support for Mothers - Working moms and Stay-at-home Moms, Recipes, Self Reliance and many other "Strengthening" topics will be welcome.
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