Family History and Temple Work

Blessings from Family History and Temple Work

If you come from a family like ours, it seems like a lot of family history work has already been done, at least all the easy stuff or anything that I can do from here. so we've been getting creative as we think of ways that we can make this a bigger part of our family life. I'd like this to more integrated into our routines. presiden Nelson said 'I invite you to prayerfully consider what kind of sacrifice- and preferably a sacrifice of time- you can make to do more family history and temple work this year." (March 2017) We have a family history moment each week in FHE, the children take turns choosing a story from the books and then reading part or summarising it. Then they tell us one thing we could learn from the story. I really love it, but we're going to go from Good to Better and hopefully to Best!

We're going to move the family history moment to Sunday, same format, but we'll follow it up with time to write in our journals. I'll probably take some of that time to write the weekly email as I usually just copy and paste part of my journal for you guys anyway. Today was our first run. We read about Grandma Alice Skousen and flipped through some of her pictures. I think it prompted the children to write more than they usually would. 

The greatest part about this whole thing is that it seemed like a small thing to do. But there was an immediate blessing. I have been to Hong Kong to go to the temple twice already this year. For me, I feel that is an amazing effort. Last year, I was only able to attend the temple during our summer break, but mom or a cousin watched the children each week so I could go. (THANK YOU!) This year, with Ann's help, I have tried to tidy up my family tree on Family Search, write frequently in my journal, create family search accounts for my older children.... and then I've been stumped on what else I could do. We make family recipes and I'll talk about the person with the children while we eat the food (Skousen enchiladas, Vondie's bread/granola, Grandpa's favorite banana bread/cookie, bran muffins, eblaskivers, Grandpa's walnuts...) There are so many blessings promised to those who make family history and temple work a blessing. And tonight, as I gave Abe and Maeser journals and explained what we would be doing (Mary already had a journal) I received an email at the very same time- I had received a name to take to the temple! It was a very small thing, but not a coincidence. 

Elder Renlund said, "If you accept this challenge, blessings will begin to flow to you and your family like the power of the river spoken of by Ezekiel. And the river will grow as you continue to perform this work and teach others to do the same. You will find not only protection from the temptation and ills of the world, but you will also find personal power—power to change, power to repent, power to learn, power to be sanctified, and power to turn the hearts of your family members to each other and heal that which needs healing.”

I excitedly shared with the children who were still writing what had happened. Now... I am concerned that I shouldn't reserve the name as someone else could do the work much faster than I. Both times that I attended the temple this year I tried to take a family name myself, but didn't have something prepared to do so. And as I don't plan to go until this summer, or maybe late April is seems almost selfish to keep it just so I can do something that so many others are qualified to do.

What an immediate blessing. I know this promise is sure. I would love to hear what you are doing to make family history a family affair, I could use some more ideas.

On to the rest of our week. 

Dan spent some time in Bangkok, a day in Singapore, and the rest of the week in Utah. I spent the week walking children to and from school or activities, hopping between spash pads and swimming lessons, helping with a primary activity and singing karaoke for the first time in my life.

I'm also learning how to use my camera and can't wait for Ann to give me some pointers this summer. 

We are also trying to come out a little sooner in June so we can maximise cousin time while Ann is studying. We would love to keep all the cousins in the bunk room at the cabin. We'll keep you posted, but looking at an itinerary that puts us in town almost as soon as Ann.

Splash Pads.

 Zerah's Play

 Our Primary Activity.

Bowls of peanut butter for lunch.