Because Sis. Mark was out of town and traveling I had the privilege of teaching this Sunday. And I also get to do my own lesson summary (weird! but easy!)
The majority of my lesson was created from the article in the April Ensign by Sis. Wixom.
Pres. Uchtdof has told us, "In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time."
Twenty-nine
years ago, President James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the First
Presidency, lamented that families have so little time together. Think about
that—29 years ago—he said in general conference: “One of the main problems in
families today is that we spend less and less time together. … Time together is
precious time—time needed to talk, to listen, to encourage, and to show how to
do things."
I want to open our view of family to also include our ward "family." I mean afterall we do call each other Brother and Sister. Have we spend enough time with our "sisters" in the ward? Have we reached out to someone we haven't seen in awhile or someone maybe we don't know very well...?
There are 4 ways to strengthen our relationships with our family and ward family
T - talking
Sis
Wixom says – “Much good comes from talking, and
the adversary is aware of the power of the spoken word. He would love to
diminish the spirit that comes into our homes as we talk, listen, encourage
each other, and do things together.
The adversary would love to bind our
tongues—anything to prevent us from expressing verbally the feelings of our
hearts face to face. He delights in distance and distraction; he delights in
noise; he delights in impersonal communication—anything that would prevent us
from the warmth of a voice and the personal feelings that come from conversing
eye to eye.
I - involved
From the article on page 57 in the June Ensign we are told that Heavenly Father is involved in our lives more than we know. I say don't forget to invite him into our lives, our conversations and daily activities....knock and it shall be opened. He is there just waiting.
M - Multitude & Minister
From Ch. 7 of the Daughters in my Kingdom book it says, "When Jesus Christ was on the earth, He showed us the way we should live.He showed us how to minister—how to watch over and strengthen one
another. His was a ministry to individuals, one by one. He taught that
we should leave the ninety and nine to save the straying one.The Savior calls His disciples to work with Him in His ministry, giving
them the opportunity to serve others and become more like Him. In Relief
Society, each sister has the opportunity to watch over and strengthen
sisters one by one through visiting teaching."
E - Encouraging & Eternal
Sis
Wixom says, “Listening is just as important as speaking. When we listen, we see
into the hearts of those around us. Heavenly Father has a plan for each of His
children. Imagine if we could get a glimpse of the individual plan for each of
our children. It takes time to focus on the things that matter most. Talking,
listening, and encouraging do not happen quickly. They cannot be rushed or
scheduled—they happen best along the way. They happen when we do things together: work together, create together, and
play together. They happen when we turn off media, put down worldly
distractions, and focus on each other."
------
Sis Wixom goes on to say -“Last spring, while I was visiting a
class of young women, the teacher asked the class to write our 10 priorities. I
quickly began to write. I have
to admit, my first thought began with “Number 1: clean the pencil drawer in the
kitchen.” When our lists were complete, the Young Women leader asked us to
share what we had written. Abby, who had recently turned 12, was sitting next
to me. This was Abby’s list:
1
Go to college
2
Become an interior designer.
3
Go on a mission to India.
4
Get married in the temple to a returned missionary.
5
Have five kids and a home.
6
Send my kids on missions and to college.
7
Become a “cookie-giving” grandma.
8
Spoil the grandchildren.
9
Learn more about the gospel and enjoy life.
10
Return to live with Father in Heaven.
“Thank you, Abby. You have taught me about having a vision of the
plan Heavenly Father has for all of us. When you know you are walking a path,
in spite of whatever detours may occur, you will be OK. When your path is
focused on the ultimate goal—that of exaltation and returning to Heavenly
Father, you will get there.”
I closed my lesson by playing the song - Someone needs your Star by Jenny Phillips. Here's a youtube video that plays the song if you haven't heard it.
I testify to you that YOU are a STAR and shining brightly in this ward. Please share your light. There is someone in this ward that needs YOU. Share your light and love and you will feel Heavenly Fathers love for you even more in your own life and our ward family will be benefit greatly for it.
xo - Sis. Pyrah