Monday, July 2, 2012

T.I.M.E - pres. message lesson Summary

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."
  
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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