You know...time for a new post about family scripture study!!! This month has been pretty eventful, but not in ways that I would like it to be. In the last month, Wesley brought home the stomach flu from nursery and got me, Cora, and Bryant sick, then a week and a half later, he got it AGAIN, but luckily no one caught it that time, and then this week (yes, after going to church) he got the lovely hand, foot, and mouth virus, and he is still fighting that one, but seems to be recovering. Blah. We also had several more delays, early releases, and snow days over the month, but luckily they are not making us make them all up, or we would have totally lost spring break. Something nice that happened: Had a new nephew born this week to Greg and Heather. His name is Henry Hampton and he is very, very tired, as he slept the entire day I was around him. It was nice to get the chance to see him and the cousins and all of that.
Funny story time: The other day I was tired after Wesley cried for four straight hours in the middle of the night because he was in a lot of pain thanks to his virus. I was trying to lay down during "nap time" even though I was the only person interested in a nap. I hear the door bell ring and know it is just the ups man, so I ignore it. Then I hear Cash amble to the door, open it, and say "THAAAAAANNNNNKKK YYYYOU! Oh! These are diapers for my baby brother WESLEY!! Thanks! He needs these, and I do too sometimes at night! Thank you mister box man!" Then he closes the door and yells to me "Mom! The box man in the big brown truck brought diapers for Wesley!" It is so funny getting a peak into their little brains. I think it is hilarious that to Cash, the UPS man is the box man in the big brown truck. I love it.
Also, don't forget that General Conference is this week. For a long time, I have just listened to conference and then read over the talks when they come in the mail, but lately I have started taking notes again in church (for the first time in about 8 years or so). I have been amazed at how much more information I retain. I think it's because I'm synthesizing the information in two ways, by writing and listening. I'm excited for Conference, and am excited to dedicate this week of my life to preparing to receive revelation about where God thinks I need to be going with my life. Everyone should check it out (at least out of Mormon-curiosity) at lds.org on Sunday at noon eastern time. And don't worry mom, I will be watching all four sessions, as always.
One more final word: The idea of never leaving something unsaid has been pervading my thoughts lately. I think the best new-year's resolutions are the ones that we don't think up at the beginning of the year, but the feelings and thoughts that come to us, and seemingly pull at us until we address them. I feel a strong need to not let people pass through my life without telling them how much they mean to me. So I'm trying to find ways to let special people in my life know that they are important to me, that they have made impressions on me. I truly do think the most important word in the English language is "Remember" in so many ways (seriously, I could write a book on the meanings of this word in my life), and I want people to know that I do remember them, that they have left foot prints on my heart that will never be forgotten. How many people do we let drift through our lives that deserved our acknowledgement, that needed to know how much we appreciate them? Acknowledging the effect that people have had in my life has been in one word: liberating. It's hard to explain with words, lessons that our spirits learn, but, it truly is one of the coolest things I have ever done, and I am going to continue.
Now for what you are really here for: Also, beware, there is A LOT of reading this month, but it is all worth it, because these are the BIG stories of the old Testament we are getting into here! I am basing each month's reading off of the January Friend Old Testament reading challenge, and then on Fridays, I pull from the Primary Sharing Time outline to pick what we read. Enjoy!
April Family Scripture Study Plan
Memorization Scripture: Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and . . . the family is central to the...Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World”)
Week 14 Jacob and Esau
Mar 31 Genesis 25:21-28
Apr 1 Genesis 25: 29-34
Apr 2 Genesis 27: 1-12
Apr 3 Genesis 27: 13-23
Apr 4 (Primary Focus Day) sing Families can Be Together Forever CS 188, read D&C 138: 47-48 and Alma 37:35
Week 15 Jacob and Rachel
Apr 7 Genesis 29: 1-2, 10-14
Apr 8 Genesis 29: 15-19
Apr 9 Gensesis 29: 20-25
Apr 10 Genesis 29: 26-30
Apr 11 (Primary Focus Day) Obey Parents, and the Lord: Ephisians 6:1, Mosiah 2:22, D&C 59:23
Week 16 Jacob becomes Israel; Joseph is sold into Egypt
Apr 14 Genesis 35: 9-12
Apr 15 Genesis 37: 3-10
Apr 16 Genesis 37: 11-14, 18-23
Apr 17 Genesis 37: 24-34
Apr 18 (Primary Focus Day) THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities
Week 17 Joseph in Egypt
Apr 21 Genesis 39: 1-4, 7-20
Apr 22 Genesis 40: 1-3, 5-8
Apr 23 Genesis 41: 1, 8-12, 14
Apr 24 Genesis 41: 29-36, 39-40
Apr 25 (Primary Focus Day) “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.” Family Proclamation
Week 18 Joseph Forgives
Apr 28 Genesis 42: 3-16
Apr 29 Genesis 43: 15, 44:1-12
Apr 30 Genesis Genesis 44: 18, 33-44
May 1 Genesis 45: 3-8
May 2 (Primary Focus Day) “ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose” Family Proclamation
