Sunday, May 4, 2014

May Family Scripture Study Plan and a few other Ramblings

It's the 1st Sunday of a new month, so of course I'm doing the new month's scripture study plan.  It's been a very busy month.  We went on a trip to the mountains for spring break and it went much, much better than I thought it would!  I didn't know my kids would be good little hikers because we have never attempted a serious hike up a mountain, but we went on a 2 mile hike that had some pretty steep ascents, and a creek we had to cross about 10 times and the kids handled it very well and we all had so much fun on the hike!  Wesley just sat on top of Erick's shoulders the entire time (Erick doesn't use backpack carriers or even strollers and never has) and Erick wasn't even phased from carrying an almost 2 year old up and down a mountain for 2 miles...but then again, he is the Mary Poppins of men--practically perfect in every way.  We also toured the Linville Caverns, went gem mining, went to Tweetsie Railroad, and lots more. Here are a few highlights:

 Cora inside of the Linville Caverns

See how steep this hike became!  Cash did great!  He found some sticks that he thought made him look like a Reindeer so he was a Reindeer for the majority of the hike! 

 Here is a great little spot!

 The waterfall!

 This is pure kid fun!

 This is a teepee at Tweetsie

I thought the kids did a great job of running away from an oncoming train!


  I'm amazed at how many amazing stories come out of JUST the book of Genesis in the Old Testament!  We spent about 16 weeks in Genesis and now it's time to move on, but I never realized how many beloved bible stories are from that amazing book!  Now we move into Exodus and things really get going!  Here is the May Family Study Plan:  Once again, this is formulated using scriptures suggested by the Old Testament reading challenge from the January 2014 Friend magazine, and for the Friday of each week it is Primary Focus Day where I took ideas from the 2014 Sharing Time Outline.  The memorization scripture for the month is also the Primary scripture of the month.  Enjoy!

May Family Scripture Study Plan

Memorization Scripture:  2 Peter 3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy aprophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

Article of Faith 8:  8 We believe the aBible to be the bword of God as far as it is translated ccorrectly; we also believe the dBook of Mormon to be the word of God.

Week 19:Birth and Calling of Moses
May 5 Exodus 1: 8-14, 22
May 6 Exodus 2: 1-6
May 7 Exodus 2: 10-21
May 8 Exodus 3: 1-14, 19-20 Exodus 4: 10-12
May 9 Primary Focus Day:  Theme:Prophets in the scriptures are examples to my family.  Read D&C 84: 27-28 (John the Baptist)

Week 20: The Plagues
May 12 Exodus 7: 10-14, 20-21
May 13 Exodus 8: 6, 17, 24, Exodus 9: 6, 10, 23
May 14 Exodus 10: 14-15, 22 Exodus 11: 5
May 15 Exodus 12: 30-32, 41-42
May 16 Primary Focus Day: Prophets in the scriptures are examples to my family.  Read Mosiah 27: 23-24 (Alma the Younger repents)

Week 21:  The Exodus
May 19 Exodus 14: 5-10
May 20 Exodus 14: 11-16
May 21 Exodus 14: 19-25
May 22 Exodus 14: 26-31
May 23 Primary Focus Day: Prophets in the scriptures are examples to my family. Read Joshua 24:15 (Joshua served the Lord)

Week 22: The Israelites Received Manna From Heaven
May 26 Exodus 16: 1-4
May 27 Exodus 16: 5-8
May 28 Exodus 16: 21-26
May 29 Exodus 16: 27-31, 35
May 30 Primary Focus Day:  Prophets in the scriptures are examples to my family.

Read 1 Nephi 3:7 (Nephi was obediant)


Sunday, March 30, 2014

It's that time again!

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”)

Article of Faith: 7   We believe in the agift of btongues, cprophecy, drevelation,evisions, fhealing, ginterpretation of tongues, and so forth.

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





Sunday, March 2, 2014

March Family Scripture Study Plan

Hello!  Hope everyone is having success with their family scripture study!  I have kind of made my life a little more hectic lately by deciding to entirely re-do my house (I mean everything-ripping out floors, re-painting, remodeling bathrooms--it is all happening!!!).  Honestly, I was 22 when we moved into our house, and while I still love my house and want to live here for a long time to come, my tastes have changed a lot over the last 8 years, and I am ready for my house to match what I like at this point in my life.  So, we are going to be living life a little differently for a while, giving up time at the gym for painting, dodging around ladders, spending Saturdays laying new flooring, etc.

But I am in no way deterred from doing our family scripture study.  Here is March's plan.  I am using the Old Testament study challenge from January's Friend magazine and also pulling ideas from the Primary Sharing Time outline for Fridays.  Here you go!


March Family Scripture Study Plan

Memorization Scripture:   John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never athirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water bspringing up into ceverlasting life.

Article of Faith 6:   We believe in the same aorganization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, bprophets, cpastors, dteachers,eevangelists, and so forth.


Week 10 The Abrahamic Covenant
Mar 3 Abraham 1: 1-4
Mar 4 Abraham 2: 6-9
Mar 5 Abraham 2: 10-13
Mar 6 Genesis 17: 1-7
Mar 7 (Primary Focus Day)  Remember the Atonement Luke 22: 39-44

Week 11 Abraham and Lot
Mar 10 Genesis 13: 1-13
Mar 11 Genesis 19:1
Mar 12 Genesis 19: 15-17
Mar 13 Genesis 19: 24-29
Mar 14 (Primary Focus Day) Witnesses of Christ: Mary Magdalene John 20: 1-18


Week 12 Abraham and Isaac
Mar 17 Genesis 22:  1-4
Mar 18 Genesis 22: 5-9
Mar 19 Genesis 22: 10-14
Mar 20 Genesis 22: 15-18
Mar 21 (Primary Focus Day) Witnesses of Christ: Thomas John 20: 19-29


Week 13 Isaac and Rebekah
Mar 24 Genesis 24: 1-4
Mar 25 Genesis 24: 7-13
Mar 26 Genesis 24: 14-20
Mar 27 Genesis 24: 61-67
Mar 28  (Primary Focus Day) Witnesses of Christ: Joseph Smith D&C 76: 22-24


Sunday, February 2, 2014

February Family Scripture Study Plan

A couple of people asked me to keep posting our scripture study plan, so I am happy to do that--keeps me accountable!  This month the memorization scripture is LONG.  The primary outline shortens it, so if you don't want to memorize a super long scripture, you can do just the first sentence or just choose another scripture.

Man, do I love studying the scriptures as a family!  I have seen such a change for good in the behavior of my older two children.  They still get in trouble a lot, but slowly but surely our moments at home are less filled with fighting and competition and more filled with fun, laughter, and playing and sometimes a little kindness ha ha!  With no further adieu:

February Primary Theme:  Heavenly Father Has a Plan for His Children

February memorization scripture:  2 Nephi 9:13

Article of Faith #5

Oh how great the plan of our God!  For on the other hand, the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh,save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect.  

Week 6 The City of Enoch
Feb 3 Moses 6:21
Feb 4 Moses 6: 26-28
Feb 5 Moses 7: 13-16
Feb 6 Moses 7: 17-21
Feb 7 (Primary Focus Day) Heavenly Father’s Plan includes Premortal Life, Life, and Life after Death Genesis 1:1; Alma 12:24; Alma 34:32;
Alma 40:12; Doctrine and Covenants 76:62;
Moses 4:2; Abraham 3:22–23.

Week 7 Noah’s Ark
Feb 10 Genesis 6: 5, 7-9
Feb 11 Genesis 6: 13-22
Feb 12 Genesis 7: 1-19
Feb 13 Genesis 7: 23-24
Feb 14 (Primary Focus Day)Why was the creation important?  D&C 59: 18-19

Week 8 Noah’s Family is Saved
Feb 17 Genesis 8: 6-7
Feb 18 Genesis 8: 8-10
Feb 19 Genesis 8: 11-13
Feb 20 Genesis 8: 15-17
Feb 21 (Primary Focus Day)  Whose image were we created in? Genesis 1: 27

Week 9 The Tower of Babel
Feb 24 Genesis 11: 1-9
Feb 25 Ether 1: 1-3
Feb 26 Ether 1: 33-37
Feb 27 Ether 1: 38-43

Feb 28 (Primary Focus Day) Who will you choose to follow?  2 Nephi 2: 27