Well, it's done. Or nearly so. 2007 is finished. Regardless of whether that statement brings a sigh of sadness or a tear of relief, it is fact nonetheless.

So before the next year gets too much past us, let's have some FHE Fun to start off year 2008 right!

FHE Fun!

Devotional

Invite the family to share what Christmas meant to them in 2007. What were their favorite memories from this past Christmas week? Ask someone to be scribe and record the memories in the family journal. Perhaps finish this portion of FHE by expressing your love for each family member.

Activity

Items Needed:

• old magazines
• scissors
• 2 pieces of paper per family member
• glue or tape
• Homemade sign titled "2008"

1. Pass out a bunch of old magazines, paper, scissors (safe ones for the little ones!) and glue. (The magazines often can be found from friends, the library, or from other sources.)
2. Invite family members to cut out pictures of people doing things.
3. Instruct the family to make a collage of the people cut-outs.
4. When everyone is through with their collage, invite each person to share what they found.
5. Explain that "verbs" are action words that describe a person's activities. Make a list of the verbs from many of the activities seen in the photos.

Application

Explain to the family that their collages/montages represent other people's activities during the past. Then ask the group, "What shall we as a family be found doing during 2008?" Pull out the homemade "2008" sign. As each person calls out ideas, record the action in "verb" form ("serving," "laughing," and so on) on the chart.

Now share that each person will have the opportunity to create his own "2008 Action" poster in preparation for next week's FHE. Distribute a new piece of paper. Share with everyone that their poster can include personal "actions" they want to do in 2008, as well as family "actions." Let them know that next week the family will join together to admire each one's efforts.

Testimony Sharing

Testify that as God's children determine proper courses of actions (manifested through what they do ... or in other words, through their "verbs"), the Lord will then help them in those worthy goals. Invite the family to pray during the coming week for the Lord's help in setting exciting, appropriate, and joyous actions to pursue during 2008.

Allow additional time for thought, testimony, or scripture sharing as the Spirit of the Lord directs. Here are three ideas:

• D&C 51:19
• D&C 33:2-10, 17
• Alma 41:14-15

Refreshments

A banana boat ice-cream split could be fun with this lesson. Why not chat about the action verbs seen as you slice the bananas, layer on ice cream, sprinkle toppings as you build it? Each activity brings about something yummy at the end. Life is this way, too. When we choose appropriate activities (or "verbs") to fill our lives, we sprinkle our lives with goodness and come up with something great by each year's end!

Summary

Next week we'll follow up on this end-of-the-year FHE lesson. But it is an irrefutable fact — time waits for no one. So since it will slip by whether we like it or not, let's make sure that one year from this time — December 2008 — we will be pleased with the "verbs" we chose all year long!

C.S. Bezas' book has been described as perfect for youth leaders and parents of teens. Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers: Helping Youth Find Their Spiritual Wings is available in LDS bookstores and by clicking here.