Time for some summer family fun! Time for FHE.
Opening Song: #232 Beauty Everywhere
Opening Prayer: By invitation.
Emergency Prep Moment: "60 Second 72-Hour Kit"
Items Needed:
• an old pillowcase for every family member
• stopwatch
Explain that the family is going to have a race. Pass out one pillowcase per person. Show the stopwatch. Tell the family they have 60 seconds to put the following items in their individual pillowcases:
1. Three pairs of undies
2. Three pairs of socks
3. One pair each of pants and shorts
4. Three t-shirts.
Tell them to wait until you shout, "Ready. Set. Go!" They are to return with their "60 Second 72-Hour Kit" pillowcases full with the clothing items once the 60 seconds are up. Next week we'll add the food, water, and appropriate IDs for each kit! It's a simple, short, and easy way to get your 72-hour kits done.
Devotional: Invite family members to come each week with a scripture verse they'd like to share with the others in the family. Let everyone read their chosen verse. Enjoy the spirit that comes from these moments. Have fun talking about how or why these verses strengthen. Scripture study is meant to refresh us during the week, NOT be a hindrance or a “have-to”. Devotionals are one of the best ways to teach this truth.
Spiritual Thought: Read the following thought offered by Elder David A. Bednar, spoken last month at BYU-Idaho:
"For your happiness and protection, . . . I offer two questions for consideration in your personal pondering and prayerful studying:
"1. Does the use of various technologies and media invite or impede the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost in your life?
"2. Does the time you spend using various technologies and media enlarge or restrict your capacity to live, to love, and to serve in meaningful ways?" (CES Fireside for Young Adults, May 3, 2009, Brigham Young University–Idaho)
Activity: Explain that not only did Elder Bednar recently discuss healthy technology habits, but he also talked about simply enjoying life. For Family Home Evening, the family tonight will have fun following the recommendation of Elder Bednar (given later in the same talk). He admonished for families simply to get out and enjoy life in healthy ways. Explain that for tonight's FHE, you'll be taking the family ... to the park! The family will go to enjoy the outdoors that Heavenly Father has given for their enjoyment.
Invite the family during the outing to count how many senses they use with their physical bodies while playing at the park. What does it mean to "be alive"?
Application: On the way home from the park, invite discussion on what it feels like to have a body and to use it well. Why does it feel good to be outdoors, to be able to smell the trees, and to hear the birds? Why did Heavenly Father create beautiful blue skies, rolling mountains and a huge variety of flowers? What would happen if we stayed inside, never fully enjoying the gift of a physical body nor the beauty of the world He created for us?
Bear your testimony as to God's love for your sweet family and His hope that your family enjoys the beauty of what He has created. Those creations exist to help us feel close to Him while away from Him.
Closing Song: #92 For the Beauty of the Earth (make sure to sing all three verses)
Closing Prayer: By invitation.
Refreshments: If your town has a $1 ice cream stand, tonight would be a great night to visit it. Sit outside if possible. While enjoying your ice cream cones as a family, see if also you can sit around a table to do it. Look deeply into the faces of your loved ones. Even though each person has flaws, they have so many positive traits. Have fun chatting and loving each other during the end of this Family Home Evening!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: Elder Bednar's talk is a must-read. It is life-changing. Here is the link so that you can read or watch it in its entirety (your choice).
