With all the negativity in the world, why not take time to celebrate . . . you! Time for a little FHE Fun!

Opening Song:  #163 I Am Like a Star

Opening Prayer:  By invitation.

Emergency Prep Tip:  For this week's FHE emergency tip, Meridian Magazine's Carolyn Nicolaysen offers some important information about the swine flu - especially important if you have kids at college. http://www.meridianmagazine.com/emergency/090812h1n1.html

Devotional: Devotionals are a great time for individuals in the family to share an "aha" moment from the past week, based on a scripture they read out loud to start off the spiritual portion of each FHE. It can be a beautiful time as family members become accustomed to sharing deep feelings with each other. Over time this brief moment can become more and more spontaneous, rather than assigned.

Activity:

Items Needed:

• Pre-printed survey form for each member of the family (sample questions below)
• Pen or pencil
• Glass jar or bowl

A. Read the following scripture from the New Testament:

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God" (1 John 4:7)

B. Explain that getting to know one another helps us more easily love one another, even the parents! Pass out a fun survey form with prepared questions (such as these below). For family members overseas, you can mail one!

Sample questions might be along these lines:

1. What is your full name?
2. What is your most favorite nickname you've ever had?
3. What is your most favorite meal?
4. What is your most favorite family memory?
5. Who do you look up to the most at school, work or at church? Why?
6. Who inspires you to live the best life you can be?
7. What is your favorite scripture story?
8. Do you have a favorite dessert? If so, what is it?
9. If you could do one thing for this world, what would it be?
10. What is a talent the Lord has given you? Is it with people, with building things, with playing things, etc.?
11. Do you have a favorite brand of gum?
12. What is your most favorite outfit to wear?
13. What age do you want to live to? Why?
14. What is the best thing anyone has ever done for you?
15. What is your favorite sense: taste, smell, touch, sight, hearing, intuition? Why?
16. If the family could do one thing to help you, what would it be?
17. What is your biggest fear?
18. What is your biggest hope?
19. What do you hope to be remembered for?
20. What is the hardest thing in your day?

C. Once everyone has had a chance to fill out their forms (little children will need help), ask them to fold their paper into a tiny little square and place all of the squares into a bowl or glass jar. Then read the following quote by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin:

"The Lord did not people the earth with a vibrant orchestra of personalities only to value the [flutes] of the world. This variety of creation itself is a testament of how the Lord values all His children....Jesus Christ is our greatest example. He was surrounded by multitudes and spoke to thousands, yet He always had concern for the one" (Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Concern for the One,” Ensign, May 2008, 17–20).

Application:  Let the family know that each member is priceless, but sometimes when we feel angry at a sibling or a parent, we can't see them for who they really are. Explain that your hope and plan is to celebrate each person individually over the coming weeks. Each "Celebrating . . . You!" week will be a surprise to the person being celebrated.

Pass around the bowl or glass jar with the papers, allowing everyone to pull out one of the squares. Each is to see who they got (if they pulled out their own paper, they need to put it back and draw again). Announce that each family member will take turns during the coming weeks to spotlight and celebrate the family member whose name they pulled.

Make sure privately to calendar who has what name and to help coordinate the activities to ensure each one receives a Celebration week. This will make verify ALL people will be celebrated and not forgotten. The information on the survey forms can help stimulate creative activities to highlight the celebrated person during their week of focus. (The person who drew your name - if he or she is very young - may need help from a sibling or an adult.)

Finish by sharing your testimony of the divine importance of each family member and of God's love for all. Invite your family to pay close attention to the words of the closing song to see what makes each one special.

Closing Song:  #142 Every Star is Different 

Closing Prayer:  By invitation.

Refreshments:  These Chocolate Star cookies are a cinch to make, very reliable, and better yet, so tasty. And they finish off a lesson that used two different children's songs about stars to make the point each person matters!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: 

These talks are excellent resources to read when feeling discouraged or not valued:

• President Gordon B. Hinckley's, "Strengthening Each Other," Ensign, Feb 1985, 3.
• Elder Gene R. Cook, "How to Discourage Discouragement," New Era, Jan 2003, 44.
• Elder Jack H. Goaslind, "Look to the Future with Optimism," Ensign, Apr 1997, 22.
• "Lesson 39:  Be of Good Cheer," Preparing for Exaltation, Teacher's Manual, 229.

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