Sparkling Reflections

It's wonderful here at Bear lake today. There are only a handful of vehicles on the entire beach. The sun is shining and the water calm. But not completely calm. There is just enough rippling to create that tranquilizing sound of water lapping against the sand. Such a lovely sound as to enhance the peacefulness of this moment in time.

I look out at my five young children far off in what they call the "hot sand". The boys with a two foot shovel, no doubt searching for treasure. The girls with a big wad of... sea moss? What is their plan for that?

As I see them out there playing I am vividly reminded of how I used to be transported by my imagination to any world, time, or situation I desired. I love days like today when the only thing on the agenda is to allow the children the freedom to magically transform themselves into any character they want to be. Their mode of transportation is to simply follow any whim of their imaginations.

Sparkling reflections on the water; the sounds of splashing, laughter, and seagulls; and my one lone beach umbrella all come together creating a fulness of heart and a smile in my eyes. Today will be stored in an imaginary heart pendant to be opened on some future cold day.

Family Home Evening Lesson idea for this month.

Family home evenings have always been a challenge for our multi-aged family. It used to be that I would just come up with something real quick in the 15 minutes before we gather.Usually, something preschoolish. However, my 16 yr old son has been going to football workouts and practices which usually run til 8 pm. After fuming about our LDS coaches who are missing out on an opportunity to teach our boys a greater lesson, we told our son that he was required to be home by 7 pm on Mondays and Tuesdays for FHE and Mutual, respectively. This has made me take Family Home Evening much more seriously and I've been following all the inspirations the Spirit gives me for lessons that my family needs.

After 6 weeks of great discussions and very moving character lessons using the 6 B's of Pres. Hinckley, I am now leaning towards using The Family: A Proclamation to the World for a while. The great news is that there are bloggers out there holding a "Celebrate the Family" celebration. I first discovered this last year on Latter-Day Homeschooling. Chocolate on My Cranium is the blog hosting it this year, I believe. There is a Family Proclamation blog-hop and lots of inspiring posts.

I'm so glad for those inspired parents who are willing to share their ideas and look forward to helping my children understand the significance of the document that their father has been carving into wood for the past year. They have even helped to apply the glaze onto the plaques to earn some money.

I am thankful for the divine qualities inherent in each member of the family and for the word of God which testifies of the purpose for family.