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Sharing Time - God is my Heavenly Father. He knows and loves Me

God is my Heavenly Father. He knows and loves me

Sharing Time

January 6, 2013

 

 

Preparation:

  • Cut out 5-7 snowflakes – make some round, some square, some with big holes and other with little tiny cuts.
  • A bag to hide the snowflakes in
  • Gather pictures of scriptures, family, temple, nature, home, prophet and Christ

Junior Primary

Hold up 3 snowflakes (a round, a square and one with big holes).

Ask the group to look closely at the differences and have them raise their hand to identify what makes each one different from the other.

Is one prettier than the other or are they just different?  If one is prettier than the others, ask the children to identify something that is special about the other two snowflakes otherwise, Identify a something special about all 3.

Have the group give each of the 3 snowflakes a name and write the names on the board so that they don’t forget.  Review the name and the something special about each one.

Hide all 3 snowflakes in a bag and take one out at a time.  With one out, ask the children to tell you the name of the snowflake and what made it special.

There are millions of people on the earth, but just like you could tell the difference between these three snowflakes, Heavenly Father knows each one of us and knows what makes us special, what makes us cry, what makes us happy and our favorite toy.  Heavenly Father knows all about us and LOVES each of us individually.

What has Heavenly Father given or done for us that help us to know that He does love us?

Display the following pictures (if there is time, talk about how each item shows God’s love for us)…

  1. Scriptures
  2. Family Picture
  3. Temple Picture
  4. Pictures of flowers or nature
  5. Picture of a home
  6. Picture of the prophet
  7. Picture of Christ

Each of these items tells us that Heavenly Father loves us.  Next week we are going to talk about the greatest plan that Heavenly Father did for us.  And how Jesus Christ (hold up a picture of Christ) is the greatest gift Heavenly Father gave to us to prove His love for each and every one of us.

“Never forget, my dear young friends, that you really are a child of God who has inherited something of His divine nature, one whom He loves and desires to help and bless.” – President Gordon B. Hinckley

 

Senior Primary

Hold up 5-7 snowflakes.

Ask the group to look closely at the differences and have them raise their hand to identify what makes each one different from the other.

Is one prettier than the other or are they just different?

Which one is prettier?  Hold up each one individually and ask the children to raise their hands to vote on which one is prettier.  There will be a few that will get several votes.  If there are anything that didn’t get voted as “prettiest” ask the children to identify what makes each of those snowflakes special.

In this room each one of us are different.  Some of us have crooked noses, a limp, glasses, we’re missing teeth, we may stutter, or we are colorblind.  But do you think any of that matters to Heavenly Father?

Snowflakes are all different.  Some are lopsided, others are perfectly symmetrical and delicate but together millions of snowflakes do their jobs to make a winter wonderland.

Each one of us needs to walk peacefully, confidently and without fear or envy.  Heavenly Father loves you.  He loves you and knows you for who you are.

Pick 3 snowflakes that were identified by special characteristics (not the prettiest).  Give each one a name and review the trait that made them special.

Hide all 3 snowflakes in a bag and take one out at a time.  With one out, ask the children to tell you the name of the snowflake and what made it special.

There are millions of people on the earth, but just like you could tell the difference between these three snowflakes, Heavenly Father knows each one of us and knows what makes us special, what makes us cry, what makes us happy and our favorite toy.  Heavenly Father knows all about us and LOVES each of us individually.

What has Heavenly Father given or done for us that help us to know that He does love us?

Display the following pictures (if there is time, talk about how each item shows God’s love for us)…

  1. Scriptures
  2. Family Picture
  3. Temple Picture
  4. Pictures of flowers or nature
  5. Picture of a home
  6. Picture of the prophet
  7. Picture of the temple

Each of these items tells us that Heavenly Father loves us.  Next week we are going to talk about the greatest plan that Heavenly Father did for us.  And how Jesus Christ (hold up a picture of Christ) is the greatest gift Heavenly Father gave to us to prove His love for each and every one of us.

“Never forget, my dear young friends, that you really are a child of God who has inherited something of His divine nature, one whom He loves and desires to help and bless.” – President Gordon B. Hinckley

 

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2012 - A Year in Review

So much has happened this year.  Much of it has been wonderful but part of this year has been filled with sorrow.

January - Ivy turned 6 and had an adorable monkey themed party with many of her closest friends.  Scott had to have back surgery which now serves as a reminder that he is not as young as we often think.

February - Jade turned 9 and I turned the big 4-0!  I welcomed in the 40′s at the hospital but was glad it didn’t end up being appendicitis.  Scott went up to Bear Lake for a weekend of snowmobiling with Mark.

March - The dance competition season was underway for both girls.  We played in the backyard in snow and swimsuits during the month of spring.  Scott fit in a sand dunes day trip on the quads.

April - Anne’s cancer came back so we all headed down to spend Easter with Anne, Tom and the kids.  Can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am that we were able to make that trip happen.  Dance competition season continued through April with our first overnight convention for Jade.

May -  We welcomed in the final grand baby into the family – Sam is a happy and healthy boy that brings a lot of joy into the whole family.  On Mother’s Day, dad was rushed to the hospital with a massive infection and we nearly lost him.  On a happier note, The family went to Lagoon for Ivy’s dance competition.   We saw the “Super Moon” and loved it.  Jade danced at a Utah Blaze game.  The girls both had their spring dance recital, the school dance festival and Ivy finished kindergarten.

June  - Anne lost her two-year battle with appendix cancer the morning of the summer solstice.  We headed down to California to celebrate her life and embrace all that she had left behind.  We cried, laughed, enjoyed telling stories of her and looking through pictures and we cried even more.

July - Jade, Ivy and I headed back down to California for Jade’s first National Dance Competition.  We celebrated the 4th of July on the beach but really missed our family at home.   The remainder of July was filled with as much time on the boat as we could manage.  Finally on the 24th of July Dad was able to come home from the hospital.

August - Ivy gave waterskiing a try but hasn’t yet fallen in love with it.  We continued to enjoy the boat, despite the smoke-filled skies from the many brush fires we had in Utah.  Jade started 4th grade and Ivy started 1st grade in a Chinese Immersion program.

September - We filled the month with fun!  We went to Lake Powell, the Barnum and Bailey Circus, hiked up at Cascade Springs, fit in more boating and the girls went to the Brigham City Temple open house.

October - Scott thought it was time for us to do another Yellowstone trip so we put together a spur of the moment trip with my parents the weekend before the season ended.  It was beautiful and we had a wonderful time.

November - We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving at my aunt and uncle’s home and then hid in Park City for the rest of the weekend.  It was fantastic and very restful!

December - We had a wonderful Christmas season filled with family and fun.  I was surprised by the wide range of emotions I felt from absolute joy for our extended family to sobbing and missing Anne.  We ended the year sending off beautiful colored lanterns in her honor.

 

And now we dive head first into the new year and pray for the continued joy and love that we have felt this past year and also hope for better health for each member of our family.  (3 years in a row we have lost someone and I’m ready for that trend to stop!)

 

Looking forward to a bit more blogging this year as well.  No promises on how often, but do expect to hear from me.

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Developing Talents

As you know, my girls both take a lot of dance.  Jade is at the studio for a minimum of 12 hours a week and Ivy is there nearly 5.  Yes, it is a lot.  But, they love it and they are both learning how to develop one of their talents.  They are also learning how to work as a group or a team.  And they are learning that just loving something doesn’t make it easy.

I’ve always believed that developing your child’s talents is one of the most important things you can give them.  I also believe that there are talents that are important to develop that don’t take hours and hours a week in the studio or a classroom or on a field or a court.

Some talents you develop on accident.  These are the talents that you just happen upon one day while playing or goofing around.

The other day, we learned that Jade has a natural talent for make-up artistry.  Yes, I’m serious.

Here, judge for yourself…

 

Yes, my 9 year old did this make-up on her little sister.  I gave them make-up with the thought that they would make each other glamorous.  And why wouldn’t they?  There are little girls and they had been doing a fashion show.

If Ivy’s eyers were closed you would see that those lines by her eyes actually “sewed” her eyes closed.  CREEPY!  but definitely some talent.

We won’t be sending her to the MAC school for make-up artists just yet but I see a future for her helping friends get creepy for Halloweens to come.

I love finding new talents in my girls.  And they are still young.  I am really excited to see what else is discovered over the next 10- 13 years.  (When they are 19 they both want to go on a LDS mission and I already believe they will discover all new talents then).

What are some talents you were surprised to discover in your kids or yourself?

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When a dad doesn’t get a son…

There are only 4 of us in our little family.  To me, 4 is a perfect number.  But we don’t have any sons.  I was afraid of getting a boy.  Silly huh?   I’ve never felt like I would be a good mom to a boy.  And I can’t explain why.

My husband very obviously would have loved a boy.  He would love a boy to throw a football with, go fishing with or go duck hunting with.  Instead he has a house full of pink, dance clothes, pony tail holders (which are somehow hidden in places throughout the house) and long hair.

When we were younger I wondered if we should try for one more and maybe get that little boy.  But after being on bed rest with Ivy from week 26 on and getting through her seizures and periodic fever syndrome, I didn’t have it in me.  The time came and went and we are happy with our family of four.

So when Scott encourages the girls to participate in activities that are traditionally “boy” activities, I embrace it.  In fact, I pray that the girls will have fun doing it.

The other day was one of those days.

Scott has great memories of going hunting with his dad and his grandpa.  He remembers sitting on the duck blind shooting at fence posts with his pellet gun.  Back then it was okay to sit in the bed of a truck while you rode out to the marshes, and he loves those memories.  (I grew up in a family that did not hunt at all – I always remember telling friends the story of the one time my dad went hunting.  He shot at a rabbit (I think) and it crushed my big 6 foot 6 inch professional football player of a dad to tears.  He never hunted again).

When Scott and I were dating, he took me duck hunting.  I loved being out in the marshes – it was so pretty and so peaceful.  So I decided it was pretty okay with me.  We bought me a pair of waders and I took hunter’s safety.  My waders got stolen and we never replaced them.  But he still goes.

Scott came home one day and said that we were heading to Cabela’s to look at pellet guns.  We did more than look.  We came home with one and spent our family night out in a field shooting at targets.

This Saturday Scott is taking Jade out to the bird refuge in her own little waders, her camera and her pellet gun to experience duck hunting first hand. They are going to go with a good friend of ours and his son.

I’ll be honest, I’m nervous about it.  But Scott is also the MOST conscientious person I know and he’s extremely protective of his little girls, so I’m sure she’s going to come home with a big smile and some great pictures.  (And hopefully no ducks).

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“I can go to the temple…”

Well, I recently received a new calling in our church.  I am not the first counselor in the Primary Presidency.  (The children’s organization of our church).

This is a calling that stresses me out more than most any other calling.  But, I know I was called to this position for a reason (even if I don’t know what it is).  Since I have always posted my lessons from either Sunday School or Primary, I’ve decided to continue by posting my Sharing Time lessons.

Each time I teach there will be two sections to the post- one for Junior Primary and one for Senior Primary.  The topic will always be the same, and they will be fairly similar but just geared more toward the different age groups.  The problem is that it will make the post very long, so I will use headers to distinguish the two.

________________

Junior Primary – I can go to the temple to receive ordinances for my ancestors when I am older

Show a picture of a Temple

What is this a picture of

Have any of you been to see a Temple

Why do we go to the Temple

What happens in the Temple?

 

I have always loved the song written by Janice Kapp Perry about the Temple.  It is called “I love to see the Temple

Sing the song “I love to see the Temple

 

Now that we have sung the song, let’s talk a little bit more about what we do in the temple.  From the song we learned that we can  …  (Hang word strips on the board for each of these three things from the song)

LISTEN AND PRAY

COVENANT WITH HEAVENLY FATHER

SEALED TO OUR FAMILY

Last week we talked about the helping hands of the priesthood and the blessings that we can receive through the priesthood.  In the Temple we also receive priesthood blessings.   And these blessings are ones that are so very important.   These blessings are so important that they are called ordinances

Your baptism is a very important ordinance and each one of you can be baptized when you turn 8 because you are alive.  By being baptized you promise Heavenly Father that you we always do your best to be like Him and His Son, Jesus Christ

But did you know that not everyone will have the opportunity to be baptized?

That is one of the reasons that we have Temples today.  In the Temple, we can get baptized for our family members that died before they were able to get baptized

This week’s theme is “I can go to the temple to receive ordinances for my ancestors when I am older.

What is an ancestor?

Let’s have a quick scavenger hunt to find out a couple of things that we can do for our ancestors if they did not have the opportunity to get baptized while they were alive.

Have 3 clues that you will read from the podium.  At the hiding space have a folded up word strip that a child can bring to you and read from the podium.  Also have a picture of each item, if you can.

 

Clue #1 – You can see through me from the inside looking out or the outside looking in.  (Window) – BAPTISM – Have a picture of a Temple baptismal font.

Baptism – This is the first of the ordinances that need to happen for your ancestors.  When you get a little bit older you will be able to go to the temple and do baptisms for wonderful people that have already died.  Just like when you will get baptized for your self, you will wear white and a priesthood holder will offer the baptismal prayer and you will go all the way under water.  ALL of it will be just like when you get baptized.

Clue #2 – I make beautiful music when someone tickles me and loud noise when someone bangs on me.  (Piano) – ENDOWMENT – Have a picture of an endowment room.

Endowment -  An endowment is when we make even more promises to our Heavenly Father than we do when we get baptized.  It is a very important promise and our ancestors need to have the opportunity to make the same promise.   So when your mom and dad go to the Temple, they are probably helping one of your ancestors or someone else’s ancestor make the same promises they did when they went through the Temple the first time.

Clue #3 – You can write on me or you can hang things from me, but I don’t like to be scratched.  (Whiteboard or Chalkboard) – SEALING – Have a picture of a sealing room.

Sealing – In the temple you can be sealed to your family forever and ever.  But if you did get to do it when you were alive, someone else can do it for you.  My husband’s grandparents were married outside of the Temple.  After they died, we got to be sealed for them.  That way they can be together with their famiies forever and ever!

I know that the Temple is a sacred place.  It is a place where we can feel Heavenly Father’s love.  It is also the only place where we can help our family members that have died be with Heavenly Father and their families forever.

_______________________

Senior Primary – I can go to the temple to receive ordinances for my ancestors when I am older

President George Q Cannon once said, “Every foundation stone that is laid for a Temple, and every Temple completed… lessens the power of Satan on the earth, and increases the power of God and Godliness.”

What does that mean?

There are currently 139 Operating (2 Under Renovation), 13 Under Construction, 16 Announced

Since you were born there have been 3 Temples dedicated in Utah (Brigham City, Oquirrh Mountain and Draper) and there are 2 more that have been announced – (Provo City Center and Payson).

Raise your hand if you have seen a temple this week.

It is amazing, living in Utah, that you cannot travel very far without seeing a Temple.

Raise your hand if you have ever been inside of a temple.

When you were inside the temple, how did you feel?  What was your favorite part of them temple?

Why are Temples so important?

In the temple there are sacred ordinances.  (Sacred rites and ceremonies. Ordinances consist of acts that have spiritual meanings. Ordinances can also mean God’s laws and statutes).

Each of you will likely have the opportunity to go through the temple for yourself.  You will each be able to make sacred promises with your Heavenly Father.  But there are many people who haven’t had that chance or won’t have that chance.  And some of them are your ancestors.

What is an ancestor?

It is your responsibility to help make sure not one of your ancestors misses out on the opportunity to make those covenants.

Do you know how you can help them?

 

Let’s have a quick scavenger hunt to talk about some of the ordinances that take place in the Temple.   Each one of the ordinances you can  one day do for your ancestors.   We may also find out some other things that you can do for yourself in the Temple.

Have 5 clues that you will read from the podium.  At the hiding space have a folded up word strip that a child can bring to you and read from the podium.  Also have a picture of each item, if you can.

Clue #1 – I can brighten the room quickly or I can make it very dark.  (Light switch) – LISTEN AND PRAY – Have a picture of a Celestial Ro

Listen and Pray – The Temple is a very peaceful place.  A place where you can go and have quiet prayer.  It is a place where you can listen without the interruptions of TV, music, noises or much of anything.  The Temple is the best place to go when you need the kind of help that you can only get through asking your Heavenly Father.

Clue #2 – You can see through me from the inside looking out or the outside looking in.  (Window) – BAPTISM – Have a picture of a Temple baptismal font.

Baptism – This is the first of the ordinances that need to happen for your ancestors.  When you get a little bit older you will be able to go to the temple and do baptisms for wonderful people that have already died.  Just like when you will get baptized for your self, you will wear white and a priesthood holder will offer the baptismal prayer and you will go all the way under water.  ALL of it will be just like when you get baptized.

Clue #3 – I make beautiful music when someone tickles me and loud noise when someone bangs on me.  (Piano) – ENDOWMENT – Have a picture of an endowment room.

Endowment -  An endowment is when we make even more promises to our Heavenly Father than we do when we get baptized.  It is a very important promise and our ancestors need to have the opportunity to make the same promise.   So when your mom and dad go to the Temple, they are probably helping one of your ancestors or someone else’s ancestor make the same promises they did when they went through the Temple the first time.

Clue #4 – You can write on me or you can hang things from me, but I don’t like to be scratched.  (Whiteboard or Chalkboard) – SEALING – Have a picture of a sealing room.

Sealing – In the temple you can be sealed to your family forever and ever.  But if you did get to do it when you were alive, someone else can do it for you.  My husband’s grandparents were married outside of the Temple.  After they died, we got to be sealed for them.  That way they can be together with their families forever and ever!

Clue #5 – When I am working I will make your voice sound louder than it is.  When I’m not workin you have to speak a little louder.  (Podium) – A PLACE TO LEARN ABOUT HEAVENLY FATHER AND JESUS CHRIST – Have a picture of Jesus Christ.

When you get older and can go to the temple, you will have an opportunity to learn more about your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ than you have ever learned.  Each time you go the lesson will be repeated and you will be surprised at how often you learn something new.  President David O McKay (a prophet) once said that every single time he went to the temple he learned something new.

Have everyone stand up and repeat after me, I can go to the temple to receive ordinances for my ancestors when I am older.

Have them sit down and close with testimony.

I know that the temple is the house of God and there I will be able to help my ancestors return to their Heavenly Father and be with their family for all eternity.  I love to see the Temple.  It is the most peaceful place on earth and I love getting to go there and feeling close to my Heavenly Father.   I know that  when I go to the Temple, I am helping someone that can’t help themselves.

 

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