Time for a new kind of schedule

I want to blog about something important, but don't really know what.  I have read so many inspiring blogs.  Today the things on my mind are organization and really scheduling my time.  There is so much to do.  Neither of these things are talents that I am blessed with, but I am determined to make them my strengths.  I was thinking of our schedule last night and one thing that John said really stuck with me.  After family scripture reading, which didn't go completely smoothly last night, John expressed to me that one of his frustrations is that when you have children, you can't plan for something to take a certain amount of time.  Things often take much, much longer.  I realized as I sat down this morning to make my schedule that I needed to add extra time for those things that you never quite plan for.  We started a new system of family scripture study the other day where we all read together for ten minutes, and then for the next 20-30 minutes, we read individually, and then take a few minutes at the end to share.  For Lilly, we let her read the Friend, picture scriptures, or other books for her personal time.  We try to have her read at least five minutes out of the picture scriptures or friend first and then she can move on to the other books.  It has been working well.  After what John said though, I realized that we need about 10 minutes of "what-if" time to allow for adjustments needed when dealing with the needs of children.  It was a bit frustrating at first thinking of how to plan the time knowing that I can never count on a schedule, but I realized that if that time isn't used, we can use it for something else like reading books, or just playing together.  Since we are trying to do scriptures in the morning before John goes to work, we have to keep to somewhat of a schedule or we can't get all that we need to done.  So, planning buffer time makes it work and we can still stay on schedule. 

I read an article on LDS.org that I am going to include below.  I especially love the quote,  “The most important thing we can read to our children is the scriptures. … The voices we hear as little children remain with us, so parents must read the scriptures to their children as early as possible. The child who hears the scriptures in the loved voices of his father and mother will come, through that love, to understand the scriptures and appreciate them in the best way. … Through the voice of their parents, children can … become familiar with the voice of the Lord.”  I hope that Lilly and all of my future children learn to love the scriptures and become familiar with the voice of the Lord because I read the scriptures to them.  I know that my own love for the scriptures came from knowing that my parents loved the scriptures.  I remember so many times early in the morning walking into the room to see my mom or dad sitting reading their scriptures, sometimes having fallen asleep with their scriptures in their lap.  I remember that on Sundays my parents would gather us together to have scripture study - not like on other days, but a longer study - 1 hour - where we went through the scriptures and they taught us in detail.  I love the scriptures.  I know that the study of the scriptures brings us closer to God.  I find answers to my prayers and I understand better the changes I need to make.  I love the peace it brings into my home.  I know that the scriptures are true.  My own personal study hasn't been as effective lately, so I am excited to find ways to make my own study more effective as well.  Looking forward to seeing how it all works tomorrow. 

"Whatever we must do to fit gospel study into our lives, the rewards will be well worth the effort. The light we allow into our own lives will reflect upon the lives of our children."

Four Keys to Family Gospel Study

1. Commitment. Once we commit to anything, our desire to succeed makes the task easier, whether it is losing five pounds, finishing up a college degree, or having regular gospel study. As a family, discuss ways to study the scriptures. Then, once the family has agreed upon a plan, get a commitment from each member to follow the plan. Until that commitment is obtained, your efforts will be only partially successful.
2. Consistency. Just about any activity done on a regular basis is more effective than those done randomly. You would probably ask for a parent-teacher conference if your child’s teacher taught the class math for two days and then didn’t teach any math for two months. So it is with studying the scriptures—the predictability of a set schedule encourages learning and frees us to learn with a minimum of interruptions. Family members need to determine the best time for study, then stick to it.
   
3. Individuality. Elder Howard W. Hunter said, “Families are greatly blessed when wise fathers and mothers bring their children about them, read from the pages of the scriptural library together, and then discuss freely the beautiful stories and thoughts according to the understanding of all.” (Ensign, Nov. 1979, p. 64; italics added.) As no two families respond identically to the same situation, no one method of gospel study will be equally suited to all. Through thoughtful, earnest prayer, and by counseling together, each family can determine its best way to study the gospel.
   One family, whose children ranged from elementary-school age through post-high-school age, tried studying during and after dinner, before bedtime, and on weekends—all without measurable success. They finally found their answer by having a family breakfast an hour before anyone leaves for work or school. This allows them to have a nutritious meal together and to study gospel principles each day. “We are a happier family now,” says the grateful wife and mother. “We have more time to talk together in a meaningful way, and our family gospel study has helped each of us understand and live the gospel better.”
   
4. Variety. Keeping the interest and attention of family members is essential. When young children are learning a concept, they best remember what they do (such as draw a picture, tell a story), followed by what they see (pictures, filmstrips), and then what they hear (reading, tape recordings). A lesson on the Nativity, therefore, might best be remembered by young children if each child role-played a part, supplemented by a reading from the scriptures.
   Modern technology and inspiration of Church leaders have made the gospel message available in a variety of forms. In addition to the scriptures, there are videotapes; audio tapes—some with accompanying books; filmstrips; magazines; books; and lesson manuals. There has never been a time when so many resources have been at hand.

Ways to Study

1. Read it aloud. The tradition of reading aloud as a family diminished with the advent of radio, then almost disappeared after television was invented. Today, too few families participate in a tradition that for centuries bonded hearts and fostered learning. Arthur Henry King, a retired professor of English at Brigham Young University and currently president of the London Temple, stresses that children can learn to love the scriptures by listening to their parents read them: “The most important thing we can read to our children is the scriptures. … The voices we hear as little children remain with us, so parents must read the scriptures to their children as early as possible. The child who hears the scriptures in the loved voices of his father and mother will come, through that love, to understand the scriptures and appreciate them in the best way. … Through the voice of their parents, children can … become familiar with the voice of the Lord.” (The Abundance of the Heart, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1986, pp. 221–22.)
   We may choose to read topically or consecutively through the scriptures. Or, while children are still young, we may read and reread the same favorites, thus giving that “loved voice” to the language of the scriptures. The more this kind of sharing can occur, the more familiar the language of the scriptures becomes to our children, and the more approachable the scriptures will be.
   
2. Memorize it. Besides reading aloud, another traditional method of study is to memorize selected passages of scripture. Young children can memorize simple verses, and they will feel a great sense of satisfaction from their accomplishments.
   
3. Look it up. The appendix in the new edition of the LDS scriptures provides an excellent tool for gospel study. When reading aloud as a family, you can find definitions of important words in the Bible dictionary, identify scriptures containing the same words in the topical guide, and locate geographical areas on the maps. As children become familiar with these helps, their understanding of the scriptures increases, and they make them a meaningful part of their lives.
   
4. Tape record it. Parents can record gospel-related stories for children to listen to. This approach is especially helpful for busy parents and those who must be gone from home for extended periods of time.
   
5. Discuss it. Educators are concerned that today’s students cannot express themselves well verbally. Family discussions are excellent ways to strengthen this skill, as well as broaden gospel understanding. Families can discuss:
   —The content of lessons taught in classes at church or seminary.
   —Talks given in sacrament meetings or conferences.
   —Articles in Church magazines.
   —Poetry, stories, or books that have wholesome themes.
   —Current events relating to the gospel.
   —Current movies and television shows whose themes promote the gospel.
   
6. Share it. Give family members, according to their ages and abilities, a chance to share with the family what they learn about the gospel.