Which Way Does a Tree Fall?

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For family home evening tonight, we used the Lorax and Truffala trees to teach an important lesson. We watched the clip from the movie The Lorax, where the Once-ler's family joins him to start making Thneeds. The Lorax cautions Once-ler that he is making the wrong choice. He asks, "Which way does a tree fall?" The answer, "It falls the way it leans. Be careful which way you lean."  We related this to the prophet George Albert Smith's counsel. “There is a line of demarcation well defined between the Lord’s territory and the devil’s territory. If you will stay on the Lord’s side of the line you will be under his influence and will have no desire to do wrong; but if you cross to the devil’s side of that line one inch you are in the tempter’s power and if he is successful, you will not be able to think or even reason properly because you will have lost the Spirit of the Lord.”

I made a Truffala tree pencil for each person. (Simply a piece of feather boa glued to the top of pencil.) I used these trees to demonstrate President Smith's counsel. If we are on the Lord's side and striving to do good which way will we "fall?" On the Lord's side. If we are on Satan's side, which way will we fall? For Satan. If we are planted on the Lord's side but are thinking about doing wrong or even disobeying a few commandments, which way are we leaning? Which way will we fall? For Satan. However, if we have made bad choices in the past and we're stuck on Satan's side, but we want to repent and be on the Lord's side, we are leaning to the Lord's side and he will help us to come back to his side.

We closed with more of President Smith's counsel, “When I have been tempted sometimes to do a certain thing, I have asked myself, ‘Which side of the line am I on?’ If I determined to be on the safe side, the Lord’s side, I would do the right thing every time. So when temptation comes think prayerfully about your problem and the influence of the Lord will aid you to decide wisely. There is safety for us only on the Lord’s side of the line.” I reminded them the Lorax's warning. "Be careful which way you lean."

 

I'm hoping that we will be able to use this as a reminder later on. "Whose side are you on?'' or "Which way are you leaning?" As well as seeing the fuzzy Truffala tree pencils around the house. This should help the kid's to think about the choices they are making and which side it places them.

It was a great lesson and we finished up by eating Deep Dish Chocolate Pumpkin Pizookie. Thanks to Stephanie Ferrera for the R.S. lesson and Truffala tree that prompted this and to my sister Emily for suggesting the recipe. (Although next time I make it, I don't think I'll make it deep dish. It was really rich and very filling.)

What we learn...

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I was reading one of my favorite blogs today and she recalls that fateful day 10 years ago, watching the news on TV, holding her 5-month-old, thinking of her newborn's future "What kind of world will you grow up in?" Ten years later, she answers this question. (Please read her whole post it's beautiful.)

"You will see good and evil at their finest hours. You will see more hatred, more atrocities and more cruelty than this world has ever known. And some of that evil will hurt our family. That’s part of this whole experience in mortality and is part of this gift of agency.

But you will also see how the strength of the human spirit will always push back and prevail against darkness.

I saw that on 9/11 when firefighters and police rushed into burning towers and people lined up outside of blood banks to help the wounded. I’ve seen it every time there’s a natural disaster and people from around the country and the world send food and money and blankets to total strangers to relieve their suffering. And I’ve seen it every time our troops kiss loved ones good bye as they deploy for missions that may never bring them home.

With all of the darkness out there guys, always remember that there is even more goodness in this world. Be part of it."

That's what I want to teach my children. There are bad people who will do evil things, but we can stand up against them. We can be united, do good, and spread that in the world. Stand up for what you believe in but make a stand with service and love, not hatred and violence.

Church was really inspiring today. I found it interesting that Forgiveness, Charity, and Service were topics that were covered today in our various meetings.  How inspiring that these topics seemed to fit so well with the day's thoughts and emotions. This is what makes up the goodness of the world that gets us through these difficult times; the things that unite us rather than divide us. At home we talked with the kids about the 9/11 attacks and why it's important for us to remember that day.

So to my children, I would say...

There are evils in this world sent to destroy our spirits and knock us down. That is a part of this life, but there is also a goodness in the world that will always overcome bad. That goodness is made up of love, compassion, kindness, respect, and the desire to live a Christ-like life. Be a part of that goodness. Be a light that shines in the darkness of bad times. Uplift and comfort those around you, that they may share in your light and together become a beacon of hope for many more. Our trials and conflicts do not define who we are. What we learn from them defines us and that is what makes the difference.

I love to see the temple

"I love to see the temple I'm going there someday.

To feel the Holy Spirit, to listen and to pray.

For the temple is a house of God, a place of love and beauty.

I'll prepare myself while I am young; This is my sacred duty."

The words of this children's song put in simplest words how special temples are to the LDS faith.  (If you would like to know more about what temples are and why they are special to Mormons, follow this link to a wonderful article all about LDS temples.)

Today, I wanted to remind our kids of that specialness and help them feel the spirit. So, we took an impromptu trip to the temple. We are lucky that the Houston temple is within a half-hour drive of our home. So after church this morning, we grabbed a quick picnic lunch and the camera and headed to the temple. The temple itself is closed on Sundays and Mondays, but the temple grounds are open to visitors to visit and walk around. So we sat down by one of the fountains and enjoyed the beautiful day and the peace we felt. I remembered hearing somewhere the idea that if we want our children to grow up and live worthy of entering the temple we need to have it as a daily reminder and goal. What better than a personal picture of the temple to see on a daily basis and be reminded of that goal. So, I took a picture of each of us with the temple. I edited them online with Picnik (which I love), and I want to hang them in our bedrooms.

Later for Family Home Evening, (which we do on Sunday because Aaron has a late night class on Monday) we talked some more about temples and why they are special. I used this lesson for FHE and bore my testimony about temples. Seth told me that he loved being at the temple this afternoon and wanted to go back. That is so great that even at a young age, he can feel the spirit there and wants to return often. We just might have to make this a more frequent family tradition.

It was really neat that Saturday night's session of  Stake Conference was all about temples and temple service. It is probably what sparked the desire to take my family to the temple today. For anyone who wasn't there Saturday, this article sums up what was shared at the adult session at Stake Conference.

Let me finish with a quote by President Howard W. Hunter (from the article). “Let us be a temple-attending and a temple-loving people. Let us hasten to the temple as frequently as time and means and personal circumstances allow. Let us go not only for our kindred dead, but let us also go for the personal blessing of temple worship....If we can pattern our life after the Master, and take His teaching and example as the supreme pattern for our own, we will not find it difficult to be temple worthy."

‘Tis the Season!

Just wanted to share this video with everyone. I’ll probably also add it to the bottom of the page on the blog. It is so sweet. It made me smile and get teary-eyed, to hear what Christmas means to children. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM8XoT7qnxY&feature=player_embedded

My New Life video

Have you heard of Stephanie Nielsen (or Nie Nie)? She is an amazing women who survived a near-fatal plane crash. I occasionally read her blog and always feel inspired. I came across this video, cried, and knew I needed to share. What she said about motherhood really struck a chord with me. Please check it out and be inspired. (and if you love the music, go here for a free download.)

Happy Father's Day

So, since it's Father's Day, I thought you might like to hear from my other half, Aaron. His contributions to the blog are usually, "Marissa, you should put that on the blog." So in an effort to elicit more from him, and feeling inspired by Simple Modern Mom's week of dad blog interviews, I borrowed these questions from her (and added a few of my own) in an effort to dig into his dad psyche.

What do you now do that is something you would never thought you would do but have done since becoming a dad?
Touch poop...cleaning up a child who is being potty-trained is horrible

What is your favorite thing to do with your children?
Camping is my favorite way to spend time with my children because we are separated from all distractions. I can concentrate on developing my relationship with each of them.

In your family, what roles or tasks do you have as a father? What are your daddy duties?
work, finances, yard work, and disciplinarian

When it comes to parenting, what are your strengths and weaknesses? What about your wife’s?
 My strengths are providing my children with security, structure, rules, and discipline. Marissa's strengths are providing our children with knowledge, love, kindness, service, sacrifice, and creativity.

What is the best parenting advice you have received?
The best parenting advice I have received came from President Monson, "Don't let the problem to be solved become more important than the people to be loved."

What are your hopes and dreams for your children?
My ultimate hope for my children is that they are strong, righteous, and temple worthy, with a love of God and life.

What do you love most about each of your children?
 I love Seth's creativity, imagination, desire for learning, and sensitivity to the spirit. I love Josh's wit, sense of humor, strength, and the way he challenges the reason for things. I love Aubrey's smile, laughter, and the way she looks at me when I dance with her.

What would your ideal Father's Day be like?
 Yummy breakfast, clean house, and a whole day to spend with my family.

What is something you learned from your father that has helped you as a father?
 My dad was always there for me when I needed him and I will do the same for my children.

What is some fatherly advice that you hope to impart to your children?
Take pleasure in the small things

Thanks Aaron! We love you and we know that you love us. I am so thankful to be married to such an amazing man. You are a wonderful husband and father. We are also thankful for all of the other great fathers out there, especially our fathers (a.k.a. Grandpa P. and Grandpa C.). Thank you for all you do for all of your children and grandchildren. Happy Father's Day!

I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Most everyone who reads our blog knows that our family is Mormon, so let me explain the reasoning behind this post. After church (and choir practice) I was reading an article in The Ensign (our church magazine), about sharing the gospel through our blogs. (It also included some tips about blog safety and courtesy. Check it out.) It got me thinking and inspired me. What's a better way to bear my testimony about the restored gospel than how it blesses my life everyday?! So, my goal, as I continue to blog, is to share with you some of the things that I know, that I'm learning, and that I'm blessed with. Hopefully, you will be inspired and uplifted and maybe even learn something.

So, first I'd like to bear my testimony. I feel so blessed to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Because of this gospel, I have been blessed with many truths that bring happiness to my life. I know that I am a child of God and as such, I have a Heavenly Father who loves me. I feel his love for me whenever I pray and I know that I can receive personal revelation from him through prayer and the Holy Ghost. I know that Joseph Smith saw our Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and through him the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored in its fullness. I know that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon only by the power of God. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and it is another witness of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Through the Bible and the Book of Mormon, we can learn of Christ and his teachings and our Heavenly Father's commandments and plan for us. I have felt the power and sweetness of these scriptures in my heart and in my home. My family is continuely blessed because we are striving to live by the principles found in these great works. I know that our church is lead by a prophet of God today, Thomas S. Monson, and through him God continues to reveal his commandments and guidance for us. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that he lives. He lives! How glorious that our Redeemer has suffered for our sins, died for us, and broke the bonds of death through resurrection's power. He lives! What joy that sentences brings! He has led the way for us to return to our Heavenly Father. He has made it possible through the atonement. Our sins and weaknesses can be forgiven, when we repent, are baptized, and strive to be obedient. I have felt my Savior's love and I know that he loves and cares for me. I have been blessed by these truths. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

P.S. You can go to www.mormon.org to learn more about the church, but did you know that they now have a new feature where you can talk to a missionary about our church. Check it out at chat.mormon.org.