Our Mission

Hi,

I think Eric misread Trina's intention. I didn't feel like she was suggesting that our children make the plans and decisions for us. We've been rather negligent in discussing our plans with you, but we have been talking about them. We need to look into the financial end of things and see what is required. As I told Trina on the phone we should be OK financially as long as there is still Social Security and PERS. Our house will be paid off sometime in 2012 so we won't have those payments anymore. But if you want to set money aside, just in case we need it, that would be wonderful. We also appreciate the idea of a fast. We were discussing some of our options as to what when and where and decided we need to pray more about it. We have our own ideas of what we would like but is that what Heavenly Father wants us to do?

Thanks so much for your love and support,
MOM & DAD

I didn't intend for us - the kids - to make plans in their behalf, particularly the WHAT and WHEN. I thought it would be nice to have a fast together in support of their decision-making process, and encourage them to work towards a mission. I talked to Mom yesterday on the phone and she said that the target is the summer of 2014. Yeah, it's 3 1/2 years off, but still, it's a specific target out there.

I do think that us kids will be involved in the HOW - missions are expensive. Mom and Dad are confident right now that their retirement and government programs and all will cover the money aspect of a mission. I'm less confident in those sources of income because of what I'm observing from the government's/country's current and potential financial situation. And even if they can pay for it themselves, I still plan to help because they helped pay for my mission. And I can plan my own finances to accommodate that if I know at least the WHEN.

Mom and Dad's Mission

I will admit, I was a little surprised by Trina's feeling that we (the children) need to make plans for Mom and Dad. I mean, this is a pretty personal decision, especially the WHAT and WHEN.

That said, I'm all for encouraging Mom and Dad (and the rest of us) to serve missions. It's a great experience.

More on parents' missions plans

Our home teachers came last Sunday, and Dad said that he and Mom are planning and training for a mission. They're thinking about either family history or serving in a temple. Mom has a lot of experience with helping people with family history already, and she's also helping with FamilySearch Indexing. Mom and Dad also work in the temple every Saturday, so they're getting lots of experience there.

Either one of those missions would be wonderful for our parents.

Mom and Dad mission plans

Hi all. I think we've known for forever that Mom and Dad want to serve a mission, and plan to "when Dad retires." That's what I've always been told. Recently, particularly after reading the January and February 2011 Ensigns, I've been feeling like it's time to make some specific plans. Here are some things to consider and discuss:

1. Mom and Dad setting a specific target date to turn in their papers.
2. Mom and Dad going through what their options are as senior missionaries - regular proselyting (which is still modified - no tracting for you guys), office work for a mission, family history, temple, etc. and have a family fast to help them decide what particular mission assignment to submit for.
3. Start a savings account specific to the mission goal. I know that everyone is in different phases of life with their personal finances, and everyone would need to discuss with their spouse if/when to contribute to this savings account or help with paying for the mission when Mom and Dad leave. But if I'm told correctly, senior couples do not have the flat monthly contribution that the youth do - their finances are structured differently and I believe they're a lot more responsible for their own costs. I don't know. It's definitely something to check on so we know what we're getting ourselves into.

Thoughts?

FHE from Tawnia

FHE for Mom and Dad was slightly different from what I did for Emily.

Song: I made Emily a CD of "Happy Songs" with everything from the techno version of Winnie the Pooh to Viva La Vida by Cold Play. So, not neccesarily religous stuff. For Mom and Dad, the first half of their CD had some different versions of hymns that I had on my computer.

Lesson: For Emily, I downloaded some BYU devotionals and then told her where to find more on-line. There are free podcasts of current and past BYU devotionals. For Mom and Dad, I downloaded some talks from the October General Conference.

Activity: For both Emily, and Mom and Dad, I created a year long picture scavenger hunt for them to complete. There is basically one picture per week, but they could do more in one week and then skip another week if they wanted.

Refreshments: I got chocolate for Emily and a gift card to the Olive Garden for Mom and Dad.

So.... if you would like me to send you a copy of the scavenger hunts (they are slightly different) just send me an e-mail and I'll send one out to you.

FHE in a box

Mom commented that she really liked the FHE activities that Tawnia and I put together for her and Dad. We really liked what Eric and Laurel put together for us, and we want to do everyone's! That's 2 months worth of FHE! So please post them here on the blog!

I posted what Eric and Laurel put together for us here if you want to do it too.

What we did for Mom and Dad, and for Clarissa and Jeremy was this:

MUSIC
Sing the song "Scripture Power" - this link has an mp3 with the music and a pdf with the sheet music and words.

LESSON
Each of you share your favorite scripture story or prophet – why this means something to you and how you try to apply those specific lessons in your life.

Read and discuss the following scriptures:
2 Nephi 32:3
D&C 84:85
Mosiah 1:7
1 Nephi 15:24

Discuss the following:
How can you each improve your personal scripture study?
How can you improve your scripture study as a couple?
Set at least one goal for each of these to work on over the next month. Write it in your journal, and assess in one month.

MORE MUSIC
Sing the songs "Search, Ponder, and Pray" in the Primary songbook and "The Iron Rod" in the hymnal.

ACTIVITY
Use watercolors to paint a picture of your favorite scripture story.

Nauvoo notes part ??

I've already gone through that website that Mom posted, and I was actually going to work out a suggested itinerary to make sure we can get all the shows in. Not that anyone HAS to participate in everything or anything at all, but just so everyone knows what's available and when.

I vote for the wagon ride and definitely work in temple sessions (two? So we can switch off who watches the kids) for the adults. Too bad Brooke won't be 12 yet! That would have been neat for her to do temple baptisms up there!

I wonder if the handcart trek might be a bit out of our league. Our stake youth conference was up there last summer and they did the handcart trek. Everyone, including the leaders, described it as being rather brutal. One handcart weighs 500 pounds, and they're EMPTY. It took at least 2-3 people - teenagers and adults - to move the darn thing at all, and if they were going uphill, it took the whole group to get it up. Except for Brooke and Bryan, all the kids are pretty small still. Stevie and Summer will both be 5, and it just gets younger from there. Based on the kids' ages, it might be a challenging hike if we just walked the trail without the handcart because we'd end up carrying most of them for at least part of it. Just a thought.

I'd love to participate in Jared's challenge, but we don't have a camcorder. I think Tawnia's camera has video capability - maybe she'll film Summer and Marnie and Jenna doing Jared's things when she's here. (But that would mean we need to ask for the April/May/June challenges early, since she'll be here in March.) We will begin rehearsing "I'm a Little Teapot" during FHE.

More Reunion Plans

Here is a site you might want to look at when planning what to do in Nauvoo this summer. The shows and activities listed are all summer long - not just during the pageant. Dad and I were there this past summer and we saw most of the shows and did some of the activities. I'm sure all the kids will really enjoy the show "Just Plain Anna-Amanda". I also think it would be fun to do a handcart trek together and perhaps a wagon ride. Look it over and get excited we are.

Thanks Jared for what looks like a fun challenge. I hope everyone accepts it. Dad and Emily are asleep but I'm sure they'll do it along with me.

I also wanted to thank you all for the Family Home Evenings. We're having fun with them. So far we've done one from Tawnia and the one from Trina and family. It's helping us do better at having family night each week.

Love ya,
MOM

Video challenge!

Okay, it's January, so I figured it's time for me to issue my challenge to the family. I got Michelle and the kids involved in this too. We are issuing a VIDEO SCAVENGER HUNT challenge. There will be six individual challenges, which I will reveal on a monthly basis, now through June. Everyone needs to capture the monthly challenge on video, and send me the clip. I'll compile them all for viewing at the reunion (and afterward on Youtube or something).

Just a few simple rules. Get everyone in the household involved on camera (where applicable). Be creative. Have fun.

Video challenge number one: "I'm a Little Teapot."

reunion update

The deposit has been sent for the lodge in Nauvoo for the family reunion. We're in motion! A couple of notes:

The dates have been slightly adjusted because one of the days we wanted was not available. (And yes, I called before noon on New Year's Day. Someone else beat me to it.) Instead of Fri-Tues, we are Sat-Wed. in Nauvoo.

Check in: 3 pm Saturday July 30, 2011.
Check out: 11 am Wednesday August 3, 2011.
Nauvoo Log Cabins, Weary Traveler lodge

Please note that Sat. July 30 is the LAST day of the Nauvoo Pageant and all the accompanying presentations. Here's the list of what and when.  The sooner you can get to Nauvoo on the 30th, the better.

At this time, the reservation is just for the lodge and NOT for an extra smaller cabin. This is factoring in that Nathan, Mindy, and Clarissa and their families are not planning to attend. If anything changes with anyone's plans (either to attend or to cancel), the money numbers will need to be adjusted accordingly so please let Dad know as soon as possible. If anyone else adds, we will probably need to get the extra cabin because we're over the numbers on the lodge as it is. It has beds for 13 people - right now, the headcount is 10 adults and 8 kids.

We were able to pay cash for the entire deposit. If you have NOT already paid in full, which is most of us, may I suggest that sending Dad a little bit at a time over the next few months so you're not hit with the full amount in July. We are required to give the full amount of money in cash (not credit cards) when we check IN to the lodge, NOT when we check out like at a regular hotel. Also, please keep in mind that we have not figured out food expenses yet. A little more will be needed for that.

Any questions?