This month’s Primary Sharing Time theme is “Temple Blessings Unite Families.” Last week I talked to the kids about how through the ordinances of the temple we can be with our families forever. I shared the experience of me being sealed to my parents and siblings when I was 5 years old, a year after my parents joined the Church. I cried through most of it (no surprise) and I will never forget that sweet feeling I felt with all those precious children listening so intently, feeling the Spirit as well. Sometimes you wonder if they are getting anything out of what you have prepared, but they WERE getting it! One woman (who has recently started coming back to church) later told me that her 3 year old granddaughter asked if they could go to the temple because ‘her teacher’ told her she could go. She was so excited and I am so thrilled that these kids can have that as a goal. Their desire helps their parents have a desire and helps them have stronger families.
Last week we had a Family Home Evening on this subject and finished off with a messy craft, which turned out to be a great time together. Those treasured times helps me realize what a blessing it is to have these children sealed to us in our family.
It is by no coincidence, I am sure, that August is a month of wedding anniversaries in our family – our own as well as my parents’ and Chris’ parents. Each of us were sealed together for eternity and I have never been as grateful as I am now to know that we can all be together after our time here on earth.
For our anniversary, I redesigned the Family Mission Statement Chris and I wrote shortly after we were married. It was great to go back through what we had written and realize we are living by our mission statement and it continues to mean more to us as our kids get older.
It’s difficult to read in the image, but this is what it says:
We, the Stephenson Family, declare our mission to continually center our lives on Christ.
We all make mistakes, but we all understand for we are only human.
Anger never lingers, for in our family differences dissolve quickly.
As a family, we nurture the friendship we began before we came to Earth.
Our home is a place of love.
We look to Christ who is our center.
Our home is a haven from the world.
We learn together to prepare ourselves for the world that awaits us.
Forgiveness is divine when apologies are quickly extended.
As a busy family, we all strive to lessen the load of each other by going the extra mile.
As our family continues to expand, so will our mission statement and love for each other.
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