...in rich measure...: January 2012

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Scenes From Moving Day!

The journey from Seattle via Rancho Cordova and then on to El Dorado Hills has ended officially for the Melanchuks!

They moved into their new home today--an amazing home they got on a short sale that started when they made an offer in December.

It went very fast and smoothly!

We are so happy for them--a yard, a garage and lots of rooms, storage and fun features!!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

We are going to be emphasizing Family Home Evening in our stake this year. Dan asked me to find some good quotes and there are a lot of them! With the amazing promises given to us by prophets of God, why would anyone take this commandment lightly? We know the Lord keeps all of his promises if we but just obey to the best of our ability.

Family--It's about Time on Monday night!

"Here are the promised blessings for those who will hold a weekly home evening: 'If the Saints obey this counsel, we promise that great blessings will result. Love at home and obedience to parents will increase. Faith will be developed in the hearts of the youth of Israel, and they will gain power to combat the evil influences and temptations which beset them.' First Presidency, April 27, 1915, in Improvement Era 18:733-34." — Ezra Taft Benson, God, Family, Country, p. 228

"I like to compare the home evening, family prayer, and other associated activities of the Church for the saving of the family, when they are conscientiously carried out, with an umbrella. If the umbrella is not opened up, it is little more than a cane and can give little protection from the storms of nature. Likewise, God-given plans are of little value unless they are used." — Spencer W. Kimball, General Conference, October 1969

"I wonder if having casual and infrequent family home evening will be enough in the future to fortify our children with sufficient moral strength. In the future, infrequent family scripture study may be inadequate to arm our children with the virtue necessary to withstand the moral decay of the environment in which they will live. Where in the world will the children learn chastity, integrity honesty, and basic human decency if not at home. These values will, of course, be reinforced at church, but parental teaching is more constant." — James E. Faust, The Greatest Challenge In The World--Good Parenting, General Conference, October 1990

"As we faithfully hold quality family home evenings, we 'will gain strength to withstand the temptations of the world and will receive many blessings which will help qualify [us] to enjoy [our] families through eternity in the Celestial Kingdom' the First Presidency, Family Home Evening, manual, 1978, p. 2. If the prophet bid us do some great thing for so great a blessing, would we do it? Holding regular family home evening is such a small thing we can do to obtain these great blessings." — Rex D. Pinegar, The Simple Things, General Conference, October 1994

1967 FHE Manual, Pres. McKay:

"Most earnestly and urgently we call upon parents to assume their full responsibility for teaching and living the gospel in the home.

"Families will be blessed. There will be better feelings between husband and wife, between parents and children, and among children. In such homes the Spirit of the Lord will be made manifest."

197l FHE Manual, Pres. Jos. Fielding Smith:

"Couples whose children are grown can receive strength by setting aside one night a week to be with each other and engage in activities of an eternal importance. Young couples awaiting the joy of their own family can be drawn ever closer together by having regular home evenings. In so doing, they prepare for the great challenges of parenthood."

1973 FHE Manual, Pres. Harold B. Lee:

"Do you spend as much time making your family and home successful as you do in pursuing social and professional success? Are you devoting your best creative energy to the most important unit in society--the family.

***1974 FHE Manual, Pres. Spencer W. Kimball:

"We cannot impress too much the importance of having family home evenings once a week.
"...that you may be rewarded by a fulfillment of the promise that if fathers and mothers will discharge this responsibility, not one in a hundred of your family, as has been said by the leaders who have preceded us, would ever go astray."

1976 FHE Manual, Pres. Spencer W. Kimball:

"Family home evening is for everyone. It is for families with parents and children, for families with just one parent, and for parents who have no children at home. It is for home evening groups of single adults and for those who live alone or with roommates.
"Regular participation in family home evening will develop increased, personal worth, family unity, love for our fellowmen, and trust in our Father in heaven. It is our PROMISE that great blessings will come to all who conscientiously plan and hold weekly family home evenings."

1978 FHE Manual, Pres. Kimball:

"We promise again that as you faithfully plan and hold quality family home evenings, you will gain strength to withstand the temptations of the world and will receive many blessings which will help qualify you to enjoy your families through eternity in the Celestial Kingdom."

Thursday, January 5, 2012

It's Time!

Time for a new bulletin board for our stake theme:

Quotes from the letter from our stake president:

"Early in our spiritual development, we may consider commandments, these loving gifts, as a burden or restriction. As we mature, we realize they mark the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come.

Keeping any commandment has both quantitative and qualitative elements to it, and both aspects are important. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf has taught (Ensign, Nov. 2011, p. 122):

The “what” and “how” of obedience mark the way and keep us on the right path. The “why” of obedience sanctifies our actions, transforming the mundane into the majestic. It magnifies our small acts of obedience into holy acts of consecration

President Harold B. Lee taught that the most important commandment for each of us right now is the one we are struggling with. Whatever it is, think of THAT commandment and apply the process described above [study;pray] to come to love and keep that commandment. The Holy Ghost will help you know which commandment to consider."

Time to take down all the Christmas decorations.