Saturday, November 26, 2011

Oh what a great week of family and celebration! We were asked to research and turn in a paper on Fatherhood. I was really amazed at all the data that confirmed the importance of having a father in the home. A Father that is actively involved in the life of his child can make an unmeasurable difference. Some of the benefits included: more self esteem, better in school, better health, more willing to participate in extra curricular activities....oh the list goes on and on. I found my stat's on the website Fatherhood.org. I am so grateful that I had a great Dad and that I am married to a wonderful Father to our children. We have been taught by our Church leaders the great impact a Father that honors his priesthood and presides with love and kindness in the home. A talk given Elder Faust has some great advise on how I can be a better support in the home of my husband he taught "In order to strengthen the father in the home, I make two simple suggestions: first, sustain and respect the father in his position; second, give him love, understanding, and some appreciation for his efforts."

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Communication...studies show that we communicate more with our actions than our words. In fact our actions are speaking so loudly some might not even hear our words. How do we communicate? 14% is communicated by words, 35% by tone and 51% by our actions or Non-verbally. How does this apply to family and marriage? Different families communicate in different ways. However, kindness is universal. The following is a list of ideas on how better to communicate in a family:
Be a good listener.

Accept other members of the family as they are.

Confide in parents and other family members.

Care about the interests of other family members.

Be affectionate.

Give sincere compliments and approval.

Keep confidences shared with you.

Help to create a good environment for communication.

lds.org

This week I am going to a better communicator. I am going to begin with giving sincere compliments and approval. I will make an effort to have my actions and my words communicate what I am trying to say.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Crisis Week

We talked about family crisis and stresses that can occur within a family structure. I have seen and been through some of the stresses we discussed in class. Crisis (the word) has many meanings but Brother Williams brought up the fact that in the Chinese culture the symbols for the word Crisis show the symbol for danger and opportunity together. What does that mean, danger and opportunity together meaning crisis. For me, it means that everyone is going to have an opportunity for many crisis' in their lifetime. Some are going to encounter serious heartbreaking problems that can crumble the family, others depending on how they handle, think and respond to the crisis will pull through better people. This however is easy to sit and write about, to actually be in the middle and see the light is a skill or blessing that one prays to obtain. I believe that some troubles we are only able to bare with the help of the Holy Ghost, or divine help. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us, I know that as his children he will help us. I look at some families and wonder why they have been called to go through such trials. I only know this, I can not understand all of Gods divine plans for us, life is short, it is a testing period for us to show what kind of people we really are, it will be hard and it will seem unfair at times. It is also the most glorious adventure we could imagine, we fought for our short time here. Crisis will come, it can make us strong, gives us perspective and allows the spirit to teach us. I pray for the perspective needed to take the crisis that will come and turn them into an incredible opportunity of learning.

Saturday, November 5, 2011


We had a full this week in class...we began by discussing the differences of the male and female in regards to physical arousal. We talked about how the differences can affect a marriage. Just understanding that there are differences can be a start to understanding and enjoying our differences. We then talked about preventing affairs and some of the reasons one might fall into that trap. Making a rule not to be alone with the opposite sex, or even allow yourself to be too comfortable with anyone other than your spouse. We also realized the effects of Facebook and friends and discussed why putting time and efforts into keeping those relationships going could damage a marriage. Lastly we touched on teaching our children and what would be a wise way to teach and discuss this sensitive topic that is such a beautiful part of our Heavenly Fathers plan for us.