Jesus Christ Created the World for Me

  

We were having a really rough week. We all had colds and baby brother was the sickest. I was exhausted from being sick myself, from taking care of sick children, and only getting a few hours of sleep each night. To say I was feeling overwhelmed would be an understatement. Just when I thought things couldn't possibly get worse, the exterminator showed up (our apartment has a terrible spider problem). His presence didn't make things worse, what he told us did: We needed to leave for at least an hour because the chemicals weren't safe for the children. The sky was grey, we were still in our pajamas, my sinuses hurt, my husband had our only car with him at work... Where could we go? What could we do? I burst into tears and got the kids ready for a long walk... and it started to rain. Discouraged and defeated, I set out with my two babies prepared to suffer through a long, weepy hour. But, do you know what happened? The motion of the stroller lulled our sweet baby to sleep- his first restful sleep in days, and without me having to hold his heavy little self. The rain gave way to a mist and the grey clouds blocked what would have been a sweltering glare from the sun. While we walked, my ever curious toddler pointed out the bunnies, the rocks, the stream, the sounds of birds and insects; everything around her fascinated her! The wonderment in her voice refocused me and I looked up to the heavens with a thankful heart. I started speaking out loud as if to tell my daughter that those bunnies, those rocks, that stream, those incredible chirping, buzzing sounds were made by God- because He loves us, but the words were really for my own benefit. For the first time in a long time I saw the world through wondering eyes in all it's beauty, with all it's mystery and I felt such balance and such joy! I felt so blessed to have this safe and lovely walking path available to us; so blessed to breathe in fresh air and enjoy the vivid colors of the world around us. 

This experience goes so well with the lesson we were focusing on this week! I'm really grateful that we had this lesson on our minds, otherwise I may not have realized how great a world I am a part of and could have gone without the comfort I felt from acknowledging Gods creation this week. 

The Bringing our Children Unto Christ series continues: 

 30 Weeks to bringing our children unto Christ using the nursery manual found on lds.org.

Each morning, we begin our day with breakfast at the dining room table. 

Before we start our hectic day, we take some time to be still...

We pray together and we learn of Him.

In just a few moments a day, we plan to complete one lesson each week. 
I do not claim these lessons as my own, but I can testify of their goodness. 
Studying these truths together as a family has brought us all closer together,
and closer to our loving Heavenly Father. 
The atmosphere in our home when we start our day with a nursery lesson is one of peace and love.

Lesson seven is:

Jesus Christ Created the World for Me

How we learned about this, this week:

1. Sing about it: My Heavenly Father Loves Me (Music and lyrics here: Children’s Songbook

Whenever I hear the song of a bird

Or look at the blue, blue sky,

Whenever I feel the rain on my face

Or the wind as it rushes by, 

Whenever I touch a velvet rose

Or walk by our lilac tree,

I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world

Heavenly Father created for me.

:

2. Read about it: Genesis 1:1,  Moses 2:1,  Moses 6:63, Abraham 3:24–25

3. Personalize it: Inspired by a suggestion in the nursery lesson, we created a book together this week. It is a 5 page book. Each page had a simple image of something God created and that our daughter is really interested in right now. She loves stars, animals, trees... Our daughter colored the pictures, one page each day, while baby brother looked on. Soon he'll be old enough to join in! 

 This lesson can be viewed in its entirety here: lds.org

I Believe in the Holy Ghost and in Child Safety

 30 Weeks to bringing our children unto Christ using the nursery manual found on lds.org.

Each morning, we begin our day with breakfast at the dining room table. 

Before we start our hectic day, we take some time to be still...

We pray together and we learn of Him.

In just a few moments a day, we plan to complete one lesson each week. 

Lesson six is:

The Holy Ghost Helps Me

**Time Out** Before I continue on with talking about the Holy Ghost and how we studied lesson six this week, I want to suggest to you awesome articles on how to keep our kids safe. Safely Ever After, is a blog site devoted to keeping children safe from predators. STOP telling your children not to talk to strangers! (They may NEED to talk to one someday.) Instead, teach them about safe people (like a mom with kids) that they can approach if they ever need help (like if they become separated from you in a crowded store.) And, teach them about dangerous people whom they should never trust. While you're teaching them about people, PLEASE teach them about their emotions. Their "gut- feelings." That alarm that each of us experiences in scary situations. Explain to children that they have "uh-oh" feelings and that these feelings are good to have! Whenever they have these feelings, our children should know to run (not walk!) back to a parent to talk out this situation! Always, always, better to be safe than sorry! Take a moment to read more about this and how to explain this to your kids at different stages and ages, here from: Kim Estes of the savvy safety mamas blog. Ok, one last thing while we're talking safety,  PLEASE take advantage of this {FREE} fully illustrated book for the slightly older children, "to talk with them about their bodies, about sex, and about how to keep their minds and bodies safe from sexual abuse and free from the degrading notions about our bodies that are presented in all forms of media" (Jocylyn, author). Download this important book at: http://beinglds.blogspot.com.
Don't wait, visit Safely Ever After, [HERE] right now!

Ok, on to the lesson which is pretty well related to child safety. One of the roles the Holy Ghost plays in our lives is in providing promptings and warnings to guide us and keep us safe. 

How we learned this lesson:

1. Sing about it: I Know My Father Lives can be found online [here] the lyrics to the first verse are as follows:

I know my Father lives and loves me too. 
The Spirit whispers this to me and tells me it is true, 

And tells me it is true.

2. Read about it: John 14:26 reads, "The Holy Ghost... shall teach you all things." And, how does he teach us? 

"The Holy Ghost speaks softly. 

He never shouts, it's true.

He'll bless and help and guide you

In everything you do." (lds.org)

3. Talk about it: Here I quote directly from the manuel, "The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead, along with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He is a personage of spirit (see D&C 130:22). The mission of the Holy Ghost is to testify of the Father and the Son and of the truth of all things (see 3 Nephi 11:36; Moroni 10:5). He can also guide us to make righteous choices and comfort us (see D&C 31:11). The way the Holy Ghost speaks to us is described in the scriptures as a “still small voice” (see 1 Kings 19:11–12)" (LDS Nursery Manuel).

4. Personalize it: We had a lot of conversation and time for listening to our feelings this week. We discussed "tricky people" and "uh-oh" feelings along with the emotions love, peace, and comfort when afraid. All feelings that the Holy Ghost conveys to us. 

This lesson can be viewed in its entirety here, on: lds.org

Jesus Showed Us How to Love Others

 30 Weeks to bringing our children unto Christ using the nursery manual found on lds.org.

Each morning, we begin our day with breakfast at the dining room table. 

Before we start our hectic day, we take some time to be still...

We pray together and we learn of Him.

In just a few moments a day, we plan to complete one lesson each week. 

Lesson five is:

Jesus Christ Showed Us How to Love Others

Images available at ldsclipart.com

How we learned this lesson:

1. Sing about it: Our daughter especially loves when we sing together. So, I decided to introduce three songs this week. I didn't expect her to learn them all, or even to try to sing along with me. But, she likes listening to me and this time when she insists, "again, again" I had a couple options to chose from. 

The first, as suggested by the lesson on lds.org, is: I'm trying to be like Jesus. (Music and lyrics here.) The chorus is especially sweet: 

Love one another as Jesus loves you. 

Try to show kindness in all that you do.

Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought, 

For these are the things Jesus taught.

The second song, Jesus Said Love Everyone (music and lyrics here,) was fun to do with the actions suggested by the lesson plan:

Jesus said love everyone; (spread arms out wide)

Treat them kindly too. (nod head up and down)

When your heart is filled with love, (put hand over heart)

Others will love you. (hug self)

The third song, is a childhood favorite of mine: As I Have Loved You. (Music and lyrics here.) 

As I have loved you,

love one another... 

And, *DOUBLE BONUS* lds.org even provides video for two of these three songs in sign language! You'll see the links there on the right when you open up the music via the links given above for I'm Trying to be Like Jesus and, As I Have Loved You. 

2. Read about it: The scriptures tell of countless stories where Jesus Christ showed love to those around him. We chose to read a new scripture story every day. 

The stories we used were: 

     3 Nephi 17:21–24    Jesus blessed the children when he visited the Nephites. 

     John 9:1–12            Jesus gave sight to the blind man.

     Matthew 14:13–21   Jesus fed the thousand with fish and bread. 

     Luke 10: 30 - 35      Jesus gives the parable of the Good Samaritan.

     Mark 1: 34               Jesus heals the sick

To keep her interested: I printed off a clip art picture to represent each story, wrote a verse on the back, and put them in a bag. Our daughter then had the very important role of choosing a picture out of the bag each day! She loved this! The picture prompted discussion and made reading the verses more fun. Having the verse written on the back helped me stay organized so that talking about the stories, and reading a verse from the story went smoothly and quickly, therefore keeping her attention. 

3. Talk about it: Our daughter loves for us to tell her stories before nap time and bed time. It's her way of stalling. So heck, why not use the time to reiterate what we learned during our little daily lesson time? 

4. Personalize it: I made more of an effort to remember and emulate Christ's love in my own actions this week. I found myself with added patience and gratitude toward my little children. 

This lesson can be viewed in its entirety here, at: lds.org

Bringing our children unto Christ, week 4.

30 Weeks to bringing our children unto Christ using the nursery manual found on lds.org.

Each morning, we begin our day with breakfast at the dining room table. 

Before we start our hectic day, we take some time to be still...

We pray together and we learn of Him.

In just a few moments a day, we plan to complete one lesson each week. 

Lesson four is:

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ Love Me

How we learned this lesson:

1. Sing about it: I Feel my Saviors Love; music [here].

              "I feel my Savior’s love 

           In all the world around me. 

              I feel my Savior’s love,

           The love he freely gives me"

And, bonus!, lds.org even provides video of this song in sign language! You'll see it there on the right when you open up the music via the link given above. 

2. Read about it: John 15:10-12, Matthew 18: 5, 10, Mark 10:13–16, 3 Nephi 17:11–24.  Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love all of us, and maybe especially the children! The bible testifies of this, as does the Book of Mormon. Reading the scriptures with our kiddos is a great way to show them, and not only tell them, how important we believe the books to be.

3. Talk about it: Share a story about Jesus's love! The nursery manual offers this summary of the story found in the 3rd Nephi scripture listed above:

 "Jesus was teaching the people. He asked them to bring their little children to Him. They sat on the ground around Him, and Jesus knelt and prayed. Then He blessed each child, one by one. Jesus did this because He loves little children (lds.org)." 

4. Personalize it: When we brushed our teeth, I'd point out my kids reflections in the mirror: "Look at you! Is that you?" And, to my toddler, "Repeat after me. Heavenly... Father... and Jesus... love me!"  

This lesson can be viewed in its entirety here, at: lds.org

It is hard to imagine someone, anyone, even deity, loving these kids more than I do! 

Bringing our Children unto Christ, week 3

30 Weeks to bringing our children unto Christ using the nursery manual found on lds.org.

Each morning, we begin our day with breakfast at the dining room table. 

Before we start our hectic day, we take some time to be still...

We pray together and we learn of Him.

In just a few moments a day, we plan to complete one lesson each week. 

Lesson three is:

I can Pray to Heavenly Father

How we learned this concept this week:

 

We continued in prayer this week as we normally do; praying before meals and bedtime. Sometimes, our daughter would volunteer to say the prayer so we'd lend her the words to help her do so. Other times, she'd choose which one of us parents should say it. And, sometimes she'd start shrieking mid prayer, "No prayer! Mom! Dad! All done! No more prayer!!" It was all we could do to suppress our laughter while we finished talking to God.

The nursery manuel had a great idea for a prayer visual. I liked it because we worked on recognizing numbers and learning their sequence all the while learning the parts of prayer.

 

I simply folded a piece of paper and cut slits in the top layer to create tabs which I then numbered 1 through 4. Underneath the tabs, I taped on simple images to represent different parts of prayer.

1. Address Heavenly Father and talk to him. We can talk to God at any time and about anything! This might even be a good time to confess sins and seek his forgiveness.

2. Thank God for our blessings. We brainstormed things to be grateful for and that we may want to include in our prayers: our food, toys, books, baby brother, daddy's job...

3. Pray for ourselves and for others. What are things that we need help with? Listening, sharing, being kind... What are things we know others need help with? Safety while away from home, patience, health...

4. End our prayer in the name of His son, Jesus Christ, Amen! 

Bringing our children unto Christ, week 2.

30 Weeks to bringing our children unto Christ using the nursery manual found on lds.org.

Each morning, we begin our day with breakfast at the dining room table. 

Before we start our hectic day, we take some time to be still...

We pray together and we learn of Him.

In just a few moments a day, we plan to complete one lesson each week. 

Lesson two is: 

Heavenly Father Has a Plan for Me

The introduction to this lesson reads, "We lived with Heavenly Father as spirits before we were born. Heavenly Father prepared a plan that allows us to come to earth and receive physical bodies in order to become like Him and return to His presence. This is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and our obedience. Jesus Christ was chosen to be our Savior."
For the complete lesson click {here}.

How we learned this concept last week: 

1. Song. 
We learned the song, I Am a Child of God, last week and continued singing it this week. It's lyrics teach a beautiful truth about who we are, where we came from, and what our Heavenly Fathers plan for each of us is. To better realize what it is we have been singing, I printed out simple images that go along with the songs message. Each morning, my little girl colored a picture so that by the end of the week we had a musical story complete with visual aids.

2. Read the scriptures.

We opened up her illustrated bible and talked about the pictures. In the beginning God made the earth... And someday, when we're all done living on this earth, we'll go up to Heaven to live with Him again!

We absolutely love this cute book, available here on amazon, for the cute rhymes of the most well known biblical stories.

3. Talk about it!  
"Did you know that someday you get to live with Jesus again in heaven?" I asked my daughter one morning, and she replied, "Yes, please!"

She's just the sweetest little thing.

Bringing our children unto Christ, Week One.

30 Weeks to bringing our children unto Christ using the nursery manual found on lds.org.

Each morning, we begin our day with breakfast at the dining room table. 

Before we start our hectic day, we take some time to be still...

We pray together and we learn of Him.

In just a few moments a day, we plan to complete one lesson each week. 

Lesson one is:

I Am a Child of God

This sweet print out is available at the Lily and Thistle Blog.

How learned this concept last week: 

1. Song. 
The beautiful song, I Am a Child of God, is easy to learn with cheerful repetition. Actually in just two lines a day, the first verse and chorus were committed to our memory by the end of the week. We also sang the song through out the day using sign language and in Spanish too. (You may remember that we have set the goal for our daughter to learn 100 words in sign language and 100 words in Spanish, what better way to learn than by music?)

2. Read the bible.
Psalm 82:6 reads, "All of you are children of [God]" and Moses learns of his relationship to God in Moses 1:4, "Behold, thou art my son."

3. Talk about it!  
You are a child of God. Mommy is a child of God. Baby brother is a child of God...

4. Personalize it. 
For this activity, I printed off a page that reads: I Am a Child of God; Soy un Hijo de Dios at the top. (Great way to help her to recognize those important words too!) Then, I printed off pictures of family members. Nothing fancy, I don't even have a color printer. The point is, my daughter knew who they were and she loved talking about them. We picked one picture out of a bag each day and talked about how they, (mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, uncle...) were a child of God. Then, my daughter had the very important job of taping their picture to the Child of God paper. We chose to stick it to the fridge all week! She loved this and starting asking for it first thing when she woke up! Maybe we'll continue it on this week; we certainly have a large enough family to keep it going for a long time!