Don't forget the small stuff!

When trying to help our children learn the value of serving others, I think we all tend to look at the big service projects, thinking that we need to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and care for the sick. Of course we do! But don't forget that the little stuff counts too. You are probably helping your children learn about service more than you think. Family chores are self-help, but also service oriented. Caring for a neighbor's pet while they are away, bringing in the groceries from the car, running downstairs for a jar of tomatoes and sharing a favorite toy are all baby steps, but legitimate forms of service. So, let's not be too hard on ourselves. Our kids are learning each day. And in the long run, perhaps those day to day projects will end up being the biggest shapers of character after all.

Thinkin' Globally

My husband and I have been trying to find a way to send our teenagers to a third world country. No...not to stay! Though it's tempting at times. We're thinking hard labor service. You know, work the grouchies out of them, help them learn to look outside of themselves, develop some deep gratitude for all they have, and really help someone or many someones in a way that will change lives and lift communities.
So this is what we found. There are several local organizations who take teenagers on two week-ish excursions to roll up their sleeves and do some good in this world. (While I know there are many other groups that do such things, I think I'd feel better working with a local group. Paranoid, I know.) Some of the places they go have been Bolivia, Tonga, Kenya, Mexico, Fiji, Brazil and Peru. While there, they may do all kinds of things like build schools, orphanages, dig wells, anything that will help the locals pull themselves out of despair and poverty. Most of these groups also include a day or two of sight-seeing. Because they are non-profit, those going can solicit help to pay for it from individuals and businesses who can write it off as a charitable contribution. Each group is chaperoned by several adult volunteers. In our case, either my hubby or I would go too.
Some of the groups we have found are:
http://www.ays.org/
http://www.hopeprojects.net/
http://www.youthlinc.org/
We're thinking we'll take our oldest in 2011. Extra bonus...he can do his Eagle project for scouts as part of his trip!

FHE Lessons for 2009

I love Sugardoodle.net! It is a place where latter-day saints can share ideas for their callings. I was on there today and I found a packet the was put together that includes Family Home Evenings for the year. You can click here to download it. Thanks Stephanie Finlayson for your hard work.

Kiva

I love the concept of micro loans. Small loans given directly to poverty stricken individuals or families in 3rd world countries who cannot get loans elsewhere. As a rule, these people could lift themselves out of poverty if just given the chance. While there are many groups that will take your money and put it to good use in a micro loan capacity, usually you do not know who you are loaning to. A while ago I stumbled upon an on-line organization which matches donations with those needing them in a wonderful way. At Kiva, you pick the specific person or group you want to help. Each has a profile so you know who they are, where they live, what their life is like, how much they need and what they need the money for. You can donate in increments of $25 and even see how much they have raised so far. And here's the best part. The loans are due within one year, you can watch as they repay, and you get your money back! While you always have the option to take that money out, I believe the exciting part is that you can use those same funds to simply re-loan to another person.

This year our family voted on what to do with a small jar of charity money we had accumulated throughout the year. We chose to give it to Kiva. Together we read through many deserving candidates and voted to sponsor an industrious single mom in Tanzania. 26 different lenders helped raise the $825 she needed to buy a second sewing machine and supplies for her small tailoring business. It will be exciting for us to watch as she succeeds in moving forward and repaying her loan. We look forward to using that same money to sponsor another next year. I love how this is connecting my children to someone across the world in such dramatically different circumstances than ours. For us, this is win/win!

For more information about Kiva, go to http://www.kiva.org/.

Simple Family Home Evening

Have you ever noticed that there are usually 13 steps on a staircase? Well, that is the case at my home. A simple and fun family night is to practice the 13 Articles of Faith. Everyone starts at the bottom step and you go step by step reciting the articles of faith. This is fun and helpful for primary aged children, not to mention it is always a good refresher course for mom and dad. :)

It's the lights, baby!

I'm sure all you Utahns (and probably all you out-of-staters if you're visiting) already do this. And, I'm sure everyone has enough to do by way of activities in December. But I'm gonna mention it anyway! Go see the lights downtown! Temple Square and surrounding area are gorgeous all lit up and festive this time of year. It is fun, easy, exciting for even the smallest of children, and free. Our family usually waits to go on the Monday night after Christmas. It gives us something fun to look forward to after the holiday, and it is usually less crowded then. So enjoy!

Wise man / Foolish man

A great time to discuss the wise man / foolish man scenario is while making a gingerbread house. (You know, building your spiritual house on rock or sand....) It's easy to get in to some deep gospel principles while gluing candy to cookie with frosting. I love it when great teaching moments just present themselves. Sweet!

Community Service

Looking for a service project? I found a great local volunteer website. It includes all kinds of different organizations that can use a wide range of service for all kinds of ages and groups. Just click on "volunteer opportunities" and then on the volunteer links on the right hand side. http://www.211ut.org/.

Scripture Cookies

Tonight we had family night with a lesson about the scriptures, and at the end we made Scripture Cookies (the kids had to look up all of the ingredients):
Beat together:
3/4 cup Psalms 55:21
1/3 cup 2nd Nephi 26:25
1 cup Jeremiah 6:20 (brown)
1/2 cup Jeremiah 6:20 (white)
2 or Isaiah 10:14
Add:
2 cups 1 Kings 4:22
1 tsp Solomon 4:14
1 tsp D&C 101:39
1/2 tsp 1 Corinthians 4:6 (baking powder)
3 cups D&C 89:17
1 cup 1 Samuel 30:12

Use your cookie know-how for some of these ingredients. Drop by spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees after reading History of Joseph Smith 1:37 and D&C 133:11. Enjoy!

Service From Little Hands

One super easy but effective idea for holiday service (any holiday!) that even little kids can do is to make or color some simple decorations and give or take them to elderly neighbors or to an assisted care center. Maybe spend a little time and sing a few carols too! The older generation always loves to have little ones around. It will surely brighten someone's day. I hope someone thinks to do this for me when I'm in my declining years!