The Jefferson Family: September 2008

One of the things I look forward to each year is BYU Education Week. With my young family I am only able to attend one day, and I make the most of it. I really had a great day, and loved each of my classes. I thought I would share some of my insights from the classes I attended this year. Hopefully something will inspire you. This will be very condensed as I took many pages of notes. I will just pick out some of what impressed me.

I want to make sure and acknowledge the instructor of each class. They are amazing men and women with great insight and knowledge that they share with others. What I share with you is the notes I took on what they taught and I do not take credit for it. I will include the Instructor's name (in bold) and class title and subtitle (in italics).

S. Michael Wilcox

"Finding Insight and Truth in the Scriptures: Symbolic Language: Seeing What You Read"

The scriptures are not always meant to be taken literally, but many times figuratively. Especially in the Old and New Testament and somewhat in the Book of Mormon.

There is Power in the figurative, it allows us to use and apply the scriptures in our lives now rather than wait for the literal event to take place.
God uses physical things to teach spiritual things
Never deny the literal, but ask "what can I understand from the figurative?"

Brother Wilcox shared many scriptural examples with us, and I will share one with you. In the scriptures we are told that if we have faith as a mustard seed we can move mountains. Literally there may be a specific time when a mountain will be moved by faith. Figuratively: if we have even a small amount of faith, we can overcome the trials and challenges that are mountains in our lives.

Gary B. and Joy Lundberg
"Breaking Barriers by Filling Our Homes with the Irresistible Light of Love: Creating a Lasting Marriage Full of Fun, Laughter, and Spiritual Fulfillment for All Stages of Marriage"

The Lundbergs are so fun to listen to. They teach and interact really well together. They shared many stories and even a song. Here are a few suggestions for strengthening marriage.

Return to the beginning: Do what was successful while you were dating.
"People don't fall out of Love, they forget to Love"
Remember the little things
Appreciate the differences of men and women. Understand the differences so that you can respond.
Focus on the Positive - "What you look at grows"
Nourish the spiritual side of your marriage (prayer, temple attendance)

S. Dee Barrett
"Differing Communication Needs—Are Others Receiving the Message You Intended to Send? -Blessings, Not Stumbling Blocks"

Differences are gifts

Men and Women are created as complements

Women communicate for intimacy, Men communicate to complete tasks

Men/boys communicate best and bond when they are doing something

Men need to take off the tool belt (stop trying to fix things and listen so they can bond)

Women need to get out and do (doing things together to forge bond)

This was a side note, but was actually my favorite thing that I took from this class. Rather than teaching our children self worth by their accomplishments (Athlete, musician, smart etc.), teach them: "I am a child of God with (fill in the blank) abilities" (athletic abilities, music abilities etc.) So that if/when the ability is not the focus in their life, they still feel of value/worth.

Richard K. Robins
"Raising Stripling Warriors in the Latter-Day War Years!:Alma 45–48: Principles for Peers (Selecting Friends and Role Models)"

Those who have pride do not follow the Prophet, and trade their armor for fine apparel.
Standard of Liberty=this is where I stand, will not surrender, I will make and keep sacred covenants.
We keep covenants and God keeps promises
It's always okay to fight for Family, Freedom and Faith

We need to help our children raise their "Standards of Liberty" so they will make and keep sacred covenants. Some ways we can do this:

Be an Example
Visual Aids in the home (Family Proclamation, Temples, Savior, Scripture Story pics etc)
Know and use the "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet
Young Women theme

The true Hero/Role Model test is to substitute their name for Moroni in Alma 48:17. If the name doesn't fit it's time to pick a new role model. We, as parents, should live our lives so that our children can put "My Mom & Dad" in that scripture.

In regards to our children:

"You can love them, teach them and serve them but you can not change them or save them, only Christ can."
Do all that you can do, then turn to the Lord

H. Wallace Goddard
"Inviting Heaven into Your Marriage:“Love One Another; As I Have Loved You” (John 13:34)"

Unless Jesus takes up residency in us, we cannot love as He does.
Do we show compassion and forgiveness
Do we show love in the way our spouse feels loved

3 Love Languages:

Show me - feel loved when you do things for them
Tell me - feel loved when they hear or read the words
Touch me - feel loved from affectionate touches

Merrilee A. Boyack
"Doing the Best You Can—a Little Bit Better : I’m So Busy I Don’t Have Time for That—Taking Control"

I just have to say that I love Merrilee Boyack. She is entertaining and funny but also very spiritual. I go to at least one of her classes every year and have read several of her books and I highly recommend them.

Satan's best tool to sap our strength is keeping us busy (Being Under Satan's Yoke)
If your ears are filled with sound they cannot hear the "Still Small Voice"
Busy is not a matter of time, It is a matter of choice
When do we stop doing and start being
You choose. You can choose not to. You can choose to change.
If you take responsibility for your choices, your life will profoundly change. Never again will you say "I'm too busy", you will say "I choose not to" and that's O.K.
Don't let small things crowd out the essential
Learn new things - take risks. If we don't take risks we will not grow.

Have separate To Do lists, based on priorities

Gotta do's - absolutely must be done that day (Do First)
Should do's - needs to be done but not urgent (Do Next)
Could do's - everything else (Sprinkle in)

Vickey Pahnke Taylor
"Come, Let Us Rejoice! Celebrating Goodness That Comes through Gospel Principles : Celebrating Humor: Spirit-Lifting Ways of Taking Actions That Exercise Righteousness"

You should be kind to everyone because everyone is fighting battles.
Be aware of ourselves and surroundings. Sometimes what we are focusing on is what we see. Check out the awareness test she showed us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahg6qcgoay4
Don't have hidden anger in our humor
Give encouragement, be positive.
Our only competition is with our former self.
Children teach amazing things; Children are images of optimism
We can be cheerful in our journey even if it's not easy, because we are headed in the right direction.
The happiest people don't have the best of everything, but they make the best of everything they have.

Benjamin J. Knowlton
"General Conference: Specifically Speaking : Becoming Familiar with President Thomas S. Monson and His Messages"

Brother Knowlton gave a life sketch of President Monson including biographical information, career path and church callings and many stories. He also asked the question: "Why did the Lord prepare for President Monson to be the prophet now?" The one message that seems most apparent from President Monsons life and the many stories and examples he has shared with us is to minister and reach out to the one. The church may be global, but we should not forget our neighbors and family and reach out to individuals. We should "heed promptings to answer another person's prayer."

The many ways President Monson has inspired us:

Hymns
Poetry, Literature, Plays, Movies
Short & Memorable Phrases ("Youth need fewer critics and more models"/"It is in the doing not just the thinking that we accomplish our goals.")
Humor
Handy Lists
Scriptures
Inspiring Personal Stories

They have already announced the dates for next year: August 17 - 21, 2009. I can't wait!! To get on the mailing list or for more info check out their website at http://ce.byu.edu/ed/edweek/.

I can't believe that summer is over and the kids are already back in school. I am really excited for the school year and for the teachers that the children have. I think it will be a great year. The kids walk or ride bikes and scooters to and from school each day. It's nice to be close enough that they can do that.

Camille is in 4th Grade this year. Her short hair cut makes her look so grown up. She enjoys walking several of our neighbors dogs for extra money. Camille likes football, country music (especially Rascal Flatts), littlest pet shops and playing with friends.

Bogue is in 2nd grade this year. He is excited to have a lot of friends in his class. We can always count on Bogue to do his work and help out. Bogue likes reading, playing basketball and soccer, and being with friends. He is very active and is often found outside riding his bike or skateboard.

Sophia is in 1st grade this year. She is still getting used to the early mornings and being gone all day. She loves being considered one of the big kids. Sophie is a social butterfly and is constantly making friends and giving hugs. She just learned to ride a two-wheeler and likes riding her bike. She also likes to color, play Polly Pockets and Barbies, and go to friends houses.

Rachel and Serena get to stay home with mom this year. They are best friends and play really well together. Even though they are 14 months apart, we are often asked if they are twins because they are so close in height.

Rachel is our sunshine. She almost always has a smile and can be quite witty. She likes being the oldest one at home. Rachel enjoys puzzles, playing Barbies, Polly Pockets and dress-up and playing with friends.

Serena is a delight. She is sweet and loving, but also very funny. Serena likes to be included in what ever the big kids are doing. She likes playing dress-up, Polly Pockets and Barbies, singing, and playing with friends.