July-Aug-September
Whew what a summer, there were lots of birthdays - Mom in July, Aerika and Aimee in Aug, TJ and Curt in September. We went to Logan in July and watched a car show. Aerika and Curt were fabulous hosts as we slept over the night before. Curt cooked a dutch oven for us too. It really was great to be there. In Aug we took Aerika a cake and made dinner for her up at her place. Aimee started 4th grade and turned 9. September we went to the west desert and camped for Curt's b-day. IT WAS SO FUN! I think it should be a tradition! We had some troubles (Curt's dad's truck running over a stump, Trudy wrecking a 4 wheeler, Kyle and Natalie tipping over a 4 wheeler, Mike and TJ getting lost, Shua, Baily and Alise were sorely missed) but it was sooooo much fun, good food, great trails and so much fun. We had a family dinner and happy birthday for TJ. He went on his first date! OH and we all met and went to the Brigham City temple open house together. As well as in our own stakes we all attended the temple dedication. Our Heavenly Father really loves us so much to let us have so many temples.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
June 16th meeting notes -
We started off by letting everyone know that the notes from the meetings are now on the blog and encouraging everyone to make posts here. We then discussed the Google calender that everyone is invited to share and add events to. We did this for a while but everyone needs a reminder next time. When we shared our success stories we have had regarding communication. Joshua shared and experience where he used good communication to solve a problem at work. Mike talked about using better skills when communicating with the parents. Aimee said that Alise has been nicer to her. Alise said she has been better about using positive communication with her self. Mom shared how Alise had used patience and in communicating during a tense situation with her showing real maturity. Mom also shared how Aimee had taken time to pray before she came to her to tell her that she had done something she thought she would be in trouble for and how we were able to have a nice conversation with the spirit instead of Aimee being in trouble and feeling bad. I can see how we are all growing as we try to focus on communicating better. Our focus for next time is going to be on the quality - depth and listening skills that relate to communication.
We started off by letting everyone know that the notes from the meetings are now on the blog and encouraging everyone to make posts here. We then discussed the Google calender that everyone is invited to share and add events to. We did this for a while but everyone needs a reminder next time. When we shared our success stories we have had regarding communication. Joshua shared and experience where he used good communication to solve a problem at work. Mike talked about using better skills when communicating with the parents. Aimee said that Alise has been nicer to her. Alise said she has been better about using positive communication with her self. Mom shared how Alise had used patience and in communicating during a tense situation with her showing real maturity. Mom also shared how Aimee had taken time to pray before she came to her to tell her that she had done something she thought she would be in trouble for and how we were able to have a nice conversation with the spirit instead of Aimee being in trouble and feeling bad. I can see how we are all growing as we try to focus on communicating better. Our focus for next time is going to be on the quality - depth and listening skills that relate to communication.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Our Family Council Beginnings
At the end of 2011 around Christmas time we (Kyle and Natalie) approached our children and their spouses about having a regular family council. We talked about the benefits of counseling together. We discussed the problems that arise when families don't stay connected and let petty things get in the way of progressing together and working together for the good of the whole family. We shared our Stake Presidents vision about using councils in the home that are patterned after the Savior. We set a goal to start in January 2012 and to meet monthly.
In January we met for the first time. We began with an inviting the spirit exercise that we have used before- the last time we did this was when Joshua came home from his mission. It is a very effective tool and leaves everyone feeling accepted, loved and open to communicate. There are about 8-10 items written on slips of paper that each person gets one. You sit your chairs all in a circle, with no books, tables, barriers of any kind to be "between" each of you. The person in charge welcomes everyone and tells why you are gathered and that we are seeking the spirit to be here unrestrained. The person with the prayer slip starts with prayer. All kneel for the prayer. Afterward each person takes a turn to do what is on their slip. There are things like share your favorite scripture about the Savoir, Lead us in a song, tell someone why you love them, Share your testimony of the Savior etc. I LOVED DOING THIS TOGETHER. Then we began our first ever Larsen Family Council. We did a brain storm session on topics we thought our family needed to work on there were many good ideas which I hope we get to them all but we chose what we thought was the most important. It was due to council from our Bishop to increase/improve our temple attendance this year. Kyle and I felt for a long time that we have not set a good example of this in our home of what adequate temple service looks like. We also set our next topic to be on improving our communication. I apologize that this is from memory instead of the notes that I took but at least I am putting it down now, right?
Temple goal - start wherever you are and simple improve quality and quantity of temple attendance and share your experiences on this blog. Aerika created the Blog for us Thanks Honey! SHARE FAMILY SHARE!
In February we reported back on our temple experiences and encouraged each other.
In March we had a very fun birthday party for Kyle complete with "love notes" stuck everywhere we could think of, oh walls, all over in his car, in pockets of clothing, any place for him to find now and later and know how much we love and appreciate him in our lives.
In April during conference I had many talks inspire ways we can improve communication with each other and I asked all the family to re-read "Abiding in the Lord's Territory" and be prepared to discuss it as it relates to communication. When we met in May we had a great discussion and made a goal to improve the tone we use with each other. We also decided to set up a combined calendar for the family to keep each other informed on activities that we may want to all participate in. Thanks Curt for getting this started for us SHARE FAMILY SHARE!
From now on I vow to put notes about the meeting here right away that way they will be more accurate and we can all benefit from remembering what our purposes are and "returning and reporting" here too.
Love you All
The Mamma
In January we met for the first time. We began with an inviting the spirit exercise that we have used before- the last time we did this was when Joshua came home from his mission. It is a very effective tool and leaves everyone feeling accepted, loved and open to communicate. There are about 8-10 items written on slips of paper that each person gets one. You sit your chairs all in a circle, with no books, tables, barriers of any kind to be "between" each of you. The person in charge welcomes everyone and tells why you are gathered and that we are seeking the spirit to be here unrestrained. The person with the prayer slip starts with prayer. All kneel for the prayer. Afterward each person takes a turn to do what is on their slip. There are things like share your favorite scripture about the Savoir, Lead us in a song, tell someone why you love them, Share your testimony of the Savior etc. I LOVED DOING THIS TOGETHER. Then we began our first ever Larsen Family Council. We did a brain storm session on topics we thought our family needed to work on there were many good ideas which I hope we get to them all but we chose what we thought was the most important. It was due to council from our Bishop to increase/improve our temple attendance this year. Kyle and I felt for a long time that we have not set a good example of this in our home of what adequate temple service looks like. We also set our next topic to be on improving our communication. I apologize that this is from memory instead of the notes that I took but at least I am putting it down now, right?
Temple goal - start wherever you are and simple improve quality and quantity of temple attendance and share your experiences on this blog. Aerika created the Blog for us Thanks Honey! SHARE FAMILY SHARE!
In February we reported back on our temple experiences and encouraged each other.
In March we had a very fun birthday party for Kyle complete with "love notes" stuck everywhere we could think of, oh walls, all over in his car, in pockets of clothing, any place for him to find now and later and know how much we love and appreciate him in our lives.
In April during conference I had many talks inspire ways we can improve communication with each other and I asked all the family to re-read "Abiding in the Lord's Territory" and be prepared to discuss it as it relates to communication. When we met in May we had a great discussion and made a goal to improve the tone we use with each other. We also decided to set up a combined calendar for the family to keep each other informed on activities that we may want to all participate in. Thanks Curt for getting this started for us SHARE FAMILY SHARE!
From now on I vow to put notes about the meeting here right away that way they will be more accurate and we can all benefit from remembering what our purposes are and "returning and reporting" here too.
Love you All
The Mamma
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Mike's Temple Visit 2-9-12
So for mutual on Thursday we went to the temple. We were planning to go to the Draper Temple, but when we arrived, we found that it was closed for cleaning. So we went to the Jordan River Temple instead. We took so much time traveling to the temple that we only had enough time to do 5 names each. But it was a really good experience. 5 of my good friends from the priest quorum and I were all there. We then went to JCW's for some ice cream afterwards :) That is kinda besides the point, but still a nice treat!! I had a great time going to the Jordan River temple, it is so beautiful and it was my 2nd time being there ever! It had been about 5 years since I have been there and it brought back some fun memories.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Aerika and Curtis Temple Jan 28, 2012
So we aren't slackers waiting till the end of the month to go the the temple. Our temple has been closed for the month and only opened up on Tuesday so we called and scheduled time on Saturday. Logan temple is all a buzz with the Ogden temple being closed there is extra people visiting the temple. 7:00 this morning we get to the temple only to realize that we don't know where the baptistry is. We have never done baptisms here before.
Aerika had be doing her genealogy like her patriarchal blessing says to. She found 13 names on the Johnston side. All of them need sealings and two need everything done for them. We started with the baptisms and confirmations today.
With the temple being so busy we waited for an hour to go into the font. They got us the cards with the names on them and asked (since it was busy) for us to be confirmed in the font room as well. That is a first I have never seen or had that happen before. Have any of you? Comments please :) So Curtis baptized Aerika and then confirmed her. Curtis was then baptized by a temple worker and then confirmed as well. It was a really neat experience knowing those aren't just a name in the temple they are part of our eternal family. They are our family.
That was our great experience at the Temple in January!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Aimee's Temple Story
One time I was doing a talk for primary and the theme for the month was Temples. So mom helped me write my talk on temples. We put on dresses, it was a nice beautiful day, and we drove to the Mount Timanpogos Temple. We walked all around the temple and talked about what I know about temples. Then we sat down and wrote my talk. Then on Sunday I gave my talk. I look forward to being able to go to the temple with my family.
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