Children and Youth Program Printable

With the new program change for children and youth in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I made this for my children to plan and write their goals so they can keep them in a visual place. I might as well share!

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Angels Around Us

I have loved this painting by Brian Kershisnik since I first saw it. It speaks a variety of messages to me. Know you're not alone. There are angels around you to lift you up. More people care about you than you realize, on earth and beyond. Maybe that's a moment of despair, and angels are rushing to surround her, and those first few touching are just the beginning.

If our eyes could be opened to see the unseen, I wonder what they "they that be with us are more than they that be with them" would really look like. I realize periodically that I'm listening to messages and voices that aren't angelic, and have to kick them out - again. I wonder what the battle for us really looks like, especially as the battle continues to heat up. "Time is running out" (Russell M. Nelson, April 2019).

My husband's grandmother passed away in December, and a statement made at her funeral struck me with so much truth, I felt like it echoed through me for the next few weeks, and still comes to mind.

"She will continue to take care of us in ways that her body would no longer allow her to do here on Earth."

I reflected on her life and the way she lived. I'm grateful for the truth she knew and knows, and the many ways she will continue to nudge at her family to choose good, to love, and to serve.

Claudine Bigelow gave a talk at BYU on creativity. It's inspiring and beautiful, and helps me think about ways I create that have nothing to do with art. This quote from that made me think of the painting above as well.

"All textiles interest me. I am an avid knitter, embroiderer, and quilter. I love to work with my hands. I am a maker. It is hard to explain why I am good at it, but it is almost like I have a genetic connection on a cellular level with all of the generations of grandparents who have had these same gifts before me. My fingers just know what to do... I feel warmth, comfort, and connection to my ancestors who had these same talents and to God, who gave them to me. I feel at peace with handwork because I am doing what I was created to do. There are moments it feels sacred."

Both my grandmothers, my husband's grandmother, my mother, and my husband's mother all were or are blanket makers. One of them took it as a personal project during the last several years of her life to bless the world by making hundreds and hundreds of blankets (I wish I knew numbers) and donating them to the Linus Project. A special story that stemmed from that - my aunt set up a quilt in her elementary classroom for the children to work on when they had a break, and that was donated to the Linus Project as well. One of those children ended up at Primary Children's Hospital and received that exact blanket. #tendermercy

A few months ago when a friend was adopting three orphans from Ukraine, I thought and thought about what I could do for them. The thought came, make them each a blanket! Everyone loves a good soft blanket, right? Cuddling up, feeling safe and cozy. It wasn't until I was making them that I realized that special legacy and felt that "genetic connection." What a sweet, loving service they've given to so many, and especially their families.

I've felt angels while doing family history and temple work. I've felt people tapping me on the shoulder and whispers to keep looking on their line.

So thankful for all my angels.

What Kind are You?

Benjamin Franklin once stated that, "All mankind is divided into three classes: those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those that move." If I simply listed that and asked, "What kind are you?" I'm sure I would get a variety of answers. One scripture that I'm sure you've all heard shows partially why, stating that we should be "steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works." Isn't that saying we should be immovable, but also moving?

For a moment, focus on the "always abounding in good works" type of immovable, movable, or mover. So now, what kind are you? Are you the kind of person that may see good things happening around you, good things to do, or opportunities, but other distractions or tasks stop you from moving? Are you the kind of person that is movable if the right reasons persuade you, if the right person is also involved, or if you see how it can benefit yourself personally? Or, are you the kind of person that sees things to be done, lessons to learn, a person that needs help, and moves forward, even if it's hard?

In Handel's Hallelujah Chorus he included the words "King of King and Lord of Lords.“ If we look to Christ as a leader, we can see that He was not a king as we normally think one, sitting on a throne making grand statements and declaration. He didn't wait for others to serve and minister to Him. He was the servant. He was a teacher. He watched, went, healed, lifted, succored, and gave all.

To look at both sides of the scripture above, Christ was the most immovable and the biggest mover. With Him as our ultimate example, we should also strive to have our core strong and align our purpose with Heavenly Father's, then be quick to move where He leads us. That way, we won't be just moving, but moving in the right direction.

 God needs service-oriented leaders. Be immovable, and move.