Organize Yourselves

Scripture:
In D & C 88:119 we are told to "organize yourselves" and to "prepare every needful thing". The scripture goes on to list each area that we should do this in. This is a lesson that it is never too early to learn. Being organized helps our lives run more smoothly. We can show our families that the Lord is very organized and has also asked us to be so.

Article that shows one example of how well organized the Lord is:
The Lord pays attention to everything, right down to the little details. Here is a kid friendly National Geographic Article that shows how He uses the concept of symbiosis. What if He hadn't planned a way for crocodiles to get their teeth cleaned? How about the great idea of an animal that eats insects off another animal in exchange for a free ride? Would you have ever dreamed that fish need to be cleaned? All these things had to be planned and organized. It didn't just happen without any organization. And that is just one small example in this vast universe that shows the kind of organizing God is capable of.

Example of the Lord's organization:
Follow this link here to a well laid out description of the way the Church is organized, starting with Christ at the head. This is a page on lds.org and it also shares scriptures and picture suggestions. It could be a good idea to get a sheet of poster board and fill out the organization of the Church in a flow chart style, with Christ at the top of the poster.

Here are some organizational activities that can be done:

For smaller children:
1. Get an assortment of various colored items and have the kids sort them according to color.
2. Play pick-up (Help them clean up a room by putting everything in the proper place.)
3. Build a structure together by planning it out first to make sure it will be a good one. Use Legos, blocks, whatever.

For older children:
1. Get them a calendar and help them see how using a calendar will make them use their time more efficiently, help them to not miss appointments, parties, and outings, allow them to plan in advance to be sure to fit in all they would like to do.
2. Assign everyone a small section of the house to sort and organize. This can be a kitchen drawer, a bedroom shelf, the knick-knacks on top of the piano, etc. Take note of how much better things look and how much easier it is to find wanted items this way.
3. Play "Out of Place Bingo". Get the rules and the game sheet here.

Song:
Memorize the scripture using this song D & C 88:119 Scripture Song.

Dessert:
A layered Jello or other treat that has to be planned out in advance.

Love All Around Activities

For the first activity, you will need:

1. Varying colors of construction paper
2. Scissors
3. Pens/pencils for each participant

Have each family member cut hearts out of the construction paper, according to skill level (some may be able to cut, some may draw or trace a heart, etc.) When a lot of hearts have been cut out, instruct each person that is able to write an adjective that describes a person in a positive way on each heart until all the hearts have been done.

Possible adjectives include, but are certainly not limited to:

• Smart
• Funny
• Loyal
• Caring
• Courageous
• Independent
• Sweet
• Loving
• Thankful
• Honest
• Philanthropic
• Brilliant

Once all the hearts have an adjective on them, place all the hearts face down, spread out on the table or floor. Each person gets to take a turn (little ones can draw for big people) drawing a heart from the table. After drawing a heart, the person is to read the adjective and try to think of someone that has that characteristic. They should tell everyone else who the person is and why they think that person has that characteristic. The person can be another family member, someone famous, a scripture character, etc. Everyone else can pitch in with their ideas if needed.

Examples:

The word honest is read, and so I say, "I think Abraham Lincoln was honest because I just read a story about him that showed he was honest. He walked 4 miles to return a little bit of change that he forgot to give someone."

The word funny is read, and so I say, "Daddy is funny because he always makes me laugh by making silly faces."

This activity helps us to see how we can look for the good in others. It gives us a chance to think about people we admire. And we can see a lot of good traits in our own family members.

To adapt for younger family members, find picture books and short stories about admirable people. Talk about people that they know like a Grandparent or Aunt or friend.

Puzzles are the second activity:

Make a fun crossword puzzle using loving words and clues of your choice. Here's a free site to help you out.

Make a word search puzzle using words of love and kindness. Click here for help. Even very young children enjoy looking for certain letters. You can make easy words for elementary schoolers and use more challenging words for the adults and teens.

Love at Home would be a great song choice for this FHE

John 15:12 accompanies the lesson well for the scripture.

Valentine mailboxes

Sarah has a great Valentine's Day-themed activity up on her blog today that would make a great Family Home Evening. She and her girls made mailboxes so they can deliver each other love notes this week. This activity would go well with a lesson on love and family.