We had a great Family Home Evening last night. We try and have a great FHE every week, but a lot of them fall short of greatness. (And by “fall short of greatness,” I mean that some of them have the spiritual impact of a spork in the eye.) This week, however, was great, and it was my lovely EC’s idea. I give her full credit.
Because there might be one or two weeks out of the year where you might possibly be struggling with ideas, she gave me the OK to share this with you.
Backstory: There is a elderly couple on our ward who have recently been rendered homebound due to some health problems. My wife happens to Visit Teach the wife. As you all know, that calling tends to involve food, so she volunteered to take them dinner. (We will call them the “Larsons.”)
Monday morning, as I was leaving for work, my EC said, “I’m taking dinner to the Larson’s tonight. What do you think about taking them FHE, too?”
Brilliant!
I got home from work to find that my EC had made a lovely dinner, packed it up with paper plates, paper cups, napkins and everything we might possibly need.
We loaded it all up into the car, and off we went to the Larson’s house. Boy, were they happy to see us.
We sat around the table and had a great dinner, full of new conversations, and improved table manners.
After, we went into the other room, and Brother Larson kicked into “Dad” mode and launched right into conducting the “formal” FHE protocol. He called on my youngest to say an opening prayer, then my next to lead us in a song.
It was his house, and we were his guests, and he was in charge – as it should be.
Then he turned the time over to me for a lesson. (I think the papers and scriptures on my lap were a dead giveaway that I had come prepared.) I proceeded to teach a lesson about the importance of reading, which may, or may not have come directly from a recent blog post. (Here.)
After everyone was sufficiently inspired by my masterful teaching, Brother Larson offered a sweet prayer, including kind words of gratitude for us.
We then had dessert, (A white chocolate raspberry bundt cake with cream cheese frosting, Yes, my EC rocks.) and sat around the table and played a game called Tenzies for a little bit.
It was a perfect FHE. Here are some of the reasons why:
• We served others, together as a family.
• We deepened relationships with good people.
• We shared thoughts and perspectives around the table and in the lesson that were both different, and reinforcing to our children.
• We were undisturbed. If our phone was ringing at home, we didn’t hear it, and if the FOML’s cellphones were ringing, they didn’t answer them.
• Everyone was on their best behavior. There was no bickering or bad manners.
• White chocolate raspberry bundt cake.
• A couple who needed some love, got some.
Now for a few caveats: I would point out that this activity would not work for everyone. If you have a handful of hellions that are tough to wrangle, it might be more stressful than spiritual for the victims, err…elderly couple. You know who you are. Follow the Scout tradition of leaving the place better than you found it.
Please don’t confuse this idea of serving elderly couples as me recommending “FHE Parties” with other families. Not a fan.
Don’t overdo. Don’t make some massive, expensive feast – just make a little bit extra. Most old people don’t eat very much. (Even though they seem to love all-you-can-eat buffets.) Just make your normal dinner with a little extra. We were able to leave enough leftovers for them to make another meal.
This might be a good idea for younger empty-nesters who have given up on FHE, or are having trouble finding a purpose to FHE, beyond a glorified “Monday Date Night.”
At the end of the day, this was a good experience for my family. It was about loving, respecting, and serving the elderly. That and white chocolate raspberry bunt cake. (With cream cheese icing.)
Yes, you may pin this. No need to ask.
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This is a great idea! Here is what my friend and I did when we were both single momming it. We had FHE together. That way there were more kids, they looked forward to it, and we had someone to share ideas with. We sometimes did service ( like make goodies and ring and run, etc) and we always had music, lessons, and activities. I think we all have good memories of those times. (Once in awhile we had “parties”, but they were not the focus. We did all go out to eat after everyone memorized the Articles of Faith! To a buffet, which kids seem to like, too.)
Lovely!
When do we get the recipe for the bundt cake!?
Need EC’s recipe!
MMM, this was great! I loved this idea. Your family is awesome.
Sounds absolutely lovely! Especially the frosting.
When the kids were little we had “Family Home Five Minutes.” It worked beautifully. Now that we have an inactive teen we have “Family Home Fifteen Minutes” that follows the formula: Song-Prayer-Accomplishments-Name all the apostles (we hold up pictures and say who it is) – Read an article from The Friend – Song-Prayer-End. It’s all he can handle and we’re just happy he shows up at all. Yay! =)
I love your post about FHE and service. It sounds like the “Larsons” and your family were uplifted.
Last night my 4 year-old re enacted the Battle of Jericho with blocks and army men as Joshua and the “Islites”. He thought it was fun to include shouting in a lesson. It was epic and we all felt like we could have been there.
I get the feeling you like cream cheese icing?
Dessert sounds amazing. Is there a recipe you want to share?
I’m thinking we should do this with our grandparents in town. Its so easy to get too busy and sharing fhe would be wonderful in their home. It is so hard to see people you love get old and limited but, oh, they are still so worth spending time together, learning from and with them.
I would even suggest that you get outside your comfort zone and visit people who aren’t related – and might not have any grandkids of their own nearby.
This is a fabulous idea. I think the most important thing was that you were serving others AND having fun. I’m sure this is something that everyone will remember, unlike some FHE nights.
What an awesome family home evening! Last night we had a great family home evening too. We had a single sister that I visit teach over for dinner and FHE. Our kids acted out Nephi building the ship and the rebuking of Laman and Lemuel. Then she stayed for our family scripture study too. Ours was wild and rambunctious but fun, and she had a blast! I don’t know if my kids know they gave service last night or not. But they participated and got along and we were able to get through scripture study without hours of delays! We had Strawberry pretzel creaminess dessert and banana cream pie!