Family Home Alone Evening, Part 3

Song: Hymn 87, "God is Love"

Prayer: Me, again

Lesson: conclusion of Preach My Gospel chapter 1, "My Purpose"

• Takeaway: Joseph Smith taught that the baptismal ordinance is not complete without receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. First comes the baptism of water and then the baptism of fire. The gospel is full of "ands" like this: water and fire. They seem like opposites, but they serve the same function: cleansing, purifying, sanctifying. We need both baptism and the Holy Ghost in order to continue on the path home. We must be clean and guided. We must be holy and inspired. We must be water and fire.

Activity: cleaning the toilet and the shower because gross

Treats: chocolate banana peanut butter milkshake

Family Home Alone Evening, Part 2

Song: Hymn 249, "Called to Serve" (sang along to the MoTab version)

Prayer: Moi

Lesson: continuation Preach My Gospel chapter 1, "My Purpose"

• Takeaway: As Elder Holland says, "be devastated" when someone does not keep a commitment to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. These two things are the first steps on the most important path that person will ever take. I've been trying to find a constructive way to express such devastation so that the person is motivated to change, and I think that it would help to discuss what might be holding them back from keeping the commitment. Then, we could brainstorm solutions together. I could emphasize why I believe these steps are so important and how the Atonement of Jesus Christ enables us to change, including starting new habits of prayer and study. I could then bear testimony of the good and powerful changes I have experienced from reading the Book of Mormon.

Activity: writing a letter to a lonely friend

Treats: popsicle (nothing for Ghost because he's constipated)

Family Home Alone Evening, Part 1

Since I no longer have the structure of a Young Single Adult ward to keep me on track, I will be hosting my own Family Home Evenings. I don't want to get out of this inspired habit because I have a testimony of the positive effects FHE has on families. As Sister Sharon Eubank says, just because my husband and children aren't with me right now doesn't mean that I can't establish good habits. I also thought it would be fun (and responsible) to keep track of my meetings.

Song: Hymn 141 "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee"

Prayer: Me

Lesson: Preach My Gospel chapter 1, "My Purpose"

• Takeaway: the Doctrine of Christ provides not only a pattern for living but a pattern for daily living. I need to exercise faith in Christ (by praying and seeking blessings) every day, repent and improve every day, fulfill my baptismal covenants to love and serve every day, listen to the whispering of the Holy Ghost every day, and endure to the end (which I am interpreting as fulfilling temple covenants and living as though I am inside the temple) every day.

Activity: Household chores, including folding laundry, unloading the dishwasher, and watering the lawn.

Treats: Chicken-flavored Temptations (for Ghost)