Family Night

Last week for Family Night we discussed Baptism since Austin will be baptized in just a few weeks, following his 8th birthday. Tonight we talked about the Holy Ghost. Jared taught the lesson and started by drawing a picture on the white board of a gate at the bottom, with a path leading up to heaven. He told the kids how baptism is the gate by which we enter the path to return to our Heavenly Father. Once we are on the path, there are many things that can lead us astray, so we need some help. Heavenly Father gives us the Holy Ghost to help guide us in the right direction. We read John 14:26, where Christ tells his disciples that once He is gone, they will have the Holy Ghost to teach them and help them.

Once the kids understood this principle, we played a fun game. Jared set up a gauntlet of sorts in the room. At the far end was a small treat on a table. They began, blindfolded, at the opposite end, with many obstacles in their way- the path was riddled with blocks, toys, a ball, etc. As they walked along the path, blindfolded, Jared and I gave them little hints and directions on how to avoid the pitfalls. They were so excited for their turn along the path. (What they didn't know was that the items were removed once they were blindfolded, so the path was clear) Even little Ashley couldn't wait to try. They all did a great job and I think they grasped the concept that our Father in Heaven can lead us through the help of the Holy Ghost. Jared closed the lesson by stressing the fact that we must follow the commandments and be worthy to receive this help.

After the end of the lesson, Austin wanted to play some songs on the piano for us. Then Olivia wanted to sing a song. Then, of course, Ashley wanted to play and sing for us. It turned into a little family concert. We really enjoyed seeing the kids sharing their talents. Austin played a number of Christmas songs for us, then a few from his lesson book.



Olivia's song (an original) was quite long, informative, and interesting. It went something like, "Jesus was born, they didn't think He had power, but He did have power. He taught them to be kind. He taught them to help people..." It was a couple minutes long. She was so sweet and so serious, it was very hard to keep a straight face. When she was done we clapped and she was very proud. I told her we should write down her songs in a songbook so she can remember them.



Ashley sat down with Jared and he whispered words into her ear as she played and sang "Last Christmas". She is so adorable. I loved seeing her little body sitting on the bench and hearing her soft voice (which is not always so soft) singing to the music as she plucked out random notes. The funny thing about this little family concert is that we are not really a musical family at all... unless you count cranking up the iPod and dancing around the room.



I took piano until I was about 12 or 13. Then I played flute for 2 years and promptly quit when I found out you had to be in the marching band if you took band at school- AS IF! Despite these feeble attempts, I still do not have a musical bone in my body, I can't carry a tune and I can't do much on the flute or piano to this day. Jared, however, does bring some actual musical talent to the family. He is quite a good singer and he can play beautifully on the piano, when he tries. When he was young he took piano for many years, but he doesn't practice so the few songs that are burned into his memory are all we get to hear, such as "Right Here Waiting" and "Everything I Do, I Do for you" etc. I don't know, after tonight I wonder, maybe there is hope for our family's musical genes after all. No matter what, it was a nice family night and I am glad that we have this tradition.