Family Home Evening - It's Inspired

"We advise and urge the inauguration of Home Evening throughout the Church, at which time fathers and mothers may gather their boys and girls about them in the home, and teach them the words of God...If the Saints obey this counsel, we promise that great blessings will result. Love at home and obedience to parents will increase, faith will be developed in the hearts of the youth of Israel, and they will gain power to combat the evil influences and temptations which beset them." 

-President Joseph F. Smith & The First Presidency of the Church 1915

I know the above statement is true. Family Home Evening is a divinely inspired principle that was instituted almost exactly one hundred years ago. It was instituted in a time that it was probably fairly easy to gather one's family. I believe that this sacred family time is needed in this day more than any other day, which is probably why it is so challenging to chisel out that time for one hour on a Monday night to gather as a family and enjoy one another's company while learning gospel truths.

But I was determined last night. Jonah gets out early all week for parent teacher conferences, so we did his reading shortly after he got home from school. As the other two got home, I informed them that I was determined to have some family time this evening so there would be no lallygagging as far as homework and practicing went. Neil and I went to parent teacher conference with Jonah and had a very lengthy and very helpful conversation with his teacher whom I adore. It was worth moving our whole family just for Jonah to have this one remarkable teacher.

But this got us home late. I hurried and began dinner while Neil wrestled with the sprinkling system some more. He will forever be wrestling with that dang sprinkling system. As I put dinner in the oven, I pushed Neil and Sabrina out the door to practice driving. I told them they had exactly twenty minutes. In the meantime, I whipped up some sugar cookie dough and set the table.

The drivers got home, we ate dinner, I began rolling out cookies and whipping frosting while Jonah bounced between his math homework and helping me cut cookies. The child can't be left out of anything. Homework was done, dinner was done, cookies were done, breathe, breathe, it's 8:00, quick everyone upstairs for family home evening!

It is killing me that we missed so much General Conference last weekend, so we went back to enjoy a couple of talks that we missed. This gave the kids an opportunity to play the Conference Bingo that they missed yesterday. I don't think my kids will ever outgrow Conference Bingo. I'll be pulling the cards out when they're 25. 

We listened to Elder Holland's talk and Pres. Uchtdorf's talk. I love these two men so much! I come away from their talks so inspired to be better, to live better, to love better. They are truly men of God delivering messages that God would have us hear. Here is the link to Holland's talk. Words that every single one of us should hear as we are all brothers and sisters struggling through this life together.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2014/10?lang=eng&vid=3821264213001&cid=10

The children were riveted. The bingo cards were full, though I believe a little fudging may have transpired. 

We finished the night by beginning our spooky read for the season. The kids have been begging me to read something spooky as a family for Halloween. We argued back and forth over what the book should be. Frankenstein? Poe's Works? Dracula? Sabrina finally won out. She has been dying for us to read a Sherlock Holmes Mystery as a family.  We figured that would be fun and not instill as many nightmares as say The Cask of Amontillado or The Tell Tale Heart. But don't worry, Mr. Poe will get his turn eventually. We turned out the lights, turned on our bat lantern and creepy Halloween village, and I read by flashlight for effect. One chapter, and I think we're all hooked. 

By now it was 9:30. To bed with all of you! Phew! We did it. One very successful family night, and one very tired mom. But there was still frosting and cookie trays to clean up. I pray that those blessings connected with the principle of Family Home Evening, promised by a prophet one hundred years ago, will make their way into this home and to this family. Because do we ever need those blessings.

I will do you all a generous favor and leave you with the best darn frosting recipe you'll ever try. I received this recipe from my sister-in-law, Natalie, probably 15 years ago, and I thank her for the favor every time I make myself sick off it. This recipe will make enough for about three dozen sugar cookies or two dozen cupcakes, depending on how generously you pipe that goodness on. It will also decorate an average 9 x 13 size cake. It is the perfect consistency for piping and tastes like heaven on earth. Enjoy! Those cookies on the left will remain unfrosted because none of my children like frosting. I thought my blood ran through their veins, but maybe not.

Best Butter Cream Frosting Ever

1/2 Cup Butter

1/2 Cup Vegetable Shortening

4 Cups  Powdered Sugar

1/4 Teaspoon Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Clear Vanilla Extract(Found at Michaels in cake decorating section)

1/2 Teaspoon Almond Extract (My own added touch. Because almond extract makes everything better.)

1/4 Cup Whipping Cream (Not Whipped)

Cream shortening and butter until fluffy.

Add sugar and continue creaming until well blended.

Add salt and vanilla and almond extract and cream, blend on low until moistened, then high until nice and fluffy.

Slather that yummy stuff all over your baked goods and eat it straight from the bowl if you like. Not that I ever do that:)