Scripture Stickers

Just thought I'd post a scripture study idea I got from MeckMom.com. I needed a quick and easy, daily scripture study idea for my girls (4 1/2 and 3) that they would be interested in.

MeckMom has the Gospel Art Picture Kit download that you can make into to scripture stickers- it's the pictures from the kit, made smaller and the colors lightened, so that when you print them on clear sticker paper, you can cut them out and stick them over the scripture (as seen in above picture). Go to THIS website to download the pictures pdf's, and then go to any office supply store to get Avery #8665 Clear Full Sheet Mailing Labels to print them off on.

I also put the pictures kit pics in a binder, with the stickers in the back. So in the morning, we grab our Scripture Pictures & Scripture Stickers, and one girl gets to choose a picture. Then I tell the story and read 1 or 2 scriptures about it, and then they get to put that sticker in their own little Book of Mormon. It has been a great way to do scripture study for this age. They love it!

Mommy quotes

I was just going back over my May 2008 Ensign (411-LDS church magazine) and found so many good quotes that I had completely forgotten about that really pertain to motherhood.

Sooo, in anticipation of another conference, I thought I'd share a couple "mommy quotes" and invite you to share some of yours as well.

Elder Russell M. Nelson-Salvation and Exaltation

"The home is to be God's laboratory of love and service."

"Do not try to control your children. Instead, listen to them, help them to learn the gospel, inspire them, and lead them toward eternal life. You are God's agents in the care of children He has entrusted to you. Let His divine influence remain in your hearts as you teach and persuade."

Cheryl C. Lant-Righteous Traditions

"Are [our traditions] what we want them to be? Are they based on actions of righteousness and faith? Are they mostly material in nature, or are they eternal? Are we consciously creating righteous traditions, or is life just happening to us? Are our traditions being created in response to the loud voices of the world or are they influenced by the still, small voice of the Spirit? Are [they] . . .going to make it easier for our children to follow the living prophets, or will they make it difficult for them?"

Please share your favorites before we get more great info this weekend!

Church schedule

Here's the church schedule we use-only it's not the actual binder because that one fell apart.



Instructions: Print/take pictures of various parts of sacrament meeting schedule (ie, hymnal, bread, water, speakers, bishop, prayer, choir). Print, cut and laminate. Cut the soft side of a velcro roll into small pieces, and apply to the back of each picture. Cut the "pokey" side of the velcro into strips and place INSIDE the binder (tip: putting it on the outside will leave your skirt with lots of pokes and snags in it). You'll probably need about 3 rows, depending on how big your pictures are. If I ever redo these, I'll probably try to make them 1.5 inches wide by 2 inches long-2x3 was a little big.

Before sacrament meeting, look at the program and put the pictures on as they coincide with the program. Then, as the program proceeds, the child can take off each event after it happens, and put the picture back in the bag.

This really worked well for about 2 months, and then Brig didn't need it anymore. He was 2 then, so it works VERY well from that age and up.

Sacrament Meeting Woes

I have three children, ages 4, 2, and 5 months. Each Sunday we do our very best to have a relatively calm, reverent experience during Sacrament meeting, but each Sunday we leave church wondering why we bother to come. I understand that at their age they can't be expected to sit perfectly still and listen the whole time, but I really worry when our family becomes a distraction to others.

Part of the problem is that we have to get there about 20 minutes early because I'm the organist and have to do prelude. So, they have to sit there a full 90 minutes, which is long for anyone! One particular problem is that my two-year-old refuses to whisper and gets quite loud, especially when you ask her to be quiet...this provokes even louder talking. We've tried a variety of things, but nothing seems to be too effective. What can we do to help our kids make it through the whole meeting without going bonkers?! Has hanyone had any success in this area?

FHE Idea

Here is a fun and easy Family Home Evening idea. We first did it when Jachin, my oldest, was 2. He then requested the same lesson every Monday for 6 weeks. We have to do this lesson at least twice a year, but every time we add more details. First tell the story of Samuel, the Lamanite. If you have access to the picture it helps. Then choose someone to be Samuel, tie a blanket/cape around their shoulders and have them stand on a "wall" (we chose our couch). Then "Samuel" tells the people of Zarahemla to repent. The "people of Zarahemla" aka the rest of the family throw jumbo marshmallows at Samuel (trying not to hit Samuel, but it doesn't hurt if one goes astray). The treat at the end is, of course, marshmallows.

General Conference Bingo

This was a spin I had off the usualy bingo game for Brigham to pay attention during conference, that worked SOOOO well. We even let him put candy in repeatedly when he heard something more than once. He actually made it through 3 sessions with it!