BORDERS BY PHYLLIS LUCH; ILLUSTRATED BY BETH WHITTAKER 46 FamilyHomeEvening 2for
BY JANENE WOLSEY BAADSGAARD Ithink our experience <strong>of</strong> not being able to have children has influenced our feelings about family home evening,” says Sister Kristi Collins <strong>of</strong> Oahu, Hawaii. “Many times I’ve heard other couples say they think family home evenings are just for families with children. With or without children, my husband and I are a family. We became a family when we knelt across from each other in the Portland Oregon Temple and were sealed together for time and all eternity. Having children would increase the size <strong>of</strong> our family, but even without children, family home evening has been a great blessing to our marriage.” “Often our schedules are so busy during the week that setting aside one evening to focus on our family is vital and allows us to do more than just meet in passing,” says Kristi’s husband, Jeffery Collins. “Family home evening provides the opportunity to bear our testimonies to each other. I think husbands can take the initiative to make sure it happens. We shouldn’t wait for our wives to remind us that it is our turn to plan a lesson or activity. I don’t think family home evening should be so structured that the same routine is followed week after week. We like to have variety.” It is important to realize that family home evening is not just for families with children; many couples will spend all or a large part <strong>of</strong> their lives together without children in the home. When couples are obedient and give family home evening top priority, it can be a means <strong>of</strong> spiritual nourishment, growth, and fun at any age or in any circumstance. Because each couple is different, husbands and wives can select the approach that uniquely suits their situation and best meets their needs. For most families, Mon<strong>day</strong> night is the best time to hold family home evening because that night is kept free <strong>of</strong> <strong>Church</strong> meetings and activities. In 1978 the First Presidency promised, “As you faithfully plan and hold quality family home evenings, you will gain Everyone needs the rich blessings that flow from holding regular family home evenings. strength to withstand the temptations <strong>of</strong> the world and will receive many blessings which will help qualify you to enjoy your families through eternity in the Celestial Kingdom.” 1 Brother and Sister Collins like to use some <strong>of</strong> their family home evenings as an opportunity to serve. <strong>The</strong>y write letters to missionaries, take food to local food banks, donate blood at the Red Cross center, and take cookies or treats to less-active members. <strong>The</strong>y also like to clean up trash along the beach and help others learn English. Dave and Karene Warby, a young couple from Anaheim, California, have found their biggest challenge to holding family home evening is making it <strong>of</strong>ficial. “Every night could be family night because we spend most <strong>of</strong> our evenings together,” Sister Warby says. “When we make it <strong>of</strong>ficial every Mon<strong>day</strong> night and open with prayer it seems we have an easier time staying connected and communicating with each other that week. I think it’s important to establish a habit from the beginning.” Dave and Karene both enjoy reading and discussing the scriptures and other good books, as well as riding bikes, followed by making cookies and ice cream. Brother and Sister Warby, both returned missionaries, have also enjoyed discussing their missions in combined family home evenings with their brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews. Ryan and Kate McFarland <strong>of</strong> Ann Arbor, Michigan, say that with school and work, their biggest challenge to holding family home evening has been time. <strong>The</strong> McFarlands like to start with a prayer, sing a song, have a lesson, enjoy some kind <strong>of</strong> activity, then close with prayer. Before their son was born, they regularly invited new couples in their ward to share family home evening as a way to reach out and build friendships. “When we have a prayer and lesson we invite the Spirit into our home and we’re better able to apply the gospel to our personal lives,” Sister McFarland says. “I think holding regular family home evening, even when there were just ENSIGN DECEMBER <strong>2004</strong> 47
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