This year our family has decided to implement a family theme in hopes of keeping us focused and growing together as a family. After much thought and after having a family meeting, we voted unanimously on the following:
Theme: Service
Scripture: Mosiah 2:17 "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."
Family Song: "Have I Done Any Good?" I just love these words...
"Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone's burden been lighter today because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?
There are chances for work all around just now, Opportunities right in our way.
Do not let them pass by, saying, "Sometime I'll try," but go and do something today.
Tis noble of man to work and to give; Love's labor has merit alone.
Only he who does something helps others to live.
To God each good work will be know
Then wake up and do something more than dream of your mansions above.
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure, A blessing of duty and love."
Our goal:
As a family, do one service project together a month. Here is what we have so far:
* Help prepare meals or clean in the Ronald McDonald House
* Make cards to hand out for the residents in a nursing home
* Bake cookies for the soldiers and send them. Look at www.operationbakinggals.com
* Go through our mountain of toys and donate to a child crisis center
* Make blankets for the babies at Primary Children's Hospital
* Assemble personal hygiene kits for the LDS Church.
* Visit Orem, Ut Library and help read stories to children, dust shelves and clean books.
* Volunteer for the Special Olympics this summer
* Raise money and walk for the March of Dimes
* Help clean loved ones grave stones on Memorial Day
* Any other opportunities that arise or that we think of
Also, I got a small box that we wrapped and each signed (and Lila decorated, of course) and we call it our "Shill Secret Service Box". Everyday, whoever has the box, gets to do a small act of service for someone in the family. Once they have served someone, they leave it on that persons bed for them to be the next person to serve. It has been really fun. Lila is especially excited about it and keeps "stealing" the box so she can do more service. I had to tell her that she doesn't have to have the box to serve, but that the box allows everybody an opportunity.
