Brown family theme for 2009

As I was pondering on the message I wanted to share with my family for our first Family Home Evening of the new year last week, I knew I wanted to focus on our home. Like all of us, I want our home to be a haven of unconditional love, safety, refuge, lots of smiles and happiness and where the Spirit abides. Certainly this is something we always strive for but I wanted to bring the family together on this and recommit. Brent and I had talked about new family goals and resolutions that we wanted to discuss with the kids but I just wanted to find something that would help me express my feelings and desires. My FHE assignment that night was "scripture" and sadly I was scrambling at the last minute to find one to share. But of course my loving Savior whispered peace and I suddenly knew the scripture I wanted to share. When we gathered together and I took my turn, I read this scripture to my family:

Doctrine & Covenants 88: 119
Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;

I expressed to my family that I knew if we were focusing on these things then our home would be a place of love, safety, refuge and happiness and most importantly, a home for the Spirit to dwell. I am grateful for a new year and all that it brings. I'm grateful for my husband and his knowledge of the gospel and the teaching moments he makes happen for our children. Our FHE was a great start to our new year and I must say with one week behind us, we are off to a great start! Another 51 weeks to go. Go Brown family!!