Thought: It has been by observation – mostly in observing myself, but also in watching others – that when I focus on what I don’t have, I tend to become increasingly self-centered, selfish, and crabby . . . [But we can] find true happiness in cultivating humble, grateful hearts.
…Mary Ellen Edmunds…
Purpose: Help family members recognize and be grateful for the many blessings they have.
Opening Prayer:
Song: “Because I Have Been Given Much” Hymn #219
Scripture: “And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even a hundred fold, yea, more.”
…Doctrine and Covenants 78:19…
Lesson:
Show or draw a picture of a turkey or something else that might lead your family to think of Thanksgiving.
Ask:
· What day does this picture remind you of?
· What does our family do on Thanksgiving?
· What is there to be thankful about?
· In what ways do we show our “thanksgiving”?
Have your family quickly scan D&C 59:16-19 and identify some of the blessings God gives to His children. Then read together D&C 59:20-22.
Ask:
· What pleases God?
· How is He offended?
· Why might Heavenly Father be “offended” if we express our gratitude to Him only one day each year?
Have family members make a journal entry about something for which they feel especially grateful. If it involves another person, suggest that they write a Thank You note to that individual.
Story: New Shoes
The boys and girls of Drancy School, the very poorest in all of Paris, were breathless with excitement. The long-awaited day had come at last – the day on which the children would receive 300 pairs of brand new shoes sent through the American Red Cross.
The day was cold and foggy, but inside the little schoolhouse it was warm and bright. The shoes were set on long tables, and inside each one was a rare treat, a chocolate bar. A flower had been placed on top of each pair of shoes. The children had gathered the flowers to celebrate this exciting day, for it had been years since any of them had owned a pair of brand-new shoes.
On every foot was an old wooded shoe or a ragged sandal with cloth soles. All were poorly fit, some handed down from grown-ups who could no longer use the shoes.
The boys and girls stood quietly around the long tables. No one touched the shoes. No one spoke. Not even a whisper was heard until the teacher signaled for the children to sing. They had learned “The Star-Spangled Banner” for the wonderful occasion. Then the boys and girls sang the national anthem in French.
Every eye was shining, and every heart was beating with excitement – but not one hand stretched out to touch a shoe. The children just looked and looked.
Finally they ran out into the schoolyard to play. Some of the girls stopped to print thank-you notes on scraps of paper to be sent to the givers, but no one picked up a single shoe to even try it on.
The officials who had delivered the shoes did not understand this. Then the teacher explained, “Tomorrow the children will try on the shoes. Today they have seen them. That is enough. They are happy. Do you know what a wonderful thing it can be just to expect new shoes?”
…Lucile C. Reading…
Activity:
Make a picture of a turkey. Make tail feathers out of colored paper. Have the members of your family write the things they are thankful for on the feathers and put them on the turkey so he has a beautiful tail.
Extras:
· Play ALPHABET GRATITUDE. Go around the room and have each person say something he is grateful for. The first person names something that starts with the letter a, and the next person names something that starts with the letter b. Continue around the room as many times as necessary to complete the entire alphabet.
· On Thanksgiving Day light the GRATITUDE CANDLES. Set the table with a candle at each person’s plate. Starting at the head of the table, have the person light his or her candle, expressing gratitude for several things. Then, that person holds out the candle to the next person to light his or her own candle from while giving thanks for blessings. Continue on until the entire table is lit with everyone’s “Gratitude Light.”
Closing Prayer:
…Don’t Forget…
To add the Thankful Tom and His Gratitude Feathers
to YOUR Family Home Evening Journal!
Time for Treats:
Pumpkin Cake Balls
To Make the Pumpkin Cake Balls:
Mix 1 Can Pumpkin with 1 Box Spice Cake Mix.
Grease a 9x13-inch cake pan.
Bake at 350 degrees until the cake
bounces back to your touch.
Allow cake to cool.
Cake will be put into a food processor
to make spice cake crumbs.
Add 1 container of cream cheese frosting.
Form dough into balls about
the size of walnuts.
Chill.
Melt white chocolate chips in the microwave
in 30 second intervals until completely melted.
Roll chilled cake balls in the melted white
chocolate and allow to harden on a piece
Of foil or parchment paper.
Serve cold!
(Refer to bakerella.com for full cake ball instructions)
Oh, this is so perfect. Brought tears to my eyes! I'm going to get choked up reading this...maybe one of the kids should instead. Thank you for sharing your FHE with us!
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