REWARDS
One of my favorite things about having all my children live so close to me is the ability to build some really good traditions. For the last 4 years, we have gathered every month from spring to fall to work at each other’s houses on projects that need a team. You can read our story on our blog about why we started that tradition, which has blessed us dearly. Monthly we also gather for a large meal as we love using the table to connect, and so forth.
This year, we decided to start a ‘another’ new tradition! It is so fun to be a mother and grandmother and to find ways to help our family and keep us glued together, correctly. Recently we have a son and his little family returning to the gospel after 9 years!!! I have written about the sadness and the heartbreak of losing him many times in my posts. However, the bitterness has now turned into Oh such sweetness as he and his family are returning(blog story coming!) During Christmas, he shared how he and his wife are reading the Book of Mormon and his desire for his children to read it too, and if I had any ideas on how to help. After loading him up with the Church’s readers, introducing him to the movies the church has for families on the Book of Mormon and a special project we are involved in to help bring the scriptures to life for families, my mind kept thinking there has to be more I can do when my daughter sent me a fun idea to create and do with them. However, it turned out to be for all of us!
Just like our Heavenly Father gives us gifts and rewards when we obey and accomplish what he has asked, I decided to do the same for my family. With the new year centered around the Book of Mormon, we thought for those who finish a book we would celebrate together, encouraging each of us, our grandchildren, and all to KEEP READING! Each month there is a goal to accomplish and when finished, together we would do the activity along with our service projects or in addition to them. We/I can not wait to do this with my grandchildren!
Here is a copy of the REWARDS without months on it.
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Julie
Julie Smith is the Education Director for the Joseph Smith Foundation. She is the former owner of the Glenn J. Kimber Academy in Lehi, Utah. Julie served as a regional trainer—establishing 18 schools in Arizona, Idaho, and Utah. She is a certified teacher for The Thomas Jefferson Center for Constitutional Restoration (TJC) and taught the Making of America seminars written by W. Cleon Skousen and Glenn J. Kimber. Some of her children also traveled across the nation, assisting in teaching during these seminars. Julie taught history and Book of Mormon classes for 10 years. Julie is the mother of 5 children and grandmother to 7. She homeschooled for over 27 years, working through family challenges including pornography addiction, testimony faith crises, and teenage rebellion. She writes and teaches on strengthening the family, working with troubled youth, practically applying the teachings of scripture and the Prophet Joseph Smith, and celebrating higher standards. In her spare time, Julie also enjoys gardening, managing her .5-acre homestead, and hosting Sunday dinners with her family! Her home is a revolving door of guests and friends as her family hosts cultural celebrations and teaching events.
