With lots of different ages, energy levels, attention spans, etc. Sundays can be difficult. I feel it is quite often a quieter version of Saturday. I really want it to be deeply spiritual. A chance to recharge physically, yes. But also a time of service, serious scripture study, prayer, family history, uniting family and ward, missionary work, etc. I am trying to figure out how to coordinate all this.
Family history can be a challenge. The teenagers can plow ahead, but how do I involve the little ones. Lots of preparation and planning, that's how! I'm going to have stories and family history games ready for them. While the big kids work on the computer I will tell stories and play games with the little kids.
We are going to have home teaching appointments made before Sunday. While Jaremy and Benjamin go home teaching the rest of us are going to visit the elderly in the ward. We can also invite other families or individuals over for dessert in the evenings. Hopefully, the Spirit will be in our home and they will feel it.
We can spend time calling or writing family and friends. We can prepare lessons and take extra time to study the scriptures. Again, what to do with little ones while we study, ponder, and pray. Maybe we can take turns taking them outside for a quiet walk. Or we could have art supplies out for letters they can send to grandparents and missionaries. Or we could read the Children's Friend to them.
On the Sunday drives we enjoy, we can make sure we listen to a couple Conference talks and have the hymns playing softly while we enjoy the beauty of the drive and one another's company.
Of course, this is harder, much harder than it sounds. Things have to be organized during the week. The house and each of us has to stay tidy throughout the Sabbath. Desserts and appointments have to be made in advance. Not only this, but I have to get the rest of the family on board. They don't always like my brilliant ideas. They don't always want to do spiritual things after three hours of church. But maybe if I have the food, house, and activities all ready in advance they won't fight against it as much.
I pray Heavenly Father will bless me in my efforts to keep His day better. I know He has given me some wonderful ideas. I just need to work hard, plan well, and make it happen. I think I'm going to keep plenty of simple dessert makings and paper products on hand to share with company and /or the people we visit. We can't really afford all this, but hopefully Heavenly Father will help us. A Sunday with brownies, cake, or cookies has to be awesome, right!?
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