I love celebrating Max for any reason so Father's day is pretty great because he is an amazing father for our boys! On Father's day I was asked to speak in church and basically speak on how Max has been teaching our children to gain their own testimonies of Heavenly Father. I could speak on this a whole lot and there is so much to say. But I was really nervous to stand in front of everyone and basically say how amazing my husband is. I tried to do it tactfully but I still felt super awkward about it. But since this is my blog...I can brag all I want about my husband without feeling bad about it. haha. So, on father's Day morning, i was anxious and super nervous so I don't even think I made Max a great father's day breakfast like usual. So we went to church, I struggled through my talk and survived.
Here are my notes from my talk...if you care to hear my thoughts.
I was asked to share some examples from our family and specifically Max, on how we have helped our children gain testimonies of their Heavenly father. I could speak very highly of my husband and all that he does for our family and others but also be aware that we are still figuring out this parenting thing and we are very far from perfect parents, so I will share some things we’ve tried and what may be working for us.
But first,
I reviewed a talk given in conference last year by
Elder D. Todd Christofferson who spoke on Fathers, he gave very direct and clear directions to fathers so I wanted to share some excerpts from that talk.
As a Church, we believe in fathers. We believe in “the ideal of the man who puts his family first.”2 We believe that “by divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families.”3 We believe that in their complementary family duties, “fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.”4 We believe that far from being superfluous, fathers are unique and irreplaceable.”
Perhaps the most essential of a father’s work is to turn the hearts of his children to their Heavenly Father. If by his example as well as his words a father can demonstrate what fidelity to God looks like in day-to-day living, that father will have given his children the key to peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come.9 A father who reads scripture to and with his children acquaints them with the voice of the Lord.10
Loving the mother of his children—and showing that love—are two of the best things a father can do for his children. This reaffirms and strengthens the marriage that is the foundation of their family life and security.
James E Faust has said:
Noble fatherhood gives us a glimpse of the divine. James E Faust
So here are some of the things we have tried with our Children
Pray with our children as soon as they are born and help them pray as soon as they can talk. We feel like this is the best way for young children to form a relationship with their Heavenly Father.
Spending One-on-one time with each child, which could be a fun date, running errands, doing a service project, or going to work.
Attending church weekly despite meltdowns and resistance from certain children of mine.
Temple attendance-our boys often ask if we can drop them off at grandma’s so we can go to the temple.
Temple Visitor center. Beautiful interactive place for them to feel the spirit.
And some things I’ve observed about Max as a father.
He is an example of one who loves the Lord and follows the commandments.
He is an Example of diligence and hard work -Yard work, construction project,
He is constantly seeking more knowledge and sharing that knowledge with the family.
He is an example of service and putting other’s needs before his, whether this is for a family member, neighbor, or stranger.
He is always seeking opportunities to teach the children and show reasons how and why we do things.
He loves his family and makes time for them no matter how busy his schedule gets!
President Henry B Eyring, while addressing the men of the church said
In our home and in our priesthood service, the greatest value will be in the small acts that help us and those we love work toward eternal life. Those acts may seem small in this life, but they will bring everlasting blessings in eternity.
Out of the missionary work we have done we feel that our Children are our greatest converts and it is our responsibility to teach them how they can build their own relationship with the Lord.
After my talk Charlie sang with the primary children.
Then I could relax.
A few days before Father's day, Charlie shared his gifts that he made in preschool which consisted of a 2018 calendar made entirely of his artwork. I gave him a framed photos of the boys to put up in his office.
Anyway, after church we enjoyed dinner and relaxing at home. Shortly after dinner, Max ended up outside with all the boys while I finished cleaning up the kitchen. My heart was so full when I went outside and found them like this. not posed, just a glimpse of the kind of father Max is.
