My side of the family has a tradition that our kids treasure more than anything: Cousin Camp. This year, we’re bringing it to Jess’ side. In order to prepare the cousins (and Aunts and Uncles) our kids sang (sometimes in tune) the camp songs so they can prepare. Here’s a couple of them:
Jewkes cousins! For the rest of the songs, click http://kfhe.wordpress.com/2011/03/15/mixing-fhe-w-cousin-camp/ and sing along!
I initially titled this ‘Return of the Marshmallow’ and then went to link to the first time I wrote about it. No luck. I can’t believe I never wrote about my favorite FHE of all time. I saw a video today that reminded me of it that I’m including at the bottom of this entry.
It happened during June of 2009 …
The lesson was based on a 6 minute TED video that impressed me (see below). I had Caleb present the plan of salvation to the family, starting with the pre-mortal life … when he finished, I asked the kids if they knew what was needed to make it to the the celestial kingdom (heaven). They said baptism and temple marriage. “Yes, but incomplete,” I said. I told them I was about to teach them the secret to making it to heaven. And, that I was going to teach them with marshmallows!
I put them in separate rooms (living room, dining room, kitchen) and gave them each 1 marshmallow. I told them, “you can eat this marshmallow right now or anytime you want. But, if you wait and don’t eat the marshmallow during the next 15 minutes, then I’ll give you a second one and you’ll have 2 (when the 15 minutes is up).” They stared at their marshmallows. I heard this …
Caleb: “Madi, are you going to eat yours?”
Madi: “No.”
Caleb: “Me neither.”
When I came back to the kitchen, Lucy was crying.
Me: “Why are you crying sweetheart?”
Lucy: “I took a bite.” And then her tears really started to flow.
Me: “I said you could. So, why are you crying?”
Lucy: Because I knew I shouldn’t and now I don’t get the second marshmallow do I?”
Me: “No. You don’t. Go ahead and finish your marshmallow.”
Madi and Caleb heard Lucy cry and yelled out, “What’s wrong Lucy?! Did you eat it?!” Through the sobs, “Yes I did!” Almost in unison, “Oh Lucy you shouldn’t have!” “I know” (still crying). I went to check on Caleb and Madi. Caleb put his marshmallow in his pocket. “Caleb, where’s yours?” “I put it in my pocket so I won’t be tempted.” Madi put hers far away from her on the living room table and dove into a coffee table book on the couch. “I don’t want to smell it,” she said.
10 minutes into what turned out to be the Parable of the Marshmallow, I went back to Lucy who was sadly sitting at the kitchen table.
Me: “Lucy, if I gave you a second marshmallow right now would you promise me that you won’t eat it for another 15 minutes?”
Lucy: (looking at me hopefully) “Yes.”
Me: “OK, here’s another marshmallow. Don’t eat it until I tell you ok?”
Lucy: “OK.”
When the first 15 minutes were up I told Madi and Caleb to meet me in the kitchen (5 feet away from Lucy). They presented their uneaten marshmallows and I presented them with a second one (Lucy remained seated at the table, looking on). Caleb stuffed his face with both at the same time. Madi enjoyed both of hers with a bit more elegance. Then we talked about what we learned …
We talked through both answers for a while and I was touched by their insights. Then we looked over at Lucy, still sitting somberly at the table. I asked Madi & Caleb if they thought that eating the marshmallow before the 15 minutes was up meant that Lucy couldn’t have a second one and, in essence, go to heaven. They sadly agreed that Lucy was disqualified. I then told them that that’s not necessarily true. In unison, “What!?” I told them that I had given her a second marshmallow (“What?!”) already and that she had it and had to promise to wait another 15 minutes. I compared that to the Gospel plan and how Heavenly Father knew that none of us would be perfect and that we would all ‘eat the marshmallow’ too soon. But, if we repent (what does that mean guys? Ask forgiveness. Pray. Promise to not do it again) we will be given second chances and have the same ability, because of Jesus’ suffering for our sins and his resurrection, to have the second marshmallow or make it to the celestial kingdom.
Me: Lucy, times up. Do you still have your marshmallow?
Lucy: Yes (she sheepishly removes the uneaten marshmallow from her pocket much to the surprise of her siblings).
Me: Go ahead an eat it.
Everyone in the family cheered as Lucy stuffed her mouth, worthily, with the second marshmallow!
Here’s the two videos I referenced:
1st … the inspiration:
2nd … from today:
Lastly, we all thought it was really cool to watch Pres. Uchtdorf give the same lesson at General Conference in April 2010:
(side note: it should be spelled ‘marshmellow’)
These are great for Thanksgiving. I’ll be using the Gordon B. Hinckley one for FHE tonight.
Last night we had a fabulous Family Home Evening lesson taught by Madison. She had been begging to give the lesson for a few weeks, and planned and prepared the entire thing all by herself. She started by asking us for examples of prophets who have seen Jesus or Heavenly Father, and we talked about all the stories in the scriptures where that has happened. Then she read the Joseph Smith story from a beautifully illustrated book we own. Then she read the scripture James 1:5, the same one that caused Joseph Smith to reflect and offer a prayer about which church is true. After that, we sat around the piano and sang the primary song, “The Sacred Grove” (which I had trouble playing and almost ruined the spirit of the night :)). Finally, she asked us all to think of times our prayers have been answered and to write them down on these colorful papers. We linked them all together and started our own family prayer link, which is now hanging on the light above our kitchen table, hopefully to be added to often! I think I’ll let her do the FHE lessons from now on!
