Family Home Evening

I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when I was 16 years old. So, I never grew up with this weekly FHE thing. Honestly, I had no idea what the fuss was all about. I would think to myself Why on earth would you spend time together at the same time every single week? That's just weird. I totally overlooked it and never made the effort to focus on spending time with my family. I don't want you guys to think I didn't spend time with them. We played many board games and laughed and watched movies and hung out all the time. But the idea of family home evening kind of sounded like mandatory fun.

So, four years went by and now I'm married to my best friend. We have regular family home evenings. I crave that time we have together. It's just as awesome as our date nights. So why the change of heart? Soon after we were married, we bought a book called Family Home Evening for Newlyweds by Deborah Pace Rowley. I still didn't understand what the fuss was. I mean, we spent every evening together. Why should we call Monday nights something special? When we got the book, I sat down to uncover the mysteries of FHE. As I flipped through the 80+ ideas in the book, I found my heart fluttering with excitement. I read new ways to learn about my eternal companion, ways to strengthen my testimony, and ways to grow in love and friendship. I couldn't wait until Monday. Ever since I opened that book, we have had steady family home evenings and I cherish the moments we spend together during that time. It's an evening to learn and grow together. An evening set aside to uplift and challenge each other. An evening to move forward in building the future of Zion and preparing ourselves for eternity. It's an evening I love more than ever. 

I am grateful for my husband. I am grateful for the gospel. I thank my Heavenly Father for the growth I feel every time we have a spiritual discussion. Those discussions and little revelations would never have happened if we didn't set aside time to spend together. 

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church on this earth. I know that Jesus Christ died so that we may all live with our Heavenly Father again. I know that families can be together now and for all eternity. And for these things, I am grateful.