The Perfect Game – Thoughts on the Atonement (he: Dan)
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The Perfect Game – Thoughts on the Atonement (he: Dan)

ByDan Jacobs

I have come to realize and accept that I was never intended to be the champion of this match. There is someone else who has already played this game perfectly, and with exact obedience. He is the champion of my game. He has already set the example for me to reach for, but one He knows I will never attain. It is my belief that as he watches my efforts unfold, He isn’t sitting there with a clipboard jotting down every single error I commit. Not that He doesn’t see my each fault, He does, but it is my belief that he gently and continually encourages me, entreats me to improve, to re-engage, to pick up my pace, to keep shooting… He is the ultimate teammate, coach and fan.

Here's a back to school Family Night idea from Veronica! Help get everyone prepared and eager to tackle what the year ahead holds. There's a free printable, too! See all the info at www.orsoshesays.com.
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Back to School Family Night idea: A Father’s Blessing (she: Veronica)

ByVeronica

Hello! It’s Veronica and I’m so happy to be back! For many, including us, school just started again. (WHERE DOES THE SUMMER GO?!) But, many of you still have a few more weeks of summer left. I thought I would share one of our favorite back to school traditions with you. This back to school Family…

7 Simple Learning Strategies for Scripture Study - Today Rachel is sharing some ideas for helping young families make the most of their scripture study. After all, what's the point of reading together if no one ever learns anything? See the strategies on www.orsoshesays.com.
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7 Simple Learning Strategies to Help with Scripture Study (she: Rachel)

ByRachel D

t’s just about time for the kids to head back to school—if they haven’t already started! From meeting the teachers, to checking out textbooks for the year, to shopping for school supplies, I’m spending a lot of time thinking about learning and study. I recently ran into a great article with seven learning strategies used by kids and how they can help everyone learn better. I love the idea of incorporating childlike learning strategies into lifelong learning, but as I was pondering how to adopt some of these skills into my life, I realized that each of the seven strategies could revitalize scripture study as well!

Finding Hope Through a Hermit Crab (he: Dan)

Finding Hope Through a Hermit Crab (he: Dan)

ByDan Jacobs

After the loss of my pet, my mother taught me some precious truths about life and faith. She explained to me that our Heavenly Father is aware of all of his creatures here on earth – (See Matthew 10:29). She explained that He knew when every one of them died and that He cared. She went on to tell me that she believed that life didn’t end with death here on earth, that life carried on in heaven and that it was a much happier place.

Unplugged: Why It’s Important to Make Time Stand Still (he: Dan)
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Unplugged: Why It’s Important to Make Time Stand Still (he: Dan)

ByDan Jacobs

I calculate that it has been 7 years since I have been truly “off the grid” for longer than 24 hours. Even when I went to Italy with my wife 4 years ago, I would check my inbox at least twice a day to make certain I wasn’t getting too behind with work. Sadly, there are just truly too few places left in the world where we are no longer easily connected to our electronic lives.

My status of being constantly “plugged in” changed this last week. My father in law, after many years of trying, was finally able to convince our family to find a break in our schedule – not an easy task – to accompany him on a backpack trip into the Uintah Mountains. So we took a 3 day, 2 night venture out into the wilderness. To a place where electronic service of any kind was unavailable. There was a sense of satisfaction when I put my vacation response on my email settings as not having any access to my phone or email during my time away.

Scripture Verses for Travel at Or So She Says - See how Rachel created a simple way to incorporate scripture study while away from home.
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Scripture Verses for Travel – Free Printable for Studying (she: Rachel)

ByRachel D

Summer means travel! Even if you’re not going on a big vacation, you’re probably road-tripping for a family reunion or taking off for an afternoon at the mountains or the beach. Getting out of the routine can be invigorating, but sometimes these trips can disconnect us from the small habits that keep us close to the Spirit! Traveling can mean we miss church services, daily scripture study, or regular prayers. With this in mind, I created printables of eight travel related scriptures verses to help keep you and your family a little more connected to Him during the summer travel season.

Just Keep Swimming - A Family Service Activity inspired by everyone's favorite fish! See the lesson and activity ideas on www.orsoshesays.com
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Family Service Activity – Just Keep Swimming (she: Adelle)

ByAdelle Belnap

love Disney movies. I especially love them when they have a good message. One of the lasting messages from the animated film, Finding Nemo, and more recently with Finding Dory is when you are in a situation, and you don’t know what to do…”just keep swimming!” When you keep on swimming, then eventually you will figure things out.

Today’s Family Night lesson is a fun one because it allows you to do more than just talk to your family about being good, it gives you the opportunity to DO something good in your own neighborhood. I love putting the lesson into action. I hope you do too.

What I Learned from Prayers and Bird Poop (he: Dan) ~ www.orsoshesays.com

What I Learned from Prayers & Bird Poop (he: Dan)

ByDan Jacobs

I am thankful to a God that has a sense of humor. I am thankful to a God that at those times of acute distress will find a way to intervene and assist us, even when it might be in the last way we would ever imagine or think might be beneficial. I am thankful for those hundreds of miles I walked over the course of my undergraduate degree. I am glad that I have prayer at my disposal wherever and whenever I need it. My only advice is be careful when you are out in the open praying for relief, you never know just what type of “blessing” might fall out of the sky. 🙂

Rachel is sharing a genius idea to help parents survive summer by having the right attitude with the kids! It's a good reminder to reinforce good behavior in the kids and enjoy the (LOOOONG) summer together! Get the free image from www.orsoshesays.com to dowload to your phone's home screen.
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Reinforce Good Behavior – They Need to Hear You Say… (she: Rachel)

ByRachel D

I love summer time with my kids, but I’ll be honest: the days can get a little long! Without the school routine, it’s easy for me to feel drained by the late mornings, with melting popsicles, and wet beach towels. This summer, though, instead of focusing on activities for the kids I decided to make a list of the things I want to do to be a better mom, starting with the things my kids need to hear me say. Hopefully this will help reinforce good behavior in my kids so we can all get along during the school break.

The Good Seed- Help your family better understand the principle of faith with this planting project. Find the idea and free printable on www.orsoshesays.com.
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Faith and A Family Planting Project – The Good Seed (she: Rachel)

ByRachel D

I love the Biblical metaphor equating faith to a seed. It is scattered a few different places, but Matthew 13 expands on the concept well (check out Alma 32 if you use the Book of Mormon). Explaining faith as a seed is such a magnificent way to help children understand an abstract spiritual concept. Cultivating faith, indeed choosing faith, is an important value that I hope to pass on to my children.

Adelle has prepared yet another wonderful Family Night lesson for us! This one focuses on seeing the world through SON glasses.
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Seeing the World Through “SON” Glasses Family Night Lesson (she: Adelle)

ByAdelle Belnap

The way we view the world, situations, and our relationships ultimately determines our happiness. It is called perception. Have you ever heard the expression, “She looks at the world through rose colored glasses?” What does that mean? It means that a person looks at the world in a positive or “rosy” way. What if we looked at the world through Jesus, the Son of God’s, eyes? How would we view ourselves? How would we see others? Would it change the way we act and think? I believe it would.