Notes from Kent's EQ Lesson on Sunday

List: Challenges to Marriage Today

“What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” – Mark 10:9

Marriage = Miracle.

Birth & early childhood – dependence

Teenage years and young adulthood – independence

Marriage/Parenthood – interdependence

It takes an independent person or persons to be in an interdepedent relationship.

5 Big Needs of Women:

1. Affection

2. Conversation

3. Honesty & Openness

4. Financial Support

5. Family Commitment

Movie: “Fireproof” – 1^st presidency endorsed. For the Lord’s sake, if we’re truly contrite and humble and broken hearted, we’ll do whatever the Lord would have us do. In this state, we’re able to love our wife with a pure heart as the Lord would have us love her.

Y.E.A.R.S.

You’re responsible for your own happiness – you can’t ‘get’ your happiness ‘from’ your wife – you can only share your happiness, peace, joy, and love with your wife.

Express your love often – demonstrate love through service, spending quality time together, physical affection, or telling your spouse of your love for her.

Appreciation – similar to expressing it (outward), appreciation goes deeper to what’s going on inside your own heart and head – really, truly treasure your wife as your most precious of all assets.

Rituals and family traditions strengthen marriage and family – FHE, date night, family dinners, church worship, family scripture study and family prayer, etc.

Self-LESS-ness – The marriage comes first, the family second. Church callings, career, finances, etc. come later, but the SELF comes last. We must put wife, and children ahead of self. We’re holders of the priesthood after all, - we’re on the Lord’s errand and are representative of Him as if He were here. Love as He loved, serve as He served.

“Love is an adventure, not an investment” – Gordon B. Hinkley

Phoenix Art Museum

This weekend we went on a family date to the Phoenix Art Museum and Tempe Town Lake.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Art Museum...I wasn't expecting much, but got a lot out of it. Each exhibit had explanations about art in the given time period and geographic location. We soon found ourselves looking a little more deeply into the art as opposed to the usual "scan and don't stop moving" style.

It had fun fountain at the entrance:

Not to get political...but here comes China!

Did this one scare anyone else? It talked and everything. Its voice reminded me of Hannibal Lecter.

Some of my favorites:

I love how the photographer combined old photos and new photos together. What a novel idea!

This one made me laugh!

Speaking of laughing, I was hysterical walking through this one the 1st time. It was a dark room, with multi-colored lights and mirrors. I recorded it the 2nd time. I don't know why I thought it was so funny. Maybe it was because the 1st time, it was just me and this old lady.

After the museum we went to the Splashpark at Tempe Town Lake to play. Braelynn had a lot of fun. It was so hot though, so we didn't stay long.

We are so excited that Brooke is starting to roll over. She liked to practice in her crib at night, but finally got the hang of it at a more feasible hour ;)

Kent and I also got callings in our new ward. He is a teacher in the Elder's Quorum, which he is pretty excited about. He taught today about marriage and successfully started a brawl in the meeting...The EQP called tonight to see if he was still interested in teaching. His lesson next week is on the Law of Chastity. I'm not sure if he's still excited about this calling!

Get ready for this...I was called to be Cubmaster. Never in my life did I ever expect to do this one! My Patriarchal Blessing says that I will do a lot of work with the RS and YW. I must not be right with the Lord ;) So far it has been an adventure. I get to go get my uniform next week. As soon as they told me it involved buying new clothes I got a little excited!

Our house is pretty much all set-up. I'll have to get photos of it all up soon. We still want wood floors and new carpet...but that's well down the road! The backyard is starting to get the grass back in, and I've been pulling 4 foot weeds like crazy! It will be nice to have it when it cools off.

Well, I think that's about it. Have a great week!