Children and Youth Program Initiative

Part of our Family Home Evening last 25 February 2020 was watching the Face to Face event for children, youth, parents, and leaders, where President and Sister Oaks answered questions from around the world focusing on the Children and Youth program which is to strengthen the rising generation’s faith in Jesus Christ, and help children, youth, and their families progress along the covenant path as they meet life’s challenges.

Our children then made a resolution to follow the process more intentionally: discover, plan, act, and reflect. They have also set personal goals that challenge and stretch them and continue to discover new talents, interests, and skills.

This morning, when my husband and I woke up, we were surprised to see the house already sparkling clean. They worked together to do the house chores after their personal prayer and scripture study.

The opportunity to counsel with our children to discover the areas of growth and learning they are interested in is a blessing to us. We know that as they receive revelation for their lives, build gospel-centered relationships, and exercise agency as they grow, they will be successful in all areas of life.

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”
Luke 2:52

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
Get the FREE Ebook Please wait... Thanks! We'll be in touch! Oops! Something went wrong, please try again ← Back
Read more

Beyond the Perfect Picture

Image
Let's talk about church. Not the polished Instagram version, all smiles and perfectly-behaved kids. Let's talk about the real church – the one filled with messy, complicated, wonderfully imperfect people, just like you and me.   Because honestly? Church is hard.   It's hard for the person creeping in the back, terrified of judgment. It's hard for the bishop's family, carrying the weight of everyone's expectations. It's hard for the prodigal, returning home bruised and battered. It's hard for the teenager pretending to have it all together, while their heart screams for help. It's hard for the couple who just fought the whole way to service. It's hard for the woman watching children play, a silent ache in her heart. It's hard for the widow or widower, sitting alone, wishing someone would just say hello.   The list goes on, doesn't it? Divorce feels like failure. Church songs can be a tidal wave ...
Read more

Choices, Not Circumstances: Take Charge of Your Life

Have you ever stared at your to-do list at 10 PM, wondering how you ended up juggling so much—like your boss’s last-minute requests, family expectations, and even a string of little setbacks that just keep piling up? Maybe you’ve felt like life is steering you, not the other way around—like your job, relationships, or even plain old bad timing are calling all the shots, and you can’t do much to change course. We’ve all been there. But here’s what no one tells you: you hold more power over your life than you realize. The secret isn’t controlling what happens to you—it’s taking ownership of how you choose to respond, and letting go of the idea that you’re at the mercy of your circumstances..   Big or Small—Every Choice Shapes Your Life   We all recognize that major decisions alter our path. Starting a new job, moving to a different city, or choosing to marry or divorce—these moments clearly shift how we live. But what we often overlook is that small, everyday choices have just ...
Read more

Walking The Covenant Path: From Baptism To Eternity

Image
FamilySearch Walking The Covenant Path: From Baptism To Eternity Walking The Covenant Path: From Baptism To Eternity Contributed By C Crisanta Estayo Padilla My journey began a long time ago, on the special day of my baptism. It was the very first step I took onto the beautiful covenant path. It was the moment I promised to follow Jesus Christ, and from that day forward, my life was set on a course toward eternal happiness. Years passed, and as I grew in faith and understanding, my journey continued to unfold. The next greatest milestone came when I entered the Holy Temple and was sealed in marriage to my eternal love. That day marked the wonderful continuation of the same path I started as a child. What began with promises made at baptism became even more perfect and complete as we made eternal promises together. In the temple, we were united not just for this life, but for time and all eternity. Looking back, I realize how simple and clear it all is. We do not have to wal...
Read more

A Beacon of Hope for Child-Survivors

Image
  In the heart of the Philippines, amidst the challenges and shadows of abuse and exploitation, stands Parola Santuwaryo (Lighthouse Sanctuary) - a sanctuary of light and healing for children who have survived the horrors of sexual abuse and sex trafficking. This blog post sheds light on the noble mission of Parola Santuwaryo, an organization dedicated to providing a safe haven and professional rehabilitation services to these vulnerable children, empowering them to reintegrate successfully into family life and society.   The Urgent Need for Residential Shelters   In a country where the dark realities of abuse and trafficking cast a long shadow over the lives of children, the need for residential shelters is more pressing than ever. Parola Santuwaryo has emerged as a beacon of hope, filling a crucial gap as the only shelter of its kind in all of Region 1, offering refuge to up to 20 children in need. Another shelter will open up in Tarlac City very soon....
Read more

Finding Joy in the Little Things

Image
Ever get an email that feels like it was written exactly for you? That’s how I feel every single time Gemma Stone pops up in my inbox! This week’s message hit different – with three simple but powerful reminders that I knew I couldn’t just read and forget:   - Delight in the tiny moments of pleasure ​ - Find all the reasons to celebrate ​ - Choose joy for no reason at all   So I decided to turn these beautiful ideas from screen to real life – and I’m sharing exactly how I did it, including a ready-to-use phone reminder setup you can copy-paste right away! Here it is:   - Delight in tiny moments of pleasure : Pause for 10 seconds at least 3 times a day to fully notice something enjoyable – the warmth of your morning hot choco, the sound of birds outside, or someone's genuine smile. - Find all reasons to celebrate : At the end of each day, jot down one thing you’re grateful for that feels worth acknowledging – even small wins like finishing a task or tryin...
Read more

Why Family Insurance Matters: Securing Your Loved Ones’ Health and Future

Image
In today’s uncertain world, having reliable health coverage isn’t just a personal necessity—it’s a cornerstone of family well-being. KwikCare’s health subscription plans  offer an accessible way to protect every member of your household, ensuring you can focus on what matters most without worrying about medical costs.   Key Reasons Family Insurance Is Essential   - Financial Protection : Unexpected medical expenses can strain household budgets. KwikCare plans save up to 50% versus traditional health plans, with cashless transactions at accredited facilities to avoid out-of-pocket costs. - Comprehensive Coverage : Plans include inpatient, outpatient, and emergency care. For families, this means everyone—from infants to seniors up to 65—can access quality care when needed. - Peace of Mind : Knowing your loved ones are covered lets you face life’s challenges with confidence. As one subscriber noted, having a trusted insurance partner provides reassurance during ...
Read more

Safe Boundaries + Strategic Prevention: Parenting the Latter-day Saint Way

Image
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , we’ve always found strength in the Lord’s teachings about families —He calls parents to be “ nurturers of their children” (Doctrine and Covenants 68:25), and that sacred role means more than just providing for physical needs. It means guiding them with love, wisdom, and intentionality. In this blog, we want to share two principles that have transformed how we approach parenting in our own home.   SHOW LOVE BY SETTING SAFE BOUNDARIES   For years, we worried that setting rules would make our children feel restricted or unloved. But as we studied and strive to live the gospel, we learned that discipline is not punishment—it’s an act of love. Just as our Heavenly Father sets commandments to protect us and help us grow, we set boundaries to keep our children safe in a world that can feel uncertain.   When children know they are cared for by parents who are self-controlled, prayerful, and g...
Read more

Our First Sunday Service at Home

Image
When the First Presidency announced a new resource to help Church members and their families study the scriptures at home:  Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families,   our family counseled together to include it in our daily family morning devotional as part of our homeschool program. Since we have been studying together as a family in January 2019, we have deepened our testimony that our  home is the best place to live, learn, and teach the gospel. In other words, ministering begins at home. So when gatherings of church members were temporarily suspended worlwide because of conditions related to COVID-19, leaders asked members to hold Sunday meetings in their homes. Our family morning devotional that we do everyday as part of our homeschool program prepared our whole family for this trying and difficult times. We had an added measure of the Spirit in our home when my husband and 12 year-old son administered the sacrament. In our closing hymn, we couldn...
Read more

BYU-I Fall 2021

Image
We are looking forward to starting and completing our chosen course this fall semester. Child Development course is a theoretical, academically oriented course focusing on the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development of the child from conception through adolescence. As parents ourselves and assisting and giving support to other children, we are excited to learn and  explore the influences of family, peers, and social institutions on the child's development.  We know that connecting the dots between what we learn and what we do takes creativity and even stepping outside our comfort zone.Our most favorite part is searching for daily opportunities at home and at work to apply what we learn.
Read more