A Family Home Evening to Remember

When you pray and ask to "please have the spirit be with us and help us to learn", remember it is ALWAYS on the Lords terms. I also believe he has quite the sense of humor. As you read this and think to yourself "I know where this is going", be assured Yes it is actually going there.

Our lesson was on Rebekah at the Well. We had a great lesson and discussion. When I was trying to explain the well, I told them the bucket was about as heavy as a gallon of milk. A few moments later I got a wonderful idea and got a full unopened gallon of milk out of the fridge. I told the kids we could each take turns lifting the milk from the floor to high above our heads. We would all count while one person lifted the milk 11 times (one for the servant and one for each of the camels). I took my turn, then Jaxon took his. In the middle of Jaxon's turn Dad kind of jokingly said, "I think we may end up with a gallon of milk all over our carpet." "ha ha, no it won't. We won't drop it." Next it was Boo's turn. She struggled to lift it, but finally got it high above her head with both arms straight and she almost gently set it down, but the gallon of milk dropped in the last two inches. There had been way too much pressure and the decorative circle in the middle of the gallon popped out. Needless to say we had half a gallon of milk all over our carpet. Josh has had some experience with Stinky milk and he immediately cleaned it up with towels, the shop vac, and shampoo. (what a great guy!) All four kids watched us clean and were eager to help, but Josh had it under control. After a while we decided to get back to the lesson. After all I still had a visual activity about wells. Really! We finished this lesson using hand weights. It was still fun to count with each other.

We had a big bowl with water in it. Then a mug with a string tied to it. Using the string we dipped the mug into the water, then carefully pulled it up. Then (grabbing the handle of the mug) we pored the water into a cup to drink. This was a way funner object lesson.

Although the story is quite funny and I am sure you can imagine the gallon of milk braking all over, I have more thoughts. I think this lesson will be well remembered (ha ha ha no pun intended). I think the kids will remember the milk all over and lifting it up and down. I hope as they grow older they will remember how kind Rebekah must have been to fetch water for the servant and all his animals even though it was extra work for her. We should follow that wonderful example.