Glorious!

As our granddaughter's mother said,  "If you're not in the Christmas spirit yet, you will be after watching this."

You can also see the video by clicking here

This is the youtube video of the song she was watching.

You can also see the video by clicking here.

What a Difference One Year Makes

This picture popped up on my Facebook page this morning as Scott was tying his tie to get ready for his day.  

 What a difference one year makes!

What Are You Thankful For?

Random people on the streets of New York City share a variety of grateful responses to one simple question: What are you thankful for?

You can also see the video by clicking here.

I Need Thee Every Hour

This past Sunday we were able to watch the Face to Face program with Elder Oaks and Elder Ballard.  This beautiful closing hymn performed by a men's a cappella  group comprised of students from the Logan Institute of Religion.  Enjoy

You can also see the video by clicking here

Veteran's Day 2017

On Saturday, we paused to remember our family  members who served in the military as we celebrated Veteran's Day.  (George Magnusson- U.S.N., Kiefer Harris-U.S.A.F., David Wood-U.S.A., and Bryce Jeppson, U.S.M.C.) 

It was fun to hear about Lisa's school honoring the family members of students and staff who who have served.  The librarian collected the photos of the family members and made a beautiful Power Point with their pictures and music.  Lisa said it was neat to watch the middle schoolers applaud to each picture.  So, to all you veterans out there, remember the students at Butler Middle School are cheering you on!

Halloween 2017

This was our first Halloween away from our family as we are serving our mission here in Belize.  

 It was fun to receive pictures of the family in their Halloween costumes.  I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

This picture is from a few years ago

Primary Singing time in Belize

This past Sunday I was able to help with singing time with the children in our Spanish congregation.  The only thing is, I don't speak Spanish. (I can understand a little bit of Spanish) Fortunately, the children can speak both Spanish and English.  They have learned the songs in Spanish that they are going to sing for the Sacrament meeting program in a couple of weeks and they just needed a review.  

I decided to  download the songs  in Spanish that we would be reviewing.  As the children sang the songs with the recording,  I found activities that they could do as they sang the songs.   

With the song, "As a Child of God", I talked about the time signature that is found at the beginning of the printed music -- 3/4.  I explained that the 3 means that there are 3 beats per measure.

I then passed out the below shakers and told them that we would shake the music makers to the beat of the music with the first shake being the down beat.  I explained that we would shake the first shake a little lower than the other shakes while saying down-2-3, down-2-3, etc.  

I got these containers at the dollar store.  They are toothpick holders.  

You can also use plastic Easter eggs and fill them with beans or rice.

Then we repeated the song, this time shaking the music makers and singing the words at the same time.  Lastly we put down the music makers and did a 3/4 conducting pattern just like the chorister does as we sing the hymns in Sacrament meeting.  

Here is a video of "As a Child of God"

You can also see the video by clicking here.  

Next we sang "Nephi's Courage".  I used the follow position cards (aka Primary Yoga!) as they sang the words to the song.  During the chorus, we took a break from the yoga positions and marched as we sang.   I got the idea for this activity off of Camille's Primary Idea webpage.  You can get to the explanation on how to use these pictures for singing time by clicking here.  This activity is a great way to practice any song as you sing the song over a couple of times for review.

Here is a video of Nephi's Courage

You can also see the video by clicking here.  

Another easy and simple way to practice a song  is to use the below cards.  I have the children sing the whole time and they  stand or sit, whenever a card is being held up or not.  Sometimes I have both cards up.  Then they all stand up.  Next you could hold up just the boy card, and then the girls sit down, etc.  

To get to the above picture to print, click here and then go to the music activities link at the bottom of the page and it will be on the second page of the pdf.  

For the last activity I passed out the below picture to every child and I taught them the Smiles song.  (In English)  I loved learning this song as a child and was glad to share this happy memory with them.  

You can get a picture of the smile/flown face by clicking here 

You can print up the following pages front and back on card-stock paper to pass out to the children as they sing the song, Smiles.

Our Mission to Belize

One month ago today, on July 10th, we arrived in Belize to begin our 23 month mission to the El Salvador San Salvador West/Belize Mission.  We'll spend our time in the country of Belize.  You can read about our experiences by clicking onto the blog-link to the right side of this blog: Mission to the Maya under My Blog List or by clicking here.

I will post a few pictures so you can get a taste of some of our experiences.

We entered the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo, Utah on July 3rd.

This is our district in the MTC.  These senior missionaries are all assigned to various places throughout the world.  Our teacher is the third from the left on the back row.      

Our arrival day in Belize

We are with all the missionaries serving in the country of Belize at a Zone Conference in Belize City

 Our first training with the zone leaders

 We are with a set of missionaries and the senior missionaries serving in Belize

 With the sisters serving in Orange Walk

Having a Skype district meeting

Getting ready for a service project with the Belize City Branch President and his neighbor.  

 Visiting with a member of the branch presidency from Orange Walk

Visiting with a couple from the Belize City Branch

On our way to go to church in San Pedro

I found out  when you buy a whole chicken from the grocery store in Belize they mean the whole chicken, including the foot!

Be sure to click on the link to our mission blog to learn more about our mission experiences.  Our blog address is: ourmissiontobelize.blogspot.com

Dr. Laura's Wisdom

For years I listened to Dr. Laura on the radio.  She has had a big influence on my life.

As I scroll through my Facebook feed, occasionally I see quotes from her.  Here are some of my favorite gems.  Thank you Dr. Laura for your words of wisdom.  

"I felt His voice take the sword out of my hand"

Recently a friend was recounting to Scott and I a tragic and terrible relationship she was in. Lines from the movie Ben Hur came to mind.

A line from the movie sets the stage for the last lines.  "No water for him!" is our desire for revenge.

You can also see the video by clicking here

At the end of the movie, Judah Ben Hur describes the change that came over him when he saw the Christ and experienced a mighty change of heart. He repeats the last words of Jesus, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do", and then Ben Hur declares "I felt his voice take the sword out of my hand."

You can also see the video by clicking here. 

Then and Now

On Mother's Day weekend, 2015, was the last time the Scott Magnusson family were together before Sam left for his 2 year mission to Chile.  Kristine had just returned from her mission to Oregon and Sam was preparing to leave for his mission.  

Then

2015

In May, 2017 Sam returned from his mission.  Two months later in July Scott and Kathleen will leave for their mission Belize.

Last week we were blessed to gather together once again at Pineview Reservoir for a family reunion.

Now

2017

 Ogden Temple

The biggest difference is that we have more brothers!  We love that since 2015 Dave M. and Bryce have joined our family as husbands to Renee and Kristine.

We can't wait to see what changes will happen over the next two years when we'll gather again in 2019.

Great Advice from Occupational Therapist, Victoria Prooday

On my Facebook feed I saw a link to a blogpost by Victoria Prooday titled:  The silent tragedy affecting today’s children (and what to do with it).  Victoria starts out her post by saying:

“Here is my new blog post. I encourage every parent who cares about the future of his/her children to read it. I know that many would choose not to hear what I say in the article, but your children need you to hear this message. Even if you disagree with my perspective, please, just follow the recommendations at the end of the article. Once you see the positive changes in your child’s life, you will understand why I say what I say!”

I was very interested in what Victoria said on her blogpost and encourage you to go read her complete post from yourot.com by clicking here. 

  Here are the recommendations at the end of her article:  

If we want our children to grow into happy and healthy individuals, we have to wake up and go back to the basics. It is still possible! I know this because hundreds of my clients see positive changes in their kids’ emotional state within weeks (and in some cases, even days) of implementing these recommendations:

Set limits and remember that you are your child’s PARENT, not a friend

Offer kids well-balanced lifestyle filled with what kids NEED, not just what they WANT. Don’t be afraid to say “No!” to your kids if what they want is not what they need.

• Provide nutritious food and limits snacks.
• Spend one hour a day in green space: biking, hiking, fishing, watching birds/insects
• Have a daily technology-free family dinner.
• Play one board game a day. 
• Involve your child in one chore a day (folding laundry, tidying up toys, hanging clothes, unpacking groceries, setting the table etc)
• Implement consistent sleep routine to ensure that your child gets lots of sleep in a technology-free bedroom

Teach responsibility and independence. Don’t over-protect them from small failures. It trains them the skills needed to overcome greater life’s challenges:

• Don’t pack your child’s backpack, don’t carry her backpack, don’t bring to school his forgotten lunch box/agenda, and don’t peel a banana for a 5-year-old child. Teach them the skills rather than do it for them.

Teach delayed gratification and provide opportunities for “boredom” as boredom is the time when creativity awakens:

• Don’t feel responsible for being your child’s entertainment crew.
• Do not use technology as a cure for boredom.
• Avoid using technology during meals, in cars, restaurants, malls. Use these moments as opportunities to train their brains to function under “boredom”
• Help them create a “boredom first aid kit” with activity ideas for “I am bored” times.

Be emotionally available to connect with kids and teach them self-regulation and social skills:

• Turn off your phones until kids are in bed to avoid digital distraction.
• Become your child’s emotional coach. Teach them to recognize and deal with frustration and anger.
• Teach greeting, turn taking, sharing, empathy, table manners, conversation skills,
• Connect emotionally - Smile, hug, kiss, tickle, read, dance, jump, or crawl with your child.

We must make changes in our kids’ lives before this entire generation of children will be medicated! It is not too late yet, but soon it will be…

_________________________

This video is a great example of the first bullet under the heading:  Be emotionally available to connect with kids....