On Monday we celebrated our Back to School Feast. I love this tradition. I felt like this new school year snuck up on me a little bit. We are in a busy stage of life right now and it is stretching me in all sorts of ways, and I am trying to be patient with myself.
Our Back to School Feast involved a yummy dinner, of course. We talked about all the things we are excited about for this next year. It feels like a lot of change is happening this year which is exciting and a little overwhelming all at the same time. And then after dinner we sat the kiddos down and Mark and I shared what our family theme would be for this upcoming year:
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
This year we really wanted to focus on PEACE.
I know I need it.
I want to find better ways to live in this world and not get discouraged by what I feel is happening. Everything feels loud, divisive, and exhausting. I want to find greater inner peace through our Savior. I want to feel optimistic despite what is happening around me.
We know we live in a time that has long been prophesied about. Our world is in commotion. But we are also promised peace through Christ. Elder Paul V. Johnson gave a message several years ago, and in that he shared:
“Inner peace is a fruit of the Spirit…Peace is a gift. We don’t determine the conditions upon which this gift is given. Our Father in Heaven sets the terms. Sometimes we become so focused on our question for peace that we forget it is one of the fruits of a righteous life. Our best course for finding peace is to live righteously – to keep our covenants. This is the only course that leads to that inner peace we all desire.”
And I love what he said later on, what he shared: “We know that the Savior has power to calm our storms, but sometimes He calms our souls instead.”
Isn’t that so good?
If we try and find peace in the world today, I think we are going to become discouraged. Peace only will come through our Savior, Jesus Christ. And that is something in our control. That is all based on our relationship with Him and our willingness to trust Him.
I think it is going to be a great year.
We ended the evening with blessings from Mark which filled my soul in wonderful ways. New year, here we come.
Past Back to School Feasts
2025: “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophesies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.”
2024: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all they ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
2023: “Charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”
2022: “True disciples of Jesus Christ are willing to stand out, speak up, and be different from the people of the world. They are undaunted, devoted, and courageous.”
2021: “Organize yourselves, prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.”
2020: “Be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you and will stand by you.”
2019: “Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell al that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.”
2018: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
2017: “Kindness is the essence of greatness.”
2016: “May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.”
