Tree Rings and Testimonies

Last Monday we had a special FHE with Stephen's parents.  We talked about how a tree grows each year.  You can't see it growing by staring at it, but you can see by the tree rings how much it has grown.

By looking at the rings you can see that some years the tree has more growth than others.  Some years are very slim.  Then there are scars that are embedded into the tree, but the tree keeps growing.

We compared this to testimonies.  Some years our testimonies will grow by leaps and bounds, and other years there might not be as much growth.  Just as we can't see the tree growing, it is hard to see ourselves growing.  Yet when we step back we can see how far we have come.

We talked how we can grow our testimonies.  Then Grandma Brenda shared her testimony and an experience when she was young and felt the spirit.  Stephen shared how trees need wind to grow stronger just as we need trials to grow stronger.  Grandpa added his advice.  Then we gave each of the kids a thick slice of a pine tree that my sweet accompanist had cut for me.  We challenged the kids to keep them in their rooms and reflect on how their testimonies are growing.

It was awesome having grandparents to learn from!