Things to Be Thankful For

"Thank the Lord for His restored church. Thank Him for all that it offers you. Thank Him for friends and family. Let a spirit of thanksgiving guide and bless your days and nights" (from Gratitude, True to the Faith).



Opening song: Children All Over the World (CS, 16)
Prayer: Collin
Scripture: 1 Thesselonians 5:16-18

Lesson:
Blastoff Space Explorers!
Read "Matt and Mandy Blastoff" (see Friend, Nov. 2009). Like Matt and Mandy, decorate a large box to look like a rocket ship and pretend to be astronauts. Then explore different rooms in your house (representing different planets) in search of things to be thankful for. Your space mission will include stories and activities from The Friend. (See suggestions below.)

Planet R (Restoration)
Read "Fearless in Sharing the Gospel" and complete the activity that follows. Invite each family member to look up one of the scriptures, then decode the message on the banner to find something to be thankful for. The restoration of the gospel is something to be thankful for!

Planet F (Friends)
Read "The Right Kind of Friend". Find a hidden CTR ring somewhere in the room (and in the Friend magazine), then talk about how important it is to choose good friends. Good friends are something to be thankful for!

Planet H (Home & Family)
Put together the puzzle from "A Happy Home" or complete the activity "Making Your Home a Holy Place". Express appreciation for something that each family member does to make your home a happy place. A happy home where the Spirit of the Lord can be felt is something to be thankful for!

Planet B (Body)
Learn how to communicate a few words in sign language then read "Porter's Terrible Super Day". Learn how to sign a favorite song by watching a video tutorial. Alternatively, read "Jesus Heals a Sick Man" and learn how to transport a person who is hurt or ill (i.e., take turns being carried in a blanket). Having a healthy body is something to be thankful for!

Planet E (Earth)
As you come back to planet Earth, share with your family your favorite creation. The beauty of the Earth is something to be thankful for!

Testify that because God loves us, He has given us many things to be thankful for, such as the gospel, friends, family, a body and this beautiful Earth.

Activity:
Play Dough
Build space ships with Legos or sculpt aliens from Play Dough. (Making homemade play dough is always fun!) Then create planets for them using coffee filters, markers and a spray bottle. Color coffee filters with markers, then spray with water and watch the colors blend. When dry, glue the planet to a black piece of construction paper.

Refreshment: Root Beer floats

Song: For the Beauty of the Earth (Hymns, 92)
Prayer: Dad



Credits:
Conducting= Luke
Lesson= Mom
Activity= Dad
Refreshments= Collin