Potato Warning and Scripture Study

Tuesday evening brought some rain and very strong winds. We had been through a couple of tornado warnings in Missouri so we knew the routine. At about 8:30pm we heard the on post warning sirens accompanied by an ominous voice that declared "Tornado Warning! Tornado Warning! Take cover immediately!" At the time, we were in Dave and my room reading scriptures with the kids, so we booked it downstairs and all squeezed into the laundry room. Livvy was freaking out- teeth chattering and making sure the cats were accounted for. Everyone else was just slightly jittery- well, Dave wasn't jittery- he was more like Joe Cool- been there, done that. Anyway, after we were settled in, Faith says "that man" (referring to the ominous voice) said "Potato! Potato!" We all started cracking up and that was a great tension breaker.

I looked around and asked if a Book of Mormon had made it down with us and sure enough Joe Cool had it under control. We were able to finish our reading while huddled together in the laundry room.

Going back a couple of weeks... Dave told me that he'd like to start reading scriptures as a family. (Previously any attempts had quickly fizzled.) We gave it some thought and I think we have a good plan that is going to work for us. At 8 pm or a little thereafter we turn off tv/xbox/computer/whatever. The kids brush their teeth and get in pj's and we all meet on the bed in Mom and Dad's room. We are reading chronologically through the Book of Mormon. Some nights it's a few verses- on rare occasions we get in a whole chapeter. Pace average dictates that we will likely finish the book in 2012, but we try not to focus on that. We just want to reap the benefits of daily scripture study- however meager that study may be.

Let me clarify any misconceptions that may be coming to your mind. Scripture study with the Dicksons is NOT something you would see on an LDS video- mom and dad sitting lovingly side by side as the 3 children reverently give their attention to the reader or read along themselves. Ideally this would take place in an immaculate master bedroom of course. Not even close. In fact, a couple nights ago I told Dave that if there was an "America's Funniest MORMON Video" we would certainly be in the running for a grand prize.

Of course, everyone wants to sit by Mommy (though Dave concedes and doesn't even try anymore.) But since I only have two sides, one unlucky child ends up being restrained in the crook of Dave's armpit. Feet are poking here and there, tears are shed when someone can't see the book just right, and weapons disguised as toys are confiscated amidst avid protests. BUT...we are doing it. We are reading the words of God. We are creating a little window in which we hope the mere attempt will bless each of us and our home with a greater closeness to the Spirit.

One of the most exciting things to me is hearing my children read the scriptures aloud. I get this little butterfly inside as I hear Livvy read-- as Paul, who really does remarkably well, comes up with some not-quite-right words-- and as Faith takes a turn in repeating a verse as Mom or Dad tells her to. It is sacred. It is good. The best part is seeing how much they like doing it. You can tell they feel proud of themselves and rightfully so I think.

Anyway, we shall keep plugging along all in faith that our family will be blessed. In a January 2008 Ensign article about the Book of Mormon, Elder Neil L. Andersen Of the Presidency of the Seventy says, "In the commotion, busyness, and uncertainty of our lives, our families yearn for peace. We need our homes to be places of refuge, places of calm, places of truth. President Gordon B. Hinckley has given a beautiful promise as we read the Book of Mormon: “Without reservation I promise you … there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God.”