Time Capsule Series: Family Photos

Purpose: The Time Capsule series helps families contribute items once a month that will provide a lifetime full of memories. This month we focus on sharing visual memories of the family.

Song: “Here We Are Together”

Scripture:

Lesson:There are countless visuals of families throughout our church; from photos, sayings, signs and vinyl lettering in homes– but, what visuals of your family can you leave to look back on?

Elder Henry B. Eyring painted a powerful visual when he shared this story in the Oct. 2009 General Conference:

“In many of our homes, there are the words “Our Family Can Be Together Forever.” There is a gravestone near my home of a mother and grandmother. She and her husband were sealed in the temple of God to each other and to their posterity for time and all eternity. The inscription on the gravestone reads, “Please, no empty chairs.” She asked for that inscription because she knew that whether the family will be together depends on the choices each family member makes. The word “please” is there because neither God nor she can compel another to choose happiness. And there is Satan, who wants misery, not happiness, in families in this life and in the next.” - Elder Henry B. Eyring, “Our Perfect Example.”

Can you picture your family sitting around the dinner table? Perhaps there was one evening when someone was ill and their chair was empty. How did that feel not having them there?

Can you visualize other moments in your family? What about family vacations, trips to the park or zoo, family water gun fights or even birthday parties?!

Our time on earth is short, our time with our families even shorter. As children grow, leave home and start their own families, we want to capture as many moments as possible.

Activity:Get a camera and get ready to take some photos! You can also go through old photos to include in the time capsule.

Photo shoot Ideas~

Back-to-School Model Show:You can have the child(ren) dress up in their back-to-school clothes and take photos. This can be an annual event and great memories to share as you look back on over the years. Children change tremendously year-to-year, what a great tradition to have yearly.

Family Photos~ Find a place outside or create a backdrop in your home for new family photos. You can invite another family to join you, take their photos while they help you take yours. Be sure to take photos of individuals, parents and children. These can be used for your time capsule as well as for upcoming holiday cards.

Back then photos~ Sift through your old photos, find copies of pictures you want to include in your time capsule. Write a note about each of the pictures, what was going on, who was in the photo and so on.

Church Video:

Treat:

Berry Orange Sorbet

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups fresh or thawed raspberries or blackberries

1 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions

In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of the water and all of the sugar. Bring the liquid to a simmer and continue simmering it for about 3 minutes, stirring often, until the sugar dissolves. Remove the pan from the heat and let the syrup cool.
Put the berries and the remaining 1/4 cup of water into the bowl of a food processor and puree them for 30 seconds. Strain the puree to remove the seeds.
In a pitcher, stir together the cooked syrup, the orange and lemon juices, and the seedless berry puree. Pour the mixture into two ice-cube trays and freeze until firm (generally 6 or more hours). A pitcher or a mixing bowl with a spout will make filling the ice-cube trays easier and neater.
When you’re ready to serve the sorbet, chill serving dishes in the freezer and briefly chill your food processor bowl and blade as well. Then transfer the fruit cubes to the food processor and pulse them, in short bursts, to make a smooth sorbet. Spoon the sorbet into the chilled dishes and serve immediately. Makes about 6 servings.