By Monica Evans

One of the keys to our lives is the proper understanding of agency. It is a gift from God which gives us the opportunity to make our own choices. Since the course of our lives is determined by the accumulation of daily choices we make, we must choose wisely. The effects of proper choices are needed personally and in our families. When we choose a course for our family, we can think in terms of creating an “intentional family.”

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By Dave Ellis

Have you ever purchased a very expensive tool and decided because it cost so much you should wear it around like a fashion accessory? Me neither. Yet thousands of people do this on a daily basis with their Bluetooth headsets. For those of you that don’t look at people’s ears, a Bluetooth headset is that Star Trek/Wars looking device that people wear when they are making a phone call. This month’s article is mostly a rant about those who wear them. I love rants, they make my keyboard all warm and clacky.

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I love a happy ending. And when a happy ending is also a wonderful beginning, so much the better. So it is for most weddings. A young couple has survived the slings, arrows and disappointments of single life, and found someone with whom to build a life. They cast off their “old” lives and start a new one together as husband and wife. When these steps are taken in obedience to eternal law and the marriage is solemnized in The House of the Lord, a unique and wonderful partnership is formed.

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First, Pick a Date

The primary considerations are the bride and groom’s schedules. Consider family conflicts, though. Check with family members to see if they are planning anything special in the month that you want to get married. If a sibling has a big event happening (MTC, Graduation, wedding, baby due) work around the date to simplify and avoid conflicts- scheduling and emotional! “Save the date” cards are a new idea and some have removable stickers to put on the calendar.

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by Rachel Smith, Bridal Elegance and Formal Wear

Once you’ve found your gown, look for essential accessories to bring out the “WOW” factor. These final touches will complete your look and make your wedding day special.
Think unique and fun.

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Engagement photos are a tradition for most couples.

The photos are typically used as part of the wedding announcement. Once upon a time, these were formal portraits done in a studio. With society getting more and more casual,
many couples now opt for more casual photos.

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The old wives tale goes that it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her wedding dress prior to the wedding ceremony. Where this bit of superstition came from, nobody knows. Yet it persists.

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There aren’t many days in a girl’s life when she can have so few things in her hands: her dashing sweetheart’s hand, the skirt of a white gown, and a bouquet of flowers. Flowers evoke the fresh, new and living excitement of a wedding. Here are some of the latest trends in wedding flowers.

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Chocolate Fountains have been popping up at wedding receptions for several years now. As they gain in popularity, some brides are going even farther with them: replacing the traditional wedding cake with the chocolate fountain. You can put a cake topper on top of the fountain and include cake pieces as dipping items if you’re really set on having cake!

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The wedding cake makes an important statement as part of your wedding reception celebration. Make your wedding cake a special centerpiece, coordinated with the rest of your wedding décor.

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A quick glance through internet listings of 2008 wedding trends reveals some interesting finds. Spending wild amounts of money is a common theme. Renting Fred Astaire’s dance floor? Mariachi bands? Latin American Dance bands? These don’t sound like any LDS wedding receptions I’ve been to lately. If you want to stay to more tried and true options, a dee jay is a safe bet, as is live entertainment.

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As you plan your wedding, your personal preferences are the key to everything you choose to make a part of your day. You are crafting an event that is an afternoon garden party, evening formal affair or anywhere in between. How do you let your guests know what to expect? It starts with your invitations. The type of invitation you choose and the way you word it tells your guests what to expect at your event.

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By Nettie H. Francis

Parents love pictures. As soon as our children are born we begin snapping—digital cameras, video cameras, disposable cameras. Professional photographers and studios make money on us, too, often convincing us to have pictures taken of our children at every stage of life. And of course, we all need an annual family photograph for grandparents and extended family members. The fact is, however, that photographing young children and families can be frustrating.

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By LaRae Free Kerr

As family history researchers, we may think the proliferation of information on the Internet and the use of multiple technologies – including health technologies – has made finding our ancestors a slam dunk. One of the messages of 2007 regarding genealogy certainly supports that: the underlying rationale of genealogy has changed from one of elitism to one of democracy. But a second message of 2007 in these State of Genealogy remarks should scare researchers into action.

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By Alison Palmer

Scripture: 2 Nephi 4:15

Song: “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus,” Children’s Songbook p. 57

Preparation: Gather a set of scriptures and a favorite book.

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