A Challenge

I noticed something about myself today. I give lots of challenges. Of course, my challenges are usually from something that I've changed and have found to bring peace, joy, or interest to my life. I have reaped benefits and so I invite others to do it as well.
As a missionary, this was something we were trained to do. I mean, really, what would be the point of teaching a person something if you don't invite them to try it out for themselves? If they don't try it out, then they will never know what you were really talking about!
I shared my testimony of two things today.
First, I shared that when you want to set a goal, children are great supporters and encouragers. For instance, I used to memorize a few scripture verses every day. I even worked up to memorizing talks given by apostles and prophets. My focus at that point in my life was treasuring up knowledge so I could share it with those I was teaching. I had that as my encouragement. Well, today, my most important listeners and learners are my own children. I wanted to get back into memorization for spiritual as well as physical benefits (you improve your mind as you memorize things...you know, brain exercise). After hearing a bit of encouragement from an apostle during this talk in April 2010, I tried different ways of implementing the study and memorization. Now we memorize, as a family, one scripture each week.
The second point I wanted to make was that we can and all should be fasting and donating a fast offering to the Church each month. Because of memorizing the scriptures this week, we taught our children about the poor and needy as well as being of one heart and one mind. In our prayers this week, Emily has been a good example and has been praying that we have one heart and one mind. She has also picked up on the idea that there are people out there that don't have as much as we have. I got to teach her the concept of fasting and fast offerings, which was great because today was "fast and testimony" Sunday, when we do this as a ward (congregation). This morning she asked me if I was "saving food" which was her interpretation of the devotion. Yes, my dear, I am saving food so that I can share with others. It struck me then that there are many mothers and fathers who are saving food for their own families because in order for them to eat, their children may not. What a powerful way to teach me during my fast.
At the end of this, I offered a challenge for all of us to fast and make the fast offering, but also to provide service to those who are around us. This is my point. I've taken home the meaning of teaching: enlighten and motivate to change.
I hope I don't offend anyone. I just find joy in these things and am excited about them and want others to experience it as well. I'm not offering a challenge because I think I'm better than someone else; just hoping that we can all encourage each other to do better and be happier.