Talk to God with good breath

We've talked a couple times as a family about President Eyering's conference talk about gratitude, and having a gratitude prayer. My good friend Karine gave me an idea about having a family gratitude prayer. This wise friend is teaching her children by making their evening family prayer a gratitude prayer. After talking to Kevin we thought we'd follow their example. I'll tell you about our experience so far, in a moment. First, let me tell you about something else we've talked about as a family concerning prayer.

I have some children who say the same memorized prayer in about 15 seconds and there doesn't seem to be much thought going into it. Not something I think is appropriate when talking to our Heavenly Father. Kalten said he has had a couple good experiences with something his seminary teacher had challenged them to do. He put a breath mint in his mouth and couldn't quit praying until it was dissolved. Silly Kevin, came up with a plan that uses this idea and solves the problems we've talked about, still integrating the idea of my friend Karine and President Eyering.

Monday, we started giving the person saying our family prayer a small breath mint (lasts about 4 minutes). Dad gets one too to make sure that they are dissolving approximately the same time and make sure no one is rushing their tortured thought process. (I think dad just wants the breath mint-I can see him changing it to a werthers original or something. Lol.) We are already seeing results. Jessica started Monday night, she did great for about a minute, then...silence, a couple giggles, more silence. She thought of a few things to say interspersed through out the quiet. I could feel the others thinking of things she may have missed. Isn't awesome? After all, that's what I was hoping for-them thinking of their blessings and how to talk to their Heavenly Father. Last night was McKenna's turn, she was quite excited about it. That girl talked the entire time. It was nice listening to her pray (I always love her prayers- She converses with the Lord and is very thoughtful.) Kevin said she prayed for a good two minutes after his breath mint had dissolved. I'd imagine it does melt slower when you're talking. Tonight is Neicia's turn, she told me this morning that she has already thought of quite a few things to say and thinks she'll be fine.

So today, I'm grateful for great conference talks, inspired friends, clever seminary teachers, breath mints and many other blessings from our Heavenly Father. It can't hurt to have good breath when going before the Lord either. I wonder though if I could talk with a chocolate riesen in my mouth. Hmmmm....