The month of February finds the stores packed with red, pink and white as well as endless amounts of chocolate, stuffed animals and flowers to purchase with the intend that this will express the love one feels in their heart for another.  I do love chocolate, but what more can we give to each other not only on Valentine's Day but all month long as well as spilling into everyday of our life?  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints just posted a 14-Day Challenge called "Love One Another."  Jesus first taught us two great commandments found in the bible.  First, we must "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind… And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." (Matthew 22:37,39)

Anyone that has turned on the radio, television or the internet can easily find a world full of not love but hate, selfishness and unkindness.  How can we live in this world, yet follow the teachings of Christ to "love one another?" Join my family, as we discover simple ways we begin to change one heart at a time beginning with ourselves.

To help you jump on board the "Love One Another 14-Day Challenge" I created this kit using the challenges provided by the LDS church.  Print out all the pieces to the challenge.  The first page is an envelope either fold it in half and staple along three sides or cut it out and glue it to the outside of an envelope.  Cut out the 14 valentine cards and place them inside the envelope.  You can either do this in numeric order or just pick a random card.  At the breakfast table, gather the family together and pick a card out of the envelope.  Have someone read the daily challenge and commit to working on that one task for the day.  At the end of the day, gather again as a family to report how it went.  You can use the blank lines to describe what you did or how you felt as you completed the task.

I know as we follow the example of Jesus Christ we will not only find more happiness within our own home, but it will spread throughout our communities and throughout the world.  To read more about the 14 Day Challenge and to download a free printable with the full list of daily challenges, visit LDS.org.  Don't forget to subscribe and pick up subscriber only freebies throughout the year right here on Brightly Street!