One of the great blessings we enjoy from accepting invitations to speak at firesides around the country is making new friends. Many of these newly formed friendships are the kind we want to last forever. That's what happened this past weekend in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Before we received the call from President Hoffman, their stake president, we hadn't even heard of Williamsport and didn't know anyone there. Pres. Hoffman's enthusiasm for strengthening marriages and families in his stake was compelling. He asked if we would present a marriage fireside on Saturday evening for all the couples, then do a youth and parent fireside on morality the following Sunday evening.
His select committee of amazingly "pumped" people, who devote their lives to helping families and marriages, were a thrill to meet and work with. Oh, my goodness, did they ever know how to promote this event! It was exceptionally well attended, with many bringing their friends of other faiths. Our hearts filled to overflowing after the presentations as these appreciative attendees hugged and thanked us. We felt so rewarded for being there. What a blessing it is to serve in this incredible Church!
One of the greatest treats of all was staying with Pres. and Sister Hoffman. They are parents of eight children, 16 years old down to two, with a set of identical twin girls second in line. We witnessed the gospel in action in this home. The love these children show to each other is exceptional. They said, "We have to be each others best friends because there's not many LDS kids at our school. Hardly any." The love these teens show to each other and to the younger ones is so heartwarming. Of course, we know they were on good behavior because we were there, but you can't program the younger kids to "be nice" for a whole weekend. But they were. We were lovingly smothered with hugs and kindness from all of them at just the right times, and left to rest when we needed privacy.
I think the key is the parents. Actually, I'm certain of it. These are parents who are at times pushed to the limits of being busy. Dad, the stake president, is an orthopedic surgeon and mom is full-time mother with her hands more than full. Still she teaches early morning seminary for a dozen or so kids (attending a couple of different schools), and they do it at their home. And get this, the dad makes breakfast every morning for these seminary kids! With three of the kids being theirs, it ensures that they all get a good breakfast before rushing off to school after seminary. He said, “It keeps the kids coming, so it’s well worth it.”
The thing we noticed that brings peace into their home is that the parents use a soft voice. Did the kids need correcting at times while we were there? Yes, but it’s all done gently, calmly. What a concept! You know the scripture, “ A soft voice turneth away wrath”— I think it must be their motto. Consequently the kids don’t fight and yell at each other, even though at times they press the patience of the parents. Like, “It’s our kids who are five minutes late to seminary, not the ones who drive from a distance.” Sounds normal to me. They’re not perfect, but they certainly are on to something that’s definitely working. To see this family you can go to their blog at http://hoffmanbunch.blogspot.com/ They are evidence that big families are definitely a good thing. These eight children will be a blessing to the world as they move into adulthood. In fact , they already are as they reach out to help others in their community, being a bright example of Christ-like love to all who see them.
We are still marinating in the joy of our visit to Williamsport, for sooo many reasons.
