The Creation Plan

 

Introduction

        "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you."

(Matthew 6:33, 3 Nephi 13:33)

        The most important thing we need to include in every day
of our Creation Plan is that time which will prepare us
spiritually to meet any challenge that may face us in the
course of our day. If we will seek our Father's guidance
through humble and submissive prayer and follow that
with a time of study and pondering of His letters to us
as his Daughters in the scriptures, this plan will make
a much greater difference in our lives and greater impact
on the lives of those we love.

 

        "Just as God brought harmony and order to His work, so
can we bring order and harmony to our lives. The Creation
Plan helps us to choose that good part, that which shall
not be taken away from us."

 

        Homemaking is meant to be on a much higher level than
one on which confusion, guilt, and frustration are too-frequent
companions. There is a solution -- and it works!  A plan
designed to erase guilt and bring joy into the lives of women
everywhere.   The Creation Plan proves there really is enough
time in the day!

Key 1        =      Put God first

 

Key 2       =      Designated day for designated tasks

 

Key 3       =      GUILT FREE HOMEMAKING (even if you’re a working mom) and a higher spiritual plain because the very atmosphere of your home invites the Spirit.

The Creation Plan

 

        Clean homes and clean clothing are important, but we
need also to find time for ourselves and our loved ones.
Just as when the Savior visited the home of Mary and
Martha, he found that "Martha was cumbered about much
serving", we should remember and heed His advice to her,
"Thou are careful and troubled about many things: but one
thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen the good part,
which shall not be taken from her." (Luke 10:38-42)

        Using the scriptures as our guide, let's see how we
can implement the Creation Plan in our own lives as a
means of better organizing our allotted time to enable
us to strengthen our spirituality, build closer family
relationships, and gain more personal time to develop a closer relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ.

 

 

Divide Homemaking Chores into Two Categories

 

1.                  Things that must be done daily, such as personal
grooming (which should never be neglected, for it is
very important for self-esteem and to others in our lives), spiritual time, cooking picking up, and attending to the needs of the family. These activities must be part of a woman's daily routine if she is to feel good about herself.

2.                Things that must fit in frequently but not necessarily
daily, such as laundry, vacuuming, shopping for groceries,
and so forth. Having to continually set priorities with regard to these basic and necessary chores is not the kind of challenge a person wants or needs every day.

NOTES:

 

1.                  The Creation Plan applies only to the work period of each day. The more efficient you become at completing your tasks, the more time for creative pursuits and service to others.

2.                Keep a note pad and pencil handy to jot down tasks as they come to mind and then don't worry about them till the time comes to do them. A written note serves as both a reminder and a commitment.

 

3.                Be flexible. There will be unexpected interruptions, but if you get off schedule, your list will bring you right back on track.

 

4.                The Creation Plan provides a basic structure.  How you build upon it is up to you!

THE FIRST DAY - MONDAY   (Remember Doctrine & Covenants 88:119 – “Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing;………. a house of order,…..”
Every Monday	1.                  Organize ˜                 Straighten the house ˜                 Empty waste baskets ˜                 Shake throw rugs 2.                Clean ˜                 Dust every room, including laundry area, kitchen, bathrooms ˜                 Vacuum bare floors and carpets ˜                 Wash floors ˜                 Wash woodwork, counters, sinks, tubs, and toilets
1st Monday	Vacuum the baseboards, ledges, windowsill
2nd Monday	Thoroughly clean sofas, mirrors, picture frames, lampshades, and bulbs
3rd Monday	Wash floors, if needed
4th Monday	Wash windows
5th Monday	Organize and clean any drawers, closets, or cupboards that need it

NOTES:

 

As you use the sequence of routine shown here the order will make sense.

 

Your house will appear clean after you've gotten through only part of the steps.  The grime cleaning can be sandwiched in later if necessary.

 

Use of a feather duster (turkey feathers preferred) gently removes dust from delicate treasures with a minimum of handling; also from the grooves of frames.

 

Cleaning a step at a time rather than a room at a time makes the whole house neater and cleaner.

KIDS IDEAS:

 

Let them exchange things they've picked up - leaves, toys, paper, or other trash - for raisins, nuts, some kind of treat.

 

Examples:

 

10 toys    =      1 cookie

 

Work for buttons.  Every family member begins week w/ 14 buttons - 2 for each day.  Different colored buttons = different $ amounts.

 

When someone finds something left out of place, they collect a button from the owner of the item.

 

On the payday of your choice, each person turns in his
buttons for the real thing. Repeat the procedure each
week.

 

For small children, let them pretend they have a farm.  They can feed "hay" (paper) to the horse (trashcan or bag), cans to Billy the goat (other trash container), etc.

 

THE SECOND DAY - TUESDAY   (SPECIAL NOTE:  THIS plan deviates somewhat from the REAL Creation, in that the light and waters have been reversed – for temporally organizational purposes most likely!}
Waters	Laundry, Ironing, and Mending
1st Tuesday	Set dry cleaning out for cleaners
2nd Tuesday	Wash pillow and mattress pads and covers that need it
3rd Tuesday	Wash throw rugs
4th Tuesday	Wash curtains that need it

KEY:

 

        A designated day has been assigned to these tasks.  Followed, it's surprising what can get done!

 

Word of Caution:

 

        It's easy to get involved with the nice-to-do's while the must-do's are still sitting.  Take away your guilt by being sure the must-do's get their full share of time.

THE THIRD DAY – WEDNESDAY   Light divided from darkness Personal enlightenment, planning, reading, writing, etc.             The state of our households, as the state of our minds, hearts, and spirituality, is ultimately in our hands.   Planning and then executing those plans is the focus  of the third day.  This is a good time to allot a portion to that Sunday assignment at Church or next week's FHE.

 

1.                  Household planning

 

˜                 put together ideas ideas gathered through the week

˜                 make plans for meeting needs, i.e, finances, clothing, menus, food storage, gardening, home-improvement projects, etc.

 

2.                Service

 

˜                 extended family

˜                 Church family

˜                 Community

˜                 School

˜                 missionary letters or splits

˜                 phone visits

˜                 humanitarian projects

 

3.                Personal planning

 

˜                 review present goals and set new ones for self improvement

 

4.                Creative Pursuits

 

˜                 catch up on journal writing

˜                 photo organizing

˜                 scrapbooking

˜                 reading

˜                 writing

˜                 genealogy

˜                 other areas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 NOTES:

 

This can be one of the busiest days, but most satisfying. Any one of the activities listed for Wednesday could be classified as must-do, should-do, or nice-to-do. Your own personal situation dictates their priority from week to week. Structure as busily or loosely as you wish.

 

 

IDEA:

 

Rotate general activities on a monthly basis.

 

1st Wednesday	Household Planning
2nd Wednesday	Service
3rd Wednesday	Personal planning
4th Wednesday	Creative Pursuits

 

THE FOURTH DAY – THURSDAY         Vegetation and beautification Yard work, gardening & home beautification

 

        A day to add decorative touches to the yard as well as the home. Today lends itself to similar scheduling of  Monday:

 

˜                 organize and straighten

˜                 dust and remove debris

˜                 "Dusting" outside = hosing down house, drives, & shrubbery; weeding, transplanting, etc.

˜                 Jot ideas or needs in that notebook you carry for next Wednesday's planning

˜                 Surprise your husband or kids - wash the car!

 

After the must-do's, perhaps a rotation plan for the bigger jobs monthly:

 

 

1st Thursday	Planting or sowing
2nd Thursday	Pruning and pest control
3rd Thursday	Fertilizing
4th Thursday	General care, weed pulling, etc.

This is a good home beautification day. Change furniture around, hang or rehang pictures, frame something and find a place to put it. Start that quilt or curtains, or tablecloth you've been wanting to make.

 

NOTE:

 

        If you can't stand yard work try to think how proud you'll be of yourself for doing something you can honestly say you dislike. A definite plus for your self-esteem and the knowledge you are stretching as Heavenly Father would have you to.  Remember flexibility.

 

THE FIFTH DAY – FRIDAY         Animals were created – Shopping and errands, special animal care

        For pet owners, a good day for vet or grooming, special romp in the park, clean aquarium, etc. 

 

Equipment precheck

 

˜                 Dry cleaning loaded into car

˜                 Things to be exchanged, repaired, etc.

˜                 Double check shopping list

˜                 Rearrange fridge and cupboards for incoming items

˜                 Mentally map out your day for convenience and freshness
of groceries upon arrival home

 

Remember!!

 

When fatigue hits, errands cease to be fun!   Plan your day wisely!

 

IDEAS FOR KIDS:

 

1.                  At grocery store, give a child one item to look for as you go up and down the aisles. Use lots of drama for their distraction. Show great delight when they find the item.

2.                At check stand, give the child the money to pay the cashier and express your appreciation that he "paid" for the groceries.

 

3.                Afterward "pay" your helper with a small surprise such as fruit. Careful not to get into discussion of what he thinks his rewards should be. Dangerous territory!

 

4.                If time allows, nice-to-do's might include library, lunch w/ a friend, impromptu picnic w/ your children or spouse OR friend!

 

5.                Also a good time for catch-ups from earlier part of week to allow more time to enjoy the 6th day!!

 

        REMEMBER THE KEY: DESIGNATED TASKS FOR DESIGNATED DAYS = NO GUILT!!!

 

 

THE SIXTH DAY – SATURDAY         Man was created – Time for self and family

 

If man was important enough to take a whole day of Creation, it follows that we should merit a whole day of recreation, enjoyment, and getting 'caught up'.

 

Get those must-do's out of the way early, i.e. any preparations needed to be ready for the Sabbath, then....

 

˜                 REALLY PLAY with the kids!

˜                 Block SOME time for self.

˜                 Have an extended family get together.

˜                 This is the day to let your hair down and spend a pleasant day enjoying those you are investing your life in!

˜                 Enjoy the freedom to have a fun time knowing there are other days DESIGNATED now for what your Saturdays used to be filled with!

˜                 Whatever you choose to do, remember, this is your day. Enjoy it!!

 

 

THE SEVENTH DAY – SUNDAY         The Lord rested – Rest from temporal labors, Physical and spiritual renewal

        This day is governed by commandment: "Remember
the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." (Exodus 20:8)

        The must-do's, naturally, are attending Church meetings,
paying offerings, worshipping in song and prayer and scripture study.

NOTE:

 

A should-do that should become an unspoken part of EVERYDAY'S ROUTINE is SCRIPTURE STUDY !!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IDEAS FOR THE SABBATH:

 

1.                  Put together a "Sunday Box" containing:

 

˜                 'The Friend' & 'Era' magazines

˜                 tithing bank

˜                 construction paper

˜                 paper bags for puppets

˜                 egg cartons