Disneyland & The Ten Virgins

Monday, the older girls had a random day off of school. We decided that since it was not a normal holiday, it might be a great day to go and use our Disneyland passes. Then we started thinking that it would be fun to surprise the girls and go up the night before and stay in a hotel close to Disneyland to make it a little weekend getaway. We told them about the Disneyland part but planned to keep the hotel a surprise.

Sunday rolled around and we had a room reserved with our Marriott points to check into later that evening. When we got home from church, we realized that with the exception of one child, no one had really finished their Saturday chores. We had had a busy Saturday so we really hadn't noticed.

After the hubby and I conferred, we decided this would be a great time to teach our kids one of those lessons they hate so much but that will hopefully mold them ino the people we want them to become.

We called an impromptu family night lesson and told them of our plans to go stay in a hotel that night (momentary cheers of glee...) but then we told them we had just cancelled the hotel reservation, and why. Of course they were all devestated and began pleading for us to change our minds. We heard:

"We'll go finish our chores right now"

"Please!!!! We'll do ANYTHING"

"Why didn't you tell us?!?"

"If we had only known, we would have done our chores!!"

You get the idea.....there was lots of begging, pleading and bargaining, weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth.

We then took this awesome opportunity to teach a lesson we hope they'll always remember.

We talked about the ten virgins and how some were foolish and some were wise. We discussed how some had their lamps filled with oil and were prepared when the bridegroom came and how others were sadly not prepared.

We told our kids that no one should have had to tell them to do their chores. They KNOW they're supposed to do them. We talked about how when the Savior comes again, some will say, "If only we would have known, we would have done......."

It was a pretty awesome lesson. There was eye rolling and a few annoyed sighs. But our girls are pretty cool. I think they actually got it by the end and acknowledged that they had blown it. Although they were sad that we couldn't go to the hotel, we HOPE they will always remember to be prepared! Because you just never know when doing the things you're supposed to be doing will make all the difference!! 

"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

 And yes, we still went to Disneyland the next day and had a fabulous time!