Family-ing

I picked up a book this morning at a friend's house and started skimming through it.  I found some interesting ideas, so I started writing them down, then thought about posting them, thus here I am.  :)
The book is all about being a functional family and "homemade recipes" to becoming a happy family.  We come from all different walks of life and whether we are single, divorced, going to school, raising children, we can apply these ideas:

"A family that prays together, plays together, spends time together, works together, and laughs together" is one that will stay together.  I love this idea - I love thinking about a mom, dad, and the children working together to have a fun time.  Families can have fun together!

On dreaming:
"If you can describe your family dream and if you want it to come true more than you have ever wanted anything before, or ever wanted anything now, or ever wanted anything in the future, it will come true."  I used to think that wishful thinking was for little girls, like myself once upon a time and still now and then, who like to go to Disneyland and wear their princess costumes.  Not true!  (especially after reading this quote)  If this is your dream, and you want it so very badly, it will happen.

We need to look into the future and see the good that is waiting there.  We need to create a family climate that will allow good desires to come true.  When we choose the right, families can be together forever.

"The thing to go after, with your whole soul, is not your career or your hobby or anything other than your family."  I like this idea of "going after" a family.  There are always things in life to "go after," but not like family.

To have a functional family: live in accord with spiritually founded values.  We will always be spiritually safe if we put our trust in the Lord.

(If you are wondering what the term "family-ing" means, it is the verb of "family."  This term reminds me that a family should be "doing.")