In an effort to build friendships, social awareness and to encourage ward members to welcome investigators and new members with open arms, Elder Thomas and I try to schedule Family Nights on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings, either in our apartment or in other homes. When it is in our home, we start by getting to know them, challenging them to master several puzzle toys, and having them write their names on our Book of Mormon banner. We open and close with prayer, have a gospel message, then an activity of some kind, then food (a light dinner). It is a LOT of work, but we hope that the idea will catch on, and people will initiate invitations to new and old friends in their own homes--without our instigation.
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