the-o-ry [thee-uh-ree, theer-ee] -noun, plural:
a coherent group of general propositions used as principles of explanation for a class of phenomena: The family systems theory is a theory introduced by Dr. Murray Bowen that suggests that individuals cannot be understood in isolation from one another, but rather as a part of their family, as the family is an emotional unit. Families are systems of interconnected and interdependent individuals, none of whom can be understood in isolation from the system.

In a family people often feel distant or disconnected from each other, but this is more feeling than fact. Family members so profoundly affect each others thoughts, feelings, and actions that it often seems as if people are living under the same "emotional skin." People solicit each others attention, approval, and support and react to each others needs, expectations, and distress. The connectedness and reactivity make the functioning of family members interdependent. A change in one person's functioning is predictably followed by reciprocal changes in the functioning of others.

I remember when ever a brother would leave on his mission, or one of my sister got married the house would feel so empty, but it is more then that, the family would feel like it wasn't functioning the same. After a little awhile things, and people would adapt and then it would be normal again. But when that brother would come home or that sister and her husband would come visit us things would be interrupted again.

It is because of this idea of the family systems theory. Everybody has function, a role you could say, and when they would leave their position would be left vacant.

No Caps.

Whenever I heard someone say in Sunday school, "...and become a savior on Mount Zion." I never understood that when we are referring to this there savior is not capitalized.

So when you are a "savior on Mount Zion" you are giving grace to other who may not deserve it. You are willingly suffering for someone else. I think that we all should start becoming saviors on Mount Zion to those around, even though they may not deserve that grace, it is what Christ would do.

The dam in the river

When you come across a river during the spring time there is a lot of dirt, logs and other nastiness in the river. But what surprises me when I see this is when one log, instead going with the easier path and going straight, it turns sideways against the flow and ends up damming the river. The effect it has is quite amazing. It catches all the dirt and other filth and allows the river to become clean. Because of one log, the river is able to flow clean.

I have seen this effect in my own family. My parents are amazing people and the families they came from, who are all great people, had some tendencies that weren't the greatest. They were that one log in the river that went against the flow and created a purifying process, and made it clean for the rest of the family.



They have given my siblings and I the chance to grow in a good healthy environment and that is why I want children.

Getting Ready for an A!

This blog has been set up for my Family Relations course, throughout the semester I will be updating you all about what I am learning. So don't be shy, let me know what you think of it all.

So hopefully on this little adventure I can not only learn from all my peers in my class, but also from you all.