More Recipes & Visiting Teaching

This recipe for Candy Cane Kiss Cookies comes from Our Best Bites, go here to get the recipe. You can use the same recipe around Easter...just add Cadbury Mini Eggs! They are super delicious.

Gingerbread Bars

1/2 C butter or margarine, softened
1/2 C packed brown sugar
1/2 C Molasses
1 egg
1 1/2 C all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 C water

In mixing bowl cream together butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the remaining wet ingredients and beat well.
Sift together dry ingredients and mix into wet ingredients alternately with water; mix well.
Pour into 13x9 pan, bake at 350* for 20-25 minutes. Cool thoroughly. Frost with Lemon cream cheese frosting.


Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

1 8oz pkg cream cheese, softened
1 stick of butter, softened
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
4 C powdered sugar

Cream butter and cream cheese, add salt, zest and juice, mix in well. Add powdered sugar,
mix in.

Cookie Dough Truffles

1/2 c. butter, softened

3/4 c. packed brown sugar

2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour

1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 c. miniature semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional, I didn't add them)

1 1/2 pounds semisweet chocolate candy coating, chopped (or I just melted chocolate chips)

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the flour, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla; mix well. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts, if using. Shape into 1-inch balls; place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Loosely cover and freeze for 1-2 hours or until firm. (The dough softens quickly at room temperature so it works best if they are frozen, not just chilled in the refrigerator).In a microwave safe bowl, melt candy coating (or chocolate chips), stirring often until smooth. Dip balls in coating (or drizzle on top); place on waxed paper-lined backing sheets. Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes.

Apple Walnut Cookies
1 c canned applesauce

3 c quick rolled oats
1 1/2 c sugar

1 c chopped nuts
1/2 cu margarine

1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 c cocoa

1/2 tsp almond extract
1/4 tsp salt powdered sugar

Simmer applesauce gently 5 minutes. Add sugar, margarine, cocoa and salt. Boil 1 minute. Remove from heat immediately. Add oats, walnuts, vanilla and almond extract. Mix well. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper. When cool. roll in powdered sugar makes 50 - 55 cookies.

Visiting Teaching: The end of the month is coming quickly. Just a reminder to get your visiting teaching done. I found this site that has fun ideas for visiting teaching, go here to see it. They have a lot of free printables and ideas that go along with the message for the month.

Holiday Recipes & Kids and Christmas

We would like to thank everyone who came to our activity last night. We know how busy your lives are right now! I don't know about you, but it was just what I needed! There was such an incredible spirit as we listened to the perspectives of the women who surrounded Christ. It was the Innkeeper's wife who touched me the most....she wanted so badly to help Mary & Joseph and knew how special the Christ child was. We had some beautiful musical numbers: Sisters Murphy, Olpin, & Eyre played a Violin/Piano musical number, Sisters Carbine & Kearhl sang solos. We also had a chance to sing some songs as a group. Afterwards we had some delicious treats! Sister Adamson made delicious Hot Chocolate and homemade caramel marshmellows. We also had a variety of other treats to choose from. We will be posting the recipes for these treats over the next couple of days. Here are the first few:

Basic Hot Chocolate
4 cups of whole milk
8 ounces of chocolate
3 tsp powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon of salt
Finely chop the chocolate into small pieces. The pieces have to be able to dissolve easily in the liquid.
Place the milk into a small, thick-bottomed pot on low heat and bring to a low simmer. Whisk once in a while to ensure that the milk doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
Add the vanilla, powdered sugar, salt, and chocolate and whisk vigorously until the chocolate has melted.
Heat for another 4 minutes, constantly stirring.
Serve. Add a dollop of whipped cream if you want.
Serves 4.

White Hot Chocolate
8 cups of whole milk
12 ounces white chocolate , finely chopped
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Directions
Using a vegetable peeler, shave chocolate into curls; set aside.Place white chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl; set aside. Place milk and cream in a medium saucepan set over medium heat until bubbles begin to form around edges of pan (about 4 minutes). Do not boil.Remove mixture from the flame. Immediately pour over white chocolate. When chocolate begins to melt, gently stir to combine.Whisk in vanilla. Continue whisking until light foam forms.Serve immediately. Garnish with chocolate shavings.


Martha Stewarts Homemade Marshmallows

4 packages unflavored gelatin
3/4 C cold water
3 1/4 C granulated sugar
1 1/4 C light corn syrup
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 C water
2 tsp pure vanilla extract (peppermint extract if desired...great for hot cocoa!)

Spray 9x13 pan w/cooking spray.
Cut a piece of parchment or waxed paper large enough to cover the bottom of the dish and to overhang
the longer sides. Place the parchment in the dish and brush with oil, set aside.

Pour 3/4 C cold water in the bowl of an electric mixer, and sprinkle gelatin on top. Let stand 5 minutes.

Place sugar, corn syrup, salt and water in a medium saucepan. Set over high heat, and bring
to a boil. Insert a candy thermometer, and cook until it reaches soft-ball stage (238*), about 9 minutes.

Using the whisk attachment, beat hot syrup into the gelatin on low speed, gradually increase speed to
high, beat until mixture is very stiff, about 12 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Pour mixture into the prepared
baking dish, and smooth the surface with as offset spatula. Set aside, uncovered until marshmallow
becomes firm, at least 3 hours or overnight.

Cut into squares with a pizza cutter, and toss in powdered sugar.

Here is a cute Mormon Messages video. Enjoy!

Christmas Activity- Tuesday, December 21

Please come join us Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. for our special Christmas Activity: "The Women Surrounding Christ's Birth". It will be a great night to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and find time to relax for a bit. Hope to see you there.

Sunday Happenings

Lesson: Chapter 24- The Sabbath Day
Instructor: Sister Bell

What is the Sabbath Day?

"The word Sabbath comes from a Hebrew word meaning rest." The Sabbath day is every seventh day. It is a holy day ordained by God for us to rest from our daily labors and worship Him."

How would you explain the purpose of the Sabbath day to someone who does not know about the Sabbath?

• A day spent in worship and reverence
• Time to ponder spiritual matters
• A day to renew our covenants
• Feed our souls on the things of the Spirit

What does it mean to keep the Sabbath Day holy?

• What can we do? Church, Scriptures, Church Magazines, Visit Sick, Visit Family, Uplifting music, Hymns, Family History, Journals, Service
• What do you do in your families to keep the Sabbath Day Holy?
• One idea given was to watch family videos, this helps you relive fun times in the past and appreciate family.

Family Home Evening

• Sharing Time: Keep the Commandments
• Ensign Article: Teaching Children to Keep the Sabbath
• Sharing Time: I Will Always Choose the Right
• LDS Living: Sabbath Day

*Don't forget about our special Christmas activity this Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday Happenings

Lesson: Chapter 23- The Sacrament
Instructor: Sister Ashby

Object Lesson: Sister Ashby had us close our eyes, then dropped three items on the table.
First: a medium sized bouncy ball. We determined that it was fairly loud and could be heard easily. This could be compared to the world. It is usually noisy....makes sure it is heard.
Second: a quarter sized round chip. It had a softer sound. We were able to hear it because it was quiet in the room. If it had been noisier we may not have heard it. This could be compared to those in authority. They can be heard, but we need to make sure we are listening...make sure our lives aren't filled with too much noise.
Third: a needle. It was the softest sounding of the three. If there had been noise we definitely would not have been able to hear it. This could be compared to the whisperings of the spirit. If there is noise in our life we will not be able to hear its quiet guidance.

The teachings on the sacrament can be found in todays lesson. Just click on the link above.

Questions to think about:
-Why do the sacrament prayers need to be said perfectly?
-What covenants do we renew during the sacrament? What blessings does the Lord promise us as we keep those covenants?
-How can we prepare ourselves to partake of the sacrament? What can we think about during the sacrament to help us remember the Savior's Atonement?

• Create "quiet" books using pictures from the Ensign, Friend, or New Era. These books would be used just during the sacrament as a way to help children think about the Savior, the sacrament, etc.. As soon as the sacrament is finished they would be put away.
• Prepare: Be on time to Sacrament Meeting, Sit in the front section of the chapel, Young men arrive early to help with sacrament preparation
• Setting the Example: Sit quietly listening to prelude music, children will follow your example
• Speak About Reverence: Remind children before you get to church, Make sure you are showing reverence
• Soliciting Support: Have children come up with ways to be reverent, on time, etc...
• Within the Family: Teach during Family Home Evening, Prepare Saturday Night
• Taking Responsibility: Means Everyone: "Reverence Begins With Me!"

Family Home Evening Ideas:

• Sharing Time: Reverence in Holy Places
• Sharing Time: Primary Manners (Could be used to teach reverence)
• Sharing Time: Be Grateful for the Sacrament
• LDS Living: Reverence
• LDS Living: Sacrament

Sunday Happenings

Lesson: Chapter 22: Gifts of the Spirit
Instructor: We want to welcome Sister Bell as our new instructor! She did a wonderful job today!

The Gift of Tongues: (D&C 46: 24)
The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues: (D&C 46: 25)
The Gift of Translation: (D&C 5:4)
The Gift of Wisdom: (D&C 46:17)
The Gift of Knowledge (D&C 46:18)
The Gift of Teaching Knowlege & Wisdom (Moroni 10: 9-10)
The Gift of Knowing the Jesus Christ is the son of God (D&C 46:13)
The Gift of Believing the Testimony of Others (D&C 46:14)
The Gift of Prophecy (D&C 46:22)
The Gift of Healing (D&C 46: 19-20)
The Gift of Working Miracles (D&C 46:21)
The Gift of Faith (Moroni 10:11)

"Think about some spiritual gifts that would strengthen you personally or help you serve the Lord and others. What will you do to seek these gifts? To develop our gifts, we must find out which gifts we have. We do this by praying and fasting. We should seek after the best gifts (see D&C 46:8). Sometimes patriarchal blessings will help us know which gifts we have been given."

"Satan can imitate the gifts of tongues, prophecy, visions, healings, and other miracles. Moses had to compete with Satan’s imitations in Pharaoh’s court (see Exodus 7:8–22). Satan wants us to believe in his false prophets, false healers, and false miracle workers. They may appear to be so real to us that the only way to know is to ask God for the gift of discernment. The devil himself can appear as an angel of light (see 2 Nephi 9:9)."

FHE Ideas:
-LDS Living: Spiritual Tools
-Please see last weeks lesson below: The Gift of the Holy Ghost for more FHE ideas

Fun & Fabulous Craft Night

Don't forget about our Craft Night
When: Tomorrow night, Tuesday Nov. 16
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Church

Remember to bring:

Fabric Flowers: fabric, & fabric scissors

Subway Art: $2.00 for each additional plaque you are making (we need to have the money before we can give you the supplies), 2 pieces of scrapbook paper for each plaque, & paint if you have some that matches your paper

Gift Tags: Just yourself to make them

If you need additional information please refer to the post below this one. Hope to see you there!

Sunday Happenings

Lesson: Chapter 21 The Gift of the Holy Ghost
Instructor: Sister Ashby

Attention Getter: This was a great object lesson that Sister Ashby started out with to illustrate all that we receive through the Gift of the Holy Ghost. She had a gift box and passed out items to the sisters. Each sister had to bring her item to the front and talk about how it relates to the Holy Ghost and place it in the box. Go here for a paper version. You could play a matching game if you cut the cards apart, or you could use the pictures to talk about all the blessings that come with receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. This could be used for FHE to teach about the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Ghost:

• a member of the Godhead


• a personage of spirit


• influence can be everywhere at once


• bear witness of truth


• purifies our hearts

The Gift of the Holy Ghost:

What is the difference between the Holy Ghost and the gift of the Holy Ghost?

"The gift of the Holy Ghost is the privilege—given to people who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, been baptized, and been confirmed as members of the Church—to receive continual guidance and inspiration from the Holy Ghost."

"A person may be temporarily guided by the Holy Ghost without receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost (see D&C 130:23). However, this guidance will not be continuous unless the person is baptized and receives the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. We read in Acts 10 that the Roman soldier Cornelius received inspiration from the Holy Ghost so that he knew the gospel of Jesus Christ was true. But Cornelius did not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost until after he was baptized. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that if Cornelius had not received baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost would have left him (see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 97)."

Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost:

What must we do to receive the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost?

• keep baptismal covenants


• act upon promptings


• invite daily through prayer

Recognizing the Influence of the Holy Ghost:

• communicates with us quietly, "a still small voice" (Hel. 5:30)


• President Packer said, "a voice you feel more than you hear", most will say "I had a feeling", "This voice speaks gently, prompting you what to do or what to say, or it may caution or warn you."


• happy


• comfort


• stupor of thought if what we want is not the right thing for us


• calm


• peaceful

One of God's Greatest Gifts:

"The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of God’s greatest gifts to us. Through the Holy Ghost we may know that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, and that His Church has been restored to the earth. We may have the promptings of the Holy Ghost to show us all the things we should do (see 2 Nephi 32:5). The Holy Ghost sanctifies us to prepare us for God’s presence. We may enjoy the gifts of the Spirit (see chapter 22 in this book). This great gift from our Heavenly Father can also bring peace to our hearts and an understanding of the things of God (see 1 Corinthians 2:9–12)."

FHE Lessons:

This is a wonderful lesson to share for Family Home Evening. Here are a few others connected to the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

Sharing Time: One of God's Greatest Gifts

Sharing Time: The Holy Ghost Can Help Me

Sharing Time: The Gift of the Holy Ghost

LDS Living: The Holy Ghost

Midweek Activity: Fun & Fabulous Craft Night

Join us for our Fun & Fabulous Craft Night, Tuesday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served and a nursery provided. Here are the fabulous crafts you can sign up for:

Subway Art Plaque: You will need to bring 2 sheets of scrapbook paper to complete your plaque of choice. If you would like to make more than one plaque, the cost will be $2.00 for each additional plaque. There are plaques for Winter, Fall, & Halloween. (Spring & Summer will also be available that night).

Winter Plaque

Winter Plaque

Halloween Plaque

Fall Plaque

Holiday Gift Tags: Supplies provided. Just bring yourself to make them.

Fabric Flowers: You will need to bring 1/8 yard of 2 coordinating fabrics, and 2 buttons. Makes two flowers.

These flowers look really cute on purses, they can dress up a sweater, or would look great on a headband, and they are easy to make.

You can sign up for any of these projects by leaving a comment or sign up on Sunday at the table next to the Relief Society room. Hope you can join us!

Sunday Happenings

Instructor: Sister Baumann
Lesson: Charity Never Faileth

Sister Baumann started out with the song "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" (video above).

What is Charity?

• Serving Others
• Unconditional Love
• Kindness
• Reaching Out
• Non-Judgemental

President Monsen taught us that there are several ways we can show charity to one another in his talk "Charity Never Faileth". He illustrates this using several stories.

"A young couple, Lisa and John, moved into a new neighborhood. One morning while they were eating breakfast, Lisa looked out the window and watched her next-door neighbor hanging out her wash.“That laundry’s not clean!” Lisa exclaimed. “Our neighbor doesn’t know how to get clothes clean!” John looked on but remained silent. Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, Lisa would make the same comments. A few weeks later Lisa was surprised to glance out her window and see a nice, clean wash hanging in her neighbor’s yard. She said to her husband, “Look, John—she’s finally learned how to wash correctly! I wonder how she did it.” John replied, “Well, dear, I have the answer for you. You’ll be interested to know that I got up early this morning and washed our windows!” Tonight I’d like to share with you a few thoughts concerning how we view each other. Are we looking through a window which needs cleaning? Are we making judgments when we don’t have all the facts? What do we see when we look at others? What judgments do we make about them?"

"Forty-seven years ago this general conference, I was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. At the time, I had been serving on one of the general priesthood committees of the Church, and so before my name was presented, I sat with my fellow members of that priesthood committee, as was expected of me. My wife, however, had no idea where to go and no one with whom she could sit and, in fact, was unable to find a seat anywhere in the Tabernacle. A dear friend of ours, who was a member of one of the general auxiliary boards and who was sitting in the area designated for the board members, asked Sister Monson to sit with her. This woman knew nothing of my call—which would be announced shortly—but she spotted Sister Monson, recognized her consternation, and graciously offered her a seat. My dear wife was relieved and grateful for this kind gesture. Sitting down, however, she heard loud whispering behind her as one of the board members expressed her annoyance to those around her that one of her fellow board members would have the audacity to invite an “outsider” to sit in this area reserved only for them. There was no excuse for her unkind behavior, regardless of who might have been invited to sit there. However, I can only imagine how that woman felt when she learned that the “intruder” was the wife of the newest Apostle."

There are many charitable things that happen in our ward: Visiting teaching each month, reaching out to those who need it, feeding the missionaries when the family doesn't have a lot themselves, meals being taken to those in need, being willing to help with activities, and many more things.

Yet, there is still a lot of need in our ward and neighborhoods and homes.

2 Cor. 13: 4-8: Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Would you continue to do the same things if the "Savior stood beside you?"

Family Home Evening Ideas:

• LDS Living: Service
• LDS Living: Good Works
• LDS Living: Love One Another
• Other Site: Charity

Visiting Teaching Idea

You can download these cute Pillow Boxes here. It would be a really cute and easy way to let your sisters know you're thinking about them, just add a note and a little treat. Sugardoodle is a great site for lesson helps, activity ideas, etc...

Sunday Happenings

Lesson: Chapter 19: Repentance
Instructor: Sister Ashby

Sister Ashby started out her lesson with an object lesson using thread. She asked Sister Stoddard try to break a single piece of thread which represented a sin, or bad habit. Of course, it was easily broken. She then proceeded to wrap the thread around Sister Stoddard"s two hands, each wrap represented another sin. In the end Sister Stoddard was not able to break the many pieces of thread which held her hands bound. Sins are very similar! If we take the time to stop the little sins before they become bad habits or big sins, they will be easier to break.

What is repentance?
Repentance is the way provided for us to become free from our sins and receive forgiveness for them. Sins slow our spiritual progression and can even stop it. Repentance makes it possible for us to grow and develop spiritually again. The privilege of repenting is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

What are the principles of Repentance?

• Recognize: We must admit to ourselves we have sinned
• Feel Sorrow: What is the difference between Godly Sorrow & Feeling Bad because you were caught?
• Forsake: STOP the sin
• Confess: to Heavenly Father or the proper Priesthood Authority
• Make Restitution: Make it right as mucha s possible
• Forgive Others/Self:
• Keep the Commandments: President Kimball said: “First, one repents. Having gained that ground he then must live the commandments of the Lord to retain his vantage point. This is necessary to secure complete forgiveness” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, 43).

What are some possible consequences of procrastinating our repentance?
The prophets have declared that “this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God” (Alma 34:32). We should repent now, every day. When we get up in the morning, we should examine ourselves to see whether the Spirit of God is with us. At night before we go to sleep, we should review our acts and words of the day and ask the Lord to help us recognize the things for which we need to repent. By repenting every day and having the Lord forgive our sins, we will experience the daily process of becoming perfect. As with Alma, our happiness and joy can be sweet and exquisite.

FHE Helps

Sharing Time: I Can Repent and Be Baptized

Sharing Time: Repentance -- Turing From Wrong to Right

Sharing Time: Clean Again

LDS Living: Atonement

LDS Living: Repentance

Prepared Not Scared Blog: FHE- Repentance great for youth!

Visiting Teaching Luncheon

We would like to thank everyone who was able to attend our Visiting Teaching Luncheon, as well as for all those who provided the delicious food. We were able to receive wonderful, uplifting messages from Sister Baumann, Sister Park, and Sister Evans. Everyone was encouraged to really get to know the sisters they visit teach! This can be done by sending them a note, or a letter, taking them out for lunch on their birthday, sharing of testimony with them, making sure they know you care by truly getting to know them and being there for them. We were able to see some beautiful videos about visiting teaching, go here to view one of them. We were also blessed to have Sister Seely share her testimony of Visiting Teaching through this beautiful poem:

"IF FOR VISITING TEACHERS"

If YOU CAN LOVE EACH woman that you visit,

Because she is the mother of a home;

If you can find in each a lovely virtue

then finding it-be sure to pass it on;

If you can distregard the littered parlor

Or dirty dishes that you are sure to fine;

But take your message to the one who lives there

And make her feel that you're friendly, wise and kind.

If you can sympathize where there is sorrow,

Can calm the troubles waters where there is strife;

If you can make her know that her tomorrows

Hold more than just the struggles of this life;

If you can drive away her fears;

If you can leave one thought or inspiration

For her to carry through the years.

If she can confide in you when there is trouble

And know that you, her confidence will keep;

If you can help a tired and weary mother

To make a bed or rock a child to sleep;

If you can do these things, and all others

That I am sure are there to do,

Yours is a mission like the Master's

And blessings will be given unto you.

By, Sister Anna Lou Seely

We would love to have you share some experiences about Visiting Teaching with us. How have visiting teachers touched your life? What have you done to make your visits special for those you visit teach? Leave a comment below if you would like to share.

I found a fun Halloween poem that you could take to your sisters this month, go here to see it!

Visiting Teaching Luncheon

Come join us for our Visiting Teaching Luncheon

Saturday October 9, 2010

11:00 a.m.

Ward Building/ Casual Dress

We will be providing lunch and a short program

Fun General Conference Treats & Activities

You can find the recipe for these yummy

Reeses No Bake Peanut Buttter Bars over at Our Best Bites

Head on over to Picky Palate to find out how to make these darling

Reeses Puffs Crunch Monster Eyeballs

Go to Inside BruCrewLife to get the recipe for these delicious looking
Pumpkin Spice Brownie Bites!

General Conference Activities for Kids of All Ages

You can find a General Conference Packet or individualized packets for Youth, Senior & Junior Primary, & Nursery at Sugardoodle.net

General Conference Activity Pages can be found at The Idea Door

Lds.org has some fun activities: The Friend Magazine site and Conference Activities

Sunday Happenings

Lesson: Watching With All Perseverance, Elder Bednar, May 2010 Ensign
Instructor: We want to thank Sister Geist for filling in this week, she did a great job!

"Recently I was driving my car as drops of rain from a thunderstorm began to fall on the windshield. On the side of the road, an electronic sign displayed a timely warning: “Standing Water Ahead.” The surface on which I was driving appeared to be quite safe. But this vital information enabled me to prepare for a potential hazard I had not expected and could not yet see. As I continued toward my destination, I slowed down and watched carefully for additional signs of danger.
Early warning signals are evident in many aspects of our lives. For example, a fever can be a first symptom of sickness or disease. Various financial and labor market indicators are used to forecast future trends in local and national economies. And depending upon the area of the world in which we live, we may receive flood, avalanche, hurricane, tsunami, tornado, or winter storm warnings."

Elder Bednar taught about "Three Components of a Spiritual Early Warning System" that will help parents strengthen the testimonies of their children and bring the closer to the Savior.

1. Reading and Talking about the Book of Mormon:

• Contains the fullness of the Gospel
• 2 Ne. 25:4- "My soul delighteth in the plainness unto my people, that they may learn"....plain means instruction that is clear and easily understood
• The Book of Mormon is the most correct book on earth because it centers on the truth
• The unique combination of the two factors-- a focus on the Savior and the plainness of the teachings -- powerfully invites the confirming witness of the third member of the Godhead, even the Holy Ghost.
• The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that by abiding by the precepts found in The Book of Mormon would help us "get nearer to God" than any other book.
• Helps us resist temptation
• Children and Youth may not fully understand all of the words and stories..."but they certainly can feel the "familiar spirit"!
• Have you had experiences with the Book of Mormon that have brought you closer to the Savior? What about your children?

2. Bearing Testimony Spontaneously:

• Be aware of opportunities where you could bear testimony to your children
• Naturally occurring family conversations at dinner
• Testimonies do not always need to begin with "I'd bear you my testimony."
• Could be as simple as, "I know I was blessed with inspiration at work today" or "The truth in this scripture always has been a powerful source of direction for me"
• Traveling in a car or bus
• While answering questions chidren my have...during discussions
• When have you been able to bear your testimony to your children?

3. Inviting Children to Act:

• James 1:22: We should be, "doers of the word, and not hearers only."
• Parents have the sacred responsibility to help children to act and to seek learning by faith.
• Giving a man a fish feeds him for one meal. Teaching a man to fish feeds him for a lifetime.
• What are some times you have been able to help your children choose to act in righteous decisions?

Elder Bednar concluded by saying, "I bear witness that parents who consistently read and talk about the Book of Mormon with their children, who share testimony spontaneously with their children, and who invite children as gospel learners to act and not merely be acted upon will be blessed with eyes that can see afar off (see Moses 6:27) and with ears that can hear the sound of the trumpet (see Ezekiel 33:2–16). The spiritual discernment and inspiration you will receive from the combination of these three holy habits will enable you to stand as watchmen on the tower for your families—”watching … with all perseverance” (Ephesians 6:18)—to the blessing of your immediate family and your future posterity. I so promise and testify in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen."

Family Home Evening Ideas:

Sharing Time: I Feel Reverent When I Read the Scriptures

Sharing Time: Study the Book of Mormon

LDS Living FHE Lesson: Choose the Right

LDS Living FHE Lesson: The Book of Mormon

Prepared not Scared Blog: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and he is a God of Miracles, P.S. she has some fun Halloween Ideas she posts during the week!

Service Auction Recap

Our Service Auction was a lot of fun. There were so many fun items donated! It was nice having time to talk, relax, eat, and bid on so many incredible things! Here are some of the things that were donated:

Thanks so much for everything you donated, and for bringing all of the delicious soups & salads. Those who won your items will give you a call!

Service Auction Activity on Tuesday

When: Tuesday, Sept. 21 @ 6:30 p.m.

Where: The church



How it works:

1. Everyone brings an item, usually something they have made (i.e. crafts, treats, or an offer of service) for others to bid on.

2.Upon arrival, you will fill out a service survey. This survey will ask you questions such as How many loads of laundry you did this week, How often you read your scriptures, or If you have read to a child this week. For each answer there is a point value. (For example: If I did 5 loads of wash this week I might get 25 points.)

3. The points earned are used to bid on the items others brought. We have some amazing items sisters have signed up to donate. Baked goods, blankets, cute crafts, a photo session, and tons of other things!If you haven't ever been to a service auctions, you are in for a treat tonight! Please join us for a fun-filled night of bidding and bonding! Hope to see you all there!

Sunday Happenings

Lesson: Ch. 18 Faith in Jesus Christ
Instructor: Sister Hansen

Sister Hansen started out with the question: How would you describe the concept of faith to someone who doesn't have English as their primary language?

• Trust
• Something that gets you through the hard times
• Like the wind- something you can't see but can feel
• Element of truth
• Principle of action (DO)

What are things you act upon each day that you cannot see the end results of? How does fiath move you to action?

• FHE
• Raising Children
• Hope
• Teaching children the right way to live and hoping they will make the correct choices as they get older
• Having faith to accept the answers when they come: "Thy will be done!"

How can we increase our faith?

• We have to know him- Scripture Study, attending church meetings
• Communication- daily prayer
• Action: Put his words into action
• Make the Savior and our Father in Heaven the center of your life
• Have the desire: “But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words."
• Sister Miles shared an example of keeping a journal of experiences when she has known that Heavenly Father was aware of her life. This journal has been a place she could go to, to remember these experiences and help her through hard times.

Family Home Evening Ideas:

Joseph Smith Restored the Church of Jesus Christ: http://preparednotscared.blogspot.com/2010/04/primary-theme-scripture-fhe-jesus.html

LDS Living FHE on Faith: http://www.ldsliving.com/story/4358-fhe-faith

Back to School Relief Society Activity

We want to thank all of you who came to our Back to School Activity on Tuesday night. We hope you enjoyed getting to know one another better, we learned that many of us are night owls and a few of us have tried some very interesting foods! We have so many incredible sisters in our ward....it was fun learning something new about them. Here are some of the questions we asked below:
Assignment #1: Getting to Know You in a Minute
-What was the best day of the past week for you - why?
- Choose a unique item from your wallet and explain why you carry it around.
-If you were given a million dollars and 24 hours to spend it in, (no depositing it in the bank or investing it) what would you buy?
-If you could have an endless supply of any food, what would you get?
-If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
-What’s your favorite thing to do in the summer?
-If you were an ice cream flavor, which one would you be and why?
-If you could visit any place in the world, where would you choose to go and why
-Are you a morning or night person?
-What are your favorite hobbies?
-What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
-Name one of your favorite things about someone in your family.
-Tell us about a unique or quirky habit of yours.
-If you had to describe yourself using three words, it would be…
-If someone made a movie of your life would it be a drama, a comedy, a romantic-comedy, action film, or science fiction?


Sister Williams kept some of the kids entertained with some children's books. Do you have a favorite book?

Assignment #2: ABCD’s of Money Management

This site has great organizational ideas. She did a section on Money Management for kids, go here to find out more. http://www.simpleorganizedliving.com/category/time-money/
Allowance:
Important for children of all ages to have some of their own money.
Take the time to inform your children what they can do to earn an allowance and then give them a few simple ideas on how to save/spend their allowance.
Try to let them make some of their own financial decisions first!
Beyond Saving:
Teach your children to save some {or most} their money.
Open some type of savings account for kids
Teach your children that it’s OK to spend their money as long as it’s a thought-out decision and not an impulse purchase.
Encourage kids to donate to a charity or sponsor a child from another country
Calculate Costs:
Do your children know how much you spend on groceries, gas, utilities bills, etc? Probably not…and that’s OK.
Try a fun project to put them “in charge” of their back-to-school shopping. Ask them to estimate how much their supplies might cost. Then help them shop (keeping track of prices) and see if they can stay under budget.
Often kids completely underestimate how much everything costs…this might be a fun and education learning experience for them.
Discipline:
Pay Tithing
Teach children to keep track of all their income, spending, saving, giving etc.
Help children set specific goals and then make plans to reach these goals.
Practicing disciplined spending and delayed gratification NOW, will benefit your children later in life.

School Lunch Ideas:

Simple Organized Living Blog: Simple Sack Lunches

Studio 5- Sack Lunch Notes

Studio 5: In the Bag- School lunches made simple & sleek

Good Things Utah: Save on Snack Foods

Sunday Happenings

Lesson: Chapter 16- The Church of Jesus Christ in Former Times
Instructor: Sister Hansen

Article of Faith #6: "We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth."

There are six features covered in this lesson that identify the Church of Jesus Christ:

1. Revelation: "When Jesus Christ established His Church, He personally instructed and directed its leaders." This revelation has not stopped today. What are some of the ways we receive continued revelation?

• General Conference
• Ensign, other Church Magazines
• Proclamation to the Family
• Each of us can receive revelation pertaining to our lives through prayer

2. Authority from God: "The Father gave this authority to Jesus Christ (see Hebrews 5:4-6), who in turn ordained His Apostles and gave them the power and authority of the priesthood (see Luke 9:1-2; Mark 3:14). What blessings come to us because of the priesthood?

• Temple Ordinances, Eternal Families
• Blessings of Healing
• Father's Blessings
• Sacrament
• Restoration of the Church

3. The Church Organization: "The Church of Jesus Christ was a carefully organized unit." What stands out about the way the church is organized?

• Leaders are not paid
• Organized by the Lord
• We are called to serve in callings that bless members of the church
• It is the same no matter where you go around the world

"The New Testament shows that this Church organization was intended to continue. For example, the death of Judas left only eleven Apostles. Soon after Jesus had ascended into heaven, the eleven Apostles met together to choose someone to take the place of Judas. Through revelation from the Holy Ghost, they chose Matthias. (See Acts 1:23–26.) Jesus had set a pattern for twelve Apostles to govern the Church. It seemed clear that the organization was to continue as He had established it."

4. First Principles and Ordinances: Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost. Faith is always a principle that is needed, even those that saw the Savior perform miracles needed Faith to know that he was who he said....he wasn't just a man or a prophet....he is the Son of God.

5. Ordinances Performed for the Dead: Why is it important for us to attend the temple?

• To help those who have died receive their Temple Ordinances
• It helps us understand the covenants we have made each time we go

6. Spiritual Gifts: "All faithful members of the Church were entitled to receive gifts of the Spirit. Some of these gifts were faith, including the power to heal and to be healed; prophecy; and visions." What are some of the gifts that people have that have blessed your life?

• Visiting Teachers- knowing when to call or what questions to ask
• Scriptural Understanding
• Missionaries learning a new language
• Service- recognize or be prompted how we can help others in need

Apostasy from the True Church: "This happened while the Apostles were still alive and supervising the young, growing Church. Some members taught ideas from their old pagan or Jewish beliefs instead of the simple truths taught by Jesus." Satan is still trying to make this happen again today in very subtle ways. Sister Hansen shared a quote, "I want to live my life in a way so that when I wake up, Satan says, "Oh no! She's awake!" I hope we can all live our lives in that way.

Family Home Evening Ideas:

LDS Living Magazine: Priesthood Blessings

Sharing Time: Jesus Organized His Church

Sharing Time: I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Sunday Happenings

Lesson: Chapter 15- The Lord's Covenant People
Instructor: Sister Ashby

What is a covenant? "Within the gospel, a covenant means a sacred agreement or mutual promise between God and a person or a group of people. In making a covenant, God promises a blessing for obedience to particular commandments. He sets the terms of His covenants, and He reveals these terms to His prophets. If we choose to obey the terms of the covenant, we receive promised blessings. If we choose not to obey, He withholds the blessings, and in some instances a penalty also is given."

What blessings and responsibilities come to God's covenant people today?

"Along with the blessings we receive as the Lord’s covenant people, we have great responsibilities. The Lord promised Abraham that through his descendants the gospel would be taken to all the earth. We are fulfilling this responsibility through the full-time missionary program of the Church and the missionary work done by the members. This opportunity to preach the gospel to all the world belongs only to the Lord’s Church and His covenant people."

Scriptures to consider:

1 Peter 2: 9-10 "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."

Let's review the covenants we've made and strive to fulfill them to the best of our ability so that we may recieve the blessings of Heaven.

Family Home Evening Ideas:

• Sharing Time: I Can Keep My Covenant
• Sharing Time: Clean Again!
• Sharing Time: Baptism, My First Covenant
• Sharing Time: Keeping Promises

Sunday Happenings

Lesson: April 2010 Conference Talk "Continue in Patience"
Instructor: Sister Smith

What is patience?

• "The ability to put our desires on hold for a time"
• "active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can -- working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardships with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!"
• "a godly attribute that can heal souls; unlock treasures of knowledge and understanding, and transform ordinary men and women into saints and angels. Patience is truly a fruit of the spirit".
• "staying with something until the end. It means delaying immediate gratification for future blessings."
• "Patience means to abide in faith, knowing that sometimes it is in the waiting rather than in the receiving that we grow the most."

Elder Uchtdorf started out his talk by sharing an experiment with four year old children. Each child was given a marshmallow and told that they could eat it now, but if they waited for 15 minutes they would then get two marshmellows. The children were left alone and watched behind a two-way mirror. "Some of the children ate the marshmallow immediately; some could wait only a few minutes before giving in to temptation. Only 30 percent were able to wait.
But as time went on, he kept track of the children and began to notice an interesting correlation: the children who could not wait struggled later in life and had more behavioral problems, while those who waited tended to be more positive and better motivated, have higher grades and incomes, and have healthier relationships. What started as a simple experiment with children and marshmallows became a landmark study suggesting that the ability to wait—to be patient—was a key character trait that might predict later success in life."

"Every one of us is called to wait in our own way. We wait for answers to prayers. We wait for things which at the time may appear so right and so good to us that we can't possibly imagine why Heavenly Father would delay the answer."

"The lessons we learn from patience will cultivate our character, lift our lives, and heighten our happiness. They will help us to become worthy priesthood bearers and faithful disciples of our Master, Jesus Christ."

Family Home Evening:

This talk would make a great Family Home Evening lesson go here for a copy.

LDS Living has a FHE lesson on patience, go here to see it.

Another idea would be to find a Young Woman Personal Progress goal that would fit with patience and work on it this week.

Decorating on a Dime Recap

Here are some of the beautiful ladies of the 4th ward! It was so fun to have so many of you there. We had the most divine Milk & White Chocolate Fondu! Thanks for bringing all of the delicious goodies to dip!

We are so glad Sister Webb could be with us to share some very fun & practical ideas for decorating our homes, here are a few notes:

1. Find your style: I've never thought about this before. It makes sense to find out what you like....it really narrows down the search when you are decorating. Look through magazines and create a collage of the colors, ideas, decorations, & styles you like. It will help you define your style and help you decide if you are more Traditional, Shabby Chic, Country, Modern/Contemporary, etc.... Here are some web sites that also have quick style quizzes in case you would like some more direction....they seemed pretty accurate when I took them.

http://www.sproost.com/ or http://home.ivillage.com/decorating/0,,br7sgnjf,00.html

2. Get rid of clutter: Keep what you love or anything that has sentimental value.....get rid of the extras. Have a yard sale! Use the money to purchase the basics that you will need, like paint.

3. Start small: Don't try to do everything at once! Take it one room or project at a time. Start with the entryway....the place people will see as they walk into your home.

4. Measure your space: Space plan, draw it out, don't forget the ceiling height.

5. Paint: The most inexpensive way to change the look & feel of a room.

6. Accessorize: add pops of color to a room by adding a rugs, throws, pillows, or pictures.

Go here for an easy pillow cover tutorial!

7. Sofa/Chairs: An inexpensive way to change your sofa is to add a slip cover. You can also recover chairs to give them an updated look.

8. Mirrors: Make a small room look bigger by placing a mirror across from a window.

9. Remember to use odd numbers, different heights, textures & patterns when decorating a table or shelf!
10. Have Fun! Make it your own! Add your own touches.

Here are some fun blogs you can check out for additional ideas:

Today, Young House Love had a post about "Seven Cheap Ways To Crisp Up A Room"

http://www.decorchick.com/
http://houseofsmiths.blogspot.com/
http://granvillehouse.blogspot.com/
http://www.allthingsthrifty.com/
http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/
http://www.younghouselove.com/

Happy Decorating on a Dime!

Decorating on a Dime

Don't forget our Relief Society Activity tonight: "Decorating on a Dime", 7:00 @ the church. Sister Webb will be sharing her expertise with us on where to begin when decorating our homes, how to spruce up garage sale finds, and helping us know how to space plan. Hope to see you there.

Book Club Change

Book Club has changed to Tuesday, July 27. We will meet at Sister Murphy's House at 7:00 p.m. We will be reading Stolen Lives by, Malika Oufkir. Join us for a great discussion, friends and refreshments afterwards!

Sunday Happenings

Today Sister Ashby taught ch. 11 The Life of Christ. This would be a great lesson to use as a Family Home Evening. There is a lot of information included about the life of the Savior. Sister Ashby showed us part of the DVD put out by the church entitled "Finding Faith in Christ". This video can be checked out from the library or purchased at the Distribution Center. The lesson was ended with this quote from ch. 11:

"Jesus taught: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:13–14). He willingly and humbly went through the sorrow in Gethsemane and the suffering on the cross so we could receive all the blessings of the plan of salvation. To receive these blessings, we must come unto Him, repent of our sins, and love Him with all our hearts. He said:
“And this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.
“And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me … that they may be judged according to their works. …
“For the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do. …
“Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am” (3 Nephi 27:13–15, 21, 27; italics added)."

• What are your feelings as you ponder the Savior’s sacrifice for you?

FHE Ideas: (Sorry this is late...maybe you can do it next week!)

-Click here for a lesson about the Savior from LDS Living Magazine.
-Click here for a sharing time entitled "Savior and Redeemer" from the April 1999, Friend.
-Check out Prepared Not Scared each Mondy for FHE ideas