This past Sunday, we had a great lesson by Mary Harris on the talk “Children” by Neil L. Andersen from the October 2011 General Conference. Here are some highlights from the lesson and our class discussion:
Resources
My favorite dinner is: breakfast for dinner! (waffles are my favorite)
My favorite dessert is: Ice Cream
My favorite flower is: Daffodil
My favorite hobby is: sewing
My favorite restaurant is: Thai Village
A game I like to play is: Nerts
The music I listen to most is: Michael Buble & James Taylor
My favorite thing to buy is: Shoes
A book I highly recommend is: The Help
A movie I watch over and over is: You've got Mail
A smell that makes me pause is: Pumpkin spice cookies
The city I would most like to visit is: Nagoya Japan
My favorite thing to do on a date is: snuggle and watch a movie (with popcorn of course!)
The best vacation I ever had was: Hawaii for my honeymoon
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? The adorable girl from Tangled (what's her name?) because she gets so much done in her day and is such a talented artist (as we learn from the song she sings in the beginning of the movie). Not to mention she has a great voice!
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? I'd learn to paint works of art
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? Cleaning the shower or bathtub
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? I start some type of craft!
What do you think is your very best feature or characteristic? I love children and so I think they usually like me
What is the "thing" you are most grateful for? The dishwasher (especially since we don't have one ;)
What is your dream vacation? A trip to Africa, working in an orphanage and then going on a Safari
What's the coolest thing you've ever done? Went skydiving
How did you meet your husband? We went on a blind date and then went out on our second date 3 and a half years later!!
How did he propose? He took me to dinner at Chef's Table in Provo and then planned a surprise party with all of our family members afterward
The best thing about being married is: living all of life together and having someone to share all the happy and sad moments with
What do you and your husband like to do together? Mountain Biking, eating at yummy restaurants, snuggling during a movie, watching British TV series, cooking, boating
What would be your perfect day? spending the day out on the lake with my family, then eating a delicious Thai meal and ending it with watching a great movie in the backyard
What was the best advice you got/would give on marriage? Don't take offense and always put the other person first.
What story does your family always tell about you? My family went camping for a big family reunion when I was about 16. We got to our campsite and started setting up our tents. As a joke my older brother held up a hammer as if he were going to throw it to my other brother. Me, being my dramatic self, yelled out "NEVER throw a hammer... EVER!!!!!!" They laughed and laughed about it and whenever I'm a little dramatic now, that story is always brought up and quoted. And of course it's made more and more dramatic every time it's told.
My name is: Carissa Ostrom
My favorite dinner is: oven baked Mac and cheese
My favorite dessert is: Ben and Jerry's ice cream
My favorite flower is: pink roses
My favorite hobby is: martial arts
My favorite restaurant is: Red Robbin
A game I like to play is: Halo with my husband
The music I listen to most is: Pop/Hip Hop
My favorite thing to buy is: clothes
A book I highly recommend is: Ender’s Game
A movie I watch over and over is: Tangled
A smell that makes me pause is: nature
The city I would most like to visit is: New York City
My favorite thing to do on a date is: something active
The best vacation I ever had was: Bahamas with my hubby
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Sew
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? Dishes
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? If I had any I would probably relax.
What do you think is your very best feature or characteristic? Love doing service
What is the "thing" you are most grateful for? Our wonderful car.
What is your dream vacation? Going to Europe
What's the coolest thing you've ever done? I sparred someone from Spain and one first place at an international karate tournament.
How did you meet your husband? How did he propose? Met in high school. Proposed by giving me new scriptures that said Carissa Ostrom with the ring attached. Most unique proposal ever.
The best thing about being married is: Spending time with my best friend doing things that we love.
What do you and your husband like to do together? Play video games lol
What would be your perfect day? Not having to go to work or deal with school things and just relaxing at home with no worries to worry about.
What was the best advice you got/would give on marriage? Make sure you have open communication. We have personal relationship inventory every Sunday so we can talk about the good things we do and what we need to work on.
What story does your family always tell about you? How I would get "married" to every boy I made friends with when I was younger. We would always dress up and put on fake weddings in the front yard.
Today in Relief Society we had a wonderful lesson by Bonnie Cox from the manual, Chapter 22: Bringing Up Children in Light and Truth. Here are some highlights from the message she prepared and our discussion:
My name is: Morgan Mickle
My favorite dinner is: Steak and potatoes and a big salad with fresh veggies!
My favorite dessert is: Chocolate Chip Cookies or Ice Cream from the Creamery or Bonnie Brae in Denver!
My favorite flower is: Rose or peonies
My favorite hobby is: Reading!
My favorite restaurant is: Hmm, that is hard probably Ted Montana's Grill or Chipotle!
A game I like to play is: Clue or any card game. I am not a big game person, but Ryan has helped me like them more because he loves games!
The music I listen to most is: Classical or whatever new music my sister or Ryan give me.
My favorite thing to buy is: Food and books.
A book I highly recommend is: Heaven is Here-It is really inspirational!
A movie I watch over and over is: Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, & Pride and Prejudice.
A smell that makes me pause is: Rain or freshly baked bread.
The city I would most like to visit is: Paris!
My favorite thing to do on a date is: Go out to eat or watch a movie!
The best vacation I ever had was: Going to Norway with my family or on my honey moon to St. Thomas!
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? Hermione! I know everyone says it, but that would be so amazing! I used to dream of going to Hogwarts!
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? To speak Italian or to be more artistic.
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? Cleaning the bathroom!! Thankfully Ryan does it for me!
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? Read or call my family.
What do you think is your very best feature or characteristic? I get along with a lot of people.
What is the "thing" you are most grateful for? My family!
What is your dream vacation? I would love to go to Paris with my husband and see all of the beautiful architecture and art and eat all of the amazing food.
What's the coolest thing you've ever done? I studied abroad in Florence and lived with such a nice Italian family that cooked me a gourmet Italian dinner every night!
How did you meet your husband? How did he propose? We officially met in high school at cross country practice. He proposed by leaving a rose and a riddle at my apartment. The riddle led me to one of our favorite spots in high school that overlooks Denver and the foothills. He made me a CD with our favorite songs on it to listen to as I drove there. There were roses with pictures and memories from our past all the way up the hill that led me to him. He handed me the last rose and proposed. It was pretty romantic!
The best thing about being married is: Having your best friend with you! I love being married!
What do you and your husband like to do together? We like to go on walks and go to dinner and watch movies together.
What would be your perfect day? To wake up and cook breakfast and then go on a bike ride to lunch. Eat a great lunch at a good restaurant and then to either go on a drive through the mountains or read at the pool or the lake. Then to go to dinner and a movie with my husband! That would be a great day!
What was the best advice you got/would give on marriage? To always say sorry and I love you and to laugh!
What story does your family always tell about you? They tell Lauren(my twin sister) and I about the funny things we used to do together as kids.
We had a wonderful Sister’s Conference! Our theme was based on the talk “Mothers Who Know” by Julie B. Beck but we applied it to us as our role as women. Thanks to all who participated and shared their knowledge and testimonies!
Finance – Kristi G
Temple – McKenna R
Do Less – Morgan H
Scriptures – Jessica R
Not Judging – Allison W
Time Management – Meggie H
Prayer – Cami R
Pinata Making – Yessenia O
Laugh – Ellen L
Things you will need
punch balloons or regular balloons
scissors
tissue paper
masking tape
newspaper
flour
water
a pot (to boil the water)
candies
Instructions
Depending on the size you wish to make your piñata, the amount of water and flour you use will vary. I used 3 cups of water and 1 ½ cups of flour for my 9 inch and about 22 cm balloon. The mixture turns into a paste that will help adhere the newspaper to the balloon.
1. Boil water and flour. Make sure to stir constantly with a whisk to avoid flour lumps.
2. Blow up your balloon to the desired size.
3. Lay your newspaper on a flat surface and apply your cooled paste with a spatula to the entire surface of the newspaper.
4. Apply the newspaper to your balloon making sure there are no air bubbles.
5. After applying the amount of layers you want, let it dry over night. If you want your piñata to be strong, the more layers you apply the better. This also means it will take longer to dry and you might want to apply more layers after your first layers have dried. Make sure you allow enough time for drying. You might want to start your piñata many days before the event.
6.You will need many pieces of tissue paper. Fold your tissue paper in an accordion style and cut both sides where it folds. Then start cutting fringes on one side.
7. Wrap masking tape around your piñata from the top all the way around the bottom until you meet at the top again. Then do it again one more time but this time on the side that does not have tape. (if you are looking down at the piñata from the top, it should look like an X) With the excess tape on the top make a loop, this is where you will hang it from.
8. Apply some of the same paste you made earlier to the bottom of your piñata.
9. Starting from the bottom and moving up, apply the fringes.
10. Cut a slit at the top of your piñata (under the fringes) big enough that candy will be able to fit through. The fringes will cover the whole.
This is just an example of the basic steps to making a piñata. If you want to add more dimension like cones or putting together a cartoon character, you need to apply the extra parts to your piñata before step 8. Cones, arms, legs, etc. can me made out of poster board or even cereal box carton. Use different size balloons to make a torso and a head. Look at other piñatas to get ideas, the possibilities are endless!
My name is: Kristi G
My favorite dinner is: Ham and Funeral Potatoes
My favorite dessert is: French Silk Pie
My favorite flower is: Stargazer Lily
My favorite hobby is: Painting
My favorite restaurant is: El Pinto in New Mexico
A game I like to play is: Uno
The music I listen to most is: John Mayer
My favorite thing to buy is: Shoes!
A book I highly recommend is: The Help
A movie I watch over and over is: She's The Man
A smell that makes me pause is: Chocolate Chip Cookies :)
The city I would most like to visit is: Boston
My favorite thing to do on a date is: Go to a baseball game
The best vacation I ever had was: Visiting St. George with my roommates and going swimming, playing games, and watching chick flicks in the best weather I've ever seen in Utah in March. It's become an annual trip because it was so fun!
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? Hermione
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? I would learn to be en pointe in ballet!
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? Dusting
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? Calling my mom and chatting
What do you think is your very best feature or characteristic? I'm really good at keeping in touch with friends. I still talk to people I knew from middle school when I lived in Illinois that I haven't seen since I was 14!
What is the "thing" you are most grateful for? My home.
What is your dream vacation? Driving cross-country and watching as many baseball games in historic parks as possible and going to the Baseball Hall of Fame
What's the coolest thing you've ever done? I recorded with my high school band in a Disney recording studio on Disneyland's backlot.
How did you meet your husband? How did he propose? My husband moved into my ward at Riviera Apartments when he got home from his mission. The first time we met was in the parking lot on the way to church one Sunday morning. He proposed a week shy of our one-year anniversary of dating. I was not expecting it, but thought we were celebrating my graduation from BYU. He brought me flowers and took me to dinner after finals were over. Then we watched Tangled, which was our first date. On our first date he tried to hold my hand, and at the same part in the movie, he asked for my hand in marriage. It was adorable, and I said yes. :)
The best thing about being married is: Having your best friend around all the time, forever.
What do you and your husband like to do together? We like to go to sports games and hang out with our families.
What would be your perfect day? Wake up and eat a massive breakfast burrito, spend the day with my husband and family, and end it all with a movie and some ice cream.
What was the best advice you got/would give on marriage? Pray together.
What story does your family always tell about you? When I was really little my dad had been in a bishopric for a few years. At Christmas, I wrote to Santa that I just wanted my dad to sit next to me at church. He showed it to the stake president and was released very soon after.
My name is: Megan S
My favorite dinner is: Gyro
My favorite dessert is: Pumpkin anything!
My favorite flower is: Shasta daisies
My favorite hobby is: Singing
My favorite restaurant is: Unknown
A game I like to play is: Uno
The music I listen to most is: Regina Spector, Train, or Sara Barellies
My favorite thing to buy is: Sheet Music
A book I highly recommend is: The Help-Kathryn Sockett
A movie I watch over and over is: Pride and Prujudice
A smell that makes me pause is: Chlorine-like the swimming pool
The city I would most like to visit is: Sydney Australia
My favorite thing to do on a date is: Carve Watermelons or Dancing
The best vacation I ever had was: Southern California
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? Cinderella
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Play the Violin
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? Dusting
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? Singing and cleaning, if my husband isn't home
What do you think is your very best feature or characteristic? My compassion
What is the "thing" you are most grateful for? Water heaters
What is your dream vacation? Australia
What's the coolest thing you've ever done? Represented Castle Valley in the Miss Utah Outstanding Teen Pageant
How did you meet your husband? We met on a temple trip
How did he propose? He invited me to a Grand Ball held in my honor. At the ball we had a nice dinner, then he took me to dance to our song, and sang it to me. After the song finished, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.
The best thing about being married is: Always having your best friend there
What do you and your husband like to do together? Dance, sing, have tickle fights, cook, just about anything
What would be your perfect day? I would get up early and go swimming for about 3000 yrds, when I got home Justin and I would have tickle fights, and carve watermelons, and make desserts and sing and dance, then when the day was ending, we'd watch the sun set then go star gazing!
What was the best advice you got/would give on marriage? Don't hold back on anything
My name is: Natalie V
My favorite dinner is: Mexican or Italian Food
My favorite dessert is: Cazookie (half-cooked cookie) with ice cream
My favorite flower is: I love any type of flower
My favorite hobby is: Running, soccer, anything outdoors. I also like crafts.
My favorite restaurant is: Olive Garden
A game I like to play is: Uno or Apples to Apples
The music I listen to most is: I listen to anything
My favorite thing to buy is: Home décor or clothes
A book I highly recommend is: The Hunger Games series
A movie I watch over and over is: The Proposal
A smell that makes me pause is: Chocolate chip cookies in the oven
The city I would most like to visit is: Rome
My favorite thing to do on a date is: Hold hands, snuggle, and eat
The best vacation I ever had was: My honeymoon. We went on a cruise to Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We went snorkeling, kayaking, horse bike riding, and zip lining.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? Any Disney princess
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? How to draw or paint
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? Cleaning the toilet
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? Sleeping, eating, or cleaning
What do you think is your very best feature or characteristic? I’m pretty easy going. I can get along with just about anybody.
What is the "thing" you are most grateful for? My husband/family
What is your dream vacation? A trip to Europe with my husband
What's the coolest thing you've ever done? Go to Spain
How did you meet your husband? How did he propose? I first met Coleman at a ward FHE in September 2010. Shortly after, we were set up on a group date with my roommates and his roommates. To my surprise he asked me out a couple days later and we dated ever since.
Coleman proposed in February 2012 by putting together a fun, little scavenger hunt. He typed out the story of our relationship ever since we started dating in the form of a fairy tale and placed them, along with pictures and other little gifts, at each clue. He had my friend take me out to a gymnastics meet and when I arrived home I found the first clue on my door. I found the next clue in my room, then the next in my brother's apartment, then the next in my car, and I finally wound up at Coleman's apartment where a clue was hidden in his piano. The last clue directed me to my own apartment and instructed me to take Coleman with me. When I opened the door I found tons of candles lighting the apartment and making a path to the kitchen table. At the table I found a snow globe he made (with me and him and a ring inside), flowers, and the last part of the fairy tale story. After I read the words "And then they lived happily ever after..." I turned around to find Coleman on his knee.
The best thing about being married is: Always being with your best friend.
What do you and your husband like to do together? Cook, play games, run, play soccer, watch movies, go on dates, pretty much everything
What would be your perfect day? Sleeping in, having a picnic in the mountains on a beautiful sunny day, relaxing and spending the day with Coleman, and watching the sunset on the beach
What was the best advice you got/would give on marriage? “Always speak loving to and about your spouse and be the first to say ‘I’m sorry’”
What story does your family always tell about you? Embarrassing stories when I was little
My name is: Brittany C
My favorite dinner is: a cheeseburger with bbq sauce
My favorite dessert is: freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies... or even just the dough :)
My favorite flower is: roses
My favorite hobby is: reading and singing
My favorite restaurant is: Noodles and Company
A game I like to play is: a computer game called Civilization
The music I listen to most is: alternative, with some pop and jazz thrown in
My favorite thing to buy is: clothing!
A book I highly recommend is: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell... kind of a mix between Jane Austen and The Night Circus
A movie I watch over and over is: Pirates of the Caribbean... just the first one
A smell that makes me pause is: laundry detergent! I don't know why but I love it.
The city I would most like to visit is: Buenos Aires... my husband served his mission in Argentina and we really want to go there someday
My favorite thing to do on a date is: go out to dinner and watch a movie at home
The best vacation I ever had was: going to Europe (France and Italy) for two weeks with my best friend growing up
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? Hermione Granger... kind of a common answer I'm sure, but she's smart and capable and kicks butt!
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Play the piano. I want to learn SO badly!
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? The dishes! Ugh, I hate them so much! I wish we had a dishwasher!
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? Read a book from the library or try to sew something... I'm just learning how :)
What do you think is your very best feature or characteristic? I have a good sense of humor and love to laugh and make others laugh
What is the "thing" you are most grateful for? I don't know if my husband qualifies as a "thing" but I am very grateful for him and for all of my family, and how supportive they are.
What is your dream vacation? Going back to Europe... I would love to sightsee for several weeks. I love history so I'd hit up all the museums and historic sites!
What's the coolest thing you've ever done? Graduating college! I love learning and have missed being a college student ever since I finished.
How did you meet your husband? How did he propose? We met at Monticello Apartments south of campus in 2009 on the intramural soccer team. I was the pursuer for the first few interactions we had :) Then we went on several dates, had a 5 minute DTR, and got engaged 9 months later. He proposed at the park where we had our very first date (Rock Canyon up north of the Temple). It was freezing cold because it was January, but I was so excited I could barely walk back to the car on the thick sheet of ice that was covering the ground!
The best thing about being married is: always having your best friend around, and not having to leave the apartment at midnight anymore!
What do you and your husband like to do together? We like to play games, go on walks, and when we have a little spending cash we like to go out to dinner.
What would be your perfect day? French toast for breakfast, going out on a marathon date with my husband to somewhere fun, going out to dinner and then hanging out at home in the evening. I switch between wanting to go out and do things and being a homebody.
What was the best advice you got/would give on marriage? To never even consider divorce and to remain completely committed to my covenants. I think that is the most powerful advice I've been given. I also come from a family where there's been a lot of divorce so having an eternal marriage is very important to me.
What story does your family always tell about you? One time at the San Diego Zoo, my sister, mom and dad and I were looking at the rhino exhibit, when all of a sudden the rhino turned around and lifted its tail to spray us! I bolted out of there and left my poor 3-year-old sister standing in front of the cage, and apparently my parents did the same thing so no one grabbed Courtney. Thankfully, the rhino decided not to spray her :) we laugh about that a lot and Courtney is always saying "thanks a lot" to me for ditching her to get sprayed by a rhino!
My name is: Yessenia O
My favorite dinner is: I love to cook, so anything really
My favorite dessert is: flan or frozen yogurt
My favorite flower is: cherry blossoms and Stargazer lily
My favorite hobby is: drawing, painting, and anything art related
My favorite restaurant is: Shoga Japanese sushi bar
A game I like to play is: fruits basket
The music I listen to most is: depends on my mood but I like to listen to all kinds of music
My favorite thing to buy is: art supplies and home decor stuff
A book I highly recommend is: The Host
A movie I watch over and over is: all Pixar movies
A smell that makes me pause is: anything baking in the oven
The city I would most like to visit is: all of Italy
My favorite thing to do on a date is: have a picnic
The best vacation I ever had was: my honeymoon to San Diego
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? Tohru Honda
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? learn to play the Violin
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? dishes
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? Pinterest, reading, or drawing.
What do you think is your very best feature or characteristic? Well... I've been told my eyes and lips.
What is the "thing" you are most grateful for? The gospel and my family
What is your dream vacation? going to Guanajuato, Mexico with my husband so I can learn more about his roots
What's the coolest thing you've ever done? Winning the Best In Show ribbon at my college graduation for presenting the best portfolio and display
How did you meet your husband? How did he propose? We met in our family ward in Las Vegas. We were friends but got closer when he left to study at BYU for a semester. He started visiting me once a week on the weekends and we decided to start a relationship. Our first kiss was at the Las Vegas Temple one night when we went on a date and sat outside in the temple's garden.
The best thing about being married is: Having a best friend and being able to trust him completely.
What do you and your husband like to do together? Sleep, eat, go for walks, and talk.
What would be your perfect day? Spending my entire day with my family and going out to eat at different restaurants.
What was the best advice you got/would give on marriage? Having patience is so important. Also, being clear about what you want and letting your husband know, they don't really get hints.
What story does your family always tell about you? Probably that I can have a nasty temper. It really takes a lot to make me angry, I guess that is why most people have a hard time believing that. I think the only people who have seen me really upset/frustrated is my family.
I’m catching up on our lesson summaries so here is one from a couple weeks ago.
Julia taught a great lesson on Elder Ballard’s talk That the Lost May Be Found. (I have to tell you how much I love our RS lessons. The teachers are always the best and everyone has really great comments!)
Here are some of my notes from the lesson:
Benefits of marriage (as opposed to living together):
Benefits of having children in marriage:
Families working and playing
Put things in the perspective of the home. Outside activities should increase the strength of the home not pull it apart.
President Monson has said of Family Home Evening, "We cannot afford to neglect this heaven-inspired program...the lessons learned in the home are those that last the longest."
Collette shared these awesome ideas at out FHE Idea Night. (All of these require little or no preparation!)
FHE By Jen B (and her mom. Ok, mostly her mom)
(Jen is the top left.)
Opening Song: “Keep the Commandments” Children’s Song book page 146
Scripture: Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole amour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Lesson:
Talk about things that protect us physically today. Seatbelts, football helmets, bike helmets, shin guards, etc. Then, talk about things that people wore to protect them in battle a long time ago. This could be armor for knights, armor from WWI, armor for Indians, etc.
Ask your family what battle we are fighting today. What has the Lord given us to protect us today?
Take turns reading D&C 27: 15-18. While you’re reading, write down the things we can do to protect ourselves from Satan and the pieces of armor the Lord describes.
Discuss each piece of armor with the help of the following explanations:
(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter- day Saint Families: The Doctrine and Covenants, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004], p. 55-6.)
Story from Elder L. Tom Perry:
One day I was made an attractive offer by a group of marines, buddies of mine, as we were about to go on liberty. It wasn't until after we were on our way that I discovered this was not the best company to be in. It was then that I found out the reason they had invited me. It was because they knew of my standards. They knew that I would be sober when it was time to return to the base, and I could guide them back.
We found ourselves in Los Angeles on a streetcar headed toward a dance hall. They had already started to drink a little, and I was ready to part their company. It was here that that protective shield took over and I knew of the prayers of my parents for my welfare. The streetcar stopped and allowed new passengers to come aboard. The new passengers separated me from my buddies and pushed me to the back of the car. It was there that I discovered a nice group of young people standing and seated. Immediately upon finding me in their company, one spoke up and said, "Hi, Marine! We're Mormons. What do you know about our Church?"
I answered, "Plenty," and got off the streetcar with them and went to a ward social.
You see, the shield of faith was there. It was protecting me from the fiery darts of the wicked in order that in a proper time in my life I would be worthy to take an angle into the temple of the Lord and there at its altar be sealed together for time and all eternity.
I know be personal experience the value of having noble parents to build around their children a protective shield of faith of our Lord and our Savior Jesus Christ. I give you my witness that it works. Should not every child of God be given that opportunity in their lives--to start each day having their fathers blessing their home and giving them that protective shield of faith as they depart from the home to go about their every activity.
(L. Tom Perry, "Build Your Shield of Faith," Ensign, May 1974, 98)
Activity:
Create “Shields of Faith” with your children. You can cut the shape out of cardboard boxes. Cereal boxes work great. (they don’t need to be huge!)
Cover the shields with aluminum foil to make them look like real armor. Then, you can use markers or pens to write on them! (Permanent markers work best, but you should be able to use other markers; just be careful with your little ones!) Have them include things like their favorite scripture, things they are going to do to keep the faith, or pictures of the Temple/Church/etc.
Make sure you take a picture!!
***If it’s just you and your husband: make sure you have the discussion together, and then talk about experiences you had when you felt grateful for the Armor of God (like Elder Perry’s)
Last week our lesson was on Chapter 10: The Scriptures, The Most Valuable Library in the World. We had a great discussion on the scriptures and how to make them a better part of our lives. Here are some of the wonderful ideas that were shared:
Scripture Videos –Help children learn the stories. You can buy scripture DVD, find them at the library or even short videos produced by the church. Click the link to find Book of Mormon Stories and New Testament Stories.
Memorize Scriptures – Pick a scripture a month to memorize.
Include children in scripture study – Use signals for phrases that young children can remember (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/in-tune-with-the-music-of-faith?lang=eng)
Focus on smaller sections of scriptures - Don’t feel like you need to read an entire chapter
Decorate your home with scriptures - For example: http://media-cache5.pinterest.com/upload/33073378483070883_4Krwom5e.jpg
Read scriptures with visitors to your home
Act out the scriptures – Make it fun!
Ask questions for each member of the family – Help them to apply the scriptures and understand the principles.
My name is: Lauren B
My favorite dinner is: Southwest Chicken Chili or Pizza
My favorite dessert is: Cookie dough when I'm not prego, but right now chocolate cupcakes
My favorite flower is: Orange Roses
My favorite hobby is: Reading and Music
My favorite restaurant is: Gecko Grill in AZ
A game I like to play is: Uno, only for the thrill of giving my husband a chance at winning
The music I listen to most is: Jimmy Eat World or Coldplay
My favorite thing to buy is: Probably food because I'm very hungry right now
A book I highly recommend is: The Percy Jackson series is a fun read
A movie I watch over and over is: The Young Victoria
A smell that makes me pause is: Baking bread
The city I would most like to visit is: Paris, France
My favorite thing to do on a date is: Frisbee Golf
The best vacation I ever had was: A road trip to California with my best girlfriend. Only because it happened on 6-6-06 and our big white Astro Van with the license plate "Girls" broke down in the middle of the LA freeway. Long story short, we survived and got to ride some roller coasters at Magic Mountain.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? Giselle, so I can make all my clothes out of curtains and have talking animals clean my house
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Quilting or competitive eating
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? Planning "what's for dinner."
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? Sleep, zzzzz...
What do you think is your very best feature or characteristic? My hair is really soft?
What is the "thing" you are most grateful for? The bad times, to make the goods ones really worth it
What is your dream vacation? Anywhere with a beach.
What's the coolest thing you've ever done? Win a bowling championship with the only all girls team. Well, 2nd place at least.
How did you meet your husband? How did he propose? Break. The. Fast. He tried to get me to hike Timp at night to see the sunrise. Romantic, right? Well, I very much dislike hiking, but we ended up on the wrong trail anyways, so I was saved.
The best thing about being married is: Having someone I'm not afraid to be my true self with and vice versa
What do you and your husband like to do together? Play games, frisbee, and bike riding
What would be your perfect day? A summer day in the sun, swimming and eating otter pops
What was the best advice you got/would give on marriage? Be willing to change and forgive
What story does your family always tell about you? When I split my head open as a little girl, I told my grandma on the way to the ER, "I don't want to die!"
My name is: Morgan H
My favorite dinner is: Sushi or Thai Food
My favorite dessert is: Guava Chiffon Cake
My favorite flower is: Peonies
My favorite hobby is: Finding new recipes and trying them out
My favorite restaurant is: The Cheesecake Factory!
A game I like to play is: Apples to Apples
The music I listen to most is: Doesn’t matter the genre, as long as the song is good (and clean). Currently listening to “Jerusalem” by Matisyahu.
My favorite thing to buy is: Dresses from Anthropologie
A book I highly recommend is: Fire of the Covenant by Gerald N Lund
A movie I watch over and over is: Pride and Prejudice :)
A smell that makes me pause is: Coconut Lime
The city I would most like to visit is: Paris
My favorite thing to do on a date is: Go to dinner and a movie
The best vacation I ever had was: My husband is from Canada, so we went to Waterton National Park (the Canadian counterpart of Glacier National Park) for our honeymoon and it was amazing! Lots of hiking and boating and fun!
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? The Little Mermaid, I love the ocean.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? I want to learn how to quilt really bad!
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? Cleaning toilets.
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? Read a book, or waste time on Pinterest.
What do you think is your very best feature or characteristic? I like meeting new people, I’m a little shy at first, but I love meeting new friends.
What is the "thing" you are most grateful for? The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
What is your dream vacation? Israel
What's the coolest thing you've ever done? I went shark diving with friends on my 20th birthday! They put you in a cage and lower it into the water with the sharks. It was awesome!
How did you meet your husband? How did he propose? Taylor and I met while we were both serving missions in the Ohio Cleveland Mission. I served in the Visitor’s Center in Kirtland (and surrounding areas) and he served on the other side of the mission. I met him a few times and thought he was a really nice person. When we got home he contacted me and I came up to Utah to visit him. A week later we pretty much knew we were going to get married. We dated long-distance for two months until I flew back to Utah to visit again. He took me to La Caille for dinner and then to Temple Square and proposed at the Christus :)
The best thing about being married is: Having an eternal “companion”! Haha. Seriously, the best thing is having your best friend and companion always with you to walk with you through eternity!
What do you and your husband like to do together? We like to try new foods, have friends over to visit, play board games, run together and spend time outside.
What would be your perfect day? A BBQ at the beach with nothing else to do.
What was the best advice you got/would give on marriage? Our family motto is “Loyal to God and to each other”, I feel like if we follow that we will be able to get through anything.
What story does your family always tell about you? My parents love to tell people about the first words I spoke…Fifty dollars and Cheeseburger
My name is: Kelsey Ann C
My favorite dinner is: Homemade pizza
My favorite dessert is: Cheesecake
My favorite flower is: Carnations
My favorite hobby is: Playing tennis or reading a good book
My favorite restaurant is: Wingers
A game I like to play is: Boggle - it's the only game where I'm guaranteed to beat AJ.
The music I listen to most is: I've been on a Fun./The Format kick lately.
My favorite thing to buy is: Clothes for AJ...I can almost double his wardrobe with every purchase.
A book I highly recommend is: The Book Thief
A movie I watch over and over is: How To Lose a Guy in Ten Days
A smell that makes me pause is: BBQ
The city I would most like to visit is: Bangkok, Thailand
My favorite thing to do on a date is: Anything that requires tennis shoes.
The best vacation I ever had was: I lived in Germany for 5 years growing up and we traveled super often. I consider that period of my life an awesome, giant vacation.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? I think I read this on several others but I would choose to be Katniss Everdeen too.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Become fluent in ASL.
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? Vacuuming.
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? Read, close my eyes, or listen to a podcast while doing the dishes.
What is the "thing" you are most grateful for? My husband, AJ, and that the Gospel is as important to him as it is to me.
What is your dream vacation? Someday me and AJ want to ride the Trans-Siberian Railroad from Moscow to Hong Kong just to say we did it. I'd also take two weeks in Bali.
What's the coolest thing you've ever done? Got myself married to AJ.
How did you meet your husband? How did he propose?
AJ and I met on a BYU intramural water polo team beginning of last winter semester. His friend knew my roommate and invited her and any other girls she knew to join the team. I liked AJ right away but despite all my obvious hints, his roommate was the one that asked me out. They must have had a strong "bro-code" because it took AJ months after that to ask me out.
He proposed in Midway after recreating our first date. He played my favorite song (All About Us by He is We) while we danced and then got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I'll love him forever.
The best thing about being married is: Just being with my best friend all the time.
What do you and your husband like to do together? Play racquetball, hike, read, compete, and hold hands.
What would be your perfect day? It would be a warm and sunny day. I'd wake up to no alarm and be able to run around and play with AJ all day. We'd play frisbee, read in the park, go on a hike, laugh, grill some hamburgers. We'd come home exhausted and slightly sunburnt.
What was the best advice you got/would give on marriage? Go to the temple together as often as possible.
What story does your family always tell about you? I think my mom has told AJ ten times how when I was younger I used to say, "I want to be a server or a doctor." Both admirable goals.
White Chicken Chili
Ellen L
Ingredients
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into 1/2 in. cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
1-1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
2 cans small white beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14 oz.) chicken broth
2 cans (4 oz.) chopped green chilies
1 tsp. each: salt, ground cumin, and dried oregano
1/2 tsp. pepper
Big pinch of cayenne pepper
1 c. sour cream
1/2 c. whipping cream
In a large pan, saute chicken, onion and garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilies and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream and whipping cream. Serve immediately.
Cream of Broccoli Soup
Arlen A
2 pkg ( 10 oz each ) Frozen chopped broccoli or fresh
2 cans (10 1/2 oz) chicken broth
2T flour mixed with 2 T butter ( to thicken)
2 C half and half
Cook broccoli as pkg directs. Add chicken broth and simmer. Put in the blender and blend until small chunks. ( Add butter and flour which has been blended and heated with part of the cream to thicken.)
Put all together with the rest of the 1/2 and the 1/2. Salt and pepper to taste.
Mary H
Ingredients:
1 ½ C thinly sliced mushrooms (I omitted)
1 pkg. fresh spinach, cleaned and broken
1/2 lb. grated Swiss cheese
1/2 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup (8 oz) cottage cheese (I omitted)
Dressing
1/4 C. sugar
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
¼ cup + 2 Tbsp. vinegar
3/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. grated onion (not dry onion. Use actual onion and grate)
3/4 C. Canola oil
1 ½ tsp. poppy seeds
Dressing:
1. Combine all ingredients except oil and poppy seeds. Mix until sugar is dissolved.
2. Slowly whisk in oil and beat well.
3. Stir in poppy seeds. Cover and chill
Salad:
1. For this recipe, marinate mushrooms in dressing.
2. In a glass salad bowl, layer spinach, Swiss cheese, bacon, onion and cottage cheese.
3. Spoon dressing and mushrooms over the top, and serve.
My name is: Jessica R
My favorite dinner is: Lasagna, bread sticks, and salad
My favorite dessert is: Key Lime pie
My favorite flower is: Tulip
My favorite hobby is: Playing tennis with my husband =)
My favorite restaurant is: Olive Garden/Cafe Rio
A game I like to play is: Dominoes (Mexican Train or Chicken Foot)
The music I listen to most is: Country
My favorite thing to buy is: Surprises for my husband =)
A book I highly recommend is: God Wants a Powerful People (Sheri Dew)
A movie I watch over and over is: Tangled ha ha
A smell that makes me pause is: Pomegranate
The city I would most like to visit is: Barcelona, Spain
My favorite thing to do on a date is: Share funny stories; eat great food =)
The best vacation I ever had was: Church History Tour
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? No idea
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Play the Violin
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? I don't necessarily "hate" it, but my least favorite is cleaning the bathroom ha ha
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? I love to go out and do something fun with my husband
What do you think is your very best feature or characteristic? I have heard from others that I am easy to be around because I make people feel comfortable and important
What is the "thing" you are most grateful for? I am grateful for so much. The Lord has blessed my family and I so much.
What is your dream vacation? Going to Jerusalem to see where the Savior was......trip to Europe.
What's the coolest thing you've ever done? Writing and receiving uplifting letters to and from a missionary I didn't even know who eventually ended up being my husband =) The coolest thing I've ever done is lived my story of how my husband and I met.
How did you meet your husband? How did he propose? My husband's older brother Tyler came to be an intern out on the ranch I live on in central Florida. When his brother Randall (my husband) left for his mission, Tyler called and told me he felt like I should write his brother. Tyler gave me his address and also showed me a picture....ohhhhh I thought he was the cutest thing I'd ever seen. =) I wrote him a letter and from then on we ended up writing his entire mission. We never wrote anything romantic, we didn't know each other. We became good friends through letters sharing spiritual experiences. He would also share experiences of his mission, and I would let him know what was going on in my life. I fell in love with "Elder R" before I had actually met him. I looked forward to his letters every other month. After his mission we met each other for the first time April 22, 2011. That same day we decided to date...8 months later were married in the Orlando, FL temple December 17, 2011. I love him =)
The best thing about being married is: Getting to be with your best friend everyday and for eternity =)...ha ha and no longer having 5 other girls as college roommates...no more silly drama.
What do you and your husband like to do together? Team roping
What would be your perfect day? Waking up early, going out and catching the horses, roping and working the horses, warm weather, no homework, march madness, and orange juice ice cream floats while being with my husband all day. I love that man =)
What was the best advice you got/would give on marriage? Marriage takes work....but it is the best and happiest thing you'll ever do. Life begins when you get married...life is so much sweeter. Go to the temple every week, or at least as much as you can. Temple attendance greatly strengthens a marriage.
What story does your family always tell about you? How I randomly decided I wanted to play basketball my senior year in high school, and how through prayer and hard work, I managed to make the varsity basketball team my senior year at a 4A school.
Every year our Stake Relief Society puts on an AMAZING conference. I have been able to go for the past three years and I can tell you that they have the best speakers and topics. I have felt incredibly uplifted and determined to improve after attending each time.
If you want to be in the choir for conference there will be practices in the South Chapel at the following times: Sunday, February 12th 7-8 p.m., Sunday, February 19th 7-8 p.m. and Saturday, February 25th 8-9 a.m.
The main speaker will be Elder Baker, a member of the Quorum of the Seventy. There will be also five other classes offered and you can choose two to attend. More information on the classes and speakers are found below.
My name is: Christina M
My favorite dinner is: Shepherds pie
My favorite dessert is: Chocolate Banana bread & butter pudding, with caramel
My favorite flower is: White lily
My favorite hobby is: Lampwork
My favorite restaurant is: Olive Garden
A game I like to play is: Uno
The music I listen to most is: Colbie Caillat,Taylor Swift
My favorite thing to buy is: A new journal
A book I highly recommend is: Stephen R.Covey-The 8th Habit
A movie I watch over and over is: Home Alone
A smell that makes me pause is: Freshly baked cookies :)
The city I would most like to visit is: New York
The best vacation I ever had was: A month touring Europe, Greece & Italy are my favorite places.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? Hermione
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Fly a plane
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? The dishes
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? Have a bath, relax and sing, while pretending i am auditioning for American Idol.
What is your dream vacation? Trip to Rio De Janeiro, chill on a Private Island, water sports, scuba dive
How did you meet your husband? How did he propose?
After my husband had served a mission in Scotland, he went on a study abroad to Israel for 6 months.
On his way back to the US, he got BYU to get him a 1 month layover in London so that he could visit his old companions. I met him the second day he was there, and the rest of his time was spent with me. 8 months later, we had already talked about getting married and he planned to come back to the UK to propose to me. He called me one night a few weeks before he left, and he sounded like he was going to propose. I said to him, "Please don't propose to me down the phone." He did. Ah well…he came over to the UK a few weeks later and gave me an engagement ring.
The best thing about being married is: Having your best friend with you everyday of your life.
What do you and your husband like to do together? Skiing and watching movies.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Jessica Robinson
Dissolve 6 Tbsp chicken bullion base in 2 1/2 quarts of water in a soup pot. Add 3-10 oz. packages frozen mixed vegetables, 2-10 oz. cans diced chicken (or 1 1/2 lbs. precooked cut up chicken) and 6 oz. dry egg noodles. Bring to a boil, simmer 5-10 minutes. Makes 4 quarts finished soup. (I added a can of cream of chicken soup, as well, just to make it a little creamy.)
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Lindsay Hansen
In a Large Stock Pot:
1 large onion, chopped (use a sweet white onion like a Walla Walla)
1 clove garlic, minced
Saute the onion and garlic in 2 Tablespoons olive oil
Add:
6 Cups Chicken Broth (1-48oz. can)
2 10oz. cans Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles
½ Cup Cilantro, chopped (one handful)
2 Cups Frozen Super Sweet white Corn
2 - 15oz. can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
2 Cups cooked boneless skinless Chicken Breast or 2 cups of shredded Rotisserie Chicken
1 Bay Leaf (remove before serving)
1 Tablespoon Cumin
1 teaspoon Chili Powder
Juice of 1 Lime
Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish with shredded Monterey Jack Cheese, sliced Avocado, Sour Cream, a sprig of cilantro, and fried corn tortilla strips.
