4TH SUNDAY LESSONS

NOV 2012 THROUGH APRIL 2013

November 2012:  Becoming Goodly Parents by Elder L. Tom Perry

(combined)                   The First Great Commandment by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

December 2012:          Converted unto the Lord by Elder David A. Bednar

January 2013:    Of Regrets and Resolutions by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

February 2013:  First Observe, Then Serve by Linda K. Burton

March 2013:       Blessings of the Sacrament by Elder Don R. Clarke

April 2013:          Where Is the Pavilion? by President Henry B. Eyring

Week by Week Food Storage

September Week 4: Sweeteners, Honey, Corn Syrup, Molasses, maple syrup, agave, etc
For full year schedule click here.

Week by Week Food Storage

September Week 3: Dry beans, peas, rice, and legumes

For full year schedule click here.

Arvada Stake Relief Society Broadcast and Dinner

Arvada Stake

Relief Society

~ Broadcast~

& Dinner

(Sunday Dress)

Saturday Sept 29

Stake Center

Dinner: 4:30

Broadcast: 6:00pm

Theme: Celebrate

Sisterhood

Week by Week Food Storage

September Week 2: Canned tuna and salmon. Store mayo to make quick and healthy sandwiches or snacks.

For full year schedule click here.

Week by Week Food Storage

September Week 1: Sugars: Replenish your supply from canning, also powdered and brown sugar
For full year schedule click here.

Week by Week Food Storage

August Week 4: Can or freeze veggies or buy them canned or frozen

For full year schedule click here.

Week by Week Food Storage

August Week 3: Tomato week. Can them yourself or buy canned, whole stewed, sauce or juice, etc.

For full year schedule click here.

Sisters Stake Temple Day from Carol Stiefvater

Dear Sisters:  we are planning our Sisters Stake Temple Day for Friday, September 7, at the Quail Building.  We have asked Sister Sabrina Winder to be our specialist to coordinate the children’s activities.  

We would like to invite the sisters of the Arvada Stake to attend the 1000 or 1030 session (or any other session) that day; we will provide day care from 0900 to 1:30 pm at the Quail building.  If you have time, you could coordinate a little lunch or social date, as long as children are picked up.  As in the past, we are asking for one volunteer from each ward to help us with the day care aspect of this event.  We will “register” each child so that they get a name tag and we get contact and allergy information.   Each child needs to bring his own lunch.  We will not be able to take any day care children, nor pick up children from kindergarten or pre school.  Infants are welcome.  
Please encourage all of the sisters to attend and bring their friend, sister, mom, or daughter (or husbands).  Please encourage single sisters to attend the temple with you.  Sister Halgren will be sending out an invitation template.  Please be sure the YW and Primary are invited!
Our goal is to give sisters an opportunity to go to the temple to worship.
Thank you so much for all of the hard work you do!
Carol

PS  Kathy Tarullo knows of some one who needs day care in the far eastern part of the stake, if you know of a day care provider there who might be interested would you please have them contact her.
Please remember to mark your calendars for Sept. 29 (RS General Broadcast with dinner at the stake center) and Oct. 24 Leadership Meeting.

Week by Week Food Storage

August Week 2: Canned fruit, buy it already canned or can some yourself.

For full year schedule click here.

Week By Week Food Storage

Week 1 August: Week: 1 Baking powder baking soda, cornstarch etc.

For full year schedule click here.

Week by Week Food Storage

July Week 4: Canned milk, try non-fat varieties to cut back on your family's fat intake.

For full year schedule click here.

Take it or Leave It

Announcing the

 “Take It or Leave It”

Swap Meet

 a Relief Society Activity on

 Saturday, July 28^th from 10a-1p at the Quail Bldg.

Week by Week Food Storage

June Week 4: Paper towels, TP, aluminum foil, sandwich bags etc
For full year schedule click here.

Week by Week Food Storage

June Week 3: Cheese. Buy in 5,10,15 pound blocks and cut into smaller blocks and freeze.

For full year schedule click here.

Week by Week Food Storage

June Week 2: Safety week, replace flashlight batteries, check smoke detectors, practice your fire
escape routes

Link to full year schedule here.

Week by Week Food Storage

June Week 1: White sale month; buy those much needed sheets or towels.

RS Presidency Message for June

Dear Sisters,

As Summer approaches and we get to enjoy the outdoors, we hope you will have fun and be
happy.

The following thoughts for June are from President Eyring’s General Conference talk ‘Mountains
to Climb.’

“You and I have faith that the way to rise through and above trials is to believe that there is
a “balm in Gilead” and that the Lord has promised, “I will not…forsake thee.” That is what President
Thomas S. Monson has taught us to help us and those we serve in what seem lonely and overwhelming
trials. But President Monson has also wisely taught that a foundation of faith in the reality of those
promises takes time to build” (pg.23). Helaman 5:12 comes to mind.

Also, “Our choosing the right consistently whenever the choice is placed before us creates the
solid ground under our faith” (pg.24) We are grateful for that same message that was presented in Stake
Conference. It is important to choose the right. Our choices will make an impact. President Jones asks
us to ponder, “Would you sell your soul for a nickel?” This is a question he uses with his own children
and has been effective!

President Eyring continues, “…I wish to encourage those who are in the midst of hard trials,
who feel their faith may be fading under the onslaught of troubles. Trouble itself can be your way to
strengthen and finally gain unshakable faith. That particle of faith most precious and which you should
protect and use to whatever extent you can is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.” The prophet “Moroni
taught the power of that faith this way: “And neither at any time hath any wrought miracles until after
their faith; wherefore they first believed in the Son of God.”

We hope all of you are well this summer and enjoying life. And we testify that these words on
faith are true.

Love, Sue, Amy, Lisa and Vickie

Week by Week Food Storage

May Week 4: Garden seeds: don't forget the radishes! They grow fast and are full of vitamins.

Click here for local locations for seeds.

YW Garage Sale

The Young Women of the Arvada 1st ward are having their girls camp fundraiser garage sale on Saturday, May 26th, 7am-2pm at the Alkire building. Please come support us by shopping our very  large selection of clothing, furniture, children's items, bedding, and more. There will also be a bake sale full of delicious homeade treats. Be sure to invite your neighbors and friends!

Week-by-Week Food Storage

May Week 2: Dry soups and crackers. Restore crispness by placing crackers in microwave (dehydrator and oven work as well.

Here is a link to a couple of recipes to make your own soup mix.

http://www.ellenskitchen.com/pantry/mixes1.html

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road

Too good not to try

How to Make Stuffed and Crusted French Toast
By Dennis Weaver

If you can make a sandwich, you can make stuffed and crusted French toast. In fact, a peanut butter and jam sandwich made into French toast is quite good.

Full-OrangeCrustedFrenchToastTo make stuffed French toast, you literally make a sandwich, dip it into your egg batter, and fry it on the griddle. It’s that simple. The magic is in the fillings. You can use a cream cheese filling and fresh fruit.

You can use jam. We usually use pastry fillings, often Bavarian cream, to make fillings like strawberries and cream.

You cook your stuffed French toast exactly as you do “regular” French toast except that you turn the heat down and cook it longer so that the heat drives through both slices of bread.

When making stuffed and crusted French toast, after dipping your sandwich in egg batter, you dredge it in chopped nuts or coconut. I’m sure there are other things you can dredge your French toast in.

In our cooking class, we dredge French toast in a candied toasted coconut topping. The sugar in the coconut melts creating a crunchy coating. By the way, in this same class we make pecan crusted French toast filled with either a cherry or raspberry filling paired with Bavarian cream or cream cheese filling. We simply squeeze some of the fruit filling with some of the cream filling on the bread before sandwiching the two bread slices together. (See all our pastry fillings.) You can make breakfast exciting.


Pecan Crusted French Toast with Cherry Cream Cheese Filling

Full-PecanCherryToast

You can make this stuffed and crusted French toast either withpremade pastry fillings from scratch using cream cheese and jam for your filling. The scratch recipe follows.

Ingredients
4 ounces cream cheese (regular or low fat)
2 tablespoons sour cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
about 2/3 cup cherry jam
bread slices
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1 to 1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans

Directions

Finely chop the pecans. We used a plunger-type nut chopper. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whip the cream cheese, sour cream, and extract. Fold in the jam. Spread the cherry and cream cheese mixture between two slices of bread sandwich-style.
Whisk the eggs and milk together. Dip the sandwiches in the egg mixture and then dredge the egg-coated sandwiches in the crushed pecans.
Cook the coated sandwiches on a medium griddle or in a frying pan first on one side and then the other. Serve immediately with the syrup of your choice. Our preference is cherry syrup.

Yield is about four double French toast sandwiches.

Dennis Weaver is the founder of The Prepared Pantry. He is the author of How to Bake, a 250 page book about the art and science of baking. You can download a free copy of How to Bake here.

Garden talk

How to Plant Your Garden
First, you Come to the garden alone,
while the dew is still on the roses.
FOR THE GARDEN OF YOUR DAILY LIVING ,
PLANT THREE ROWS OF PEAS :
1. Peace of mind
2. Peace of heart
3. Peace of soul
PLANT FOUR ROWS OF SQUASH:
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness
PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE:
1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another
NO GARDEN IS WITHOUT TURNIPS:
1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for service
3. Turnip to help one another
TO CONCLUDE OUR GARDEN YOU MUST HAVE THYME:
1. Thyme for God
2. Thyme for each other
3. Thyme for family
4. Thyme for friends
WATER FREELY WITH PATIENCE AND CULTIVATE WITH LOVE.
THERE IS MUCH FRUIT IN YOUR GARDEN BECAUSE YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.

NOT BAD, HUH?!

Have you ever tried making your own yogurt?

Homemade Yogurt

Epicurious | April 2012

by Megan O. Steintrager



yield: Makes about 4 cups
Store-bought yogurt may be convenient but it can't compare to the mild creaminess of homemade. The good news is that making yogurt is incredibly... more ›
subscribe to Bon Appétit
Ingredients

4 cups (1 quart) milk
3 tablespoons plain yogurt (purchased or homemade)* or powdered yogurt starter (amount specified on package)**
Flavorings such as jam, honey, dulce de leche, molasses, fresh or dried fruit, garlic, herbs, etc (optional)


Ingredient info:

*If using store-bought yogurt, choose a yogurt that tastes good to you. It's important to select an unsweetened version that contains live cultures, but the fat content doesn't matter.
**Powdered starters can be found at some grocery and health food stores and from online sources such as the New England Cheesemaking Supply Company. Read the package instructions to determine how much starter to use for a batch of yogurt—many come in small envelopes or packets perfectly sized to make a single batch.


Special equipment: Candy thermometer; yogurt maker or other incubator, such as a thermos; cheesecloth for straining (optional); Mason jars or other container for storage

print a shopping list for this recipe
Preparation

Start by cleaning and sterilizing all your equipment and tools as well as your work surface. Most utensils and storage containers can be sanitized in the dishwasher (some machines have a sanitize setting). Alternatively, sterilize everything in boiling water.

Prepare an ice bath, filling a large bowl or sink with ice.

Attach a candy thermometer to a heavy, large pot and add the milk. Place the pot over moderate heat and heat the milk until it reaches at least 180°F or boils, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin from forming and making sure the milk doesn't scald or boil over. Alternatively, place the milk in a large microwave-safe bowl or a large glass measuring cup with a spout (for easy pouring) and microwave it in 2- to 3-minute intervals, until it reaches 180° or boils.

Remove the milk from the heat and allow it to cool to 110°F to 115°F. To speed the cooling process, place the pot in the prepared ice bath and stir the milk occasionally. (If the milk temperature drops too low, return it to the heat.)

If using yogurt as a starter culture: In a small bowl, combine about 1 cup warm milk with the yogurt and stir to combine. Add the yogurt-milk mixture to the remaining warm milk and stir until completely incorporated. Do not stir vigorously.

If using a powdered yogurt culture: Follow the manufacturer's instructions and add the specified amount of powdered culture to the warm milk; whisk until completely incorporated. Do not stir vigorously.

Pour or ladle the mixture into the yogurt maker containers or another incubator (if using a thermos, first warm the inside with hot tap water) and incubate between 110°F and 115°F for 5 to 10 hours, depending on the desired flavor and consistency—longer incubation periods produces thicker, more tart yogurt. Do not disturb the yogurt during incubation.

Cover the yogurt and refrigerate until cold, 2 to 3 hours. (If you used a thermos to incubate, transfer the finished yogurt to a non-insulated container for chilling so the temperature will drop.) Stir any flavorings into the yogurt just before serving. (For thicker, Greek-style yogurt, after incubation, spoon the yogurt into a cheesecloth-lined colander set over a bowl and let it drain, covered in the refrigerator, for at least 1 hour or overnight. Discard the whey that drains out of the yogurt or reserve it for another use.)

Yogurt can be stored in the refrigerator, in covered glass, ceramic, or plastic containers, for up to 2 weeks, but the flavor will be the best during the first week. As yogurt ages, it becomes more tart. If more whey separates out of the yogurt, just stir it back in before serving.

Cook's notes: • Yogurt needs to incubate for at least 5 hours, but it can safely incubate for much longer, even overnight. If you're using a yogurt maker with a timer and you set it for a shorter incubation (5 hours, for example), it's fine to let it sit there for several more hours. The same is true for a thermos or other incubation method; just keep in mind that the longer the incubation period, the thicker and more tart the final yogurt.
• The whey that drains from the yogurt is full of vitamins and minerals and can be added to smoothies and lassis, used as a cooking liquid, or made into a simple drink with a bit of sugar or salt.
• As an alternative way to thicken yogurt, whisk in 3 or 4 tablespoons nonfat powdered dry milk when you add the starter.
• This recipe may be doubled or tripled; increase the amount of starter and milk proportionately.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com:80/recipes/food/views/Homemade-Yogurt-395111#ixzz1sPfKcwed

Relief Society lesson

Don't miss out on "extra credit"! See note to the side under the topic, "Did You Feed Yourself Today?". Find the article at http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/how-to-obtain-revelation-and-inspiration-for-your-personal-life?lang=eng

Are you or members of your family interested in indexing old records for the family history center? It can be done from home and is quite rewarding.

Following is a message from Lynn Zenger who is our stake Extraction Director:
Good Morning,
It is wonderful to live in Colorado, especially during the spring time, and watch all of the growth and renewal that nature exhibits.
Thanks for your service in Family Search Indexing. I thought you might be interested in a couple of statistics about Family Seach Indexing. Since Indexing began some years ago, 726,566,200 records have been completed. So far this year, 31,079,800 records have been processed, with 105,600 indexers actively assisting throughout the world. Here in Arvada, CO we have 165 registered indexers, and 70 have chosen to participate this year. If you are one of those who has been active, I extend my sincere appreciation. If you are one who has not been, I invite your involvement. If you need help, training, or have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Wonderful news has been received by Salt Lake. This week, the church is releasing the 1940 Census records, and needs all of us to assist in Indexing this big project. There are special training aids available to prepare for this project, and there will be a special training fireside held here locally on April 12th at the Denver North Stake Center, 100 E. Malley Dr. from 6-9pm, so if you are avialable, you might put that on your calendar. This seminar is for indexers and arbitrators both.
Thanks again for your service.
Lynn Zenger
Arvada Stake Extraction Director
303-424-3290

Laural, Hannah, is a junior this year

HANNAH R
I am the oldest of my two sisters, Megan fourteen and Alex, eleven. I am sixteen years old and a Junior at Arvada West High School. We have a mom, Debbie (we will not reveal her age) and a dad, Brian. We mustn’t forget the dog, Poky. I have always lived in Colorado and would not live anywhere else. We have skiing, hiking, rock climbing as well as ice climbing.
Some of the other hobbies are blowing the French horn, singing and playing the piano. I utilize the French horn in Wind Ensemble and sing in Vocal Showcase this year. If I have any free time, I take advantage of sleeping and eating-in that order. If I could not sleep so much, I would learn to sew.
One of my parents some times describes me as crazy and maybe even strange.

What do you know about Julie R

HIGHLIGHT OF JULIE R 03/2012

JULIE WAS BORN UNDER THE COVENANT IN THE CITY OF RUPERT, STATE OF IDAHO. SHE HAS ONE BROTHER AND THREE SISTERS. SHE HAS BEEN TOLD SHE DOES NOT LACK IN WIT AND IS A BLAST TO BE AROUND. JULIE SPENDS TIME WITH THE FAMILY AND WHEN TIME PERMITS THE COWS. SHE HAS PICTURES AND CERAMICS OF HER SECOND LOVE,”COWS”, TAKING UP SPACE THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE.
SHE HAS A LOVE FOR MUSIC AND MOVIES OF THE EIGHTIES . IN HER YOUTH SHE PARTICIPATED IN TRACK, BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL. JULIE GRADUATED FROM A WEST AND MET HER NOW HUSBAND, SCOTT RABIDEAU, AT RICKS COLLEGE. SCOTT STUDIED PRE-MED AND JULIE MAJORED IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION.
JULIE MADE A REPUTATION OF BEING THE BEST GIRL’S CAMP LEADER. It must have been because of all the teasing that was inflicted on the kids and the fact that she was caught crying when she left for home. When she tires of kids, she spends time with her horses (14 years).

Fellow sisters at the RS activity

Do you know a soon-to-be high school grad--Aubri R?

Told by Juli R, Summarized by Gregg Johnson
Aubriann R was born August 3, 1994 in San Diego, California. She came into this world as she still exists today, quietly-well, on occasion. She joined her older sister Rachael and Brother Ian.
Aubri, as a child, was very easy going. She enjoys spending time with her grandpa, gardening. Both grandfather and granddaughter are inseparable- Aubri following like a puppy dog.
Aubri has grown into a very creative person. She enjoys many activities like volleyball (four years of high school), drawing and painting, playing guitar and becoming very proficient. She has a great sense of humor. She is a loving little sister as well as big sister at all times. She tries to be a peace keeper. Aubri is a helper and does so with a smile. Horses have become a big part of her life as she spends as much time as possible with them. You should see her drive her four pony team.
Aubri loves her Heavenly Father. She has a goal for a temple marriage and lets everyone know it. She works hard to maintain high standards even at the possibility of losing friendships. Life in high school can be challenging-standing up for what is right. Seminary attendance has been a great blessing. She has been a great example and asset in the classroom.
If you happen to give Aubri a lift to wherever, make certain the car windows are rolled-up. She has a propensity for yelling at people out of the windows. (See her mother, Juli, for the whole story.)
Scott and Julie are very proud of Aubri and the choices she has made already in her short life. We know she has great adventures in store and cannot wait for the fun to continue.

Do you know the Laurels in our ward?

Told by Jennefer H, summarized by Gregg Johnson
Alexis is the oldest sibling in the Haymond Family and the oldest grandchild on Bishop’s side of the family. She has three younger siblings and sixteen younger cousins who all adore and idealize their amazing relative.
Darrin and I have always wondered how we were so fortunate to be parents of someone who has become relegated to a status of wonderfulness (smart and talented). Alexis has been a blessing from the moment of her birth. When that event occurred, I exclaimed, “my baby, my baby”. It may have been that she was the first born, but there was instant love for her. Someday, Alexis, you will know the same love for your first child.
Things that are enjoyable to know about Alexis:
• When she was three, if she were asked, “What would she want to become when she reached the level of adulthood?” she would respond, “I want to be a bird who eats wiggle worms.”
• One occasion she was caught with a band-aid secured under her nose just covering the nostrils. I asked her about it and she responded, “It is there just incase I get a bloody nose.”
• One of Alexis’ favorite movies was “The Land Before Time”. It has something to do with dinosaurs. Alexis would have me fix her hair into three pony tails placed on the top of her head. She would dart around the playground charging the other kids with her three pony tails exclaiming, “You better watch out because I am a three horn”!
• Alexis broke her elbow at the age of four which forced her to have surgery. We were trapped in the hospital for an extra day because Alexis refused to take any pain medications.
• As a third grader on Earth Day, Alexis organized a group of friends to carry trash bags throughout the neighborhood collecting trash.
• Darrin used to make the kids pay “candy tax” after dutifully amassing great amounts of candy after Halloween. Each kid was required to donate a portion of their Halloween candy. Obviously, the kids protested such outrageous behavior by organizing a picket line with Alexis as the primary protester. They made signs that stated, “Candy tax is not fair”. They all marched around the house chanting, “No more candy tax” until Darin finally relented.
• Alexis was nearly fourteen years of age when Darin became bishop of the ward. When she was informed of the calling, Alexis exclaimed, “Great, no one dates the bishop’s daughter, my life is ruined!” Luckily for her, dating has not been a problem.

When Alexis was going to turn 13 we told her she could plan a birthday party all on her own. We gave her a budget and set a few rules. A few days after telling her this I got a phone call from her when I was at work. She and her best friends were at the house and she told me they had measured the main floor and that if we moved all the furniture out she was pretty sure we could fit at least a hundred kids in the house for her party! Darrin and I just laughed and said, "no way". In the end we were talked into having 40 kids but I am pretty sure more than that showed up.

Some of Alexis' talents are dancing; she was on Karla Calls first competitive clogging team that qualified to compete in the Jr. Olympics. She loves to play volleyball and played on competitive teams and on the high school team for four years. Alexis is also a self-taught artist and has hand drawn some really cool pictures.

Alexis has been a leader her whole life. She was on student council all through elementary school and was voted Mayor of Young Ameritown. She was the captain of her school volleyball team for two years. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has organized fundraisers for that. She is someone you can count on to follow through with a project if given an assignment and has no problem organizing or planning anything.

Alexis' high school days are almost over and she will be going to BYU in Provo this fall. Her goal is to become a pediatrician. We are so excited for this new chapter of her life. She is going to be amazing. I am so happy Alexis could come to the Relief Society birthday party with me tonight. As she reaches the age of being a part of Relief Society I can't help but see how Heavenly Father has prepared Alexis whether it was organizing earth day projects or planning crazy birthday parties to be ready to be a leader and to love and serve those she will come into contact with throughout her life through Relief Society. I am thankful for so many of you sisters who have influenced, guided and loved Alexis and helped me as a mother to have such a wonderful daughter. The love I felt for her the day she was born has only grown stronger through the years and being a mother to her has been one of my greatest joys in life. I love you Alexis!

Learn more about Alexis at http://mormon.org/me/6QXV/

What do you know about Arvada 2nd Ward YW president?

Debbie R was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is the second of seven kids in her family and has four sisters and two brothers. Debbie’s parents were life time members of the Church. She has always been an active member. Her father was a MD in the Air Force which necessitated a great deal of transferring until she reached the age of twelve. Debbie lived in Japan for three years as a child with fond memories of Japanese culture and the Japanese people’s obsession with her blonde hair.
The family finally settled down in Shelley, Idaho with horses, cows and a propensity of falling off of them and fracturing in time both arms. While attending high school, her hobbies included choir, band, basketball, softball and Church volleyball.
Brian came on the scene in a rock climbing class at BYU. The special place was Rock Canyon, above campus. That and many other shared interests cause them to tie the knot and has not been severed for twenty-five years. Right after the wedding, Debbie enrolled in medical school at the University of Utah. Her residency was in Denver at Children’s Hospital in Pediatric Medicine. She now works two days a week in Louisville in a pediatric practice. Dr. Deb loves to hold babies and fix kids. Someday, she would like to serve a medical mission in Africa with her beau, Dr. Brian.
She has always loved the outdoors. Rock climbing was an easy transition involving the outdoors. Debbie enjoys backpacking, hiking, skiing, ice climbing, mountain biking and anything else which involves the outdoors. Do not think for a moment that she limits herself to only the above activities. Let’s add music, piano playing, trumpet, guitar and composing music. If she could squeeze in more time, there would be classes at CU involving music composition (as if she doesn’t already have a angelic gift). Just in case boredom sets in, she has traveled to Nepal (two years ago) and scaled Mount Everest only because it was there.
Last but not least are three incredible daughters that have graced their home who have surpassed all IQ scores, stunned everyone with their beauty, and impressed others with incredible testimonies. Debbie’s ultimate wish is that they become a forever family. (Summarized by Gregg Johnson)

Learn more about Debbie on her profile at http://mormon.org/me/6461/

Relief Society Birthday Party March 8th

Jeopardy was a tremendous amount of fun.

Sisters brought pictures of themselves at about age 18 or older if they were later converts to the church

Relief Society Birthday Party March 8th

Picture #1 Nursery coordinator, Ashley Yates, and her baby Avery is also the RS blog expert
Jennifer Brohm is on her left.

Picture #2 Diane Padernos (Her daughter Jessica is hugging in the background)

What has RS done for the sisters in our ward?

Sisters in our ward responded to the following HEADINGS.
WHY I LOVE RELIEF SOCIETY:
• A night to not cook and no kids!
• Spiritual building from a woman’s perspective—womanly support
• I’ve learned we’re all fun, talented and spiritual—yet none of us think we are. We all need each other.
• It’s where the good times roll!
• I love all the sisters I get to see every Sunday
• I have learned to serve in many ways. Service brings joy.
• The spiritual uplift and the sisterhood
• Friendship of sisters—learning all kinds of things
• The spiritual uplift and the sisterhood no matter where I live
• Some of my best friends are from Relief Society. I’ve learned more about motherhood.
• I always feel uplifted by my sisters. I love all of you so very much!
• Because RS was one of my first introductions to the church
• I have made life long friends whom I’ve adopted as family.
• Visiting teaching of course
• With the birth of children or times of sickness, I have received needed services
VISITING TEACHING HIGHLIGHTS
• The cherished friendship with Colleen Riggs began when I visit taught her over 20 years ago.
• I love every sister we got to visit and ever sister who visited me
• My teachers have been wonderful! They have listened to the Spirit and called me when I needed them most!
• I made many fabulous friends through visiting teaching.
• I have come to know many beautiful people while visiting teaching.
• The people I visit or visit me have become some of my closest friends.
SPIRITUAL MOMENTS
• My testimony was rooted while attending Relief Society.
• Wonderful moments every Sunday
• I love it when I don’t want to come to church, and when I do, its like the lesson is meant for me!
• Teaching Spiritual living while in the Lake wood Singles Ward
• When I feel the spirit prodding me to do better during a lesson
SKILLS LEARNED AND USED
• Cutting men’s and boy’s hair
• Quilting, cooking, budgeting, canning, etc. How to be Awesome
• Cut hair
• Parenting tips and helps
• Tole painting
• Crafts & quilting
• Cake decorating
• Crocheting
• Quilting and being a friend
• Organizational skills
• How to make tofu
• How to plan a dinner for 250 people
• How to cut hair and how to plant and organize stuff
• Floral arranging
• How to make calligraphy
• How to make compote and butter
• Interior decorating skills
• Lots of crafts over the years I’ve learned how to be a better person

March 8th RS Birthday celebration

Beautiful Laurels, Alexis H, Hannah R, and Aubrey R helped with the Jeopardy game which was hosted by Terry M.

St Patrick's Day is just around the corner

Noreen Kinney's Irish Soda Bread
Epicurious | March 2008
Greg Patent
Reprinted with permission from A Baker's Odyssey

yield: Makes 1 round loaf
Editor's note: The recipe and introductory text below are from A Baker's Odyssey by Greg Patent.

Ingredients
• 1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour or graham flour, plus more for shaping
• 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon-sized pieces
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 3/4 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup wheat bran
• 1/4 cup oat bran
• 1/4 cup untoasted wheat germ
• 2 tablespoons flaxseed
• 1/3 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1 large egg
• About 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
Preparation
Adjust an oven rack to the center position and preheat the oven to 425°F. Coat a heavy baking sheet with vegetable cooking spray or line it with a silicone baking pan liner or aluminum foil.
In a large bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour. Add the butter and work it into the dry ingredients with your fingertips until the fat particles are very fine. Stir in the baking soda, salt, sugar, wheat bran, oat bran, wheat germ, flaxseed, and sunflower seeds.
Beat the egg lightly with a fork in a 2-cup glass measure. Add enough buttermilk to come to the 2-cup line and stir with the fork to combine well. Add the liquid to the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until the dough gathers into a thick, wet-looking mass.
Sprinkle your work surface with whole wheat flour and scrape the dough onto it. Dust the dough with a bit more whole wheat flour. Pat the dough into a circular shape about 7 inches across and 2 inches high and transfer it to the prepared baking sheet. Don't be concerned about evenness—the loaf should look rustic. Make a cross-shaped indentation on top of the loaf going right to the edges. I use a plastic bench scraper and press it into the dough very gently; don't actually cut the dough. During baking the indentation expands, giving the top of the loaf an attractive pattern.
Bake the bread for about 40 minutes, until it is well browned and sounds hollow when rapped on the bottom. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf should register 195° to 200°F. Cool the loaf on a wire cooling rack, and serve warm or at room temperature. Cut into quarters and slice each quarter with a sharp serrated knife. Delicious with butter.
Storing:
The loaf keeps well at room temperature, wrapped in plastic wrap, for 2 to 3 days. The entire loaf or quarters of it can also be frozen when completely cool. Wrap in plastic wrap, place in heavy-duty resealable plastic bags, and freeze for up to 2 weeks. Thaw completely before unwrapping. If desired, refresh the bread in a preheated 300°F oven for 10 minutes.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com:80/articlesguides/holidays/stpatricks/sodabread/recipes/food/views/Noreen-Kinneys-Irish-Soda-Bread-241956#ixzz1oSe9gn7y

March 8th RS Birthday celebration

Jackie Malones' friend and Lucille

Kay Masek (Primary President) liked the cupcakes!
Jackie Gardener (Primary worker and member of the RS activities committee) made the cupcakes.

We collected 145 lbs of food for the backpack program. ~Thanks for your support!

Relief Society Birthday party was a great success!

Thank you to all who participated in providing the memorable commemoration of Relief Society on Thursday. Some of you spent a tremendous amount of time (especially Terry Maupin and Deanna Allred) and we all appreciate it very much. Thanks to the many sisters who provided the food. You all came through and it was delicious. We will be providing a synopsis of the spotlights that were given as well as pictures of the fun we had. Stay with us.

We collected 145 lbs of food for the backpack program. ~Thanks for your support!

Theme for RS 2012: Provident Living

Our theme for Relief Society this year is "Provident Living".

We want to focus on providing the basic spiritual and physical needs for ourselves and for our families. Our Heavenly Father has commanded us "to prepare every needful thing". We live in challenging times but with careful, consistent preparation, we know we can build up spiritual and physical reserves.

If every sister in our ward prepared herself and her family just think of the strength and support she would bring to the ward.

We are truly grateful for the sisterhood in our ward. We love each of you and appreciate the strength you bring to our ward.

Love,
Sue, Amy, Lisa and Vickie

Below is an easy week by week shopping guide for food storage that can be adapted to fit any family. We hope that you will find it useful

Start the New Year right! Use this week-by-week list to build your food
storage in 2012.

The latest counsel from our Church leaders is “to purchase a few extra items each week
to build a one-week supply of food. Then you can gradually increase your supply until it
is sufficient for three months. These items should be rotated regularly to avoid spoilage.”
When this is accomplished, then we should “gradually build a supply of food that will last a
long time and that you can use to stay alive, such as wheat, white rice, and beans.”
(from www.providentliving.org You’ll notice the guidelines below are general so every
family can purchase amounts appropriate for their own family. Be sure to include water
in your storage. If followed, by the end of the year, this list will provide you with a well-
rounded supply of basics to draw on in a time of need.

January
Week 1: Popcorn: invest in a popcorn popper if you do not have one. Lower your family’s fat
intake.
Week 2: Detergents, bleach and other cleansers. Don't forget to use manufactures coupons.
Week 3: Medicine chest and feminine products; you do not want to be out when you need them.
Week 4: First aid supplies, band aids, Neosporin, Benadryl, etc.

February
Week 1: Canned meats, corned beef, Spam, chicken, act
Week 2: Personal products, soap deodorant, toilet paper, shampoo, lotion, etc
Week 3: Peanut Butter
Week 4: Solid shortening, less expensive than oil and stores longer, but buy oil if you prefer.

March
Week 1: Juices. Avoid watered projects; look for 100% lemon, orange, apple, pineapple, etc.
Week 2: More first aid products, gauze patches, swabs, cotton balls, tape etc.
Week 3: Mixes: cake, pancake, muffin, or purchase items separately and make homemade mixes.
Week 4: spices and herbs. Buy the ones you use the most often, pepper, cinnamon, bay leaves,
oregano, etc. Buy in bulk and save!

April
Week 1: Toiletries: toothpaste, floss razor blades, shaving cream, etc.
Week 2: Pasta - consider your family's tastes-at least 5 lbs.
Week 3: Dry milk: 40 ounces makes 5 gallons (or buy what your family uses if you have lactose
intolerance)
Week 4: Assemble an emergency sewing kit: thread, pins needles, buttons, tape measure,
scissors, etc. Keep it compact and handy.

May
Week 1: Flour, white wheat pastry, rye etc. Remember flour doesn’t store as long; rotate!
Week 2: Dry soups and crackers. Restore crispness by placing crackers in microwave (dehydrator
and oven work as well.)
Week 3: Gelatin and pudding mixes.
Week 4: Garden seeds: don't forget the radishes! They grow fast and are full of vitamins.

June
Week 1: White sale month; buy those much needed sheets or towels.
Week 2: Safety week, replace flashlight batteries, check smoke detectors, practice your fire
escape routes
Week 3: Cheese. Buy in 5,10,15 pound blocks and cut into smaller blocks and freeze.
Week 4: Paper towels, TP, aluminum foil, sandwich bags etc

July
Week 1: Condiments; mustard, catsup mayonnaise relish, pickles etc.
Week 2: Canning supplies: Certo or Sure jell, canning lids etc. If you do not can, stock up on jams
and jellies
Week 3: Fill or refill water jugs.
Week 4: Canned milk, try non-fat varieties to cut back on your family's fat intake.

August
Week: 1 Baking powder baking soda, cornstarch etc.
Week 2: Canned fruit, buy it already canned or can some yourself.
Week 3: Tomato week. Can them yourself or buy canned, whole stewed, sauce or juice, etc.
Week 4: Can or freeze veggies or buy them canned or frozen

September
Week 1: Sugars: Replenish your supply from canning, also powdered and brown sugar
Week 2: Canned tuna and salmon. Store mayo to make quick and healthy sandwiches or snacks.
Week 3: Dry beans, peas, rice, and legumes
Week 4: Sweeteners, Honey, Corn Syrup, Molasses, maple syrup, agave, etc

October
Week 1: Vinegar: apple cider, white (removes odors in laundry and makes a great cleanser)
Week 2: Canned Soups, try the low salt and low fat varieties or make your own
Week 3: Apples, make your own pie filling, applesauce, apple butter, juice, or buy if you do not
can.
Week 4: Nuts: walnuts, pecans, almonds, etc They will freeze well.

November
Week 1: Iodized salt. It seasons, preserves and in a pinch is a toothpaste.
Week 2: Vitamins: a good multi vitamin, extra C for flu and cold season. Ladies, don’t forget your
calcium and vitamin D.
Week 3: Treats for baking: cocoa, coconut, chocolate chips, vanilla extract, etc.
Week 4: Rolled Oats, cornmeal, hot cereals, get what your family eats.

December
Week 1: Cooking Oil, get good quality oil. Canola, olive, grapeseed, and peanut oils are the
healthier choices.
Week 2: Candles and matches, put them where you can easily locate them in the dark.
Week 3: Merry Christmas! You've given yourself a great gift- security
Week 4: Hope you saved a little for those after Christmas sales; lots of bargains to be found this
time of year!

Don’t get out of the habit! Start back at January, Week 1 next week.

"Our Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth, with all its abundance, for our benefit
and use. His purpose is to provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience. He has
lovingly commanded us to “prepare every needful thing” (see D&C 109:8) so that, should
adversity come, we can care for ourselves and our neighbors and support bishops as they
care for others.
"We encourage members world-wide to prepare for adversity in life by having a basic
supply of food and water and some money in savings.

"We ask that you be wise as you store food and water and build your savings. Do not go to
extremes; it is not prudent, for example, to go into debt to establish your food storage all
at once. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a
financial reserve."

—The First Presidency, All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Home Storage, Feb. 2007, 1

What matters in life?

What will really matter? By Richard Schuif - 8 Feb 2004

Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end for each of us, this
earthly life.
There will be no more sunrises, no days, no hours or minutes.
All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will
pass to someone else.
Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.
It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.
Your grudges, resentments, ambitions, plans and to do lists will all expire.
The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.
It won't matter where you came from, or on what side of the tracks you lived.
It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant.
Your gender, skin color, and ethnicity will be irrelevant.

So what will matter?

How will the value of your days be measured?
What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built:
Not what you got, but what you gave.
What will matter is not your success, but your significance.
What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught.
What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage and sacrifice
that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.
What will matter is not your competence, but your character.
What will matter is not how many people you knew,
but how many will feel a lasting loss when you are gone.
What will matter is not your memories, but the memories of those who loved you.
What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by who and for what.
Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident.
It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice. Choose to live a life
that matters.

Don't forget the Relief Society Activity tonight!

Something new on your menu: Colossal Cheesburger

Colossal Cheeseburger from the kitchen of Deanna Allred (Taken from the Denver Post sometime in the 80’s)

1 ½ lbs. Ground beef
½ cup chopped onion
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
½ to 1 teaspoon chili powder
1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
2 cans (8 oz. each) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1 cup (about 4 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon milk
Sesame seeds

Crumble beef into heated skillet. Add onion. Cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until meat loses red color. Drain off grease. Add salt, pepper, chili powder and tomato sauce. Bring to boiling point, reduce heat and simmer covered. About 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Separate crescent dough into 16 triangles. Arrange 13 triangles, spoke fashion, around a greased 12-inch pizza pan or arrange them, spoke fashion, on a greased baking sheet. Put wide edges of strips of dough touching each other in center but leave a hole in center. Let narrow tips of dough extend over pan edges about five inches. Press remaining three triangles in hole in center. Press all of dough with hands to seal perforations. If baking sheet is used, proceed in the same manner. The center of the “spoke” should be about 12 inches in diameter. Let narrow strips of dough lay flat on baking sheet instead of extending them over edges as directed for pizza pan, Spoon meat mixture in center of dough. Sprinkle meat with cheese. Bring triangular pieces of dough up over filling to center. Pinch edges together to seal. If necessary, stretch dough in order to completely cover meat mixture. Brush top of dough with milk, Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake in oven preheated to 375 degrees about 30 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Cut in wedges to serve. Six servings.

Top 10 Reasons Not to Attend Relief Society Activities

Top 10 Reasons Not To Attend the Relief Society Activity this Thursday March 8th
1. My house is a mess! If I stay home that night, I’ll clean it up. (Ha!)
2. I attended a Relief Society activity in 2008. I should be good for a couple more years.
3. The programs on TV that night are more beneficial to my eternal salvation. I could even organize my sock drawer.
4. Since I’m gone a great deal of time with my job or my kid’s activities, I might as well give up doing something for myself.
5. I don’t like getting together with sisters of the same religion.
6. In fact, I don’t like parties or socializing at all—ever.
7. My family wants me to spend all my time with them and not have any outside interests.
8. I would rather be home to talk with telemarketers that night.
9. Four times a year is too often to be away from home for 2 hours.
10. Provident living is the theme for our ward’s Relief Society this year, and I have mastered all aspects of this area.

What do you know about our RS President?

HIGHLIGHT: Susan Schilling interviewed by Gregg Johnson
Susan Schilling has been married to Mike Schilling for nearly forty-three years. They both went to the same high school in Florissant, Missouri but didn’t really know each other. They both enjoyed singing in the school choir and performed in the play “Music Man”. Sue participated in the chorus while Mike performed in a quartet. Michael also was a staff member of the school newspaper called The Scoop.

Sue first became acquainted with Mike when the young man asked out Sue’s locker partner on a date. The two, Sue and Mike, were also in close proximity when he taught guitar lessons and Sue participated in music lessons. Just before Sue left high school to attend Ricks College, she encountered Mike leaving his guitar lesson and spoke a causal “hi”. That special “hi” transformed into a correspondence by snail mail while Sue attended college from 1966 thru 1969.

During this time Mike attended West Point. Just before attending the military school, Mike’s appendix ruptured. He was healing from the episode while attending school. He lasted nearly one year before receiving permission to leave and begin a six month stint in the Army Reserves as a laundry sergeant in Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville studying computer science. Mike again transferred to the University of Missouri at Raleigh where he graduated as a member of the first graduating class of the computer science department for that time (seems to be a big deal). While Mike was attending his final school (U of M), Sue was working for the chairman of the Ceramic Engineering Department (very prestigious).

Back when Sue was attending Ricks College and they were both writing to each other, Mike met with missionaries for at least six separate times in three years and was finally baptized. One year later, the handsome couple was married. Since Mike now was the only Mormon of his immediate family and there was anti-Mormon sentiments, the young couple got special permission from the First Presidency (David O Mckay) to be married civilly on December 18th 1969 in Missouri and fly to Salt Lake City to marry in the temple the next day, December 19th.

Sue’s hobby currently consists of raising Davin (her grandson). She has been a mortgage specialist for twenty years (fourteen of those years working with Paul Rockwood). Sue has an inner wish to one day learn to paint artistically. When she was nine years old, Susan was able to shake the hand of David O Mckay while he was visiting his brothers’ ward.

The Schillings are friendly people from Missouri who have lived in Denver Colorado since 1979. Thanks for all you do.

See Sue’s profile at http://mormon.org/me/51CP/

Notes from the Multi-Stake Women's Conference part II

Barbara Thompson is the 2nd Counselor of the General RS board. A few of the points she talked about are mentioned below. We'd love to hear what any of you high lighted from her talk.

• As the three members of the General Relief Society board prepared to travel and speak to members of the church, President Monson asked them for two favors. One was for them to express how much he loves the sisters in the church, and the other was to tell us that he prays for us.
• Barbara talked mostly on the book Daughters of My Kingdom. She mentioned how the prophet wanted a history of Relief Society given to all women as a gift. It isn’t a normal historian’s history but like the small plates of Nephi contains spiritual things. It is a record of faithful, good women who did amazing things through their faith and conviction to the church.
• If history is not your thing, at least open the book, flip through the pages and look for uplifting quotes.
• Alma 30 tells about Alma and Amulek preaching. The church was strong and things were going well. Korihor did much damage by saying that we can’t know things to come or things we cannot see. He claimed that it is the sign of a “frenzied mind” to think we can know the future. Verse 18 says that women were being led away by what he taught. It is not very often that scriptures mention women specifically. Barbara feared that we were being led away by what the world is teaching today. She exhorted us to resist.
• Moses 1:31 tells that Enoch was slow of speech. The Savior replied, “Walk with me” the rivers will move from their place. Enoch eventually taught repentance and the atonement. He spoke so powerfully, that a whole city was converted even though he was slow of speech. Moses 1:39 defines the Zion people in the city of Enoch.
• Joseph Smith said that the purpose of Relief Society is to help women become holy. Corinthians 10 talks about faith, righteousness, and charity.
• Barbara told the story behind the selecting of a plot of land for the Vancouver Canada temple. The stake president had selected 3 possibilities all of which President Hinckley was not particularly fond of. While driving around, the prophet asked about one particular spot. The stake president mentioned that it was not for sale, but the prophet asked him to check into it. When the land owner was finally located, the stake president met to discuss the possibility of purchasing the land. When the owner heard that Mormons were wanting the land, he declared that not only was the land not for sale, but under no circumstances would he sell to Mormons. The stake president got the courage to ask why and learned that his aunt was a member of the church in a nursing home and had virtually been abandoned by the Mormon Church after a lifetime of service. The stake president dug deeper and left the property owner to find out what happened. Long story short is that this sweet woman had Alzheimer’s disease and was being visited every week by her home teachers and visiting teachers. The bishop, RS president, and other friends also visited often, but her disease blocked memory of the attention she was getting. When the property owner found out the truth, he sold his property for the building of the temple. Moral of the story is: the little things we do and the small acts of service can have a huge impact.
• Barbara encourage us all to attend the temple often and “angels will be our associates”.

Are you tired of the same old menus? Try Pan Tarragon Chicken

Pan Tarragon Chicken from the kitchen of Tiffanie Huntley

This recipe serves 4

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 slices prosciutto di Parma (or turkey bacon or thin slices of ham)
4 ounces garlic and herb cheese (boursin or laughing cow or 4 slices swiss cheese)
toothpicks
3 TB olive oil
salt and pepper

For sauce:
2 TB unsalted butter
2 TB flour
1/2 cooking white wine or cooking sherry
1 cup chicken broth or stock
2 TB fresh tarragon or 2 tsp dried tarragon

place chicken in large storage bags or under wax paper and flatten with mallet of side of hammer. Pace one slice of prosciutto (or bacon or ham) and 1 ounce garlic and herb cheese (or swiss cheese) inside each chicken breast and roll up. Place in toothpicks to keep chicken rolled. Heat oil in fry pan and season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Brown each side of the chicken breasts (cooking for about 10 minutes total). Remove breasts and keep warm on a plate covered with foil. Add butter to pan and then the flour. Cook for a minute then add wine whisking in quickly and cook for another minute. Wisk in chicken broth and tarragon and return the chicken to the pan. Reduce heat and simmer until ready to serve. Spoon over sauce occasionally over the chicken. I like to serve this dish with garlic mashed potatoes and a cooked veggie like asparagus or brussle sprouts. If you add a little more chicken broth to the sauce it makes a great gravy to go over the mashed potatoes.

Stories from the life of Lucille Johnson

Stories from the life of Lucille Johnson narrated by Amy Johnson
1. One day Lucille’s three great-grand children were running in and out of the house. Feeling annoyed, Lucille gathered the young kids together on her sofa. Her mind was on how to scold them when she was directed by the Spirit not to be angry. She then asked herself, “Then what should I say?” At that moment she knew that she should tell them that she loved them. Following her declaration, they all said in unison, “We love you too, Grandma”! Lucille felt the warm embrace of the Holy Spirit and knew that she had made the right decision. Lucille feels that her relationship with her great-grand children has improved since that experience because they have continued to be more affectionate.
2. One time when Lucille’s husband, Rolla, was extremely ill and in the hospital, Lucille left Church early to visit him. When she got to the hospital, Rolla exclaimed, “You shouldn’t have missed Relief Society. They might say something that you need to hear.” Bishop Nixon, their bishop at the time, was at the hospital giving Rolla a Priesthood blessing. He laughed heartily at the sweet rebuke knowing how sick Rolla was. Yet, Rolla simply wanted what’s best for his dear wife. Clearly, Rolla and Lucile value the gospel as much as they do each other and know the value of church attendance even when their time together may be near its end.
3. As most of you know, Lucille currently struggles to be able to see much of anything. However, every day she sits by her big, front, window where the light is most illuminating and attempts to read her scriptures. She moves the sacred book around striving to catch the right light and manages to read a few verses. It takes a good hour or so to make out all the words, but what an example she sets as she demonstrates her love for Heavenly Father and willingness to read scriptures every single day despite her challenges.

Learn more about Lucille by reading her profile at http://mormon.org/me/5RN2/

Notes from the Multi-Stake Women's Conference part I

For those of you who missed the Women’s conference Saturday morning, here are a few notes. They are not complete by any means so if you attended, please leave a comment or two.

With 8 stakes invited throughout the Denver area, we filled the whole building including the Primary, Relief Society, and Young Women’s rooms. There was a whole orchestra ready for the musical numbers including our own Reed Jentzsch on the Bass and Joni Bowler on the Harp. The day was cold with snow still covering the ground, but the sun was gloriously bright.

President Robert Simmons from the Longmont Stake Presidency spoke first. He is also some sort of seminary guru (I missed the details).
• Br. Simmons has been blessed by great women in his life and was in awe of our presence. He was also aware that he is the “warm-up man” (since Barbara Thompson was probably the draw for the day’s attendance).
• He asked if we had the book Daughters of My Kingdom and encouraged us to read it.
• He then told a story of Yens and Elsie Nelson who were part of the tragic handcart company stranded in Wyoming in the early days of the church. These struggling saints were literally starving to death with only 4 oz of flour each day for about 2 weeks time. Their feet were frozen with the arrival of early winter, and they had already lost a son and a girl who they were assisting on the trip. As Yens faced Rocky Ridge, he collapsed and told Elsie to go on alone. Elsie replied that he could ride in their hand cart. She said, “I can’t leave you, but I can pull the cart.” Yens was 6 foot 2 inches weighing 220 lbs while Elsie was only 4 feet 11 inches and 98 pounds. She managed to pull her husband over Rocky Ridge.
• Br. Simmons asked two questions that would be answered in his talk. 1. What Elsie knows that gave her the strength to do such a fete? And 2. How can we come to have such knowledge?
• D&C 84:88 sums up the answer to question one. There is nothing the Savior cannot or will not do for us. Elsie knew that the Savior wants to change us more than He wants to change our circumstances. After we are changed then we can change our own circumstances.
• Alma 34:17 answers question number two. The Zoramites needed to plant the "seed" or the word of God in their heart.
• Prayer is one of the most important things we can do. Two times a day is not sufficient, but we must pray “always”. We should ask for mercy and help. We should pray for our children each time we feel an inkling of concern for one of them. It does not always have to be a formal prayer.
• Besides having our hearts drawn out in prayer always, we must also remember the Savior. Br. Simmon’s definition of “remember” is to put something back together. The opposite of remember is not forget but to dismember which is defined as “pulled in every direction”. Atonement means to bring back to one. The Savior should be the focus and center of our lives.
• Lastly, we must open up the scriptures every day with the intent of finding the Savior. We should ask ourselves, “What are these verses teaching me?” or “What does the Savior want me to learn?”
• Praying and scripture reading should not be cloistered from the rest of our life, but it should also be while we are cleaning, or cooking, or carpooling, or working.
• Sometimes Br. Simmons writes a scripture on a 3 x 5 card and carries it around with him. He writes on the back any thoughts or feelings he has about the scripture throughout the day.
• Scripture reading doesn’t need to be long. Perhaps, 5-10 minutes here a little and there a little. Other times, it may be a feast for an hour or longer.
• Br. Simmons gave an analogy of Christ coming to our home and sitting in the one clean, untouched room of the house. . . alone. It is better to have Him join you in your life. Take Him with you no matter what you are doing or where you are. Truly, He doesn't care if our house is messy.
• Use your agency to reach out through prayer and scripture study every day and all the time.

Notes from Barbara Thompson's talk to follow ~Amy Johnson

Is your liahona recalculating?

Have you set up your profile on Mormon.org?

Bishop Haymond is an awesome bishop who strives diligently to get inspiration for us. He has asked each of us over the age of 14 to get on Mormon.org and set up our profile. If you haven’t done it yet, and are having trouble logging on, Bishop is still willing to hold your hand a bit to make it happen. In fact if you have any concerns or problems, contact either the bishop, Gregg Johnson, or Brent Riggs.
See the bishop’s profile at http://mormon.org/me/35T2/

RS Service project specifics: If you'd like to participate, please bring your items to the RS Birthday party March 8th.

You can also access the information below by going to Arvadafoodbank.com and checking out the Backpack program.

Feeding the Future Backpack Program

This program provides food for children who are on the school Free and Reduced Lunch Program at participating schools in Arvada and Wheat Ridge during the school year. Each Friday, children take home a sack/backpack filled with food to see them through the weekend. To be a part of this program parents may register their children at any time during the school year. Studies have shown that children who aren't hungry have improved grades and increased school attendance. This program helps children be ready for school each week.

Suggested Food Donations:
Canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned beans, Macaroni and Cheese, peanut butter, cereal, tuna, chili, dry pasta, canned pasta, spaghetti, soup, cooking oil, salad dressing, etc.

Snack Items (Individual serving sizes):
Jello, pudding, fruit, pasta, soup, hot chocolate, wrapped cookies, ravioli, granola bars, individual oatmeal, fruit snack, Rice Crispy Treats, microwave popcorn, Vienna Sausages, etc.