Balance and Leisure....

I have recently had a few experiences that made me want to rededicate myself to my calling--it is so easy to get sidetracked by the millions of things that come and go in our daily lives and I feel that sometimes that leaves my call to serve somewhere on the wayside, to be picked up when I am passing that way and discarded when I hit the next turnpike screaming for me to go down it.  So, today I was taking time to focus on it, to learn and to listen and I came across these GREAT episodes on mormonchannel.com that I had NO idea about--they are audio recordings that you can listen to when you are at the computer or maybe even download and listen to at other times.  Basically, they are interviews with Sister Beck, during her time as General RS Pres and they answer questions of LDS women on certain topics and on visiting teaching messages.  I personally loved #15 on Leisure Time and #9 Finding Balance.  Of course, that's all I have gotten to listen to yet, but I wanted to share them with you because I loved the insights that I got and hoped maybe you would, too!

http://www.mormonchannel.org/relief-society

Meal Planning

Thanks to everyone who came to our budget/quick meal meeting.  I think this was more for my benefit than anyone else! The entrees that people brought were all delicious and I know I have a few new things to add into my meal rotation. Here are the recipes that I was given for some of the entrees that we ate. I think there were more, but these were the only recipes I got. If you brought something and the recipe isn't on here feel free to get it to me and I will add it. The recipes are saved as picture files (jpg) so all you have to do is click on them. Then you can print them right off or save them to your computer.


 
 
 

 

 

Here is also a handout to help with your meal planning. On the one side you can list your meals for the week and then make a list of everything you need to get at the store for those meals. It is set for a standard letter paper size with two per page, and there are two choices, one in black and white and one in color.

Skipping January and on to February!

 There's the old rhyme that you learn in elementary school that says, "One, Two, Skip a Few, Ninety-Nine, One-Hundred!"  Well, I am only skipping January on the blog and moving straight to February, only one month, that's not so bad is it?  Though I would have almost liked to have skipped it COMPLETELY, I am trying to count my blessings in it--we have had some sort of sickness, from the stomach flu to the cold flu, croup, coughs, congestions, fevers, ear aches, double earaches, and teething for three straight weeks as of RIGHT NOW.  So, each day I hope it will be over and one more fever pops up.  A friend in Utah said her whole family of 7 had been sick and suffering and what a wonderful Relief Society President she had come to her rescue.  So, I simply replied that MY Relief Society President had been with me every step of the way, too--day in and day out (which is the worst, the night part!).  But, while that is good for me, I know that means that YOUR Relief Society President has not been there much for you and for that I apologize and hope that you are all making it through this epidemic of  flu seasons and that if you do have needs they are making their way through the visiting teaching tree to us or that you will let us know.  I pray daily to be tuned in to your needs and I know that I often fail in this area to act on all the promptings or desires of my heart

We have had a couple of great activities in January along that I wanted to share for those who missed and THANK those who prepared!  Sister Lester is our RS Meeting Coordinator who planned and put on the Menu Planning Night. She taught us about the benefits of planning ahead for not just our sanity, but also our budget.  She shared several ideas on how to do this, including some fun calendars.  This is something that I have kind of tried and failed at before, so this is me trying again!! (If you were in sacrament meeting today you might have heard Bro Chavez talk about trying and failing, and how it is only failing when we stop trying again!)

I wanted to share my calendar that I quickly made and have used this week:

I had a picture frame that I wasn't using (11x17 ....I Think?)  A little bit of scrapbook paper and stickers (they are wasting away from lack of scrapbooking, anyway)  And some permanent markers and a ruler--I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do, so I just did....this gives me room for two to three weeks, which I couldn't handle anymore and felt like two was the best...also, it means I can erase one week when it is done, still have the week I am now and and start preparing for the one to come. It also leaves me space above or below the day to right what groceries I need for that meal.  Put up high where the kids can't erase and leave me wondering what I had planned--or change everything to pizza. ;)  

So, THANKS, Sarah!  your activity benefited me and my family alot!!

The next activity was the First Aid class that Sister Prince, our Provident Living Coordinator put on.  (What is her calling?  To put together activities and other information throughout the year that will help us live more providently)  She got together with Sister Povis and asked her to teach this class.  Sister Povis is an RN at the hospital and gave a GREAT class!

She taught us about the things that we need or should have in a first aid kit, explaining the purpose for a lot of them, showed us her wal-mart fishing tackle box turned first aid kit, and reviewed the basics of first aid, cpr, choking and heimlich, shock, heart attacks and strokes.  It was such a great review and reminder for me and I really appreciated her first hand knowledge and ability.  

Sorry for those who couldn't make it or missed for other reasons, we try to plan to get as many there as possible and with the schedule disruptions due to the cold building and the impromptu conference this month, we didn't have much time to announce.  If you would like information on either one, please let me know and we will try to get copies out!!

Right now we do not have anything scheduled for February and will let you know as soon as we do!!

DECEMBER 2012 PRESIDENCY MESSAGE

Our Presidency Message this month is The Living Christ, the Testimony of the Twelve Apostles. We love you all and wish you a very wonderful holiday as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).

Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).

Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of . . . apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).

We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.

Visiting Teaching Thought for December.....

"The Fellowship of TRUE friends who can hear you out, share your joys, help carry your burdens, and correctly counsel you is PRICELESS."

  --Pres. Benson, October 1986 Ensign.

Poem from Sister Perkins Dec. Lesson

Have you ever walked on water??

Have you ever walked on water? 

Have you ever had such faith?

Have you ever moved a mountain--

Ever seen the Savior’s face?

Most of us might think

There’s no way I could do that.

Most of us might feel,

Quite unequal to the task.

But, think about a time

When you thought your heart would break

And, still here you are—

Proof you lived another day.

Has there ever been a call

You felt you could not fill?

But, then tried ever humbly

to do the Father’s will?

As you served with faith

Were there times you stood in awe

Of what you had accomplished

As you held onto the rod

Have you ever felt the emptiness

Of Peter’s fishing nets?

Aching to be filled,

Or overcome all life’s regrets?

Did you call his name or seek His face,

And feel you couldn’t find

Relief from all the hurt

Or any peace of mind?

But as the days went by

Did it seem to come a bit by bit

And slowly you were stronger

Than you alone have ever been

Did you know you walked on water

Did you know you saw His face

Did you know that you were capable

Of mountain-moving faith?

He is there and waiting,

When the water will not hold us

He is there and willing

To lift us and to show us

When it seems our humble offering,

Is not enough to do the job

Somehow our loaves and fishes

Are more than we had thought.

Take a step in faith,

stand forth and start to shine

You may feel you are only water,

But He can make you into wine.

For with Him all things are possible,

and the same is true for you

Let us go forth and do

The things He taught us to.

--J. Perkins 12/12

WARD CHRISTMAS DINNER!!

PANACA 2nd WARD

CHRISTMAS DINNER!!!!

WHEN:  Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

WHERE: The Cultural Hall

TIME:  6:30 PM

WHO:  EVERYONE!!

WHAT:  Pulled Pork, Potatoes, Casseroles, Rolls, Pie!

Musical Program.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!