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May 22, 2013

Articles of Faith Sundae

Wednesday, May 22, 2013 0 Comments

The Articles of Faith Challenge

So when I came in as Primary President I wanted to encourage the kids to memorize the 13 articles of faith. So I bought a giant candy bar and promised everyone who memorized all 13 would get one.

 For Faith in God activity night I designed this little handout. I saw the idea to do a sundae somewhere I can't remember the site, but I did the handout. As the kids passed off articles of faith they were able to receive the below


  
The kids had so much learning the articles of faith, with such an amazingly delicious motivation how could they not. I didn't expect them to memorize all 13 in an hour. So they were all able to make the kind of sundae they wanted. But they will not get the giant candy bar til all 13 are memorized. This was just a motivational activity. It was so much fun.  I thought the nursery was the best calling but I have to say this calling is the best in the world. 
I love these kids so much!!


I love being able to teach them gospel. I want them to remember me when they are teaching their own children, that Sister West helped them memorize the articles of faith with 
Articles of Faith ice cream sundaes.   















 

May 20, 2013

Our Purpose in this life

Monday, May 20, 2013 0 Comments
A common question…
Most people wonder what our purpose in this life is. We see tragedies every day like the most recent tornado to hit Oklahoma. What a horribly sad thing to happen to innocent children, families, animals, & others who were effected. As I study the scriptures this night my heart goes out to those who have lost the lives in the storm. *Our purpose in this life is to have joy and prepare to return to God's presence. In this life we are subject to a physical death because we have mortal, imperfect bodies. If it wasn't for the Savior Jesus Christ's sacrifice for each of us, death would end all hope of future existence with Heavenly Father.* –Preach my Gospel
 
Recently I heard a talk by a fellow blogger Kathryn Thompson of daringyoungmom.com. She gave a really amazing talk about being awesome every day. She titled it drops of awesome click here to read it   How simple it is to do a tiny bit of awesome every day. You can chose the things in your life that make you happy. You can't however chose the challenges those come from the Lord. We shouldn't beat ourselves up for the little things we do wrong or forget to do. I am especially hard on myself I am a bit of an overachiever as well as a sufferer of OCD (self proclaimed of course). But I am trying to let go of those feelings and do something, anything every day
For example I put away all the dishes in the dishwasher and added some dirty ones. There still is a pile there to wash, but I will work on those another time. But seriously that was like 5 drops of awesome, cause I hate doing dishes. 
I feel like we can't sit around wishing for a better tomorrow. I believe that we should enjoy each day. 
 

President Dieter F. Uchdorf said, "The very moment you begin to seek your Heavenly Father, in that moment, the hope of His light will begin to awaken, enliven and ennoble your soul. As we seek to increase our love for God and strive to love our neighbor, the light of the gospel will surround and uplift you."

I believe that with all my heart why waste time worrying about yesterday or tomorrow and focus on what you have right now. I am not perfect of course and I have my struggles with sitting down and studying the scriptures every day. But I know that when I do I feel my Savior's love and I get to know Him better. 

A wonderful example happened today, Christian came downstairs, dressed and ready for school. I fixed breakfast for the kids and then sat down with them to talk about the days activities. Christian had brought the Book of Mormon with him to the table. He proceeded to tell me about how is reading the Book of Mormon. (right I should mention he is 6) He was so excited about it. He wanted to take it to school and read it there. I don't know if he made it out the door with his trusty Book of Mormon. But he taught me a simple lesson. You can read the Book of Mormon where ever you are and not be afraid to share your testimony.

Don't give up, tomorrow is a new day. Be awesome today and be awesome tomorrow. 

     
   

May 16, 2013

Self Esteem Project II: Amity

Thursday, May 16, 2013 0 Comments

Self Esteem Project

 I have really enjoyed this personal project. I was asked to come and share my personal struggle with self esteem and then teach the young women that they are beautiful inside and out. Then I let them get dolled up and play with the props I bring and then I take their pictures. 

BeYOUtiful
 






Avocado Chicken Salad Sandwich

Thursday, May 16, 2013 0 Comments
 Avocado Chicken Salad Sandwich

chicken, cooked and shredded
avocado
mayo, just a little
green onion, sliced
cilantro
lime juice to taste
salt/pepper to taste




Pasta E Fagioli Soup

Thursday, May 16, 2013 0 Comments

Pasta E Fagioli Soup

Ingredients

    • 2 lbs ground beef
    • 1 onion, chopped
    • 3 carrots, chopped
    • 4 stalks celery, chopped
    • 2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
    • 1 (16 ounce) cans red kidney beans, drained
    • 1 (16 ounce) cans white kidney beans, drained
    • 3 (10 ounce) cans beef stock
    • 3 teaspoons oregano
    • 2 teaspoons pepper
    • 5 teaspoons parsley
    • 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (optional)
    • 1 (20 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
    • 8 ounces pasta

Directions

  1. Brown beef in a skillet.
  2. Drain fat from beef and add to crock pot with everything except pasta.
  3. Cook on low 7-8 hours or high 4-5 hours.
  4. During last 30 min on high or 1 hour on low, add pasta.     
 

 


May 13, 2013

Mother's day "T" Party

Monday, May 13, 2013 0 Comments
YW & Activity day Girls activity

They activity girls are 8 to 11 year old girls in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 
And YW means Young Women, which is the program in the church for the girls 12 to 18. 
The activity girls helped to plan the Mother's day tea. Saturday afternoon we met at the back patio of the McMinnville Stake Center. I decorated with flowers and tea pots. We had chicken avocado salad sandwiches, mini red velvet cupcakes, mini scones, lemon cookies, pasta salad, carrots/celery dip and strawberry & mango tea. 
We made flower pens to put in our lovely pots. It was really nice for the girls to share this time with their mothers. We had a nice afternoon.