Extraordinary Ministering Sisters

This blog is filled with all kinds of tips, handouts and ideas that can help to motivate and fulfill your calling as a Ministering Sister, and more because it is filled with helpful ideas for Relief Society related topics. PLEASE JOIN US ON our Facebook Group page called : Extraordinary Ministering Sisters https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExtraordinaryMinisteringSisters/

Monday, August 31, 2009

Go ahead, pick up the phone and make that call!

Today is the last day of the month that you can get your August Visiting teaching done. I know things are busy with school starting and such, but see if you can squeeze in a visit and vow to not let your next months visit take you to the last day of the month. Hey.... your sisters would like to hear from you. Just go ahead, pick up the phone and see if you can make it a visit!

By the way here is the link that will take you to the September Visiting teaching message..... http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,2044-1-4880-1,00.html The topic is "Understand and Live the gospel of Christ"

Check back to see what I have come up with to go along with this great message from our church leaders. Love, Katie G

Sunday, August 23, 2009

A new Visiting Teaching Surprise for you!

A new surprise for you can be found at my Visiting teaching surprise blog which is located at : http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com/2009/08/yummy-new-freezer-jam-recipe.html You will have to copy and paste this link because when I post things on blogger, links don't activate.

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To find the tips for keeping cool in the hot months of August, please go to this link
http://visitingteachingsurprisedocuments.blogspot.com/2009/08/keeping-cool-in-hot-month-of-august.html You will need to copy and past it in.

FREE ONLINE CLASSES

I mentioned in my August Visiting Teaching message post that is found below, "Did you know that you can take FREE online classes?" I should have not left you hanging right there but offered some of the places that you can go to take some of these. So.....ta daaaaa, here some of the are:

FREE BYU Online Study: http://ce.byu.edu/is/site/courses/select.cfm?type=pe Digging alittle deaper in this site I found a link to Free open courseware all over the world and even in different languages. Here is that link http://www.ocwconsortium.org/use/use-dynamic.html

Now that I have posted only this one.... I just remembered that months ago in this very blog, on the column to the right, I posted a stationary post that is titled "The Glory of God is intelligence...." Listed under that post are some of the very Free cources, or classes that I was going to post here.

These do not give you college credit, but will keep you learning and growing and expanding your mind. If you find any more classes that I have not listed, I would appreciate it if you would comment or email me so that I can list more FREEB classes for you to consider. You see when we use the word "FREE" we don't leave a out anyone unless they don't have a computer at home. Still, if you don't have a computer at home, you can still go use one at your local library, so there you have it.... the opportunity for Education and growth is available to all.

Friday, August 21, 2009

A Rare find!

Mothers who teach their children correct principles are such a blessing, especially now days when there is so much vile, hurt and pain, grief, sadness and darkness in this world in which we all live. Of course we cannot forget the wonderful and the light and the happiness and values and such that we also see. I just got off the telephone with my daughter who shared with me a wonderful story that made me cry tears of joy. This little girl, who the story is about created the joy by the wonderful little person she has developed into. I cannot discount in any way the proper teaching by both he parents that helped her to do such a wonderful thing, all by herself. She is indeed a rare find. Let me tell you about this story.

This past week, a family traveled to Idaho to spend some time with extended family. While there many of them went to a particular lake and did some boating. They were also joined by friends of this couple and their families. One of the friends families has several children, but one child was born with cerebral palsy. She had a traumatic birth, which left her disabled in many ways.

As a side note, I personally gave birth to a handicapped child, and I understand the love that a parent has for their children and what a special bond and love there is between parents and their handicapped child.

The little girl who this story is actually about is 5 years old and is bright and beautiful. She is talented and exceptionally smart, and loves everyone. I have noticed in particular times when someone has been sad, this little girl makes her way to the sad one and eventually makes her happy. This 5 year old named Brinlely, has a gift to love no matter how abled or disabled they will be. I have to credit once again the teachings of her mother and father, as they too were brought up to love others and be compassionate to all. This compassionate and loving nature has rubbed off on their daughter and so now I will tell the rest of the story.

Brinley noticed this little girl who was handicapped and proceeded to ask questions about her to her parents. Receiving all the right answers, Brinley proceeded to go over to the little handicapped girl and ask her daddy "Can she hear me?" Her daddy replied, "Yes". She asked him what she liked to do and her mother told Brinley that she liked to be sung to, and the kind of songs that she loved to hear. At that, Brinley burst out in son, with her beautiful 5 year old vibrato voice, and sung her little heart out. You would have to know Brinley to understand that she is very animated and loves to dance and be dramatic. Brinley brought so much joy to this little girl that the little girl was smiling and happy by the attention and song. Brinley talked to her and made friends with her and spent time with her, though she could have ignored her like so many other children do.

All those who were there watching this secne unfold, were fascinated by the sweet disposition of charity and love and innocence that was being extended to this little handicapped girl. This is the way that all parents dream that their children, handicapped or not, will be treated. Childlike love, behaving like Jesus, showing genuine kindness and interest in the life of another is what Jesus taught. Looking past the handicap to see the child inside, and becoming a friend. This is what Brinley did and this is what parents should teach their children to do and how to behave when they meet or come upon someone who has differences about them.

You know that darling Primary song that goes something like this....
"I'm trying to be like Jesus,
I'm following in His ways.
I'm trying to love as He did,
In all that I do and say....

Love one another as Jesus loves you
Try to show kindness in all that you do,
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought
For these are the things Jesus taught."

Little Miss 5 year old Brinley, If I could see you right now, I would want to hug all the stuffin out of you, as my Grandmother use to say. I am so proud to have you as my little grandaughter, and deeds like this are just what Jesus taught and I know that Jesus is smiling.

For years and years, I have to say that there were many kindness' extended to my own daughter who is handicapped. She has been somewhat befriended and for a great deal of the time, and mostly treated with kindness. I do have to say that there were many times I have been ashamed of people and their children for the unkind manner in which they treated my daughter. This created in me one of my greatest faults, as it hurt me so much to see my little girl treated so cruelly by others, whose parents simply didn't teach them correctly. Each time someone pointed or stared at my daughter, each time they laughed and said, "Look at her" or each time they made fun of her or called her a monster, I wanted to lash out with all the anger I could muster, and tell those people a thing or two. When my little girl would see that I was ready to do just that, she would sweetly say, "Mom, don't let that stuff bother you, they don't know me, and if they did, they wouldn't be acting like that." "Ignore it Mom, they just don't matter."I guess the reason that I am writing this blog, ends up being that Mothers who teach their children to love and be compassionate with everyone, and not just those who have differences, are raising children of the Lord. Children need to be taught how to be genuine and kind to everyone around them. They need to be Brinley and be genuinely interested, compassionate, and loving towards everyone. There needs to be less selfish children raised, less bullies, and many more Brinleys!

Once again I want to say "Hooray for Brinley" you certainly did the right thing, even though it was not even preconcieved before it happened. It was an spontaneous expression of kindess, and I am so proud to have you as my Grand daughter!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Oooh, I was shocked!


I checked this blog this morning and was surprised and shocked to find some very offensive ads that had been placed on my blog. I must apologize for this, though I know not where they came from. The ads came from some unknown source but I was able to remove them, so hopefully your viewing of this blog won't be disturbed by the 'ugly and fowl". This is just like the world is today. A person tries to create something clean, fun, uplifting and enjoyable, and when the world steps it's ugly head in, it ruins it. Luckily I found it before it could be noticed by too many of you. Once again, I am sorry and I hope it will never happen again. Thanks, Katie G.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

August 2009 Visiting Teaching message

http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,2044-1-4851-1,00.html is the link to the August Visiting teaching message. You will find the link to the handout in this post.

For my message to you, I would like to refer to the quote from our Prophet President Thomas S. Monson: "Beyond our study of spiritual matters, secular learning is also essential. . . . I urge you to pursue your education—if you are not already doing so or have not done so—that you might be prepared to provide if circumstances necessitate such.

"Your talents will expand as you study and learn. You will be able to better assist your families in their learning, and you will have peace of mind in knowing that you have prepared yourself for the eventualities that you may encounter in life"
("Three Goals to Guide You," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 119).

Many years ago my daughter and her dad had a long standing "BET". My husband bet our daughter that she wouldn't graduate from college before she was married. You would have to know my daughter to understand her willpower and determination. She told her Dad that the bet was on and they even posted a dollar amount of $100. Little did my daughter know or realize at the time, that this was her dad's way of encouraging her to complete her college education. My husband was the first of all his brothers and sisters to graduate from college and he had realized the value of education for both his sons and dauthers.

Throughout my daughers education, her dad would tease her and joke and say, "I know I am going to win this bet" with every cute boy that she brought home to meet her parents. My daugher would always reply, "Nope Dad, you are going to lose this bet." Still she dated and we wondered if she would get married to any of the wonderful young men that she was dating. I think our daughter knew more, and even though $100 wasn't worth waiting on marriage if she found the man she was to marry, she simply had an insite that we didn't.

Finally after 2 years of college, our daugher met a man who was working in the city we lived in, and where she was attending college. He had graduated from BYU in Engineering and accepted an engineering position in our area. He first saw her at a single Adults activity. Some months later, she was asked out on double date by a great young man her age, and his sister had asked out the one that our daughter would eventually marry. Well as you can imagine, they liked each other and he asked our daughter out and their courtship began.

Our daughter desired to transfer to BYU, so she did and guess who followed her? You guessed it. To make an even longer story shorter, they dated for 2 years before they were married, and you probably guessed it again.... she graduated from BYU before she was married and she won the bet. Bet you can't guess who was pleased as punch to pay off the bet????

This wonderful daughter also went on to get her masters, while she was married and graduated with a masters degree in Social Work.

Now why do I tell this story? It is because when the economy started to bottom out, and many people were laid off or let go from their jobs, our daughters wonderful and skilled husband was also let go. Even with all his education (MBA & Engineering degree) the company he was working for, collapsed, like so many other companies did. He was out of a job. Funny thing when tragedies hit, there is one vocation that never drops and that is the need for social workers.

Throughout her marriage, our daughter has maintained a small clientelle and has worked only a day and a half a week, so that she could still be a stay at home Mom and raise her children. Gratefully for that vocation that she worked so hard to achieve, she has been able to step in and help pay bills, and such while her husband searched for another opportunity. Without her education and choice of field, her family would be like most other families in this same situation, and lose their homes, and have some difficult times in their lives. I also have to credit my daughter for choosing a vocation that would thrive in hard times. She probalby didn't realize it at the time, but with lifes downward spirals and hard times, her vocation will always thrive out of need.

Sisters, we never know when we may need to fall back on our education to sustain ourselves and families in hard times. Education is fundimental and necessary, and like the scripture says at the first of the Visiting Teaching lesson, D&C 93:36–37: "The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one."

Trials happen in everyones lives, and we must be prepared to rise to the challenges that face us. Sadly, today women are faced with all manner of trials that they have to deal with such as the death of a husband, loss of job and family income, divorce, needing to take care of parents, sibblings or other important people in your lives for one reason or another, or so many other trials that come upon us. How can we be prepared to financially handle these needs if we do not have an education to fall back on.

Education doesn't just mean financial support either, it means that we are able to help our children with their homework, encourage good study habbits, and motivate them to take their own education seriously. Eductaion is well rounded and we can use the things that we have learned to be a terriffic Den Mother or other Cub scout leader, teach in Relief Society Enrichments, and Sunday lessons as well. We can be actively involved in our communities and be examples and show leadership wherever we are.

Education doesn't just stop with college either. There is so much to be learned from becoming a Mother and raising children. Many women do not have the opportunity to become mothers, but they can play a vital role as Aunties, and sisters. My daugther that I have shared her story, has a cousin who is (lucky for us!)unmarried at this time, who has practically adopted her children and loves them like a mother. She is a blessing in their lives and loves to spend time when she can with them. Her influence and love stretch beyond the miles that she has to travel to see them.
We have another daughter who is also the Auntie of all Aunties, and spends many hours loving her little niece and nephews. They love Auntie Jenny and squeel with joy each and every time Jenny is with them.

Grandma's are such a blessing in the lives of their children and grandchildren as well. So much education goes on in their lives as they have lived long and have wonderful experiences and learning that they can share. My mother happens to have been a violinist and has blessed the lives of ALL her children through music. She has gone on to teach violin and educate musically to all her grandchildren, and now she is working with ther great grandchildren. What better and more loving education for the love of music and cultural arts, than for a grandchild to be taught by their (Great) Grandmother?

Well, I could go on and on, but I had better stop. Sisters, get a good education, continue to learn from good books, Education week, General Conference and womens conference. If you have the opportunity to take a class here and there, do it and enjoy the opportunity and growth that comes to you. Did you know that BYU offers many FREE online classes to take and so do many universities all over the United States. Keep learning and expanding your intellect. Educate yourself, and remember Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. “And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come” ( D&C 130:18–19 )

Here is a good link for you to enjoy...http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:67jQMPzWVbUJ:institute.lds.org/manuals/the-gospel-and-the-productive-life-student-manual/prod-2-10.asp+whatever+principle+of+intelligence+you+gain&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

I have made a bookmark for the printed handout for this month, and you can find it by going to this link.... http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com/2009/08/august-2009-visiting-teaching-handout.html

General Conference Talks

Hear the words of the living prophets.
General Conference Reports
Proceedings of Recent General Conferences
There is no question in my mind, that we who call ourselves Mormons, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are indeed Christians. Those who would say otherwise remind me of the words my Savior, Jesus Christ spoke as He hung upon the cross... "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." This same Jesus Christ attoned for my sins, and died that we all might live.

What shall we give?

<>Other wonderful Christmas Videos, go to \http://www.lds.org/topic/christmas/christmas-videos.html

An Apostles Easter Thoughts on Christ

"This Easter and throughout the year, may we have uppermost in our minds His divine teachings, the unparalleled example of His pure love, and His willing sacrifice of self to accomplish the holy purposes of God, the Eternal Father." The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints"

This short video is an Important message from the mouths of our Prophets!

My sister sent this to me today and I feel like it is an important enough message, that I wanted to share it with all of my blog readership. The words spoken are directly out of the mouths of our Prophets, past and present. Hear them, heed them. Love, Katie G. You can find this at this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehD390q9G3k

July 24th - Pioneer Day

July 24th - Pioneer Day
Click on the picture and it will take you to the last post. Did you get your Visiting Teaching done by today? If not, just keep on trying, just like the pioneers. I would love to hear what you have learned from these wonderful Pioneer Women's stories. I know that I have learned alot about sacrifice, and persecutions of the early saints, and of a strong testimony that these Pioneers had to have to endure all that they did, and gave in establishing zion. Once again, I say, Blessed, honored Pioneer! If you would like to comment, please email me at ktgauger@gmail.com or click on the link and comment on the last story. Happy Pioneer Day! Love, Katie G.

July 22 -Maggie Anna Ferrell Orr

July  22 -Maggie Anna Ferrell Orr
Copy and paste into your address bar and this will take you to the story of Maggie Anna Ferrell Orr, another of the wonderful Pioneering Women.

By now you should be alittle curious about your pioneer heritage.

By now you should be alittle curious about your pioneer heritage.
Do you want to find out if you have Pioneer ancestry. This site is most useful to those who have had members of their family tree that belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the Mormon migration period of 1847-1868. By the way, the goal for this Pioneer Women Journey is about to reach it's end. You only have one more day to do your Visiting teaching, before the 24th of July, which was the goal. You still have time to push the proverbial handcart up the hill, so get out and get it done. Share a pioneer story with your sisters, and you have pleanty to choose from right on this site.

My broken wagon wheel, hath bit the dust!

My broken wagon wheel, hath bit the dust!
Wo is me, I am so behind on my own treck of keeping up wonderful Pioneer women posts. Actually I have a great excuse, and almost made it when I realized how little I have to complain about. Ok, so I am going to tell you anyway. My air conditioning has been off for 6 days now, and I am having to live in my basement, though my computer in upstairs. It is ten degrees cooler in the basement, but my main floor has been up to 92 degrees inside my house. Wo is me.... and what do I have to moan about. I began thinking about the pioneers in their covered wagons, crossing the hot, hot prairie, and their only hope of relief from the blazing sun is the cool shade of a tree, or a stream, or night time if it cooled off enough for them to actually sleep. I have not slept well until I decided to go in the basement. Wo is me. What do I have to complain about. I have been so sick from the heat and a medication change that I have been nauseated all day long. So what do I do... hop in my car and go to Walgreens and get some acupressure wrist bands that took away some of my nausea. Wo is me, but what do I have to complain about.... the pioneer women suffered without any relief. If herbs didn't work for them, or if they didn't have access to them, they just suffered. I feel so blessed to live in this day and age where even if I have to be inconvienenced by having no air conditioning, I still can go in my basement, or hop in my car and turn up the air full blast, or just drive down to a store and walk around and shop, or even go to the pool and cool down that way. You know that poem.... "Father forgive me when I whine, I have two legs, the world is mine"? I have no reason to complain, but you still didn't get the updates on the Pioneer women because I am still too sick and hot to stay upstairs long enough to do them. Count this one as an update and count your blessings along with me. The wagon might be broke for a bit, but once the wheel is back on, the wagon will keep on rollin. Now, I am going to hurry back down stairs and try to replenish the sweat that is pouring off my face and body with gatorade. Don't give up on me, I will be back! Love, Katie G.

July 17 - Handmade by the Pioneers

July 16 - Margaret Alice McBride

July 16 - Margaret Alice McBride
....You know the drill... click on the photo and it will take you to the story of Margaret Alice McBride. Enjoy! Katie G

July 15 - Julia Ann Chapman Lee

July 15 - Julia Ann Chapman Lee
This story is told through the eyes of Julia's husband. It is a short but touching story, all to familiar to Pioneers. Click on the image and you will be directed to the story.

July 14 - Louisa Miller Belleston

July 14 - Louisa Miller Belleston
I thought it was important to realize that not all pioneers only traveled from Missiouri, Ohio or other Eastern States, but many were converted to the church and traveled from overseas. This story tells of the Church Emigration fund, and Louisa's family traveling first by boat and then on to Utah. Their travel took them 8 months to get there, with their fair share of challenges. Click on the picture and it will take you directly to the story.

July 13 - Mary Ann Payne

July 13 -  Mary Ann Payne
This is a cute little story about Mary Ann Payne that I found, and I know that you will enjoy reading about her. She is the top right photo. Click on the photo and it will direct you to the link that has the story. Enjoy!

July 12 - Margaret McNeil (Ballard)

July 12 - Margaret McNeil (Ballard)
Click on the picture of Margaret and you will be taken to the link that you can read about her.

July 11 - Jane Jenkins Howe

July 11 -  Jane Jenkins Howe
Please click on the photo to see the history of Jane Jenkins Howe entitled - A WIDOW SUPPORTING HER FAMILY

July 10 - Julia Anne Phippen Eldredge Evans

July 10 - Julia Anne Phippen Eldredge Evans
Click on the photo and it will take you to the link to read about Julia Anne Phippen Eldredge Evans

July 9 – Camilla Dorothy Jacobsen Corbett

July 9 – Camilla Dorothy Jacobsen Corbett
Click on the photo and it will take you to the link to read about this amazing Pioneer woman

July 8 - Catherine Gougar Goodman

July 8 - Catherine Gougar Goodman
This is a short story of a non-Utah Pioneer woman, who was taken by the indians as a little girl, and to read the rest of the story, you will have to click on the picture and it will take you to the link you need.

July 7 - Elizabeth Case Miliam Wheeler

July 7 - Elizabeth Case Miliam Wheeler
The life of this marvelous Pioneer woman can be found by clicking on the photo which will take you directly to the link. This woman is classic Mormon History as her story tells of her being apart of so many of the historical accounts in Nauvoo, Hauns Mill, handcart pioneers, and so much more. I found her story so interesting that I couldn't stop reading until it reached the end. It was also interesting to me that she was given 3 Patriarical blessings in her lifetime, and she was truely a wonderful woman. I know you will enjoy reading about her as I did. Love, Katie G.

July 6 - Pioneer Cooking

Since all of us cook, I thought it might be interesting to find out what Pioneer Women cooked, how they did it and recipes they used. I found quite a few recipes, but I would like to open this one up to you and if you have any authentic pioneer recipes, please send them to me and I will add them to this post. My email is just to the right of this page.

Click on this link to take you to the Pioneer Recipes:
http://visitingteachingsurprisedocuments.blogspot.com/2009/07/pioneer-recipes.html

I was also thinking that if you were to copy some of these recipes and print them off, that might be a fun handout for the Sisters you Visit Teach!

July 5 - Ann Parker

July 5 - Ann Parker
Sorry I am so late posting this story, but click on the photo and it will take you to the link where her story will be told.

July 4 - Margaret Ann Howard McBride (My Ancestor)

July 4 - Margaret Ann Howard McBride (My Ancestor)
I had to post about someone very special to me on this day. I chose one of my ancestors whose trek took her with the other ill fated pioneers of the Martin Handcart Company. I could not locate her photo, so I substituted one of her son's wives photos. Click on the photo and it will take you to the account given by two of her sons, of what she and her family dealt with after joining the church.

July 3 – Elizabeth Simpson Haigh Bradshaw

July 3 – Elizabeth Simpson Haigh Bradshaw
I hope that you are enjoying so far, the stories of these wonderful Pioneer women. I hope too that your testimony will strengthen as you read about those who came before us and the unimaginable things that they had to do to pioneer the way for us to have what we do in our wonderful church. My gratitude and love for them has deeply increased, and I would echo the words in the hymn..."Blessed, honored, Pioneer!" Click on the photo of Elizabeth and it will take you to her history and for more reading about Elizabeth, you can go to http://students.ou.edu/G/Erin.R.Ging-1/story3.html Also there is another account of Elizabeth found in a book that you can read by going to this link... http://books.google.com/books?id=rzkAcWtngX4C&pg=PA104&lpg=PA104&dq=BRADSHAW,+Elizabeth+Simpson+Haigh&source=bl&ots=UJEtgTZ4Sf&sig=2h_qWhKeYEiK6hM8ev95tiRuu2M&hl=en&ei=kHE-SpW4JpDosQOe94n0CA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4

July 2nd - Diana Lucina Spicer Block

You can find the posting of a marvelous Pioneer woman, whom I have chosen to spotlight on my other blog that is located at http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com/ and just click on the link and it will take you there! I hope you are having some good Pioneer fun!

July 1st - Anne Eliza Leavitt Baker

July 1st - Anne Eliza Leavitt Baker
Did you think I forgot? Actually my life became so hectic today, that I am just getting some time to make my first Pioneer woman post. I hope you will enjoy reading about these marvelous women who came before us. I hope that you can feel their courage and understand that we too have a purpose for living in our generation. We are the generation that lives to prepare for the second coming of Christ,though none of us know when that will be.... and with that I will just say... Keep your wagons rolling along in good works, do your Visiting Teaching, strengthen your sisters through your testimony and determination to get your visiting Teaching done. Click on the photo and it will take you to the link where you can read about our Anne, who is most likely the woman in the middle front of the photo, holding the baby.

Visiting Teaching Tips, handouts and Ideas
For many years, I have been creating very cute and fun things to take to the ladies I Visit Teach. I have shared from time to time, my ideas with others and they have really appreciated them. I decided that since I do these anyway, I would start doing one every month and then post it on this blog to share with anyone for their Visiting Teaching. I do need to make a disclaimer.... the ideas, thoughts, stories, graphics etc. used are created by me and they are not in any way official LDS Church quotes, handouts or ideas. They are my creations or others as noted, except for the quotes that will come directly from the Monthly Visiting Teaching message found in the Ensign. Also, many thanks to the talented designers of the digital paper and elements that I use to create the beautiful artwork, and handouts you see on my blog.

You can go to http://www.lds.org/ and look up and even print the monthly message if you do not have your own Ensign magazine subscription in English or to choose to read the Liahona or Ensign in a different language go to http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=03103c7ff44f2010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRD&locale=0.
For Spanish you can go to http://www.sud.org.es/

I highly recommend you get your own subscription because you will find a wealth of really good & wholesome, moral reading, that you can't find anywhere else. If you go to http://www.lds.org/ and click on "Gospel Library" then click on "Magazines" you can order your own Ensign, Liahona, New Era, or Friend magazines.
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Downloading

When you click on the pictures or ideas that I have on my site for you to download, sometimes the picture ends up really large. What you need to do to size it is to go to the "page button" then click on zoom. Take it down to 50% and that should fit better on your screen for viewing . Also, if you right click "save picture as" then save it to a file on your computer, you can size it using your own desktop publishing program and then print it off with my compliments! Enjoy!

A February Enrichment Idea

A February Enrichment Idea
"The Hearts of Angels" dinner & program. Click on the picture and it will take you to where you can find the entire program written out. Once you get to the site which is my Visiting teaching surprise, make sure to scroll down a ways because there are alot of other great ideas, printables and handoust before you will find this wonderful "Angelic' program. Enjoy!

Enrichment Ideas Anyone?

Enrichment Ideas Anyone?
I have also been enrichment leader from time to time as well as have been asked to do many projects for Enrichments. I am not sure if anyone would be interested in some of my ideas, but if you are, please leave me a comment and I will respond. One thing that relates to Visiting Teaching that I wanted to share is something I have taught for many years, and in fact my Daughter in her Park City ward just used this idea in their Super Saturday last week for the second time. It is Glass etching and it is really pretty easy and turns out to be a great project. The etching I do is etching glass casserole or platters with the name of the person who will receive this gift or for whomever is signed up for the class. I have given etched casserole dishes as wedding gifts and have taken many casseroles, rolls, cakes, and all kinds of goodies to people, and always get my dish back, because it has my name etched in it. Go to http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com/ to get instructions.

Gardening with Kids

Gardening with Kids
Read the idea below

"Returning to the Past" A Relief Society Activity Idea

This is an email I received from a wonderful sister as well as a new Relief Society President about an idea that they will be doing as a theme for their activities for this year. (if you have a great idea to share, please email me at katie1956gauger@mindspring.com and we can add it to all the other terriffic ideas!

Dear Katie,
I just found your blog. It is so great. I love the idea of the Hearts of Angels. I am trying to figure out how we can use it for our VT conference and incorporate some of the things for our VT interviews. I am a new R/S president and all these things we have to do throughout the year are a little overwhelming. I love all of you ideas. So much work involved, thank you for being willing to share with all of us! I would love anything else you could pass my way.
WE had the thought earlier to use a theme of "Returning to the past" for our activities this year. So all of your old-fashioned pictures will be great to use as invites and handouts.
You might be interested in the idea we had for our B-Day dinner. We always have a progressive dinner in December to the homes of different sisters. We divide them up into about 5 smaller groups and go around to the different sisters homes in the ward. Because of the weather we cancelled it and had it at the church. We decided to do it for our B-Day dinner instead when the weather would be better. We are having the women bring a sack lunch with them and to wear something old, like a grandmothers broach or shawl, or to dress up in the time of the 1800's, and to bring a pint jar with a lid. We will have the sisters make lemonade at the first house and take with them in the jar that they brought, and then go to the next house. At the last house we will have and old fashioned cake to serve like apple walnut cake or something like that.
We still have some details to work out but at the end each member of the presidency will be at a different home and will share a prepared script. It will be written as if they were at the very first R/S meeting when the prophet Joseph Smith organized the R/S with just a handful of women.
Anyway, thank you for sharing what you have! You have a great talent!
Stacey McClellan - Blackfoot, Idaho


SELF RELIANT SISTERS BLOG HAS A GREAT ACTIVITY ABOUT GARDENING WITH KIDS - go to http://selfreliantsisters.blogspot.com/ It is well worth the time and a terriffic idea as Spring is just around the corner! Here is a tiny bit of information that you will see at the site.....

Gardening with Kids has great tips on getting kids started with gardening. Give your child some space; literally! Kids loving having spaces that are all their own, whether it`s their own desk area in the house, or the tent they've created with chairs and blankets in the family room. The same is true for gardening. Dedicate a small plot of the garden just for them. Put a fancy border around it, perhaps purchase one of the stepping stone making kits found at crafts stores in which they can mold their name and make their hand print.
Let them join you at the nursery. Let your kids know you value their opinion. Ask them which kinds of plants, flowers, and vegetables they like. Explain what will work well in your garden and what won't.
Give them (limited) choices. While you're at the nursery, ask them if they'd like pansies or petunias, marigolds or zinnias. This will give them the feeling of power without letting it get out of control.
Remind them money doesn't grow on trees. With older children discuss the budget. Let them help select seeds and blossoming plants at the nursery - and turn it into a math lesson. Let your child do the money calculations; they can tell you when the money runs out.
Let your child do what he will (especially if you have a preschooler). Let him dig, explore, play with bugs. You may be tempted to steer your child in another direction (like actually watering or weeding his garden), but this is a great way for your child to explore this exciting new universe.
Plan, plan, plan. If you have older children, say 8 or 9 or older, let them plot out their own garden on paper. Provide him or her with graph paper, pencils and seed catalogs. Give them a group of flowers and vegetables from which to choose, and then let them draw out their garden.
Get them their own gardening tools. Nothing will motivate your little gardener more than having her own little shovel, her own gardening gloves, and her own watering pail. And don't forget those bright colored rubber boots.
You need to go to the site and explore all the rest of the links and ideas.