President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's "Create" Video

I so relate to this wonderful video. I love it and hope that you love it too. Wonderful, and purposeful message! For the link to "Create" video click here.

Preparing for the Upcoming LDS General Conference

The Spring General Conference is just around the corner and it isn't too early to begin to prepare to enjoy it with your family. I have researched some really great ideas that I found and thought I would pass them on to you. ENJOY!!! Love Katie

• https://beta.lds.org/general-conference/children?locale=eng this is on lds.org page "Activities for Children"
• 180th Anual General Conference info, schedule and events: http://www.lds.org/broadcast/gc/0,5161,9080,00.html
• Ensign Article - "Preparing our Children for General Conference" http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=9e906c667a6af110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1
• General Conference Notebook (Very cute for children)http://www.lds.org/broadcast/gc/notebook/General%20Conference%20Notebook_English.pdf
• Mormon Momma Blog " Making General Conference Memorable http://www.mormonmomma.com/index.php/2006/making-general-conference-memorable/
• LDS General Conference, Come prepared to learn http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art7677.aspGeneral
• Conference Activities and Games ( Keeping Children attentive during Conference)http://lds.about.com/od/generalconferencegames/General_Conference_Activities_and_Games.htm
• General Conference Goodie bag (For the sisters that you Visit Teach) Very cute idea! This idea I found at the "Everyday food storage" website and it was posted by Chrystal. http://everydayfoodstorage.net/2008/09/29/general-conference-goodie-bag/food-storage-recipes also the link to print off the postcards go to http://everydayfoodstorage.net/handouts/conference-goodies.pdf

I am sure that there are tons of other really great ideas, and maybe you have some of your own. If you would like to send me your ideas via email, I would love to have them and post as many as I have time for. Thanks, Katie G.

April 2010 Visiting Teaching Message

You can find the April 2010 Visiting Teaching Message at http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,2044-1-5146-1,00.html

Also I have lots of great ideas for cute little Easter gift giving, in the 2009 archive, on my blog at
http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com You can also go to the labels section and find the ideas quicker by clicking on the particular topic you are interested in.

I also have a great idea that I am going to do with my neighborhood lunch bunch.  It is a Spring/Easter luncheon and the theme will be "EGGS" since eggs are a sign of spring and Easter.  You can find it at: http://visitingteachingsurprisedocuments.blogspot.com/2010/03/april-2010-empty-nesters-family-home.html

I am also have planned a Spring FHE lesson, complete with handouts, activities treats, and personalized song lyrics to "Oh what do you do in the Summertime". I am hosting the Ward Empty nesters group the month of April and have a REALLY fun time planned, amd since they forgot that i was doing the FHE in April, then I don't mind sharing it with you right away.  I was all prepared with everything, so I guess I will just have to box it all up and save it for next year.  Anyway, you can benefit from my early preparation and great idea so go to http://visitingteachingsurprisedocuments.blogspot.com/2010/03/april-2010-empty-nesters-family-home.html you can get it all!!!

This song, that I was using for the closing song for Family Home Evening, written by Sally DeFord can be found and printed off from her site which is http://www.defordmusic.com/ifiplantedagarden.htm  If you go to her site, you will love all the wonderful and FREE music that she has written!!!

HAPPY EASTER!!!  LOVE, KATIE G

LDS.org

Don't you just love to go to lds.org and see all the wonderful and constantly updated materials that they have? I know that I do!

I was so excited to finally see the video that was made last summer of some friends and missionaries serving in the same mission that my husband and I have been serving in. The church filmed this video at the home of our friends, The Olsen's, who live just up the street from us. It was the Olsen's that first introduced us to the LDS Addiction Recovery mission when they spoke on our wards Sacrament meeting after we had been in our new ward for only 3 months. Our hearts were touched and the Spirit bore witness to both my husband and I all throughout that meeting, that this was something we needed to find more about. About a month later, my husband and I were called as part time service missionaries to one of the Utah LDS Addiction Recovery missions. We served there for 18 months then transferred to another area that was closer to home for us. We have since served more months and have 8 months to go on this, our second service mission. What will happen after that? As we learn in Step one, when we turn our lives and our wills over to the Lord, he will guide and direct our paths. He knows much more than we could ever know.

Anyway.... I wanted to include this interview with the Olsen's for you to enjoy and see what wonderful people they are. The church needs full time and part time missionaries. Missionaries are needed everywhere. You don't need to be retired to serve missions for the church, and you don't even need to move away from home. Just ask me!!! Love, Katie G.

P.S. This and the other two videos that are well worth viewing can be found at this link http://www.lds.org/csm/csmvideo.html

Here's some St. Patricks Day wishes for you! and for those you teach.

May your blessings outnumber

The shamrocks that grow,

And may trouble avoid you

Wherever you go.

May your neighbors respect you,

Troubles neglect you,

The angels protect you,

And Heaven accept you.

These things I warmly wish to you

Someone to love & Some work to do

A bit o' sun... A bit o' cheer

And a guardian angel always near.

Best wishes, and don't get pinched...

WEAR GREEN!!!!

Love, Katie G.

Accepting your submissions

Sometime ago, someone who is close to me asked me a question that has been on my mind since then. "Katie, how do you be happy?" I thought for a moment, and gave answers, drawn through my own life experience. Since then, I have noticed that there are alot of people who seem to be really down, maybe clinically depressed, encumbered and burdoned, or don't know how to smile and laugh. This concern has bothered me to the point that I felt I must do something about it.

I am in the process of writing a book of short stories that will be focused on how to be happy. I already have many great short stories, but I thought it might be fun to include stories from you. My guess is that everyone who reads this blog, has experience with becoming and staying happy, and could share. If you would like to submit your story please use the following guidelines:

1. Your story should be typed on the computer in MS Word, and should be no longer than two printed pages. Double or single space is acceptable using a a standard font such as Times New Roman and 12 - 14 in size.
2. Title your story and include "by" "your name".
3. Include your first name and last initial if you want to remain anonymous or you can give your full name. Please include your email address, or contact information.
4. Send this as an email attachment to me at ktgauger@gmail.com and in the subject area, type in "How to be happy".
5. You may submit up to 3 separate stories, but each must be a true story or experience. (same email but separate attachments please). You may, however, change the names of the individuals to protect privacy or to make it so that their identity is kept confidential in your submissions.
6. Submission deadline is April 30, 2010.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Each submission will be carefully read and those that best fit the focus, and are unique from other submissions, will be selected. If your story is chosen, you will be contacted to let you know and send further permissions prior to submitting for publishing. If your story was not selected, don't dismay, as there will probably be many of the same ideas told over and over and it won't be a reflection on you or the idea, simply a duplicate. I am looking for diverse ways that people have figured out how to be happy. If this book is accepted for publication, you will be notified, and those of you whose stories are selected, will receive a free copy of the book after it's publication. You will also be acknowledged in the book, (unless you want to remain anonymous) for your contribution. Ok girls... let's get writing. Love, Katie G.

Relief Society - An Enduring Legacy

LDS.org is constantly updating and I found this wonderful Video clip that I wanted to share with you. This reminded me of what a marvelous Society of Sisterhood that we belong to, our purpose within this Society and the blessing it is to belong to such a marvelous organization.
Blessing each others lives, providing service, building friendships and Sisterhood. Relief Society a blessed Group of Women, an enduring legacy.

Read the scriptures .com

WOW, I never cease to be amazed when I go to LDS.org and find new things. Today I found something wonderful that goes so well with the March 2010 Visiting Teaching lesson. Go to http://www.readthescriptures.com/ and see what i am talking about. Wow, it is soooo neat!!! Scripture reading, journaling, and so much more! If you register for scripture reading and journaling, tell them Katie G. sent you!!!!

March 2010 Visiting Teaching Message - PRINTABLE HANDOUT

If you will go to the following link, you can find a free, and printable Book of Mormon Reading chart, D & C and Pearl of Great Price reading chart, New Testament and Old Testament Reading charts, as well as the scriptures in other languages in both reading format as well as audio MP3 format. http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com/2010/03/handout-march-2010-visiting-teaching.html The main link to my visiting teaching surprise blog filled with handouts is http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com There you can find several years worth of great handouts to help you with not only your visiting teaching but for many other great applications. Enjoy and know that they are gifts from Me... Katie G.