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/

Thursday, July 29, 2010

It's the end of July already!!!


Whew, where has the time gone?  I can't believe this month is almost over.   Don't forget to get your Visiting teaching visits in. 

I was just released along with my husband serving as missionaries in the LDS Addiction recovery program.  We have been serving for 33 months.  It has been such a blessing for us and today I am feeling like a fish out of water, nolonger a missionary.  I guess the only thing that is certain in this life is change and constant adjusting. 
I have been wondering where the Lord will direct my paths now?  He has certainly knows more than I do about me and what lies ahead, so I guess I will practice what I preached as a missionary.... Turning my will over to the will of God, and letting him direct my path.

I have thought I need to spend alittle more time now on this blog, and try to come up with some really fresh and fun ideas tips, and handouts for you.  It is a fun thing to do for me, and right now, at least I have a little more time to do it.

Thanks for your readership, your comments and emails.  It is fun to feel the sisterhood around the world.

Best regards,
Katie G.
P.S.  If you are wondering who these lovely women are, I will tell you that these represent daughters of Utah pioneers.  My great grandmother ( Mary Jane McBride Cunningham) is the third from the right in the back row.  She was really a wonderful woman.  One day, I will take the time to write down her story to share.  She was an inspiration to me!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Need alittle Motivation.... read on.....

From time to time, I get comments or hear true experiences that I like to add to my posts.  Today there are a couple I would like to share with you. 

I have Visiting Teachers who almost never come.  They drop some little thing by and say that it will have to count as their visit for the month because it is too late in the month or they are too busy.  They have called me to set up an appointment and if I am not available the time they want to go, they don't give me an option of other dates or say they can't come another day.  If I am not available, or they get to the end of the month then I just get something dropped by my doorstep.  What kind of a visit is that?  It takes all the fun out of the cute little thing that they drop by, because I feel like the little goodie is suppose to apease me. I don't feel cared about, and I feel like I am a obligation that they don't want to have.  I guess they feel passified to think that they have made their contact by what they drop by.  I don't feel that way, I want a visit from my Visiting Teachers.  I want to get to know them, and maybe even form a friendship with them. 

This month they did the very same thing, and said they were coming by to Visit Teach me on a particular day, which I told them I would not be home, because I had a preieviously made appointment.  I asked if they could come the next week any day, and they said, "No, and that they would drop by something at my door, and asked me if it was fine that they count this as my visit."  This time, I got up my courage and said, "No, it isn't fine that you count this as a visit, because I want a visit from my Visiting Teachers."  I then asked what they had going next week and offered several days and times that I could have them over.  She said, " I have to play tennis some time next week, and you know there is shopping."  I knew that my visiting teachers had much better things to do than to come visit me.  I knew that I was just an unfulfilled assignment, a monthly obligation that they wished they didn't have. 

Do you think I should call my Relief Society President and ask her to reassign Visiting Teachers to me who will actually come and visit me?  Do you think my Relief Society President will think I am the problem and just a whiner?  Do you think all the past 6+ months of no visits, but only a little goodie on my door have been recorded as Visits, even when I never saw my Visiting Teachers? 

(Name Withheld)

All I can say to this is I am so sorry, and I feel very sad for both you and your Visiting Teachers.  There are so many women who really don't want to be bothered with Visiting Teachers dropping by, but you actually want them to come for Visits, and they don't come! I feel sad for  women who don't take the opportunity to reach out and bless the lives of others, and also receive the blessings that come to those who serve.  I feel sad that friendships that could be so wonderful have not been made.  I feel badly that you feel like you are, as you said, "a monthly obligation or  unfulfilled assignment." 

I think this is a wake up call.... there are people out there who need you.  How hard is it to take a little time out of your busy life to lift and bless the lives of someone else?  How hard is it is adjust your schedules a bit to accomodate someone who really wants a visit from you?  How hard is it to open your heart and make another friend?  Whenever service is rendered, not only will the person whose life you served be blessed, but as a natural result of service .....you will feel happy and lifted too!

I want you to know that you are worth a real visit, and worth the time, and effort!  Some people are really missing out on a wonderful opportunity to get to know you. 

By the way, if you have had them for 6 months and no in home visits, perhaps your idea about consulting your Relief Society President about giving you a new set of Visiting Teachers is justified. She won't know your needs unless you tell her.   Please write me back and let me know what happens.

Sincerely, Katie G.

HERE IS ANOTHER TRUE STORY......

" I called my Visiting Teaching companion today to try to schedule a time for us to go out and get our Visiting Teaching done.  She infomed me that the new sister we were just assigned to teach was her neighbor and that she refused to be her Visiting Teacher."  My first reaction was that she didn't like this neighbor, but when I asked her why she didn't want to Visit Teach her, she told me that she has lived accross the street from her for several years, and that she didn't know her well but waved from time to time.  She said that she didn't want to make her feel like she was an assignment to befriend her."  She adamently refused to Visit Teach her and said that I didn't need to understand."

Once again, another lost opportunity to get to know someone who could turn out to be a wonderful friend.  I could read between the lines and think that it isn't as much of not wanting to be her Visiting Teaching assignment, as it is alittle embarassment of not having taken the time to reach out sooner? 

The reason I decided to share these two sad stories, is that there are so many good reasons to do your Visiting Teaching...why work so hard to avoid it?  Visiting Teaching is a friendshipping opportunity, and maybe wouldn't need to even be an assigment if we all took the time to watch over each other more readilyinfact I believe that there is a commandment to love our neighbor! There is a real purpose for Visiting Teaching, and it is my prayer that we all look alittle deaper and remember the saying...  "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".  ...... And for those of you who have not had it done unto you (Visiting teaching visits).... make sure that you do unto others. Now go out and get your Visiting Teaching done, as you only have a few days left this month.

Katie G.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Visiting Teaching Interviews

One sister wrote me looking for something specific in my blog with regard to Visiting Teaching Questions to ask during interviews.  Because I spent a considerable amount of time hoping to find some help for her, I decided to share with you the ideas that I gave to her..

I must clarify that the following are only my ideas or the ideas of others and do not represent anything with regard to LDS Church Policy.  These are just some tips, and ideas to assist you in getting it done!

The first thing that came to my mind when you wrote me was the V.T. Conference in one of my Wards we did had the focus of "My Sisters Hands."  We made sugar cookies in the shape of hands, and glazed them.  We added a small heart that could be made of another tiny heart shaped cookie iced in pink or red, or you could get a heart candy and place on top of the hand cookie.  For the handout was the poem "My Sisters Hands" found at http://www.defordmusic.com/mysistershands.htm 
    My Sisters Hands by Sally DeFord
    My sister's hands are fair and white; my sister's hands are dark My sister's hands are touched with age, or by the years unmarked And often when I pray for strength to live as He commands The Father sends me sustenance in my sister's hands My sister's hands are lined and worn with burdens of their own And yet I know that should I mourn, I need not weep alone For often as I seek His grace to lighten life's demands The Father sends me solace borne in my sister's hands My sister's hands: compassion's tools that teach my own their art Witnesses of charity within the human heart Bearers of the Savior's love and mercy unto man I have felt the Master's touch in my sister's hands
      Church Music Contest: Relief Society Division - Award of Distinction 1993

    We didn't do this, but I found 2 very cute videos using the Sally Deford Song "My Sisters Hands." here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75l2oMat-O4  another one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkvoVKtGPXM
    Here is the link to a Visiting Teaching Conference that my own ward did, that I was not involved with it other than attending as a Visiting Teacher.  http://visitingteachingtips.blogspot.com/2009/06/my-wards-visiting-teaching-conference.html

    When I have conducted interviews along with the Presidency in the past, we generally give a very brief message, and thank each sister for their service.  We ask how their Visiting Teaching is going and if there are any concerns they have.  We asked about their relationship with their Visiting Teaching partner and if they were able to accomodate each others busy schedules.  After the interview, we would invite them to have some refreshments. 

    After all the interviews have been conducted, we as a Presidency will visit together and share important needs and concerns with the President.

    One thing I do have on my site about interviews is the theme "My sisters hands"  You can find it at this link  Here is the link to a bookmark you can print out and laminate that would  really go well with the Hands theme http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com/2010/05/your-hands-are-his-hands.html

    Another idea that you could develop and customize for your interviews could be found at this link.... "The hearts of Angels" http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com/2009/01/hearts-of-angels.html
    and http://www.blogger.com/posts.g?blogID=8675029211561237058&searchType=ALL&page=4
    You could also use "The Errand of Angels, or Earthly Ministering Angels" as Visiting Teaching interviewing or Conference themes.  The term, "Errand of Angels" is found in the song..."As Sisters In Zion."  Video found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNNoOuMKuKg

     Hymns, As Sisters in Zion, no. 309
    1. As sisters in Zion, we’ll all work together;
    The blessings of God on our labors we’ll seek.
    We’ll build up his kingdom with earnest endeavor;
    We’ll comfort the weary and strengthen the weak.

    2. The errand of angels is given to women;
    And this is a gift that, as sisters, we claim:
    To do whatsoever is gentle and human,
    To cheer and to bless in humanity’s name.

    3. How vast is our purpose, how broad is our mission,
    If we but fulfill it in spirit and deed.
    Oh, naught but the Spirit’s divinest tuition
    Can give us the wisdom to truly succeed.

    Text: Emily H. Woodmansee, 1836–1906
    Music: Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938. © 1985 IRI
    Galatians 6:2, 9–10
    D&C 11:12–14
    Another idea could be taken from this cute poem about priorities and how we look at life, and helping and giving encouragement to others during their times of need.  http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com/2008/12/three-hairs.html

    This one was a New Years Resolve  with regard to Visiting Teaching, that could be developed into a good theme for interviewing.  http://visitingteachingtips.blogspot.com/2008/12/some-new-year-resolves-for-visiting.html


    Here are some nicely done Visiting Teaching Videos that could be shown at a Conference, or even  playing while the sisters are waiting for their turn to interview. 



    I hope that these ideas will help you with your Visiting Teaching interviews and whatever else you can think of. 

    Best regards,
    Sister Katie G.

    Friday, July 9, 2010

    July brings my memories of Family home.

    It is very hard for me to believe that we are well into the month of July.  Whew.... where did the time go?  I know for one thing, that it is hot, hot, and August gets even hotter !  With that said, I wanted to write a post about family memories, current and past.  The message for this month is about family and strengthening family at every opportunity. Over the 24th of July, my family are having our first family reunion since all my children are married.  We get together often, but never for an official family reunion.  We are taking the opportunity while we will have my out of towners, in town, to spend as much time together as we can. 

    When our children marry, and begin their own families, it takes alot of effort on all of their parts to stay close.  Each family have their own separate lives, involvements, work schedules, and such and nowdays, we have to make plans to be able to stay close, nurture each other, and let all the grandchildren have opportunities to get to know each other and most of all have good fun together. 

    In keeping with the V.T. Lesson for this month, our reunion ties in nicely.  One of the Scritpures for this lesson is found in Mosiah 4:15 and it says "But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another. "  It is my hope that the efforts that I am making in providing opportunities for my family to stay close, will also provide them opportunities to love and serve one another like this scripture says.  Parents aren't around all the time, and when they are gone, it will be hoped that their children will always stay close to each other. 

    Last year I focused my entire July to memories of Strong and faithful pioneer women.  I don't have the time to do what I did then for my posts, but I do want to says that my ancestors lives have really begun to tug at my heart.  I have never before felt such a bond with my ancestors as I do now.  Maybe it is the time of life that I am in, or maybe I have such a strong feeling for my own family and staying together, that my heart has opened toward my ancestors.  In the last 2 months, I found over 500 names of ancestors who are in need of their earthly ordinances to be done.  I took it as a challenge to get their temple work done as quickly as possible, so that they don't have to wait much longer.  I have had a wonderful experience doing their work, and my thoughts have turned to wonder about whether or not they will accept and embrace these ordinances.  I have a story to share...

    About 2 weeks ago, I took the names of some of my ancestors to the temple to do inititory work.  I carefully selected women who were sisters or realated.  I noticed, that they had been sealed to their parent,  President Brigham Young.  The very first woman I began doing the work for, I know for a surety that she has accepted the ordinace that was done for her.  I know because she came to the temple that day and myself and the ordinace workers felt such a strong and powerful spirit while the work was being done.  All of us wept, and were pretty much speachless, as her spirit was so powerful and I could feel her love and gratitude that she finally had these ordinances done for her.  I also experienced with another sister, that a second and unseen set of hands were placed on my head.  I knew that someone else had joined in on the blessing as I felt hands the weight and warmth of their hands on the other side of my head and I was filled with the spirit as was the ordinance worker.  These kinds of things just don't happen all the time with me, but since they did, I can testify  that there are definatley alot of my ancestors waiting for the opportunity to have their ordinances done for them.  They want and need them done. I have personally taken upon myself the accountablility for making sure that all of these 500+ ancestors get their work done.

    This month, members of our church celebrate the Pioneers coming to Utah.  We sing and hear stories of the great sacrifices they made to get to Utah.  I have ancestors in both the Willy and Martin handcart companies, who suffered greatly.  One ancestor lost all of the toes on her feet to frostbite.  Another ancestor thought her infant child had died and had left her in a shallow grave.  Something kept telling her that her child was not dead and the next morning, they went back and found the baby.  In an effort to warm her up, someone spilled a drop of hot water on her, and she reacted, which let her mother and those working on her know, that she was indeed alive.  Other ancestors had angels helping push their handcarts to Zion.  I can't imagine what sacrifices and hardships they expereinced, but I do know that I am grateful to be blessed to live in this day and age, as a result of what my ancestors did to make it happen.

    Enjoy your own family times.  Make memories and keep records both written and in pictures of your times together.  The only thing that really matters in this life, is family.  Love them, lift them, stay close to them, and take every opportunity to spend time with them.

    Katie G.

    Sunday, July 4, 2010

    I love and appreciate reader comments!!!
    Jackie from Redford, Michigan wrote:  Check out the new radio program focused on the Visiting Teaching message each month!

    http://radio.lds.org/eng/programs/qa-relief-society 

    Thanks Jackie!  I thought that everyone should know about this link as it is wonderful and everyone who comes to my blog, should make sure to go to the link and see what it is all about.  Besides.... it is about Visiting Teaching!!!!!

    By the way.... do all of you know about the Relief Society page at LDS.org?  If not.... go to http://www.lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,4644-1,00.html  It is well worth the time you spend enjoying it and it is updated regularly!!!!!

    Happy viewing and reading!  Katie G.

    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.
    Posted by Katie Gauger at
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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.