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/

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Make your own Halloween Candy Bar Wrappers

Everybody
loves treats
 don't they... but what if you
could make up some really cute treats
in just a few minutes?  Well  I did, and I
think your sisters would love her own Halloween
candy bar.  You don't even need to have a pattern or
template.. just get two contrasting scrapbook papers, the
lighter                  weight
is easer                 to work
with, and cut out the bottom  one the very same size as the outer
covering
of the
candy  bar  wrapper.  (don't take off the foil)  Then the next one that
 is the contrasting one is glued to the front side centered in the middle. 
Just fold around the foil covered candy bar, and there you have it....
a really yummy and cute Halloween treat for the sisters that you
Visit teach. I realize that I have been doing a lot of posts, but I
love this month  as it is  really fun and  creative things
can be made and enjoyed.  It is my birthday month
and that is another reason why I like it so
much.  Enjoy!  Katie G.
P.S.  I was going for a pumpkin lettering shape... can you see it?



Reicpe Cards and cute Tissue box cover

I just designed a set of three different tabbed recipe cards to have for the women to write down the recipes that they like when they come to the soup exchange for my neighborhood lunch bunch.  If you go to my visiting teaching surprise blog, you can get those and print them off for yourself.

Also, I made a cute little Halloween tissue box cover to set out. Ok, I am going to tell you one of my biggest pet peeves, and though it is probably not such a big deal, it is to me.  I would like to keep a box of tissues out in the family room, or kitchen for guests or my family to use, but the tissue boxes aren't the color of my house, or they are really ugly designs, so I don't set them out.  I know that is pretty petty, but everyone has a pet peeve and that one is one of mine.  It is minor in the grand scheme of things, but I was thinking about all these cute Halloween decorations and projects that I have been designing, and I thought why not design a template for a tissue box.  Well I realized why when I took apart the box... it was not a printable size, so I just decided to cover it instead.  If you go to my other blog, I have a tutorial of how I did it and it now sits proudly, filled with tissue, on my end table in my family room.... OUT IN CLEAR VIEW.  Why... because it is cute!  I am going to have to do this for all the seasons, and also cover one that matches the color scheme in my family room for off holiday times. 

What does this have to do with Visiting Teaching?  How cute would it be to cover a tissue box for a holiday or just with a cute scrapbook paper, and take it with you to visit someone who is sick, or one of your sister.  I am going to try to find the little handout that goes along with the tissue box, that was given to me once, that I thought was so cute.  If I can't find it, I will make one up and post it on my Visiting Teaching Surprise blog with the rest of the  photos and such of these two projects. Go to http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com to find both of these cute projects.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Are you "Thinking outside the box?"

Today I have had a thought on my mind that I felt like I should post about.  It is about being an Out of the box thinker.  What exactly does that mean?  Well let me give you the example that has been on my mind since my day has been spent doing exactly that.... thinking outside the box.

My story began about a month or so ago when I just happened in a such a wonderful sale at Taipan, which is a marvelous and my favorite home decor store.  I was actually looking for some photo frames to frame the family pictures that were taken clear back in July.  I had delayed so long this project but finally I knew I needed to get those pictures up on the wall before they were so old, it was time to take more.  Back to Taipan....I walked back to the section where they had their frames and to my delight I saw 50% off all framed art and photo frames in that section of the store.  I was in heaven and was so excited as that was exactly what I came for. My eyes immediately met two,  huge beautiful white picture frames.  I examined them and then looked at the original price.  When I deducted off what I thought the 50% off would be, then I knew I had to purchase those. I quickly put them in my shopping cart so that nobody else would get their hands on them. 

My eyes then found another sign that said up to 75% off, and of course a bargain shopper like me would not over look those.  As I pulled my cart over to those frames, I could see that they really were not very pretty.  In fact the pictures in them were so outdated and unsightly, I said to myself.... "Well I know why those are marked at such a low price".   I started to look around and went back to the 50% off frames and began to look through those once again.  Then I saw it... a sign that someone at the store had put up and it said something to this effect.... "You may not like the artwork in the picture, but look at the frame.  Buy it for the frame."  So what I interpreted it to mean was this.... I needed to think outside the box.  I needed to take a look at the frame instead of disregarding the frame because the picture didn't particularly appeal to me.

I began to look at those all of those frames for 75% off, and realized that there were really nice frames.  The photos inside were pretty awful, and the color of the frame was definitely not something that would match the colors of my house, but what is it that I could do with them?  My mind started to look at them a whole lot closer and I thought.... if I bought a can of spray paint, I could paint that frame black and the wood is so pretty and sculpted, it would look really nice!  Then I began to realize that I had a wall at home that i had wanted as a gallery for pictures of my children and grandchildren.  If I converted my digital family photos into black and whites, they would look really good in a freshly painted frame.  But then I got stuck.  I noticed that each of those frames that I could fix with a little work had a double matt, and though I could use the outer cream colored matt, that inside mat was in Rust color.  That simply would  not do.  I know how expensive it is to buy new mats and figured if I did, I would be paying almost the price that it would be to buy the entire picture, frame and all at the regular price.  So I put all those frames back in the pile of 75% off and walked back over to sort through the 50% off.

Through my mind, I was thinking.... I really wish I could use those other frames, but that ugly matt, what in the world could I do to salvage that matt?  So... I began to think outside the box, and I pictured in my mind some of the darling printed mats on the modern pretty pictures that cost so much money.  Ok, I said, and turned my cart around once again, and walked back to those ugly matted frames.  I then realized that the mats measured about 12 inches long and less wide, and pretty scrapbook paper was 12" x 12" . I remembered two years ago mounting pretty scrapbook paper on some wooden picture frames to sell at a craft fair and they went like hotcakes.  That is what I would do... I would buy some pretty paper and cover those ugly mats, and with some paint, and my photos converted to black and white, I would have a beautiful work of art.

By thinking out of the box, I realized that things that appear unattractive on the outside, or just don't quite fit in with my own likes, could be worked on and with a little polishing, could turn out to be really quite lovely.  It reminds me of the story of Johnny Lingo, and Mahayana.... the ten cow woman.  You know, the village thought she was very unattractive and undesirable but Johnny Lingo saw something beautiful.  By his gesture of offering 8 cows to her father for her hand in marriage, that turned the entire villages view of this woman around, and she became esteemed and admired.  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365393/quotes (link to quotes from Johnny Lingo)

How many times are we given Mahannas to go visit teach, knowing that we don't have anything in common, that you don't know anything about this sister, or she lives too far to visit, or she is too much older than you are, or she never smiles, or she seems so crabby, or  on and on and on.  How many excuses do we need to not do our visiting teaching? Over the course of my years as a Visiting teacher, I have been assigned to teach so many women, that I ordinarily would not have gotten to know for whatever reason.  I am so grateful in retrospect that I was given the opportunity to see the beauty, kindness, and love inside these lovely Mahannas.  Through this opportunity, I have been able to make friendships that will last forever.  I have learned as much as I have taught and I am so grateful that I was willing to look outside the box, and move forward with what I had been asked to do.

I loved so much the talk that President Monson gave in the Relief Society about not judging others.  http://new.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/charity-never-faileth?lang=eng ( Link to the talk) Women in general, seem to be really good at making judgements, when it is ourselves we should really be taking a deeper look at.  Making a judgement on someone else, for whatever reason, could potentially eliminate us from meeting someone who could possibly be one of our very best friends.  When we realize that the Lord is directing our paths, and he knows what is ahead of us, then far be it for me to stand in the way of meeting someone that the Lord knows needs me, or even I need her. 

Anyway... can you imagine that I got to this point in this post simply from shopping for picture frames?  I could go on and on, but really I need to get back to my frames.  The last one is drying from the spray paint, and I need to cover the rest of the mats.  Once they are done, I will post a picture and show you just how pretty they turned out.  I don't have a photo for you to compare how they looked before, but just take my advice, and start "thinking outside the box" to find the real treasures that lie under the surface.

Love, Katie G.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Soup exchange

I just designed a darling invitation to a Soup exchange and made two for you to use without my info.  I made it either a fill in the blank or add your own text on the invitation. Go to my Visiting teaching surprise blog http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com/ and find this new surprise for you!!! Love, Katie

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Soup, Meal, Cookie or Christmas Candy Exchange

I thought of something fun that you could do with those sisters you visit teach.  This is the perfect time of year to do it too, so get hopping and set the date.  Here are my ideas for a Soup exchange.

1.  Invite your Visiting teaching partner, and those sisters you visit teach to come on a specific date, to your house for a Soup exchange.  Let's just say you have 2 sisters that you Visit Teach, so the total that would be coming would be 4. 
2.  The hostess will provide the French Bread or Rolls, butter, and the disposable soup tasting bowls & spoons.
3.  Each person should make an extra large batch of soup. ( It must be home made, and not store bought!!!)   Maybe you could assign out a specific kind to each woman, so that each soup that is brought would be different.  Make up a batch large enough to produce 5 quarts.
4.   Each of the woman should put her soup in five - quart containers that can be frozen such as plastic or freezer containers, that would hold one quart of soup per container = 5 quarts of soup. (1 quart is for tasting, and the other 4 quarts are for exchanging. It might also be a good idea to bring a bag to carry the soups in other than a plastic grocery bag as the soups will be heavy.
5. Write up and print off 4 recipe cards or papers with your recipe on it to give with the soup you exchange. 
6.  Gather together at a specific set date. Give your Visiting Teaching message to your sisters over the table while you enjoy tasting each others soup.
7.  Make sure that each sister that leaves, goes home with 4 different kinds or soup in quart containers.

I was thinking of this idea today to do in my neighborhood, with my Lunch bunch.  If you do it with neighbors or more women, you could still have each bring  5 quarts of soup, and they would still go home with 4 quarts of soup.  I like this idea because it helps me with my winter cooking... you know, just go to the freezer, pull out a home made soup, and heat it up and serve with a loaf of bread or rolls!  Yum!  I like the idea of not having to cook all the time too.
My daugher has a freezer meal exchange with friends in Park City.  They actually have more women in this group but they all come home with as many complete meals as there are Girls in the group.  Now how nice is that?   I found a great blog as a resource at this link http://www.lynnskitchenadventures.com/2009/05/freezer-meals-tips-and-storage.html  Here is another link to things to consider when starting out a freezer group.... http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/11/23/how-to-start-a-meal-exchange/




I know that this idea is early, but if I don't post it  now, when December rolls around, I could very easily forget.  For December, make sure to do a cookie or homemade candy exchange.  Very easy way to get all the yummy holiday treats and a great variety without you having to make each one.  Bring 5 - 6 dozen of either cookies or Christmas Candies.  Make sure that they are home made, and not store bought, and bring the recipe too. 

Enjoy!!!  Katie G.

Here are the rules that I found online for the cookie exchange.  I found them at http://www.cookie-exchange.com/

The Rules of the Cookie Exchange

1.      All cookies should be homemade, baked and main ingredient must be flour.
2.      No plain chocolate chip cookies, cookie mixes, no-bakes, meringues or bars.
3.      Please bring 6 dozen total cookies.
4.      The theme is "Christmas Cookies" (You can make any theme you like.)
5.      Arrange cookies in a basket or platter and be creative! 
         Bring a large container to carry away your cookie, 
         or the hostess can provide a take away container.
6.      Email a copy of your recipe before the party (or bring recipe to the party)
7.      Christmas attire is encouraged!
8.      RSVP as soon as you can and let me know what type of cookies you are planning on baking
         -- no duplicate recipes are allowed.
9.      There's a prize for the best Christmas outfit. (Give prizes!)
10.     If you don't have time to bake, or have burnt your cookies, 
          but still want to attend, you must go to a real bakery and buy 6 dozen yummy cookies. 

Copyrights notice:
If you use the "Rules of the Cookie Exchange" offline for your personal use, no acknowledgments are needed. If you make an online webpage using
The Rules of the Cookie Exchange and have use in whole or part of my rules, please place a link on the bottom of the same page that says: 
"Some content courtesy of Cookie-Exchange.com."
Thank you,
Robin Olson
Here is a site for an invitation for a Cookie exchange that you can print off and fill in the blanks...http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/christmasfun/invitations.htm  There are others online so just google Cookie exchange invitations.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Visiting Teaching Motto Bookmark

I thought you might like a copy of my motto for Visiting teaching.  It can be found on my storage blog at http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com.  Go and get it and enjoy!  Katie G.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Happy Vintage Halloween

I collect as many vintage images as I can find and thought I would share these with you as I am sure you will enjoy them too. 

I love so much the sweet emails and comments that you have been sending to me about my blogs.  I love the questions, the ideas, and the fact that you are out looking for helps to be more effective Visiting teachers.  I love that you have Relief Society meetings that focus on Visiting teaching and that you know that Visiting teaching is an inspired and very important part of Relief Society.


I personally look forward every month to going Visiting teaching.  I love the new sisters that I have been able to get to know as a result of the changes in the ward that I live in.  I use to feel frustrated at all the changes that were made, but I have been able to get to know so many wonderful women as a result.  I was thinking today that Visiting teaching is so much more than watch care.  It is friendship making, it is being an earthly ministering angel, and it is learning to love and appreciate the diversity and talents of others.  I hope that you too will enjoy your experience with Visiting teaching.  It will happen your entire lifetime, and you have the choice as to what kind of an experience you and your sisters want to have.  I suggest you immerse yourself in it and just jump right in with both feet, because you get as much as you give.  It is good for you and good for your soul as well as the fact that you are able to share a spiritual message with some women who may not get another the entire month.  Perhaps too, you can be a part of the reactivation of some of Heavenly Fathers sweet daughters, that He has put you in their path to seek out and remind them of the Gospel message of love.

Can you tell that I love visiting teaching?  I guess you could say that it is my passion, or I certainly wouldn't put the time and thought into this blog and my visiting teaching surprise blog as well.  Enjoy your opportunity to Visit teach, and if you ever want to share, this is a great place to do it. 

Best regards & Love,
Katie G.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

More Halloween printables and fun things to do

Just a note... you should go to my Visiting teaching surprise blog because I have another cute new handout there for something fun dealing with Halloween.  It is fun, and read the entire post and you will get the link to the other storage blog that has lots of other things in it.  The link to the Visiting Teaching Surprise is at the top of this blog, under the header.  Enjoy!  Katie G

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

What have I done for someone today?

Last October 2009 General Conference, President Thomas S. Monson gave a talk entitled "What Have I done for  Someone Today?"  I have been looking for a spiritual thought to give in my presidency meeting and remembered a quote from his talk.... and this is the jest of the quote...."Are you immersed in the thick of thin things?"  I read through this talk because it related to Service, and quoted was  King Benjamin from the Book of Mormon... "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God."

The Savior taught His disciples, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it."   President Monson said that "He believes the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in the service of others, there is little purpose to our own lives.  Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service of others, grow and flourish---and in effect save their lives".

"We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness--- be they family members, friends, acquaintances or strangers.  We are the Lord's hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children.  He is dependent upon each of us."

I have been so gratified these past two days by so many kind women in my own neighborhood who have selflessly and immediately accepted the opportunity to provide a meal for a family who will be having a private family memorial service for a loved family member who has passed away.  One email was shot off to some women, and immediately they responded, with offers of bringing side dishes, desserts, and all manner of wonderful food for this family.  Everyone of them are busy women, and in particular the day of the memorial service, yet they love their neighbor and wanted to help. 

Service isn't always convenient, or timely but when we serve others, there is truly an added benefit for the server.  It is simply this.... Joy.  It feels so good to know that you are helping others, and if you are burdened yourself, just go out and serve someone else, and I can guarantee, that you will come back feeling so much better.  You will feel so good inside.  You will feel joy. 

In the talk President Monson quotes a familiar church hymn...
Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone's burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?

This wonderful hymn then ends by these words....
"Then WAKE UP, and do something more"  than dream of your mansions above... doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure, a blessing, of goodness and love."

I have created a cute bookmark handout to share using the thought provoking quote from this wonderful talk..."Are you immersed in the thick of thin things?"  This quote helps me to inventory the time I am spending during the day.  What am I doing with my time, and what could or should I be doing?  I thought I would give you alittle service and pass it on.

Enjoy!
Katie G.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

I have a question for you....

My sister in law, Linda lives in Idaho and she is her Stake Relief Society President.  She emailed me this past week, knowing that I have this blog and the V.T. Surprise blog as well.  She wondered if I have or know of any already written musical Relief Society Programs (similar to Woman at the Well) and even more specifically one that deals with the history of Relief Society since Sister Beck was telling  us how important it is for us to study the history of Relief Society.   I would love to help her out, so if you know of one, please email me at ktgauger@gmail.com and I can let her know.  If I find one, I will post it on my blog for others of you to use this coming year as well.  Remember what I say alot in this blog...."We are all in this together" so let's help each other out in the ways that we can.

Thanks, Katie G.

My suggestion, was to go to the Sally DeFord Music website, as she has tons and tons of music she has written and she shares it freely.  You can print it off to use.  She also has as part of her site, some Easter and Christmas Cantatas, and programs, as well as other programs that people have sent in, including your's truely.  I suggest anyone who is looking for something special, go there.  Her link is http://www.defordmusic.com/

Another Printable found on the Visiting Teaching Surprise Blog

I will keep you in suspense, and you will have to go to my other blog to see and get the new printable that I have made.  The link to that blog is found just below the Blog header or banner.  Hope you like it.  If you do.... please let me know by commenting below the post.  Thanks, Katie G.

October 2010 Visiting Teaching Message

I am feeling somewhat like the White Rabbit, in Alice in Wonderland, when he said, 'I'm late, I'm late....."  Well he finished up his statement by saying... "for a very important date...."  My thoughts about being late stem from not posting the Message and link for October's Visiting Teaching so here it is http://lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,8776-1,00.html  There are several links that will take you to some great references to help personalize your visiting teaching and they are:

I wanted to add a few more links that will help you with this message and they are as follows:

  • http://lds.org/library/display/0,4945,2043-1-5215-1,00.html (October 2010 Issue of the Ensign is focused intirely on Temples )  Here is the direct link to the Ensign Special issue for you to read online.  Look for it in the mail as well if you subscribe to the Ensign and other church magazines.
Others are:


There is another link that takes you to this article called:  "Relief saociety: A Sacred Work by Julie B. Beck, Relief Society General President  Here is that link:  http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=3bbf56627ab94210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

General Conference and LDS Addiction Recovery Program

Didn't you just love General Conference today and yesterday?  It never fails that the messages that the leaders of our Church prepare for us are just what are needed.  I was really excited because a lot of the talks included messages about dealing with Addictions.  As you know by now, my husband and I have just completed our missionary service in the LDS Addiction Recovery Program.  We served as mission group leaders for Addiction Recovery meetings in the Sandy, Utah area, as well as the Utah County area.  We  lead meetings in both Spanish and English, and concluded the last part of our second mission working exclusively with the Pornography group, my husband with the addicts and I worked in spousal and family support.  It was a marvelous experience, but I am so glad that the leaders are saying so much about Addictions of all kinds, because there is such a problem, and it is a huge curse in these days. 

 If you or a loved one suffers from the devastating effect of any kind of addiction, including Pornography, please seek help now! 

Contact either LDS Family Services, or you can go to lds.org and under the home and family tab, then under Marriage , family and individual Counseling, you will see "Addiction Recovery Program". http://www.providentliving.org/content/display/0,11666,6629-1-3414-1,00.html   Click on it and you will be able to see the program guide in many languages, and find a support group to begin attending and the time and place http://www.providentliving.org/content/list/0,11664,4177-1,00.html or an LDS Family services agency near you.  http://www.providentliving.org/ses/emotionalhealth/contact/1,12169,2128-1,00.html

Sincerely, Katie G

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Surprise! I made a cute Halloween printable for you!!!

Have you been enjoying Conference today?  I sure have and while listening to it, I have been busy on my computer designing this fun little Halloween Printable gift box for you to print off and fill up with some fabulous little treats. ( I will make my pink popcorn recipe, but with Orange Jello instead of Red jello)

If you go to my Visiting Teaching surprise blog http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com you can find the templates that I created to print off a darling Halloween gift box.  Here is the direct link 
I don't have the photo taken yet for the gift box, but I will by the end of today.  This is a really easy template, and that was my purpose.  Some printable boxes are so hard to fold and figure out for me, that I wanted to make a simple one.... and I did.  Enjoy!!!  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.
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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.