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, March 29, 2012

April 2012 Visiting Teaching Message

You can find the April 2012 Visiting Teaching message at this link: http://www.lds.org/liahona/2012/04/love-watch-over-and-strengthen?lang=eng
On the Extraordinary Visiting Teachers facebook page, one of the members wrote in and said this about the message for April: 
The April message seems more gaged more to the help the visiting teacher, rather than to give a message to your ladies. Is that how you perceive it?
This was my response to it and maybe it will help you too when you sit down to study and prepare how you will give your message to your sisters in April.  I have also added other ideas to it as I have written this post.
Yes, the focus of April 2012 is on the Visiting teachers. Some or all of the women you Visit teach, will most likly be Visiting teachers themselves and need the message as much as you do. It is always a good thing for everyone to have an evaluation of how they are doing and making sure that they understand the important role they play in the lives of those that they teach. That list is as follows:
  • Pray daily for her and her family. 
  • Seek inspiration to know her and her family. 
  • Visit her regularly to learn how she is doing and to comfort and strengthen her.
  • Stay in frequent contact through visits, phone calls, letters, e-mail, text messages, and simple acts of kindness.
  • Greet her at Church meetings. 
  • Help her when she has an emergency, illness, or other urgent need. 
  • Teach her the gospel from the scriptures and the Visiting Teaching Messages. 
  • Inspire her by setting a good example. 
  • Report to a Relief Society leader about their service and the sister’s spiritual and temporal well-being.
It might be a good time to go down that list of what Visiting teachers are suppose to do with those they teach, and make sure that they know that you are there for them in all of those areas!   It could bring good conversation about making sure they know  to call on you when they are in need and that you will do your best to anticipate a need. They need to know that you are their friend and if you have not built a friendship, you need to. Everyone wants to feel the friendship of others and how blessed would you feel to know that both of you know that you are true friends, and that your visits just aren't made out of duty or filling your calling as a Visiting Teacher. 
Another wonderful thing about this message that I could see is that there are some scriptures that are wonderful, particularly the last one stood out for me.  It was  3 Nephi 27: 21 and it says...
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even shall ye do". 
This scripture speaks of discipleship, and it would have been a great scripture to bring out in this current month of March's lesson on becoming disciples of Christ. You could go one step further and ask your sisters about what is going on in their lives, upcoming events, surgeries, their children and family, important occasions, concerns, etc., so that you can help them through these and be a support and listening ear.  As a personal example of this, I remember many years ago, when my family had moved to a Nevada, and I had just had a new baby, my family was preparing to go on vacation to visit our family in Utah.  One FRIEND knew this, and before we left, she brought over a Tupperware filled with treats, snacks, car games, etc., for us to take with us to make our 9 hour trip easier for all of us.  Now how nice was that?
Most importantly is that you would know what is going on in their lives, and let them know you are interested in them and you don't have to be the same age to make a good friend.  Another personal example of this was when my family moved to Nevada, I was given an older woman in the ward to visit teach.  She had quite a reputation for being honery, and brash and drove people away. Knowing this, I made every effort to make sure that she knew I wanted to be her friend.  It took some time and her unique nature came out, but as I overlooked that part of her, I was able to see into her heart, and truly love her.  She knew and felt this and I told her so.  She became a surrogate Grandmother for my own children because she gave back to me through the friendship we developed, what was missing as we lived so far away from our own parents and grandparents.  She came to my children's special events, and even made quilts for each of them for their birthdays and for my new baby. 
I have a favorite quote by Edwin Markham and paraphrasing it:  "There is a destiny that makes us brothers (sisters), each one goes his way alone. That which he sends into the lives of others, always comes back into his own."
I didn't go into Visiting teaching to get something back, but sometimes it is a natural and positive consequence of true friendship and service.  I mourned with her own family when I found out she had died, after I had moved back to Utah many years later.  I loved that wonderful woman, and surrogate Grandmother.  She knew it, and felt it and that love was returned.
Well, I hope that what I have shared will help you gather your own ideas to share as you visit teach in April.  Happy Visiting teaching!  Katie G

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Happy St. Patricks Day!

I have a bit of Irish in my heritage, in my "O'Doyle" side of the family,  so I am going to leave my Irish blessings with you for Visiting Teaching and for you, this St. Patricks Day.....

May the Sisters you teach, within your ward,
Make your Visiting teaching not so hard…...

Finding joy in your visit, and a welcoming sight,
Even when your visit lasts into the night.

May the Spirit be with you learn the message you teach,
May you go home & remember to practice what you preach.

May you & your companion have a schedule that’s the same,
May the vehicle that takes you, never go lame.

May you realize the importance of this service you give,
May your you name be called ‘Blessed” as long as you live!

Love, Katie G

Thursday, March 8, 2012

A Great Idea for Visiting Teaching Coordinator and Supervisors

This morning, I received an email from my Aunt who is the Visiting Teaching Coordinator in her ward.  She shared with me a great idea that I felt was very much worth posting and sharing on my blog.  This idea creates a feeling of importance for Visiting Teaching and it also teaches the sisters the message each month.  Each sister hears a part of the message each month, and is better prepared to share that message with their sisters.

Here is part of the email that my Aunt LouJeanne Smith sent to me:

"I have worked with our Relief Society presidency to have a visiting teaching thought every week in opening exercises.  We don't want to take away time from the teacher so we take only a minute or less.

As coordinator, I take the first week and mention the new theme.  Then I type up different thoughts and quotes from the monthly message and type them in the largest size fonts, add a boarder and print.  In my Relief Society room, on each side of our chalkboard are areas (bulletin boards) to post things.  We usually put two printed sheets with portions of the message on one side and two sheets on the other side with the rest of the message.  The print is large and everyone can read them from the anywhere they sit in the room.  They are just a short Visiting Teaching thought, but after glancing at it a time or two, they retain it.  We show the same message for two week is, then put up another message from the same theme.  We switch these messages with the primary and young women so they see them also.


We want our visiting teachers to feel more important, more needed, and feel the spirit of teaching.  Our supervisors take turns giving the minute-or-less thought each week. That way they each of us have a turn to get up in front of the class and all the women soon know who all our Visiting Teaching supervisors are.  I make out a 3 month schedule so they know which Sunday is theirs.  Our ward knows we have VT messages every week and hopefully know that Visiting Teaching  is a more important calling than they realized".


Monday, March 5, 2012

March 2012 Visiting teaching message

Here is the link to this month's Visiting teaching message. http://www.lds.org/liahona/2012/03/daughters-in-my-kingdom?lang=eng

She was the poster child
for the Utah Easter Seals
Campaign in 1949 at
7 years of age.
 My thoughts have been drawn to my sweet sister in law who passed away this past week.  She had been living in a Care facility for 22 years.  She was born with Cerebral palsy 69 years ago and has lived a very simple existence and she was content.  Her life consisted of watching TV from her wheelchair, typing or writing words on paper,  that she found in her TV guides and dictionary.  When she was much younger, she use to enjoy music and collect 45 rpm records, and she had every family members birth date memorized, as well as trivia about them. She loved hamburgers, fries and a soda and would eat them every day if she could have. Her family indulged her somewhat as they made visits with her and brought her favorite snacks such as cookies, chips, and soda fountain soft drinks, she would nurse on all day long.  These simple things made her happy and visits from family were the icing on her cake!
She did as much as she was capable of doing, but probably the greatest gift she offered, was her love of family. Over the years, I have often wondered what her purpose in this life was, being unable to walk, dress herself, prepare her own meals or even do much of anything. What does a daughter of God do, who is as a paralytic,  to "Prepare for eternal designations?" 


Sister Julie B. Beck says,  "The success of families, communities, this Church and the precious plan of salvation is dependent on your faithfulness....(Our Heavenly Father) intended Relief Society to help build His people and prepare them for the blessing of the temple. He established Relief Society to align His daughters with His work and to enlist their help in building His Kingdom and strengthening the homes of Zion."  The V T lesson goes on to say that our Father in Heaven has given us specific work to do to help build His Kingdom. He has blessed us with the spiritual gifts we need to accomplish this specific work.


When I read this quote from sister Beck, it became clear to me exactly what my sister in law's life purpose has been.  Sister Beck's quote mentions the word "faithfulness" and then goes on to mention "strengthening the homes in Zion".  My dear sister in law was faithful in everything that was required of her. She loved and she seemed to be the glue that has kept my husbands family together since the passing of both parents. She strengthened her family by providing opportunities for us to gather. 


Julie was the facilitator for our family gatherings at least twice a year.  Each year for her birthday and for Christmas, her brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews gathered to celebrate with her.  When we gathered, it was like a family reunion that drew use closer as we chatted about the comings and goings of each of our family members since the last time we met. 
Julie faithfully remembered to call on the phone, each and every family member throughout the year, to wish them a Happy Birthday.  She never forgot a birthday up until she became so ill, that she could no longer do so. Julie's purpose was to be the example to all of her family of strength in enduring the hardships of this life.  Julie never complained as was brought out by one family member in a tribute to her.  She had lots to complain about but never complained of pain that she felt in her arthretic joints hands and fingers, and legs or that she couldn't walk.. She simply endured everything without murmuring or complaint. What an amazing example to me of enduring to the end, no matter how difficult her circumstances. 

Julie was a daughter of God who strived to live as His disciple. She helped build God’s kingdom here on earth and was worthy to return to His presence.  Our family was strengthened not only by her life, but through her passing and were gratified to know that the when she was called home, she would walk and run into the loving arms of her parents without crutches.  Julie can now do everything that she could not do on this earth.  Her example of enduring to the end could be her epitaph for this life. 

Julie was faithful in her church attendance, walking to church using crutches to attend all of her meetings.  On days that it was snowy, her father would carry her in his strong arms. When she was older, Julie received her endowments in the Provo, Utah Temple.  She also enjoyed attending the Mt. Timpanogos Temple as well until she was no longer physically able.
 
I believe that the specific work that our Julie was given by the Lord to do in this life was to "build up His Kingdom" in ways that only the Lord knew she could.  Her purpose was to love and strengthen her family, to provide opportunities of service for her family and friends and literally a poster child for enduring to the end.  She showed that you can be happy with simple things. She was faithful and determined to live each day the best that she could do.  Her good life was what brought angels from the other side of the veil to greet her and preparer her for the next life.


What a blessing she has been for our family.  It is my prayer that we would look at ourselves and try to discover our own purposes for this earth life, that we as very imperfect humans, can strive to do the best that we are capable of, and be faithful in our serving the Lord and paraphrasing the scripture, "When ye have done it for one of the least of these, ye have done it unto Me."
Love, 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.
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