New Years Eve - Count Your Blessings Jar

The end of a year is always a great time to look back on the events of the year and think about all that you have been blessed with.  These will be mixed blessings, because life is never perfect, but it's a great time to "Count your blessings, and see what the Lord has done" for you.

I have created a cute label that you can print, cut out and attach to a quart jar. Print it out on white, or if you print it out on colored paper,  you can add a matching fabric lid or leave it plain, but tie a pretty bow around the lid.  If you do leave it plain, be sure to cut a slit in the top of the canning lid, so that the little slips of paper can be inserted into the jar, without having to open the jar each time.  (You know how you did when you wanted to save your coins as a kid and made yourself your own piggy bank out of a jar.)

This could be given to friends and family, sisters you Visit Teach, or just about anyone, and would fit right into the New Years celebration as a party favor that can be used all year long.  To get the Label & blessing templates, go to my other blog:  http://visitingteachingsurprise.blogspot.com

I have been thinking a lot about all the New Year's resolutions that are made and forgotten shortly after they are made.  This is my way of creating a way to remember a years worth of blessings, tender mercies, happy moments, compliments, or anything good that happened, and be able to actually see what the Lord has done for you this past year, and not making a resolve, and failing.  This is progress and will provide a lift.  OH and be sure at the end of the year, to add your blessings, to your journal, so you will not forget them in years to come. 

Enjoy!  Katie G.

New LDS related website

I wanted to share a tip about a new website that I just became aware of.  It is called  Gospel Grab bag, and is so completely filled with ideas for just about anything and everything LDS.  My good friend Mary Ross is the author, and has been working long and hard to make it wonderful.  She is teamed with a fabulous illustrator,  Jenette Guymon King, and together they have some pretty amazing ideas to offer.
Mary happens to be in my ward, and when my grand kids come to visit, some of them have gone to Mary's Primary class, and have come home with the most darling handouts I have ever seen.  Mary has a special way to make things fun, because she is dedicated to teaching the Gospel in fun ways.  Mary is one of the most compassionate women I know, and serves quietly, those who are lonely, physically challenged, and just needing a friend.  Mary is a great example of taking Visiting teaching to a higher level, and makes close friends of anyone and everyone.  Mary's heart if full of charity, and everything she does is out of love and kindness.  Mary is a true disciple of Christ, and lives her life daily thinking about others, and then acting on her promptings. She is kooky, and creative and Christ like, all in one wonderful package. 

I hope you will take a moment to go visit her site.  www.gospelgrabbag.com

Enjoy!  Katie G

25 Days of Family Christmas Activities

Some of you may know that I am a service missionary for LDS.org. on their Response Team.  I am one of those who answer your questions submitted about the website.  I have been so amazed at the wealth of information, images, videos, talks, and other resources, that I decided to create a Christmas activity calendar for families, to help them to understand the true meaning of Christmas.  I actually made this as a give to my ward members, but decided that others could benefit from this as well.  Most everything is from LDS.org with a couple of exceptions. A few of them require a tiny bit of preparation, so you should look at it before your family does, and be prepared.  It is fun, and will bring greater happiness and joy to your family as you learn more about why we celebrate Christmas.

Feel free to share this with anyone you want, but please let me know if you like it, and maybe I will do another one next year, if I feel all my time and efforts were worth it.

Enjoy!  This image pictured isn't active but you can find it in my dropbox up until the end of December: 
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3vrfqhgim69hoby/Christmas%20Activity%20Calendar%20%28%20with%20links%29.docx

Merry Christmas!  Love, Katie Gauger