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/

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Free Thanksgiving Dinner Invitation template

A few years ago, I posted a really cute and free Thanksgiving Dinner invitation and found that it was a huge hit.  So many people used it, so I thought I would share another one with you.  I made this one up for this years Thanksgiving Dinner with my family.  I left the detail part blank so you can fill it in however you wish. The adorable Turkey came from a blog that I just found called catnipstudicollage.  I made this 5 x 7" so easy invitation to print.  Hope it helps you to have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

By the way, when you begin counting your blessings, try to keep your eyes open and be aware of those around you who might not be quite so fortunate.  Maybe they could use an invitation to a nice dinner.  Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own lives, challenges, triumphs, and everything in-between,  we forget that we are all God's children and He loves each and everyone of us the very same.  Pperhaps we could really make our Heavenly Father smile if he knew more of his children's needs were taken care of.  Open your heart, and think about sharing your Thanksgiving dinner, and if you don't feel comfortable in bringing someone new into your house to share, you can always set aside a plate of food and deliver it to someone who could use it.

Something that helps me in being more generous,  is to remember that when I see the homeless on the street, or the addict in the shadows, or the beggar with her hand out, I remember that those who are destitute, dispised, and downtrodden, are somebodys son or daughter, and on a grander scheme, they are our very own brothers and sisters, who are needing a helping hand.

THINK ABOUT IT.  Enjoy my gift!  Best regards, Kathleen Gauger

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Living What We Pray For

A young mother gave a wonderful talk in my Sacrament meeting a month or so ago, and contained in her talk was a poem that really struck a note with me. The poem was called "Living what we pray for," and she said that it was shared by President Monson in a General Conference talk.  I have not taken the time to search for his talk, so I hope she is correct, but I did find this great poem and wanted to share it with all of you.  As I was searching, I noticed that Stirling W. Sill had also written a poem, that is very similar, so I really don't know who the author is for sure, but none the less, it is really a thought provoking one that all of us need.  I made a little hand out for you as well that you can find at this link:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/nw9jclz04z3wlbx/Inspirational%20Door%20Hanger%20cropped.jpg?dl=0




LIVING WHAT WE PRAY FOR


I knelt to pray when day was done
And prayed, "O Lord, bless everyone;
Lift from each saddened heart the pain,
And let the sick be well again."

And then I woke another day
And carelessly went on my way;
The whole day long, I did not try
To wipe a tear from any eye.


I did not try to share the load
Of any brother on the road;
I did not even go to see
The sick man, just next door to me.


Yet, once again, when day was done,
I prayed, "O Lord, bless everyone."
But as I prayed, into my ear,
There came a voice that whispered clear:


"Pause now, my son, before you pray;
Whom have you tried to bless today?
God's sweetest blessings always go,
By hands that serve Him here below.


And then I had my face and cried,
"Forgive me, God, I have not tried.
Let me but live another day,
And I will live the way I pray?







Monday, July 21, 2014

What can you do to serve others?

This morning, I just revived a talk that President Monson gave, that has been made into a video.  I know we as women of this great church, sometimes feel a little stagnant in our service, and ask ourselves "What can I do to serve?"  We have tended others children, taken in meals, made our Visiting Teaching visits, but what more can I give?  I would like to suggest that sometimes we should look to our children, and see what they do, and what they come up with .  President Monson shares many ways that children serve, that you probably all remember about in this video, and the message came from a talk that was given back in 2009 that he shared about  "Warm Fuzzies."  Pay close attention to the kinds of service that children give and remember the scripture in Matthew 18: 2,3  "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."  

 If you wonder what you can do to serve others... watch your little children, and here is a perfect example of why we should. Click on this link and you will see the cutest little children with one of them serving the other.  http://youtu.be/cHkr0ysHSeI?t=8s





What are Warm fuzzies?
  1. The warm, pleasant sensations one feels in the stomach and heart area when emotionally moved by an act of goodwill or love.
  2. When someone you love or close to you says or does something that gives you a tingling sensation, and melted or warmed heart, sends your heart racing to the heavens, even the "good" kinda of goose bumps! 
  3. Warming messages of friendliness or love to someone expressing a kind message to show gratitude toward one person or a whole group of people. 
  4. The opposite of  a cold prickly. 
  5. Warm fuzzies = Hugs, kiss, prayer, words of gratitude and love, service, kindness, friendship, and more.
Make some warm fuzzies today.  Enjoy!  Katie G

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Love one another



A young, married woman shared a story with me yesterday about Visiting Teaching. She told me that it was her very first time ever being a Visiting Teacher, as she and her husband were in the process of being reactivated in the church. She had been given some faithful visiting teachers over the past couple of years, and their example made it very easy for her to accept becoming a visiting teacher. She worried how she would be received into homes of women who didn't know her, for you see, her whole life, she had been judged by others, because she was born with a handicapping condition. She had been stared at her whole life time, made the brunt of jokes, and pointed at, and commented about because of her physical differences. She wondered whether or not, she would be welcomed and received into homes of sisters in her ward, to give them a lesson, form friendships and be able to be the kind of Visiting Teacher, that she knew she wanted to be. Would they even want her, or let her in? She also wondered if her new partner, a newly married woman without children, would want to go with her. Her whole life, she had never had friends who wanted to do things with her, or invited her to go places with them. They were embarrassed to be seen with her, though in private times, they would talk to her, and have phone conversations, they would never be seen in public with her. She knew it was because she was different physically, and somehow she had been able to reconcile not having friends, and clung to her family relationships as her friendships. Her best friend was and still is her Mother, who loved her and she knew it. Her brothers were the ones who stood up for her, when she was being teased or made fun of, and their friends joined in and were kind to her. How would this experience be, going visiting teaching the first time?

 She told her Visiting Teaching partner that she would give the lesson, which would be for this month, one of the Conference talks. She prepared, prayed and readied herself for her very first appointment, and when the day came, she woke with nervousness, and apprehension. Sill, she knew that since she has had great experiences with her own Visiting Teachers, she drew courage deal within, and remembered what she had been taught from her parents to look up, that she was a beloved daughter of God, who loved her very much too. With this said, she and her partner met at the home of the woman in their ward, whom they had an appointment with. Things went well, in fact, so well, that that they were there for an hour and 15 minutes. She felt the lesson went well, because things in her life related to the Conference talk, almost as if the talk were written for her alone, which let her share her feelings about certain parts of the talk. The sister they taught joined in and shared her thoughts and feelings. Together they began an emerging friendship.

This young woman related to me this experience, because she knew I loved and understood the value of Visiting Teaching. I explained to her that through Visiting Teaching, her own needs will be met right along with meeting the needs of the sisters she teaches, and who knows, maybe those she teaches yearn for friendships as much as she does. She will form friendships, and a sisterhood with ward members, and sometimes those friendships last for a lifetime. Her yearning for a friend, or friendships, have been met through her own Visiting Teachers, and what a blessing she has been given to make more friendships because she chose to accept this very important assignment. I was so proud of her, that she let her very difficult memories and challenges stay behind her, that she did not dwell on her past, but choose to move on, and let the Lord guide her paths. I know that blessings and friendships await her, as she serves the Lord, by loving one another.

Visiting teaching is important. People need other people, and when we serve them, we are serving the Lord. One of the most important things we can do in this life is to love one another. When this commandment was given to us, there were no qualifiers like to only love those who are church members, those who don't sin, those who never make mistakes. We are to love everyone, no matter their differences or circumstances, and that is one of the very most important things that we have been asked to do in this life. I wonder when we meet our Heavenly Father and our Savior one day, and when they remind us of the things we did in this life, which things they will value most about our earthly deeds and life. Will it be the trophy's we have won in our growing years from dancing, sports, and gymnastics. Will it be the fact that we were successful in life and had made lots of money to buy huge homes on the hill, and provide your family with name brand attire, cars, and anything that they could imagine. OR... would They simply ask, How much have you loved? Did you love your neighbor? I have a feeling that the only things that will matter at that moment will be the things that we did that showed love.

I recently heard of a woman who did not accept a Visiting Teaching assignment, because a particular sister they were assigned to, was too needy. Another time, an assignment to Visit teach an inactive sister was turned down because she lived too close to her, and had never taken the opportunity to meet her all those years, and she was embarrassed. Another was when she was assigned to a woman who could only be Visit taught on a certain day and was deemed inflexible, so that assignment was turned down. Still another... "They live too far away." I could go on and on I am sure that there are many excuses we could come up with, to not accept a Visiting Teaching assignment, but I would like to venture a bet, that if all those assignments that were turned down for whatever reason, were accepted, that a great experience awaited all the sisters, and because they were turned down, they missed a great opportunity to love one another.

As I have loved you,
Love one another,
This new commandment,
Love one another.
By this shall men know,
Ye are my disciples,
If ye have love one to another


Happy Visiting Teaching as you go about "Loving One Another!"

How to not dwell int he past @momgaug http://t.co/dC42zc4Y5g

Thursday, March 27, 2014

LDS General Conference in Spanish and Portuguese on youTube

General conference will be broadcast live on YouTube for the first time in Spanish and Portuguese. If people are interested, they can go to the links below and click Subscribe and they will receive updates and other videos directly through YouTube.

Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClMZ6ZcPXgvdds5-JG7gasQ
Portuguese: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBTzZVzIGTxL1LBg_wTBDOA
English: https://www.youtube.com/user/LDSGeneralConference

Acompáñenos a la Reunión General de Mujeres     http://youtu.be/IioqUKYW7pc

Friday, February 14, 2014

Happy Valentines Day!

I just wanted to send a Valentine to each of you, who read and follow my blogs, to thank you for letting me "OPEN MY HEART," to share my tips, handouts and ideas with you.  I hope that they continue to help you better serve in your calling as Visiting Teachers, in the Relief Society and as a friend and neighbor.  I hope you have a wonderful Valentines Day today!  Here is my card, I designed for you. 
Happy Valentine Day!
 
 

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Last minute Valentine

I created his Valentine for the "Girls" in my life.  I got the graphic from Graphics Fairy, which is my very favorite Vintage graphics and elements site on the internet!  I sent it to my daughters and daughters in law, my Mother, the widows in my ward and of course for those I Visit teach.  I thought that since Valentines Day is upon us, maybe you would like a card to print off that is specifically for a woman in your life.  Yes, even a husband could print this off for his wife.  By the way, I created it to be a 4x6 print, and had it printed at the one hour Photo at Wal-Mart.  Turned out darling, and the backside can be personalized.  I have to say that though this was the Valentine, I did get some fun things to go with it.  For the widows in the ward, I bought a large bunch of Roses from Costco, divided them up, wrapped them up in cellophane, and tied them with a beautiful bow.  For my daughters and daughters in law, I made a pink microwaveable heat/cold bag.  Directions here.  The one they make at this link is a little more than what I did, because I just sewed a square bag, and didn't sew all those added pockets but hey, whatever you have time for.  I thought that a cute little silver tray or something like that would be cute to put on one really nice chocolate, or heart shaped iced cookie and wrap it up in cellophane with a pretty bow, would also be very nice to go with this.  Actually you could use any heart shaped anything... pillow, conversation hearts, jelly hearts,  or fill a jelly jar or plastic heart found at the $ store, up with pink and red M & M's.  Just about anything would go with this cute card.  Hope you enjoy this, and make sure those you Visit Teach have a Valentine.  ENJOY!  Katie
HAPPY VALENTINE DAY!!!   Oh, can't forget the men in our lives, so I thought I would share the valentines I made for them this year.  I also created this Valentine from a couple of  vintage clock and heart images that I got from Graphics Fairy and other clip art sources, and designed this very nice Valentine for the men in my life. This one I made for my sons and sons in law, and with it I gave a clock (vintage alarm clock) with it, wrapped in a clear cellophane bag, with a Red and black bow tying the bag at the top. 

Friday, February 7, 2014

Mormon Women Leaders Announce International Board members

Fresh from the Mornon Newsroom....This is great news, and something all LDS women should read!  This will be something that can really help all the women's organizations of the church.  Just go to the article and read. http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormon-auxiliary-leaders-announce-international-board-members

Monday, February 3, 2014

Visiting Teaching Sisters Song



 Sisters Sheet muic
Sometimes I think of the most random things, and all of the sudden, a song that I haven't heard or even thought about in years, popped into my mind.  Suddenly my rhyming hat flew to my head, and words to a Visiting Teaching song, just burst forth out of my mouth.  I know when these times happen, I had better be at my computer or have a pencil to write things down, so I don't forget them. 

So what prompted this song and thoughts?  I have had my mind on Visiting Teaching.  As most of you already know, I administrate the Facebook group called Extraordinary Visiting Teachers.  A sister posted a question, that sent my mind in a flurry with ideas racing around and then, this song.  So, here is the words to the song..."Sisters" I came up with them all in about 10 minutes.   I think you could use them for a fun monthly evening with the sisters in your ward, and if the women who sang it were drama queens,  it could be really funny too!

SISTERS (my version, by Katie Gauger)



Sisters, Sisters
There were never such devoted sisters.
Never failed to miss a monthly call, no sir
We’ll not forget to visit her.

Caring, sharing
Every little message we’re preparing
We take turns to teach or call her on the phone,
And she picks the date, that she’ll be home.

CHORUS: 
All kinds of weather, we stick together,
The same in the rain or sun.
Two different faces, but in the right places
We think and we act as one.  Uh-huh!

Those who’ve seen us,
Know that not a thing would come between us.
Some times they have tried to split us up, but no one shall.
Please help our sisters, to know that we really would miss her,
( or an alternate line: " We'll give some blisters, if you come between us and our sisters,)
If we missed out on, an appointment to visit our Gals!

CHORUS: 

All kinds of weather, we stick together,
Like the postman in snow or rain.
With smiling faces, staying in good graces,
We hope we don't become a  pain.  Oh, No!


Those who know us,
Know that they can always count  upon us,
If they need a meal or a helping hand we’ll be right there.
Please help our sisters, to know that we truly are sisters,
And please bless our sisters, to know that we really do care!

Enjoy!  Katie G

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Visiting Teaching

Thought I would start off this post with Sister Thompson's video titled, "And Some Have Compassion, making a difference."  This good woman is so lovely in all ways, and her messaView blogge is a great reminder for everyone who serves others.

Here is a great link to save to your computer on Visiting Teaching.  It gets you to the monthly Visiting Teaching message, provides additional Visiting teaching training,  shares Church News articles and shares a lot of other helpful resources.  One of the best resources is also on that page, and that is the Visiting Teaching Message Archive, which could be a great resource to Relief Societies who want to come up with R.S.Meeting ideas, Visiting Teaching conference ideas, and just all around great ways of sharing the gospel with our sisters.  I encourage you to go to this link and see what I'm writing about.    https://www.lds.org/callings/relief-society/visiting-teaching-messages?lang=eng

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Visiting Teaching Message for January 2014

Are you wondering where the Visiting Teaching message can be found?  It is a bit confusing on LDS.org right now, but that should be corrected soon.  Here is the link to the Visiting Teaching message for January https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/01/the-divine-mission-of-jesus-christ-exemplar?lang=eng  The topic is "The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: Exemplar."

I love the direction this lesson is going, because I love all the stories from the life of our Savior.  He is our example, (EXEMPLAR) and who better to direction our Visiting Teaching messages around, but the one individual who was perfect.  I designed these handouts for you to print off and take with you Visiting Teaching, as a little reminder of what President Uchtdorf said in this message about women. To print, click on the image to enlarge it, then right click "save as" and then save it to your computer.  Then print from your computer.   We do follow or try to emulate Christ's example when He was always about helping others with their infirmities, afflictions, and challenges.  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.