Pudding cups

Are you looking for a lighter dessert for end of the year parties.  Here's a fun one from Jana a friend of Paige A in the Foxglen Park ward. I've tasted this one and it is yummmmmy.  Thanks  for sharing Jana!

Pudding Cups

Dough:

3 cups all purpose flour

1 cup + 1 tbs powder sugar

1 cup ( 2 short sticks)  + 2 tbs soften butter

4 yolks

Cream:

1 big ( 6 1/2 serving)  pack cook and serve vanilla pudding ( Instant doesn't work)

1/2 cup + 2tbs softened butter

2 cups of milk ( the pudding asks for 3 but we use 2 because we need a thicker texture)

2 tbs powder sugar

Instruction:

Mix all ingredients for the dough together. It should come together easy, but if you have hard time, add 1 more tbs of butter but I never have to.  Let sit in the fridge for 20 mins or so, or can be prepared ahead and stored in a cling wrap. Press the dough into cup molds, they sell them here too, but mini muffin pan is easier and cheaper to get. Just press it in the bottom and make them shallow ( when they are done they are slightly taller then chocolate chip cookies with a little dimple  in the middle.. I keep mine greased for the 1st batch. Bake in preheated oven I use silver molds and they bake on 320F about 15-20 mins in my oven. It is really about the first try. They are done when the edges are slightly golden. Tip them out and let cool.

Cream:

Mix pudding  mix with 2 cups of milk and cook till done. Cool stirring occasionally. There will be a thicker layer on the top, but it doesn't matter. When cooled well ( make sure it is not warm, it doesn't go well with the butter), beat the pudding with sugar and butter. I use  a classic beater, the texture will be creamy. You can add more sugar if you think it is not sweet enough. Or  don't add  any at all. Just lick it and see =).  Let sit in the fridge to thicken before decorating.  Fill the cups and decorate with fruit ( canned mandarin and pineapple seems to be people's favorite), but cherries are good too.

Dec - Sisterhood - Serving with Love, Loving to Serve

My name is LeAnn D.  I am from the Regal Country Ward.  I am married to Larry and we have 6 wonderful kids, 2 grand kids and a beautiful Brazilian daughter-in-law.  My calling is a Young Women leader at the Weber Valley Detention Center in Roy, where I have served for 4 1/2 years, and absolutely love it.  There are 16 leaders from 12 different stakes and we meet every Sunday at 10:30 with the youth for a church meeting where we teach lessons out of the primary manual, and again every Wednesday at 7:00 for an activity.  It is challenging because we are very limited to what we can take in, but so rewarding - in part because there are no cell phones or outside distractions and the youth are usually pretty humble at this point.  We see youth from all different backgrounds, religions, and race.  Many of them face challenges of gangs, and drugs, but there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a big, tough gang member with tears streaming down his face after receiving a priesthood blessing, or seeing a leader of a gang get up and sing "I Am A Child of God" in front of his peers.  Another rewarding time was hearing that one of our girls who got out, wanted to hear more about the church.  Her mom was not very supportive, so the girl would take her dog for a walk and go to church.  She was later baptized.  

One of our favorite activities is the "Pie and Tie” that we do each year the day before Thanksgiving.  Many of you are familiar with this, as you have donated fleece for the youth there to tie so that it can be given to an organization in need, such as Primary Children’s Hospital or a shelter.  Many of the youth there have spent most of their lives just trying to survive and haven't had the opportunity to do service. This year we received over 350 blankets that the youth will spend hours tying for those in need, and they always love doing it. 

If there's one thing I've learned, it is to never judge.  I absolutely love the youth there, and just want to take them all home and be their Mom and give them the love they need.  I know I can't do that, so I will just make the most of every minute I have with them and pray that I can somehow help make a difference in their lives.

Dec - Thought - He is the Gift

Need to get back into the real meaning of Christmas.  

Click on the link below the picture to view the video.

Can a gift given 2,000 years ago still matter today? Yes! Following the teachings of Jesus Christ can help us become more like Him. This helps us experience lasting peace and joy—this Christmas season, and always. #sharethegiftwww.mormon.org/...

Discover, Embrace, and Share the Gift

Can a gift given 2,000 years ago still matter today? The answer is a heartfelt yes. As we internalize the teachings of Jesus Christ and follow His perfect example, we can become more like Him and experience lasting peace and joy—this Christmas season and always.

Dec - Preparedness Tip - Winter Driving

Dashing through the snow . . . 

Are you prepared for winter driving?

A few things to remember before you you head off to grandmother's house . . . over the river and through the woods . . .

Drive slower than you normal would, use caution, it's better to be late than be in an accident.

Be prepared, make sure you have your winter / emergency supplies in the car with you:

• Jumper cables
• winter gloves (depending on where you are travelling, coats and boots, extra warm clothing).
• first aid kit
• flashlight
• snow cables or snow chains (knowing how to put them on is a good idea too:)).
• a small shovel
• snacks
• water (but don't leave it in the car all of the time = ice)
• check your windshield wipers, top of the fluid (the de-icer is nice)
• ice scraper
• check your tires
• charge your cell phone
• check traffic / road conditions before you go

UDOT Traffic

Dec - Recipe - Grizzle Nickel Cookies

Growing up my mom was always one to share her talents; one of them was "doing hair" she had certain ladies who came over all of the time to achieve their certain look.  One of them became quite a good friend and would bring us a tray of goodies each Christmas. This is how I was introduced to one of my favorite holiday treats.  I actually have no reason to believe this is a holiday treat but receiving it each year nestled in with various other sweet confections has solidified the connection in my mind.  (probably a good thing or I would be making them all of the time).  

Grizzle Nickel Cookies are a thick and rich bar cookie more like candy really than a cookie.  My mom's friend would make them even yummier but cutting them into squares and dusting them with powdered sugar.

Grizzle Nickel Cookies                                                     

1 can sweetened condensed milk                                       1/2 cup coconut

6 oz chocolate chips                                                          1/2 cup chopped nuts

2 cups graham cracker crumbs                                         

Mix all ingredients, bake in a 9 inch square pan at 350F for 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, cut into squares and roll in powdered sugar.

printable recipe

Thanks Sandra, for all of the yummy treats over the years!

Nov - Sisterhood - The Angel Wing Necklace

This is my story in July I was shopping with my husband and 1 year old daughter when all of the sudden for no unexplained reason I had a massive seizure and I broke my shoulder and damaged it quite severely. Over the past few months I have been waiting for the bone to heal to so I could have surgery to fix the damage. My 8 year old daughter Alexus who has not been baptized yet started school and at school they were explaining they had a prize box with toys and things you could earn if you were really good. School started on August 20th, you had to be good for 2 weeks to get a prize out of this box, my surgery was August 26thwhen she looked in this box she saw an angel wing necklace that caught her eye. She worked and worked so hard for this necklace but before she could get it I had another seizure on the kitchen floor, which she watched and was crying mommy please get up. So on Friday she came running in from school "mommy mommy I did it I was so good I earned this angel wing necklace for you, if you wear it I will always be with you and you will never have another seizure and the angels will protect you and your shoulder will heal". It was the sweetest thing but I now have a testimony, Alexus has not been baptized yet. The other part to the story is, the necklace had fallen off I knew that it was here somewhere because I cannot go many places, the night of the women conference that I took Alexus to I was in a lot of pain when I came home I still did not feel right, almost like something was going to happen I started looking for the necklace underneath the couches and things but could not find it I almost gave up. Instead I went in the bedroom and quietly said a prayer when I came back in the living room I looked down in the chair the necklace had fallen down in there and I found it. Alexus and I had tears in our eyes. I have not taken it off since and have not had another seizure for the last 2 months. My testimony gets stronger everyday. I am thankful everyday for my beautiful family and everything I have as well as the trials I know that God has a plan for us but maybe it's showing me how much we need The Lord in our lives. I think we should be thankful for everything we have because it can change in the blink of an eye.

Alena S

Nov - Recipes - Turkey Tetrazzini and Dill Weed French Bread

Here's another recipe. This one would be especially good for November.

We always look forward to Thanksgiving, not so much for the turkey on Thursday, but for the Turkey Tetrazzini on Friday night after Thanksgiving with the leftover turkey. It goes very well with Dill Weed French Bread, and they can be baked in the oven at the same time.

TURKEY TETRAZZINI

6 ounces spaghetti or linguine, broken in half

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1/2 cup all purpose flour

2 3/4 cup turkey or chicken broth

1 cup light cream (half and half)

1 teaspoon salt

Dash of pepper

1 cup sliced mushrooms (fresh or canned)

1/4 cup green pepper, diced

2 tablespoons canned pimiento (1 small jar)

2 cups cooked turkey or chicken, chopped

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook spaghetti in boiling, salted water until just barely tender. Do not overcook. Drain. Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Blend in flour. Slowly stir broth into flour mixture. Add cream. Cook and stir until mixture thickens. Add salt, pepper, drained spaghetti, mushrooms, green pepper, pimiento and cooked turkey or chicken. Turn into a 12x7 1/2x2 inch baking dish. Sprinkle top with Parmesan cheese. Bake until heated through, about 30 minutes.

DILL WEED FRENCH BREAD

1 loaf french bread or baguette

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 teaspoon dry dill weed

Mix butter and dill weed in a small bowl. Spread dill butter between slices of French bread. Wrap in heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake in a 350 degree oven 20 to 30 minutes.

Thanks,

Randy C - Rocky Mountain Ward

Nov - Preparedness Tip - Winterize you Home

It's getting cold outside, are you ready for winter?

For our November Preparedness tip here are some reminders from ready.gov about what to do to winterize your home.  For more information on winterizing your vehicle, the dangers of carbon monoxide, and winter weather terms, go to the Ready.gov website by following this link.

Winterize Your Home

• Winterize your home to extend the life of your fuel supply by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic.
• Winterize your house, barn, shed or any other structure that may provide shelter for your family, neighbors, livestock or equipment. Clear rain gutters; repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm.
• Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year.
• Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing. Running water, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside and kept clear.
• Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. House fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.
• Learn how to shut off water valves (in case a pipe bursts).
• Insulate your home by installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic from the inside to keep cold air out.
• Hire a contractor to check the structural ability of the roof to sustain unusually heavy weight from the accumulation of snow - or water, if drains on flat roofs do not work.

Are we prepared?

Are we prepared?

From the First Presidency Message September 2014

"We encourage you wherever you may live in the world to prepare for adversity by looking to the condition of your finances.  We urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt.  Pay off debt as quickly as you can, and free yourselves from this bondage.  Save a little money regularly to gradually build a financial reserve."        President Thomas S. Monson

Pans to Share

A sister in our stake has some heavy duty pans for "Share" - (free).  I you are interested in the pans please leave a comment or send me or Patty an e-mail. Two of them have teflon coating the others are nice heavy pans (Emeril). 

Thanks, 

Kristi

Oct - Sisterhood - Even in the darkest times, blessings come IF we look for them.

Hello Kanesville, my name is Debbie L, and I live in the Fair Grove Ward. Patti W asked me to share a conversation I had with her but it has taken a few months since I have been so sick recently. Over the last ten years or so my health has been in a steady decline. I spend most of my time in bed. I have multiple auto-immune diseases, which started with a diagnosis of MS. 

This isn't where I thought I would be at this stage of my life, but I want to tell you some 

of the things that my Heavenly Father has done for me. When I was first diagnosed with MS, I asked for a priesthood blessing. As I listened to the words of that blessing, I was overwhelmed with the feeling that this was part of Heavenly Fathers plan for me. I came to understand that my illness would in some way be a blessing from my heavenly Father. I don't fully understand all of the ways that this would be accomplished, but I feel strongly that this is for my benefit as well as my family.

As I have become weaker and unable to leave my bed most days, I have felt of Heavenly Fathers love and the power of the Atonement. I know the Savior suffered for my sins and also took upon Himself my grief's, sorrows, and weaknesses. I know that with his stripes we are healed, as was prophesied by Isaiah. 

I have been blessed these past years in ways great and small. To enjoy the company of my children and grandchildren who are so beautiful to me. Recently during boisterous game of tag with my grandchildren , one of them tagged me It. before I could even think about moving, another ran to me and held out his hand to let me tag him. We had such fun playing together. On a bad day, all I have to do is visualize their beautiful faces and I am comforted. 

When I got to the point where getting up for more than a few minutes became difficult, Heavenly Father sent a pair of birds to nest outside my bedroom window. They have nested in a very difficult place, and every spring I am graced with enjoying their nesting, hatching, and fledging of the chicks. It is a constant source of joy. 

 I now have unlimited hours to work on my family history and ready names for temple ordinances. The Family Search indexing program is another great gift to me. This is just one example of how with Heavenly Fathers help we can turn weakness into strength.  Even as limited as my circumstances allow, I am still blessed with the ability to serve.

I know that in different ways, life is difficult at times for all of us. I am convinced that even in the darkest times, blessings come to buoy us up if we look for them.

I am truly blessed to have the Gospel in my life. It teaches us how to live, and reminds us that Heavenly Father wants us to be joyful.

It has been difficult to write this because I believe most people have learned this lesson far earlier than I have. We are all on the same journey with trials and tribulations all around us. When we look for them our Fathers tender mercies are all around us.

This is a wonderful community and many of you have helped me in some way. I thank you all for that. 

These are sacred experiences to me, and I leave you with them in the name of Jesus Christ our blessed Savior.

Oct - Recipe - Apple Turnovers

Another recipe from Randy C of the Rocky Mountain Ward

EASY APPLE TURNOVERS

MAKES 12 TURNOVERS

TIME: 60 MINUTES (INCLUDES 40 MINUTES OF BAKING AND COOLING TME)

This recipe makes 12 turnovers, or 6 to each sheet of puff pastry. We used Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets, which come 2 sheets to a box. You can make these apple turnovers up to a day before baking. Store them in the refrigerator; brush them with water and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before baking. 

APPLE FILLING

1½ pounds Granny Smith apples (3 large or 4 medium)

1½ cups (10½ ounces) sugar

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon juice from 1 lemon

¼ teaspoon salt

PUFF PASTRY

2 sheets (9 by 9½ inches) frozen commercial puff pastry, thawed on the counter for 10 minutes

CINNAMON SUGAR

½ cup (3½ ounces) sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1. Adjust an oven rack to the upper-middle position and heat the oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. FOR THE FILLING: Peel the apples and grate them on the large holes of a box grater. Combine the grated apples, sugar, lemon juice, and salt in a medium bowl.
3. FOR THE PASTRY: Unwrap the puff pastry and, using a rolling pin, roll each sheet on a floured surface to an 11 by 9-inch rectangle, about ⅛ inch thick. Using the back of a paring knife, gently make a vertical line down the center of the dough (you want to mark the dough without cutting through it). In the same way, mark each dough half into 3 horizontal sections, cutting all the way through the dough and forming 6 rectangles per sheet. Place 2 tablespoons grated apple filling (squeezed of excess liquid) in the center of each dough rectangle.
4. Fold one edge of the dough over to meet the original dividing line in the center of the dough; repeat with the other side. Press the edges to seal, and using your finger, make indentations between the rectangles. Use a paring knife to cut down the center of the dough (dividing the dough into 2 long halves with 3 filled rectangles on each half) and then cut the filled rectangles away from one another. Press the edges to seal and then crimp the edges with the tines of a fork. Refrigerate the turnovers for 10 minutes (or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours).
5. FOR THE CINNAMON SUGAR: Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Brush or mist the turnovers with water and sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon sugar. Bake until golden brown, 16 to 18 minutes. Using a wide metal spatula, transfer the turnovers to a wire rack to cool slightly, about 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Randy C

printable recipe

Oct - Preparedness Tip - Canning Crisco

Our preparedness tip for the month comes from Patty via Good Things Utah

The lady took a large can of Crisco, melted it down, put it in jelly size (8 oz.) jars, and sealed it by just placing the lid on it and screwing on the ring.  It has a 10 year shelf life.  I hardly ever use shortening but might try this.  

Thanks Patty W - Country View

Oct - Recipe - Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

This yummy looking recipe is a family favorite from Randy C of the Rocky Mountain ward, I noticed it comes from one of my favorite bloggers so I'll share a link to her detailed instructions too.

The Pioneer Woman

I'm not sure you can go wrong with recipes from the Pioneer Woman

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 1 Hour Difficulty: Easy Servings: 12

3 pounds Russet Or Yukon Gold Potatoes, Washed Thoroughly

2 Tablespoons Butter

1 whole Yellow Onion, Diced

3 cups Diced Ham

1-1/2 cup Half-and-half

1-1/2 cup Heavy Cream

1/4 cup Flour

Black Pepper To Taste

1 cup Grated Cheddar Cheese

1 cup Grated Monterey Jack Cheese

Chopped Parsley (optional)

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a large casserole dish.

Heat butter in a large skillet. Add onions and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until they start to turn translucent. Add ham and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat and set aside.

Combine half-and-half and cream in a microwave-safe container and nuke for a minute or so, until no longer cold. Whisk in flour and black pepper until totally combined. Set aside. (You may add salt, but cheese and ham are salty, so add sparingly.)

Combine the two grated cheeses. Set aside.

Using a mandoline or slicer, slice potatoes into 1/8-inch slices (very thin.) Layer 1/3 of the potato slices in the buttered casserole dish. Sprinkle on 1/3 of the ham/onion mixture, then 1/3 of the cheese, then pour on 1/3 of the cream mixture.

Repeat this twice more, ending with a sprinkling of cheese and a pouring on of the rest of the cream mixture. Cover dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes at least, or until bubbly and hot.

Cut into squares and serve. Sprinkle on chopped parsley if you'd like!

(Note: To speed along the process a bit, you may boil sliced potatoes for 3 to 5 minutes before assembling the casserole. Just drain and slightly cool before assembling.)

Randy C - Rocky Mountain Ward

Oct- Thoughts - General Women's Conference

Thoughts from some of our Sisters about the service we received at our recent General Women's Conference;

 I recently attended an additional Relief Society meeting where Sister Sheri Dew was sharing some insights on Women and the Priesthood. Asking for responses from the audience, a few comments reflected some women's feelings that they felt like 2nd class citizens in the church. I wish those same sisters could have experienced the interactions I had with multiple male members of our stake the past few weeks. President Robbins allowed us to have a dinner prior to our recent General Women's Meeting. His desire was for the brethren, young and older, in our stake to set up for the event, prepare the meal, serve the food and clean-up after. They did just that. I felt honored. Everything was done to make the women of our stake feel special. It was all done for us. Thanks especially to Josh Hoellein of the Prairie Crossing Ward for planning and executing the entire event and Brother Davis of Regal Country ward for supplying the table linens. Thanks also to the primary kids and youth who helped us set up, the young men who dressed in white shirts and black pants to serve and the countless priesthood holders who were out in the rain cooking, inside making salad plates and cleaning it all up as if 340 plus women had not just enjoyed a delicious meal.
 Patty W - Country View

Thank you?  It was wonderful evening and the food was awesome?
Thanks for all the love you show us.
Ruthann B - Fairgrove

Thanks you so much for everything you did to make our night so special.  Down to the smallest detail, everything was done to perfection and I appreciate all of the hard work, dedication and hours of service you performed in our behalf!
Thanks, Jill S. - Fairgrove

Thank you so much for the wonderful evening!  The food was great!  It was such a nice evening!  Thanks again,  Aimee M - Fairgrove

Thank you for the lovely night our.  Everything was decorated nicely, the young men were quick and polite while serving and picking up the food, dishes and water.  It was very nice to go out and have dinner served and to listen to the speakers.  Your efforts were well-received and very much appreciated.
Thanks, Vickie R - Fairgrove

Thank you very much for such a lovely evening.  I truly felt the love of the Lord through the service of the men and young men of the stake to me and to my daughter.  Thank you, men of the stake and Relief Society stake leadership!
Lacy R - Fairgrove

Thank you so much for the wonderful dinner and evening provided for the girls,young women and women in our stake it truly helped bring us together as sisters, and bring the spirit.  I love you!
London B - Fairgrove

To all who helped with the dinner and broadcast a hearty thank you.  The conference was a beautiful experience.
Debbie C. - Fairgrove

Thanks for all the hard work and preparation it took to feed us at the women's conference.  We appreciated you kindness and support.
Jean R and Marilyn T - Fairgrove



 

 If you feel like you'd like to provide a service to the men of our stake; we as sisters will be providing homemade goodies for them after the priesthood session next Saturday. Please feel free to drop off a plateful at the stake center on Saturday October 4th by 7:30pm.

Taco Soup with Hominy

Another yummy soup for Fall . . . 



Taco Soup

Brown 2 lbs ground beef, turkey, or pork in a dutch oven pot.

add 1 large onion, diced and cook with meat.

add: 1 can white hominy, 1 can yellow hominy undrained

2 cans pinto beans, undrained

2 cans rotel with juice, then 2/3 can water

2 packets taco seasoning

1 envelope ranch dressing seasoning

cook until nice and hot-enjoy!

printable recipe

Patty D. Foxglen Park

This soup reminded me of tamales, it was DELICIOUS!

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Fajita Soup

The Foxglen Park recently held and Super Saturday.  The lunch was soup and bread sticks.  They've graciously agreed to share some recipes.  I'll be adding them as I get them.

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Fajita Soup

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I use 2 breasts and throw them into the crockpot frozen - can't get any easier)

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1 cup salsa

2 cups frozen corn

1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 1/2 cups water

1 tsp cumin

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

favorite toppings

Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.  Place chicken into slow cooker.  In a bowl, mix together cream of chicken soup, salsa, corn, black beans, water, and cumin.  Pour over chicken in the slow cooker.  Cook on low 4-6 hours (or high 2-3 hours).  Remove chicken and shred using 2 forks.  Put chicken back into slow cooker, add cheese, and let cook for 15 more minutes.  Serve with your favorite toppings (shredded cheese, sour cream, crushed tortilla strips, tomato, etc).

Paige A

printable recipe

Almost all gone, that's a good sign right?!

Sept 2014- Sisterhood - A True Love Story

         I wanted to thank the youth and leaders of our ward and stake for doing the baptisms for the names which I and others have submitted. What you are doing is making a great difference to people on both sides of the veil!

         Among the names I submitted was the name of James (Jimmy) K and his parents. He was a very nice Catholic man who was engaged to my Aunt Margurite H (an active member of the church) for over 55 years, although they never married. They both passed away many years ago, but I'd received a strong impression that I should work to get them sealed together.  After Jimmy's baptism and temple work were recently completed,  I wrote the following letter to the First Presidency, and received the following reply.  Needless to say we were crying with happiness when we opened and read the reply.  The happy ending to their love story is that we are going to have them sealed in the Rexburg temple on Saturday, Sept. 13, where they will be joined together forever! Thank you all for the important work you are doing!  I know Jimmy and Margurite, and our family, will be eternally grateful for your dedication to do temple work, as will all of the others for whom you have done baptisms.   With love and gratitude,     

                                         Sister Maggie (Margaret) J, Fairgrove Ward.

Letter to 1st presidency

Dear First Presidency,

I am writing this letter related to my LDS Aunt, Margurite H (name removed) , and her fiancé, James (Jimmy) K (name removed), who was a Catholic. Although they never got married, they were engaged about 55 years, and I have had a very strong impression for the past few years that I should do his temple work and get them sealed. When I asked my Stake President as to how to do this, he said that after the temple endowments are completed that I should ask the First Presidency for permission and direction as to how I should proceed. This same advice was also stated by the Bountiful Temple recorder about two weeks ago when I inquired there.

Here is some background on their engagement.

Margurite , who was strong LDS, and Jimmy, who was Catholic, met in their 20’s and fell in love and were engaged to be married in Great Falls, Montana. When they decided to get married, the Catholic Church at that time requested that they sign a document that any children they had would be raised in the Catholic Church. When Margurite refused to sign it, she and Jimmy decided it would be better if they postponed the marriage, and basically stayed engaged for about 55 years until she passed away.

They did not live together, and were morally clean, but saw each other almost every day. Margurite would light up when he walked in the room, smiling, and both talking very kindly to each other. Jimmy was a mild mannered man, a perfect gentleman. He was always there in the background, and never interfered with Margurite’s church attendance or beliefs. They were totally devoted to each other, and he was an important part of Margurite’s life. She stayed active in the church, and continued to attend in her later years even when she had crippling arthritis and had difficulty getting in or out of a car.

She was instrumental in my family’s membership in the church. My dad, her brother, was also LDS, but totally inactive, and married my mother who was Episcopalian. The H (family) came from pioneer stock, and Margurite and my dad were from a family of 12 children, my dad Arnold being the youngest. We lived about 8 blocks from Margurite, and had such a close association with her. She was like a second mom to us, and we were like her children since she had none of her own.

As we got older, she would occasionally pick up us older children in a big black taxi to take us to Sunday School. At times Jimmy drove all of us to church and dropped us off. I remember enjoying the experience of being at church. When I was about 8 years old, my friend Linda who was LDS, started taking me to Primary. I loved it and also brought my older sister and younger brother. Then the missionaries came to teach mom and our family the gospel, and the four of us were baptized. Eventually my other three siblings also were baptized when they were old enough. I am sorry that my dad never got active, but before he died he said that he knew the church was true and wished that he had done things differently.

Margurite was a very big influence for good in our lives. Now I would love to finish their love story by having them sealed in the temple. I hope you can give me direction in this matter, which I humbly submit for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Margaret Ellen H

Member of the Kanesville Stake, Fairgrove Ward

Response

Sept 2014 - Thoughts - Being kind, not only then, but now

The overwhelming message I received from the book Beginning of Better Days was to be kind.  The prophet Joseph Smith spoke to the sisters of the early church often about love, charity, compassion, and kindness.  I was impressed by how applicable his message is to each and every one of us in Relief Society today.  He urges us to strive to be more gentle and patient with not only those sisters within our sphere of influence, but with ourselves as well.  The insights and testimonies provided by Sister Pearce and Sister Dew were truly inspiring and reinforced the principles taught by Joseph Smith.  I loved the book so much; I bought both my mother and my mother-in-law a copy for Mother's Day.  I could think of no better gift than the opportunity to learn about true sisterhood from a prophet of God. 

Dianna F  Prairie Crossing Ward

Sept 2014 - Recipes, Cranberry Chicken and Earthquake cake

Have you ever been to a recipe exchange?
Have you ever been to one where you actually took a recipe and a dish and came home with great ideas?

It seems like we are asked to bring recipes and treats all of the time especially for church activities but it doesn't seem to actually happen as often as I would like.

I did go to one once that I really loved though, it was at my sweet neighbors house and people brought the recipe and a sample.  Some of my favorite recipes come from that night, so in case she ever reads this  . . . THANKS NIKKI

Here's one from Lorena F, from the Regal Country Ward.

Cranberry Chicken
6-8 chicken breasts or 12-14 chicken tenders
1 bottle of French salad dressing (16 oz.)
1 package dry onion soup mix
1 can whole berry cranberry sauce (16 oz)
Mix dressing, cranberries and soup mix, pour over chicken.  Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-45 minutes if chicken is thawed, 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes if it is frozen.  Serve over rice.

printable recipe

Picture from Creatively Domestic.com

And for dessert, from Melanie C who used to live in the Regal Country Ward

Earthquake Cake

1 German Choc cake mix & all ingredients               1 cup choc chips

1 cup coconut                                                              1 cup nuts, chopped (I use pecans)

1 pkg cream cheese, softened                                    ¼ cup butter, melted

2 ½ cups powdered sugar

Mix choc chips, coconut and nuts and put greased 9 x 13 cake pan.  Mix up cake mix and pour onto first layer.  Mix softened cream cheese, melted butter and powdered sugar.  Pour across the top of the cake and bake as directed.

printable recipe

picture from Corwin House blog