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.