April 2018 Kanesville Stake Relief Society Message

April, 2018

Dear Sisters,

What a blessing it is to be a member of the Relief Society! As a newly called member of the Stake Relief Society Presidency I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to visit several wards in our stake. During each visit I have felt an outpouring of sisterhood. I’ve been touched and inspired by your love and concern for each other and your sincere desire to serve and care for the sisters and families in your wards and neighborhoods.

As I’ve reflected on my visits with you I’m reminded of the selfless love described in the story of Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth. Naomi’s husband and sons had died. She loved her daughters-in-law very much and knew that as widows their future with her would be extremely difficult. Naomi exhibited great courage and selflessly released the women from the tradition which required that they remain with her. She encouraged them to return to their families enabling them to remarry or be cared for by their kinsman.

Ruth understood the hardships that lay ahead but she loved Naomi and she loved her Heavenly Father, and so she stayed. When a grief-stricken Naomi decided to return to her own country, Ruth demonstrated her faith and love by leaving behind her home to serve and care for Naomi all her days. Although these women came from very different cultural and religious backgrounds, a sisterhood was formed. Despite hardship they were faithful, they supported each other in righteous living and they worked together to overcome the trials of life. Both Ruth and Naomi exhibited charity and compassionate service, even though the circumstances of life were bitter.

Bitter experiences come into the lives of us all. Fortunately, the Lord understands how difficult it is to meet life’s trials on our own. That is why he gave us the gospel—and that’s why he gave us each other!  Loving service as Ruth exhibited is the hallmark of true sisterhood.  Like Ruth, as we follow the example of the Savior continually reaching out in tenderness to those around us we can recognize quiet opportunities to love and serve one another.

As we pray daily for Christ-like compassion and opportunities to serve we will be led to sisters who may be lonely and isolated, to those longing for acceptance and friendship. We will be guided to others who simply feel they don’t belong or who believe that their physical, emotional, or spiritual burdens block them from full sisterhood and the blessings of the gospel. As sisters in Christ we must draw our friends and neighbors nearer to us.  Through humble service and sincere love, we can help all our Heavenly Fathers precious daughters feel welcome and wanted.

I am thankful for Relief Society and the opportunity it provides to demonstrate love in action.  I pray that we will follow the wise counsel of Sister Lucy Mack Smith who taught that “We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another and gain instruction, that we may all sit down in heaven together.”  (Lucy Mack Smith, in Relief Society Minute Book Nauvoo Illinois, Mar.24, 1842)

Love,

Jill Merritt

2^nd Counselor

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.

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

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 - 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- 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.

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

Aug 2014 -Sisterhood - The Joys of Family History Work

My name is Kristi C and I am a member of the Pheasant Meadow ward.  I am currently teaching the 16 year old Sunday School class and am a mother of six.  I was visiting with Sister Wintle recently and she asked that I share an experience I had with genealogy this past month.

I feel like this all started with Elder Holland's talk in October 2008; The ministry of angels.  At the end of his talk he said something that caught my attention, he said "Pray for angels to attend us."  I had never thought about actually asking them to attend to me, or assist me.  The last few years I have thought of this often, even thinking that I shouldn't call on them because they are probably too busy and I didn't want to disturb them.

Recently I downloaded the book; Angels: Agents of Light, Love and Power by Donald W. Perry, a BYU professor.  As I was reading this book in the quiet of our family room one evening, I felt the presence of someone to my left.  I turned and looked, but didn't have eyes to see.  I said, "I know you're here, but I can't see you."  The word genealogy came into my mind.  I was thinking, "All I know how to do is indexing."  After struggling with this for a few minutes I decided to go get the laptop.  Just as I decided to do so, my son's friend left, and I remembered that Tate, my 18 year old son, had been working on a line.  I asked him to pull up his Family Search account.  We saw that he had a family of seven reserved, but had not been printed.  I said, "Tate, I think this family wants their temple work done."  Tate pushed print on the computer and the room almost felt giddy, this family was so excited to finally move forward.  I asked Tate if he could feel it, he said "The room feels very light."

The next evening, which was a Friday I searched the parents names and found two more sons.  Our family would be leaving for vacation for a week in the next few days and our schedule was full until then and after.  I felt very strongly that I had to complete their work as soon as possible.

So,Saturday morning, my oldest four children and I went to the Brigham City temple, and were able to complete the baptisms for this family.  Tate took Korin and Kiera home, and I stayed with Zack to perform the initiatory.  What a blessing to be able to do the work for a mother and four of her daughters.

That evening we were able to attend the Bountiful temple with seven other family members, so a family of nine could receive the blessings of the endowment and being sealed together as a family.

This experience has begun to turned my heart to my fathers.  I want to find out about my family and tie us all together.  The reason I said that I thought this all started with Elder Holland's talk, is because I feel like it opened my mind to be more aware of the spirit world around me.   And because I was reading about angels my mind was more alert to their world and able to feel when they were in need of my attention.

I am grateful that the spirit world is here among us and at special moments they make themselves known to us.  I am also grateful for the love our Father in Heaven has for each of us, and for the experiences he gives us to grow and feel His love.

Aug 2014 - Thought on the Divine Role of Women

The Beginning of Better Days was very enjoyable to read. It was interesting and compelling.  Giving us as readers the desire to ask questions and seek for answers.  I appreciate the efforts of Virginia Pearce and Sherry Dew.  They are incredible people and very talented writers. But more importantly what the book provided for me was a confirmation of my own personal thoughts and opinions of what being a woman really means.  It confirmed that the Holy Ghost has been teaching me all along about the role of women in our Heavenly Father's eyes.  It confirmed to me that the questions I have been asking are taking me in the right direction and I can continue in receiving more enlightenment.  As the book states knowledge is power, I have witnessed that power in my life as I have come to understand my divine role as a woman. I appreciated the collection of quotes from others that were present in the book.  One quote that touched me like nothing I have ever experienced was by James E. Talmage.  He explained the bestowal of the Priesthood and the endowment and how it all works.  The closing sentence of this quote states: "Mortal eye cannot see nor mind comprehend the beauty, glory, and majesty of a righteous woman made perfect in the Celestial kingdom of God."  I have never had a witness so great from the Holy Ghost.  These words reached to my very core.  I knew them to be true and every woman has that opportunity to receive all the Father has.   Thanks for using your talents to enlighten women and empower us with knowledge.  You have enlightened me and I will never forget the experience I had while reading. 

Margie S, Fairgrove Ward

Aug 2014 - Recipe Mimosa Mold Jell-O recipe

A recipe from Patty W.

" I tried it yesterday, my grandkids LOVED it and it will work for my brother who is diabetic."

Mimosa Mold

1 1/2 cups boiling water

1 pkg. (8-serving size) Jello Orange flavor sugar free low calorie gelatin

2 cups cold club soda

1 can (11 ounces) mandarin orange segments, drained

1 cup sliced strawberries  (I would add 2 cups)

STIR boiling water into jello and mix until completely dissolved.  Stir in club soda.  

Refrigerate 1 1/2 hours or until thickened (spoon drawn through leaves definite impression).

STIR in oranges and strawberries.  Pour into 6-cup mold sprayed with cooking spray.  (I put it in individual containers)

REFRIGERATE 4 hours or until firm.                       Makes 12 half-cup servings

CALORIES 15, CARB 3 g, TOTAL FAT 0g, FIBER 0g, PROTEIN 1g.

Jul 2014 - Sisterhood - Putting your trust in God

This is Cindy M.'s story . . .

July 2009 I was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer with lymph node 

involvement. I was devastated to learn that I had cancer. That wasn’t part 

of my life’s plan!

After the mammogram, ultra sound, and biopsy I met with a surgeon to get 

the final pathology report. The appointment lasted two hours because she 

discussed all the findings and all the treatment options with my husband and 

me. It didn’t sound good. I had to have surgery for a port inserted in my 

chest, chemotherapy, breast surgery, radiation, periodic heart tests, etc etc. 

There were decisions to be made such as whether to have surgery first or 

chemo first and what kind of surgery to have. I left the appointment totally 

overwhelmed and in shock. I was in a daze the remainder of that day. 

When I went to bed that night I couldn’t sleep. About 2:00 am I got out 

of bed. I was very anxious and scared. It had finally hit me...I had breast 

cancer! I was experiencing some strange emotions I had never felt before. 

I was so anxious that I just paced back and forth. It finally dawned on me, 

“I need to pray.” I got on my knees and told my Heavenly Father that I 

knew a lot of people had faced harder trials than what lay ahead of me, but 

I was really scared. I told Him I couldn’t do it alone and I needed His help. 

Immediately I felt peace. The dark feelings went away and were replaced 

with God’s overwhelming love and a calm reassurance that all would be 

well. I spent some time talking to Heavenly Father and sharing my fears 

with Him. When I went back to bed I was able to go right to sleep.

I was given many tender mercies during that year of cancer treatment; I 

knew that God was watching over me. I came to know how near He is, how 

much He loves me. I learned to put trust in God and the Lord, and my faith 

in His atoning power grew. With their help, and the support of my husband, 

I was able to get through this challenge. I know that God our Father knows 

us personally and reaches out to help us. I know that I can access the Lord’s 

power to bless and deliver me in any of life’s challenges.

Cindy is a member of the Prairie Crossing ward.

Jul 2014 -Thoughts on The Beginning of Better Days

July: Thoughts, Feelings or Insights from Andrea B, Prairie Crossing

Thoughts on the Book The Beginning of Better Days

What an inspiring book! For me, Sister Dew and Sister Pearce helped define what the Priesthood actually is and how we as sisters can share it. Personally, I have never found myself worried that I have not been ordained to hold the Priesthood. However, I have contemplated how I can better use it in my life with or without my husband who is a Priesthood holder. This divine instruction helped me understand the need for humility, faith and gratitude while on the path in utilizing Heavenly Fathers Priesthood's powers and blessings and to not make light of them. I enjoyed the part where Sister Dew emphasized that women are blessed with the keys of knowledge, intelligence and power to discern falsehoods.  How much better off would we as sisters be if we would not covet or be jealous of one another's intelligence or knowledge and be open-minded to their wisdom.  This book also helped me realize on a larger scale just how important the Lord's Temple is and that I too had better re-think my attendance. I had no idea the temple was based on the Priesthood. Thank you for that revelation. As far as Joseph Smith's sermons, they each had a few concepts that opened my eyes. Joseph talked a lot about women back-biting, gossiping and self-righteousness. As much as I hope to attain the innocence and righteous behaviors in this "make-believe" world. I realize I'm human and that Heavenly Father knows my heart and my intentions, even though sometimes my example says otherwise. One last thought, I loved the story of the sister who was having a bad day and stormed out of a meeting and how her friendly associates came over to her house not only to give her dinner, but to show that they cared. I loved that example of charity. Overall, this book was wonderful and I recommend it to everyone!

 Andrea B

Jul 2014 - Recipe - Dutch Oven Potatoes

• July - Recipe
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• Our recipe of the month comes from the fabulous Janet K. of the Foxglen Park ward.  Her family was kind enough to make this for a Relief Society dinner and they are delicious.  She pointed me to Pinterest for the recipe and I'm sharing it here, with a little more info for those of you not used to using a Dutch oven.  This recipe does look like it would work really well in the oven as well though . . .
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• Ingredients:
• 1-2 lbs Bacon, sliced into approx. 1-in. cubes
• 10 lbs Idaho Russet Potatoes (obviously is HAS to be Idaho Potatoes), peeled and thinly sliced, or chopped
• 1-3 onions, diced (you could precook them if you want just add to the bacon and warm them until translucent)
• 1-2 cubes butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Garlic powder/salt (optional)
• 1-2 lbs cheese

Preheat a 12 inch Dutch oven buy setting in on top of 15 to 20 warm briquettes. 

Now here is how I would make it.

First precook the bacon (you could just cook the bacon in the Dutch oven)

Layer in the hot oven, potatoes, onions, bacon, to make a few layers, salt and pepper each layer to taste (remember the bacon adds salt too so don't add too much).  Top with 1 to 2 cubes of butter.

Put on the lid and transfer 9 or 10 of the briquettes to the top.  

It should take 30 minutes to an hour for the potatoes to be fully cooked, to make sure they don't burn you should check every 15 minutes or so.  The jury is still out on whether you should stir, them each time.  It will help keep them from burning but might leave you with broken up or mushy potatoes.

When the potatoes are fully cooked (soft) add cheese (I think a container of sour cream might be yummy here too).  Put the lid back on and remove from the heat just until every thing is melted and warm.  Stir and serve.

printable recipe

For the original recipe and more pictures see JadeLouiseDesigns

Jun 2014 - Recipe Caramel Buttermilk Syrup

June Recipe:

This feels like a preparedness recipe to me, don't you just love recipes for something you would get in a restaurant or regularly buy at the store (although this sounds too yummy for store bought!)

Caramel Buttermilk Syrup

1 1/2 C buttermilk

1 C sugar

1 C brown sugar

1/2 cup butter not margarine

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

In a LARGE saucepan, bring buttermilk, sugars and butter to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat and whisk in soda and vanilla. It will bubble up a lot! As it cools the bubbles will go away. Can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. 

printable recipe

Thanks Jan Z from the Country View ward for sharing this yummy family recipe

Jun 2014 - Sisterhood - The passage from trials to hope

June:  Sisterhood Post

My name is Shelly.  I’m a wife, mother (1 daughter and 3 sons), friend, substitute teacher, runner, healthy eater, battler of Multiple Sclerosis, Missionary Mom J, and I am a Mormon! 

I was raised in the Catholic Church in Roy, Utah.  Although I honestly have no memory of being baptized in the LDS church, it did happen when I was eight years old.  My parents are deaf, and said they didn’t quite understand what the missionaries were telling them when they would come visit.  So my parents asked me, an eight year old, if I wanted to be baptized!  I imagine that I didn’t even know what that was, and so I said yes!  We went to the Catholic church the next Sunday and that continued for me until college. 

When I was 19, I was working for a dental office in Roy.  I was cleaning one of the rooms one day, and a very loud and distinct voice said to me, “You need to take the missionary discussions!”  I remember looking for someone in the room because I didn’t understand where this voice had come from.  Being the pretty obedient person I was, I walked straight into the dentist’s office that I worked for and told him I need to take the missionary discussions!  Ha!  You can imagine the shock on his face.  Because I had never been active in the LDS church, I had to take the missionary discussions completely and be active in the church for a year before I could go through the temple.  I took the discussions, met my husband, got married in the temple, and the rest is history!  Although I may not be a convert by some standards; I believe and tell people that I am.

The real purpose of this post is about our daughter who is on a mission in Mexico City!  She is the first missionary on my side of the family and the first girl on my husband’s side to serve.  I cannot describe the utter joy and contentment I feel in having a daughter on a mission.  When we dropped her off at the MTC, one thought kept coming into my mind: I have changed the course of my posterity by joining this church and teaching them the ways of Christ!  Here is one of my favorite excerpts from an email she sent us:

“Something really inspiring that I came across in the bible, was in chapter 5 of Romans, and talks about how with trials, we gain patience, with patience we gain experience, and with experience, we gain hope. I love this. Because at times the plan the Lord has for us doesn’t make sense, but this helped me realize, that his plan has an order and there is always a process for us to learn things and become refined. So I know there is a reason for all things. It was frustrating at times that we couldn’t find anyone to teach, but this helped me realized that this is for our experience. It will only help us become more refined servants of the lord :).”  

These words bring tears to my eyes!  This gospel changes lives!  It has changed mine and I am so thankful for that every day.  I know that all our trials are for our good.  I know that this gospel is true.  I know that Jesus Christ is my Redeemer and that Heavenly Father loves me.  I know that I have changed the course of my posterity’s lives…and thank God for that miracle every day J.

Shelly- Rocky Mountain Ward

Jun 2014 - Thought Acts of Loving Kindness

June: Thoughts, Feelings or Insights from Suzette A, Foxglen Park

For our thoughts, feelings or insights "sisterhood" post this month.  I wanted to share a little bit of Sister Suzette A's  Relief Society lesson (Foxglen Park ward).  She spoke of Love and acts of loving kindness, using as her source materiel experiences from her own life and President Monson's conference talk from General Conference this April.  Love- the Essence of the Gospel.  It was a really beautiful lesson about showing love through our actions.  She shared a story from her childhood of a young couple, new to her town who suddenly lost an infant.  They were surrounded by love from the sisters in their area who leaving their own families made sure that the tiny grave was covered with flowers and beautiful music was performed at the service.  It was a day of service for these women but has translated into a lifetime of memory for one little girl.  Remember that we each have within ourselves the ":power to increase the sum total of (the) world's happiness. . . ".**

I have wept in the night

For the shortness of sight

That to somebody's need made me blind

But I never have yet

Felt a tinge of regret

For being a little too kind.*

*Author unknown, in Richard L. Evans, 
"The Quality of Kindness," 
 Improvement Era, May 1960, 340

**Dale Carnegie, in, for example, Larry Change, 
Wisdom for the Soul (2006), 54