Count Your Many Blessings

There's always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it.
For example?

I am sitting here thinking how nice it is
that wrinkles don't hurt.....

and hoping you have a wonderful day.

A Good Approach

TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING THROUGH THE DESERT.
DURING SOME POINT OF THE JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN ARGUMENT;
AND ONE FRIEND SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE IN THE FACE.
THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING,
WROTE IN THE SAND:

'TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE'.

THEY KEPT ON WALKING UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS, WHERE THEY DECIDED TO TAKE A BATH. THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING, BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM. AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM THE NEAR DROWNING, HE WROTE ON A STONE:

'TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE '.

THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND ASKED HIM,
'AFTER I HURT YOU,YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW, YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?' THE FRIEND REPLIED

'WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY.
BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING GOOD FOR US,
WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE WHERE NO WIND CAN EVER ERASE IT.'

LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND AND TO CARVE YOUR BENEFITS IN STONE.

Monday, Monday, So Good to Me

Rexburg, Idaho Temple

Do you need a Family Home Evening idea. Check out the side bar to the right. I've just added a new lesson on "Temples". Hope you're having a good day, great is better but good is okay too.

Sunday Fireside on KBYU

BYU Television and KBYU-TV to air Priesthood Commemoration Fireside

BYU Television and KBYU-TV, Channel 11, will air the special fireside, “Church Commemoration of the 30 th Anniversary of the Priesthood Revelation,” on June 11 at 6:00 p.m. and June 15 at 1:00 p.m., respectively.
The fireside took place on Sunday June 8, 2008, in the Tabernacle on Temple Square. It celebrated the 30 th anniversary of the 1978 revelation that extended the Priesthood to all worthy male members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The 84-minute program features testimonies and special remarks from LDS Church leaders and members including Elder Sheldon F. Child of the First Quorum of the Seventy, President Fred A. Parker III of the Atlanta Georgia Stake, Catherine M. Stokes, and President Ahmad S. Corbitt of the Cherry Hill New Jersey Stake.
The program also features musical numbers from a multicultural choir and solo performances from tenor Alex Boyé, a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Included in the fireside is a special video presentation, He Inviteth Us All, which commemorates the 1978 revelation and its impact on the church and its members worldwide. The following are the dates the fireside will air:

Idea For Fathe.r's Day

Trevlyn shared this last year on her blog but I wanted to put this forward again for any new readers. I think this would melt any daddy's heart. If you want more details click here.

This is the poem in the center of the kids footprints.

"Walk a little slower Daddy,"

said a child so small,

"I'm following in your footsteps

and I don't want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast,

Sometimes they're hard to see;

So walk a little slower, Daddy,

For you are leading me.

Someday when I'm all grown up,

You're what I want to be;

Then I will have a little child

Who'll want to follow me.

And I would want to lead just right,

And know that I was true,

So walk a little slower, Daddy,

For I must follow you."

"He Inviteth Us All"

...and I invite you to watch this new Church video

I love this video. My heart is full and I get choked-up as I've watched it repeatedly. How do you feel about it? One of my favorite new quotes now is "Plenty good room in my Father's kindom...so choose your seat and sit down". I also like the term "Welcome Table". Let us all remember to not exclude but to draw all into our circle of love, caring and sisterhood. Happy day.

Dad's Day Prep

This is geared to young children/families or grammies can share too-ideas you still have time to create to make that dad feel really loved and important. Hope you enjoy.

These links will lead you to a fun Father's Day coupon book to print. http://homeschooling.about.com/library/dadcoupon1.pdf

http://homeschooling.about.com/library/dadcoupon2.pdf

http://homeschooling.about.com/library/dadcoupon4.pdf

http://homeschooling.about.com/library/dadcoupon3.pdf Blanks to fill in yourself

And this site has free, printable Father's day cards: http://www.allfathersdaycards.com/printable.html

Father's Day door hangers, cute idea: http://homeschooling.about.com/library/daddoor.pdf

Print a "Best Dad" Certificate: http://familyfun.go.com/printables/season/printable/fathers-day-certificate/

"Me-And-You" Book: http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/feature/famf117gift/famf117gift5.html

"1856" The Musical

"1856" THE MUSICAL

In Relief Society last Sunday, Margareta told us that her daughter Maria along with son-in-law and all the grandchildren were in this play. It is touring Utah and then returning to Mesa. Margareta highly recommends it and I thought it worthy of passing along to you. You can go to this site to get information on dates, times, locations and tickets.

"1856" The Musical, the powerful telling of the Mormon handcart migration, returns to the Ikeda Theatre from June 27 - July 3. With an inspiring soundtrack, excellent vocalists, and lively dance, "1856" captures the hope and heartache of early pioneers who were willing to sacrifice everything for their beliefs. Since its premiere in 2005, well over 20,000 people in four states have enjoyed this re-creation of the handcart saga of 1856, which is one of most intriguing and important chapters of American history. Starring Joseph Paur, Jamie Kay Alston and a cast of 150, "1856" is an unforgettable and moving experience.

The Compliment Board

I hope you like this idea. I think it's awesome!!!

Christy Williams, “The Compliment Board,” Ensign, Dec. 1993, 63

A poster emblazoned with the bright words “I Saw Someone Do Something Great” hangs on our refrigerator. A pen swings beside it. And filling the poster in as many different handwritings as there are people in our family are notes describing family members’ good behavior: “Laura has a great smile.” “Derek wrote a funny story.” “Jeff said, ‘I don’t want to fight right now.’ ” “Natalie got an A on her algebra test.”
Some writers compliment others in the family, and some jot down a few of their own accomplishments lest they be overlooked!
On Sunday mornings after breakfast, we go over the list for the week, reading all of each person’s entries at once and following with enthusiastic applause. As we do so, the Spirit warms our household. Not only are we looking for and seeing the best in each other (so we have something to write down), but prized behaviors are repeated!
In one family home evening lesson, we used our new skills of sharing good things about each other. Each person picked another’s name out of a hat and, reflecting on that person’s qualities and accomplishments, wrote a letter of recommendation to a possible future employer.
We read each letter aloud, chuckling and enjoying each other’s comments. For a few seconds at the end, we all paused and looked around our circle. A tender spirit of love and acceptance enfolded our family. Everyone positively glowed!—Christy Williams, Bellevue, Washington

Grateful Sabbath

*For the privilege to speak in Sacrament meeting today, really. The research brings such enlightenment even if you can only share a small portion of it in the talk. I was especially grateful after it was over.
*That Steve is mending from this weeks surgery.
*For Kent C. mowing our lawn even though I wanted and planned on doing it. The mower wouldn't even start for Kent. He not only mowed it but hauled our mower to a repair shop.
*Kimberly M. being such an outstanding and last minute RS substitute teacher today and her great lesson #11.
* For Becca and Lizzie P. coming by with a plate of delicious treats. Yeah, she uses butter in her frosting.
*Having just a tad bit extra produce from my ungarden to share with kind people.
*For Bob Weaver's visit to check on Steve and make us feel cared about.
*That Kirby can now walk around the block and we both get out for much needed breaks.

Here are references Kimberly shared in her lesson with good talks to read:
Richard Edgely, "Joseph Smith the Prophet" at BYU Broadcasting and
"Administration of the Restored Church" by N. Eldon Tanner, Ensign, Sept., 1978.

Emergency Preparedness

It's easy to share an article and encouragement to get more food storage, water storage, candles, toilet paper etc. but I have to also take stock for myself and what I'm doing. Just because I'm sharing this doesn't mean I've got it all taken care of in my home. I am always working on it though. Click on this report for some motivation "Calamity May Be Just Around the Corner". Let's encourage one another in this effort. I'm so thankful for Leslie B. going with me to the cannery this past month and all the canning we did of chicken chunks that has been added to our storage. Please let me know if you want to go along. I know it's hard to even get on the list to be able to can but we can keep trying. Maybe we can just commit to adding a few extra cans of canned tuna or chicken or beans we purchase at our grocery store each week. Even little efforts can pay big dividends. Onward dear sisters.

Hong Kong Mormons Aid Earthquake Victims

Here is a marvelous news report on our sister's and brother's in Hong Kong's wonderful efforts to help the victims of the quakes in China. So worth the read - click here.

Oh What Do You Do In the Summertime

Happy day dear friends. Things are a bit busy around here, bet at your house too. If you want some ideas for this summer and your kids you can see what I wrote at Snickerdoodles - just click on the word Snickerdoodles then go to the June 5th post. Hope you don't think I'm being lazy but one post is all I'm good for today. Happy day, msk

Pres. Monson's Surprise Visit to Canada

Look what our beloved prophet was up to this past week-end.

Worldwide Mormon leader made surprise visit to Brampton Sunday
The Brampton Guardian, Wednesday May 28, 2008
Thomas Monson

BRAMPTON - The worldwide leader of the Mormon church made a surprise visit to Brampton on Sunday.
President Thomas S. Monson, who became president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in January, was to speak to all members of the Church in Canada via satellite from Salt Lake City.
The meeting had been scheduled for more than a year.
Instead, President Monson, who has many ties to Canada, decided to have the two-hour meeting broadcast from the Mormon Church building on Bramalea Road.
Only the technicians and a few church leaders were aware he made the switch.
More than 200,000 members and friends in every province and territory watched the telecast which was live via satellite into about 255 church buildings across the country. It was broadcast in nine languages.
President Monson has been a regular visitor to Canada since he served as a mission president in the early 1960s as the leader of more than 150 missionaries in eastern Canada.
He was only 31 when he arrived in Toronto in 1959 for a three-year stay with his wife, Frances, and young family.
His youngest son, Clark, was born in Toronto.
President Monson and his wife and other speakers, who were originally scheduled to speak via satellite from Salt Lake City, flew to Toronto late Saturday and returned to Utah immediately following the telecast.
In his 45 minute talk, President Monson touched on the rich heritage of the church in Canada, mentioning the visits of church founder Joseph Smith to Toronto, Brigham Young, who became the second president, to Kingston, and the pioneers who gave up the luxuries of house and home in the U.S. to settle in southern Alberta.

Happy In My Role

I seem to love, really love everything I read or hear from our General R.S. President Julie B. Beck. I plan on sharing many of her messages here; I hope you enjoy them too.

President's Message:

"Latter-day Saint women should understand that no matter how many other people they enlist to help them with their home and children, they cannot delegate their role as the primary nurturer and teacher of their families. As a daughter of God who has made covenants with Him, each of you carries the vital and indispensable female half of the responsibility for fulfilling the Lord's plan" (Julie B. Beck, "Unlocking the Door to the Blessings of Abraham," CES Fireside for Young Adults, March 2, 2008).

. . . Reality of Our Premortal Existence

This is just a part of June's Visiting Teaching message that I liked. You can click on "June" on the side bar to view the entire message. Boy do I have respect for the individuals that put together all these lessons. I always love them and think they pack such a punch in a little space.

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president:

"Women have distinct assignments given to them from before the foundation of the world. . . . We know that in the great premortal conflict we sided with our Savior, Jesus Christ, to preserve our potential to belong to eternal families. We know we are daughters of God, and we know what we are to do. . . . We believe in the formation of eternal families. . . . We know that the commandment to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. . . . We have faith that with the Lord's help we can be successful in rearing and teaching children. These are vital responsibilities in the plan of happiness, and when women embrace those roles with all their hearts, they are happy!"
("What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best: Stand Strong and Immovable," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 110).

Different Drug Problem

Yesterday was my opportunity to teach in Relief Society. A few months ago I read the BYU-Idaho devotional talk entitles "My Father Is a Prophet" by Ann Dibb. I was so impressed with it that I printed it out so I could use it the next time I was to teach. If you'd like to read or print off this talk so to this site: http://www.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/Devotionals/2008_02_19_Dibb.htm Sister Dibb is not only Pres. Monson's daughter but in the General Young Woman's Presidency.

Also, you might enjoy this piece entitled Different Drug Problem. I'm from those "old days".

I've added another FHE lesson if you'd like to check that out. I really liked this latest one but then I like all of them.

Hope you're all surviving the heat...it's just the beginning. Happy day, msk