Month: March 2010

FHE: God speaks through prophets

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Scripture of the Week:
“For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.”
D&C 21:5

On Sunday the Ant Bug brought home a “CTR Tag Along Bag” from her Primary class. Her awesome primary teachers put together a binder with a few FHE lessons and corresponding coloring/activity pages, and the students in the class rotate through who gets to bring the bag home. I thought this was a wonderful idea, and the Ant Bug was very excited to choose and teach our FHE lesson.

As I looked through the lessons, I realized that I had seen them before on Sugardoodle. Angie put together FHE lessons for a year that correspond to the Primary weekly themes and they are available here. Tonight, we did Lesson 12.

For the activity we did a round of Where’s the Prophet?, and then played Don’t Eat the Prophet.

Giveaway: A Free Dress from Mikarose

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This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to #24, Louise!

I am really excited to announce a giveaway this week!

I was recently contacted by a representative of MikaRose, who wants to give one of my readers a $60 gift certificate to their store, enough to cover a stylish dress and shipping costs. I checked out their site and immediately fell in love with their dresses, so I’m thrilled to offer one to you! MikaRose features incredibly cute, modest dresses at great prices. Now is the perfect time to treat yourself to a new spring dress!
To enter the giveaway, just visit the MikaRose website and browse the dresses, then come back here and leave me a comment letting me know which dress you like best. Pretty simple, eh?

The giveaway will close at midnight on Friday, March 12th, and I’ll announce the winner chosen from random on Saturday. The giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada.

For additional entries (please be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry):
-Blog about this giveaway
-Become a fan of MikaRose on Facebook

Don’t worry if you don’t win, MikaRose is offering all of my readers a 15% discount on their site, simply by entering the code: “NURTUREMAMA15”

So go get shopping!

Note: I am doing this giveaway because I was contacted by MikaRose, and although I have never purchased anything from their site, I liked what I saw and wanted to offer my readers a chance to win a gift certificate.

Evaluate your activities

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Some years ago, in her parting words to the Relief Society sisters, Sister Belle Spafford said, “The average woman today, I believe, would do well to appraise her interests, evaluate the activities in which she is engaged, and then take steps to simplify her life, putting things of first importance first, placing emphasis where the rewards will be greatest and most enduring, and ridding herself of the less rewarding activities.”

Mary Ellen W. Smoot, “Steadfast and Immovable,” Ensign, Nov 2001, 91

Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline: My book notes

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Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline by Becky A. Bailey

This book was my latest read in my quest to improve my parenting skills. I’ve read quite a few parenting books by now and at first this one took me a little while to get into. The author really likes the number seven! She had the Seven Powers for Self-Control, The Seven Basic Discipline Skills, and the Seven Values for Living; I had a hard time keeping it all straight!

But the more I read I realized that this book had quite a few good, helpful ideas. I’ve been working on applying some of them, and it’s been nice to have a few new tools in my belt.

The biggest lesson I learned from the book has been this: “This moment is as it is”. You can get upset and angry or yell, or you can take a deep breath and relax. You have control and you have a choice. I have been repeating that phrase to myself multiple times each day, and it’s really helping my perspective. I think it will be my new mantra, with a little addition:

This moment is as it is. Learn from it. Enjoy it. Live it and love it.

What do you think?

Another lesson that I learned (or was reminded of?) is the importance of labeling. Children are in the process of learning about their world, and they often don’t understand their emotions or the tantrums they are throwing. Help them by labeling their feelings as anger, sadness, happiness, etc. I’ve been applying this tip universally as I try to label everything I can to assist my two-year old in developing her language skills.

Here are some of my other notes from the book:

“Be patient with yourself”. It takes time to learn new skills.

“Own your own upset”. Take ownership for your own feelings. Notice how often you say, “Don’t make me….” or “You made me…..”. Instead say “I feel…” or “I’m going to…”

“What I focus on, I get more of”. Pay attention: are you focusing on what you want, or on what you don’t want?

Attribute positive intent: this basically means to look for the good and assume positive intentions in those around you. For example, your child didn’t spill the milk on the floor just to spite you. Or, perhaps the car driver who cut you off is on his way to the hospital with a wife in labor!

Teach your children how to get what they want and respect the rights of others by saying to the aggressor:
1) “You wanted_____”

2) “You may not_____. _____ hurts (or, is not safe).”
3) “When you want______, say (or do) _______.”
4) “Do it now! Practice.”

Give children two positive choices as a way of setting limits.
1) “You may _______, or ______.”
2) “What is your choice?”
3) “You chose_____!

Encourage your child by describing what you see.
1) State your child’s name or “Look at you” or “You did it!”
2) Describe exactly what you see (or noticed).
3) Add a tag (optional). “That was helpful” or “Good job” or “Good for you”.

Gospel Study in February 2010

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Among other things my gospel study in February included the following:
2010 Outline for Sharing Time

February Theme (and weekly gospel principles): Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer.

February Scripture: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Ch. 3: Jesus Christ, Our Chosen Leader and Savior
Ch. 4: Freedom to Choose

General Conference Addresses, October 2009

Russell M. Nelson, “Ask, Seek, Knock,” Ensign, Nov 2009, 81–84
Even more amazing than modern technology is our opportunity to access information directly from heaven, without hardware, software, or monthly service fees. It is one of the most marvelous gifts the Lord has offered to mortals. It is His generous invitation to “ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

To access information from heaven, one must first have a firm faith and a deep desire. One needs to “ask with a sincere heart [and] real intent, having faith in [Jesus] Christ.”2 “Real intent” means that one really intends to follow the divine direction given.

The next requirement is to study the matter diligently. This concept was taught to leaders of this restored Church when they were first learning how to gain personal revelation. The Lord instructed them, “I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.

Julie B. Beck, “Relief Society: A Sacred Work,” Ensign, Nov 2009, 110–14
We know that the purpose of Relief Society as established by the Lord is to prepare women for the blessings of eternal life by helping them:

  • 1. Increase their faith and personal righteousness.

  • 2. Strengthen their families and homes.

  • 3. Serve the Lord and His children.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught: “A wise man once distinguished between ‘the noble art of getting things done’ and ‘a nobler art of leaving things undone.’ True ‘wisdom in life,’ he taught, consists of ‘the elimination of non-essentials.’” President Uchtdorf then asked: “What are the nonessential things that clutter your days and steal your time? What are the habits you may have developed that do not serve a useful purpose? What are the unfinished or unstarted things that could add vigor, meaning, and joy to your life?”

Silvia H. Allred, “Every Woman Needs Relief Society,” Ensign, Nov 2009, 115–17

Jeffrey R. Holland, “Safety for the Soul,” Ensign, Nov 2009, 88–90
I ask that my testimony of the Book of Mormon and all that it implies, given today under my own oath and office, be recorded by men on earth and angels in heaven. I hope I have a few years left in my “last days,” but whether I do or do not, I want it absolutely clear when I stand before the judgment bar of God that I declared to the world, in the most straightforward language I could summon, that the Book of Mormon is true, that it came forth the way Joseph said it came forth and was given to bring happiness and hope to the faithful in the travail of the latter days.

The Friend, February 2010

Caldecott Books in February

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1940: Abraham Lincoln by Ingri & Edgar Parin d’Aulaire
1945: Prayer for a Child, illustrated by Elizabeth Orton Jones; text: Rachel Field
1952: Finders Keepers, illustrated by Nicolas, pseud. (Nicholas Mordvinoff); text: Will, pseud. [William Lipkind]
1974: Duffy and the Devil, illustrated by Margot Zemach
1981: Fables by Arnold Lobel
1990: Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China by Ed Young
1995: Smoky Night, illustrated by David Diaz; text: Eve Bunting

And that’s it! I’ve read all of the Caldecott Medal winners from 1938 to 2009. Most of them I read with the Ant Bug, but there were quite a few that didn’t hold her interest. I’ll post a list of my favorites soon.

Chicken Stuffing in a Pot

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When I heard about the Over-used Recipe Swap at Simply Modern Mom, I knew I wanted to participate. Tiffany’s goal is to collect 365 family staple recipes, the kind of recipes that you use and over.

Trouble is, I’m having trouble deciding what to post! The recipes I use the most (so much that I don’t actually need the recipe) are tacos and spaghetti, but I don’t think anyone else really needs those recipes. We also eat a lot of pancakes and waffles.

I asked my husband what our best Over-used recipe is and he promptly replied “Peanut Butter Sandwiches”.

If I asked the Ant Bug, she would likely say Corn Dog Casserole (but I’m not a huge fan of that one). Lately she has really been loving this potato soup recipe I posted a few months ago. She asks me to make it nearly every week.

The Sweet Bee would probably suggest cheese. Or fruit snacks.

But today, I’ll share something we like to call Chicken Stuffing in a Pot.

1-2 chicken breasts, frozen
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
2 Tb. orange juice
1 cup dressing mix (ie. Stove Top)
1/4 cup butter

Mix cream of chicken soup with sour cream. Add orange juice. Pour over frozen chicken in crock pot. Sprinkle dressing mix on top. Melt and drizzle butter on top. Cook on high for 3 hours. Serve with rice.

It’s simple and quick and I haven’t ever heard any complaints about it, so it’s a winner at our house!

For more great recipes, be sure to check out the swap at Simply Modern Mom.
Over-used Recipes Swap

FHE: The Living Christ

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Scripture of the Week:
“We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.”
The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles

Lesson Plan

This lesson was inspired by a lesson I found at The Family Home Evening Spot.

Introduce The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles. Discuss what it is, what it is about, who wrote it, etc. Show the poster from the February 2010 Friend magazine and read the excerpts from The Living Christ included there.

Make a collage about Christ. Using old Ensign magazines, cut out and glue pictures of Jesus Christ.

While preparing this lesson I came upon a special topic website by The Church, focusing on Jesus Christ, the Son of God. There are a number of articles and videos related to the Savior (faith, his teachings, testimonies of him, and others). This is a wonderful resource for anyone looking to strengthen their testimony of Jesus Christ.

Be Consistent

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“Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results. “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33). Consistency is a key principle as we lay the foundation of a great work in our individual lives and as we become more diligent and concerned in our own homes.

Being consistent in our homes is important for another reason. Many of the Savior’s harshest rebukes were directed to hypocrites. Jesus warned His disciples concerning the scribes and Pharisees: “Do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not” (Matthew 23:3). This strong admonition is sobering given the counsel to “express love—and show it,” to “bear testimony—and live it,” and to “be consistent.”

As we seek the Lord’s help and in His strength, we can gradually reduce the disparity between what we say and what we do, between expressing love and consistently showing it, and between bearing testimony and steadfastly living it. We can become more diligent and concerned at home as we are more faithful in learning, living, and loving the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.”

David A. Bednar, “More Diligent and Concerned at Home,” Ensign, Nov 2009, 17–20