Thursday, November 5, 2009

What Was Your Favorite Conference Talk?

From Kristy:
One of my favorite lines is from Elder Bednar

"What we know is not always reflected it what we do." Doesn't that give us some food for thought? The way we respond to tantrums, rude drivers, unmet expectations, moody teenagers, messes on the floor, missed opportunities, whatever it is. Who can't improve in making what we do consistent with what we know? I know I sure can!


From Nikki:

Sunday afternoon Elder Holland delivered a great testimony of the Book of Mormon. The Spirit that accompanied his talk was unmistakable and could have converted Satan himself. Even all of our children sat and were anxiously engaged in the entire talk. He reminded us all how true the Book of Mormon is; not a single person has been able to question its validity. As he states, “For 179 years this book has been examined and attacked, denied and deconstructed, targeted and torn apart like perhaps no other book in modern religious history-perhaps like no other book in any religious history. And still it stands……..”

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Becoming Saviors on Mount Zion lesson by Heidi Yeates


Chapter 41: Becoming Saviors on Mount Zion

This lesson discusses the commencement of proxy baptisms (and other saving ordinances) in this last dispensation. The Lord was specific about the way things are to be done: in His temple with proper witnessing and recording of ordinances done in behalf of our deceased ancestors.
The doctrine of salvation for the dead demonstrates the great love the mercy the Lord has for us, and the fairness of the plan of Salvation. All those who did not have the opportunity to accept the gospel in this life will have that chance in the spirit world, but their ordinances must be performed here, on Earth.
That is how we become saviors on Mount Zion, by doing for others what they cannot do for themselves. Joseph Smith said, "The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our dead." " For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect . . . ."
I would invite all those who were unable to attend Relief Society (and those that were there, as well) to read the chapter in its entirety.

Stake Relief Society Service Project and Broadcast








Sisters from all wards in the Stake gathered Saturday evening for service and socializing. Many worked on File Folder Games and visited while they ate a delicious "Sack Lunch".
Many worked on assembling School Kits for children who have no school supplies.

The best of the evening was the General Relief Society Broadcast from Salt Lake City. We heard Sister Beck speak about "Relief Society is a Faith Based Work". (click HERE to hear her talk) We were also instructed that ALL Relief Society functions will now be referred to as "Relief Society".
"Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment" as a term will no longer be used.
Sister Allread spoke and Sister Thompson spoke about "Minding the Gap" and President Eyring closed the meeting with faith inspiring stories and testimony.

Our ward has been asked to provide toys and quilts to the Humanitarian Aid. We are looking for donations of fabric and batting for quilts. If you would like more information on how you can help, please click here

Bonnie Fife is our Humanitarian Aid Specialist. She will have more information available in the next few weeks.

Current Needs (click on the underlined words to link you to more information)

Updated: September 2009

As the Church responds to humanitarian needs worldwide, the need for specific types of donations varies. Currently, the items listed below would be most beneficial.

  • Hygiene kits
  • School kits
  • File folder games
  • Sweatshirts and sweatpants
  • T-shirts 0-16 years
  • Full size quilts

The Church periodically receives a surplus of some items; therefore, additional donations for these items may not be required. For the time being, the Humanitarian Center has received sufficient donations for the following items:

  • Winter caps and scarves
  • Wooden blocks and cars
  • Soft toy balls

Patterns for current need item
s are now available online.

Please refer to the Humanitarian Service Project Guidelines to make sure your donation is in compliance.

In addition to donations of items, donations to the Humanitarian Aid Fund are always welcome.



Lifting Dark Clouds by Bonnie



We have all felt the dark clouds of trials, it is how we are tested. "The Lord makes no secret that He will test our faith and our obedience. ‘We will prove them herewith . . . to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.” Elder Adhemar Damiani Our loving Father has reassured us that His ‘great plan of happiness’ was founded on faith, not on fear of failure. . . . The central figure in this plan, the true Deliverer, is the Lord Jesus Christ. . . .[W]e cannot now recall what we learned in those glorious courts on high. Instead of simply remembering, we are required to learn of and develop faith in God’s promised deliverance.Elder Lowell M. Snow, Ensign, Dec 2007. The atonement is not just for sin but to heal our “pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind,” it is for the relief of "the sickness of the Lord's people" and their infirmities. Alma 7:11-12.


The story of Job in the Bible tells us that Job was a just and perfect man who was greatly blessed. The Lord allowed Job to be tried. Job lost everything and suffered physically. When he despaired he was told, "Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth; therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty." Job 5:17. Job testified "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in the Lord....He also shall be my salvation." Job 13:15-16.


What about Nephi. He “was constantly faced with privations and difficulties. Nevertheless he said that they ‘lived after the manner of happiness’ (2 Nephi 5:27). Elder Cecil O. Samuelson Jr., Ensign, Apri 2009. Nephi turned to the Lord in times of trial and his brothers murmured and complained. What made Nephi different? Nephi recognized that he “was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which [he] should do.” (1 Nephi 4:6) He had faith in the Lord’s deliverance “I will go and do the thing that the Lord commands” because I know that He will provide a way to accomplish it.(1Nephi 3:7) The difference is that Nephi knew “that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will,” for his children if they exercise faith in him.(1Nephi 7:12) "Nephi understood that there is a pattern for living that results in happiness, independent of the difficulties, challenges, and disappointments that come into all of our lives. He was able to focus on the big picture of God’s plan for him and his people and was thus able to avoid being brought down by [the fact] that life is not fair. It isn’t fair, but [Nephi] and his people were happy nevertheless.” [Elder Cecil O. Samuelson Jr., Ensign, April 2009]


Trials, afflictions, and suffering are like dark clouds that rain down on the good as well as the wicked. “Suffering is universal; how we react to suffering is individual. Suffering . . . can be a strengthening and purifying experience combined with faith, or it can be a destructive force in our lives if we do not have the faith in the Lord’s atoning sacrifice.”[Elder Robert D. Hales, Ensign, Nov. 1983 ] “The reason for some of these trials cannot be readily understood except on the basis of faith and hope because there is often a larger purpose which we do not always understand.” [President James E. Faust, Ensign, Nov. 1999]


If we will have faith and hope, we will have peace. “Faith and hope are constantly interactive, and may not always be precisely distinguished or sequenced. . . . Just as doubt, [and] despair . . . go together, so do faith, hope and charity. . . . those who look forward to a next and better world are usually ‘anxiously engaged’ in improving this one, for they ‘always abound in good works.’ . . . While weak hope leaves us at the mercy of our moods and events, ‘brightness of hope’ produces illuminated individuals. . . . Such hope permits us to ‘press forward’ even when dark clouds oppress.” [ 2 Nep. 31:16, 20] [Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign, Nov 1994] “Hope, charity, and faith. . . . become stronger because of their association with each other. . . . When a woman loses hope, she will also lose faith and charity. . . . When hope leaves us, despair ensues. . . . Hope is a steadying influence [that keeps] us from drifting aimlessly. . . . Truly, the Lord Jesus Christ is our hope.” [Elaine L. Jack, Ensign, March 1992]

COOKIE DOUGH PARABLE

You know, life is a lot like cookie dough. Though any ingredient alone may not taste that great, each is essential to the recipe to make scrumptious cookies. It only works when the ingredients are combined according to the correct recipe or plan. And you can’t leave anything out, not even a pinch of salt. Think of salt as the bitter experiences, or adversity and affliction in life. Without the salt there isn’t anything to balance the sweet parts of life. We need both for our growth.


This is how the Lord works. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through adversity and hardships. But He knows that when we put these things in His order, they always work for our good. We just have to trust Him and eventually, these experiences will combine to make something phenomenal. Remember, my dear daughter, your Heavenly Father is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. He even inspired someone to make cookies! Whenever you want to talk, He’ll listen. He knows you better than anyone. He knows what experiences you need in order to stretch and reach your full potential. I know that these experiences seem hard when we are going through them, but if we will allow ourselves to be molded and fashioned by the Lord’s loving hands, he can create something marvelous of us.

“You may feel singled out when adversity enters your life. You . . . wonder, ‘Why me?’ . . . No one is exempt. . . . Learning to endure times of disappointment, suffering and sorrow is part of our on-the-job training. These experiences, while often difficult to bear at the time, are precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our character. . . . Those who are happiest seem to have a way of learning from difficult times. . . . The Lord in His wisdom does not shield anyone from grief or sadness. . . . I do believe that the way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life. If we approach adversities wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth, which in turn can lead toward times of greatest happiness.”[Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, Nov. 2008]


If we viewed trials differently, with an eternal perspective, perhaps as a chance for growth, the focus of our prayers would change. Instead of asking that the trial be lifted maybe we would ask for help to endure it, or how to learn and grow from it. When we focus only on the dark clouds we don’t recognize that the Lord is with us during these tests—always! We would not see His angels who are there to bear us up. If we focus only on the dark clouds we won’t be able to see beyond the trial. We won’t recognize what those dark clouds or adversity have taught us. We won’t appreciate the growth we have experienced because of these hard times. Would we learn to rely on the Lord if life was always sunny and our path was always smooth—would we learn to rely on faith and have hope in our Savior?

Monday, September 28, 2009

Relief Society Craft Night Oct. 20th 6pm

Take a look at what classes are being offered at our
Super Craft Night October 20th 6:00 pm
A delicious Potato Bar dinner will be provided.

Last day to sign up for classes is
October 8th

All money due in by October 11th
to
Trish Sission


Sewn Purse taught by Bonnie Fife
Cost: 0
Bring: sewing machine, scissors, pins and choice of 2 prints of fabric
Estimated Time to complete: 2 hours
Children's Temple Plaque taught by Haylee Sawyer
Limit: 4 per person
Cost: $5.00/each
Class Provides: wood, vinyl, paint, glue & brushes
Bring: Blow Dryer to speed drying process
Estimated Time to complete: 30 minutes
"PEACE" etched glass block taught by Trish Sisson
Limit: 1 set
Cost: $6/block (Peace $30, Joy $18, Noel $24)
Bring: Glue gun/sticks, 1-10yd roll of 1 1/2" ribbon, 2-10 yd rolls 1" ribbon for bows
Estimated Time to complete: 1 1/2 hours
LOVE Plaque taught by Trish Sisson
Limit: 1 per person
Cost: $15.00
Bring: Blow dryer to speed drying process, glue gun/sticks
Estimated Time to complete: 1 hour
FHE Magnet Board taught by Anelieze Castrejon
Limit: 2 per person
Cost: $12/each and .75 for each marble magnet
Class Provides: Wood, vinyl, metal, decorative nails, paint & brushes
Bring: Blow Dryer to speed drying process
Estimated Time to complete: 1 hour
"A Few of My Favorite Things" magnetic board
taught by MaryAnn Callahan

Limit: 2 per person
Cost: $12/each
Class Provides: Wood, vinyl, paint, brushes, and metal
Bring: Blow Dryer to speed drying process
You Provide: Magnets & your photos
Estimated Time to complete: 1 hour
Countdown Blocks taught by Debbie Morris
Limit: 4 sets per person
Cost: $10/set
Class provides: Blocks, paper, vinyl, paint, glue, & brushes
Bring: Blow Dryer to speed drying process
Estimated Time to complete: 1 1/2 hour per set

Gospel Art Picture Book-The Life of Christ taught by Nicole Sacolles
Price: $7/for just the pictures, $15 for the entire book
Estimated Time to complete: 30 minutes
Bring: If you just purchase the pictures, bring plastic protectors and a notebook
Little Girls Hair Barrettes taught by Melanie Scobell
Cost: $1/each (may be less)
Estimated Time to complete: 15 minutes/less per barrette
Wrapped Chocolate Bars taught by Linn Evans
Cost: $3/each
Limit: 2 bars per person

Class supplies: Candy Bar, Foil Wrap, Decorative paper, Vintage Artwork paper, Ribbon, Glitter, Plastic Bag
Bring: glue gun w/glue sticks -or- craft glue, scissors, any extra embellishments such as fake gem stones, tags, etc....
Estimated Time to complete: 30 minutes/per bar
Reversible Aprons taught by Debbie Morris
Cost: 0
Bring: Sewing Machine, good cutting scissors, pins, thread, and if desired; decorative ribbon, buttons, trim etc. (For Pocket)
fabric: 4 different fabric patterns:
1 yard of fabric for main front of apron & pocket
1 yard of fabric for main back of apron & pocket
1/2 yard for ruffle on bottom and straps
1/2 yard for tie & straps
Estimated Time to complete: 2 hours

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

B.Y.U. Ballroom Dance Comes to Oxnard




BYU Ballroom Dance Company is coming to Oxnard Performing Arts Center

Friday, Oct. 16, 2009 7:30 pm.

Get your tickets early, as this will be a sellout show!

See Debi or John Lassen for tickets and information. (they can be found in the nursery during the last 2 hours of our meetings block.)

$15.00 adults and $12.00 children (0-11 yrs.)

You can get tickets from the Lassen's until Oct. 1st, after which all ticket sales will be online only at http://ventura.aa.byu.edu/ (no "www" in the web address.).

Tickets are available online now, as well.

This is a great family event and a missionary opportunity.

Remember, get your tickets now...don't put it off....we are sharing this night with 4 other Stakes in our area and it will sell out.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Hillary Weeks-Mom "To Do List"


Scroll down and pause the music to the left of the screen before starting this YouTube clip.

Emergency Prep & Food Storage Home Tour

The Stevenson's purchased these Can Storage Racks from Wal-Mart in Orem. They paid $299/each. They measure 72"x32" and are 24" deep.



Relief Society and some of their husbands attended the Emergency Prep/Food Storage Home Tour. There were demos on everything from cooking with a pizza box oven to how to can butter.

The tours started at the Porter's home. Here Gina explained what went into the process of building their shelving in their garage. She also gave tips on how to store water in your home in places you might not typically think of. She has a great set up for her food storage and covers it with upholstery fabric to keep the dust and dirt to a minimum. Also available were numerous samples of dehydrated food from Walton Feed. The applesauce was quite good!

The next tour was at the Morris's. Here sisters took advantage of the opportunity to use a hand wheat grinder. Also available for demo was an electric wheat grinder. Thanks to Angie for making her wonderful homemade white bread, we were able to sample canned butter. The butter was donated by Mardene Hanson and the recipe will be featured later on the blog. Trish Sisson made "Bread in a Mason Jar". This bread is baked and can be stored with your food storage for up to a year. We also sampled Trish's homemade Apricot jam on the delicious bread from Angie. Debbie gave tips on how to use the Provident Living website and "All Is Safely Gathered In", how to calculate the needs of a family for 1 years food storage and how to plan for your 3-month or extended food storage. Please take a look at this website for more information on 3 month food supply; Everyday Food Storage

The evening ended with delicious warm chili served at the Stevenson's home. (recipe below) Chuck shared many helpful ideas on 72 hour kits (theirs is in a large blue rolling trashcan), shelving for your canned food, (he purchased his shelving at Wal-Mart in Orem, but you can also make your own), how he engineered his continuous water filtration system for his blue water barrels and alternative cooking methods. The Stake Canner and Mylar Sealer are kept and stored at the Stevenson's. They also have available extra cans, lids, oxygen packs and mylar bags. Simply call them to set up a time to come do your canning. To order Home Storage Products visit the Provident Living website.

Yvonne Hawkins brought her Solar Oven and explained the advantages of having and using one. She also constructed a Solar Oven from a pizza box! On a day with good sunshine it can heat up to 200*. Special thanks to Jared Fife and Leora Stevenson for the photos.


Chuck engineered these water barrels on a continuous filtration system.
Yvonne's Solar Oven-she has used it for baking and is very pleased with the results.
Solar Oven made from a pizza box
Chuck had a vast amount of information and tips for Emergency Prep and Food Storage.
Chuck explains the pump he bought for his water barrels.
He purchased this one from S.O.S. Survival Products.
Pictured here is the Stevenson's 72 Hour Emergency Kit inside this black trashcan.
Turkey Cooker
Mylar Sealer and Canner

Leora's Chili Recipe
by Sharon

1 lb ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
3/4 c chopped green pepper
1 glove garlic minced
Brown and drain the above ingredients.
Add:
1 16 oz can cut up tomatoes
1 16 oz can kidney beans (drain & rinse)
1 8oz can tomato sauce
2 t chili powder
2 t basil
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
Simmer 20 minutes and serve.

Recipe and Instructions for Canned Butter
from Mardene Hanson

1. Use any butter that is on sale. Lesser quality butter requires more shaking (see #5 below), but the results are the same as with the expensive brands.

2. Heat pint jars in a 250 degree oven for 20 minutes, without rings or seals. One pound of butter slightly more than fills one pint jar, so if you melt 11 pounds of butter, heat 12 pint jars. A roasting pan works well for holding the pint jars while in the oven.

3. While the jars are heating, melt butter slowly until it comes to a slow boil. Using a large spatula, stir the bottom of the pot often to keep the butter from scorching. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes at least; a good simmer time will lessen the amount of shaking required.
Place the lids in a small pot and bring to a boil, leaving the lids in simmering water until needed.

4. Stirring the melted butter from the bottom to the top with a soup ladle or small pt with a handle, pour the melted butter carefully into heated jars through a canning jar funnel. Leave 3/4" of head space in the jar, which allows room for the shaking process.

5. Carefully wipe off the top of the jars, then get a hot lid from the simmering water, add the lid and ring and tighten securely. Lids will seal as they cool. Once a few lids "ping", shake while the jars are still warm, but cool enough to handle easily, because the butter will separate and become foamy on top and white on the bottom of the jar. In a few minutes shake again, and repeat until the butter retains the same consistency throughout the jar.

6. At this point, while still slightly warm, put the jars into a refrigerator. While cooling and hardening, shake again and the melted butter will then look like butter and become firm gradually. This final shaking is very important! Check every 5 minutes and give the jars a little shake until it hardens in the jar. Leave in the refrigerator for an hour.

7. Canned butter should store for 3 years or longer on a cool, dark shelf. It does last a long time. Canned butter does not "melt" again when opened, so it does not need to be refrigerated upon opening, provided it is used within a reasonable length of time.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Cam 2 Scouts Get Their Awards


The Boy Scouts from Troop 222 received numerous Merit Badges and Rank Advancements in a Scout Court of Honor held recently.
The total number of awards was over 100.
Many of these awards were earned at BSA Camp Emerson in Idylwilde.
The scouts are very fortunate to have Brother Hunter as their Scout Master and Brother Yeates as their Advancement Committee Chairman.

Brother Yeates with Jason and Evan
Brother Yeates with Josh
Brother Yeates with Robert
Brother Yeates with Brian
Brother Yeates with Randy
Brother Yeates with Zachary
Brother Yeates with Alex
Brother Yeates with Jake
Brother Yeates with Kade

Happy 40th Anniversary Bishop and Sister Hales

Roy and Nancy Hales were married September 5, 1969.
They were married in the Los Angeles Temple.
When the Newly Weds returned home from their honeymoon they had an intimate reception at Roy's parents home, Roy Sr. & Dorthy Hales.
They took a Honeymoon trip to New Mexico in, what would now be considered a classic, Mustang. A few years ago Nancy found a Mustang from that same year and had it restored for Roy as a gift for their anniversary.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY,
LOVE BIRDS!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Angels In the Outfield-Visiting Teaching Conference

We are all on a team, our “Relief Society” team. Our position on that team is to nurture, encourage, uplift, and bear one anther's burdens, to emulate the Savior. When we are offering that relief to others we become a member of a different team, the “Angels” team as we partner up with angels from the other side, just like we saw in the clip from from the “Angels in the Outfield” movie.

How do we know who needs our help? We follow the example of the young boy in the movie and pray for help. Sister Beck challenged us to pray for the gift to be “quick to observe”. If we are sincere in our request – the Lord will let us know what to do. In our Visiting Teaching conference today we really didn't talk about visiting teaching because the heart and soul of visiting teaching is charity. Look at our team scoreboard – our stats are high. The sisters in our ward are doing an amazing job of fulfilling their roles as visiting teachers and as a result our ward is blessed. One of the purposes of the this conference is to motivate us to do even better. Statistics give us a good guideline as to how we are doing but they don’t really tell us if we are truly ministering to our sisters.

Sister Beck gave us a story of 2 sisters who faithfully did their V.T. early every month. They made their appointments early in the month and even prayed before they went out. One time they went to visit a sister whose husband was ill. As they visited the baby was crying downstairs and the husband was unable to help. Amidst all the commotion they shared a well prepared message. Then as they left they said, “if there is anything we can do to help let us know” as they left behind a kitchen full of dirty dishes and a sister who was feeling a little overwhelmed. They completely missed the point of the visit – they weren’t quick to observe. It was easier to leave their sister in the outfield than to help her.

Let’s make sure as we visit teach we are not just filling a statistic. Let’s be aware our sisters in Relief Society who are struggling. Let’s step up our efforts to help them, remember them as we visit teach them, and pray for them individually in our prayers. If we see someone sitting by themselves let’s get up and go sit by them or invite them to sit by us. If there’s not seat let’s at least acknowledge them, touch them on shoulder, smile at them, and talk to them. Let’s look for anyone new or visiting and shake their hand as we introduce our self. Let’s invite them over for dinner or family night or a walk. Let’s call them to see if they want a ride to enrichment or church.

Let’s take a different approach to planning our month. Instead of allowing the busy-ness of life decide for us when we can fit in our visiting teaching, fellowshipping, service, and friendshipping, let’s schedule first those things that are important. We will find we still have time to take care of all the small things that seem to consume our time.

As we visit teach we are "earthly" angels. As we extend ourselves, even if it’s hard, and personally reach out to our sisters, Joseph Smith promised us that: "angels cannot be restrain’d from being our associates"…. ”they will be round about us to bear us up”. D&C 84:88 By Linn Evans