Let Him Do It with Simplicity by Elder L. Tom Perry Lesson Given by Pam Henderson

"Thoreau's Cove" c.1990
In our search to obtain relief from stresses of life, may we earnestly seek ways to simplify our lives.

In an effort to separate himself from worldliness, Henry David Thoreau lived 2 years at Walden Pond in a life of simplicity. Elder Perry also went to Walden Pond to spend time in reflection and peace, helping to balance the stressful events of his life.

Thoreau determined that there were only 4 things that a man really needed: food, clothing, shelter and fuel.

Food: As members of the church, we possess sacred knowledge from revealed truth about the relationship between the body and the spirit. D&C 88:15: "The spirit and the body are the soul of man." We have the word of wisdom to give us simplicity in the food choices that we make. By living by these guidelines we will avoid the stresses of addictions, poor health and bad habits.

Clothing: A simplified life that brings spiritual blessing requires the wearing of simple and modest clothing. Our dress and grooming send a message to others about who we are and also effect the way we act.

Shelter: We have been encouraged in almost every General Conference of the Church to not live beyond our means. Our income should determine the kind of housing we can afford, not the neighbor's big home across the street.

Fuel: Spiritual fuel. We must acquire knowledge of God's eternal plan and our role in it, and then by living righteously, surrendering our will to the will of the Lord, we receive the promised blessings. Elder William R. Bradford taught: "In righteousness there is great simplicity. In every case that confronts us in life there is either a right way or a wrong way to proceed. If we choose the right way, we are sustained in our actions b the principles of righteousness, in the which there is power from the heavens. if we choose the wrong way and act on that choice, there is no such heavenly promise or power and we are alone and are destined to fail".

Just before Thoreau died, he was asked if he had made peace with God. He replied, "I was not aware we had ever quarreled."

May we earnestly seek ways to simplify our lives!

Solar Ovens

Last Sunday Yvonne Hawkins shared with us her knowledge and success with her Solar Oven. She suggests going in with someone and splitting the cost. 2 come per box. There is also the possibility of purchasing several and getting a group discount. For more information on the ovens check out their website at http://www.solarovens.org/ . If you are interested in purchasing one and adding your name to list for getting the group discount, please call Leora Stevenson, our Provident Living Specialist.

APRIL BIRTHDAYS!!!

Dear Sisters-
I apologize~~~Due to technical difficulty, our Birthday List for April did not post properly.
Here are the wonderful sisters who celebrated birthday's in the month of April:

3rd-Melanie Scobell
12th-Barbara Warriner
16th-Wendy Speakman
17th-Audrey Hankison
19th-Bonnie Knapp
26th-Karen Hille
27th-Beulah Lester

Watkins Spices & Seasonings

Pam introduced us to some great new seasonings and spices at her cooking class. She uses "Watkins" seasonings and spices. If you are interested in trying some of their products their website is www.watkinsonline.com .

Cooking Club~~~MIXES~~~April 9th~~~

We had a great turn out at our MIXES cooking club. Unfortunately, we don't have any photos to share with you BUT we do have some AMAZING recipes for you!

Pamcakes
2 1/2 c Biscuit mix
1T sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 c buttermilk, water or milk

Biscuit Mix
8 1/2 c flour
1 T baking powder
1 T salt
2 t cream of tartar
1 t baking soda
1 1/2 instant non-fat dry milk
2 1/4 c shortening
Sift together all dry ingredients. Blend well. With pastry blender, cut in shortening until mixed well. Will look like cornmeal in texture when completely mixed. Use like typical Biscuit mix. To make biscuits, use 3c mix to 3/4c milk or water.

Roll Mix
10 c flour
2/3 c sugar
2 t salt
1/2 c instant nonfat dry milk
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well. Store in large airtight container. Use within 6-8 months.

Make the following recipes with the above Roll Mix recipe:
Pan Rolls
1 T yeast
1 1/2 c warm water
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 c melted butter
5-6 c roll mix (above)
Put roll mix in breadmaker, form well in center of mixture. Add yeast. pour over water, butter and eggs. Set on "dough" setting and process. Grease 13/9 or 2 9-inch round pans. Punch down dough. Form dough into desired size/shape, barely touching. Let rise until doubled. Bake at 350 until lightly brown, about 15 minutes.

Swedish Twists
1 pkg yeast
1 c buttermilk
1/4 t baking soda
1/2 c melted butter
2 eggs
4 1/2 c roll mix (above)
3 T softened butter
1/2 c brown sugar, packed
1 t cinnamon
Put buttermilk in pan and bring to boil-buttermilk will curdle. Add baking soda, melted butter and eggs. Mix well. Put roll mix in breadmaker. Make well in center of mixture; add yeast. Pour over buttermilk mixture (make sure it has cooled to room temp). process on "dough" setting. When finished, punch down dough. Roll out into 12/20 rectangle. Spread over 3 T softened butter over 1/2 the length. Mix together brown sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over butter. Fold half dough over cinnamon, so that rolls are 12x10. With a pizza cutter, cut the folded lengths into desired strips. I do 18 3/4 inch slices and cut them in half for shorter, smaller pastries. You can do them about 1 inch, and keep them long for 12 very large pastries. Let them rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes, until golden brown. Make glaze while baking: 1 1/2 c powdered sugar, 1 T softened butter, 2 T hot water. Mix together, frost while rolls are still warm.

Onion Rolls
1 c boiling water
1/2 pkg dry onion soup mix
1 egg, beaten
1 T yeast
2 T vegetable oil
3 1/2 c roll mix (above)
melted butter
Pour water over soup mix, stir to completely dissolve and let cool to room temp. Put roll mix into breadmaker. Make well in center of dry mixture and put yeast in well. Mix egg and oil with soup mixture and pour over dry ingredients in breadmaker. Set breadmaker to "dough" and process. When done, punch down dough and form into desired size balls. (Dough will double). Place balls on greased cookie sheet. Let balls raise to about double, about 30 minutes. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Brush tops with melted butter.

Beef Pastries
3/4 lb. ground beef
1 c chopped onion
1 c shredded cabbage
1 t garlic salt
1/4 t msg
2 c biscuit mix (above)
1/2 c milk
1 c of shredded cheese; mozzarella or cheddar
1/4 c melted butter, margarine or oil.
Brown ground beef; drain fat. Add onion and garlic salt. Cook until onions slightly soft. Add cabbage and cook until wilted. Ass msg and stir until completely incorporated. In separate bowl, stir together biscuit mix and milk. Knead about 15 minutes. Divide dough into 8-10 small balls. Roll out each ball to about 5 inches round. Put a spoonful of meat mixture in center of dough, sprinkle with cheese. Fold over top and crimp edge with fork. Brush top with melted butter. Bake 425 for 10-20 minutes, until golden brown.

Taco Seasoning Mix
2 t dry minced onion
1 t garlic salt
1 t chili powder or chipotle chili powder
1/2 t cornstarch
1/2 t crushed dried red pepper (omit if you don't like spicy seasoning)
1/4 t dried oregano
1/2 t ground cumin
Store in zippered bag or square of foil. Use within 6 months.

To make Taco Filling:
1 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 c water
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix.
Brown ground beef; drain grease. Add water and seasoning mix. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes, stiring occasionally.

Sloppy Joes
1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 c chopped onion
1/4 c brown sugar
2 T vinegar
1/2 t chili powder
1/2 c ketchup
1/4 t dry mustard
1 t Worcestershire sauce
dash of red pepper
Brown ground beef with onion; drain grease. Add remaining ingredients, stir until heated through, about 10 minutes. Serve over hamburger buns or onion rolls (recipe above).

Easter Message from Elder Holland

Lesson #31 by Lauri "God Shall Be with You Forever and Ever" Liberty Jail

Every one of us, in one way or another, great or small, dramatic or incidental, is going to spend a little time in Liberty Jail – spiritually speaking. We will face things we do not want to face for reasons that may not have been our fault. Indeed, we may face difficult circumstances for reasons that were absolutely right and proper, reasons that came because we were trying to keep the commandments of the Lord. The lessons of the winter of 1838-39 teach us that every experience can become a redemptive experience if we remain bonded to our Father in Heaven through that difficulty.

Lesson #1 Everyone Faces Trying Times
We must not succumb to the fear that God has abandoned us or that He does not hear our prayers. He does hear us. He does see us. He does love us. Sisters, we must keep knocking at the door. Keep pleading. Know that God hears your cries and knows your distress. He is your Father, and you are His child.
Even though seemingly unjust circumstances may be heaped upon us and even though unkind and unmerited things may be done to us – perhaps by those we consider enemies but also, in some cases, by those whom we thought were friends – nevertheless, through it all, God is with us.

Lesson #2 Even the Worthy Will Suffer
We need to realize that just because difficult things happen – sometimes unfair and seemingly unjustified things – it does not mean that we are unrighteous or that we are unworthy of blessings or that God is disappointed in us. Of course, sinfulness does bring suffering, and the only answer to that behavior is repentance. But sometimes suffering comes to the righteous, too.
If you are having a bad day, you’ve got a lot of company – very, very good company. The best company that has ever lived.
We don’t have to look for sorrow. We don’t have to seek to be martyrs. Trouble has a way of finding us even without our looking for it. But when it is obvious that a little time in Liberty Jail waits for you (spiritually speaking), remember God has not forgotten you and the Savior has been where you have been, allowing Him to provide for your deliverance and comfort.

Lesson #3 Remain Calm, Patient, Charitable, and Forgiving
In the midst of such distress and difficulty they could remain calm and patient, charitable and forgiving. They remembered their covenants, they disciplined themselves, and they knew that we must live the gospel at all times, not just when it is convenient and not just when things are going well. The real test of our faith and our Christian discipleship is when things are NOT going smoothly. That is when we get to see what we’re made of and how strong our commitment to the gospel really is.
The Spirit has a near-impossible task to get through to a heart that is filled with hate or anger or vengeance or self-pity. On the other hand, the Spirit finds instant access to a heart striving to be charitable and forgiving, long-suffering and kind – principles of true discipleship.

Lesson #4 Do All Things Cheerfully
“Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed” (D&C 123:17).
What a tremendously optimistic and faithful concluding declaration to be issued from a prison-temple! What a magnificent attitude to maintain in good times or bad, in sorrow or in joy!

Cinemagic 2009 "California Dreamin"

Each year the Pleasant Valley Education Foundation sponsors programs in the Arts and Technology. Cinemagic is one of these events. It is a great opportunity for youth to grow through the Arts. The children are not only involved in the production as actors, they run the backstage crew, lights, props, make-up, microphones, help with sound and choreography.

This year the theme of Cinemagic was "California Dreamin". And some of the STARS were:
Micah Hager, Avery Hager, Beth Arbon, Paige Malan and Brie Morris

Bradlee was the Manager of the Stage Crew

Avery and Beth stared in Route 66 and Jellicle Cats, Beth was also a "Laugh In" Speaker. Micah stared in On My Way, Horray For Hollywood and Get'cha Head In the Game. Paige stared in In the Jungle and Reach Out and Touch, Brie stared in Zoot Suit and Disney. Debbie Hager has been sewing costumes for Cinemagic since November. She was the Costume Chair. We are so fortunate to have so many talented members in our ward who contribute to our community!

Elder's Quorum Activity March 27th

Special thanks to Angie Ames for taking these great pictures!

Great Resource

Have you seen the great resources available at www.seminary.lds.org?

You can download music, scriptures, a student study guide, reading charts, bookmarks, and scripture timelines. There are also fun activities to help you with scripture mastery: learn to find, memorize, and understand and apply these scriptures to your life. You can even get information on institute.

The New Era Magazine April 2009