Pattern to Bless Our Families

Just in case you don't get the Daily Gems...

“First, we must love the Lord with all our hearts, and we must love our children. Second, we must become a worthy example to them by continually seeking the Lord and striving to live the gospel. Third, we must teach our children the gospel and how to live its teachings.”

Cheryl C. Lant

FHE ~ Captain Moroni

Opening Song: “My Flag, My Flag” Children’s Songbook, p. 225

Scripture: Alma 43:17

Lesson/Activity:
Ask your family if they can think of items we wear or display that reminds us of our beliefs. (CTR rings, Young Women Medallions, pictures of the temple, and so on.) Read with your family Alma 46: 11-13 and identify the symbol Moroni made to help remind the Nephites of their beliefs. Have them mark in their scriptures the six things Moroni caused to be written on the Title of Liberty. Why do you think he chose to remind the Nephites of those things?
• How did the Nephite people react to the Title of Liberty and why was it so effective?
• How did the people who followed Moroni feel about their cause compared to how the people of Amalickiah felt about their cause?
• Where did Moroni place the Title of Liberty, and what long-term effect did it have on the people?


Treat: Cinnamon Chocolate Pudding

1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cans (12 fl. oz. each) Evaporated Milk, (3 cups)
1 cup (6 oz.) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
2 egg yolks, lightly beaten
1/2 cup flaked coconut, toasted
COMBINE sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon in medium, heavy-duty saucepan; gradually stir in evaporated milk. Stir in morsels and egg yolks. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture is thickened.
POUR chocolate mixture into dessert cups. Chill for at least 1 hour; sprinkle with coconut

Southwestern Grilled Chicken with Mango Salsa

My sister gave me a bunch of mangos and so I decided to try and put them to good use. This dish was amazing! It was so good. It calls for red peppers, but I just had green on hand, and it tasted great.

Southwestern Grilled Chicken with Mango Salsa

1 env. Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix
1/2 cup oil
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 tsp. chili powder
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
2 mangos, peeled, chopped
1/2 cup chopped red pepper (or green)
1/2 cup chopped green onions

Mix dressing mix, oil, lime juice, cilantro and chili powder until well blended. Pour 1/2 cup of the dressing mixture over chicken in resealable plastic bag; seal bag. Refrigerate 1 hour to marinate. Mix remaining dressing mixture, mangos, red peppers, and onions in medium bowl; cover. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade. Grill chicken until cooked through. Serve with mango mixture.

FHE ~ Hold to the Rod

Opening Song: "The Iron Rod” Hymn #274

Scripture:
1 Nephi 8:24 “And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.

Lesson/Activity:
Needed:
Yarn or string; Small and large candle or flashlight; Small and large treats
Preparation:
Start the string in the main room and thread it around the house everywhere. Put under the table over desks everywhere. Set the small candle somewhere before the end. Put a few sweets with it and a person (or two) to act as a deceiver. The large candle goes at the end of the string with all the best of the treats. (The candles should only be able to be seen when you are near them.) Turn out all the other lights in the house.
The lesson:
Have everyone follow the string. Tell them there is a big treat at the end, if that can just hold on. Have one or more deceivers along the path try and draw them away. If they hold on, they get the biggest treats at the end.
Read 1 Nephi 8:24 and 1 Nephi 11:25.
-What does the iron rod represent?
-What blessing did we get when we held to the rod (string)?
-What blessing do we get when we follow the word of God?
Bare your testimony about how our lives are blessed when we follow the word of God.

Closing Song: “Do What is Right” Hymn #237

Treat: Easy Peanut Butter Pie
Graham Cracker Crust
1 Cup Peanut butter
1 Cup Powdered Sugar
1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese
8 oz. Cool whip
Mix all ingredients together (except crust) Refrigerate and set.

FHE ~ Integrity

Opening Song: “Primary Colors,” Children’s Songbook, p. 258

Scripture: D&C 124:15

Lesson/Activity:
Materials needed: a coin and a disc the same size cut from cardboard Procedure: Show the coin. Explain that they all know what this is. It is a coin that is genuine and can be spent anywhere in the country. Show the piece of cardboard. Ask what makes it different from the coin. It is the same shape. It is about the same weight. We could take a coloring pencil and make it the same color. What is the difference? Yes, the coin was made in a mint, having authority, and the coin is so marked as the official coin of the realm and can so act.
Every day of our lives we fill with many acts. As we live our lives through, lets make sure we are genuine, and our acts are as they are intended to be.
Integrity is often described as having the moral courage to make our actions consistent with our knowledge of right and wrong. When we have this moral courage others will know they can depend on us to always be “genuine” like the real coin rather than the false one.


Treat: Easy White Mousse
3 bars (6-oz. box) Premier White Baking Bars, broken into pieces
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
MICROWAVE baking bars and 1/2 cup cream in uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute; STIR. The bars may retain some of their shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until melted; cool completely.
BEAT remaining cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract in small mixing bowl until stiff peaks form (do not overbeat).
FOLD melted baking bar mixture into whipped cream; refrigerate. Spoon into serving bowl or individual dishes.

What's Your Language?

I'm sure most of you have read, or at least heard of, the book "The 5 Love Languages." It is an awesome book. My husband and I read it together many years ago.

What I want to tell you today is how I think it is so easy to forget our spouse's love language. For instance, mine is "Quality Time" which means I feel most loved when my husband spends time with me (or other people; it doesn't have to just be with your significant other). It can be anything from going on a walk, going on a date, or just talking at home with no other distractions.

My husbands love language is "Acts of Service" which means he feels most loved when I go the extra mile like doing the dishes when its his turn, making him a late-night snack, etc.

Now, every day I want to show my husband how much I love him. But even deep down I know what I need to do (acts of service), it just comes naturally for me to speak my love language. And then I get confused when I tell him I went to spend quiet time with him and he doesn't even care about it!! It's because that doesn't say "love" to him.

So, I just want to say that if you don't already know what your spouse's love language is, find out today. (It would be a fun date to get the book, take the test, then read about your languages.) Then, remember, remember, remember to show your spouse love by speaking their language. Good luck!!

FHE ~ Attitude

Opening Song: “If You’re Happy” Children’s Songbook, p. 266.

Scripture: (Romans 15:13 “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Lesson/Activity:
Ask family members which of the following would be the most difficult for them to deal with:

1. Moving from your home because your parents lost their jobs.
2. Spending many weeks in a hospital because of illness.
3. Temporarily living in a shelter and relying on food storage because of a natural disaster.

Together, read 1 Nephi 16:13-21 and find out what challenges Lehi’s family faced. Ask why this would be a difficult challenge. How does it compare to the three examples above?

Ask your family to look again at verse 20 and tell how most of the group, including Lehi, reacted to the lack of food. Murmuring may be a common reaction to hardship and hunger, but did complaining help solve their problem? Compare the complaining of this group with what Nephi did in verses 22–30. How could Nephi’s non-complaining and productive example help us in our difficult situations?

Closing Song: “Count Your Blessings” Hymn #241


Treat: Mud Pie

½ Gallon, Chocolate Ice Cream, softened
1 pkg. Oreos, crushed
¼ cup butter, melted
Hot Fudge
Whipped Cream
Mix crushed oreos and melted butter together and press onto a greased 9x13” pan to form crust. Press softened ice cream onto crust. Freeze 1 hour. To serve, cut into pieces and drizzle hot fudge over it. Top with a dollop (or more) of whipped cream

For Strong Eternal Relationships

"In essentials, there must be unity. In non-essentials, there must be liberty. In all things, there must be charity."
~ V.H. Roberts

p.s. This isn't specifically for marriages, but for any relationship you want to strengthen.

FHE ~ Brigham Young

Opening Song: “Pioneer Children Sang as they Walked,” Children’s Songbook, p. 214

Scripture: D&C 126:1-2

Lesson/Activity:

Materials needed: One old-fashioned tool (manual) and one newer tool of the same variety (electric).

Procedure: Show the tools and ask what their use might be. Indicate that the older tool was very modern in its own time and then discuss the similarities and the differences between the tools. Explain that even though the tools are different, their basic use is the same. Tell the class that the most important thing is not the tool but how it is handled and what is the ultimate goal for its use. Point out that both tools can be used to turn out quality work.
Explain that these tools are like changes in church leadership. Even though the leader has changed, the ultimate goal has not. An example of this is when Brigham Young took over leadership of the church after Joseph Smith died.

Treat: Strawberry Ice Cream

2 cups unsweetened thawed, frozen strawberries
2 cans (12 fl. oz. each) Evaporated Milk
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon salt
PLACE strawberries in food processor fitted with blade; cover. Pulse until strawberries are small pieces.
COMBINE evaporated milk, strawberries with their juice, sugar, lemon juice and salt in large bowl. Pour into ice cream machine container. Follow manufacturer’s instruction for preparation.

Spinach Alfredo Pizza

Doesn't this look divine? It is! It's way easy too. I'll post the recipes following the directions. Make sure to read the entire post to get all the directions and recipes.

So first, start off by making the Pizza Crust (recipe below.)
Bake it at 450 for 7-8 minutes. When it comes out of the oven, poke holes in it with a fork.

Next, pour on the yummy Alfredo Sauce (recipe below.)
Top it with grilled chicken seasoned with oregano and garlic salt. Then, with dried spinach, and mozzarella cheese. I also think artichoke hearts would be yummy too.

Then bake it for 10 minutes or until it looks brown and bubbly. Enjoy!!

Pizza Crust
1 1/2 Cups Warm Water
1 1/2 Tbsp. Yeast
1 1/2 tsp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
4+ Cups Flour
Mix dough well. Spread into greased pizza pan or cookie sheet. Bake as directed above.

Alfredo Sauce
8 oz. Cream Cheese
1/2 Cup Butter (1 stick)
1 1/2 Cups Milk
Melt together stirring with whisk, then add:
1 Cup Parmesan Cheese
1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
Stir until well mixed.

FHE ~ Families Are Forever

Opening Song: “Families Can Be Together Forever,” Children’s Songbook #188

Scripture: D&C 138 47-48

Lesson/Activity:

Materials needed: Strips of paper for a paper chain. Form half of them into circles by stapling them together.

Procedure: Pass each family member a circle made out of a paper strip. Point out that these links represent each person. Explain that if they were to try and make a chain they couldn’t because there is nothing to bind the links together. Now pass around the additional strips of paper and a stapler. These additional pieces of paper represent love. Use these strips of paper to loop through two links and bind them together. Allow the family to fashion a chain after this pattern. Explain that love is a powerful way to bind ourselves as a family.


Treat: Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Corn Syrup
1 Cup (or more) Peanut Butter
6 Cups Rice Crispies
Bring sugar and syrup to a boil, then take off heat. Add peanut butter and rice crispies. Pour in greased 9x13 pan and spread out.

Date Idea #4

Have you ever heard New Yorkers say that they have lived in their city their whole lives, but have never been to the Empire State Building, or Statue of Liberty, etc.?

Well, I don't live in New York :( (although I have been to the afore-mentioned places), but I do live close to a very cool city. I bet you do too :) You will be surprised at the many many things you can find to do in your city. When my husband and I were dating, we did a lot of fun tourist type things, but we don't as much anymore.

So, the date idea is to take a night (or day) out and act like tourists in your city. Eat somewhere you've never tried; go to a show or somewhere that your city might be famous for. You might not have known it ever existed.

Click HERE to see what you can do in your city.

FHE ~ Music

Opening Song: “Lift Up Your Voice and Sing,” Children’s Songbook #252

Scripture: D&C 136:28

Lesson/Activity:

Write the following actions on paper or cards: whistle, slowly, quietly, loudly, hum, sing, fast, oooo’s. Lead family members in their favorite songs. Hold up the signs one at a time during the song, alternating signs as often as you like. Then let another family member have a turn being the leader. Have fun trying to follow the leader’s instructions.
Make homemade musical instruments: Drum—oatmeal box or gallon can; Cymbals—pan lids; Shaker—small jar filled with popcorn or beads; Bells; Guitar—shoebox with rubber bands strung across the opening. Make your own band.

Closing Song: “Oh, What Songs of the Heart,” Hymn #286


Treat: Harmony Cookies
2 cups sugar
½ cup margarine
3 tablespoons cocoa
3 cups oatmeal
½ cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

Put sugar, milk, margarine and cocoa into a pan and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute. Remove from heat and quickly add oatmeal, peanut butter and vanilla. Stir well and drop on waxed paper. Cool and eat.

April Visiting Teaching Message

Just click to enlarge, then print the picture for your sisters!

Dress For Less

Budgeting for your family’s clothing needs can be a challenge, especially during times of economic uncertainty. Although most families can scale back on their clothing purchases, some needs must still be met. Learn or sharpen the following skills to clothe your growing family.
1. Learn to sew and mend. Almost lost arts, these skills are necessary to make good use of existing clothing and fabrics. Although it may not always be cost-effective to sew your own clothes, you can save money by doing your own alterations and repairs. By learning how to sew, you can also custom-make items for family members with special needs, hard-to-find sizes, or distinctive tastes.

{I used to be afraid of sewing. I knew the basics, but that's it. When I decided to sew my own apron (I saved about $40) I was surprised that I actually enjoyed it. It opened a new world to me that I could make almost anything!}

2. Swap. Invite other families with children of similar ages to swap clothing with you. Each family contributes good, usable clothing, and the families “swap shop” at a central meeting place. Any remaining items can be donated to Deseret Industries or another charity.

3. Put the word out. Let friends and other family members know you’d love to receive any clothing they may have outgrown or don’t use. Even if you can’t use a particular item, accept it graciously and donate it to a thrift store.

{Lucky me, I'm the youngest of 7 kids, so I get LOTS of hand-me-downs from my neices and nephews. I can't even fathom how much money it has saved me!}

4. Sell used clothing. If you do not trade or have opportunities to share clothing, consignment shops and garage sales are good ways to sell used clothing. Earnings can then be used to replenish other clothing needs.

5. Be thrifty. Shop your local thrift stores and garage sales. Sometimes you can find new clothes with the tags still attached. Ask if the store offers dollar days or other incentives. And don’t be afraid to bargain at yard sales.

{Baby clothes are usually very gently used}

6. Cyber-shop. You can find good prices on clothing and accessories at many Internet sites. Before you log on, though, have a specific plan and budget for what you need to purchase.

7. Shop outlet malls and discount stores. Be price savvy, since not all of these stores will have bargains. But some do, and I especially like to shop end-of-season clearance sales for next year’s clothing needs. For growing children, buy one or more sizes up. You can justify storing well-made outfits for a year if they’re half price or less.

8. Get on mailing lists. Many of your favorite stores are happy to send you information and coupons for upcoming sales. Shop judiciously and remember that nothing is a bargain if you don’t have the money or if you don’t need it or can’t use it. Save for your clothing purchases and search for the best deals on items you truly need.

Jane McBride Choate, “Dress for Less,” Ensign, Apr 2010, 68

FHE ~ Government

Opening Song: "Keep the Commandments" Children's Songbook, p. 95

Scripture: Alma 46:36

Lesson/Activity:

Participating in our government and helping good people be leaders. Doctrine and Covenants 134 teaches that we should seek for and uphold national leaders who "administer the law in equity and justice" (verse 3). What other qualities should we look for when choosing leaders? In August 1835, a general assembly of the Church at Kirtland, Ohio, unanimously approved a declaration of beliefs about government. This declaration is recorded in D&C 134.

"As Church members, we live under the banner of many different flags. How important it is that we understand our place and our position in the lands in which we live! We should be familiar with the history, heritage, and laws of the lands that govern us. In those countries that allow us the right to participate in the affairs of government, we should use our free agency and be actively engaged in supporting and defending the principles of truth, right, and freedom" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1987, 87; or Ensign, Nov. 1987, 72).


Treat: Domino Cookies

1 pkg. (16.5 oz.) Refrigerated Sugar Cookie Bar Dough
1/4 cup all-purpose flour, divided
1/3 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
PREHEAT oven to 325° F.

CUT dough in half lengthwise; refrigerate one half. Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon flour onto work surface. Sprinkle additional flour over remaining dough half. Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness to form a 8 1/2 x 6-inch rectangle. Cut into 12 equal-size rectangles. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet. Score each rectangle across middle with a knife. Gently press morsels, point side down, into dough to form domino numbers. Repeat with remaining dough.

BAKE for 10 to 13 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Things To Remember

I read this on this website, but it originally comes from the book, "The Busy Mom's Guide to a Happy, Organized Home" by Kathy Peel. I just loved each one of these and I know we should be implementing them in our home lives:

The Most Important Things to Remember

1. People are more important than things.

2. There are no standards but your own. Every family has to decide how clean is clean enough.

3. The more you accumulate, the more you have to clean and maintain -and the more time it takes to do it.

4. When your kids grow up and leave home, they won’t remember if the towels were folded in perfect 16-inch squares in the linen closet; they will remember if your home was a good place to be and if Mom was a fun person.

5. If you have a choice between taking a family vacation or buying new furniture, go for the vacation. The furniture will end up in a garage sale one day; the memories of the trip will last forever.

6. Everyone who lives under the roof of a home should contribute to its upkeep.

7. If a teenager is an expert at text messaging, he can become an expert at using the washing machine. A man who can program a PDA to remind him of his tee time can program a PDA to remind him to pick up the dry cleaning.

8. Mess causes stress. Getting your home in order will help you get your life in order.

9. There’s no such thing as perfection. Giving up trying to make your home perfect is the first step toward making it a good place to be.

10. The choices you make about your home involve a lot more than wall color and window treatments. Home is where human beings develop. It’s a place to restore souls, find shelter from outside pressures, grow support for talents, and receive inspiration, comfort, and aid.

I Just Love a Good Quote!

{this quote was directed toward fathers, but I think it could be toward mothers too}

"Fathers, if you wish your children to be taught in the principles of the gospel, if you wish them to love the truth and understand it, if you wish them to be obedient to and united with you, love them! And prove to them that you do love them, by your every word or act to them. For your own sake, for the love that should exist between you and your [children]--however wayward they might be, . . . when you speak or talk to them, do it not in anger; do it not harshly, in a condemning spirit. Speak to them kindly: get down and weep with them if necessary, and get them to shed tears with you if possible. soften their hearts; get them to feel enderly towards you. Use no lash and no violence, but . . . approach them with reason, with persuasion and love unfeigned."
~ President Joseph F. Smith

Cream Cheese Brownies

These are the yummiest, gooeyest brownies ever. And here is how to make them.

In a sauce pan, melt together:
2/3 cup shortening
5 T. cocoa

Then add:
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup milk

Mix and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, and add - (use whisk)
1 cup flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1 t. salt

Mix and add-
4 beaten eggs
1 t. vanilla

Stir until blended. Pour in a 9 x 13" pan.
The cream cheese filing is a basic filling that I put in almost everything :) {I think cream cheese should be a food group.}
8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
Beat well together, then drop spoonfuls onto brownie batter.

Next, marble with knife.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

ENJOY!!

Date Idea #3

Have you got plans tonight? NO?? Better get on that. Call up your sweetie, and ask them out on an official date.

Tonight, we're going to dinner and a movie. Sounds routine right? Try going to something you normally wouldn't go see, you might be surprised! Sure, it could be for the bad, but it could be for the good too, right? Have fun!