Sunday, November 19, 2023

On Your Road to Emmaus- November 2023

 November Relief Society Activity

On Your Road to Emmaus



Linda Waltz shared the exciting news that each of us were to receive a beautiful handkerchief provided by the Relief Society.


Christine Fackrell and Carol Baldwin did the embroidery of the Temple and the lettering, Cheryl Goodwin and Margie Peterson ironed and wrapped them.  We have so much talent in our ward.  I feel so blessed to have this keepsake handkerchief to commemorate the dedication of the St George Temple on December 10, 2023

















Donna Thurlow shared her experiences about her commitment to express gratitude in her prayers and to be more consistent.  Blessings flooded into her life as she made changes to how she prayed and the frequency.  Donna shared her story of her baby sisters' fight against breast cancer.  During treatment her sister became very sick with side effects and Donna encouraged her to pray and ask for guidance.   Her sister was reluctant since she hadn't set foot in a church for over 40 years and told Donna that the roof would probably cave in if she set foot in a church.  Donna prayed that Heavenly Father would touch her heart and feel Him walking beside her.  Her sister called one day and told her that she found a church around the corner and started going to church.  Donna jokingly asked her sister if the roof fell in when she walked in.  Donna closed with testifying that the power of prayer will flood us with many blessings each and every day as we express gratitude in our prayers.  






Tina Taylor compelled us to be humble with her plea to feast on the words of the scriptures.  She stated that the Bible and Book of Mormon are manuals on how to return our Father in Heaven and we need to make the manuals user friendly and act as He would act.  She testified that the manuals would come alive when we make them user friendly.

If we read the scriptures we will profit.  If we listen to the Prophet we will profit.  

Feast on the words of the scriptures and we will have spiritual experiences.  Our bodies will testify to us through our senses- we will see it, we will hear it, we will feel it, and then we will know it.  Our eyes, ears, brain, and heart tell us when something is true.  

Tina asked us to Google the lyrics to the song 'Oh Come All Ye Unfaithful'



O come, all you unfaithful

Come, weak and unstable

Come, know you are not alone

O come, barren and waiting ones

Weary of praying, come

See what your God has done

Christ is born, Christ is born

Christ is born for you

O come, bitter and broken

Come with fears unspoken

Come, taste of His perfect love

O come, guilty and hiding ones

There is no need to run

See what your God has done

Christ is born, Christ is born

Christ is born for you

He's the Lamb who was given

Slain for our pardon

His promise is peace

For those who believe

He's the Lamb who was given

Slain for our pardon

His promise is peace

For those who believe

So come, though you have nothing

Come, He is the offering

Come, see what your God has done

Christ is born, Christ is born

Christ is born for you

Christ is born, Christ is born

Christ is born for you


Also the lyrics to Hymn 136 

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

I know that my Redeemer lives.

What comfort this sweet sentence gives!

He lives, he lives, who once was dead.

He lives, my ever-living Head.

He lives to bless me with his love.

He lives to plead for me above.

He lives my hungry soul to feed.

He lives to bless in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply.

He lives to guide me with his eye.

He lives to comfort me when faint.

He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears.

He lives to wipe away my tears.

He lives to calm my troubled heart.

He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise heav’nly Friend.

He lives and loves me to the end.

He lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing.

He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

He lives and grants me daily breath.

He lives, and I shall conquer death.

He lives my mansion to prepare.

He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives! All glory to his name!

He lives, my Savior, still the same.

Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:

“I know that my Redeemer lives!”

He lives! All glory to his name!

He lives, my Savior, still the same.

Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:

“I know that my Redeemer lives!”






Janet Ball shared her thought on following the Prophet by accepting the challenge to read the Book of Mormon.  If we read the Book of Mormon we are promised the power to be healed, to be comforted, to be restored, to be succored, strengthened, to cheer our souls, power to make better decisions, direction for our lives, immunization from the evils of this world including addictions, and more. 

Janet says that she feels the spirit of the Holy Ghost testify of the truthfulness of the words.  

Another item that the Prophet has asked us to be is to spend more time in the temple.  Janet shared her story of serving in the Rexburg Temple 2-3 days a week as a service missionary where she met many wonderful and loving people.  The Spirit of love, joy, and peace is found in the temple. 





Karma Vallandingham shared her thoughts on the story of the Road to Emmaus. Here is the story: 

Three days after the death of Jesus Christ, two of His disciples were walking along the road to the village of Emmaus, which is about seven miles (12 km) from Jerusalem. They were absorbed in their own thoughts and worries, when they were joined by a stranger.

The stranger asked, “What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?”

The disciples spoke of the recent events “concerning Jesus of Nazareth.” They believed that Jesus had come to redeem Israel, but He had been unjustly condemned and crucified. They also said that those who knew Christ best were saying He had risen from the dead.

The stranger told them they were “slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.” He reviewed what the scriptures taught and how Christ had fulfilled prophecy. This filled the disciples with joy.

When they arrived at Emmaus, the disciples asked the stranger to “abide with [them].” At dinner the stranger blessed bread and broke it. Suddenly, the disciples recognized that the stranger was no stranger at all but the Savior Himself! (See Luke 24:13–32.)


Karma thought it was interesting that the disciples didn't recognize the Savior the whole time they were walking and talking with Him.  The disciples know all about Christ yet they didn't recognize him.  

Would we respond differently?






Norma Mann shard a quote by Dallin H Oakes 'Our worship and application of eternal principles draw up closer to God and magnify our capacity to love.  For example, baptism allows the Lord to cleanse us and if we are faithful and obedient temple covenants and ordinances prepare us to one day live in the presence of both the Father and the Son'.  
The sacrament helps us remember and renew our covenants, to repent, and try again. 

D&C 20: 77-79
77 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this abread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and bwitness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his ccommandments which he has given them; that they may always have his dSpirit to be with them. Amen.
78 The amanner of administering the wine—he shall take the bcup also, and say:
79 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this awine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen. 



The summaries of each presentation is brief.  The actual presentations were wonderful and spiritual.  

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The luncheon was a delicious ham roll up, salad, green beans, and pumpkin pie. 


Recipes 

Ham Roll Ups



Snappy Green Beans

Ingredients on the front of the card...


...directions on the back




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Cheryl Goodwin made super cute ornaments for each of us.  So cute and thoughtful!  


Thank you to each Sister that helped with Relief Society activities this year.  It was a great year with wonderful and beautiful activities! 

Sunday, October 15, 2023

October 2023- Autumn Spells


Octobers theme - Autumn Spells 

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Nancy Miller shared her collection of witches for the centerpieces.


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Wicked cute!





Shirley Erickson gave us a demonstration on how to make  French Baguettes using a recipe from The Food Nanny. 

I was glad to see that I was not the only person who had never made homemade bread. 



Follow detailed directions in recipe!  Not all steps are mentioned below.  



Combine warm water, yeast, sugar in a small bowl and cover with plastic wrap...




Blend flour, sugar, yeast mix and water...


Baguette pans can be found on Amazon for under $20.  May also be found at local stores. 




Mix dough...





turn onto floured surface and knead briefly




Cut dough in half and shape into 2 loaves...








Score each loaf down the center and cover with dish towel...




...and bake!  




 






Carol Baldwin led us in a game where we broke into 4 groups.  


Team Celestial Becomings



Team Dixie Chicks



Team Beach Babes




Team Bewitched aka The Leftovers



Some beautiful witches



More fun costumes



A variety of soups were served along with homemade bread, cookies, and dessert.

Several of the soup recipes are listed below. 
















Chicken Tortilla Soup

Whole roasted chicken
1 med onion
2 cloves garlic
Tbs olive oil
1 cup diced celery
1 cup chopped carrots
2  15oz cans diced tomatoes
1  15oz can Pinto beans drained 
1 15oz can Black Beans Drained/rinsed
1 cup of corn
2  32 oz cartons of Chicken broth

Cut/tear meat of chicken.off the bones(Omit skin)
Sauté onion , garlic , celery carrots in oil

Then Add :
Chicken
Chicken broth
Tomato’s
Beans
Corn

Bring to boil add a dash of sugar
Salt and paper to taste
To Serve:
Top with sliced Avacados
Sliced tortillas chips (Packaged near croutons)
Shredded cheese





Creamy Chicken Soup 

First – Cook 4 chicken breasts in a covered dish at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Let chicken cool and shred(add onion powder if you want). 

Second – Take noodles out of freezer. Set aside 

Third – Take carrots, celery and saute in butter until slightly tender. 

Fourth – Add 1 box of chicken broth. Let simmer. 

Fifth – In a separate bowl put 1 can of soup then fill can with half and half. Pour into soup and wisk. Repeat with second can. When mixed, pour into a strainer to get chicken bits from soup out. Discard what’s in the strainer. 

Sixth – Let soup base cool, then add your strained creamy soup mixture slowly to the broth base. Stir continually on low. 

Seventh – While soup is warming, get a pot of water going for the noodles. Break up the noodles and add to boiling water. Stir and break up. When they become tender, drain, then add the drained noodles to your creamy soup base. Cook a little more on low. Then add half cup of frozen peas. Enjoy! 

 

Ingredients 

  • 4 boneless/skinless chicken breasts 

  • 1 package 11 oz Grandma egg noodles (wide, in the frozen section) 

  • 2 boxes chicken broth 

  • 1 cup diced carrots 

  • 1 cup diced celery 

  • 3 tablespoons of butter 

  • 2 cans of Campbells cream of chicken soup (Healthy Request) 

  • Half cup of frozen peas 













Wishing all witches a happy Halloween! 

by
Connie Beecroft