Church study for 2017

This year in Relief Society and Priesthood meetings we are studying Gordon B. Hinckley, a dear prophet who is remembered fondly by everyone I know, including the media. That really says something about a person! He had so many great qualities: his love for life, his enthusiasm, his dedication to the Lord, his humbleness, his sweet love to his wife. I’m really excited to have these lessons to study this year.

You can access these lessons here:

https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-gordon-b-hinckley?lang=eng

In Sunday School we are studying the Doctrine and Covenants. I love all of the scriptures for various reasons. In this case, the Doctrine and Covenants seems to me, at times, an easier book to understand, probably because all of the events happened within the last 200 years. I remember reading this book for the first time without any “outside pressure” to do so; I had a real desire to read and study this book by myself, for myself. In my opinion, that is the best way to learn and retain anything – with a real and sincere desire.

You can access these lessons here:

https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-and-church-history-class-member-study-guide?lang=eng

We are also using "Our Heritage: A Brief History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints". You can access the book here:

https://www.lds.org/manual/our-heritage-a-brief-history-of-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints?lang=eng&_r=1

This week I received an email from a friend who is currently serving an LDS mission in the Domincan Republic. He likes to send home a “scripture of the week”. This is his choice for this week and I love it!

D and C 58: 26-28

 26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

 27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

 28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

I hope that everyone who desires to receive knowledge and goodness from their Heavenly Father will act upon these words.

Simple - Honest - Happiness moments

Quotes. Memes. Fun, brief stories. Comics. These are the "norms" of everyday life; these are the small "happiness" moments that can be found on your cell phone, Facebook, Twitter and probably a dozen other places that I probably don't want to know about. I'm a pretty simple person. I don't need a lot of frills and all of the extras that a lot of people seem to desire. I am content to be by myself, to ponder, to remember, to assist others. I also do many things with others, but I find that I prefer my own company overall to loud parties and the like.

At first I felt that I was not doing something that I was supposed to; should I be hosting parties? Be more involved in social, governmental or economy events? School, PTA, the band Booster Club, etc. Frankly, I had no desire to be a part of these. A lot of people my age seemed to be attending "Tupperware" or "Pampered Chef" or millions of others of these parties. They didn't seem like parties to me. I felt weird being there and also that I was being coerced into purchasing something that I didn't want, let alone know how to use. I began to search for people that I felt comfortable with, but I could never seem to fit into some "mold" I seemed unaware that I needed to be a part of.

I was raised to be independent, hard-working and responsible. Some of the people my age didn't seem to know what any of those three qualities were. They were married but still received a lot of financial help from their parents. Or they didn't ever want to be married and seemed to party all of the time, seeming to me as a "wondering ghost" of themselves, faking their way, as though they weren't trying to fit in somewhere, when in truth, they were very lost.

Truth be told, I sometimes feel lost even at my age. I still don't know all of the answers to everything. I don't give up though.

My mother lived on a dairy farm most of her young life. My father grew up around gardens and animals, but didn't necessarily farm every day. It's interesting what gets lost within just one generation. I remember going with my mom to a fun "animal ride" with a few of my nephews. She would point out different types of cows and tell me which animal was best for milking, which was best for beef, and so forth. Her knowledge of basic life floored me! She never talked about these things with us growing up. I find the whole farming/ranching life fascinating. My husband and I were talking the other day about how messed up a lot of the people in the USA and other countries would be if we had to all of the sudden know the very basic things of life. Which plants are safe to eat? Why? Why not? Which berries are poisonous, and so forth. We live in a world that keeps striving for further "enlightenment" when in reality, we have a of that already; we just don't care to "go backward" instead of "forward" in our thinking. I've heard the saying, "You can learn a lot from history". True; it seems to keep repeating itself, only other actors and props.

Personally, I like to look for the "happiness moments" during the day. Everyone needs at least one good chuckle. It's amazing what can happen with a smile across your heart.

I came across this the other day. I dare you not to smile!

Who doesn't like a clean, fun comedian? A couple of years ago I was going to be in the kitchen all day so I was rummaging through YouTube and discovered "Jim Gaffigan" on the computer. He had quite a few of his stage shows to watch/listen to. I listed to them all - some a few times! I think I will always remember that day because I felt so joyful!

There are so many benefits to laughter, but I'll share just a few that I found on the Gaiam website:

7 HEALTH BENEFITS OF LAUGHTER

http://www.gaiam.com/discover/203/article/7-health-benefits-laughter/

2009-01-01

by E.C. LaMeaux

One of the best feelings in the world is the deep-rooted belly laugh. It can bring people together and establish amazing connections. Everything from a slight giggle to a side-splitting guffaw can change the temperature of a room from chilly unfamiliarity to a warm family-like atmosphere.

There is already so much to love for laughter that it seems greedy to look for more, but that’s exactly what researchers Dr. Lee Berk and Dr. Stanley Tan at the Loma Linda University in California have done. These two doctors have researched the benefits of laughter and found amazing results. Get ready to get your giggle on!

1. LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE

People who lower their blood pressure, even those who start at normal levels, will reduce their risk of stroke and heart attack. So grab the Sunday paper, flip to the funny pages, and enjoy your laughter medicine.

2. REDUCES STRESS HORMONE LEVELS

By reducing the level of stress hormones, you’re simultaneously cutting the anxiety and stress that impacts your body. Additionally, the reduction of stress hormones may result in higher immune system performance. Just think: Laughing along as a co-worker tells a funny joke can relieve some of the day’s stress and help you reap the health benefits of laughter.

3. WORKS YOUR ABS

One of the benefits of laughter is that it can help you tone your abs. When you are laughing, the muscles in your stomach expand and contract, similar to when you intentionally exercise your abs. Meanwhile, the muscles you are not using to laugh are getting an opportunity to relax. Add laughter to your ab routine and make getting a toned tummy more enjoyable.

4. IMPROVES CARDIAC HEALTH

Laughter is a great cardio workout, especially for those who are incapable of doing other physical activity due to injury or illness. It gets your heart pumping and burns a similar amount of calories per hour as walking at a slow to moderate pace. So, laugh your heart into health.

5. BOOSTS T-CELLS

T-cells are specialized immune system cells just waiting in your body for activation. When you laugh, you activate T-cells that immediately begin to help you fight off sickness. Next time you feel a cold coming on, add chuckling to your illness prevention plan.

6. TRIGGERS THE RELEASE OF ENDORPHINS

Endorphins are the body’s natural painkillers. By laughing, you can release endorphins, which can help ease chronic pain and make you feel good all over.

7. PRODUCES A GENERAL SENSE OF WELL-BEING

Laughter can increase your overall sense of well-being. Doctors have found that people who have a positive outlook on life tend to fight diseases better than people who tend to be more negative. So smile, laugh, and live longer!

Memories and good desserts

Who doesn't like an angel food cake? Plain. Frosted. Drizzled with strawberries, blueberries, cherries with their juices? MMMMMMMMM!

I remember when I was young eating an angel food cake for the first time. I was fascinated. This was not the usual cake that we made from the Betty Crocker box. Don't get me wrong, I liked cake, and I liked the ice cream that would accompany it, but cake and ice cream had never been the number one thing on my brain for dessert. This cake was different all together. I remember after that experience trying to find that type of cake again. I didn't know what it was called but I knew that I wanted to taste it again! My poor mother; she would try to help me find the cake, but without really knowing much about recipes or anything I was of little help to her in my search for what I thought of as the perfect cake.

Once I discovered that you could buy an angel cake at the store I was floored! So much time wasted trying to find my perfect cake!!!! BUT now I knew what it was called and I knew where to look. I didn't yet dare to try to find a recipe though; I did NOT trust myself that much at baking. For many years I would simply go to the store and pick up an angel food cake at the bakery...when it was available. I hated not finding an angel food cake when I wanted it!!! I didn't know much about baking, or cooking much for that matter. I didn't know how to follow a recipe very well. (Long story--I know a lot more about cooking now thank goodness!) BUT, I have found a wonderful angel food cake recipe that I have "tweaked" to make it gluten-free. YUM!!!! This recipe is from "Better Homes and Gardens" and it is definitely worth your time to make this lusciousness! I have also made the "Chocolate Angel Food Cake" version listed at the end too. MMMM!

Angel Food Cake – Better Homes & Gardens

/http://www.bhg.com/recipe/sponge-cakes/angel-food-cake/

Ingredients

1 1/2cups egg whites (10 to 12 large)

1 1/2cups sifted powdered sugar

1 cup sifted cake flour or sifted all-purpose flour*

1 1/2teaspoons cream of tartar

1teaspoon vanilla

1cup granulated sugar

Directions

In a very large mixing bowl allow egg whites to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, sift powdered sugar and flour together 3 times; set aside.

Add cream of tartar and vanilla to egg whites. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form (tips curl). Gradually add granulated sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time, beating until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight) .

Sift about one-fourth of the flour mixture over beaten egg whites; fold in gently. (If bowl is too full, transfer to a larger bowl.) Repeat, folding in remaining flour mixture by fourths. Pour into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan. Gently cut through batter to remove any large air pockets.

Bake on the lowest rack in a 350 degree F oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Immediately invert cake (leave in pan); cool thoroughly. Loosen sides of cake from pan; remove cake. Makes 12 servings.

*Use the following for the Gluten-Free Flour mixture. Refrigerate the leftover flour mixture:

2 cups white rice flour

1/3 cup tapioca flour

2/3 cup potato starch

1 tsp xanthan gum

From the Test Kitchen

CHOCOLATE ANGEL FOOD CAKE:

Prepare as above, except sift 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder with the flour-powdered sugar mixture.

HONEY ANGEL FOOD CAKE:

Prepare as above, except after beating egg whites to soft peaks, gradually pour 1/4 cup honey in a thin stream over the egg white mixture. Continue as above, except beat only 1/2 cup sugar into the egg whites.

My aunt Marilyn made me a doll cake for my 8th birthday. I was fascinated! I remember her making eclairs and other fun desserts too. I don't think that she bakes much anymore. My uncle died quite a few years ago and all of her children are grown up and have families of their own. Now it's just her. She still volunteers and guides tours at the capital building. She visits her children in the various places that they live, but I know that she is very lonely. She and my uncle were so close. I loved watching them joke together; you could tell that they enjoyed being with each other. Memories. I seem to be doing that a lot lately...anyway, she was a wonderful baker! I loved attending baby showers, wedding showers, or any kind of fun food activity that she was at because she always made such wonderful desserts and interesting food. I have often wondered about this because my dad, her brother, doesn't like trying anything new; in fact, my mother raised us with basic meals because of his likes and dislikes for food. Obviously this only encouraged me to try something new!!! So, if you are wondering what a "doll cake" is, I found a great recipe with a video on the Betty Crocker website. I will tell you that this is NOT a gluten-free recipe. You can use your own gluten-free cake recipe, just follow the forming and decorating directions. Obviously you could use your own favorite frosting as well.

Fairy Tale Princess Cake – Betty Crocker

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/fairy-tale-princess-cake/994aa183-c7da-4b14-8435-7472c513feaf

Prep Time 40 MIN

Total Time 3 HR 40 MIN

Servings 30

Ingredients

2 boxes Betty Crocker™ SuperMoist™ yellow cake mix

Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix boxes

3 containers Betty Crocker™ Whipped fluffy white frosting

Neon pink food color

1 fashion doll (11 1/2 inches tall)

Pink decorating sugar

Edible pink pearls

Heat oven to 325°F. Grease 1 1/2-quart ovenproof bowl (8 inches across top) and three 8-inch round cake pans with shortening; coat with flour (do not use cooking spray).

In large bowl, make cake batter as directed on boxes. (Both boxes of cake mix can be made at one time; do not make more than 2 boxes, and do not increase beating time.) Pour 3 1/4 cups batter into 1 1/2-quart bowl, and divide remaining batter among 3 pans (slightly less than 2 cups per pan).

Bake cake pans 23 to 30 minutes and bowl 47 to 53 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove cakes from pans and bowl. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Place cakes in freezer 45 minutes before cutting to reduce crumbs. Cut off rounded tops of cakes. Cut bowl cake in half horizontally. Cut 1 3/4-inch diameter hole in center of all 5 cake layers.

Spoon frosting into large bowl. Stir in food color until desired pink color. Place one 8-inch cake on serving plate; spread 1/3 cup frosting over top. Top with second 8-inch cake; spread with 1/3 cup frosting. Repeat with third layer; top with larger bowl cake layer, cut side up. Spread with small amount of frosting. Top with rounded bowl cake layer, cut side down. Trim side of cake if necessary to make a tapered "skirt.

Spread thin layer of frosting over side and top of layered cake to seal in crumbs. Freeze cake 30 to 45 minutes to set frosting.

Spread frosting over cake as desired. Wrap hair and lower half of doll with plastic wrap. Insert doll into center of cake. Frost body of doll. Decorate with sprinkles and candy pearls as desired. Unwrap hair. Store cake loosely covered.

Expert Tips–

Do you need to bake cake layers in batches? Just cover and refrigerate remaining batter in the mix

YUM!

Every time I post something I like to also post a recipe. I discovered this recipe in my Better Homes & Gardens cookbook a few months ago. This recipe has now become a staple in my kitchen! This is low-fat and very fast – prep time is about 15 minutes and baking is 12-18 minutes!

Baked Fish With Mushrooms

1 pound fresh or frozen fish fillets or steaks, ½ to ¾ inch thick (I like to use Salmon)

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

½ cup sliced green onions (4)

¼ teaspoon dried tarragon or thyme, crushed

Paprika

Thaw fish, if frozen. Rinse fish and pat dry with paper towels. Cut into 4-serving-size pieces, if necessary. Arrange fish in a 2-quart rectangular baking dish, turning under thin edges. Sprinkle with salt.

In a small saucepan melt margarine; add mushrooms, onions and tarragon or thyme. Cook over medium heat until tender. Spoon mushroom mixture over fish; sprinkle with paprika. Bake, covered, in a 450 degree oven for 12-18 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Makes 4 servings. 

Scripture for the week

1-1-2017

I have made ONE goal this year - to keep current with the weekly lessons in Sunday School (Doctrine & Covenants) and Relief Society. Starts this next week!!! So for this week:

I have been reading from “Joseph Smith History”. I broke it down into parts and found that I have been able to contemplate his experiences deeper that way. I have also used the “footnotes” along the way and have really enjoyed technology with my phone! It’s so easy to just touch and go and return to where you were! LOVE IT!

Joseph Smith History

I finished my reading this morning with the “Articles of Faith”. I have always loved #1, #4 and #10.

Articles Of Faith

I found this cute diagram about the "13 Articles of Faith" from the internet:

LDS Articles of Faith

Because I was unable to listen to all of General Conference this past October, I have been listening to the talks through the internet as I prepare meals, clean, etc.

October 2016 General Conference

  

So, my ONLY goal this year is to stay up-to-date with all of the scripture reading for Relief Society and Sunday School. Here’s to my only goal this year!!! Wish me luck!

                                                                 Do you love?

I don't hide the fact that I am an "active L.D.S", aka, "Mormon", aka member of "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints". I also don't go around shouting this to everyone I encounter throughout my day. I do, however, try to live the gospel principles that I learn through scripture reading, examples that my parents and other good people have set for me, and also what I learn by heeding what our prophet, Thomas S. Monson, tells us. I have also tried to help our children see the path led by our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the sure way to peace and happiness, especially during hard trials in life. That being said, my search for happiness will most likely be different then their search in this life. The hard part as a parent is to "let go", stand back and let them learn for themselves what will bring them peace and happiness in this life; to be able to love and support them in their good choices. The important part is to always let them know that they are loved.

Something that I like to do as a parent is to "reward the good" not the bad. By "reward" I do not necessarily mean money, a new car, a new puppy, or anything like that. A simple "Great job! I knew you could do it!!!" or perhaps spending time with them as they choose an activity. These are the memories that are instilled in their hearts, and their minds. Let me give an example. If you have a child who has a hard time with a subject in school, but keeps trying, and they bring home a "C" or even a "D", I reward them. They are trying! They are striving to learn. They are showing effort. However, if a child does not do their homework, does not try and decides to play instead of study and they bring home a "C" or a "D", there is certainly no reward. That being said, I do not believe in making a child feel bad either. As before, a simple question such as, "What do you think YOU could do better next time? or "Do you think that the grade/score you received is fair?" These questions open up discussion. It also shows that you care; that you love them.

Going through some family photos the other day brought back many memories: happy, sad, loving (sigh!), discouragement, and more. I found myself pondering on certain memories more than others. When I discovered that I had been doing this for a while, I began to analyze why those particular memories stood out to me. Love. I either felt love and joy with such fun feelings buzzing through me...or felt the opposite of love; I felt that love was being threatened or trampled on. I am continually amazed at how resilient a person can be, going through the many learning experiences that we go through in our path for peace and happiness...and love.

There seems to be a lot of extra stress throughout the world; tornadoes, wars, refugees, conflicting views within families, political (crap!) differences...the list could go on and get very lengthy. Has the world really had more stress put onto it than when I was younger? I will answer that with a yes and a no. (When I answer this way I drive my children nuts!) Yes, the world has had more stress added to it in some ways- we are able to know so much more about every "one" and about every "thing" that is going on in the world - through a reporter's vision. Personally I like to read many views of a situation to come to my own conclusion. I don't like feeling like I am "being fed" how someone else wants me to feel. Here is the no; when I was younger the technology was not as far reachable as today; I also didn't see the world through my "adult eyes". I wasn't concerned about my next meal, or if my car insurance was paid. My worries were age-specific. I learned what I needed to know to make it to the next step of learning. I have wonderful parents and great siblings. Life was definitely not idyllic growing up, but looking back I can see many great moments that were learning experiences; instances that changed my perspective on life and helped me to learn and grow. Love.

Right now I have the Beatles song, "All You Need Is Love" going through my head!!! Ha ha!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsxtImDVMig

Currently I work in the Denver, CO LDS temple. I love the temple! Some days I feel such a great joy from serving there and assisting others along their path to peace and happiness. Most times I come home feeling like I have been the one assisted on my daily journey. I have made many wonderful friends working there. Something that I have found interesting is the way the temple workers are viewed by some. I heard someone say that they could "never be that good" to work in the temple, that they "didn't have a perfect life like 'those people'." Hmmmm. Most of the people that I work with have and are dealing with harsh things in life just like everybody else: a loved one with cancer, a child who does not believe in our faith, a family member who is in a rehabilitation center, house fires, insurance claims...regular life. Why do people find it so easy to compare each other and find themselves lacking? Learn to love yourself; view yourself as the Lord sees you. My mother has tried to instill that in all of her children, grand children, and all of children that she has taught through her 80 years as a teacher in school as well as at church on Sundays. My mother is a fantastic example of love.

I just found this beautiful picture of Jesus Christ, open arms in welcome, with a huge smile directed at the "receiver" on the internet. LOVE! Jesus Christ is love.

Another great example to me of love for others is Thomas S. Monson, the prophet in this day. He is a is a good man. One of his tremendous strengths is Welfare. He has been on many committees for various welfare needs with many different churches and their leaders. They all have a great respect for President Monson. He is someone who was raised with love, who has surrounded himself with the love of the Lord, and has made this a very core part of who he is. He has had some pretty heavy "extras" in his life - being made an apostle in his 30's, after being a Bishop in a ward that was filled with a lot of need, especially with a lot of widows and not a lot of money in the ward. He has answered every calling from the Lord with a yes. I can tell you this, and I sure that he would be the first to agree with me, that he had a wonderful help meet here on the earth, whom he loved and misses terribly since her passing a couple of years ago. She was his rock, his balance, and his best friend...His eternal love.

All of these disjointed, but somehow connected, thoughts have flown through my head and onto this blog. When I sat down I really didn't know what I wanted to write about. I guess deep down I just hunger for the world to know a greater love.