12-26-10 Good News

Sister Stimpson shared that her younger sister is getting married.

If you have any good news you'd like to share, we'd love to hear from you! Leave a comment below.

Christmas crunch salad By Cathy Holt

Cathy Holt wants to share this salad recipe with everyone - just in time for Christmas! Enjoy!

Christmas crunch salad
By Cathy Holt

Fresh Broccoli crowns
Fresh caulflowers
Cherry tomatoes
Purple onion

Break broccoli n cauflowers into bite sizes. Cut cherry tomatoes into halves. Dice purple onion. Amount of those veggies are up to you as how you like them in your salad bowl. 

Dressing:

Sour cream
Mayo - I used the squeeze one that is for making sandwiches has garlic herb flavor in it. 
Sugar
Red wine vinegar 
Dash of salt n pepper

I don't measure them, just mix n add til desired taste. 

Pour into veggie bowl then mix. Chill for one hour before serve. 

Enjoy!

Chewy Cherry-Almond Bars

Sister Burdett brought a very yummy treat to the Relief Society Christmas dinner. Many sisters asked for the recipe. Here it is for everyone to have, use and enjoy:

Chewy Cherry-Almond Bars

Prep Time: 20 min
Bake Time: 35 min
Oven Temp: 350*F

Ingredients:
1 cup Butter, softened
2 cups packed brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1 tsp almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups regular rolled oats
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1 12-ounce jar (1 cup) cherry preserves

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350*F. Line a 13X9X2-inch baking pan with foil, extending foil over edges. Grease foil; set pan aside.
2. In a large bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar and baking powder. Beat until combined, scraping side of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and almond extract until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour, the oats, and almonds.
3. Remove 1/2 cup of the dough and set aside. Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Spread with preserves. Crumble the reserved dough evenly over preserves layer.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Using edges of foil, lift cookies out of pan. Cut into bars. Makes 36 bars.

To store:
Place in a single layer in an airtight container; cover. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.

12-19-10 Good News Moment

JanaLee Pickett shared that she has a new brother-in-law. Her sister-in-law, Katrina got married to a good man named TR. They are happy to have them as a part of the family.

Lisa Knapton shared that they are excited to have their mortgage reduced starting next month. They were concerned the rate and payments would go up, but are happy to have that not be the case.

Suzi Holland said she is happy to be on Christmas break and to have a break from teaching at BYU for a couple of weeks.

Sarah Parker says "Merry Christmas" to everyone!

If you have any good news you'd like to share with us, please leave a comment below, so that we may all celebrate with you.

12-19-10 Lesson Summary: Gift of the Holy Ghost Chapter 21

Gospel Principles Manual

“The Gift of the Holy Ghost”

Lesson 21 p. 120-124

Sister Parker

The Holy Ghost

We learned that the Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead. He is “a personage of Spirit” (D&C 130:22). He does not have a body of flesh and bones. His influence can be everywhere at once. His mission is to bear witness of the Father and the Son and of all truth. Furthermore, the Holy Ghost purifies, or sanctifies, us to prepare us to dwell in the presence of God. The Holy Ghost purifies our hearts so we no longer have the desire to do evil.

The Gift of the Holy Ghost

The gift of the Holy Ghost is the privilege—given to people who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, been baptized, and been confirmed as members of the Church—to receive continual guidance and inspiration from the Holy Ghost. A person may be temporarily guided by the Holy Ghost without receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost (see D&C 130:23). However, this guidance will not be continuous unless the person is baptized and receives the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost

After people are baptized, they are confirmed members of the Church and given the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.  However, there is no guarantee that the person will receive inspiration and guidance from the Holy Ghost just because the elders have laid their hands on his or her head. Each person must “receive the Holy Ghost.” This means that the Holy Ghost will come to us only when we are faithful and desire help from this heavenly messenger.

Recognizing the Influence of the Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost usually communicates with us quietly. His influence is often referred to as a “still small voice”.

One of God’s Greatest Gifts

The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of God’s greatest gifts to us. Through the Holy Ghost we may know that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, and that His Church has been restored to the earth. We may have the promptings of the Holy Ghost to show us all the things we should do. The Holy Ghost sanctifies us to prepare us for God’s presence. This great gift from our Heavenly Father can also bring peace to our hearts and an understanding of the things of God.

Special Announcement: Blog Links

Sister,

We are so glad that you are finding use of this blog and that it is helping you be informed and a part of our Relief Society!
We also, know that some of you have your own personal or family blogs. If you are interested in having a link on our blog here to your blog (see "Sister's Blogs" in the column on the left), let Sister Pickett know via email or leaving a comment below. We'd love to see what is going on with you and your families!

12-12-10 Good News Moment

Sister Link will be having surgery on Wednesday to remove the bolt she has been carrying around with her for a while.

If anyone else has any good news they'd like to share, we'd love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and tell us.

12-12-10 Lesson Summary: Baptism

"Chapter 20: Baptism," Gospel Principles, (2009), 114–19 Sister Parker

The Commandment to Be Baptized

A gospel principle is a true belief or teaching. An ordinance is a rite or a ceremony. The first two principles of the gospel are faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and repentance. Baptism is the first ordinance of the gospel. 

We Must Be Baptized for the Remission of Our Sins

When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, repent, and are baptized, our sins are forgiven through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

We Must Be Baptized to Become Members of the Church of Jesus Christ

“All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized … that … have truly repented of all their sins … shall be received by baptism into his church” (D&C 20:37).     

We Must Be Baptized before We Can Receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost

The Lord said, “If thou wilt turn unto me, and … repent of all thy transgressions [sins], and be baptized, even in water, in the name of mine Only Begotten Son, … ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Moses 6:52).   

We Must Be Baptized to Show Obedience

Jesus Christ was without sin, yet He was baptized. He said His baptism was necessary “to fulfil all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). 

We Must Be Baptized to Enter the Celestial Kingdom

Baptism is the gateway through which we enter the path to the celestial kingdom (see 2 Nephi 31:17–18).

The Correct Mode of Baptism

There is only one correct mode of baptism. The Apostle Paul taught that being immersed in water and coming out again is symbolic of death, burial, and resurrection. After baptism we start a new life. 

Baptism at the Age of Accountability

Every person who has reached eight years of age and is accountable (responsible) for his or her actions should be baptized. We must receive the ordinance of baptism and remain true to the covenants we make at that time.    

We Make Covenants When We Are Baptized

We promise to do certain things, and God promises to bless us in return.     

Alma taught that when we are baptized we make covenants with the Lord to: 

Come into the fold of God, Bear one another’s burdens, Stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all places, and Serve God and keep His commandments.

When we are baptized and keep the covenants of baptism, the Lord promises to: Forgive our sins, Pour out His Spirit more abundantly upon us, Give us daily guidance and the help of the Holy Ghost, Let us come forth in the First Resurrection, and Give us eternal life. 

Baptism Gives Us a New Beginning

With baptism we begin a new way of life. That is why we call it a rebirth. Jesus said that unless we are born of the water and of the Spirit, we cannot enter the kingdom of God. One of the great blessings of baptism is that it provides us with a new start on our way toward our eternal goal.    

12-4-10 Good News Moment

We didn't have anyone share any good news in Relief Society class today. If you have any good news you'd like to share with the other sisters in the branch, please leave a comment below with your good news. We love rejoicing with each other!

12-4-10 Lesson Summary: Christmas

Leadership Instruction

“Christmas”

Sister Holland

Dear Sisters,

I have been thinking about what makes Christmas such a great time in our lives. I am old enough to remember many Christmases. They have all been glorious. But I have learned that it isn’t just the presents that makes them great.

President Faust remarks -

As I look back on that special Christmas over a lifetime, the most memorable part was that we did not think about presents. Presents are wonderful but I found that they are not essential to our happiness. There were no presents that could be held and fondled and played with, but there were many wonderful gifts that could not be seen but could be felt.

I want to bear my testimony that I know Christ lives. He has poured many beautiful blessings. It is the time to love the Lord our God with all our heart. He who gives time, gives more, but he who gives of himself gives all. I love you all, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.