Julie B. Beck Women's Conference 2010

I hope you will take the time to listen to Julie B. Beck's talk at the 2010 Women's Conference. Here is the link: http://www.byutv.org/watch/175-1401

Her advice is sound and strong and I can say that she knows what she is talking about. Please take the time to listen to it often. You can also find it to print for those of you that like to read something over and over again.

Best wishes!

What Can I Do on the Sabbath?

The Sabbath came and I was not successful in doing much differently than I usually do as per my quest detailed in June 6 blog. Because my sweet little granddaughter was visiting & sick, I did not breech the subject of “no T.V.” We watched the Gnome Mobile and Curious George (probably Sabbath appropriate). I am not giving up, however. In fact, last night at our family home evening group, I told of my dilemma— “I want to keep the Sabbath Day holy in a better way.” Here is the best advice I think anyone could have given me.

Approach the Sabbath Day with a list of appropriate things that CAN be done. The logical reasoning behind this is that if children (or anyone for that matter) are continually told what they cannot do, they will eventually rebel. By nature, people need to know positives—things that they can do. We need to give them ideas and possibilities.

Does this make sense? I am confident that this is a truth that can be applied to many situations in our families. “Tell me what I can do—not what I can’t do.”

The Lord has commanded us to keep the Sabbath day holy. Truly this requires determination and ever-guarded diligence. The world, today, is full of distractions and is not always helpful in our efforts to observe this law and we must be ever-watchful because of this. To help your family, create the above mentioned list of “Sabbath Cans.” Perhaps you could make a “Sunday Brightener Box” containing ideas for Sabbath activities. You might include reading Church magazines, visiting grandparents or shut-ins, writing someone (like missionaries), playing games, etc. Be prayerful about this. What might be appropriate to me may very well be inappropriate to you. Your Sabbath choices are between you, your spouse, your children and the Lord.

Happy Sabbath

Ahhh! The Sabbath, a day of rest. I think of this day as a day set apart from my regular routine—this makes the day restful. Yes, I feel free to rest my body with a nap. But a change is as good as a rest. I ask myself, “What can I do today that will bring me closer to my Savior?” Or, “What can I do today that will draw me closer to my family and friends?” Always, it comes down to using the day’s time wisely, with prudence, for this time is precious to me.

If my family is gathered around me, it is a good day or so I used to think. Now, being together is not enough for often they may be with me after church; but we are in front of the television watching an appropriate movie (I hope). But alas, being in the same room together does not mean we are interacting with one another—spending time with one another.

If any of my dear readers are like me, do you sometimes feel so tired that you are grateful for the T.V. to entertain so that you can catch a few winks? It has occurred to me that this is the routine. We eat together and then put on a good movie and in minutes the children are playing and the adults are mesmerized to the screen or sawing logs. I see this as my family’s problem—we’re together in body mass but interaction is limited on the Sabbath. I have even had different family members say, “Hey! It’s the Sabbath. I am relaxing.” How do we overcome this restful“ addiction?” I can only see one way. Resist with all the energy of our souls and force ourselves to get up out of the chair and become like the children (isn’t there a scripture about this?)—play with them. Everyone has to be united in this effort. Mom can’t be the only one to initiate this. Dad can’t do a solo. Today, unite! Establish goals for interaction with one another (husband and wife, father and child, mother and child, the whole family). Allow T.V. only for a really special program.

I would love to hear how you spend your Sabbaths. Perhaps someone could give me ideas on how to overcome our restful habits. Time with family is precious. I know this. I just want more quality and quantity time. How about you?

Our Nation WILL Stand!!!

With all the negatives that are around us, it is good to remember that we must have hope not fear and faith not worry. A good friend of mine (Dorothy Loveridge) sent me the quotes below. I had the thought that these thoughts should be ever-present in our minds. The best thing we can do for our spouse and our children is to trust that our leaders know what they are talking about and establish homes of positive remarks regarding the future of our nation. May we never forget to pray morning and night that our faith will overcome all worry and that we will truly trust in the Lord.

BRUCE R. McCONKIE

“It is our firm conviction as a people that the stars and stripes will be waving triumphantly in the breeze, as a symbol of the greatness and stability of the United States of America , when the Lord comes. This nation was established to be the Lord’s base of operations in this final gospel dispensation. From it the gospel is to go to every other nation and people. The greater its influence among the nations of the world, the more rapidly the gospel spreads. But the Lord has told us that all nations, the United States included, shall cease to be when he comes” (The Millennial Messiah, 491).


JOSEPH SMITH
We are fast approaching that moment prophesied by Joseph Smith when he said: ‘Even this nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground, and when the Constitution is upon the brink of ruin, this people will be the staff upon which the nation shall lean, and they shall bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction” (Church Historian’s Office, Salt Lake City, July 19, 1840) (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, 623 - 624).


JOSEPH SMITH
Words of James Burgess: “In the month of May 1843, several miles east of Nauvoo, the Nauvoo Legion was on parade and review, at the close of which Joseph Smith made some remarks upon our condition as a people and upon our future prospects, contrasting our present condition with our past trials and persecutions by the hands of our enemies; also upon the Constitution and government of the United States, stating that the time would come when the Constitution and government would hang by a brittle thread and would be ready to fall into other hands, but this people, will step forth and save it. . . .I, James Burgess, was present and testify to the above” (The Words of Joseph Smith, 279).


EZRA TAFT BENSON
The Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith there would be an attempt to overthrow the country by destroying the Constitution. Joseph Smith predicted that the time would come when the Constitution would hang, as it were, by a thread, and at that time ‘this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction’ (Journal of Discourses, 7:15). It is my conviction that the elders of Israel, widely spread over the nation, will at that crucial time successfully rally the righteous of our country and provide the necessary balance of strength to save the institutions of constitutional government” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, 618 - 619).


There are some extraordinary and very timely thoughts from President Harold B. Lee (speaking in October 1973)


President Lee:

Men may fail in this country, earthquakes may come, seas may heave beyond their bounds, there may be great drought, disaster, and hardship, but this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail. This is the cradle of humanity, where life on this earth began in the Garden of Eden. This is the place of the New Jerusalem. . . . This is the place where the Savior will come to His temple.

We are living in a time of great crisis. The Country is torn with scandal and with criticism, with faultfinding and condemnation. There are those who have downgraded the image of this nation as probably never before in the history of the country.

I plead with you not to preach pessimism. Preach that this is the greatest country in all the world. . . . It is the nation that will stand despite whatever trials or crises it may yet have to pass through.

We must be on the optimistic side. This is a great nation; this is a great country; this is the most favored of all lands. While it is true that there are dangers and difficulties that lie ahead of us, we must not assume that we are going to stand by and watch the country go to ruin. We should not be heard to predict ills and calamities for the nation. On the contrary, we should be providing optimistic support for the nation.

You must remember . . . that this church is one of the most powerful agencies for the progress of the world, and we should . . . all sound with one voice. We must tell the world how we feel about this land and this nation and should bear our testimonies about the great mission and destiny that it has.

If we do this, we will help turn the tide of this great country and lessen the influence of the pessimists. We must be careful that we do not say or do anything that will further weaken the country. It is the negative, pessimistic comments about the nation that do as much harm as anything to the country today. We who carry these sacred responsibilities must preach the gospel of peace, and peace can only come by overcoming the things of the world. Now, we must be the dynamic force that will help turn the tide of fear and pessimism.

(Excerpts from a talk given at Ricks College Devotional Assembly, “Have Faith in America,” October 26, 1973, and printed in two sources:Ye Are the Light of the World: Selected Sermons and Writings of Harold B. Lee, 340, 350-351, and The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, edited by Clyde J. Williams, 365-366.)

Homemade Microwave Popcorn

I've often wondered if a person could make their own microwave popcorn bags. Yesterday I found out that they can. Here's a recipe I found. Just think of the savings you can have with this one. Teach your children to make it too. Try it tonight as you gather your family together and play games.

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3:
1. Put 1/4 cup popcorn in a brown paper bag. Fold top over a few times and tape it.
2. Place in microwave folded side up for 2 to 3 minutes or until there is 5 seconds between pops.
3. Eat plain or add flavors (such as salt, butter, sugar, etc.)

Can use a tsp. of olive oil & 1/2 tsp. of popcorn salt.

Note: If the folds are tight, no tape or staples are needed. If you do not use oil, you can reuse the bag.

Fridge List

Make a list of things to do that require little or no supervision from mom or dad and put it on the fridge.  When one of your children starts whining and moans “I’m b-o-r-e-d!” He or she can choose from the list.  The trick or rule is: Once they are referred to the list, they HAVE to do something on the list before they bother mom or dad again.  The last item on the list should always be "Take a nap".  Sometimes children just don't realize they are tired until they see this!

Here’s a list to get you started (I found part of this list on the internet but it had no name associated with it to give credit.):

1.  Decorate the back patio with sidewalk chalk
2.  Make a daisy chain (or dandelions)
3.  Take some blank paper and envelopes and decorate your own stationary
4.  Get some magazines out of recycling and make a collage
5.  Get out your Faith in God book/Duty to God and check something off
6.  Paint the dog's toenails
7.  Make a border for your room with continuous paper
8.  Play with Barbies/Airplanes
9.  Measure 10 things with a ruler
10.  Get out your last year's school things and play school
11.  Make a calendar
12.  Decorate bookmarks, "laminate" with clear packing tape
13.  Write a poem about something in the yard
14.  Blow bubbles or take a bubble bath
15.  Make a key tag to hang on your backpack - bead animal, letter beads with your name,or a scripture verse on construction paper then laminated with tape and a hole poked through
16.  Make cookies (from a mix, with easy-bake oven, or from scratch). Share them with a neighbor
17.  Organize sock drawer
18.  Write a play and produce it
19.  Make a castle from toilet paper tubes and boxes in recycling
20.  Write a letter to a cousin or grandma
21.  Write a talk, color pictures to go with it
22.  Find a scripture verse you like and type it on the computer/typewriter or write with fancy letters and color
23.  Make 9 Bees and write Gordon B. Hinckley's "Be's" on them, hide them for Family Home Evening
24.  Play with toy soldiers outside
25.  Make a snack with fruit and vegetables
26.  Take pictures with digital camera (with permission)
27.  Call a friend
28.  Look up your favorite animal in the encyclopedia or dictionary
29.  Find your house on a map
30.  Make a boredom kit for the car or for a friend.  Include word searches, "mad libs", drawings to color, and supplies if you have them 
31.  Fluff up all the pillows in the house
32.  Make a birthday card for a friend
33.  Play with legos/duplos/building sets/Lincoln logs/Tinkertoy
34.  Play a game (Chutes and Ladders, Checkers)
35.  Make a list of movies/books you own.  Put them in alphabetical order. Make a list of movies/books you would like to own.
36.  Make a Christmas/Birthday list
37.  Make animals out of pipe cleaners
38.  Change your bed
39.  Have a picnic
40.  Read a book
41.  Make something with Origami paper
42.  Pick some flowers in the yard, put in vase
43.  Do a secret good deed :)
44.  Look in your Scout book and decide on something you can finish today/Work on your collection
45.  Decorate old socks for a puppet show
46.  Sing a song 
47.  Clean out a drawer; give items to someone in need 
48.  Play a musical instrument in the house or outside. 
49.  look at old pictures or scrapbooks
50.  Visit an elderly neighbor or someone that is ill
51. Make up a recipe and share it with the family
52. Lay on the grass and look at the clouds and make a list of all the items you can find in the clouds
53. Go for a bicycle ride
54. Take a bath
55. Take a nap

Now, consider your children's interests and add to this list. I think I'll go take a bath.

Give Your Family the Gift of Your Time—That’s Really What It’s All About!

Well, the vacation and down time are over and it’s time to get back to my love of sharing ideas of what I think could help families grow stronger.

I may repeat some ideas on a regular basis and that’s because I think we all need reminders—a shot in the arm—a pick-me-up. Hey, we need to read our scriptures daily and go to church to get reminders, don’t we? And I know from experience that I may have read a scripture a hundred times and then, all of a sudden one day, I may get a totally different insight to the scripture’s message. We’ve all experienced this I’m sure. So, here are a few reminders:

1) Always put your family first (and that includes your spouse). 2) Have Family Home Evening weekly. This is a must. 3) Eat together as a family at least once a day. Be prepared with questions to stimulate positive conversation. 4) Spend time individually with each family member on a regular basis. Be creative—have dates. 5) Support one another with hobbies and interests. Go to recitals, sporting events, classes or lessons. Share in one another’s interests. 6) Work together then play together. 7) Keep communication open and friendly. Be available to talk with your children at bedtime or whenever opportunities surface. 8) Avoid built-in babysitters—T.V., computers, electronic games. These are “black holes” that valuable time gets lost in. 9) Plan excursions. Everyone gets excited when they have something to look forward to. 10) Find things that you family can enjoy together such a reading, camping, sporting events, arts and crafts, cooking, art, bicycling and do them together. 11) Never forget to pray together and study scriptures together. 12) Have the rule that everyone goes to church every week and shares (upon the return home) something that they learned or enjoyed at church.