Enhancing Scripture Study

A few weeks ago, I spoke at a Relief Society Meeting about ideas to enhance personal and family scripture study.  Below is is the handout I gave with a list of ideas that have blessed my life.  I went into more detail about each idea at the meeting, but hopefully some of these ideas can bless your life.    I know I owe much of my happiness to the Word (Alma 44:5).

 

SCRIPTURE STUDY IDEAS

Elder David A. Bednar,  New Era April 2006

Principle 1:   Pray for understanding, and invite the help of the Holy Ghost.

Principle 2:   Work.

Principle 3:   Be consistent.

Principle 4:   Ponder.

Principle 5:   Write down impressions, thoughts, and feelings.

Ideas to make scripture study more meaningful and testimony building:

• Pray (before, during, and after) Praying before was obvious, but praying after increased my gratitude for the scriptures.  
• Study in the early morning hours
• Avoid reading in bed
• Look for:

                        -Lists ( 88:123-124  wo’s  II Nephi 9: 30-39 )
                        -Opposites (Alma 36:12-21  torment/pain, pain no more/joy)
                        -“If…then”   statements  (D&C 5:24, sometime need to add in "then")
                                                 -Repeated words/phrases: (i.e. “Faith” Alma 32,Ether 12, “choose” 2 Nephi 2:27-29)
                         -Connecting words  (Alma 49:20 prepared, 26-27 prepare--delivered)

• Discover how the words apply to you, now
• Ask Questions (i.e. Alma 22:15  "What am I willing to give up for the Gospel?"  I thought I was funny when I wrote this one, "Why can we sing Hymn #30 when we can't say this?" II Nephi 28:25)
•  Memorize  “Great power can come from memorizing scriptures. To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship. It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort, and be a source of motivation for needed change.” Elder Richard G. Scott, General Conference, Oct 2011
• Liken it to yourself and your situation  (Alma 43:46 "felt it was their duty" My duties are...)
• Consider the intent of the author (Why did he include this? What does he want me to learn?)
• Use a dictionary to look up words
• Listen to or sing uplifting music to prepare the mood
• Color Code Topics (i.e. Faith=Yellow, Righteous Leadership=Green, Love/Joy=Red, Prayer=Purple---you choose topics and you chose colors!)
• Conference Talks—mark/highlight your Conference Ensign—write favorite quotes on the back cover
• Study Preach My Gospel, For the Strength of Youth Pamphlet, The Living Christ, The Family Proclamation
• Listen to CES Firesides, BYU and BYU-Idaho Devotionals, etc.
• Put the scriptures/Conference talks on your Ipod, or other electronic devices (Listen while you drive, get ready in the morning, doing housework, etc.)
• Write impressions in the margins and use the blank pages in the back of your scriptures
• Use the lds.org   journal  (need to create a login account)
•  Be consistent--Same place, same time
• Have a set amount of time rather than set amount of chapters to read
• Get a scripture journal and write down impressions, thought, questions, etc.(this is one of the most powerful--you will surprise yourself by what you write)
• Make your own list of favorites in the back of your scriptures (I also have a list of "Beautiful verses" and a "Trials" list)
• Make it fun and enjoyable  (I have my own "humor" section I made)
• Send scriptures and quotes to others through text messages and email (SOTD)  Scripture Of The Day
• Don't give up!

“You will find that as you write down precious impressions, often more will come.”   

Elder Richard G. Scott, “To Acquire Knowledge and the Strength to Use It Wisely,” 

Ensign, June 2002, 32–34

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Talks:

 Susan Jones and Barbara Thompson   “Stand in Awe and Be Still: Spiritual Receptiveness,”  BYU Women's Conference (May 1, 2009)  (Sister Jones' talk is so powerful it is one of my all time favorites--be sure to listen to this talk!)

Elder David A. Bednar ,    “Because We Have Them before Our Eyes”   New Era April 2006

Elder David A. Bednar,  “Watching with All Perseverance,” April Conference 2010

Elder M. Russell Ballard,  “Be Strong in the Lord, and in the Power of His Might"  CES Fireside for Young Adults, 3 March 2002

Elder Richard G. Scott,  “To Acquire Knowledge and the Strength to Use It Wisely,” Ensign, June 2002, 32–34.

President Ezra Taft Benson, “The Power of the Word,” Ensign, May 1986, 79

Book:

Gene R. Cook   “Searching the Scriptures—Bringing Power to Personal and Family Study”

Here is a scripture reading chart to color in each day your read.  I gave it to my nieces and nephews and they loved it.  One year I gave it to my parents and they read EVERY DAY!  

http://www.mormonshare.com/sites/default/files/handouts/scripture-reading-chart-2013.pdf

No Cousins

A few years ago, my niece, Taya kept telling my sister, “You need to have twin baby girls, Mom.  You can name one of them McKayla and the other Kayla.  You can take care of one and I will take care of the other.”  How thoughtful!   When her mom asked what would happen if one was a boy, Taya retorted that her mom would have to take care of the boy and she’d take care of the girl.  If there were two boys…her mom would be on her own to take care of both of them.  Daily petitions in prayer were sent to heaven for these twins by the, hopeful, older sister.

When my sister called to tell me she thought she was pregnant (but not with twins), I was overjoyed!   My favorite things on this planet are my nieces and nephews.  However, when I hung up the phone, I felt an overwhelming curtain of sadness and remorse.  My sisters have all had their children and this child would most likely be the last of my siblings’ babies.  I was pretty sure that they were all done.  It was too late for me and my children—time had run out.   My children will not grow up with their cousins.  I missed the boat and I didn’t even give my children a chance to get on the boat.  Their ship was sunk before they had a chance to ride.  Deep sorrow loomed.  I wasn’t necessarily feeling sorry for me, but for my possible unborn babes!  I loved growing up with my cousins and the relationships and memories we created.  Perhaps even more endearing are the relationships my nieces and nephews are developing with each other. 

For example, in the summer of 1999, three of my sisters all had baby boys--June, July, and August.  Along with sharing pregnancy stories, after the babies were born, they all toted babies in car seats to my mom’s house and McDonalds.  Those three boys love each other.  They have been raised together.  One nephew said his cousin was his best buddy in the whole world.  Who will be my children’s ‘best buddies?”  

Previous thoughts of “no same age cousins” have loomed over me, but this time, the reality seemed larger, like a sunken hopelessness. My prolonged singleness will prohibit rare relationships that could have occurred between my children and my siblings’ children.  When I take my children to the park, (if we ever get to the park) they will be swinging and sliding as their cousins are filling out scholarship applications and shining shoes for missionary service.  Although I don’t let the thought of no same age cousins consume me, it is a reality of being in my late thirties and single, and it really bites.  (Did I really just use that phrase?)

            However, I guess the silver lining of the cousin cloud can be found in the fact that my oldest niece just got married—my kids can grow up with her kids!  I told her she can’t start having kids before I do…well, she is married and I am not…I don’t know how long that will last!  

Focus

       One year, a single friend of mine, who was about 38 at the time, told me that she made a New Year’s Resolution to get married.  (Yeah, I’ve made that one many times as well!)  She was going to do everything in her power to get married.  More than previous years, she was going to focus more heavily on dating.  She created a profile on-line on a single’s website and spent much time sorting through other profiles and corresponding with single men.  She also went on every blind date offer.  She said she actually dated more that year than she had ever before.  However, she also said that she never felt so lonely and so depressed.  I thought that was interesting and ironic.  Dating did not bring happiness, nor did solely focusing trying to get married. 

       Her experience reminded me of when I was working on my Masters Degree in Cedar City.  Living in a college town in my thirties and single, I was really stressed out that I was losing my opportunity for marriage by living there for two years.  I had been out on a date with the only three single men in the town.  (PS word of advice to single men:  1) don't show up for a blind date wearing sweats and flip flops, 2) don't talk about how you don't want to get married and don't want roommates because you can't deal living with anyone, 3) don't admit that you spend your weekends watching high school football games on Fridays and professional football games on Saturdays--this was my experience with one of the three single men in Cedar City).  With my anxiety about not being married, not really knowing my neighbors, and only one friend my age (and a few younger girls), I was very lonely and very depressed.   My coursework was very difficult and honestly, I was probably feeling sorry for myself--because I was obsessed with the fact that the window of opportunity for marriage was narrowing rapidly.

      This last year, however, although I really want to be married (and have children),  I felt truly happy--even though my dating life consisted of only a single blind date.  I also noticed that I felt an immense amount of gratitude for small and simple things.  I’m not exactly sure why, but I caught myself many times just feeling GRATEFUL.   Grateful and happy.  Grateful for a working car, finding everything on my grocery list on sale, puffy clouds in the morning sky, being able to sleep through the night, not having an allergy to wheat or chocolate, the ability to read, seeing a friend at the drive-thru at the bank that I haven't seen in almost fifteen years, etc.   I was blessed to recognize countless tender mercies.  Perhaps this was partly due to the scripture that I chose for my theme scripture for 2012:

Ether 12:4  “Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.”

          This last year I really strived to focus on looking for opportunities to “abound in good works” and really focused on “glorifying God.”   Applying the word of God changed my life and attitude (I’ve said it earlier, I don’t know HOW it works, I just know it DOES work).  Hope came from faith which became an anchor against the storm of loneliness and despair. 

          I was blessed with countless opportunities to fortify many relationships and strengthen friends in need.  One day in particular stands out.  I had just read Elder Ballard’s talk from October General Conference and he extended the challenge, “In your morning prayer each new day, ask Heavenly Father to guide you to recognize an opportunity to serve one of His precious children. Then go throughout the day with your heart full of faith and love, looking for someone to help. Stay focused, just like the honeybees focus on the flowers from which to gather nectar and pollen. If you do this, your spiritual sensitivities will be enlarged and you will discover opportunities to serve that you never before realized were possible.”   

          I prayed in the morning find someone to serve.  That evening I made dinner and when there was a lot left over, I tried to think of who would needed dinner that evening.  My darling mother is known for taking people homemade bread and often says, “When I make bread, God tells me who to take it to.”  I thought about a lady down the street who is currently going through a divorce.  When I stopped by, she seemed grateful and I didn’t think too much about it until the next day when she called.  She said the day I stopped by, she had just returned from the doctor and found out that she had breast cancer.  She was really shaken up and couldn’t talk about it that day and she couldn’t face making dinner when I stopped by.  I had no idea that she found out that heart wrenching news, but God did.   

            I had enough dinner left for another couple and I thought about a lady who was my sister’s favorite Young Woman’s leader.  She had fallen recently and had not been to church due to her injury.  When I arrived at her house, her husband took me back to talk to her—she had just had knee surgery—that very day!   I had no idea she had surgery, but God did!   Dramatic as this example is, it happened.  I witnessed that day that when we ask for someone to serve, God will surely send us on His errand.  As we focus on the needs of others, our vision will expand to see the hands that hang down. 

           If our thoughts are constantly consumed with the fact that we are single, surely we will become depressed and hopeless.  We must trust God.  Trust in His timing.  Trust in His plan.  Focus on our relationship with Him.  Focus on our relationships with family and friends that we already have and create joyful moments with them.

            While I was serving in a Relief Society Presidency, several times the President, Pam, would say.    “Whatever we focus on expands.”   I have noticed that principle is true in many aspects of life.  If you focus on getting out of debt, you will likely find ways to save money and forgo purchases that are “wants,” as well as having opportunities to make more money come to you.  If you focus on the negative things your co-workers or family members do, you will more likely find more faults and more negative.  If you focus your energy and thoughts on your calling, you will receive more revelation.  If you focus on practicing the piano, you will be able to play "Waterfall" as fast as John Schmidt.  If you focus on that fact that you are having a bad hair day, your mullet looking hair will inevitably get worse as the day goes on.

          The same is true with focusing on our singleness.  If we intensely focus on our unhappiness and loneliness because we are not married, that loneliness will expand and increase.  However, if we focus on the needs of others, our problems will lessen and our joy will increase.  We can find deeper purpose and more meaning in our lives through service to others. 

         One reason that I have avoided the “mid-singles” wards is that there is so much focus on “ the woes of being single.”  When I attended with my roommate, I felt surrounded by people who were self-absorbed with the fact that they not were married.  There was overwhelming cloud of heaviness and hopelessness.  Due to the fact that everyone who attends is single, there is a natural tendency to focus on one’s “singleness.”  My roommate even heard a prayer said, “Please help us feel our worth, even though we are not married.”  Really?  Are you kidding me?  People actually feel this way?  I was heartsick when I heard this, but unfortunately the reality is that there are single people who truly feel this way.  This does not need to be so!  Although we may feel sad or lonely at times, we can have hope and find true happiness.  Our lives can have purpose!  Focusing on the needs of others and forgetting ourselves and our problems is the key.   I sincerely hope that people who attend those wards are able to find balance and know that our value does not depend on our marital status!  There is a life after 31--married or single.   

         President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "To you single women and men who wish to be married I say this, Do not give up hope. And do not give up trying. But do give up being obsessed with it. The chances are that if you forget about it and become anxiously engaged in other activities, the prospects will brighten immeasurably."  (A Conversation with Single Adults, Sept 22 1996)

            Want to find true happiness?  Don’t dwell on what you DON’T have (whether that be marriage or anything else you are lacking) and focus on the bounteous blessing you DO have. 

             This coming year, don’t focus on that fact that you are not married, focus on your relationship with God and FOCUS on filling the needs of those in your sphere of influence.  True happiness comes when we lose focus on ourselves, and focus on blessing of the lives of those around us.  

            After a year of intense focus on marriage increased depressive feelings, my friend I mentioned at the beginning decided to change her focus and obsession on dating to spending more energy and time on her calling, serving her family and people at work, and living a full life.  Two years later, she did get married, after reconnecting with someone from her 20^th high school reunion!
  

"I have found that, rather than dwelling on the negative, if we will take a step back and consider the blessings in our lives, including seemingly small, sometimes overlooked blessings, we can find greater happiness."

                                                              ---President Thomas S. Monson, General Conference October 2012

When I Grow Up

       A few weeks ago was Red Ribbon Week at one of the schools where I work.  Every day there was some kind of dress up day—Crazy Socks Day, Favorite Sports Team Day, Wear Red Day, etc.  I am kind of a nerd and I have always loved dress up days.  In Junior High I was really bugged by the cheerleaders who planned Spirit Week and all the dress up days, but not once did they dress up—too embarrassing I guess.  Well, I was not embarrassed, I secretly basked in the attention.       

         One of the dress up days for Red Ribbon Week was “Dress Like What You Want to Be When You Grow Up.”  I’ve always known what I want to be when I grow up…a mother.  

          So, when does one officially grow up?  Am I considered a grown-up?  I am nearing the end of my thirties.  What if I still want to be a mother?  Does that mean I’m not grown-up yet?  Do you have to have children to be considered a grown-up?  Do you have to have a real job?  I never wanted to work.  This is a huge rip off  single women face (unfortunately this is also a rip off for mothers who  would like to stay at home with their children but for various reason are prohibited from doing so).  When my sisters take all their kids to the zoo, I have to go to work.  I want to take kids to the park, change diapers, be a Room Mother, chauffeur kids to soccer practice and ballet, etc.--not go off to work everyday!  I never wanted a career.  I actually HATE that word.  Am I considered a career women because I am not a stay-at-home mom?  Or, does a career women need to work in an office building?  I’m actually glad I don’t do that—glad I work with children every day.    

          For Red Ribbon Week, I decided to be bold and dress like a mom.  I didn’t have much time to come up with a costume and I contemplated what to wear to show that I was a mom—what I want to be when I grow up.  (Do you have to be over 5'3 to be grown up?  Cause I’m only 5'2 so maybe I’m still not a grown-up yet--phew).   What makes someone look like a mom—besides a pregnant belly?  I really didn’t want to go that route.  

          So, I made a cape—a Super Mom cape.  Let’s face it—they are the Super Heroes of the world!  In fact, as I went into various classrooms, some students asked if I was a super hero.  I told them I was BETTER than a super hero.  They didn't see the words on my cape yet and they were curious.  As they each told me what they were dressed to be, I said I was also that person.  Then I turned around and showed them my cape... 

• A Doctor or Nurse—yes, mom’s help sick kids feel better. 
• An Inventor—you better believe it that mom’s are inventors—they have to invent answers to questions, solutions to problems, and behavior interventions daily.
• A Scientist—they do experiments everyday--some cooking experiments go better than others, I suppose.
• A Teacher—they are the most influential teacher  in a child’s life and they are often caught doing homework.
• A Firefighter—if they have more than one child, they are daily putting out fires between siblings.
• A Business Person--hey have to make budget proposals, make purchases, sort through mail, and they lead the most influential organization in the country--the home.
• A Dentist--not only do moms have to devise a way to actually get their kids to brush their teeth, they have to come up with creative excuses for why the Tooth Fairy may have missed a night (I have seen this happen before...dreadful mistake, Tooth Fairy!  You must never forget or miss!)

The list goes on....

           TO ALL YOU MOTHERS OUT THERE…you are the Super Heroes of the world.  Hug your children extra tight tonight because you have them.  There are many women, like myself, that are longing to grow up and experience the joys and challenges you face daily. 

            “When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses?”  Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign, May 1978.

“Satan has declared war on motherhood. He knows that those who rock the cradle can rock his earthly empire. And he knows that without righteous mothers loving and leading the next generation, the kingdom of God will fail.”  Sister Sheri Dew, Ensign, November 2001

        TO ALL WOMEN WITHOUT CHILDREN, God knows our heart ache.   He knows our longing to cradle loved ones.  Sister Sheri Dew gave a talked entitled, “Are We Not All Mothers” in the November 2001 General Relief Society Broadcast.  Every woman should re-read this talk.  It has blessed my life on many occasions.  Sister Dew explains about the divine role of motherhood is not solely claimed by those who bear children,

              “Motherhood is more than bearing children, though it is certainly that. It is the essence of who we are as women. It defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits our Father gave us…For reasons known to the Lord, some women are required to wait to have children. This delay is not easy for any righteous woman. But the Lord’s timetable for each of us does not negate our nature. Some of us, then, must simply find other ways to mother. And all around us are those who need to be loved and led…

             As daughters of our Heavenly Father, and as daughters of Eve, we are all mothers and we have always been mothers. And we each have the responsibility to love and help lead the rising generation….

              Every one of us can mother someone—beginning, of course, with the children in our own families but extending far beyond. Every one of us can show by word and by deed that the work of women in the Lord’s kingdom is magnificent and holy. I repeat: We are all mothers in Israel, and our calling is to love and help lead the rising generation through the dangerous streets of mortality."       Sister Sheri Dew, Ensign, November 2001 “Are We Not All Mothers”  
                
        I highly recommend reading this talk!   Satan’s armies are attacking like never before and we can’t bear to stand and watch causalities that we could have helped, but didn’t because we were not their mothers.  Children need to be told they are good and loved and capable.  The mothers of today need more help than ever before.  They need validation—we can support them by letting them know they are doing a great a work.  We can support them by loving their children.  We can support them by finding ways to use our God-given gift of nurturing to strengthen their children through these troubled times. 

        On Mother’s Day, we can proudly stand and receive a plant in Sacrament Meeting!  We are all mothers. Some of us just need to be a little creative and seek for ways to magnify our God-given roles.      

         I have strived to be better at remembering birthdays.  I try to remember some of the names of the primary kids and make them feel special.   I substituted sweet Molly's Sunbeam class a few times and she is my little buddy now.  Buddy the Elf said "I just love smiling.  Smiling's my favorite."  My "favorite" is seeing Molly wave across the chapel at me!

       When there is a special occasion for my friends' children, such as a baptism or a performance, I have tried to attend and show support.  My mission companion invited me to her son’s junior high musical last month.  I didn’t know it meant so much for him to have me come, but he asked his mom this year, “ So, is Sister Kieffer coming?”  I didn’t think he even remembered me coming last year, but I apparently it made an impression on him and he expected me to come this year. 

   

        Last week I was on Facetime with my nieces and I told one of them to stop growing--she was getting too big, too fast.  Her little sister said, "She is growing up so she can be a mom!  When I grow up, I want to be an aunt--just like you!"   Completely melted my heart!  I LOVE being an Aunt.  Hailey, I hope some day you also have the privilege of being an aunt and I hope you receive as much joy as I do from this sacred responsibility.  In honoring your role as an aunt, you will honor your role as mother.  We don’t have to wait until we grow up to be what we want to be. 

 

I am grateful to be a "mother" to these children. 
(I made this video for an EFY talk about Motherhood a while ago).

38 Days

        38 Days until Christmas.  Did you start your Dedicated Savings Account?  I cashed mine out this last week--Christmas cash is in an envelope, ready to spend.  I also started a new account for next year.  If you haven't started yours yet, you still have time!  BE PREPARED for next Christmas!   (See blog post "Christmas Cash").
           I started a personal Christmas tradition.  I consider it a small gift to the Savior.  I like to read all the talks from the October General Conference by Christmas Day.  I enjoy highlighting quotes that are especially meaningful and writing personal notes in the margins--just like my scriptures because it is modern day scripture.  I also create a personal index on the back for repeated words or topics.  Lately, I have noticed in the last few General Conferences the words "duty" and "responsibility."   I have added these to my personal index so I can review my "duties" and "responsibilities" after I finish reading the talks in the November Ensign. 
           Every morning that I read a talk, I really feel more energized for the day.  I don't claim to know HOW it works, just that it DOES work.  I am a happier, nicer, more patient, and more hopeful person when I read the words of the living prophets.   The same thing happens when I read the Bible or the Book of Mormon.  The word of God is more powerful than a sword (see Alma 31:5).
         There are 38 talks from the last General Conference (I didn't include the sustainings) and 38 days until Christmas.  I invite you to join with me and read all the talks from the last General Conference by Christmas.  I can promise you that you will feel the love of the Lord more fully in your life.  You will feel closer to Christ and have the POWER to become more like Him.  Like I said, I don't know HOW it works, I just know that it DOES work. I know that I owe much of happiness to reading and applying the word of God (see Alma 44:5).

             I have a similar tradition for the April General Conference, the Conference Ensign comes out in May, so I like to make sure I read all the Conference talks by June 27th--the anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith.


        "As always, the proceedings of this conference will be available in the coming issues of the Ensign and the Liahona magazines. I encourage you to read the talks once again and to ponder the messages contained therein. I have found in my own life that I gain even more from these inspired sermons when I study them in greater depth."  

President Thomas S. Monson (October 2012 General Conference)

                     http://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2012/10?lang=eng

Mary Poppins Bag

One Sunday I observed my friend, Wendy, had brought a “big church bag” with her to Sacrament Meeting. I wondered what new important calling she had received.  Noticing that she was not sustained at the beginning of the meeting, I watched with curiosity, as she nonchalantly reached into her Mary Poppins Bag and produced a new activity for the children of the family she was sitting next to every time they started to get restless.  Her bag had magic in it!  

     We often see moms with their big church bags, why can’t we have one?  Just watch a mom and you’ll see what to bring (well, the diapers and wipes may not be mandatory…yet).  The Friend magazine, small toys, books (that can be chewed on), crayons, snacks, etc. are good starters.   I like to lure the children to my side by giving them a pass-along cards; pass-along cards--not playing cards. 

 I have profited many times from my own big church bag that I started to bring after seeing Wendy's success.   One day I was sitting in Relief Society next to a mother of twin boys.  She asked if I would watch one boy while she changed the other.  Of course--my pleasure!  Luckily, I was prepared with my big church bag.  The chewable book  and a small toy came in handy until the mother came back a few minutes later and lifting up the back end of the twin I was left with, taking a whiff, said that she had taken the wrong twin to change.  I don’t remember the Relief Society lesson that day, but I remember struggling to suppress my laughter as she toted away the soiled twin.

     Another Sunday morning, I noticed the chorister in Sacrament Meeting had a curious smirk on her face during the opening hymn.  Thinking that someone had made a face at her or she must have seen something humorous, I felt left out.  I wanted to know what was so funny…and then I saw her two-year old dart in front of the Bishop onto the stand, barely out of his mother’s reach.  The father was not at church this particular Sunday, so no one was left to wrangle her two young boys.  The temptation was too great to surpass--the cunning two-year old could not let the ideal opportunity pass that had presented itself:
             1) embarrass his mom and
             2) get the attention of congregation.  
      Bless the heart of the mother.  She lead the music with one hand and with the other hand pointed the “Get back to your seat right now-you are in big trouble, buster” finger at her son.  The situation was getting worse.  Let’s be honest, no one was paying attention to uplifting and inspiring words of the hymn of praise.  This was first rate Sunday entertainment!  As only a mother could do, when the little boy ran passed his mother, she swept him up with the hand that included the “Get back to your seat right now-you are in big trouble, buster” finger, set him on her hip and continued to lead the music without missing a beat!  

       I vacillated, “Should I go get him?  Does she want help?  He doesn’t know me very well.  Will I look stupid?”  Finally, I abandoned thoughts of hesitation, marched up to the stand and carefully lifted the little boy off his mother’s hip as I smiled at the mother—still not missing a beat, and headed for the pew on which his brother sat.  Lucky for me, I had my big church bag.  The little boy was really taken off guard and a hint of fear was peering out from his dark little eyes until I brought out a little picture book about Jesus.  I proceeded to take my place at the end of the pew, as to prevent any further disastrous escapes.  His older brother was now trapped as well.     

    Often, unknown surprises in your bag may come in handy.  Today, in fact, I had some powdered packets of recently purchased Airborne.  Shaking them created a soothing, reverent sound--very enticing to a restless little guy.  Who knew that an Airborne box and powered packets could prove to occupy a toddler for twenty minutes during Relief Society?  Just a packet full of Airborne helps the Relief Society lesson go down, I guess.  In the most delightful way, of course. 

Instead of sitting alone and feeling sorry for ourselves, let's bring our big church bags full of fun, find families in need, and let the Mary Poppins magic begin! 

   For more ideas of what to put in your BIG CHURCH BAG or how to use it, please contact your local Relief Society sisters.

Mary Poppins: Never judge things by their appearance... even carpetbags. I'm sure I never do. (re-read in an English accent...it's even better!)

Christmas Cash

Halloween is over?   BOO hoo!  I am infatuated by the holiday.  I love the decorations, fall colors, and costumes!  This year I made an Oompa Loompa costume.  I don’t really sew, but I can make alterations and enhancements to D.I. finds.  Below are my other costumes I wore this year: Triangela Tilliewinkle (for our ward Releif Society Dinner with a Witch) and Mildew Rose (I am a witch at Gardner Village).

 

 

 

 

With Halloween in the past, that means we are into November and that means Christmas is next month!!!  How did it get here so fast?  Have you started your Christmas shopping?  Christmas comes every year—on the same day.  December 25^th.  You can count on it.  People often say that “Christmas just snuck up on me!  How am I going to pay for it?”  Let’s be honest, it can be a very expensive time of year—unless you plan for it and are prepared.  Without a Christmas bonus, how do people accommodate for the extra expenses? 

A few years ago a single friend of mine shared with me a very helpful idea that I have put into practice.  Now, you may be one of the savvy ones who are already putting this principle into practice, but it was a new concept to me.  It’s called a “Dedicated Savings Account” for Christmas.  She set up an account at her bank (or credit union—do I really have to make sure I mention the credit union or can I just call them all banks?) specifically for Christmas presents.  Every month for a year, the bank takes out a specified amount from her checking account.  She doesn’t have to do anything except set it up, which takes about 10 minutes or less.  Then, when the maturity date arrives, she would go to the bank and cash out her Dedicated Savings Account (DSA).  The entire amount is put into an envelope (thanks, Dave Ramsey, for bringing back the envelope system) and she uses that cash—and that cash ONLY for Christmas.  This is how she gives herself an affordable Christmas budget.  When the money is gone, she allows herself to be Scrooge the rest of the season.  Actually, she is showing self-discipline.  Because it comes out monthly, it is not a financial burden.  $15 bucks a month is a lot easier to set aside than come up with $225 in December.  I don’t know what your Christmas budget is, that amount is just an example.  With a DSA there is a minimally higher interest rate than a checking account, but its purpose is really to help you save money.

As single women, we need to demonstrate prudent stewardship over our resources.  If the time comes and we are blessed with a husband and children, the time for practicing wise money management will be over.  We should take this single time given to us to practice and prepare. 

Whether single or married, this challenge is for everyone who reads this blog:

THIS WEEK, GO TO YOUR BANK OR CREDIT UNION AND SET UP A DEDICATED SAVINGS FOR CHRISTMAS NEXT YEAR.   

You can decide the amount you want taken out and what day you want it taken out.  Setting it up this week will allow you to take it out next year before the Thanksgiving holiday. 

Last year I did something special with my “Dedicated Savings Christmas Account.”  This idea was from my friend, Hayley, so I don’t take credit for the idea. Instead of a gift exchange one year, her extended family decided to use the money intended for gifts and donate it to the Temple Patron Fund (a special fund set up to help families who cannot afford the travel expenses get to the temple to be sealed).  Each child was encouraged to do acts of service and for each act, a dollar was donated.

On Thanksgiving, I challenged each of my nieces and nephews to do daily acts of service.  For each act of service, I would pay them a quarter—sort of.  I would donate a quarter to the Temple Parton Fund instead of buying them Christmas gifts--with 22 nieces and nephews, I had be a little more modest with the links, hence the quarter instead of the dollar.  Each act of service was recorded on a link (red and green, of course), with the child’s name and the date of the service performed. 

 

At our family Christmas party, each family displayed their chain and we read the acts of service performed.  With my nieces and nephews, together, we helped send a family to the temple last year!  My cute dad offered to match what we raised, so our donation was doubled!  I was grateful for the DSA I set up that year that made it possible for me and my family to be a part of a special Christmas gift for a family we didn’t even know. 

“All of us are responsible to provide for ourselves and our families in both temporal and spiritual ways. To provide providently, we must practice the principles of provident living: joyfully living within our means, being content with what we have, avoiding excessive debt, and diligently saving and preparing for rainy-day emergencies. When we live providently, we can provide for ourselves and our families and also follow the Savior’s example to serve and bless others.”

                                              -Elder Robert D. Hales, General Conference April 2009