Spiritual Goal, A Year of Coming Unto Christ by Developing Christlike Attributes: May is Knowledge

 Spiritual Goal, A Year of Coming Unto Christ by Developing Christlike Attributes: May is Knowledge,

In January, I had this thought that I wanted to come more unto the Savior. So I decided to start focusing on His attributes. Each month there will be a Christlike attribute focus. We focused on Faith in Christ for January, Hope in February, Charity and Love in March and Virtue in April.  I love being more intentional in striving to be more like my Savior. You could do this individually. Or  you could invite your Relief Society Sisters, Ministering sisters, friends or Young Women to engage in the study and development as well. 

Spiritual Goal, A Year of Coming Unto Christ by Developing Christlike Attributes: January is Faith

Spiritual Goal, a Year of Coming Unto Christ by Developing Christlike Attributes: January is Faith,

 This year I really wanted to focus on a few goals. Inspired by the four categories of the Children and Youth Program. The goal areas I've decided on are Physical Health, Spiritual Health, Mental/Emotional Health and Social Health. I love this ideas of finding goals within these four categories, because it can help us work towards having a more well rounded health and self. 

3+ Ways to Find and Learn of Peace from the #PRINCEofPEACE This Easter

Here are 3+ ways to find and learn peace from the #PRINCEofPEACE...

This post is a sponsored post & may contain affiliate links. All views are mine as always! See the full disclosure.

In thinking about the what things I was going to share for the Easter Campaign for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I decided that one of the things I wanted to do was have some way that everyone could get involved.

Family Home Evening on Continually Improving Ourselves: (Based on the General Conference talk, "What Lack I Yet?"

For tonight's Family Home Evening the topic in which I have chosen is: 

Continually Improving Ourselves: (Based on the General Conference talk, "What Lack I Yet?")

Emergency Preparedness Super Saturday Ideas (Relief Society)

Preparedness is defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as... "the fact of being ready for something : the state of being prepared."

This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend a Relief Society Super Saturday all about Emergency Preparedness.  It was great to be able to visit with the other sisters in the ward and give each other ideas on how to be prepared.  I was excited to be able to share some of the things I have put together for my family.  I thought I would share them on here also, as well as share some of the other ideas that were shared that day.


The "Go Bag":

The idea is to have one of these "Go Bags" for each family member and have them in their rooms where it will be easy to grab and go.  Here is a link to the posts I have done on getting one ready.

Important Information Binder:

This page should be filled out for each family member and put in a small binder or three ponged folder and put in  their "Go Bag".  Other items that should also be put in the binder are:
-Make copies of Birth Certificate.
-Make copies of Social Security Card
-Make copies of Adult ID's such as Driver's License
-Make copies of Immunization Records
-Make copies of Marriage License
-Make copies of Current Medication Labels and directions
-Copy of Family picture (this would be beneficial to have if separated or even just as a comfort item)
-Child ID/Safety kit (There are many sites out their that offer these kits for free.  Also, a lot of times in children's picture packets from the school they will include one.  Some kits even include a swab for DNA.  It is important to have one where you can provide a picture, a description of your child, and fingerprints.) ***Once you get one, do it***
***A great idea one of my friend gave was to laminate all of these items, so they will be protected.***


Hot Pad First Aid Kit:

 These cute little first aid kits have been around for a while.  I made my first one probably over 10 years ago. They are so easy to make and so handy!! I had one in my car and someone like it so much they stole it. Above is a list of items I put into my kits.

72 Hour Kit Ideas:

This is my 72 Hour kit list.  These are the items I have in my kits and how I have them stored. 

Emergency Preparedness Car Kit:

3 Month Food Storage Supply Ideas: Click HERE For the Link

Long term storage items: 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

(This is a great link, with a list of foods with a long shelf life)

Here are some more ideas:

-Honey

-Salt (the good stuff with minerals)

-Rice

These are the other ideas they had at the Super Saturday:

Emergency Washing "Machine"/Container:

We were lucky to have these buckets donated to us, they are from a dairy and are sherbet containers, thus the wording "Citric" on the lid. They smell wonderful!  The wonderful sister who put the Super Saturday together had all of the holes drilled for us already.  It looks like you drill a hole in the lid large enough for the plunger to move freely through.  Then you drill little holes in the plunger.

Portable Potty:

I love these!  I already had one, but thought it would be nice to have two. Here is a link to Utah.gov's website Be Ready Utah. It has a list of what you will need for your portable potty.

Some More Great Ideas:
(click on each one for the links)

Toilet Paper Roll and Lint Fire Starters

Petroleum Jelly and Lint Fire Starters

Homemade Clothes Detergents

Water Storage and Preparation


Great Websites for Emergency Preparedness:

CDC

Ready.Gov

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

American Red Cross

Boy Scouts of America

FEMA

Be Ready Utah

Spiritual Journal Entry #4: Viewing Each Other Through Our Father's Eyes

I don't know what it is about grocery stores, but they always seem to get me thinking.  The other day while I made a trip to one, I began pondering about PEOPLE... The question/thought came to my mind, What if I looked at each person with a special filter?  This special filter would have me look at everyone and see them the way our Heavenly Father sees them. It would help me see each person as a daughter or son of God, with the same divine potential. This filter would block out race, color, wealth or lack of, it would also block out faults and inadequacies. It would help me to see everyone as he sees them. I believed that as I started to do this it would change me, I would begin to treat others differently, better.  I knew that by seeing others this way, my love for them would deepen, it would become an unconditional love. I am in just the beginning stages of this and have already begun to have a deepened love for others and for my Father in Heaven.

This filter applies to all people, even our family members.  Sometimes they can be the ones we are the hardest on.  I was thinking about my boys. I can take things so personally with them and sometimes it seems like it becomes more about me than them. If for some reason they struggle at something, than I take that as my failure. Like I didn't do a good enough job, preparing them or teaching them. I do not think our Father in Heaven reacts this way. He sees each of his children's struggles and inadequacies as ways to strengthen us and help us draw closer to him.  So, if I am using his filter, I will see my children and husband as God's children, on there journey here on earth. My job is to lend support and love and help them on this path.  With this filter I would be able to see their struggles the same way Heavenly Father does and use them as a way to help strengthen them, and strengthen their relationship with their Father in Heaven and also there relationship with me. When I view my children, not as MINE, but as my Heavenly Father's children, I am less likely to yell and get upset with their short comings, and more likely to try to nurture them. Let me just say, I am a work in progress with all of this. My hopes are that each day, as I focus on seeing other's as God sees them, it will become easier and it won't take as much effort, it will become automatic.

This weekend I was reminded about the importance of each person, to our Father in Heaven. He knows each person. He knows each one of us individually. This past Sunday, I heard testimony of this from others and I have experienced the comfort and peace that comes from experiencing this myself.  It is so amazing to me to know that I have a Father in Heaven who is so perfect and that he knows everything about me. He knows my thoughts, he knows what is in my heart, he knows my struggles and he knows just what I need when I need it.  He loves me no matter what! That gives me so much comfort, to know that I am loved by someone unconditionally. The thing that makes this even more amazing is that he knows every person and loves every person unconditionally!

He loves us so much that he sent his eldest spirit child, his only begotten, to suffer such immense pain to pay the price for all of our pains, sorrows and sins. And then to experience more pain as he was mocked and was crucified and died.  As I have had time to ponder the love that both our Father and Savior have for all of us, I am overcome with emotions of gratitude. I am grateful for my Savior and elder brother! When I was little I always wished that I had an older brother. Now, I realize that I always have. He is the ultimate Big Brother! He is my advocate with the Father. I know he loves me, as he loves each one of us. He has always been the perfect example. My hope is that I can try each day to follow his example a little better! Love others and serve them, a little better each day!


After writing this and having a desire to put a great quote/printable on here, I came across this amazing article: The Power of God’s Love. By JOHN H. GROBERG, Of the Presidency of the Seventy. Found in the October 2004 General Conference.

Family Home Evening on Heavenly Father gives us Talents to Share with others (Passing off Cub Scout Art Belt Loop)

I hope and pray that you can use these ideas as a guideline and adjust them to the needs of your own specific family.  Our prophet President Monson says, "We cannot afford to neglect this heaven-inspired program. It can bring spiritual growth to each member of the family, helping him or her to withstand the temptations which are everywhere. The lessons learned in the home are those that last the longest."  On Lds.org there are resources available in helping to make your Family Home Evenings successful, here is a link to that site on Family Home Evenings.

For tonight's Family Home Evening the topic in which I have chosen is:  Heavenly Father gives us Talents to Share with others (Passing off Cub Scout Art Belt Loop) It is really quite amazing if you think about it, all of the gifts our Heavenly Father gives to each of us. The great thing is, is that he doesn't give the same gift or talent to every person.  We each have our individual talents. Why is this so great? Well, I believe it is great becasue we are able to share our talents with each other, to help each other, to teach each other. I am grateful for the gifts I have been given and very grateful for the way other people's gifts/talents have blessed my life.

Welcome everyone to Family Night

Sing: ""Give," Said the Little Stream" Children's Songbook 236

Have a member of the family member say the prayer

Discuss any family business

Follow-up with last weeks FHE.

Introduce this weeks Topic:  Heavenly Father gives us Talents to Share with others (Passing off Cub Scout Art Belt Loop)

Scripture: Read and Mark:  D&C 60:13

Article of Faith: #3 "We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel." Repeat this Article of Faith as a Family. Help each family member to understand the meaning. Help each family member memorize the Article of Faith.

Before FHE, ask each family member to come to FHE with a talent they would like to share.  If member's are having a hard time discovering their talent, help them by pointing out what you think their talents are.

Pretend you are an announcer. Say, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I welcome you to the first (insert your families last name here) family Talent Show.  I would like to introduce our first talented performer, (insert family member's name here)."  Let the family member introduce what their talent is and then let them share their talent with the rest of the family.  Continue with each family member.  Thank each family member for their participation.

Play the video "Matt and Mandy: Developing Talents".

Discuss with your family how great it is that our Heavenly Father has given us each talents or gifts. Discuss ways we can work to develope our talents.  Below are some things we can do to help us develop our talents:

"First, we must discover our talents. We should evaluate ourselves to find our strengths and abilities. Our family and friends can help us do this. We should also ask our Heavenly Father to help us learn about our talents.

Second, we must be willing to spend the time and effort to develop the talent we are seeking.

Third, we must have faith that our Heavenly Father will help us, and we must have faith in ourselves.

Fourth, we must learn the skills necessary for us to develop our talents. We might do this by taking a class, asking a friend to teach us, or reading a book.

Fifth, we must practice using our talent. Every talent takes effort and work to develop. The mastery of a talent must be earned.

Sixth, we must share our talent with others. It is by our using our talents that they grow (see Matthew 25:29)." (Chapter 34: Developing Our Talents. Gospel Principles, (2011), 196–99)

Give each family member the Developing talents printable below. Have them fill it out and work on developing a talent throughout the month.

Explain how there are many different talents.  There are talents that we can see easily, such as talents of playing an instruments, singing, drawing, being good at sports, etc.  There are also talents that are not seen so easily, such as talents of being a good listener, making friends easily, peacemaker, being able to teach, being a good learner/student, having patience, being able to look at the good in people and things, etc.  Each talent is special and can bless others lives when we share it.

Explain to your family that you are going to work on a talent tonight as a family.  The talent is that of art.

Start by showing your family members some art pieces.  Some of these might include some of the drawings in the Media Library on LDS.org. Discuss the elements of design: lines, circles, dots, shapes, colors, patterns, textures, space, balance and perspective.

As a family, "Make a list of common materials used to create visual art compositions." (Cub Scout Art Academics Belt Loop).  The list could include: Water color paint, Colored Pencils, Acrylic Paints, Oil Paints, Chalk, Charcoal, Pencil, Clay, Wood, etc.

Next, "Identify the three primary colors and the three secondary colors that can be made by mixing them. Show how this is done using paints or markers. Use the primary and secondary colors to create a painting."  (Cub Scout Art Academics Belt Loop). See printable below.

Lastly, "Demonstrate how six of the following elements of design are used in a drawing: lines, circles, dots, shapes, colors, patterns, textures, space, balance, or perspective."  (Cub Scout Art Academics Belt Loop). Give each family member a piece of paper and some colored pencils.  Have them draw something using the elements of design, listed above.

Bear your testimony about how Heavenly Father has given us each talents to develop and share with others.

Close with a Family Prayer.

Free Printables:

Free Download

For More Family Home Evening Ideas Click this Link: Family Home Evening Ideas

RS: Preparedness- Three-Month Food Supply

I wanted to focus today's preparedness post on the three-month food supply.  In previous posts I had addressed a 72-hour kit, which can be viewed here: 72 hr kit post.  I also did some posts on the "Go-Bag" for that post, click here: Go-Bag Post.  When I started thinking about what post I would do today, I found myself on Lds.org. I typed in preparedness and was directed to the "Emergency Preparedness" page. I decided to go along with one of the topics listed on the page, and that was "Three-Month Supply". I love what it says on that page about your three-month supply, "Build a small supply of food that is part of your normal, daily diet. One way to do this is to purchase a few extra items each week to build a one-week supply of food. Then you can gradually increase your supply until it is sufficient for three months. These items should be rotated regularly to avoid spoilage."

When I was first married and was trying to heed the counsel of putting together food storage, I was just buying all the stuff that I new had a long shelf life.  They sat in my food storage and sat their some more until, they finally expired and I threw them away.  They were not things that I, nor my family really ate regularly, nor was I going to open the big can to use a little bit and not have it for my food storage.  I like this idea of buying what your family actually eats and rotating it, a lot better!  This is actually what I do now in a sense, because it made me sick seeing all of the food wasted.

These are some of the ways I go about accomplishing this goal of food storage:

Way One:
I watch for the case lot sales. I look at this as kind of the starting point. I do not go overboard, because I do not want all of my items expiring at the same time.  So, I figure kind of what I think I will use in a 6 month time frame. Since, this is how often they usually run case lot sales at the grocery stores.  Then that is how much I buy of that particular item.  I particularly like to purchase toilet paper and paper towels at this time.

Way Two:
I have my pantry, that I keep a few of each items in, so they are easily accessible as I am preparing meals.  Then, I have my "store"-age in my cold storage, which has the remaining items. When I have used the stuff from my pantry, then I go to my "store"-age and bring what I need to my pantry.   Those items go on my grocery list, for my next shopping trip. What makes this work is, rotating! I make sure that the things that are to expire first are used up first. Everything shifts forward in my cold storage and the new items are placed in the back. Newly purchased items are not placed in the pantry, the old ones need to be used up first.  It also is great, because not everything is going to expire at the same time and things are always being rotated.

I have found that it is hard to have food storage for the more perishable items.  This is where canning and frozen foods come in.  I have noticed that I have to be careful with frozen foods too and not go overboard, because of things getting frost bite.  Again I do this by only buying what I know that I will use in a certain time frame.

Everyone seems to have what works best for them. I know some of my friends are big with couponing and watching the sales. Others use the case lots sales, some use the church's cannery, some buy pre-made storage foods and others are big users of bulk stores, such as Costco and Sams.  I would love to hear what you have found works for your family's food storage needs. Please leave a comment below and share your secret! 

Here are some of the different printables I have in regards to food storage:

Pursuit of Excellence: Develop healthy eating habits and patterns.

Last time I posted about the Pursuit of Excellence the goal to work on was Develop a program of Regular Exercise. I hope everyone has been working on their goal. Some of my friends and I have been getting together and working out together.  It has been highly motivating! I think working out together strengthens your relationships and I feel like I definitely push my self much harder.  The best part is every time you exercise, you know that you are making your body that much healthier! Here is the link to the Pursuit of Excellence pamphlet. 

This week's Goal is:

Develop healthy eating habits and patterns. You should have guessed if the last goal I posted about was Regular Exercise, then this month's would be about nutrition.  They go hand in hand, if your goal is to have a healthy lifestyle. So, the goal is to choose now that you are going to start having or continue having Healthy Eating Habits and Patterns.  In this month's Ensign there were two articles, which discussed the issue of nutrition.

The first was titled, "Nourishing Our Bodies and Our Spirits" BY BEVERLY HYATT NEVILLE.  One of the things in the article that stuck out to me was, " In societies where excesses are the norm, we need to apply wise judgment and moderation." She goes on to talk about how it doesn't mean we can never have a treat, we just need to use wise judgment. We know what foods are good for us and what foods are not good for us.  We need to use our judgment and choose the better food.  I can be an emotional eater at times.  The funny thing with emotional eating is you are not choosing to eat the foods that are good for you. At least I don't anyways.  When I emotionally eat, I go straight for the sugar filled candy, especially if it is chocolate.  That food does not make you fill better, it makes you feel worse, because now you are also filled with regret.  Beverly suggests that instead of emotionally eating to fill that emotional hunger we fill it with service instead. Portion size... okay so my family likes to have pizza every now and then.  Pizza is not the best choice, but if I only eat one slice, then I will still be okay. Especially, if I have that one slice with a plate full of yummy salad! We can have a piece of chocolate here and there just not the whole box in one sitting.  I hope you are getting what I am saying.  It is best to use wise judgment and choose real, whole foods. But at times it is okay to have a treat or a piece of pizza as long as it is done in moderation and the portion size is controlled. 

The second article is titled, "A Principle with Promises" BY G. CRAIG KISER.  Isn't it wonderful that our Heavenly Father back in 1833, through revelation to our Prophet Joseph Smith, gave us a diet plan.  It is simple and strait forward. It tells us exactly what to avoid and exactly what we should eat.  I am not going to go into much detail, because I think this article says it all, so I'll let you read it.

Here are a few of the recipes I like to use for my meals throughout the day:

I figured the calories for each of the recipes by using the food search at  Fatsecret. ***Disclaimer:  I am not a nutritionist.  These are my opinions and what I try to follow in my own life.  Talk to your doctor or dietitian about what nutrition plan is best for you and your health. 

Family Home Evening on Gaining Knowledge and Improving our personal study habits. (Passes off requirement in Faith in God Booklet)

 I hope and pray that you can use these ideas as a guideline and adjust them to the needs of your own specific family.  Our prophet President Monson says, "We cannot afford to neglect this heaven-inspired program. It can bring spiritual growth to each member of the family, helping him or her to withstand the temptations which are everywhere. The lessons learned in the home are those that last the longest."  On Lds.org there are resources available in helping to make your Family Home Evenings successful, here is a link to that site on Family Home Evenings.

Tonight's Family Home Evening is on Gaining Knowledge and Improving our personal study habits.  The first Monday, of the month will be my Family Home Evening post on something in the Faith in God Booklet. Today the requirement is in the Developing Talents section: Read D&C 88:118. Discuss what is means to "seek learning, even by study and also by faith." Improve your personal study habits be doing such things as learning how to choose and read good books or being prepared for school each day. I love this topic, knowledge is such an important part of this life.  It is a part of why we are here, to gain knowledge.  When we gain knowledge we are also better able to teach others. I hope to be able to instill in my children the love for learning.  There is so many things in the world to learn about, so many hidden treasures, that we must seek out! 

Welcome everyone to Family Night

Sing: "Search, Ponder, and Pray" pg 109 Children's Songbook

Have a member of the family member say the prayer

Introduce this weeks Topic: Gaining Knowledge and Improving our personal study habits.

Discuss any family business

Follow-up with last weeks FHE.

Scripture: Read and Mark: D&C 88:118

Discuss what the scripture means. Discussion might include what kind of good books might help us to gain knowledge.  What it means to seek learning by faith. How important good study habits are to help us in learning.

Article of Faith: #2 "We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression." Repeat this Article of Faith as a Family.  Help family members understand what the Article of Faith means. (It means we will only be held accountable for the wrong choices we make. Not Adam's. This is because of the atonement of Christ.)

Play the Video: "Focus on Education" Discuss, this video with your family.  My thoughts: My favorite quote from this video is "...the glory of God is intelligence...". That simple phrase emphasizes the importance of our life long learning.  We never stop learning, while on this earth we will never be a point where there is no more to learn.  

Play the Video: "Learning With Our Hearts" Discuss, this video with your family.  Discussion might include: the Holy Ghost is their to help us discern the truths of all things.  This can aid us as we seek knowledge.   The Holy Ghost can also help us as we are choosing the books we read.  It will help us to discern between those books that are good and those that are not so much.  

Discuss with your family the importance of good study habits.  Good study habits might include:

 o Create a good study environment.  Study in a place that is free from distractions and noise. 

 o Make a schedule.  Do homework before extra curricular activities. An example might be: When a child returns home from school, they will have a snack, then do their 20 minutes of reading. Then they will work on their math homework then their reading/vocabulary homework.  After homework is complete and chores are done then they can have free time. 

 o Take notes. Take notes about what you are reading or learning.  Then review the notes.

 o Ask Questions to yourself.  Focus on the what, why, how, when, who and where of the topic you are studying.  This will help you to recall and retain the information.

Help Family Member's fill out their Study Plan:

Free PDF Download

View this article "Successful Scripture Study" for tips for scripture study.

Challenge each family member to focus on having good study habits throughout the week.

Bear testimonies on the importance of seeking and obtaining knowledge and demonstrating good study habits.

Close with a Family Prayer.

When the word fat defined me, or did it?

Since, having my third child I have really struggled to get back to my pre-pregnancy body.  I have done extreme workout programs and followed strict diet plans and still have been unable to reach my goals.  I often joke that the scale must have broke when we made the long move from Washington to Utah.  Or that it must be the change in altitudes.  Anyways, the whole thing left me very frustrated and discouraged. So, a few months ago I rebelled.  In my head I decided that eating right and exercise must not really matter, I struggled with whether it was really worth all of the hard work and dedication.  So, I began eating the stuff I wanted and I ate whenever I craved something.  Let's just say I ate a lot of sweets! I was also not dedicated in my exercising it was more of a miss then a hit. I noticed I became more of an emotional eater and I started to loose some of my energy.  I also began to get a little bit more flabbiness. Especially, in all of my trouble areas.   I knew that I needed to get back to exercising, but I had excuses of being too tired or that I didn't have the time.  I also, knew that I needed to start eating better, but I  battled with the craving for that something sweet.

Then, one day someone mentioned the word FAT to me.  I immediately was hurt.  As soon as the word was said it was like a disease that spread throughout my mind and I started to let it define me.  I remember that same day trying to get a glimpse of myself in reflections of windows as we walked through the mall to see what my body had become.  To see what that person must see. Now let me clarify, I am not over weight,  but because of the choices I had made in regards to nutrition and exercise my body has gained around 8 pounds in three months and I am 16 lbs heavier then my pre-pregnancy weight. I am writing this because, I want to share that it does not matter whether you are 100 lbs or 16 lbs away from your ideal body weight, it is still hard mentally, emotionally and physically. I believe that most women struggle with their body image.

Even though we shouldn't, we compare ourselves with others and we do care about what other people think. It can cause a lot of emotional pain and stress. Personally, I became upset with myself.  Why had I let myself stop working hard.  All of the progress I had made was now gone.  Now, I was going to have to start all over.  I had to make a decision.  The decision I had to make was whether it was worth all of the hard work or not.  The answer is and always should be, YES!!! The answer is yes, not because I care about what someone has said or thinks about me, it is yes, because I am worth it.  My health, my energy, my happiness is all worth it.  I have wrote this before that the motivation needs to be more about health than physical results, the physical results are the bonus.

About a year ago, some of my friends had talked about getting together and exercising together, but nothing really came from it.  Recently, the ball has been set in motion to make it all happen.  I am really excited, I think when you exercise with friends it is a little bit funner and you definitely work harder.  Let's face it, no matter what size you are, exercise is difficult.  As your body gets stronger you can push yourself a little more, but it is still difficult.  What works with me is I first have to make the choice that I am going to set aside a time each day to exercise and I am going to get that exercise in. Then, I have to commit that I am going to go all out that I am going to do my best during the exercise.  Enduring the exercise is a must.  There are times during my workout that it gets really difficult, I feel as though I can not go any longer.  But if I endure until the end, then I feel the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment.  I am proud of myself and happy that I was strong enough to make it through and that I didn't give up.  So, did I let that ugly word FAT define me?  No, because fat is something that can be removed.  It defines the tissue that gives us rolls and dimples, it does not define the person. To remove the fat, it starts with making the right choice, committing to it, and enduring. So here is the plan for me and my friends:

We are going to get together twice a week and our focus is going to be cardio, abs and leg/buns. On the days we are not together we are going to workout on our own.  Here is a sample of a workout program with a spot to record progress and take any notes.  I love taking notes so I can look back and see what worked or didn't.  Also, I think it is great to make realistic goals. Set a day that you would like to accomplish your goal by and work towards it.  I find for me that short term, smaller goals work better. So, I would set a realistic goal to be accomplished in 30 days.

No matter where you live, I invite you to join our group of friends and to choose to make your life healthy, you are worth it.  You can follow along with our schedule either on your own or get a group of friends in your area and motivate and encourage each other!  Good luck and let me know how it goes.

***Disclaimer: I am not a licensed nutritionist or personal trainer.  The above methods are what I have found works best for me. We are all different, so what works for me might not work for you.  Always consult a physician before beginning any workout program.***

Pursuit of Excellence: Journal & Go Bag Items: Water & Food

 Last week the goal I had posted to work on was Read a book that will increase your faith and strengthen you spiritually. I am so grateful that there are such good books out there that can help us grow spiritually!  Here is the link to the Pursuit of Excellence pamphlet. 

This week's Goal is:

Record memorable spiritual experiences or events in a journal.

What a marvelous record we have in the scriptures of those people who have recorded memorable spiritual experiences.  When we write things down they are their for us to go back to and to remind us of the feelings we felt.  They are also their for future generations and can help others with their spiritual growth. I need to get better at this, that is why I am setting it as one of my goals. I have kept journals since I basically could write. I enjoy going back and reading the things I wrote in them.  It is funny to read the things that were such a big deal in my life at the time.  The excuse for not writing more consistantly recently is, time. It is something that I am just going to have to make the time to do.

Here is a link to some journal labels that you can use on a composition book, to make your own personalized journal.


Being Prepared!

Let's review what we have gathered for our bags already:
o Obtain a bag to put the items in, backpacks work great.
o Gather Personal Identification Information
o Change of Clothing
o A Comfort Bag

Let's add to the bag this week, by adding:
o Bottle of Water & Granola Bars

- These items should be replaced every 6 months.  A great tip is when you are going through your food storage and 72 hour kit and rotating things, rotate things in your Go Bag also.

Journal Labels Printable

For our gifts to the primary children that are graduating into Young men and Young women this year we are giving them journals.  In August, I purchased a bunch of composition books when the school supply sales were going on.  All that I needed to do with them is add a Journal label.  I am going to print these onto card stock and then glue them onto the composition book with a glue stick right on top of where it says, "composition".  This way it is a little cuter and more personalized.  You can also add embellishments if you would like.  I made these with the activity day girls a few years back and we made paper flowers that were flatter that we added to the books.  I also have used these for my own family's journal.  Wouldn't it be a great resolution to write what is going on in our families each week in a journal? Or to even just keep a journal of our own thoughts and experiences?

Pursuit of Excellence Goal: Read a book & Preparedness: Go Bag

I love that there is something that Sisters can get ideas from to help better themselves.  I remember being in Young Women and doing the Personal Progress Program.  The personal growth that came from setting goals and doing activities that helped me grow closer to my Heavenly Father and helped my testimony grow.  The primary aged girls have their Faith in God program that does the same thing.  So, wouldn't it be fitting for there to be something to help us women (men can also work on the Pursuit of Excellence) set goals and draw closer to our Heavenly Father.  Here is the link to the Pursuit of Excellence pamphlet.  I wanted to post the goal that I am going to be focusing on each week.  I also thought I would post a little preparedness tip this week, also.

This week's Goal is:

Read a book that will increase your faith and strengthen you spiritually.

There are some great books out there that can increase our faith and strengthen us spiritually.  I am currently reading, "The Power of Everyday Missionaries" by Clayton M. Christensen.  Here is a link to his website if you are interested. This book was really talked up in our ward council months ago.  So, I purchased the book and began reading it.  It was funny because at our tithing settlement the bishopric gave us one to read and pass on.  So, I told my hubby he could read that one.  It has taken me a little bit longer to get through it, because December was a crazy month.  I have recommitted to reading some of it every night and I am hoping to complete it this week.  I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, it has strengthened my resolve to be a better member missionary. Clayton gives personal experiences in the book of what has worked for him in regards to sharing the gospel with others. I am amazed at what a wonderful missionary he has been throughout his life.  The Gospel is so important to me in my life and I truly desire for everyone I know to have that same blessing in their lives.  I want them to have the knowledge that they are a son or daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves them and knows them and desires each of us to speak with him each day.  I want them to have the understanding of the gospel plan. To know that we have an elder brother, Jesus Christ, who suffered and atoned for every mistake that we will make in this life.  He did this because he loves us and there would be no other way for us to return to our Father's presence. That he was resurrected so we could too. I want them to have the love of the scriptures and the knowledge that the words written in them are true.  I want them to feel the love that comes from the bishopric and members of a ward and how each member uses their talents to strengthen each other.  I want them to have the gospel in their lives because it gives each of us purpose and direction.


Being Prepared!

I had been posting each week ways to be prepared and then the holidays came.  So, lets jump right back in.  I had previously posted some items to gather for the Go Bag, that each family member should have in the rooms to grab and go in case of an emergency. 

Let's review what we have gathered for our bags already:
o Obtain a bag to put the items in, backpacks work great.
o Gather Personal Identification Information
o Change of Clothing

Let's add to the bag this week, by adding:
o A Comfort Bag: A couple years ago, my son's teacher asked us to put some items in a Ziploc bag to send to school in case of an emergency.  I loved this idea, at the end of the year they sent the items back home.  I thought it would be a great idea to put these items in each of the Go Bags.  Here is a list of the items:

- Glow Sticks or a flashlight (the wind up are great because you do not need to worry about replacing batteries each year)
- A deflated balloon with their name on it and a smiley face (this could be used for some entertainment)
- A small bouncy ball
- Poncho
- Card game 
- Emergency Blanket (those silver things that are all folded up)
- A picture of your family
- Some hard candy such as "Life Savers"
Put all of the above items in a Ziploc baggy and place in the Go Bag.

Family Home Evening: Faith in God Booklet-Learn how to budget and save money.

The activity I have chosen from the Faith in God book for tonight's Family Home Evening is to "Learn how to budget and save money. Discuss why it is important to faithfully pay our tithing and how Heavenly Father blesses us when we do (see 3 Nephi 24:10-11) Pay your tithing and begin saving for a mission."

Welcome everyone to Family Night

Sing: "I Want to Give the Lord My Tenth" pg 150  Children's Songbook

Have a member of the family member say the prayer

Discuss any family business

Scripture: Read and Mark: 3 Nephi 24:10-11

Discuss why it is important to faithfully pay our tithing and how Heavenly Father blesses us when we do.

Video: Paying Tithing

Before Family Home Evening review the pamphlet "One for the Money". Decide what parts you would like to share and discuss with your family.  Also view the page on Finances.

As a family discuss the families budget.  

Give each child a budget sheet and explain to them that they will be working on their own budget for the next month.  

Explain to them that their income will be things such as money received from birthdays, Christmas etc. and any money they receive from jobs or chores (such as allowance).

If not doing so already, think about creating jobs/chores for your children and payment for these chores/jobs.  They should only receive payment if they accomplish their jobs.  This will need to be something that you agree on as a family.

Expenditures are anything that money is spent on.  Ten percent should come out first for tithing.  Another good idea is to set aside at least ten percent for savings.  Use the pamphlet "One for the Money" as a guide.

Help each child fill out their budget sheet and keep track throughout the month.  Each Monday, follow-up with each family member to see how their budget is going.

Encourage each family member to pay their tithing and start saving for a mission.

Bear testimonies on Budgeting and tithing.

Close with a Family Prayer.

Free Budget Printable

** I personally have not been paying my children an allowance.  They do have chores to do, the chore we have given them are things my husband and I believe they need to do as members of our family. They need to accomplish these chores before they are able to play their game systems or watch TV or play with friends. I am going to be offering them extra chores/jobs that they can do to earn an allowance.  Currently my children's chores consist of: Making their bed, reading twenty minutes, completing homework, cleaning their bedroom, putting away their own laundry, bringing dirty clothes to laundry room, their weekly chores (dusting room and one other room, cleaning bathroom together, emptying their own garbage, etc).  Things that I will be using a chores for money are: Taking all garbage out to big garbage can, Taking recycle out to recycle can, Weeding (specified area), Cleaning Blinds (specified room), Washing windows, cleaning inside of cars, etc.  The paid chores will have a money amount for each job.  

We have spoken to our children about their missions and the costs. It might be a good idea to have each child set aside a certain amount  to go toward their mission.  Personally, my husband and I will not require our children to pay for their missions themselves.  But wouldn't it be neat if they were able to contribute some to their mission fund.