Sliced Bocsh Pears
Raspberries
Dole Spring Salad Mix
Slivered Almonds
Washed Raw Sugar Crystals
Red Onion (Optional)
Parmesan Cheese
Brianna’s Strawberry Vinaigrette
Place your salad on plate. Top with Red Onion Almonds, Sugar, Pears Raspberries and Cheese. Then top with dressings. SERVE IMMEDIATELY!!!
Merry Christmas everyone. I hope your Holiday is filled with the true meaning of Christmas.
A Different Kind of Shopping List for Christmas
One package of cooperation: This is a basic ingredient in every successful venture.
One pound of mixed nuggets of wisdom and inspiration: The shelf life of these nuggets is very short so serve fresh while still on your mind.
One bottle of enthusiasm: May be sprinkled liberally on everything you do, but it is astonishing what even a few drops can do.
One box of compromise pills: At first, these may seem like bitter pills to swallow, but they contain a magic catalyst that results in improved human relations.
One large economy carton of patience: Keep a good supply on hand—a most useful item, and, during the holiday season, it’s so easy to run short at the most inconvenient times.
A matching pair of bookends marked “Appreciation” and “Gratitude.” No matter how these are used or to whom they are given, they are always welcome.
One spool of tact and understanding: Good for mending hurt feelings and patching up injured egos. Much better than Elmer’s glue. Maybe you’d better get two spools while you’re at it.
One do it yourself humility-hat set: This fully equipped kit has everything you need. The little humility—hat comes in all sizes and shapes. Be sure to select one size smaller than you usually wear because that’s just what you need. Kit also includes one South African head shrinking device made in Japan—guaranteed to keep little minds from getting puffed up. This is one gift you may wish to wrap for yourself. You’ll be proud you did!
A gallon jug of common sense: May be combined with so many other things and in so many different ways. Can also be used as a substitute when other ingredients are not available. This is a must on your shopping list. Costs only a few cents. All stores have a large supply because most people don’t keep much on hand.
One warm and comfy blanket of love: Even the smallest size can be wrapped around all your friends and relatives, especially at Christmas time. Because of the way it is woven, it warms the heart even before the hands. It can be used in emergencies to wipe away tears, cares and sorrows. No couple can afford to be without one, particularly on birthdays, anniversaries, and Valentine’s Day. If worn constantly, it will last forever.
The Ten Commandments of Christmas
1.Thou shalt not put any other holiday traditions or celebrations (not even Santa Claus) above the celebration of our Savior's birth and the deep meaning of His life, teachings, and sacrifices.
2. Thou shalt look at thy life and make at least one positive change as your gift to the Savior at His birthday celebration.
3. Thou shalt have many traditions, especially those types of traditions that remind you of the Savior, give service to others, and bring your family closer together.
4. Thou shalt remember those who are alone and help them to have a "Merry Christmas" also.
5. Thou shalt give gifts of worth and not merely add to another's collection of clutter simply for the sake of "giving a gift". Give of yourself which is the way Savior gave.
6. Thou shalt value the effort and thought put into gifts received. Just as with the widow's mite, it is the meaning that gives a gift value not the dollar amount paid.
7. Thou shalt give no gift grudgingly or because you have to. This does not mean to not give the gift to someone, but work until you have changed your own attitude.
8. Thou shalt not become so busy that you don't have time to really enjoy the season.
9. Thou shalt remember that of all the beautiful and expensive gifts, what children want and need most is honor, respect, love, and your time.
10. Above all, Thou shalt find a way to keep the spirit of the Christmas season and of giving all through the year.
"Our Responsibility to Participate in Temple and Family History Work", Liahona, Dec. 2010, 7
Study this material and, as appropriate, discuss it with the sisters you visit. Use the questions to help you strengthen your sisters and to make Relief Society an active part of your own life.
Over the centuries many people have died without knowledge of the gospel. Some of those people are your near and distant relatives. They are waiting for you to do the necessary research to link your families together and perform saving ordinances on their behalf.
Most of the temples of the world are not busy enough. The Lord has promised that your hearts would be turned to the fathers so that the earth would not be utterly wasted at His coming (see D&C 2:2–3).
There are personal blessings you receive as a result of participation in temple and family history work. One of these is the joy that you feel as you serve your ancestors. Another is that you are able to qualify for a temple recommend, which signifies your worthiness before the Lord. Those who are not worthy today of the privilege of having a recommend should be working with a bishop or branch president to qualify as soon as possible. Please don’t be without this vital qualification. I testify that the Atonement is real and that sins can be forgiven upon proper repentance.
As we participate in temple and family history work, we are certain to have the Spirit to comfort us in our challenges and to guide us in important decisions. Temple and family history work is part of our work of providing relief, or service, to our own ancestors.
Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.
Malachi 4:5–6; 1 Corinthians 15:29; 1 Peter 3:18–19; D&C 110:13–16; 128:24
“The Prophet Joseph Smith said, ‘The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our dead’ (History of the Church, 6:313). From the beginning, Relief Society sisters have supported this great work. In Nauvoo in 1842, Sarah M. Kimball’s desire to help the temple construction workers prompted a group of sisters to organize themselves so that they could serve more effectively. As they began to meet, the Prophet … organized the first Relief Society after the pattern of the priesthood. From that time on, the Relief Society sisters helped further the work on the Nauvoo Temple. …
“In 1855, eight years after the Saints first arrived in Utah, the Endowment House was established. Eliza R. Snow, who had been one of the original members of the first Relief Society and had preserved the records of that organization, was called by President Brigham Young in 1866 to be the general Relief Society president. She and other sisters were faithful workers in the Endowment House. Then, as the St. George, Logan, and Manti Temples were completed, these sisters traveled to each temple so they could do work for the dead there.”1
When has temple and family history work comforted me in my challenges or guided me in important decisions?
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This is a great poem that goes along with this months Visiting Teaching message (Thanks Shelley)
Another's Hands
Like a child seeks help from a parent
my fingers extend.
Reaching,
hoping that my life will be more
than the little I can be alone.
Other hands,
some wrinkled, some soft
some long gone,
extend to me as I go about my days.
What joys have they known?
What child have they touched?
What pains have they born?
Like Michaelangelo's Adam
reached for his Father's hand
I reach tentatively for another's grasp.
Can I share something?
Can I feel as another does?
Can I learn to find joy?
Hands are tools
sent with loving purpose
offering us a taste of heaven
from our mother above.
Will You Take Mine?
Will we reach together?
Will you give me yours?
© Marsha Steed Keller
