Bear's

Okay....are you sick of the "girly" stuff yet :)

Lest you think I am completely ignoring my boys. I recently was made a Bear Scout Leader and so I have been busily putting together a schedule for my son to get his Bear

Don't love scouts, don't love the "boy" thing...I'm much better at girls

Do love MY scout, do love spending time with my son....I'm good at academic pins and belt loops

Scout Schedule.....for the parents....till February (It's a good start)

August Faithful people night...Schneersohn's, M L King,

Mother Teresa, Dalai Lama, Pres. Monson
List of things to do this week to be faithful...check off and bring back...treat
Faith in God requirements review...bring books
Play kickball outside 15a and Belt Loop and Pin
explain rules to leader
play 30 minutes
pitch, kick, run, catch, throw
explain base running
explain positions
help set up the kickball field
play 5 games of kickball***

August (treat) America is special
write a poem about what makes America special to you
**learn about two famous American's
citizenship discussion....list of three things to do this week to be a good citizen...treat
learn about two older homes in the neighborhood
Play croquet outside 15a

August Family Field Trip: Visit two old homes in your city

September (treat) State's...Pick a state, learn about it's bird, tree, flower, flag, statehood
See a back issue or almanac of the day you were born, 5, July 20, 1969
Drop off and Pick up at the City Library

September Pack Meeting flag ceremony...tell 2 people at scouts they did a good job 24

September Tall Tales Telling
play tall tales game....map where tall tales happened
which one is your favorite?
Play tetherball outside 15a

September Bird watching..binnoculars
Read a book about birds
Wildlife Jobs
Animals that are extinct
take pictures for next time
Physical Fitness Stretches at Park...curl ups, long jump, push ups 16a
Drop off and Pick up at City Park...south end next to city library

September Family Field Trip visit the zoo, nature center, aviary, refuge

October Visit from old cub scout
scrapbook page a scout scrapbook
write a newspaper article about a scout activity for the scrapbook page 18g
talk about journals....keep one for 2 weeks...treat
respect for the past and for elderly people
crab relay, gorilla relay 16c

October Pack Meeting

October (treat) Visit from Bro& Sis M first aid 11
kangaroo relay, 30 yard dash 16c

October Write a thankyou note to M and old scout
Write a story about something your family has done
Talk about honesty
make oatmeal cookies 9a
Talk about resourcefullness...ingredience 21g
dicusss junk food...list 9f

October Family Field Trip Fire Safety Month...check out local fire stations for events

November Make invitation...one for family one for friend to pack meeting 18d
Learn to play soccer 23a
Make Spaghetti 9

November Pack Meeting

November Leadership Lesson 24e
Learn to play Basketball
Make Potatoes and Veggies 9

November Compassion Lesson 24f
Learn to play Volleyball
Make a Dessert 9

November Family Field Trip to City Heritage Museum...8e

December Go Bowling

December Pack Meeting
Christmas Break

January Write down activities for two weeks (treat)
Space
pinhole planetariums(3)
model rocket
talk about satellite's...man made & natural
other planets...difference and similarities

January Pack Meeting

January (treat)Homemade Scout Band
Homemade Instruments
Play Instruments
talent Show...
Name that tune

January Gym Day
balance board
running long jump
tire walk
3 toss games
climbing rope

January Field Trip.. Planetarium

February Map's state touching borders
Find city or town
time zones
make a map to home
mark a map...somewhere you'd like to go 50 miles away

February Pack Meeting
February Indian Lore
Learn about Indians
Build a model of their homes
Play 2 Indian Games

February Magic Tricks
February Field Trip: University of Utah Museum of Natural History...Indian Artifacts.

Other Activities if have extra time: Ride Right
15c...explain how to play a new game with den
16b two person contests
17b game of charades

This personally is my own list of additional things I will be working on with my scout

July Family Travel
Make a list of things to take on a 3 day trip
Figure cost and miles to go to a place...map it, mark it
Research 5 places you'd like to go on vacation...tell your family
Keep a journal of your trip
Play a game while traveling in the car
Review the guide to safe scouting...conduct a motor vehicle check list
Look up a travel web site

August Reading and Writing
Electric Plant Field Trip...FG
identify two constellations
write letter to Brit and Jake
swimming lessons
nature crafts
weed garden, pick up liter
plan and help with north side of house
garage sale
leave no trace
get a library card
Check out books and return books on your card for this month
Write a short story read it to your family
Keep a diary for one week
Locate parts of a book
Read a book to children
Explain difference in books...biography, autobiography, fiction, non fiction
Make a bookmark
Read an article in a newspaper of magazine
write a poem and read it to your family
write a report about something your interested in
create a pretend alphabet and explain it to your family

September Nutrition
Field trip to the burn plant, recycling plant
Plant a tree
Family bike ride
model at park in sand of river, trees, canyon, etc.
Shoping, read labels on canned items, explain what you learn to family
Shop for car
Talk about how we spend money
Figure meal cost
Learn about Indians who lived here
Play 2 native America games
Make an indian shelter model
Library...list of books, why you liked, owned or borrowed, organizing
Nutrition: Poster of good foods for you...vitamins and minerals in each...show to den, what is a fruit, what is a veggie, eat one of each, make a healthy meal at home, list of diseases from not eating healthy , plan breakfast lunch and dinner for a week, make two healthy snacks, Help with garden.

October Disabilities Awareness
Weather monitor....thermometer, rain guage, weather vane
Learn about clouds, learn about barometer and relative humidity
Watch weather for 2 weeks...symbols and correctness
Field trip to tv or radio station
write a letter thanking company for the field trip
Grow in a greenhouse
Visit with someone who has disabilities, attend an event with disabled people, make a poster about disabilities, explain the way people move who have disabilities...try crutches, wheelchairs, scooters, etc. sign the cub scout promise and motto, read a book about a person with disabilities, read about a famous person with disabilities and tell your family about it, for 2 hours be disabled, volunteer to help a disabled person, take a meal to an elderly person,

November...Good Manners and Collecting
watch sport on TV
Ride in an airplane
Photography1 object in the sun, side light, back light, shade, cloudy, mount, gift...take pictures, with flash in house, without flash in house, parts of a camera, benefits of photography in modern art, take 10 pictures, Explain what photography is and how you use light, look at a photography book, good, bad and why, what is red eye, make a short video, use a picture to make an art project, take 3 pictures of same thing with different lenses, visit an art exhibit,
map stuff pg 270
Good Manners....make a poster, Introduce two people politely, meet someone new, introduce self, shake hands, use polite language, yes mom, yes dad, please thank you, your welcome, talk to den about good manners, disuss table manners, talk about and practice good phone manners, good sportsmanship rules and practice with a family game, 5 rules to being polite and respectful in a public place
Collect 10 items, display your collection
Visit a museum collection
Read a book about what you collect
Visit an online auction for items you collect
Create a method for organizing your collection
Explain what numismatics, and philately mean

December: Art
Build a model airplane and fly it
Art projects...Art projects...wire, silhouette, acrylic, watercolor, collage, mosaic, clay,...favorite outdoor location
paper mache masks, paper sack masks of animal or clown

January: Recycling

recycle paper for a month
Water conservation
Energy uses
Go shopping

Other ideas if time: (or if the King (dad) wants to get involved)

plan out your new kitchen
see a model on display?
Team sport...basketball? Individual Sport...ice skating?
radio? Dad?
Electricity? Dad?
invent something that goes? Dad?
fix appliance? Dad?
clean drain trap? Dad?
Repair job? Dad?
Video Games?
Learn about rating systems
make a schedule for when you can play video games...follow the schedule
play a new game approved by your parent
save to buy a video game
compare gaming systems
play a video game with your family
play a game that teaches you math,spelling, typing, etc

This is a list of all the academic pins and belt loops they can earn. Some count for both pins and loops as well as Webelo stuff. I told you I'm good at academic pins and belt loops

Art, artist
Astronomy, scientist
Chess, scholar
Citizenship, citizen
Collecting, Cub, Tiger
Communicating, communicator
Computers, communicator
Disabilities Awareness, Cub, Tiger
Family Travel, cub, tiger
Geography, traveler
Geology, geologist
Good Manners, cub, tiger
Heritages, family member
Language and Culture, scholar
Map and Compass, traveler
Mathematics, scholar, engineer
Music, showman
Nutrition, cub, tiger
Pet Care,
Photography, cub, tiger
Reading and Writing, Cub, Tiger
Science, scientist
Video Games, cub, tiger
Weather, scientist
Wildlife Conservation naturalist

They also have a Cub Scout Sports Program....but like I said I'm not into "boy" stuff

Doing my duty to God and my country, to help other people (the primary president), and to obey the laws of the pack (welllll...most of the time )

A Sunny Disposition

Sunshine Filling the Whole page....Fill it FULL of things that make you cheerful.

Some were things they gave

Some were things they got

Some were things they did

Some were things they thought

Little Black Rain Cloud on the back...What things make you un-cheerful

Disapointment in Self

Disappoinment in Others

Contention

Sunny Disposition....it's a choice
What can you do when the rain clouds come?

Story about a girl, their age, dying of cancer. Spent her last days knitting hand towels for others. You can always give, you can always be cheerful.

What is a Sunshine Keeper?

What did I learn?

There are things we DO to make us happy....Listen to a book on cd, Read, Cleaning,
There are places we GO that make us happy....Home, Church, Nature, Vacation

There are PEOPLE that make us happy....the Lord, Family, Friends, Visitors

We can GET things to make us happy....gifts, food, treats

We can GIVE things to mae us happy...service, cards, smiles

There are soooo many reasons to be cheerful. It is good to understand a little about ourselves...what makes us cheerful. Some of us need a moment by ourselves to "recharge" others light up when they are in a crowd. Some of us need to give, some need to get. But all of us can choose to be cheerful. We can chose to scatter sunshine all along our way.

Previous to Christ agony and death he told his apostles to be of good cheer. Why would he do that when he was about to suffer as no man has suffered, be betrayed, tortured and die? Because he knew they could choose, and he wanted them to choose cheer. He knew this was a BIG rain cloud coming BUT he continues..."I have overcome the world" We can have ultimate cheer and happiness through the Savior, and His Atonment that we all can, threw Him, overcome the world. We can overcome our little dark rain clouds and bask in the light of His love.

Other Resources: Finding Joy in Life Barbara W Winder, former RS President

Heritage Notebook Quote: So of cheerfulness...the more it is spent, the more it remains

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tortilla's

10 c Wheat Flour
4 Cups of Buttermilk....1 c water can be substituted for 1 c buttermilk
½ c of Butter
Knead and Soak overnight.
Add 2 tsp of Baking soda
Add 2 tsp of salt
Knead and break into small balls. Roll out with rolling pin or flatten in tortilla press. Cook until brown.

Black Beans
Soak Beans with ¼ cup of whey and cover in 2 inches of water
Rinse beans after 12 hours and soak in whey and water again
Rinse beans after 12 hours and cook in crockpot on low. Add ¼ cup of whey, onions and spices as desired...cover in 2 inches of water.
Cook 6 hours on low in crockpot
Add to rice and corn and heat together. Mash and serve on burrito or tostada

Guacamole
2 rip avacados
juice of 1 lemon
2 T cilantro
mash and mix 1 can tomato paste

Savior of the World Act 1 Scene 2.4

This scene is Mary at Elizabeths home....it is purely fictional, much of the play is, but I always find great truths hidden, especially in the music. But in this scene it is definately in the words.

Mary is embroidering swaddling bands for the baby Jesus....( I recently learned that in Jewish custom it is considered bad luck to plan for what sex the baby might be...even though Mary knew it was a boy...it would have been considered inappropriate for her to make anything but swaddling clothes for the baby until it arrived.)

Mary is struggling with the stiches. She says, "It would be easier if I only had to worry about one side, and not about all the threads on the other." (she is talking her about the front side and the back side of the bands)

Elizabeth replies. "First in your marriage, and then in your home, nothing can be hidden. We must try to make everything beautiful front and back, inside and out."

In the scene Elizabeth is implying to Mary that she needs to be honest with Joseph, but there is great application in these simple words.

Wouldn't it be great if we only had to clean up our yards...mow the lawn, trim the grass, keep it weed free and liter free and then everyone would know that we had the perfect house. Even though the inside could be cluttered, destoryed, filthy. We could assume that since what the world "sees" is in order that what is within is in order.

How about the woman who exercises, eats very little, has plastic surgery, designer clothes, and perfectly weaved hair. Inside she could be depressed, lonely, angry, controlling, frightening. We could assume that since what she shows the world is in order that what is within her soul is in order.

How about a book. Nice cover, hardbound, enticing pictures of action and adventure, on the best seller list. Inside it is riddled with swearing, magic, anti-God theme's, anger towards families, or socialist agenda's. We could assume that since the cover shows the world that this is a great book that what is held in it's pages must be.

Okay, I think you get the point. But isn't this exactly what Elizabeth is saying to Mary. We cannot pretend that everything is great and good and perfect and neglect the inside, the hidden parts that are unseen. "We must TRY to make everything beautiful."

Since I have been studying about marriage lately I thought that this was a good reminder for a marriage. If we only worry about the front side and neglect the back side we are not doing our job. For example maybe a wife is really good about keeping the house clean and tidy and making sure all the meals are made, but she neglects her husband and children to do their own things. Maybe a wife is really good at making time for fun and games and lots of bonding time, but the house is in shambles and no one learns to be responsible for themselves. Maybe she is a great cook, but laundry never gets any attention. Maybe a wife is a concert pianist and spends hours of her time playing the piano while neglecting those who need her time and attention. Maybe a wife is a concientious mother who forget she is also a wife. I could go on and on and on....most of these are me btw :)...but I am not a concert pianist.

We must find balance. I hate it when people say that. Because today's balance looks different than tomorrow's balance. Today I may get to read a book for 5 hours. Tomorrow I may get to clean the house. The next day may be reserved for a bit of bondng and a bit of service and a bit of husband and wife time. Each day must find the right amount of balance. We must work on the back and the front; the inside and the out.

I think the most important thing that Elizabeth tells Mary is that nothing can be hidden. This is not an excuse to dump on your husband when he walks in the door so that nothing will be hidden. It just mean that the Lord sees all that we think and feel; and if what we are thinking and feeling and doing is not right before His eyes, or before our eyes then we need to turn to Him. We need to ask Him to help us make it beautiful. The Lord will magnify our weakness in stiching just as He will in temperment, in personality, in desire and in willingness. We can turn to Him to help our work become beautiful.

Elizabeth ends by saying to Mary, "You're ready (to tell Joseph) because you know you need the Lord." We are ready to be made beautiful, and to make beautiful things when we know that the Lord is the only way we can accomplish all the things we need to do in this life, and all the things we want to do.

Savior of the World Act 1 Scene 2.2

My little moo is too cute in this scene where she(Anna) and Mary discuss marriage. I think all big sisters should have these kinds of conversations with little sisters. Just like a little girl Anna is amazed by all the beautiful things surrounding a marriage...where you'll live, the big wedding party, the beautiful dress. And then Anna realizes that she will be loosing a sister, and Mary realizes this is the end of her growing up stage. A beautiful time shared with sisters.

These wonderings cause Mary to pray and then she has her beautiful conversation with Gabriel.

Mary sings a beautiful song called Look on Me This Day, where she ponders the things that have happened and the feelings in her heart. But admist all these emotions she only feels to Praise God's name from day to day, for always.

Okay, so here is my most controversial opinion so far, and it is just an opion. I have no scriptural basis to back it up, none at all.:

So I have been thinking about Mary. And from what I believe about Mary she was as pure and true and obedient and virtuous a lady that ever lived. THEN, (To the views of an outsider) She becomes pregnant while being unwed. I am sure that it brought her much comfort that she was pure and true and obedient and virtuous in the sight of God. But what persecution did she have to suffer, what looks came her direction, what gossip was spoken behind her back, what fears and sorrows did she carry in her heart because of this blessing and trial. How hard it would be to be Mary, to be judged, scolded, ridiculed by others who did not know, who did not understand. And yet...this woman who was the most pure, the most true, the most obedient, the most virtuous may have been treated just the opposite. She may have been treated as one who commited a great sin, she may have been looked down upon, she may have had to endure great social persecution. And yet I am sure she endured with all the attributes of a true daughter of God. Sometimes the Lord test our greatest strengths. Sometimes the strongest gifts from the Lord bring us the greatest trial.

I often think of those who suffer the greatest in service of the Lord also are some of the most pure and true and obedient and virtuous. I think of the pioneers. They loved the Lord, they were willing to sacrifice so much over and over and over again and yet they had their own refiners fire and it was not an easy one. So many suffered great thing. The Lord tested their greatest strengths to survive. As one man in the Willey and Martin Handcart company said, You'll never hear one of us complain. We would do it again to experience that closeness with God. (that was paraphrasing btw)

We were reading about Jacob today in the Old Testament, about when Laban came to him to ask him why he ran away, why he snuck out, why he "stole" his daughters. And Jacob's response is...I have never wronged you, why do you wrong me. Even though he was mistreated for 20 years by his father in law, he did not retaliate, he bore it with patience with all the attributes of a true son of God. We talked about how Jacob relied on the Lord to fill up his cup. He relied on the Lord to make up the difference of Laban's crafty and sneaky and deceptive ways. He did not turn against Laban, instead he turned to the Lord.

I think that sometimes I think...I'm righteous I won't have to go through THAT. Or I think that the Lord will bless me to not have to deal with THAT. Or I feel entitled to my anger and my resentment of others because obviously they were in the wrong. But even the very elect have to endure their trials ...Adam, Noah, Moses, Job, Joseph Smith, and the greatest of all; The Savior. The only perfect Son of God had the greatest trial of all to bear. He he bore it with ALL the attributes of a true Son of God. He said He would do the Lord's will. He said He would suffer. He said He would overcome the world.

It makes me consider, what trials do I have that are also blessings. When I am judged, scolded and ridiculed, when I am mistreated by those who should love and care for me what do I do. I can choose. I can choose to bare my trials with patience and with all the attribute of a daughter of God. I can choose to whom I will turn.

I am grateful to Mary for her courage and endurance of her trials. I cannot marvel enough at the woman she must have been. I cannot value highly enough her role in raising the Son of God.

Beautiful Girlhood...Cheerful Chapters

The outline for the rest of the summer

July/August Books/Chapters
Beautiful Girlhood Ch. 8 A Sunny Disposition
Raising Maidens of Virtue: Ch 11 The cheerful voice of hospitality
Daughters of God: Ch. 12 Women of devotion and understanding Ch 17 More Precious than Rubies and Ch. 23 Three women who loved Jesus
Book: Helen Keller

July
Sister Sharing Time: Good Books to Recommend
Discussion What is a Sunny Disposition...Beautiful Girlhood Chapter
Leader Lesson: Safety in the Kitchen
Girl Lesson: Germs
Dinner Mexican...making tortillas, beans, rice, churritos pg 54

August
Sister Sharing Time: Share your writings
Discussion: Serving with Joy and Ease....Raising Maidens of Virtue
Leader Lesson:Cooking Terminology (pg 30)
Girl Lesson: reheating leftovers
Dinner Italian....making noodles, sauces, breads

August
Sister Sharing Time What has changed YOU for the better lately
Discussion: Lesson's from Martha and Mary...Daughters of God
Leader Lesson: Freezing / Thawing Food
Leader Lesson: Marinading
Girl Lesson: bringing the meal all together tips
Dinner Freezer Meals

August
Sister Sharing Time: Talent Showing
Discussion: Helen Keller
Leader Lesson: When the power is out, Meal Planning
Girl Lesson: How to cook without electricity
Dinners Casseroles

August
Sister Sharing Time: Goals I've been working towards
Discussion: Nature Walk...beauties God has given us to help us be cheerful
Leader Lesson: Multiplying and Dividing
Girl Lesson: Sugars
Treats Homemade Ice Cream Thailand Watermellon pg 52

End of Summer Social: Cooking Demostration by Girls

Savior of the World Act 1 Scene 2.1

Mazel tov!

This is the betrothal of Mary and Joseph.

I love learning about Jewish culture. For example, in the play Joseph makes a pledge to Mary and hands her a cup. Her father explains that if she drinks then they have a covenant. If she puts the drink away then all is forgotten.

Things I love. It is done in public where everyone has gathered...Mary and her family, and even (in the play anyway) all her aunts and cousins, and Joseph's family. No "special date", no secret rendevous, nothing loud or flashy, just a girl choosing a boy.

I also love that she gets to choose. I know, I know...all girls get to choose, but I believe that this is a principle of God. She chooses because once she has chosen she gives herself to him. He chooses to love and support her and lead their family. She chooses to give herself to what he wants and desires. It is more than just a choice to take a ring and to be married. It is a choice to become a part of someone else.

After the ceremony their is no grand party there is WORK to do! I wonder how often in our culture we think of marriage as just one long party from engagement to wedding day....where is the work? where is the preparation? no wonder after the wedding day so many young people become disenchanted, all the excitement is over, no longer the center of attention, now it's all housework and jobs and schooling and work.

Right away Mary's family starts planning for the things she will need to run a house, and Joseph actually starts planning for the house. These things were required before one got married during this period of history. You were not ready until you had a home and all the things needed to run it. That takes a lot of work, but also a lot of preparation. Thinking, and planning and preparing and working to get yourself as well as a home ready for a new family. I wonder if anyone would get married if our standards were so strict....It's probably a good thing that they are not. But ideally, ideally we would prepare our children to be ready. I have a good friend who does this. Christmas time and birthday time are not about toys and gifts, they are about preparing...about preparing a girl or a boy to become a woman and a man. She gets kitchen gadgets and he gets tools, she makes a quits, he works outside building things with dad. They plan to be ready when the marriage time comes in their lives....they are only 10 and 8. How many of us waste time and resources on things of little value when we could be teaching a valuable lesson about planning and preparing.

We all sing a song about Rules and Building

"There are rules for joining of two timbers

First you find the surest, truest ground

Then you sink the footing where it always will stand,

And nothing under heav'n can bring it down

There are rules for joining of two people;

First betrothal known throughout the land

Then a year of raising high a good Hebrew house,

Then wrapping up the hands in swaddling bands..

Build a house for a prophet

Filled with law and truth

A house for a handmaid

Obedient as Ruth

Build it firm as a mountain

A house of faith and prayer

For the children

Israel's children

Ever pure and fair."

Building a marriage is like building a house. I'm not going to go into too much detail since I wrote a post a few days ago about this very thing about houses and homes. But I will say that I think this song is a beautiful description of what I should be building, Law, Truth, Obedience, Faith, Prayer. It reminds me of the scripture in D&C 88..A house of faith, a house of fasting, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order a house of God. There are some specific things that the Lord would like me to make sure and teach in my home. Am I teaching them? It is always good to be reminded of where you are going, and where you've been. I want to build little prophets and obedient handmaids in my home. That looks a little different than building little sports hero's and princesses.

I am grateful for the preparation that Mary and Joseph would have put into their home and marraige to be worthy to raise the Son of God. I am grateful for their obedience and courage and thoughts. I hope to become more like them someday.

Savior of the World Act 1 Scene 1.3

In this scene Joseph's uncle Micham comes to arrange the marriage between Mary and Joseph. As you can imagine it is an emotion filled scene...excitement, worry, nervousness.

I personally think arranged marriages are a great idea. Ofcourse that might be because I am a parent :). I might feel differently if I was 16.

During this scene I get to visit with Mary about her concerns to be married. I get to remind her that I was once betrothed and then I sing her a song.

"Ask God all your questions

Tell him all your fears

Thank Him for His mercy

And wait with open ears.

Listen as He answers

Hear the voice so still,

Let the Spirit's whipser

Teach how to do His will

Then go and do His will."

Beautiful words and Beautiful advice for any mother to give to her daughter, a daughter about to be married, or a daughter about to do something out of her comfort zone, or a daughter with a question.

This song reminds me of how to pray....we thank, we ask, we ponder, we wait, we tell the Lord the feelings of our heart, we ask for his help in finding the answers.

This song reminds me of how to feel and recognize the spirit....we listen, it is a still voice, a whisper. It teaches us. Then we must do what he tell us to do.

I believe I should take all of my questions to the Lord. He has all the answers, why would I take my questions anywhere else. What a treasure for a mother to teach to her daughter. That mother doesn't have the answers, that God has the answers. That sisters don't have the answers, that God has the answers. That friends don't have the answers, that God has the answers. And that when we listen, queitly-with a heart willing to hear and do, we receive His answers.

My two favorite lines that I get to perform are in this scene with Mary. I say, " I think it's good to wonder a litlle about yourself, if you will be true to the covenants you're going to make. But we need never wonder about the Lord.

It is good to wonder about ourselves....part of this is humility, part of it is the fact that none of us are perfect and will make mistakes so we should wonder it we are being and doing all that we should be becoming and doing. BUT we don't need to wonder about the Lord. And if we have received His words by asking our questions and by listening to His words then we don't need wonder. We can have His peace and His confidence.

My second favorite line is after I sing. We embrace and then Mary begins to leave and I say, "And Mary....I have never wondered about you." This makes me cry every time I say it. Because I think of my own daughter and how much a mother loves and trusts her daughter. Another beautiful thing for a mother to teach her daughter. And what a tribute to Mary. What an exceptional person Mary must have been to have her mother say...I have never wondered about you. I believe it was not just lip service. I believe that Mary must have been an exceptional woman to be chosen to be the mother of the Son of God. I believe of all women who have ever lived on earth Mary and Eve were exceptionally valiant and noble, and I believe Mary's mother did not worry about her making good decisions. I want to be that kind of a daughter of God.

Savior of the World Act 1 Segment 1.2

s

"Come Deliver Us

Come Deliver Us

He will come, in mightiness and power with watchmen on the tower, He will come deliver us

He will come, His sword aloft and blazing, resplendent and amazing, He will come deliver us"

These beautiful words are spoken in the second scene of Act 1. It takes place at the temple with Zacharias choosing the lot and seeing the angel Gabriel.

So....my pondering of this scene....What was the difference between Zacharias and Mary

...Angel appears...

Fear not

Thy wife shall bear a son

Thou shalt call his name John

He shall make ready a people prepared for the Lord

....Zacharias questioning....

Whereby shall I know this?

I am an old man

my wife well stricken in years

....Angel appears....

Fear not

Thou shalt conceive in the womb, a son

Thou shalt call his name Jesus

He shall reign over the house of Jaco forever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end

....Mary's questioning...

How can this be?

Zacharias is struck dumb.

Mary is blessed with understanding and agrees.

I do not know Mary, I do not know Zacharias, Nor do I consider myself a scriptorian. But I have a few thoughts about why. I can be completely off base but my thoughts have helped me understand my own hearts and why questions.

As we know, the scriptures are meant to be "types" of Christ and every story in the scriptures is meant to teach us something about Him. Pretty ironic then that Gabriel says almost the exact thing to Zacharias as he does to Mary. So why the great punishment for Zacharias?....he just asked a question right?...and so did Mary.

What about this: Zacharias doubted.....not so profund I know, and yet...isn't it. The scriptures tell us that the angel condemed Zacharias not for asking a question but for doubting. How can this be? I am old and so is my wife. He does not believe the angel's words. He doubts even though he is standing, or kneeling before an angel.

So what about Mary? Can we be lead to believe that she did not doubt. Can we believe that she asked her question purely out of a desire to know how this was going to happen seeing as she was not married and was a virgin? I believe so. I believe that Mary heard the words, wondered at them and then asked a question, a question seeking for more information, not a question desiring to disbelieve. And then she closes with the beautiful words....Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy words. With understanding she now is ready to do God's will.

So lets look at the questions: whereby shall I know this?

AND how can this be?

my own rephrasing: how will I know that what you say is true?

AND how is this possible?

These two questions are entirely different questions....one is seeking for information, one is asking for a sign (poor man, he got one)

So, how does this apply to Me Myself and I. Well, for one thing I think I'll be pretty carefully how I word any questions that I might need to ask an angel :). But seriously, even in my prayers can I be more careful in the language that I use when talking to God. Can I be more faithful in tone and reverence and more obedient and thoughtful in the questions. I know I can. I truly believe that the Lord wants me to ask questions. He wants to me seek him. "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you." He wants me to look and seek and ask. Questions aren't the problem. My heart is the problem. Am I doubting or faithful. Am I looking for a sign before I jump in with both feet, or am I seeking for more information to know if it is God's will.

I love Mary's example. What a blessed woman. (I'll talk more about Mary later)

Come deliver us

Come deliver us

I love this prayerful song. It is my favorite song in the whole play...and not just because those Male vocals are amazing opposite the women, but because I have this prayer in my heart. I need the Savior to Come....to come and deliver us...In mightiness and power, with watchment on the tower, His sword aloft and blazing, resplendent and amazing. He will come deliver us. I need Him to come and deliver me every day and I truly desire Him to come again and deliver the whole world with His power.

Mothers and Sisters

A list of your strengths.

What do you want to be when you grow up? doctor, vet, dancer

How will those strength help you to be that?

What do the scriptures teach us that we are to be?
…...Proberbs 31:10-12
…...Timothy 5:14

What does the Lord want you to be when you grow up? wife, and mother

How will your strengths help you to be a wife and mother?

Why do we have chores?....LEARN TO BE A MOTHER
Why are you a sister?....LEARN TO BE A MOTHER
Why are you learning to cook?....LEARN TO BE A MOTHER

Mothers Roles
Chief Confidante
Shares her hope and every fear
(if you can't tell your mother about doing it, then you shouldn't be doing it)
sort out all your troubles by your mothers side
Girls should welcome mother's advice

Sisters Roles
Guide, pattern, unlimited influence
Kiss away the bumps and bruises of heads and hearts
mends broken dolls
pops corn makes pancakes
tells wonderful stories
picks up after them
companion to every one

Which of your strenghts are you using right now in your home?

What did I learn?
A good mother is:
Keepers at home
obedient to husband
loving to their children

My nieces were in my home, they didn't want to help with chores. My little one said...Why not, chores help you learn how to be a mommy. So sweet. Everything I am an teaching is to help my girls learn how to be mommies. That is what they are meant to be, Mommies and Wifes. This is truly what the Lord wants us to be.

So, why do we have a back-up plan? Why do we teach our little girls that they can be and do anything? Because they can? Is that really a good enough reason to let them miss out on the most important lesson. That they can and should be a wife and a mother.

A man who wants to be an astronaught doesn't go to auto mechanic's classes, just in case it doesn't work out to be a astronaught. If a girl wants to be a wife and mother she should devote her time and attention to those things, not to her "just in case" plan---or even worse her "I'll be and do everything" and then worry about being a wife and a mother "if" that happens.

Now, this is not to de-mean mothers getting an education or thinking they only need to learn cooking, cleaning, decorating, and child care. In fact I recently retired from working. My boss said to me after the third time of trying to get me to change my mind "but what are you going to do with your brain?"....apparently he likes my brain so I'll choose to take it as a complement. BUT do we in society really think that it doesn't take any brains to be a mother and a wife? I have to organize, re-structure, problem solve, strategize, think outside the box, plan ahead, goal set, time management AS WELL AS...be creative, flexible, patient, understanding, sympathetic, purposeful. NOT TO MENTION...teaching my kids everything they NEED to know and everything they WANT to know, inspiring, instructing , persuading , inviting. AND tobe guided, taught, inspired, instructed and have my brain shut down for a few hours at night. Actually I stopped working so I can devote ALL of my brain to my most important roles WIFE and MOTHER.

Now, I also do not want to de-mean women who have a career or who are un-married or who do not have children. They are not any less of a woman because of life circumstances or decisions and I have many friends who fall into these categories whom I love and cherish WHY? Because they teach and create and are patient, and problem solvers, and inviting and inspired and all the things that I am because they are a woman too, even if they are not a wife or a mother or if they have a career.

However, I want to teach my daughter what her true role is and help her learn how to do it. And then if she needs a back up plan I have faith that the Lord will bless her with one...but my job is to teach her to be a wife and a mother.

Heritage Notebook Quotes:


A WIFE CAN
Add sunshine to the dullest day with just a smile.
Erase a hurt with a gentle kiss.
And set things right with a the briefest touch.
Her love continually makes this world
a happier place to be



MOTHERS KNOW
A little hug goes a long way. Jelly jars make great vases
Dandelions are beautiful. There's no place like home.
Every drawing is a work of art
Little voices go a long way if you really listen
Bedtime stories stay in your heart forever
Sometimes just one cookie before dinner isn't all that bad.
Love is something you never outgrow.


Other Resources: Mothers Who Know
BYU Women's Conference...Sister Beck talk


Recipe's

Milks
Buttermilk
Stir in ¼ cup of buttermilk per quart of milk....Set out on counter for atleast 9-12 hours. Then refrigerate. Milk will be creamy




Yogurt
Stir in 2 Tbs of plain yogurt for each quart of milk. Set in cooler of hot water that covers the quart up to the lid. Let set for 12 hours. Then refirgerate. To thicken yogurt use 1 tsp arrowroot powder when mixing in yogurt. Flavor with fruit or stevia




Cream Cheese and Whey
Hang yogurt in a towel over a bowl for 12 to 24 hours. The yogurt in the cloth will become cream cheese. The yogurt in the bowl will be whey.







We also made different kinds of eggs and breakfast meats...but I figured you didn't need those recipes' :)

Savior of the World Act 1 Scene 1.1

A while ago I mentioned that I, moo and hub are all in a play.
The play is the Savior of the World.

For those who have not seen the play; it is a story of Jesus' birth and ressurection.
Hub is a shepherd, I am Mary's mother, and Moo is Anna, Mary's sister.

We started practicing back in May...yep May. The performance is in October...yep October. They asked us when we auditioned to make a commitment. A commitment that we would be at EVERY practice once a week for 2 hours May to October...okay, they said 90% commitment, but still. That is quite a commitment for a mom and dad of 4 young children.

But, I don't feel picked on. Nope. Not even a little bit. I love it....not the glamour of show biz, not the getting out of the house once a week, not performing, not singing in front of people, not impromptu acting. I LOVE all the things I have been learning about relationships and about myself and about the Lord.

For example
Act 1 Scene 1.1 This is Zacharias and Elizabeth....you know the story.....she's barren, he works at the temple, but has not been chosen to enter the holy place in the temple....then they recieve a miracle....a lot chosen, a son conceived.

My insight:
How beautiful are the Lord's plans. Two people, a husband and a wife, both struggling with feeling worthy before the Lord, with feeling loved by the Lord, with a social disgrace, with a great challenge, with a loss of a great blessing from the Lord. What a merciful Father we have to let two people suffer together. Suffer through grief, regret, loss...together. How great their sorrow must have been.

And then, AND THEN, to let them experience a miracle together. He is chosen to burn the incense and sees an angel, she is chosen to bear the child who will prepare for way for the Lord. They both receive the righteous desires of their hearts. How great their joy must have been.

It never occured to me before that this suffering and this joy must have made their relationship so much stronger. As I have been studying about marriage, and my role lately, this truly was beautiful to me. The Lord in His wisdom allowed them to learn patience and wisdom and gratitude and sacrifice and hope and then gave them the gift of having a son...not just any son, a son who would lead the people to the Messiah, a son who fullfilled prophecy, a son who would Baptize the Son of God.

They sing a beautiful song together about waiting on the Lord and their desires to trust in Him and to turn their wishes and their hearts over to Him. Everytime I hear the song it stirs those same desires within me. My favorite line is from Zacharias....I'll give God forever, but not to do my will. Give my plans and give my dreams. Give up all my lofty schemes. I'll give God forever and then give one day more. Giving Him forever means I'll wait and watch and see.....We still trust in the Lord, that He will fulfill His promises, in His due time.

How many plans and dreams and lofty schemes do I need to give up? There are a few....I'm sure I'll find many more. But when I do His will and turn my hope and love over to Him I can find hope and peace and patience and gratitude just as Zacharias and Elizabeth did. My hub and I have been trying to have more children for over 2 years now. I understand a bit of waiting and watching and seeing...only a little bit, but I also understand that it is in His hands. That He knows and He blesses and He gives according to His will which is perfect. I can trust in that.

Fathers and Daughters

Dad's are so blessed with beautiful daughters. They admire you and appreciate you and love you. I can see it in their eyes.

Dad's are kings. Would a girl living in the castle ever question the king? Would a girl working in the castle ever say no to the king? Would a princess living in the castle ever speak out against the king?

How can we treat our dad's like the king? He is the king, the king of our castle's

Father Roles:

Provide for physical needs

Listen

Guide

Teach

Love

Comfort

Always in relationship

Daughters Roles

Appreciate

Confide and Consel

Respectful

Obedient

Loves

Serves

Always in relationship

Other things daughters can don to strengthen their relationship:

meet him at the door or the corner

talk to him and share your day

have a "fathers hour"

let her father direct her life,

say what he would like her to,

do what he would like her to.

His approval is a blessing

make the home a sweet place to be

But what if she is: Stubborn, Discontent, Dispondent?

She will destroy all the beauty and peace in the home

or she will develop no mind and no character

A Girl should submit to her parents...WHILE holding and weighing and considering the options. Be a truth seeker, develop good judgement, try to understand the why's

We are daughters of another King....the King of Heaven

How can we be daughters to our Heavenly Father?

Knock at his door

Have a Heavenly Father's hour....prayer, scriptures, pondering

Seek His approval and Blessing

Always do His will

What did I learn?

Would a queen living in the castle ever question the king in front of the court? Would a queen working beside the king ever disobey? Would a queen living in the castle ever speak loudly too the king?.....OFF WITH HER HEAD! :) Luckily my hubby is not so barbaric.

How can I treat my husband like the king? A queen whispers when she wants to say something to her king. A queen like Ester uses her charms and talents to woo and sway him to her side. A queen obey's her kings wishes and demands....yes even when demanded!

I used to have a fathers hour with my father. Before my mission and marriage my father and I worked 3 blocks away from each other. Each day I would walk down to his office and we would sit outside and each lunch together and watch the people. These are some of my favorite memories and the time I learned to appreciate my father. He is wise and good and patient and forgiving, and has a little bit of a silly side on rare occasions. I look fondly upon those moments with my father.

My relationship with my husband and my father mirrors my relationship with the Lord. How would I treat the Lord if he were here? This is how I should treat my father and my husband. Humility, Respect, Awe, Gratitude, Appreciation, Admiration, Love, Service, Listen, Obey.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, He leadeth me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters, He restoreth my soul, He leadeth me in the path of righteousness. When I loose myself in the Lord's will I find all the things I ever wanted and needed. The same thing happens when I loose myself in my husbands will...I find all the things I ever wanted and needed. What a glorious pattern the Lord has given. He truly does love each of us. The Perfect Father.

Other Resources: A Daughter of God...Young Woman Manual

Recipe's
Pancakes
2 C of fresh ground Spelt, kamut, whole wheat flour
2 c buttermilk, kefir, or yogurt
2 eggs slightly beaten
½ t sea salt
1 t baking soda
2 T melted butter
For soaking...Soak flour in buttermilk, kefir or yogurt in a warm place for 12-24 hours.
Stir in ingredients and thin to desired consistency with water additional water.
Cook on griddle until edges are firm and golden brown. Flip and cook other side. Serve and Enjoy
Apricot Butter
4 C aprictos
Blend in a food processor
1 T sea salt
¼ c whey
½ C honey
Mix and blend in food processor

Muffins
3 C freshly ground spelt, kamut, or whole wheat flour
2 C buttermilk, kefir or yogurt
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 t sea salt
1/3 C maple syrup
2 t baking soda
1 t vanilla
3 T melted butter
Soak flour in buttermilk, in a warm place for 12 to 24 hours.
Blend ingredients. Pour into well buttered muffin tins. Bake at 325 degrees for about 1 hour.

Variations:
Blueberry: Add 1 C blueberries...do not mix, set on top of batter
Pumpkin: Add ½ C pumpkin and ½ t cinnamon and 1/8 t nutmeg....add chocolate chips if wanted
Lemon Poppyseed: Add 1/8 C lemon juice and ¼ c poppy seeds
Raisin: ½ c raisins, ½ t cinnamon
Fruit Spice: 2 ripe fruit..peeled and cut into small pieces. ½ t cinnamon 1/8 t nutmeg

House and Home

Each girl drew a picture of her dream house

What does your dream house look like?

Each girl drew a picture of her dream home

What does your dream home look like?

Are they different?

So cute how they all wanted a stream in the yard, lots of windows, lots of trees, and a garden

So cute how they all want to be a mother and a wife and have lots and lots of children, soft words spoken, hugs and kisses

We are all builders in our homes. The Lord is the general contractor, Parents are subcontractors resonsible for a vital segment of the whole project, ALL of us are builders.

Builders should 1 Kneel down and pray. You need to talk to the contractor every day!
2 Step up to serve. A house gets build with man power and muscle. So do
homes, everyone must do their part to serve each other
3 Reach out to rescue. We don't want any workplace accidents here. Save
each other from pitfalls, mistakes and miscommunications. Avoid
contention before it grows.





What did I learn?
The building of a house is a lot of work. It takes dedication, knowledge, money, time, effort and a general contractor. When building a house we plan, prepare, save, think. Do I do the same when building a home? Do I plan what my family will look like, do I prepare myself to be able to build it, Do I save my time and talents for truly important work, do I think about what needs, wants, desires and rules should be followed.

"Let the Lord be the general contractor for the family"...Thomas S. Monson.

I want the Lord to be my general contractor. I want Him to be involved in every step, in every decision, in every stud that is laid, or screw that is turned.

Just like one of my favorite quotes from CS Lewis says in the side bar.....this house building hurts abominably, and yet He is building a mansion when I would settle for a little cottage.

What a beautiful thing to know that the Lord will help me, or is it that I am truly just a subcontractor helping him, build something that can last forever.....A Family


Heritage Notebook Quote:

A house is built with Walls and Beams, A Home is build with Love and Dreams



Other Resources:
First Presidency Message Oct. 1991
Heavenly Homes, Forever Families



Recipies:
Breakfast Porridge
1 Cup Oats, Rolled or Cracked
1 Cup Warm Water plus 2 T whey
½ t sea salt
1 C water
1 T flax seeds (opt)
Soak oats in warm water mixture overnight
Add additional 1 cup of water bring to a boil with sea salt. Simmer for several minutes. Grind flax seeds and let stand for a few minutes. Add sweeteners and/or nuts



Grape Nuts Cereal
3 ½ c whole wheat flour
2 c. sour milk or buttermilk....sour milk by addition 1 T of vinegar to it
Soak flower in milk overnight
1 c brown sugar
1 t salt
1 t baking soda
1 t cinnamon (opt.)
2 t vanilla
Mix together and Bake at 375 for 15 minutes in a shallow pan...like a cookie sheet. Once it is cooked cut it into pieces and whilr the crumbs in the food processor. Bake again at 300 or 1 hour stirring every 15 minutes.

Beautiful Girlhood

I've been mentoring a girls group, age 10 to 13, for the summer. They are a beautiful group of girls, unique, different, smart, talented...I could go on and on.

We've been studying three books:

Beautiful Girlhood, Raising Maiden's of Virtue, and Daughters of God

I've been learning a lot!

Mabey others would like to learn too :)

For June and July we learned about Homemaking

Books:
Beautiful Girlhood by Karen Andreola
Raising Maidens of Virtue by Stacy McDonald
Daughters of God by Michael Wilcox
Abigail Adams, girl of Colonial Days Jean Wagoner

June/July Books/Chapters
Beautiful Girlhood Ch 18. Home Life
Raising Maidens of Virtue: Ch 4 Homemade Homemakers & Ch 5 loving your nest
Daughters of God:

Ch 7 Mothers of Israel, Ch 3 mothers of two nations, Ch 8 the women who saved Moses
Abigail Adams

June
Sister Sharing Time: Good Books to Recommend and Why
Discussion: Difference between a house and a home
Leader Lesson: Club Leadership and Duties
Leader Lesson: Baking Basics...Tools of the Trade (pg 31)
Girl Lesson: Food Pyramid
Breakfast...Hot Cereals, Cold Cereals

June
Sister Sharing Time: Share your Writings
Discussion: Fathers Roles, Daughters Roles
Leader Lesson: Measuring...liquids, dry, packing, Grinders, Mixers, and By Hand
Girl Lesson: Wheats/ Grains
Breakfasts Mixes: pancakes, muffins, syrups, adding fruit, different wheats

June
Sister Sharing Time: What is changing YOU for the better
Discussion: Mothers Roles, Sisters Roles
Leader Lesson: Handling Meats and Milks
Girl Lesson: Meats/ Milks
Breakfasts Homemade Yogurt, Eggs...varieties, Breakfast Meats, Cream Cheese's, Buttermilk Ect.

June
Sister Sharing Time: Talent Showing
Discussion: Submission, Sincerity, and Service
Leader Lesson: Canning...Part One
Girl Lesson: Veggitable
Snacks: salad, snack tray, dressings, popcorn, pretzels

July
Sister Sharing Time: Goals I've been working towards
Discussion: Abigail Adams
Leader Lesson: Canning...Part Two
Girl Lesson: Fruits
Snacks: Kabob's, Granola Bars, Fruit Dip, Smoothies

For the summer we have been loosely following the 4-H cooking plan. Since I don't use processed foods, and I soak everything I can we have tweeked the recipe's a bit and I use many from other inspiring people like http://amodernpioneeringfamily.blogspot.com/ and http://happyinthekitchen-withtara.blogspot.com/

Each week we sing and pray and have sister sharing time where we share books, talents, writings, and goals with each other. Then we have a discussion and an activity about a topic from our readings. Then I teach a lesson about cooking and one of the girls teaches us something she has learned about our cooking topic and then we spend and hour and a half cooking.

I have so enjoyed spending time with beautiful girls, their silliness and kindness and helpfulness and willingness to discuss and learn and do. They are a tribute to their beautiful mothers!

Mabey you could find some beautiful girls too...let me know if you do

Silly Girls

My own silly girl :)

Some of my other favorite silly girls

I was a silly girl tonight....just a silly girl.

We painted lips and eyes and cheeks

We giggled and laughed about boys...old and new

We talked about goals and life and parents

I was a silly girl tonight....just a silly girl

We played games

We ate treats...my favorites popcorn and salsa..oh and suckers

We milked goats (who does that????)

I was a silly girl tonight....just a silly girl

It made me think...how often do I just need to be a silly girl....how about with my own daughters, or my little boys? How often do I just give up a night to do what my kids want to do? When was the last time we pulled out stuff and played?

As I watched these Young Women who are so close to becoming Women...faithful, good, true women...I thought about my own young one who is so close to becoming a Young Woman...is she ready? Does she know that I love her, that I trust her, that I want her to become a Woman...faithful, good, and true?

I think tomorrow I will be a silly girl....just a silly girl....who wants to be with another silly girl....my own silly girl

PS....these pictures are of some silly girls that I love...(Young women who were my sweet Beehive girls and are now grown up into lovely young Laurels). One picture is of a beautiful girl who will soon grow up...please don't do it! :)

Giving Thanks

I have been listening to the book "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch. He is the young-40 something-man who passed away from Pancreatic Cancer and wanted to leave a legacy for his children so he did a lecture that made him famous. I have been appreciating his candid fresh approach to life and death and today his words were poetic to me.

I was worried...worried about those in my life who are making poor choices, worried about siblings who are at the end of their ropes, worried about thier children and how to help.

I was frustrated...frustrated by the fact that it takes ALL day long just to deep clean the kitchen...UGH! frustrated at my kids who helped for a minute, (okay it was like 4 hours) and then found something more enjoyable to do(..okay it was productive, and creative), frustrated that at 5:00 when my hubby came home I was still mopping the floor...working on the project I started on this morning when he left at 7:00

I was sad...sad that I want to be a mother and not a babysitter, sad that I want to reach out and nurture sweet children who need a mother, sad that I want to put that poor little one on a schedule so he can get some sleep.

And then as I mopped, and scrubbed, and washed, and polished I listened, and I learned, and I thought, about giving thanks.

I am thankful

A husband who provides for my family,

Guidance from God

Teaching our children.

Listening to the Spirit

Understand responsibility and accountability

I can only control myself

I am thankful

A kitchen floor to mop

Strength to work hard all day

Kids who will help me for a little while (forever to them)

A home

Work

Tomorrow to do it all over again (hopefully not from 7 to 5 though :) )

I am thankful

Understanding of my role

Desires to be a mother

Skills

Love for Children

Examples

Good friends who inspire me

I am thankful today for wise words of a man who has now passed on, but left a legacy, not only for his own children,...but today, for ME. For me to SEE gratitude, and love, and joy in a day that was hum-drum and filled with worry and doubt. I am thankful....