Since the theme of this month's visiting teaching message is Self-Reliance, there is no need to write anything else. Even though I've moved on and am no longer Self-Reliance specialist, I plan to continue this blog in a likewise manner. To understand the vision of Self-Reliance, read the following visiting teaching message and begin working on the goals found here from the very beginning. If you've been keeping the goals thus far, use the following to gain a little direction concerning your role for lifting others in need.
Self-reliance is the ability, commitment, and effort to provide for the spiritual and temporal well-being of ourselves and of our families.
As we learn and apply the principles of self-reliance in our homes and communities, we have opportunities to care for the poor and needy and to help others become self-reliant so they can endure times of adversity.
We have the privilege and duty to use our agency to become self-reliant spiritually and temporally. Speaking of spiritual self-reliance and our dependence on Heavenly Father, Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught: “We become converted and spiritually self-reliant as we prayerfully live our covenants—through worthily partaking of the sacrament, being worthy of a temple recommend, and sacrificing to serve others.”
Elder Hales counseled us to become self-reliant temporally, “which includes getting a postsecondary education or vocational training, learning to work, and living within our means. By avoiding debt and saving money now, we are prepared for full-time Church service in the years to come. The purpose of both temporal and spiritual self-reliance is to get ourselves on higher ground so that we can lift others in need.”
From the Scriptures
Matthew 25:1–13; 1 Timothy 5:8; Alma 34:27–28; Doctrine and Covenants 44:6; 58:26–29; 88:118
From Our History
After the Latter-day Saints had gathered in the Salt Lake Valley, which was an isolated desert, President Brigham Young wanted them to flourish and establish permanent homes. This meant the Saints needed to learn skills that would allow them to become self-sufficient. In this effort, President Young had great trust in the capacities, talents, faithfulness, and willingness of the women, and he encouraged them in specific temporal duties. While the specific duties of Relief Society sisters are often different today, the principles remain constant:
1. Learn to love work and avoid idleness.
2. Acquire a spirit of self-sacrifice.
3. Accept personal responsibility for spiritual strength, health, education, employment, finances, food, and other life-sustaining necessities.
4. Pray for faith and courage to meet challenges.
5. Strengthen others who need assistance.
What Can I Do?
1. How am I helping the sisters I watch over find solutions to their temporal and spiritual needs?
2. Am I increasing my spiritual self-reliance through preparing for the sacrament and sacrificing to serve?
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Thursday
Friday
August Newsletter 2
Physical, Spiritual, and Emotional Goal: Is this all getting a bit routine and mundane? Even though we should find joy in improvement, it sometimes feels lonely. You don't have to do it all alone. Why not invite a few friends to join your daily exercise or begin a challenge group like Sister Kimball? "Each year she challenged the women to read along with her the Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, Jesus the Christ, or some other such book. She rewarded those who met the challenge with lunch at her home," Camilla, Caroline Eyring Miner, 178. If you can find a copy of this old favorite of mine, read it for some great inspiration.
Storage Goal: Are you diligent with usage, inventory, and rotation? Do you have the basics and beyond? If you are just beginning, go back to the very first newsletter and begin there. If you have been following the program, here's a thought. Do you have means of personal sanitation, a portable potty, hygiene kits, and a portable bath/shower? How about a James Washer or 5-gallong bucket+plunger to wash clothing? These are more than just a good idea, they are vital in an emergency situation. When the sewers and water go, one of the first problems is cholera. Remember Haiti after the recent catastrophe? A toilet can be as simple as a lined 5-gallon bucket or as complex as your budget allows. The same is true of showering. Do your research and find a solution. But, you say, water is too precious in an emergency situation. True, but shower/bath water can be reused to wash clothing. It's called grey water. Read about the spiritual importance of basic food and hygiene in this moving New Era article.
Provident Living: “We hope you are making this [gardening project] a family affair, with everyone, even the little ones, assigned to something. There is so much to learn and harvest from your garden, far more than just a crop itself,” Spencer W. Kimball, Apr. 1978. "[Gardening will] remind us all of the law of the harvest...We do reap what we sow. Even if the plot of soil you cultivate, plant, and harvest is a small one, it brings human nature closer to nature as was the case in the beginning with our first parents," Spencer W. Kimball, Apr. 1976. Since the secret to good health is greens, I'm always on the lookout for delicious, non-bitter varieties. I found a new one out here on my mission at a tiny Thai restaurant that deserves a shout out. Food allergies require me to order off menu. When I asked for steamed vegetables, they brought me a plate of perfection that contained an extremely delicious, unknown, mild green; the stems were similar to asparagus in texture with tender, sweet greens. Upon inquiry I was told it was Chinese Broccoli (Kai Lan). After researching, I discovered it can be grown as an annual or perennial. To grow as perennial, sew in late summer, harvest throughout the fall, cut down to stump, and mulch heavily. In the spring, it should come back up similar to asparagus for a spring harvest, stall out during summer, and have a second life in fall. Repeat. If you buy the open pollinated variety from Kitazawa Seed Co, you can use as an annual (or perennial), planting as broccoli in spring and saving the seeds in fall. Definitely going to give this one a try in pots up here, since it's like bonus asparagus that lasts for months instead of weeks and is ready in weeks instead of years.
Storage Goal: Are you diligent with usage, inventory, and rotation? Do you have the basics and beyond? If you are just beginning, go back to the very first newsletter and begin there. If you have been following the program, here's a thought. Do you have means of personal sanitation, a portable potty, hygiene kits, and a portable bath/shower? How about a James Washer or 5-gallong bucket+plunger to wash clothing? These are more than just a good idea, they are vital in an emergency situation. When the sewers and water go, one of the first problems is cholera. Remember Haiti after the recent catastrophe? A toilet can be as simple as a lined 5-gallon bucket or as complex as your budget allows. The same is true of showering. Do your research and find a solution. But, you say, water is too precious in an emergency situation. True, but shower/bath water can be reused to wash clothing. It's called grey water. Read about the spiritual importance of basic food and hygiene in this moving New Era article.
Provident Living: “We hope you are making this [gardening project] a family affair, with everyone, even the little ones, assigned to something. There is so much to learn and harvest from your garden, far more than just a crop itself,” Spencer W. Kimball, Apr. 1978. "[Gardening will] remind us all of the law of the harvest...We do reap what we sow. Even if the plot of soil you cultivate, plant, and harvest is a small one, it brings human nature closer to nature as was the case in the beginning with our first parents," Spencer W. Kimball, Apr. 1976. Since the secret to good health is greens, I'm always on the lookout for delicious, non-bitter varieties. I found a new one out here on my mission at a tiny Thai restaurant that deserves a shout out. Food allergies require me to order off menu. When I asked for steamed vegetables, they brought me a plate of perfection that contained an extremely delicious, unknown, mild green; the stems were similar to asparagus in texture with tender, sweet greens. Upon inquiry I was told it was Chinese Broccoli (Kai Lan). After researching, I discovered it can be grown as an annual or perennial. To grow as perennial, sew in late summer, harvest throughout the fall, cut down to stump, and mulch heavily. In the spring, it should come back up similar to asparagus for a spring harvest, stall out during summer, and have a second life in fall. Repeat. If you buy the open pollinated variety from Kitazawa Seed Co, you can use as an annual (or perennial), planting as broccoli in spring and saving the seeds in fall. Definitely going to give this one a try in pots up here, since it's like bonus asparagus that lasts for months instead of weeks and is ready in weeks instead of years.
More Provident Living Ideas
I am seriously addicted to finding frugal ways. It's not that I really need to be ultrafrugal anymore. It's more like a hobby to squeeze my pennies until they scream for mercy. Since I am allergic to many ingredients in commercial, personal hygiene products, I needed to find an alternative to shampoo and conditioner. Baking soda and apple cider vinegar work very well, causing me to realize we are better off without the chemicals in shampoos, conditioners, and many soaps. How is it done?
The first time I tried no-poo, I did it all wrong and practically recked my hair. After research and experimentation, I learned the best formula. When you begin, dissolve 1 T baking soda in a cup or two of warm water. Work through roots of hair and message scalp for about 30 seconds. Focusing on the roots and scalp, rinse with 1 T apple cider vinegar diluted in a cup or two of warm water. Then rinse with running water. If you tend toward dry hair, put a drop or two of olive, grape seed, apricot, kukui, or coconut oil in your palms and rub it into your hands as if for lotion. When it is nearly absorbed run your hands over the ends of your hair. (These also make great lotion or facial moisturize, especially grape seed for oily skin. Or try making my variation of Rosemary Gladstar's famous cream below.) As your hair becomes accustomed to this method, you will likely need to reduce the baking soda and vinegar amounts until you only use 1/4 t baking soda and 1 t vinegar. I also like to use herbal infusions in place of the water. Sage, comfrey leaf, calendula flower, marshmallow root, rosemary, nettle leaf, and yarrow are some hair-nourishing favorites.
Right after we began our mission, we ran out of soap. (I am used to having a huge supply of sundries to fall back upon. Out here it is just like being a newly wed again.) Anyway, I remembered reading an interview with Queen Latifa whose grandmother taught her to wash her face with baking soda. With that inspiration and my good experience with no-poo, I tried it. Weird at first, it worked quite well. Since soap always left me itchy in the past, I switched to baking soda for good. How is it done? Put a tablespoon or so of baking soda on a washcloth or your palm. Add a bit of water in the shower and use the paste to wash as you would soap. It's that easy.
Baking soda is so useful. Another personal hygiene usage is tooth brushing. Either by itself or mixed with a drop of mint essential oil, it gets teeth squeaky clean and breath nicely fresh. Sucking on whole cloves helps freshen breath after eating strong foods as well.
Finally, body deodorants don't have to come from the drug store either. Talc has been linked to ovarian and lung cancers. Aluminum is toxic and linked to Alzheimers and breast cancer. If it's not safe to eat, it's not safe to put on your skin. After all skin absorbs everything you put on it. Mix 1 part tapioca starch, 1 part cornstarch or rice starch, 1 part arrowroot Powder, 1 part baking soda, 1 part redmond or white clay, and 1 part dried, powdered citrus peel or flower petals or orris root for a delightful deodorant powder. If one ingredient is not available, double one of the others. This is so nice stored in an old fashioned powder box and applied with a puff for the feminine set or in a powder shaker for others. Something else to consider on this vein. Most body odors can be reduced or eliminated with diet. Since processed 'foods' and animal products contribute to the build up of bad bacteria in the body, body odor sweat is exacerbated with their consumption. A high intake of chlorophyll from green plants reduces odor. (Also true for bad breath, eating and/or eliminating poorly naturally cause odors.) Once again, the secret is in the greens.
Some people will only use naturally mined Baking Soda from Frontier or Bob's Red Mill. I'm not sure about that one yet.
Ingredients: 3/8 c. apricot kernel oil, 3/8 c. sweet almond oil, 1/8 c. cocoa butter, 1/8 c. coconut oil, 1/2 oz. bees wax, and 8 oz. calendula hydrosol or distilled water. Any of these oils can be substituted with other natural, cold pressed oils such as kukui, olive, grape seed, avocado oil, macadamia oil, mango butter, shea butter, etc. Melt wax, butter, and oils over a double boiler. Let cool, mixing every now and then, until creamy. Pour into the blender. Turn speed on high and slowly drizzle hydrosol or water into the running blender until all has been absorbed and the cream clunks agains the side of the blender. Add 25 drops essential oil (or not) and blend briefly to combine. Put in small jars and refrigerate overnight. Usually, I fill 4-5 4 oz. canning jars and store the unopened ones in the back of the fridge until needed. Clean out the blender with a cloth and use it to oil wood furniture. This works fantastically from hair to toe especially on cracked heals.
Wednesday
July Newsletter 2
Physical, Spiritual, and Emotional Goal: We've already learned that getting out and moving in fresh air brightens mood and strengthens muscles. Let's combine this with serving our sisters. Certainly, in all but the iciest weather, we can walk to visit teach. It's been said there is no such thing as bad weather only bad clothing. Bundle up and go visit. “The responsibility for each person’s social, emotional, spiritual, physical, or economic well-being rests first upon himself, second upon his family, and third upon the Church if he is a faithful member thereof.” (Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, Nov. 1977, p. 77.) "Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It's not a day, when you lounge around doing nothing. It's when you've had everything to do, and you've done it." Margaret Thatcher
Storage Goal: Hopefully, you are beginning to use your storage as an integral part of your daily food preparation: oats with bottled or dried fruit for breakfast (microgreen smoothie optional), lentil soup made with dehydrated veg mix and bean sprouts for lunch, bean burros or tostadas with bottled salsa, sprouts, and microgreens and Spanish rice made with dehydrated tomato and peppers for dinner. It's so simple and saves bundles of money. Eating like this also saves your health. Nevertheless, this means going to the cannery and restocking food storage should be part of your monthly budget. Don't use it up without replacing it regularly. "As you practice the principles you learn, you will see your food storage program grow, you will save money, you will learn new methods of storage, you will enjoy your food insurance against the day of need, and you will feel the approval of your Father in Heaven as you follow this law." New Era, November 1984
Provident Living Goal: "If you don’t have a traditional garden plot, you can plant vegetables and herbs in containers that fit on driveways, balconies, roofs, and even window sills. This activity can be interesting and rewarding for adults and children alike. Planting a garden, even a small one, allows for a greater degree of self-reliance. With the right information and a little practice, individuals and entire families can enjoy the many benefits of planting and tending a garden." lds.org Here's a fun, gardening idea for those short on space. How exciting to take up 4 square feet for a nice sized garden. It could be used indoors in front of a sunny, sliding-glass door or with supplemental lighting during winter. Mmmmm...greens during winter. In days gone by, Brigham Young wondered why more saints didn't grow strawberries and greens in greenhouses as he did. Pioneers were known to suffer vitamin deficiencies because they lacked vitamins C and B during winter such as strawberries and greens have in abundance. Consider some sort of indoor gardening with sprouts, microgreens, or one of these great water barrel gardens. Or maybe this one with an added drain/bucket.
Storage Goal: Hopefully, you are beginning to use your storage as an integral part of your daily food preparation: oats with bottled or dried fruit for breakfast (microgreen smoothie optional), lentil soup made with dehydrated veg mix and bean sprouts for lunch, bean burros or tostadas with bottled salsa, sprouts, and microgreens and Spanish rice made with dehydrated tomato and peppers for dinner. It's so simple and saves bundles of money. Eating like this also saves your health. Nevertheless, this means going to the cannery and restocking food storage should be part of your monthly budget. Don't use it up without replacing it regularly. "As you practice the principles you learn, you will see your food storage program grow, you will save money, you will learn new methods of storage, you will enjoy your food insurance against the day of need, and you will feel the approval of your Father in Heaven as you follow this law." New Era, November 1984
Provident Living Goal: "If you don’t have a traditional garden plot, you can plant vegetables and herbs in containers that fit on driveways, balconies, roofs, and even window sills. This activity can be interesting and rewarding for adults and children alike. Planting a garden, even a small one, allows for a greater degree of self-reliance. With the right information and a little practice, individuals and entire families can enjoy the many benefits of planting and tending a garden." lds.org Here's a fun, gardening idea for those short on space. How exciting to take up 4 square feet for a nice sized garden. It could be used indoors in front of a sunny, sliding-glass door or with supplemental lighting during winter. Mmmmm...greens during winter. In days gone by, Brigham Young wondered why more saints didn't grow strawberries and greens in greenhouses as he did. Pioneers were known to suffer vitamin deficiencies because they lacked vitamins C and B during winter such as strawberries and greens have in abundance. Consider some sort of indoor gardening with sprouts, microgreens, or one of these great water barrel gardens. Or maybe this one with an added drain/bucket.
Monday
How Much Food Fits in a Container? Estimated Gallons Per Pound
I found a very useful table for packaging foods in buckets here.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
How Much Food Fits in a Container
Estimated Gallons Per Pound |
||||||
| 1 Gallon | 1.5 Gallons | 2 Gallons | 5 Gallons | 6 Gallons | ||
| This table includes estimates only, your application may vary | ||||||
| WHOLE GRAINS: (lbs.) | ||||||
| Cracked Red Wheat | 5.83 | 8.75 | 11.66 | 29.15 | 35.00 | |
| Hard Red Wheat | 7.50 | 11.25 | 15.00 | 37.50 | 45.00 | |
| Hard White Wheat | 7.50 | 11.25 | 15.00 | 37.50 | 45.00 | |
| Pearled Barley | 7.33 | 11.00 | 14.66 | 36.67 | 44.00 | |
| Whole Corn | 7.50 | 11.25 | 15.00 | 37.50 | 45.00 | |
| Hulled Buckwheat | 7.00 | 10.50 | 14.00 | 35.00 | 42.00 | |
| Flax | 6.33 | 9.50 | 12.66 | 31.67 | 38.00 | |
| Long Grain White Rice | 7.33 | 11.00 | 14.66 | 36.67 | 44.00 | |
| Long Grain Brown Rice | 7.17 | 10.75 | 14.34 | 35.83 | 43.00 | |
| Par Boiled Rice | 7.00 | 10.50 | 14.00 | 35.00 | 42.00 | |
| Rolled Oats | 4.17 | 6.25 | 8.34 | 20.83 | 25.00 | |
| Oat Groats | 7.00 | 10.50 | 14.00 | 35.00 | 42.00 | |
| Oat Bran (Fine) | 5.00 | 7.50 | 10.00 | 25.00 | 30.00 | |
| Rye | 7.00 | 10.50 | 14.00 | 35.00 | 42.00 | |
| 9-Grain Cereal | 6.33 | 9.50 | 12.66 | 31.67 | 38.00 | |
| Hulled Millet | 7.17 | 10.75 | 14.34 | 35.83 | 43.00 | |
| FLOUR: (lbs.) | ||||||
| Wheat Bran | 2.50 | 3.75 | 5.00 | 12.50 | 15.00 | |
| All Purpose Flour | 6.67 | 10.00 | 13.34 | 33.33 | 40.00 | |
| Cornmeal | 6.67 | 10.00 | 13.34 | 33.33 | 40.00 | |
| BEANS: (lbs.) | ||||||
| Beans | 7.00 | 10.50 | 14.00 | 35.00 | 42.00 | |
| Anasazi | 6.67 | 10.00 | 13.34 | 33.33 | 40.00 | |
| Black Turtle | 7.00 | 10.50 | 14.00 | 35.00 | 42.00 | |
| Black Eye | 6.33 | 9.50 | 12.66 | 31.67 | 38.00 | |
| Garbanzo | 6.67 | 10.00 | 13.34 | 33.33 | 40.00 | |
| Great Northern | 7.00 | 10.50 | 14.00 | 35.00 | 42.00 | |
| Green | 1.67 | 2.50 | 3.33 | 8.33 | 10.00 | |
| Green Peas | 6.67 | 10.00 | 13.34 | 33.33 | 40.00 | |
| Kidney | 6.67 | 10.00 | 13.34 | 33.33 | 40.00 | |
| Lentils | 7.17 | 10.75 | 14.34 | 35.83 | 43.00 | |
| Lima | 7.17 | 10.75 | 14.34 | 35.83 | 43.00 | |
| Mung | 7.50 | 11.25 | 15.00 | 37.50 | 45.00 | |
| Pink | 6.83 | 10.25 | 13.66 | 34.17 | 41.00 | |
| Pinto | 6.83 | 10.25 | 13.66 | 34.17 | 41.00 | |
| Refried | 4.17 | 6.25 | 8.34 | 20.83 | 25.00 | |
| Small Red | 6.83 | 10.25 | 13.66 | 34.17 | 41.00 | |
| Small White Navy | 7.50 | 11.25 | 15.00 | 37.50 | 45.00 | |
| Soy | 6.67 | 10.00 | 13.34 | 33.33 | 40.00 | |
| PASTA: (lbs.) | ||||||
| Pasta - Macaroni | 4.17 | 6.25 | 8.34 | 20.83 | 25.00 | |
| Pasta - Egg Noodles | 2.67 | 4.00 | 5.34 | 13.33 | 16.00 | |
| Pasta - Spaghetti | 5.83 | 8.75 | 11.66 | 29.17 | 35.00 | |
| SPROUTING SEEDS: (lbs.) | ||||||
| Alfalfa Sprouting Seeds | 7.50 | 11.25 | 15.00 | 37.50 | 45.00 | |
| DEHYDRATED VEGETABLES: (lbs.) | ||||||
| Diced Carrots | 3.33 | 5.00 | 6.66 | 16.67 | 20.00 | |
| Cross-Cut Celery | 1.33 | 2.00 | 2.66 | 6.67 | 8.00 | |
| Chopped Onions | 3.00 | 4.50 | 6.00 | 15.00 | 18.00 | |
| Potato Dices | 2.67 | 4.00 | 5.34 | 13.33 | 16.00 | |
| Potato Flakes | 2.50 | 3.75 | 5.00 | 12.50 | 15.00 | |
| Potato Granules | 7.50 | 11.25 | 15.00 | 37.50 | 45.00 | |
| Potato Slices | 1.67 | 2.50 | 3.34 | 8.33 | 10.00 | |
| Split Green Peas | 7.50 | 11.25 | 15.00 | 37.50 | 45.00 | |
| Tomato Powder | 5.83 | 8.75 | 11.66 | 29.17 | 35.00 | |
| DEHYDRATED FRUIT: (lbs.) | ||||||
| Applesauce | 3.33 | 5.00 | 6.66 | 16.67 | 20.00 | |
| Apple Slices | 1.67 | 2.50 | 3.34 | 8.33 | 10.00 | |
| Banana | 2.33 | 3.50 | 4.66 | 11.67 | 14.00 | |
| DEHYDRATED MILK/DAIRY: (lbs.) | ||||||
| Butter Powder | 4.17 | 6.25 | 8.34 | 20.83 | 25.00 | |
| Margarine | 4.17 | 6.25 | 8.34 | 20.83 | 25.00 | |
| Cheese Blend | 4.17 | 6.25 | 8.34 | 20.83 | 25.00 | |
| Non-Fat Milk | 5.83 | 8.75 | 11.66 | 29.17 | 35.00 | |
| Morning Moo White | 5.83 | 8.75 | 11.66 | 29.17 | 35.00 | |
| POWDERED EGGS: (lbs.) | ||||||
| Powdered Eggs | 4.17 | 6.25 | 8.34 | 20.83 | 25.00 | |
| Powdered Whole Eggs | 4.17 | 6.25 | 8.34 | 20.83 | 25.00 | |
Friday
June Newsletter 2
Physical & Emotional Goal...Nix sugar and white flour from your diet, which are included in cold cereals, bakery items, refined pastas, soda pop (sugary and artificial), candy, and most snack foods.
Instead of these foods eat fresh, frozen, and dried fruit, thinly sliced, flavored or plain, dehydrated zucchini or kale chips, nuts, seeds, frozen, pureed banana ice kream, and freshly pressed vegetable juices. Blend 2 c. soaked sunflower or pumpkin seeds with tomatoes, peppers (sweet and/or hot), soy sauce, cilantro, chili powder, and nutritional yeast (optional) to form a paste; taste the mixture and adjust seasonings until it is yummy to you. Mix in zucchini slices or kale. Spread on in a single layer on dehydrator sheets and process dry at 110F until crispy, usually over night. Store in air tight containers. "The condition of the physical body can affect the spirit. That’s why the Lord gave us the Word of Wisdom. He also said that we should retire to our beds early and arise early (see D&C 88:124), that we should not run faster than we have strength (see D&C 10:4), and that we should use moderation in all good things. In general, the more food we eat in its natural state and the less it is refined without additives, the healthier it will be for us. Food can affect the mind, and deficiencies in certain elements in the body can promote mental depression...Rest and physical exercise are essential, and a walk in the fresh air can refresh the spirit. Wholesome recreation is part of our religion, and a change of pace is necessary, and even its anticipation can lift the spirit." Ezra Taft Benson, October 1974
Spiritual Goal..."We want our sisters to be scholars of the scriptures. … You need an acquaintanceship with his eternal truths for your own well being, and for the purposes of teaching your own children and all others who come within your influence...We want our homes to be blessed with sister scriptorians—whether you are single or married, young or old, widowed or living in a family...Become scholars of the scriptures—not to put others down, but to lift them up!” Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985). One good way to get more scriptures into your head, is to hear them over and over. Previously, one of our goals was to use our chore time to listen the same conference talk multiple times for one week before moving onto the next talk. This helps us know the current words of the prophet, apostles, and other servants of our Heavenly Father. Another wonderful use of chore time is listening to and pondering the scriptures. Often sisters say we can't find time to study our Sunday School lesson. However, if we use chore time to listen to it 2 or 3 times during the week, we may feel more inspired to actually study the lesson, become scripture scholars, and even scriptorians. This is very powerful in building the testimony. “Is there not something deep in our hearts that longs to draw nearer to God, to be more like Him in our daily walk, to feel His presence with us constantly? If so, then the Book of Mormon will help us do so more than any other book...There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called ‘the words of life’ (D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance. … [You will also enjoy] increased love and harmony in the home, greater respect between parent and child, [and] increased spirituality and righteousness. These promises are not idle promises, but exactly what the Prophet Joseph Smith meant when he said the Book of Mormon will help us draw nearer to God” Ezra Taft Benson, October 1986 Since we are studying the Doctrine and Covenants at this writing, the following quote is especially meaningful. “Excluding the witnesses to the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants is by far the greatest external witness and evidence which we have from the Lord that the Book of Mormon is true.” Ezra Taft Benson, Apr. 1987
Financial Goal...Now that things are looking up, can we do better at giving things away? LDS Charities has all sorts of ways to give of our abundance to those blessed a bit less than we. We can support a missionary. We can help a returned missionary get an education. With our contributions, we can help build wells, schools, and sewing rooms, provide hygiene, school, or new born kits, supply quilts, dresses, pajamas, or underclothing, or help provision all sorts of humanitarian work around the world. Surely, we can help one of the least, when our houses are in order.
Storage Goal...Last month we talked about dehydrating excess produce from our gardens. If you don't yet have a dehydrator, consider purchasing the best one available, the Excaliber 9 tray. About now cherries are getting ripe. After eating your fill of fresh cherries, consider the several ways to preserve the harvest. Dehydrating a freezing preserve the most nutrients. Bottling and jamming are other alternatives. However, they require added refined sugars that are not health building. Dried cherries are a great addition to hot cereals on cold winter mornings. When our granddaughter visited last winter, she especially loved breakfasts that included rice pudding. 1/2 c. cooked brown rice blended with 1/2 banana, 1/2 t. cinnamon, and 1 c. water. In a small sauce pan, mix pureed rice kream with 1/2 c. cooked brown rice, 1/4 diced apple, and 2 T. dried cherries (or dates, raisins, figs, blueberries, etc.) Heat until steamy. Yes, this meal has sugar, but it is in the form of complex carbohydrate. Additionally, fruit contains some protein, numerous vitamins, lots of minerals, and a plethora of soluble and insoluble fibers that temper the absorption of complex carbohydrate. Table sugar is simple carbohydrate, which is uncomfortable to and unhealthy for liver, pancreas, heart, and brain.
Emergency Evacuation and Pantry Kits...Our kits should be quite extensive at this point. Often many people are not prepared for emergency situations. Should we say to the little child sitting next to us, 'Too bad, so sad, your mama didn't bring you anything. We are not hungry at all!' I don't think any woman could do that, but the idea of short changing our own children or grandchildren is not pleasant either. Now that we are well stocked and prepared in case of evacuation or power outage, we ought to plan on a bit more to feed that little child.
Provident Living Goal...Because CC is a desert climate, be concerned with storing water and lots of it. Also, consider recycling grey water to water fruit trees or other uses and harvesting atmospheric moisture to water the garden. As you can see this idea can be beautiful."I have on occasion cited the need for many reservoirs in our lives to provide for our needs. I have said, 'Some reservoirs are to store water. Some are to store food, as we do in our family welfare program and as Joseph did in the land of Egypt during the seven years of plenty. There should also be reservoirs of knowledge to meet the future needs; reservoirs of courage to overcome the floods of fear that put uncertainty in our lives; reservoirs of physical strength to help us meet the frequent burdens of work and illness; reservoirs of goodness; reservoirs of stamina; reservoirs of faith.'" Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle
Spiritual Goal..."We want our sisters to be scholars of the scriptures. … You need an acquaintanceship with his eternal truths for your own well being, and for the purposes of teaching your own children and all others who come within your influence...We want our homes to be blessed with sister scriptorians—whether you are single or married, young or old, widowed or living in a family...Become scholars of the scriptures—not to put others down, but to lift them up!” Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985). One good way to get more scriptures into your head, is to hear them over and over. Previously, one of our goals was to use our chore time to listen the same conference talk multiple times for one week before moving onto the next talk. This helps us know the current words of the prophet, apostles, and other servants of our Heavenly Father. Another wonderful use of chore time is listening to and pondering the scriptures. Often sisters say we can't find time to study our Sunday School lesson. However, if we use chore time to listen to it 2 or 3 times during the week, we may feel more inspired to actually study the lesson, become scripture scholars, and even scriptorians. This is very powerful in building the testimony. “Is there not something deep in our hearts that longs to draw nearer to God, to be more like Him in our daily walk, to feel His presence with us constantly? If so, then the Book of Mormon will help us do so more than any other book...There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called ‘the words of life’ (D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance. … [You will also enjoy] increased love and harmony in the home, greater respect between parent and child, [and] increased spirituality and righteousness. These promises are not idle promises, but exactly what the Prophet Joseph Smith meant when he said the Book of Mormon will help us draw nearer to God” Ezra Taft Benson, October 1986 Since we are studying the Doctrine and Covenants at this writing, the following quote is especially meaningful. “Excluding the witnesses to the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants is by far the greatest external witness and evidence which we have from the Lord that the Book of Mormon is true.” Ezra Taft Benson, Apr. 1987
Financial Goal...Now that things are looking up, can we do better at giving things away? LDS Charities has all sorts of ways to give of our abundance to those blessed a bit less than we. We can support a missionary. We can help a returned missionary get an education. With our contributions, we can help build wells, schools, and sewing rooms, provide hygiene, school, or new born kits, supply quilts, dresses, pajamas, or underclothing, or help provision all sorts of humanitarian work around the world. Surely, we can help one of the least, when our houses are in order.
Storage Goal...Last month we talked about dehydrating excess produce from our gardens. If you don't yet have a dehydrator, consider purchasing the best one available, the Excaliber 9 tray. About now cherries are getting ripe. After eating your fill of fresh cherries, consider the several ways to preserve the harvest. Dehydrating a freezing preserve the most nutrients. Bottling and jamming are other alternatives. However, they require added refined sugars that are not health building. Dried cherries are a great addition to hot cereals on cold winter mornings. When our granddaughter visited last winter, she especially loved breakfasts that included rice pudding. 1/2 c. cooked brown rice blended with 1/2 banana, 1/2 t. cinnamon, and 1 c. water. In a small sauce pan, mix pureed rice kream with 1/2 c. cooked brown rice, 1/4 diced apple, and 2 T. dried cherries (or dates, raisins, figs, blueberries, etc.) Heat until steamy. Yes, this meal has sugar, but it is in the form of complex carbohydrate. Additionally, fruit contains some protein, numerous vitamins, lots of minerals, and a plethora of soluble and insoluble fibers that temper the absorption of complex carbohydrate. Table sugar is simple carbohydrate, which is uncomfortable to and unhealthy for liver, pancreas, heart, and brain.
Emergency Evacuation and Pantry Kits...Our kits should be quite extensive at this point. Often many people are not prepared for emergency situations. Should we say to the little child sitting next to us, 'Too bad, so sad, your mama didn't bring you anything. We are not hungry at all!' I don't think any woman could do that, but the idea of short changing our own children or grandchildren is not pleasant either. Now that we are well stocked and prepared in case of evacuation or power outage, we ought to plan on a bit more to feed that little child.
Provident Living Goal...Because CC is a desert climate, be concerned with storing water and lots of it. Also, consider recycling grey water to water fruit trees or other uses and harvesting atmospheric moisture to water the garden. As you can see this idea can be beautiful."I have on occasion cited the need for many reservoirs in our lives to provide for our needs. I have said, 'Some reservoirs are to store water. Some are to store food, as we do in our family welfare program and as Joseph did in the land of Egypt during the seven years of plenty. There should also be reservoirs of knowledge to meet the future needs; reservoirs of courage to overcome the floods of fear that put uncertainty in our lives; reservoirs of physical strength to help us meet the frequent burdens of work and illness; reservoirs of goodness; reservoirs of stamina; reservoirs of faith.'" Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle
May Newsletter 2
Emotional Goal...Learn and Live the ABCs for an Abundant Life. "So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment...Don’t limit yourself and don’t let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities."
—Thomas S. Monson, "Living the Abundant Life", Liahona and Ensign, January 2012
Spiritual Goal...Don't falter in your previous resolves with personal and family scripture study and prayer, FHE, journaling, and so forth. Review your goals and update them. Continue with building your scriptural knowledge and spiritual strength with purposeful daily devotions. “I am grateful for emphasis on reading the scriptures. I hope that for you this will become something far more enjoyable than a duty; that, rather, it will become a love affair with the word of God. I promise you that as you read, your minds will be enlightened and your spirits will be lifted. At first it may seem tedious, but that will change into a wondrous experience with thoughts and words of things divine.” Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Light within You,” Ensign, May 1995, 99
Physical Goal...Drink water as your only beverage for the next month, preferably distilled. After this month of eliminating all other beverages. Check your weight; likely you'll find you lost weight and feel better. Keep up your exercise program. "Your body is a temple, a gift from God. You will be blessed as you care for your body. Choose to obey the Word of Wisdom. When you are obedient to this law, you remain free from harmful addictions and have control over your life. You gain the blessings of a healthy body, an alert mind, and the guidance of the Holy Ghost. You will be prepared to serve the Lord...To care for your body, eat nutritious food, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep." For the Strength of Youth, Emotional and Physical Health
Financial Goal...Do you remember to pay an honest tithe? Doing so you will do more to build your financial security than anything else. Do you bless the lives of others with a generous fast offering? Caring for the least of God's children, we show our devotion to Him. He has blessed us all so abundantly. Let us give back just a little and help God bless the lives of others. “The fundamental principle of all Church relief work is that it must be carried on by fast offerings and other voluntary donations and contributions. This is the order established by the Lord.” J. Reuben Clark
Storage Goal...As your garden begins to produce, eat what you can fresh. Then dehydrate some of what is left. A wonderful seasoning that I've used for years is made of real food for real flavor. Instead of bouillon cubes which are just balls of artificial flavoring, salt, and hydrogenated fats, make nutrient dense veggie broth powder from dehydrated, powdered carrots, onions, tomatoes, peas, celery, green bell peppers, green beans, zucchini, mushrooms (optional), and parsley. It makes most anything taste better. Additionally, each tablespoon added is like adding 1/2 c. pureed vegetables. You can't beat that--some people skip the powdering step and simply add 1/2 c. mixed dehydrated vegetables to their soups, sauces, and stews for flavor and nutrition. Even though it is nice to do this in an electric dehydrator under 115F, in this area it is warm and dry enough to dehydrate produce outdoors in the sun under cheese cloth. One of our favorite lunches is food storage soup aka Lentil Soup. Soak 1 c. red or brown lentils for 3 hours and then sprout for 12-24 hours. Drain and rinse well each 12 hours. Bring 6-8 cups water, 1 t. dried oregano, and 1/2 t. red pepper flakes to a boil in a heavy pot. Add lentils and 2-4 T veggie broth powder or 1/2 to 1 c. dehydrated veggie mix, and immediately, put a lid on the pot. Turn off heat, leaving the pot on the burner. Allow soup to cook with captured heat until it cools to serving temperature. Add salt and pepper to taste plus a bit of olive oil if desired. This is a living soup, which sprouts will continue to grow in the refrigerator.
Emergency, Evacuation, and Pantry Kits...sometimes food isn't as important as entertainment. Do you have coloring books or paper, crayons, Uno, Skip-Bo, and a couple toy cars in your kit?
Provident Living...The first week of May plant a couple more dwarf cherries, apples, pears, plums, apricots, almonds, or peaches especially rated for zone 6 with late spring freezes. The second week of May plant several raspberry canes and grape vines rated for zone 6. The third week of May, plant second or third year asparagus roots in a shallow trench. As the roots sprout and grow, add compost and shredded leaves. In the fall, add compost and a thick layer of leaves (or wood chips per BTEM). This asparagus can be harvested next spring. The fourth week of May, plant out flower, strawberry, eggplant, melon, cucumber, squash, and pepper seedlings, and zucchini seeds. Either use row covers, a hoop house, or cover nightly until the first week of June is past. Begin to harvest spinach and lettuce and replace these with beans as harvested. Whenever one crop reaches maturity and is harvested, scoot the wood chips aside, add compost, Azomite and/or micronized rock dust, a pinch of mushroom spores (mycelium), and re-plant that spot with a fall/winter/over-winter crop: leeks, kale, green and red head cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, bok choi, Nappa cabbage, fennel, carrots, beets, onions, and cauliflower. Then move the wood chops back in place. And while you are outside with your children, teach them to paint the fence, build a garden trellis, or do other maintenance; remember to make this fun. "Follow the prophet. He has counseled us to plant a garden and fruit trees. This year don’t just think about it—do it. Grow all the food you possibly can. Also remember to buy a year’s supply of garden seeds so that, in case of a shortage, you will have them for the following spring...Plant fruit trees, grapevines, berry bushes, and vegetables. You will provide food for your family, much of which can be eaten fresh. Other food you grow can be preserved and included as part of your home storage. Wherever possible, produce your nonfood necessities of life. Sew and mend your own clothing. Make or build needed items. I might also add, beautify, repair, and maintain all of your property. Home production of food and nonfood items is a way to stretch your income and to increase your skills and talents. It is a way to teach your family to be self-sufficient. Our children are provided with much needed opportunities to learn the fundamentals of work, industry, and thrift." Vaugn J. Featherstone, April 1976
Spiritual Goal...Don't falter in your previous resolves with personal and family scripture study and prayer, FHE, journaling, and so forth. Review your goals and update them. Continue with building your scriptural knowledge and spiritual strength with purposeful daily devotions. “I am grateful for emphasis on reading the scriptures. I hope that for you this will become something far more enjoyable than a duty; that, rather, it will become a love affair with the word of God. I promise you that as you read, your minds will be enlightened and your spirits will be lifted. At first it may seem tedious, but that will change into a wondrous experience with thoughts and words of things divine.” Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Light within You,” Ensign, May 1995, 99
Physical Goal...Drink water as your only beverage for the next month, preferably distilled. After this month of eliminating all other beverages. Check your weight; likely you'll find you lost weight and feel better. Keep up your exercise program. "Your body is a temple, a gift from God. You will be blessed as you care for your body. Choose to obey the Word of Wisdom. When you are obedient to this law, you remain free from harmful addictions and have control over your life. You gain the blessings of a healthy body, an alert mind, and the guidance of the Holy Ghost. You will be prepared to serve the Lord...To care for your body, eat nutritious food, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep." For the Strength of Youth, Emotional and Physical Health
Financial Goal...Do you remember to pay an honest tithe? Doing so you will do more to build your financial security than anything else. Do you bless the lives of others with a generous fast offering? Caring for the least of God's children, we show our devotion to Him. He has blessed us all so abundantly. Let us give back just a little and help God bless the lives of others. “The fundamental principle of all Church relief work is that it must be carried on by fast offerings and other voluntary donations and contributions. This is the order established by the Lord.” J. Reuben Clark
Storage Goal...As your garden begins to produce, eat what you can fresh. Then dehydrate some of what is left. A wonderful seasoning that I've used for years is made of real food for real flavor. Instead of bouillon cubes which are just balls of artificial flavoring, salt, and hydrogenated fats, make nutrient dense veggie broth powder from dehydrated, powdered carrots, onions, tomatoes, peas, celery, green bell peppers, green beans, zucchini, mushrooms (optional), and parsley. It makes most anything taste better. Additionally, each tablespoon added is like adding 1/2 c. pureed vegetables. You can't beat that--some people skip the powdering step and simply add 1/2 c. mixed dehydrated vegetables to their soups, sauces, and stews for flavor and nutrition. Even though it is nice to do this in an electric dehydrator under 115F, in this area it is warm and dry enough to dehydrate produce outdoors in the sun under cheese cloth. One of our favorite lunches is food storage soup aka Lentil Soup. Soak 1 c. red or brown lentils for 3 hours and then sprout for 12-24 hours. Drain and rinse well each 12 hours. Bring 6-8 cups water, 1 t. dried oregano, and 1/2 t. red pepper flakes to a boil in a heavy pot. Add lentils and 2-4 T veggie broth powder or 1/2 to 1 c. dehydrated veggie mix, and immediately, put a lid on the pot. Turn off heat, leaving the pot on the burner. Allow soup to cook with captured heat until it cools to serving temperature. Add salt and pepper to taste plus a bit of olive oil if desired. This is a living soup, which sprouts will continue to grow in the refrigerator.
Emergency, Evacuation, and Pantry Kits...sometimes food isn't as important as entertainment. Do you have coloring books or paper, crayons, Uno, Skip-Bo, and a couple toy cars in your kit?
Provident Living...The first week of May plant a couple more dwarf cherries, apples, pears, plums, apricots, almonds, or peaches especially rated for zone 6 with late spring freezes. The second week of May plant several raspberry canes and grape vines rated for zone 6. The third week of May, plant second or third year asparagus roots in a shallow trench. As the roots sprout and grow, add compost and shredded leaves. In the fall, add compost and a thick layer of leaves (or wood chips per BTEM). This asparagus can be harvested next spring. The fourth week of May, plant out flower, strawberry, eggplant, melon, cucumber, squash, and pepper seedlings, and zucchini seeds. Either use row covers, a hoop house, or cover nightly until the first week of June is past. Begin to harvest spinach and lettuce and replace these with beans as harvested. Whenever one crop reaches maturity and is harvested, scoot the wood chips aside, add compost, Azomite and/or micronized rock dust, a pinch of mushroom spores (mycelium), and re-plant that spot with a fall/winter/over-winter crop: leeks, kale, green and red head cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, bok choi, Nappa cabbage, fennel, carrots, beets, onions, and cauliflower. Then move the wood chops back in place. And while you are outside with your children, teach them to paint the fence, build a garden trellis, or do other maintenance; remember to make this fun. "Follow the prophet. He has counseled us to plant a garden and fruit trees. This year don’t just think about it—do it. Grow all the food you possibly can. Also remember to buy a year’s supply of garden seeds so that, in case of a shortage, you will have them for the following spring...Plant fruit trees, grapevines, berry bushes, and vegetables. You will provide food for your family, much of which can be eaten fresh. Other food you grow can be preserved and included as part of your home storage. Wherever possible, produce your nonfood necessities of life. Sew and mend your own clothing. Make or build needed items. I might also add, beautify, repair, and maintain all of your property. Home production of food and nonfood items is a way to stretch your income and to increase your skills and talents. It is a way to teach your family to be self-sufficient. Our children are provided with much needed opportunities to learn the fundamentals of work, industry, and thrift." Vaugn J. Featherstone, April 1976
April Newsletter 2
Emotional Goal...Listen to conference with a purpose and a will to pay attention. Before conference begins, ask in prayer to be directed to God's will for you for the next six months. What would he have you do to build his kingdom in you? Did you start a church journal? If so take notes as you listen to conference. How can you improve? Don't think of it as a guilt trip but a grand opportunity to be taught at the feet of the Master. "The truths of the gospel have been beautifully taught and reemphasized. As we take the messages of the past two days into our hearts and into our lives, we will be blessed." President Thomas S. Monson, October 2012
Physical Goal...OK it's no secret that the Word of Wisdom is true. It's time to remove all unhealthy food items from your home, starting with fake hydrogenated peanut butter and shortening; hydrogenated fats are poison to the cardio-vascular system. Look through your cabinets, read the labels, and toss all products with hydrogenated ingredients. Then, toss all products with long lists of chemical additives. Stop using these today and refuse to buy any more of these products made by designing men; throw them away. Donating them isn't a good idea either. Is it OK to give poison to the poor? Daily exercise, choosing an optimistic attitude, and a Word of Wisdom diet can prevent and in some cases reverse cardio-vascular disease, cancer, depression, and diabetes, which are directly caused by our own actions.
Spiritual Goal...Let's get off the temple welfare wagon and take some family names to the temple. It is a spiritual high to take Grandma Billie through the temple; it really is. "Some may feel that if they pay their tithing, attend their regular meetings and other duties, give of their substance to the poor, or perchance spend one, two, or more years preaching in the world, they are absolved from further duty. But the greatest and grandest duty of all is to labor for the dead. We may and should do all these other things, for which reward will be given, but if we neglect the weightier privilege and commandment, notwithstanding all other good works, we shall find ourselves under severe condemnation. And why such condemnation? Because “the greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us, is to seek after our dead.” Because we cannot be saved without them, “it is necessary that those who have gone before and those who come after us should have salvation in common with us, and thus hath God made it obligatory to man,” says the Prophet Joseph Smith." Joseph Fielding Smith, February 1971 If you don't know where to start, call Janet Seegmiller; she loves to help.
Financial Goal...many years ago at a stake Relief Society meeting in Kent Washington, I learned about de-junking. Remember the old saying, 'a place for everything and everything in its place?' The famous organizing guru taught us to get rid of things that didn't have a proper place and learn to care for and organize the things that were left. Taking that one step further, let's go through closets and drawers. Donate some things. Then sell the rest on ebay or at your own carport sale. Use this money to pay down a debt or build up your garden. Let this goal help you become one of the world's best homemakers! Then resolve not to fill up your space with unnecessary things again. Use your home to bring peace and beauty to the lives of your family; clutter doesn't do this. Order does and so does well organized home storage items. "Mothers who know are nurturers. This is their special assignment and role under the plan of happiness. To nurture means to cultivate, care for, and make grow. Therefore, mothers who know create a climate for spiritual and temporal growth in their homes. Another word for nurturing is homemaking. Homemaking includes cooking, washing clothes and dishes, and keeping an orderly home. Home is where women have the most power and influence; therefore, Latter-day Saint women should be the best homemakers in the world. Working beside children in homemaking tasks creates opportunities to teach and model qualities children should emulate. Nurturing mothers are knowledgeable, but all the education women attain will avail them nothing if they do not have the skill to make a home that creates a climate for spiritual growth. Growth happens best in a “house of order,” and women should pattern their homes after the Lord’s house (see D&C 109). Nurturing requires organization, patience, love, and work. Helping growth occur through nurturing is truly a powerful and influential role bestowed on women." Julie B. Beck, October 2007
Emergency and Pantry Kits...Use the things in your kits and replace them over the week of Conference. Since you will be using these items instead of your regular menu, use your grocery budget to replace them.
Storage Goal...Do you have extra sheets, blankets, towels, and so forth in your storage. Do you have a store of wood for your fireplace? If you have reached your basic and secondary food storage goals, begin to consider other things you use on a daily basis such as linens, clothing, and heating fuel. “Our Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth, with all its abundance, for our benefit and use. His purpose is to provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience. He has lovingly commanded us to ‘prepare every needful thing’ (see D&C 109:8) so that, should adversity come, we may care for ourselves and our neighbors and support bishops as they care for others....be wise as you store food and water and build your savings...With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve.” https://www.lds.org/topics/food-storage
Provident Living...The best provident living skill is home production which includes gardening. During the first week of April, plant peas, leeks, soft neck garlic, and onions. During the second week of the month, plant Swiss Chard, spinach, turnips, brassica seedlings, and kale, romaine lettuce, red leaf lettuce, beets, carrots, potatoes and sweet potatoes outdoors. Indoors start cucumber, melon, and winter squash seeds in pots. As potatoes and sweet potatoes sprout, cover to cover visible greens with sandy soil/compost/dried leaves until to soil reaches the top of the cage. Continue to succession plant carrots often. Cover your plantings with floating row covers or clear plastic hoop houses--think of it as adding a warm blanket to your little plant babies' beds. “There have been very few years in my life when I have not been responsible for a garden. Even now as a city condominium dweller, I still plant and harvest a garden each year.” L. Tom Perry, October 1980 Often homemakers wonder how they can add to the family income. Remember Benjamin Franklin's words, "A penny saved is a penny earned." A great way to save is to cook from scratch. This doesn't mean opening a box of hamberger helper or a cake mix. Cooking from scratch means using real whole ingredients such as whole grains, beans, fruits, vegetables, etc. That sure sounds like food storage, doesn't it! Yes, scratch cooking takes more time and planning, but the benefits go way beyond the pennies you save. Taking time to prepare meals with and for our families, we combat emotional homelessness, teach life skills, improve health, and enjoy tastier food. "Homemaking skills are becoming a lost art. I worry about this. When we lose the homemakers in a society, we create an emotional homelessness much like street homelessness, with similar problems of despair, drugs, immorality, and lack of self-worth." Susan B. Tanner, Ensign, June 2005
Physical Goal...OK it's no secret that the Word of Wisdom is true. It's time to remove all unhealthy food items from your home, starting with fake hydrogenated peanut butter and shortening; hydrogenated fats are poison to the cardio-vascular system. Look through your cabinets, read the labels, and toss all products with hydrogenated ingredients. Then, toss all products with long lists of chemical additives. Stop using these today and refuse to buy any more of these products made by designing men; throw them away. Donating them isn't a good idea either. Is it OK to give poison to the poor? Daily exercise, choosing an optimistic attitude, and a Word of Wisdom diet can prevent and in some cases reverse cardio-vascular disease, cancer, depression, and diabetes, which are directly caused by our own actions.
Spiritual Goal...Let's get off the temple welfare wagon and take some family names to the temple. It is a spiritual high to take Grandma Billie through the temple; it really is. "Some may feel that if they pay their tithing, attend their regular meetings and other duties, give of their substance to the poor, or perchance spend one, two, or more years preaching in the world, they are absolved from further duty. But the greatest and grandest duty of all is to labor for the dead. We may and should do all these other things, for which reward will be given, but if we neglect the weightier privilege and commandment, notwithstanding all other good works, we shall find ourselves under severe condemnation. And why such condemnation? Because “the greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us, is to seek after our dead.” Because we cannot be saved without them, “it is necessary that those who have gone before and those who come after us should have salvation in common with us, and thus hath God made it obligatory to man,” says the Prophet Joseph Smith." Joseph Fielding Smith, February 1971 If you don't know where to start, call Janet Seegmiller; she loves to help.
Financial Goal...many years ago at a stake Relief Society meeting in Kent Washington, I learned about de-junking. Remember the old saying, 'a place for everything and everything in its place?' The famous organizing guru taught us to get rid of things that didn't have a proper place and learn to care for and organize the things that were left. Taking that one step further, let's go through closets and drawers. Donate some things. Then sell the rest on ebay or at your own carport sale. Use this money to pay down a debt or build up your garden. Let this goal help you become one of the world's best homemakers! Then resolve not to fill up your space with unnecessary things again. Use your home to bring peace and beauty to the lives of your family; clutter doesn't do this. Order does and so does well organized home storage items. "Mothers who know are nurturers. This is their special assignment and role under the plan of happiness. To nurture means to cultivate, care for, and make grow. Therefore, mothers who know create a climate for spiritual and temporal growth in their homes. Another word for nurturing is homemaking. Homemaking includes cooking, washing clothes and dishes, and keeping an orderly home. Home is where women have the most power and influence; therefore, Latter-day Saint women should be the best homemakers in the world. Working beside children in homemaking tasks creates opportunities to teach and model qualities children should emulate. Nurturing mothers are knowledgeable, but all the education women attain will avail them nothing if they do not have the skill to make a home that creates a climate for spiritual growth. Growth happens best in a “house of order,” and women should pattern their homes after the Lord’s house (see D&C 109). Nurturing requires organization, patience, love, and work. Helping growth occur through nurturing is truly a powerful and influential role bestowed on women." Julie B. Beck, October 2007
Emergency and Pantry Kits...Use the things in your kits and replace them over the week of Conference. Since you will be using these items instead of your regular menu, use your grocery budget to replace them.
Storage Goal...Do you have extra sheets, blankets, towels, and so forth in your storage. Do you have a store of wood for your fireplace? If you have reached your basic and secondary food storage goals, begin to consider other things you use on a daily basis such as linens, clothing, and heating fuel. “Our Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth, with all its abundance, for our benefit and use. His purpose is to provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience. He has lovingly commanded us to ‘prepare every needful thing’ (see D&C 109:8) so that, should adversity come, we may care for ourselves and our neighbors and support bishops as they care for others....be wise as you store food and water and build your savings...With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve.” https://www.lds.org/topics/food-storage
Provident Living...The best provident living skill is home production which includes gardening. During the first week of April, plant peas, leeks, soft neck garlic, and onions. During the second week of the month, plant Swiss Chard, spinach, turnips, brassica seedlings, and kale, romaine lettuce, red leaf lettuce, beets, carrots, potatoes and sweet potatoes outdoors. Indoors start cucumber, melon, and winter squash seeds in pots. As potatoes and sweet potatoes sprout, cover to cover visible greens with sandy soil/compost/dried leaves until to soil reaches the top of the cage. Continue to succession plant carrots often. Cover your plantings with floating row covers or clear plastic hoop houses--think of it as adding a warm blanket to your little plant babies' beds. “There have been very few years in my life when I have not been responsible for a garden. Even now as a city condominium dweller, I still plant and harvest a garden each year.” L. Tom Perry, October 1980 Often homemakers wonder how they can add to the family income. Remember Benjamin Franklin's words, "A penny saved is a penny earned." A great way to save is to cook from scratch. This doesn't mean opening a box of hamberger helper or a cake mix. Cooking from scratch means using real whole ingredients such as whole grains, beans, fruits, vegetables, etc. That sure sounds like food storage, doesn't it! Yes, scratch cooking takes more time and planning, but the benefits go way beyond the pennies you save. Taking time to prepare meals with and for our families, we combat emotional homelessness, teach life skills, improve health, and enjoy tastier food. "Homemaking skills are becoming a lost art. I worry about this. When we lose the homemakers in a society, we create an emotional homelessness much like street homelessness, with similar problems of despair, drugs, immorality, and lack of self-worth." Susan B. Tanner, Ensign, June 2005
Tuesday
tired of red delicious?
There are some beautiful old fruit trees planted in CC. Sadly, many are overgrown, neglected, and underutilized. Because tastes have changed, some don't like the fruit of the old trees. Sometimes the variety planted doesn't suit the climate and rarely produces fruit. Whatever the reason you don't like your fruit trees, there is a solution besides cutting it down. Graft new varieties onto your mature rootstock.
Thursday
March Newsletter 2
Emotional Goal...Read President Uchtdorf's talk Of Regrets and Resolutions from October 2012 General Conference. Ponder and resolve to do something about these points: spend more time with loved ones, strive more earnestly to become the person God wants you to be, and find happiness, regardless of circumstances. Write about this in your journal.
Spiritual Goal...Now that the New Year is in full swing, make an honest assessment of your preparation for Sunday School and Relief Society. Attempt to go prepared to participate and ask at least one question each week. If you are too shy to ask questions out loud in class, give a note to the teacher beforehand containing your question. Teachers need participation for successful lessons.
Physical Goal...If you've been walking for awhile, consider adding a weighted vest to your walking routine. Weight bearing builds bone density. Some don't like walking outdoors; if this is the case consider a mini trampoline, which also doubles as a children's energy buster. If these goals aren't possible, make sure to spend part of every day moving and lifting to your own ability. Every minute spent moving and lifting improves your physical stamina, bone density, and strength. "Many people, including me, have difficulty finding the time for sufficient rest, exercise, and relaxation. We must schedule time on our daily calendars for these activities if we are to enjoy a healthy and balanced life. Good physical appearance enhances our dignity and self respect." M. Russell Ballard, Liahona, September 2012
Storage Goal...As you use items from your long term storage such as beans, rice, or wheat, make sure you use your grocery budget to replace them at the monthly cannery night.
Financial Goal...Are you sticking to your budget and keeping an expense diary. If you've fallen back into old bad habits, read the back issues of the newsletter and make a resolve to stick to your financial guns. If you are struggling, consider getting off the disposable wagon. The use of disposable everything has literally exploded in the last half a century: razors, diapers and wipes, feminine products, plates, cups, cutlery, and napkins. What was once convenience now is seen as necessity. Financially struggling young parents lament that they 'can't even afford diapers.' The purchase of diapers used to be a one time expense that lasted through several babies that never broke any bank. You might slowly begin using kitchen towels and cloth napkins instead of paper. Look through your mom's fabric stash or the remnant bin at Joanne's; these are fun to make with scraps of calico and gingham with a simple hidden hem or blanket stitch. Every penny not spent is one drop of life blood saved for a better purpose. Jesus counseled women that clothing ought to be 'the beauty of the work of thine own hands.' D/C 42:40 Possibly we can turn this counsel to our kitchens, dinner tables, babies bottoms, etc.
Emergency and Pantry Kits...Prepare to rotate these things over the week of Conference. Make room in your grocery budget to replace them, since you will be using these items instead of your regular menu.
Provident Living...One of the first things I remember hearing the prophet say after I joined the church as a young teen was about growing a garden. Lately, we don't hear it as much. Perhaps the brethren feel we already know we ought to be doing this. Let me remind you. Grow lettuce, spinach, and herbs in your window sills for baby greens. Also, it's time to start seeds for spring planting. Since it takes 8 weeks before they are ready for the garden, eight weeks before last frost or around St. Patrick's Day start tomato, bell pepper, hot pepper, herbs, annual flowers, jicama, and eggplant seeds indoors in a sunny window. Two weeks later start green and purple cabbage, Nappa cabbage, bok choi, cauliflower, and broccoli. Some people start these in peat pots and re-plant them into 4 inch pots before finally transplanting outdoors several weeks later in the garden. I prefer to simply plant them in the bigger pots, such as large plastic cups, to begin with. Make sure to water your plants with kelp fertilizer and plant them in potting soil amended with azomite minerals. Make little green houses out of plastic sandwich bags until they are up and have little leaves. Watch Back to Eden Movie, a wonderful, inspiring movie about gardening without breaking one's back. Here's another look at this idea. Look into sources for wood chips if this method appeals to you. "Creation means bringing into existence something that di not exist before--colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter." Dieter F. Uchtdorf, October 2008 A garden can do all of these and more.
Spiritual Goal...Now that the New Year is in full swing, make an honest assessment of your preparation for Sunday School and Relief Society. Attempt to go prepared to participate and ask at least one question each week. If you are too shy to ask questions out loud in class, give a note to the teacher beforehand containing your question. Teachers need participation for successful lessons.
Physical Goal...If you've been walking for awhile, consider adding a weighted vest to your walking routine. Weight bearing builds bone density. Some don't like walking outdoors; if this is the case consider a mini trampoline, which also doubles as a children's energy buster. If these goals aren't possible, make sure to spend part of every day moving and lifting to your own ability. Every minute spent moving and lifting improves your physical stamina, bone density, and strength. "Many people, including me, have difficulty finding the time for sufficient rest, exercise, and relaxation. We must schedule time on our daily calendars for these activities if we are to enjoy a healthy and balanced life. Good physical appearance enhances our dignity and self respect." M. Russell Ballard, Liahona, September 2012
Storage Goal...As you use items from your long term storage such as beans, rice, or wheat, make sure you use your grocery budget to replace them at the monthly cannery night.
Financial Goal...Are you sticking to your budget and keeping an expense diary. If you've fallen back into old bad habits, read the back issues of the newsletter and make a resolve to stick to your financial guns. If you are struggling, consider getting off the disposable wagon. The use of disposable everything has literally exploded in the last half a century: razors, diapers and wipes, feminine products, plates, cups, cutlery, and napkins. What was once convenience now is seen as necessity. Financially struggling young parents lament that they 'can't even afford diapers.' The purchase of diapers used to be a one time expense that lasted through several babies that never broke any bank. You might slowly begin using kitchen towels and cloth napkins instead of paper. Look through your mom's fabric stash or the remnant bin at Joanne's; these are fun to make with scraps of calico and gingham with a simple hidden hem or blanket stitch. Every penny not spent is one drop of life blood saved for a better purpose. Jesus counseled women that clothing ought to be 'the beauty of the work of thine own hands.' D/C 42:40 Possibly we can turn this counsel to our kitchens, dinner tables, babies bottoms, etc.
Emergency and Pantry Kits...Prepare to rotate these things over the week of Conference. Make room in your grocery budget to replace them, since you will be using these items instead of your regular menu.
Provident Living...One of the first things I remember hearing the prophet say after I joined the church as a young teen was about growing a garden. Lately, we don't hear it as much. Perhaps the brethren feel we already know we ought to be doing this. Let me remind you. Grow lettuce, spinach, and herbs in your window sills for baby greens. Also, it's time to start seeds for spring planting. Since it takes 8 weeks before they are ready for the garden, eight weeks before last frost or around St. Patrick's Day start tomato, bell pepper, hot pepper, herbs, annual flowers, jicama, and eggplant seeds indoors in a sunny window. Two weeks later start green and purple cabbage, Nappa cabbage, bok choi, cauliflower, and broccoli. Some people start these in peat pots and re-plant them into 4 inch pots before finally transplanting outdoors several weeks later in the garden. I prefer to simply plant them in the bigger pots, such as large plastic cups, to begin with. Make sure to water your plants with kelp fertilizer and plant them in potting soil amended with azomite minerals. Make little green houses out of plastic sandwich bags until they are up and have little leaves. Watch Back to Eden Movie, a wonderful, inspiring movie about gardening without breaking one's back. Here's another look at this idea. Look into sources for wood chips if this method appeals to you. "Creation means bringing into existence something that di not exist before--colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter." Dieter F. Uchtdorf, October 2008 A garden can do all of these and more.
Saturday
plant fruit trees with self-sufficiency in mind
Inheriting a couple fruit trees that were not pruned properly and dodging rotting fruit on sidewalks in summer from overgrown trees, I have become highly interested in the proper pruning process. There is no sense in planting trees that grow too large for an average or elderly housewife to care for and harvest. This video explains the proper pruning process very well.
Tuesday
February Newsletter 2
Spiritual Goal...Learn to learn by the Spirit. "Once Spencer W. Kimball was asked, 'What do you do if you find yourself caught in a boring sacrament meeting?' President Kimball thought a moment, then replied, 'I don’t know; I’ve never been in one.' President Kimball was teaching that he did not go to sacrament meeting to be entertained; he went to worship the Lord, renew his covenants, and be taught from on high." A. Roger Merrill One fun way to get your mind into the meeting is to keep a church journal, an idea spread by John Bytheway. Any notebook and pen will do to jot notes. The act of writing a bit of what you hear keeps your mind active and engaged, allowing your spirit to be taught.
Emotional Goal...Read, study, and implement President Bednar's talk The Merciful Obtain Mercy. "The more we allow the love of God to govern our minds and emotions—the more we allow our love for our Heavenly Father to swell within our hearts—the easier it is to love others with the pure love of Christ. As we open our hearts to the glowing dawn of the love of God, the darkness and cold of animosity and envy will eventually fade." Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Physical Goal...How long has it been since you submitted to cholesterol testing? Is your level 150 or under? Did you know following the Word of Wisdom will definitely cure a high cholesterol level and even reverse many degenerative diseases? Did you know in addition to the promised health benefits, the Word of Wisdom promises protection, knowledge, and wisdom to those who obey its precepts? What are those precepts? We all know the don'ts, although there is some debate over the use of the drug caffeine and prescribed mind altering drugs. However the dos are just as important. Our diets should be mainly made up of wholesome herbs (vegetables, legumes, and greens), seasonal fruits, and grains with flesh foods only 'used sparingly' if at all ('should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine'.) Back when Joseph Smith received this revelation, the only fresh fruits and vegetables available were from the family's root cellar. Sometimes these didn't last through the winter. Currently, that isn't the case, nor is there a famine in our part of the world. Extensive medical research proves the Word of Wisdom over and again; animal products cause degenerative disease including elevated cholesterol levels. "I think that another reason why I have very splendid strength for an old man is that during the years we have had a cafeteria in the Utah Hotel, I have not, with the exception of not more than a dozen times, ordered meat of any kind. On these special occasions I have mentioned I have perhaps had a small, tender lamb chop. I have endeavored to live the Word of Wisdom, and that, in my opinion, is one reason for my good health." Heber J. Grant, April 1937
Financial Goal...Hopefully, you are beginning to feel more comfortable, since you began implementing the financial goals found in these newsletters. If you have not yet begun, do so today. If you have been working the goals right along, now may be the time for you to follow scriptural admonitions of feeding, succoring, and lifting up. Giving to others always brings great blessings to the giver as well as the receiver. One fun idea told to my family by our home teacher is the Christmas Experiment. All through the year, the adult children of this home teacher saves money. Before Christmas they put this money in envelopes each with a card stating it is a gift of love from Jesus. They pray for the Spirit to guide them in giving out these gifts as they walk around town. They reported that it is a beautiful and spiritual way to bring the proper spirit into their hearts during that special season. Some donate to LDS charities. Some give financial support to a special missionary or child in need. Some give larger fast offerings. Whatever you do, do something.
Home Storage Goal...What does your emergency kit look like? Is it adequate for real emergencies or is it just Band-Aids and bactine? While we may not be nurses or doctors, we can certainly butterfly and bandage. You never know when you will need these things, so stock up this month on larger more useful bandages, tape, wraps, butterflies or steri strips, cold packs, hot packs, etc. Some things right from your kitchen can do a world of good in an emergency as well. Chopped garlic in olive oil (strained after steeping for several days of course) makes a good disinfectant, ear ache tamer, and virus chaser. Cayenne pepper will stop bleeding instantly, stop a dizzy spell, and warm someone with hypothermia. A parsley and carrot salad helps in cases of water retention. A poultice of plantian, yes that weed in your yard, will stop the pain of an insect bite. A comfrey poultice possibly with a bit of that garlic oil and maybe some cayenne, will help wounds of all types heal faster often without scaring. Do some research on old home remedies. They may not be as fancy as a pill from the doc, but many have stood the test of time for a reason.
Emergency Kit...make sure medications are up to date.
Provident Living...check out all the seed catalogs coming in the mail. Make a plan for spring planting or look at our newsletters from last year for a plethora of gardening ideas. Plan on at least one new vegetable this growing season. Plant at least one dwarf or espalier fruit tree, grape vine, or berry bush. Make your order early so you will be ready to start seeds in a sunny window. It almost makes the snow bearable. "In previous times we have urged you to plant gardens and trees. We congratulate you on the number of gardens this year. Everywhere we drive, from city to city, we see gardens that were not there before. Rows of corn, red tomato plants, carrots, onions, radishes, squash, and other plants. We congratulate you! We are sure that you have reduced, to some extent, the high cost of living by having these fresh vegetables from your own gardens." Spencer W. Kimball, October 1975
Emotional Goal...Read, study, and implement President Bednar's talk The Merciful Obtain Mercy. "The more we allow the love of God to govern our minds and emotions—the more we allow our love for our Heavenly Father to swell within our hearts—the easier it is to love others with the pure love of Christ. As we open our hearts to the glowing dawn of the love of God, the darkness and cold of animosity and envy will eventually fade." Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Physical Goal...How long has it been since you submitted to cholesterol testing? Is your level 150 or under? Did you know following the Word of Wisdom will definitely cure a high cholesterol level and even reverse many degenerative diseases? Did you know in addition to the promised health benefits, the Word of Wisdom promises protection, knowledge, and wisdom to those who obey its precepts? What are those precepts? We all know the don'ts, although there is some debate over the use of the drug caffeine and prescribed mind altering drugs. However the dos are just as important. Our diets should be mainly made up of wholesome herbs (vegetables, legumes, and greens), seasonal fruits, and grains with flesh foods only 'used sparingly' if at all ('should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine'.) Back when Joseph Smith received this revelation, the only fresh fruits and vegetables available were from the family's root cellar. Sometimes these didn't last through the winter. Currently, that isn't the case, nor is there a famine in our part of the world. Extensive medical research proves the Word of Wisdom over and again; animal products cause degenerative disease including elevated cholesterol levels. "I think that another reason why I have very splendid strength for an old man is that during the years we have had a cafeteria in the Utah Hotel, I have not, with the exception of not more than a dozen times, ordered meat of any kind. On these special occasions I have mentioned I have perhaps had a small, tender lamb chop. I have endeavored to live the Word of Wisdom, and that, in my opinion, is one reason for my good health." Heber J. Grant, April 1937
Financial Goal...Hopefully, you are beginning to feel more comfortable, since you began implementing the financial goals found in these newsletters. If you have not yet begun, do so today. If you have been working the goals right along, now may be the time for you to follow scriptural admonitions of feeding, succoring, and lifting up. Giving to others always brings great blessings to the giver as well as the receiver. One fun idea told to my family by our home teacher is the Christmas Experiment. All through the year, the adult children of this home teacher saves money. Before Christmas they put this money in envelopes each with a card stating it is a gift of love from Jesus. They pray for the Spirit to guide them in giving out these gifts as they walk around town. They reported that it is a beautiful and spiritual way to bring the proper spirit into their hearts during that special season. Some donate to LDS charities. Some give financial support to a special missionary or child in need. Some give larger fast offerings. Whatever you do, do something.
Home Storage Goal...What does your emergency kit look like? Is it adequate for real emergencies or is it just Band-Aids and bactine? While we may not be nurses or doctors, we can certainly butterfly and bandage. You never know when you will need these things, so stock up this month on larger more useful bandages, tape, wraps, butterflies or steri strips, cold packs, hot packs, etc. Some things right from your kitchen can do a world of good in an emergency as well. Chopped garlic in olive oil (strained after steeping for several days of course) makes a good disinfectant, ear ache tamer, and virus chaser. Cayenne pepper will stop bleeding instantly, stop a dizzy spell, and warm someone with hypothermia. A parsley and carrot salad helps in cases of water retention. A poultice of plantian, yes that weed in your yard, will stop the pain of an insect bite. A comfrey poultice possibly with a bit of that garlic oil and maybe some cayenne, will help wounds of all types heal faster often without scaring. Do some research on old home remedies. They may not be as fancy as a pill from the doc, but many have stood the test of time for a reason.
Emergency Kit...make sure medications are up to date.
Provident Living...check out all the seed catalogs coming in the mail. Make a plan for spring planting or look at our newsletters from last year for a plethora of gardening ideas. Plan on at least one new vegetable this growing season. Plant at least one dwarf or espalier fruit tree, grape vine, or berry bush. Make your order early so you will be ready to start seeds in a sunny window. It almost makes the snow bearable. "In previous times we have urged you to plant gardens and trees. We congratulate you on the number of gardens this year. Everywhere we drive, from city to city, we see gardens that were not there before. Rows of corn, red tomato plants, carrots, onions, radishes, squash, and other plants. We congratulate you! We are sure that you have reduced, to some extent, the high cost of living by having these fresh vegetables from your own gardens." Spencer W. Kimball, October 1975
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