Family Home Evening suggestions

Thanks to Suzanne and others for presenting helpful ideas for Family Home Evenings.  Here's a link to the handout.

"Perfect" vs Celestial

The Girl in a Whirl

by "Dr. Sue" (a.k.a. Vickie Gunther)

Look at me, look at me, look at me now!

You could do what I do if you only knew how.

I study the scriptures one hour each day.

I bake and I garden. I scrub and I pray.

I always keep all the commandments completely.

I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.

I help in their classrooms! I sew all they wear!

I drive them to practice! I cut all their hair!

I memorize talks by the General Authorities.

I focus on things to be done by priorities.

I keep our home organized, clean and attractive.

I drop by with goodies and see the less- active.

I play the piano! I bless with my talents!

My toilets all sparkle! My checkbooks all balance!

Each week every child gets a one- on- one date.

I attend all my meetings (On time! Never late!)

I'm taking a class on the teachings of Paul,

But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all . . .

I track my bad habits 'til each is abolished.

I floss everyday! And my toenails are polished!

Our family home evenings are always delightful.

The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.

I do genealogy faithfully, too.

It's easy to do all the things that I do!

I rise each day early, refreshed and awake.

I know all the names of each youth in my stake!

I read to my children! I help all my neighbors!

I bless the community, too, with my labors.

I write in my journal! I sing in the choir!

Each day, I write "thank you's" to those I admire.

I exercise and I cook menus gourmet.

My visiting teaching is done the first day!

(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.

I love filling in for my cherished ward sisters.)

I chart resolutions and check off each goal.

I seek each "lost lamb" on my Primary roll.

I bottle our produce each summer and fall.

But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all . . .

I went back to school to update my degree.

My studying earned me a new PhD

I split with the Sisters who cover our ward

To spread the glad truth that the Gospel's restored.

I go to the temple at least once a week.

I make my girls' prom dresses-- modest, yet chic.

My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!

My kids get straight A's! And their bedrooms are clean!

I have my own business to help earn some money.

I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.

I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread.

I plan our nutritious meals six months ahead.

I make sure I rotate our two- year's supply.

My shopping for Christmas is done by July!

(It's out of the way early on for a reason.

I then can prepare for the real Christmas season.)

These things are not hard. It's good if you do them.

You can if you try! Just set goals and pursue them!

It's easy to do all the things that I do!

If you plan and work smart, you can do them all too!

"It's easy!" she said . . .

. . . and then,

she dropped dead.

Let's pause for a moment in our guilt-fest and ask this important question, "What is required to enter into the celestial kingdom?"

Do I have to be a size six to qualify? Don't think so.

Will the Lord ask if I had an "important" calling? Definitely not.

But what if I'm not married? Isn't that a deal breaker? Well, no, even the prophets have said it isn't.

Do I need to can, quilt, bake, sew, and organize to get in? Guess ­not.

So let go of some of your anxiety and give yourself credit for the good things you do.

Compassionate Service Opportunities

Please post here needs that the sisters can fill.

Bargains

Here is a website that you might find useful as you plan your weekly grocery shopping.  It compares grocery sales with some stores in our area.  It even lets you know if you need a coupon, and where to find the coupon.  Go to www.pinchingyourpennies.com and click on the section called "grocery guide."  Enter your zip code and the stores signed up for this service will pop up, and you mark the ones you're interested in.  If you have any questions, you can go to the part of the site where they have forums, and the lady who moderates the website will handle them.

The outlets at North Bend have better prices than most stores in Bellevue.  It's a great place to get gifts for kids and grandkids, and there's a good selection of kitchen wares.

There's a supermarket in Kent with great low prices: WinCo.

Comment here if you know of other great bargains you'd like to share with your sisters.

Emergency Preparedness on the internet

(taken from the handout at the last preparedness open house)

Community Sites:

Provident Living

Bellevue community preparedness education

Seattle Emergency Management

King County Emergency Management

Washington State Emergency Management Division

UW Emergency Management

Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington

award-winning site about preparing for and responding to emergencies

Prep site from American Red Cross

Seattle HAM radio organization

Commercial Sites:

FirstAidProduct - wholesale

NationalSurvivalSupply - solutions for home, business, and church

Emergency Essentials - little bit of everything

Minimus - Travel-size EVERYTHING

Meals Ready to Eat "Smorgasbord"

Brigade Quartermaster - survival equipment

PrepareSmart - local company

First Aid Supplies available in bulk or individual sizes

Survival Kits and CERT Supplier

CA-based company specialing in earthquake solutions, kits, equipment, etc.

Self-proclaimed "Disaster and Survival Superstore"

GetReadyGear - kits, equipment, and disaster information

LifeSecure Emergency Solutions - kits, equipment, and disaster information

Cooking With Beans

Lois taught Thursday about cooking dry beans.  She "pillaged Safeway" to bring packages of lots of different kinds, and made some hefty packets with information about beans and lots of recipes.  Click on the links to view the packets digitally.

Cooking and Eating Whole Grains

Belinda and Melanie taught Thursday night about using whole grains. They can probably get you a copy of the handout if you missed it. It includes descriptions and cooking instructions for more than 17 kinds of whole grains, tips for incorporating them in your diet and storing them, and 9 recipes.

The Whole Grains Council website has lots of great information, including links to other sites with recipes using whole grains.

Please start looking for these grains where you shop (PCC and Whole Foods are obvious, but Trader Joe's, TOP, Albertson's, and others also carry many) and post the prices you find (for example: pearled barley, Bob's Red Mill brand, $2.75 for 30 oz at Amazon.com) to help others know where to go for each kind of grain. This should make it easier to get started using them more. We learned Thursday night about the many health benefits of eating whole grains, so let's encourage each other to try it at home!

Click the Comments link to post a price you found.