Thursday, March 31, 2016

General Conference ABC Comic Books and More



Honor and I are busy getting ready for General Conference weekend over here. Luckily, over the years, I've figured out how to save things in one basket to be pulled out and re-used from conference to conference.  Things like reusable/refillable notebooks and activities.
This makes prepping for Conference way easier.  All I have to do is switch out activities that are more age appropriate and add snacks, etc. Despite having a reliable routine, I still like to try out new ways of experiencing General Conference together, so I thought I'd share a few with you today:

General Conference Comic Books:

I remembered reading that The Friend released an updated version of their Special Witness Apostles Cards and sure enough, they did.  You can download them here:  Updated Special Witness Cards.  

In the past, we have used the cards to make Apostle blocks and to make "General Conference Smashbooks" but this time around I decided to print the cards out as stickers and use them in blank comic books that we have around the house.  

We order blank books from BareBooks, but since it's crunch time, you can easily download FREE comic book pages RIGHT HERE.  In fact, their pages look really fun, so I'll probably print out a bunch myself so the kids can get creative.



I thought it might add a little "Pow! Bang! Boom-factor!" into the weekend, especially for my son.  He can choose his own "power phrases" to doodle into or draw into his comic book.  I plan on having markers/stickers and working with him to make the comic book reflect the super-powered advice we'll be getting from our leaders this weekend.

General Conference ABCs:
This idea came to me as I was pushing Honor on the swings earlier today.  She loves to sing the alphabet right now and as a family we've learned a lot of things using the handy-dandy alphabet (see our Book of Mormon ABCs and Family Proclamation ABCs which you can print out and color during Conference)...so why not use the ABCs to help us take notes during #LDSConf and then to help us remember the teachings later on?
Here is a very simple printable that I whipped up.  You could print them off for each child OR simply post ABCs on pages on the wall and fill them in as a family whenever a phrase catches your attention.
My goal is to have the family listen for key words and phrases that begin with each letter and record it on the worksheet (with attribution if possible).  Little ones might be able to draw a picture of what they are hearing.  For bigger kids, this will be a nice way to keep them actively listening...and later, I'm hoping we'll be able to have a nice study guide and memory tool to learn from General Conference together. (You can download the printable below).


Reverence Trays & Stations:

In the past, we have utilized Reverence Stations during General Conference, which has worked great.  It's easy to switch out activities and upgrade according to your children's growing interests over the years.  However, in recent conferences, my kids have liked working together on one project at their desks in the living room all together.

This time around, I decided to try Reverence Trays.  I picked up some simple trays at Michael's the other day that I will fill with little things Honor, my 3 year old, can do.  Knowing that my other kids will WANT to do something similar, I got three trays which will contain different activities.  This will (in my mind anyway) help separate the activities and contain any potential mess.  I'll also be able to keep a time limit on things.  We've definitely moved more toward listening and writing during conference, so I don't want to go backwards, but I now have a 3 year old who had different needs from her 10, 8, and 7 year old siblings.  Two activities I plan on having ready for her are dot-a-dot Conference printables and an old stand-by we used when the older children were just learning to read and write.  We put out ABC magnetic letters and the child can write out words they hear on a dry erase board (using their best alpha-guess~!) and then they can find the letters and write it out in magnets.



General Conference Note-taking Banner:

This really feels like enough to keep us happy, but I have my note-taking conference banner up and ready to go.  The way we use this is the kids can write their favorite quotes on the erase-able chalk banner pendants.  We string them up on the wall and have an instant reminder of General Conference.


Ok, I've got to run, but be sure to check out 
Our VERY BEST GENERAL CONFERENCE IDEAS PAGE for more ideas to help with General Conference-viewing with children and have a wonderful time together this weekend!!

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Monday, March 28, 2016

I Was a Stranger



In my early 20's I found myself a stranger quite often.

While working my first job out of college, I made very little money and lived in a city where I knew no one and lived with people who had really different life circumstances from me.

After paying my monthly bills, I had very little left over for basic food. If I ate out even once, my budget was blown.

One morning, while running late for work, I realized I was nearly out of gas.  I rolled into a gas station on the way to work and filled up, not noticing a sign that read "Cash or credit only."

I went inside and realized I had no cash with which to pay and I had left my credit card at home in a coat pocket.  I begged the cashier to take a check.  He would not.  I started to panic as the line of customers behind me grew and grew.  What was going to happen to me?  To my car?  I had no one in this big, lonely city to bail me out.  No one I could call. What could I do?

Suddenly, from way back in the back of that line, a woman emerged.  She walked up to the cashier and swiped her own card paying my entire gas bill.  I was so flustered, but grateful and shocked.  I thanked her with tears in my eyes and ran out.  I have never forgotten the kindness of that woman, to whom I was a mere, irresponsible stranger, although she did not treat me as such.

As time went by, a co-worker of mine and his wife, realizing how lonely I was, befriended me.  His wife frequently invited me to hang out with them.  She took me to her friend's house to weave baskets with her, a skill and a memory that I still cherish to this day.  Although I started off a stranger to them, a lovely couple who had no children of their own, they were like a big brother and sister to me at a time when I badly needed someone to care about me.

A few years later, I moved again to an even bigger city.  This time, I had a well-paying job, however that job was fairly unstable and went away shortly after moving there.  Now I had a large monthly rent payment that I was struggling to make as I job-searched.  Again I knew no one, but my roommate who was so sweet and kind.  She went to play basketball at the church every Thursday.  One Thursday night, I was feeling such despair over my situation.  I lay there on my bed in the dark worrying, wondering what was to become of me.  I had no job.  I had taken the gamble of my young career to chase after my dream job and had failed...at least I thought so at the time.

But most of all, I was broke.  I had had multiple disappointments in my personal life and now I was all alone in a big city, feeling like I was sinking into a deep hole from which I could never climb out.  I felt invisible and like no one would notice if I just ceased to exist.

My chest started feeling tight.  I had never felt this feeling before, but I knew I needed to get out of my apartment and go be with people who might be able to lift me up spiritually, so I went to the one place where I knew someone...I went to church, where I knew my roommate would be shooting hoops with other members of our ward.

I walked into the gym.  The first girl who greeted me was only an acquaintance, but she asked me casually, "How are you doing?"  I answered honestly.  I wasn't doing great.  I had lost my job and couldn't find another one and I was flat out broke and didn't know what I was going to do about it.  I didn't even have money for food.

This girl who knew me only as another member of her 400-some member singles ward (and a fairly new one at that) reached into her pocket, pulled out her wallet, and without hesitation handed me all of the cash in her possession.  It was about $37.

She shoved it into my hand and said, "Pay me back if you can, but if you can't, just pay it forward."

I was so touched by this gesture of the complete surrender of her money to someone who was basically a stranger that I have never forgotten it.  In fact, her gesture was the quiet vote of confidence that I needed to feel like I could go on, and I soon did get an even better job, but her actions were just what I needed to rise above my despair and to hang on for one more day.  She believed in me.  So I could believe in me.

Later, upon getting to know this sister, I learned that she never was great with money during that time in her life, but I loved her even more given that fact.  $37 would have been a lot of money to her as well as to me.

All of these experiences, which then seemed so hard, now have become an invaluable part of my testimony of God's love for me and the kindness of strangers.

It has made me think twice about turning my back when someone asks me for a hand-up.  Now when someone asks me for help, I see the woman in the gas station swiping her card and disappearing as quickly as she appeared.  I see the smiling faces of the married couple who befriended a little lost girl at least 10 years their junior.  I see the hand of my fellow ward member pulling all the cash out of her wallet and surrendering it to me...I remember what it felt like when someone put their arm around a stranger.

Embracing Strangers Today

Last Christmas, we watched many news reports about the Syrian refugees. I was sad to hear so many people expressing a lack of compassion for these suddenly homeless families.  I wanted to help, but I wasn't sure what I could do, given where I lived and that the busy holiday season was upon us.

A friend of mine posted on social media about a group of women who were collecting baby carriers to help refugee mothers carry their babies safely across borders.  Being pregnant with my fifth child, I was filled with compassion for these women.  I thought, as my child grew inside of me, what if that were me and my babies?  How could I stand by and watch and do nothing?




I spread the word to all the mothers I knew locally and told them where they could send their gently used baby carriers.  But I kept pondering the thought: How can I do more?

I wanted to raise money for the LDS Humanitarian Aid, but I had limited resources myself.  With Christmas coming, I knew that people would be looking to buy gifts for others, so I wondered if there was something I could make in my own home and sell to other women I knew in my town in order to raise money for the refugees.

I found a simple pattern online that showed me how to make infinity scarves.  I used fabrics which I had originally bought to make things for my children.  My children and I "modeled" the scarves on Facebook and I told all of our friends that we would be selling the holiday-themed scarves in order to raise money for refugees.  Then we waited.

Our scarves sold out, and we made 3 or 4 more batches of them.  We raised a sizable amount of money and donated it to the church fund to help refugees.

Some friends gave their scarves away to people who asked about them and then returned to buy more.  I sewed up all of the fabric in my stash at home and bought more.

My children were excited to see our total rise and we all felt the spirit of Christ knowing we were doing something good with our time during the busy holiday season.  Although we mainly did it to honor the Savior, the dividends were awesome. We felt worth, and we felt joy and we felt peace and the approval of God.  It also made us happy to see our friends wearing our scarves!  And still others donated money to the cause without taking a scarf...just out of the goodness of their hearts.

It was neat to see the reaction of many women friends locally and online as we shared resources and pulled together to do something good for people who were strangers on the other side of the world.

There was one reaction I heard during that time that surprised me.  An acquaintance online questioned me, "Why would you help someone who hates you?"  I was taken aback by this comment (although it's not something we haven't heard in social media over and over again.)

Before I could react the Spirit entered my heart and gave me what to say.  I responded, "You mean, like how the Savior served those who hated him?"

Although I dont believe that refugees harbor ill feelings towards others, I do know that the Savior loved and served all.  And he knew the hearts of everyone; we do not.  He could easily have withheld His love, knowing what he knows about the inner workings of each of us...but he did not.  He does not.

Although I am far from perfect in serving others, the spirit taught me again through this experience what it means to both be a stranger and to serve and love and lift a stranger despite your own limitations.  It means to strive always to be and act like Him. 

I also learned that we can do a lot when we patiently seek the Spirit to inspire our efforts.  




Click the link below to read more information about the church's initiative #IWasAStranger which urges sisters to seek for ways to help refugees in their local communities and others who need a friend.  I love the church's commentary about this new initiative: "It is not a program; it's who we are." or who we can become with effort, sincerity, humility, and practice.
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Saturday, March 26, 2016

What if their story was our story?


If there has been one thing that has motivated me to help others in the last few months, this is it: "What if their story was my story?"

We're all in this together, and as was stated tonight, when we go forth to serve, as guided by the Spirit, we never walk alone.

Thank you to our leaders for tonight's wonderful #LDSConf/Women's Meeting!

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Wednesday, March 23, 2016

New Apostles Name Board


Fun Fact:  Our family's apostles name board has lasted for 3 years and been a wonderful and fun way to learn the names and faces of all of the Apostles and 1st Presidency!

With all it's use, I'm amazed at how well it's stood the test of time.  It has even been on the front page of the Friend website...but now it's time to make a new one to reflect the recent addition of new apostles.

I decided to make one using the same type of foam re-enforced poster board, but this time, it's foldable, which is great since we move our board around a lot.

Since I believe it's against copyright for me to offer the photos is one big file, I will just direct you to the page on LDS.org where I get the photos.  I basically just copy and paste them into a Word document, print and laminate them, then tape (the names) and use detachable velcro for the photos.  I like the names to stay stationary.  To help us memorize the names and faces of the Brethren, I take away the pictures (or just a few at a time) and we take turns matching them up to the correct name.  There's all sorts of uses for this board, and you can see more of how we use them on our General Conference Lessons PAGE.



Here's our old board in use in our home.  I am looking forward to learning from and studying the lives of these new leaders with my children.  Bring on General Conference!






PS - One more thing: If you've got young ones attending the General Women's Broadcast this Saturday evening, there is a free coloring journal to use during that meeting.  Click here to download it.
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Monday, March 21, 2016

Easter & General Conference Goodie Ideas


As the due date of our baby draws near, I am just knocking things off of my to-do list left and right.  (And somehow more things keep popping up on my list each day!)

I thought I'd share a few goodies that I've gathered for Easter baskets and for General Conference and such...since the two are happening within a week of each other.

Here are some ideas (and where I found them).  I hope it helps you out!



Names of Christ "Spot It" Game:  I found this "Spot It-style" game on Etsy last week and shared it on FB.  So many people clicked on over to their site that the shop owner offered a discount for my readers.  Enter the code "SAVE2" and get $2 off of a purchase of $10.  They have other games you might enjoy. I purchased the "Baby" terms spot-it (for obvious reasons) and the "LDS-themed" Spot It...in addition to the Symbols of Christ Game, which I printed off today and plan on using at FHE tonight.  (To see all of the games they have available click on Rise and Shout!)



Christian-themed coloring books:  Adult coloring books are the trend right now.  I even saw a middle-aged woman at the ob's office coloring with colored pencils.  For some reason, this looked nuts to me (ha!)  but I guess it's better than being glued to our phones, right?

Anyway, I found these two "adult" coloring books at Walmart today, paired them with a set of colored pencils/markers and I think this makes for a really relaxing time spent pondering the verses that are incorporated onto each page...for me the only time this would even be possible is during General Conference...but even then, I'm usually taking notes.  I could see me writing notes on the pages using a skinny, black, permanent marker and shading in the pictures.  That might just work!



Easter-themed Doodle Journal from A Lively Hope:  This journal is FREE, but you should print it off pronto to be used every day leading up to Easter.  Find it here.



Scripture Pulls: I am trying to encourage my kids to start being more diligent about reading scriptures on their own, in addition to family study time.  I found these scripture pulls that go along with the 2016 Primary theme...just a fun addition to Easter baskets.  You can find them here.  They also have some really neat jewelry that I've chosen to give my kids either at Easter or when the baby arrives.  Check 'em out!



CTR Rings: This CTR ring I contemplated buying, but didn't because I wasn't sure of my son's ring size and well just settled on other items.  But the price seems to be right and it's totally adjustable.  Find it here.

Here's some more free stuff:  Ok, since I love free stuff, here's a few more ideas for baskets or whatevers for your family.  Then I have to go clean my kitchen!



Free Easter Printable found here. You could print this out and frame it for a child's bedroom.  I just printed both, because I'm a sucker for bunnies.



Easter Nested Envelopes from Heidi Swapp as part of Sugardoodle's Easter freebies.  It's a bunch of little phrases pertaining to Christ and His sacrifice and the hope it brings to us at Easter and always.  You open each envelope revealing a new phrase.  Pretty neat.  I downloaded it(finally!) from this site.  It's free, comes in PDF format.  Just print it off and assemble.  Might use these in Easter baskets or during FHE.  Depends on how much I accomplish after I hit publish on this little infomercial.

By the way, as you know, I only link to stuff I absolutely love here on my blog...stuff I pretty much search out and find on my own for my own family.  Nobody is paying me to say any of this stuff!  Eww!  I wouldn't even think of it! Enjoy!



PS - And of, course, there's the FREE General Conference packet from Sugardoodle here.  Luckily a friend of mine is going to send me a bunch of LDS coloring pages and stuff she wanted to get rid of, so I'm going to be all set this year!  Thanks, Millie!
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Thursday, March 17, 2016

Temple Centerpieces



Well, we're busy as ever over here, trying to get ready for the baby to arrive, nesting, cleaning, and keeping up with holidays and regular family activities, etc.

Tonight is our ward's celebration of the Relief Society birthday, and my husband graciously added making temple centerpieces to his long to-do list.  Honor and I are getting them assembled and ready to take over to church tonight.  {We made a smaller version of this temple craft a few years ago and you can see a tutorial here.}

For our party, we're celebrating all things Pennsylvania!  Including celebrating our soon-to-be-dedicated, first-ever Pennsylvania temple.  I'll try to take lots of pics and share how it went with your guys tomorrow!

Looking for some Easter ideas?  Check out our BEST EASTER IDEAS PAGE OR click on some of the ideas below:







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Monday, March 7, 2016

The Promise of the Resurrection



What does the resurrection mean to you?  What promises do you hold on to and celebrate during the Easter season as a result of Christ's glorious victory over death?  Today, I want to share a brief testimony with you of a dear lady and her husband, who, through the loss of a child, have come to cherish the promise of the resurrection.

On Friday, I shared on Facebook about this beautiful resurrection scene that I ordered off of Etsy.  I love the quality and look of it. It's just exquisite.  I also love that Honor can play with it and talk for the characters.  She knew just what it was when we opened the package.


So, it's beautiful and functional, but more to the point, it is a wonderful expression of faith, and that is why I was drawn to it as I perused Etsy offerings the other evening! I soon learned that the creators of this beautiful piece--the family behind the shop Lilac Harvest--have a beautiful back story, that I'd like to share here.


This dear family lost a baby unexpectedly just a few months after her birth.  Here is a brief part of their story and testimony of what the promise of the resurrection means to them:

"The loss of our daughter, Laila, turned our world upside down.  The loss brought a pain beyond anything we had previously experienced, let alone what we could have ever imagined.  So many truths, previously accepted without serious thought, were brought into sharp relief.  Does Laila live on?  Is the spirit world near or far?  Can families truly be together forever?  Firmly grounding ourselves in our beliefs, and working through our pain, brought new meaning to old stories.  The celebration of the resurrection is an example."

Consider Mary, a sincere disciple and follower of our Lord, Jesus Christ; present when He raised her brother from the dead; present as He hung upon the cross; witness to His power and to His humility.  Here she is, returning to His tomb, a final act of devotion, to anoint His body.  She questions the gardener, falls to her knees to beg, her grief too heavy to bear any longer, her pain spilling down her cheeks.  He speaks, "Mary."  Can it be?  She looks up in disbelief, stretching forth her hand.  It is.  The darkness is swept away, and light fills her soul.  He is Risen!

For us, this story has taken on new meaning.  No longer an account of a distant, and ancient experience, but a personal promise to us that, as Christ rose from the dead, so will our daughter, and all of us. We will be united, with perfect bodies, to live together as a perfect, and whole, family once again." 

I am so grateful to Adrianne and Mike for being willing to share a brief, but poignant testimony with us today.  

Now it's your turn.  We can all benefit from pondering the Atonement and all that it means to us for just a few minutes today.  So please take a minute to leave a comment about what the promise of the resurrection means to you.


In his talk he lists the many things that we know and can be assured of because of Christ's Resurrection, things like: Death is not permanent, no injustice in permanent, we can trust Christ, the things he taught are true, and He will come again.


This is a glorious time to turn out thoughts and hearts to the Savior.  I hope that you will take a few minutes to do so today.  Have a great week!



And remember that the 30 Day #MyForeverFamily challenge is still going on.  For more information and to read more Easter/Family History-related posts, click here!

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Sunday, March 6, 2016

Easter Watercolor Paintings


Happy Sunday, everyone!  This morning, we are working on watercolor resist paintings with an Easter theme.


We followed the tutorial found at Teach Kids Art.  We loved her "good shepherd" paintings where the sheep are done in white and black oil crayons.  This would be a fun lesson on "finding the lost sheep" because when you paint over the sheep with water colors, they magically appear.


We ended up creating lots of variations using this same technique.  You'll need to gather the following items:

-oil pastels or crayons
-watercolor paints, brushes, and water
-watercolor paper or card stock (which is what we used)

Determine what you want to write or design and do it using your oil pastels or crayons first.  Then go to town with the water colors.  

These were done by my children ages 3 to 10, and they all enjoyed putting a bit of themselves into it.




Scarlett got more and more creative and did 3-4 paintings.  Inspiration for what to create came from hymns & primary songs.  Try this out for family home evening or a quiet Sunday activity.  It's lots of fun.  We painted while we listened to the MoTab 24-hour stream on my laptop.

Have a happy Sabbath!

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