Count your blessings jar labels

If you didn't read my post on my other blog, http://visitingteachingtips.blogspot.com, then you might want to go there for ideas and directions on why I have posted this cute printable idea for a New Years Party favor or just for remembering your blessing or whatever.  Great idea to give to the sisters you Visit teach, or for yourself, to remind you what the Lord has done for you, for a whole year.

Here are the template for the printable labels:

This is the large label:

 

This is the smaller label:

 

 

 

 

This is some little "Blessing" squares if you want to include them with the gift.

 

Enjoy and pass a long!  Katie G.

Breakfast with Santa invitation

I was asked to create a little Breakfast with Santa invitation to pass out to the non members or inactive members in our ward boundaries, to let them know they are welcome to come.  Since I went to all this work, I decided to share it with those of you who need an invitation too.  They are a tiny bit different and you will have to customize it, but both sides turned out pretty cute.

To download... click on the image, and then right click on it again, and save to your computer.  Customize and print from your computer. Prints 2 per page - 8.5 x 11 paper. 

Enjoy!
Katie Gauger

If you want to be happy, give something away!

Share button HTML

Every year, I get this wonderful feeling inside of me, and I am reminded of my Grandmother Doris Robinson, who began a family tradition over a century ago.  She found a wonderful story and shared it with our family, and each year at Christmas and Thanksgiving, we took that story out, and shared it with each other.  Over the years, all of my family have it memorized, but it is just as cherished and loved, and still enjoyed each year with our own children and grandchildren. 

Two years ago, I had some promptings within me telling me that this story needed to be shared with more than our family. The message was so wonderful, that it was something that everyone needed, and could benefit from, so I decided to finally do what others in my family had thought one day that might do, and turned this wonderful story into a book.  I submitted my manuscript to a publisher and 2 months later, they accepted it and sent me a contract to publish this book.  I knew it would be special even beyond my vested family interest.  I was so pleased that they felt the same, and now after a long time, my book is out for this Christmas.

"If you want to be happy, give something away," is the title of my book and my daughter and I decided to create a darling little video trailer to share some snippets about the story.  This has been a labor of love, but one that I know you will enjoy as much as my family has enjoyed it for years. I did rewrite and have it illustrated,   but the end is still the same beloved story. 

Please view my book video trailer and if you like it, please write to me at printablesbykatie@gmail.com and I can put you on the waiting list and send it to you the moment it is out.  I will have my first shipment coming in only a week and a half.

I have so many followers of this blog and my others, and I decided to announce that I will be having an book signing, held the first week of December. (I will make an official announcement in a week so you can mark your calendars.) I would love to meet you and share with you my wonderful Family Christmas book, and the message of how you too can be happy.  I will have refreshments, and a drawing, and I will be passing out free bookmarks to the first 200 people who stop by to say hello and learn about my new book.

Best regards,
Katie G (Kathleen Gauger)

Heaven's Very Special Child

Yesterday I visited a woman, who I had been her Visiting teacher, but I was visiting her with a different purpose.  She asked me while I was visiting her if I would take this poem she was given years ago and make something pretty so she could frame it and hang it up on her wall.  She was given it, after a few years after giving birth to one of heavens very special children.  She knew that I too had a very special child that I raised, and also wanted me to have a copy.  Today, I created this beautiful poem in several different colors because I wasn't sure which one would match her home the best, so she could chose for herself. I decided that there are many people who are blessed with a special child to come into their home.  At first I am sure that all of us think of it as an overwhelming challenge, and one that we don't know if we can do, but after a while and lots of love, we understand what a blessing these very special children are and how blessed we are to have been selected to be the parent and to raise them. 

I would bet that many of you have sisters, friends and neighbors who have been also blessed in this uniquely special way, and perhaps passing this beautiful poem on to them might help their perspective, when they are having a bad day, or when things seem more than they can bare.  Please feel free to either print this one or if you want the other colors that I have made, go to my new blog http://ifyouwant2behappy.blogspot.com
My download process is easy...
Click on the picture to enlarge it and save it to your computer.  The only thing I ask is that if people ask you where you got it, that you would direct them back to either of my blogs.

 For 3 other colors, click here

Have you done any good in the world today?

Today was my Stake conference.  There were many wonderful talks all about "Hastening the work."  Lots of wonderful stories were given about missionary work and conversion stories.  It was really wonderful, and I took notes on little messages that really inspired me.  I decided to share a poster with you about one such message.  The words of the song... Have I done any good in the world today?  Obviously I took a bit of liberty with the last line, because I didn't want to use the entire song, but wanted to get the message accross.  I left Conference knowing what I needed to do to step up, and lengthen my stride and commitment.  This is a visual reminder of some simple things we can all do to make this world a better place.  If we ask ourselves these few questions, hopefully you too, will be inspired and motivated to do more.  Enjoy and pass the word along, oh and the poster too.  Katie G

Scripture Power Bookmark

You are probably wondering why I am posting something for Primary Children on my Visiting Teaching blog.  I decided that since it took me a good long time to create these, I would go ahead and share and hopefully some of you that follow my blog will serve in Primary.  My husband was asked by the Ward Primary President if after the Scripture Power Challenge, if he as the Bishop would come into the classes that completed it, and congratulate them with high fives, or something.  I thought that if little children were to be so diligent as to bring their scriptures to Primary for weeks and weeks in a row, especially considering that youngsters barely remember to take anything they are suppose to with them wherever they go, that they needed more than a high 5.  I make some for the boys and some for the girls, but also thought of another idea for a bookmark using the light bulb and Book of Mormon.  Feel free to use whatever you would like of these and I thought that when you Visit Teach, and you talk about the power of the Scriptures in your life, that you could use it too.  Enjoy!  Katie G.  Oh and go drop by my new blog http://ifyou want2behappy.blogspot.com

If you want 2 be HAPPY (my new blog)

I wanted to share with you my new blog.  I have created some cute printables that are perfect for sharing with the sisters you visit teach, a friend, neighbor, or anyone you think might have a need for something to help them to have a HAPPY DAY!  It is called If you want 2 be happy  I will be creating some HAPPY things there almost every day and all of them are FREE, Free, free!!!

Please go to my new blog and follow me as I will have the very same cute things I offer on this blog, but just a little different. 

Have a hap, hap, happy day!

August 2013 Visiting Teaching Message (Handout)

Here is a little printable that I created to go with the August 2013 Visiting teaching message that you will be sharing during the month.  To print, click on the image, right click and save as a file on your computer, then print from there.  Enjoy!  Katie G

July 2013 Visiting Teaching Handout

I printed up a condensed version on the Visiting Teaching message, to cut and hand out to the sisters that I Visit teach.  You can see the full message on LDS.org.  You are free to print save this to your computer and print it off to take with you as well if you like.  Enjoy, Katie G.

America The Beautiful

America The Beautiful

Happy 4th of July!  I wanted to share with you a beautiful video that Sister Rebecca Adam's of Illinois created using her arrangement of America the beautiful. As you look at the images, try to think and be grateful for what we do have in America.  With so much negativity and challenges in the world, we should reminisce from time to time on our blessings, instead of our faults.  Hope you enjoy this beautiful video, and if you like it, go to her You tube site and write a comment.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV6RE5dQ4Fg&feature=youtu.be

Mothers Day quote booklet

If you are in need of a quick Mothers Day gift for someone you care about, maybe even those you Visit teach.... hint, hint... then you can find a printable I just made called "Quotes from our prophets about wives, women, and mothers"  on my other blog. http://visitingteachingtips.blogspot.com

Happy Mothers Day

I have fallen in love with a particular artists work.  The artist was Harrison Fisher and I love his worked because he has such a talent for capturing beauty. Last week, as my husband and I were enjoying our hobby of collecting old books, I came upon a first edition book of the artwork of Harrison Fisher.  I bought it and it is mine and I am sooooo excited to own it.  Yes it is the most expensive in my collection, but has to be the one I love the most.  I wanted to find a wonderful image that captured the essence of Motherhood, to share with you for Mothers day, and my favorite artist did in his beautiful work. This first image embraces motherhood, and the adoration and love of a Mother for her wee infant child. It is called "Birth Announcement". Someone cropped out the dad, so I am adding the next one too.

This one is with the doting father and Mother, called "Birth Announcement"

This last one is called "King of Hearts".  Artist is Harrison Fisher, and the images were found at a wordpress blog called "I AM A CHILD".

 HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!

 
 



Easter Peeps

Don't you just love those sugar coated, chewey, marshmallow Easter Peeps?  I love them enough I am sharing them with the sisters I visit teach.  So.... I have designed some cute Recipe cards for "Roasted Peeps," and also matching bookmarks or tags. 

If you have forgotten or just don't know how to print these freebies off for yourself, right click on the image and save to your computer.  Then print from the file on your computer.  It is as easy as that.  One thing I ask is that you just say "THANKS" by commenting.  It is always nice to know how far my efforts reach and that it has helped others. Hope you enjoy them. Katie Gauger

Happy Easter!

St. Patricks Day (Green Cookie Recipe)

Years ago, when I lived in Nevada, a good friend of mine gave me a recipe for "Forgotten Cookies".  I have long since "Forgotten" about them until this year, when I started on a diet, and wanted something  yummy as a treat, that was mostly on my diet, and very low sugar and calories.  Well, I put together my own version of this recipe, and thought you might like them, because they are green and great and easy cookies for St. Patricks Day treats.  They are crunchy and soooo good!  Only a few ingredients too and fat free (unless you count the Ande's mint pieces that are in them) OOOHH!
Enjoy and have a fun St. Patricks Day and remember to wear green so you don't get pinched!

Hope you enjoy this recipe!

Relief Society Meeting Ideas

I am not going to repeat the fun ideas that I just posted on my other blog, so you will just have to go over to it and see them for yourself.  Enjoy!  Katie Gauger  http://visitingteachingtips.blogspot.com

Jesus of Nazareth

I designed these and two others at Christmas, but this one in particular, Jesus of Nazareth, would work very well for Easter.  Thanks to the good eyes of one of my blog readers for pointing out that I had misspelled two words, so I quickly corrected it, and thought that I would repost as something you could take with you Visiting Teaching.

Oh and just a reminder for those of you who still don't know how to download from this site... just click on the image to enlarge, then right click and save as a file in your computer.  Print from the file on your computer.  Enjoy!  Katie Gauger

P.S.  I have to share what to me is a cute "Great minds think alike" memory.  This past Thursday night was our wards R.S. night meeting, and a cute and fun friend of mine was participating in a readers theater on Women in Nauvoo for our Birthday party.  It was a fun evening but she sat at my table and shared with me that she was a bit frightened to have such a big part, and very nervous.  When the program started and she had to go up to the front to do her part, she turned to me, put her hand on her heart and said...."May the force be with me".  Little did she know that I had just posted these cute door hanger and one of them said that very quote..."May the force be with you!"  Of course we aren't Jedi's but we are women who know from whence our force comes.  Anyway, I sent her a copy of these door hangers after I got home.  Loved the evening.

By the way if any of you are wondering what we did, for the dinner... it was simple and the tables had things on them that would have been served or eaten in the early days of the church.  Each table had a quart jar that had licorice in it and a pint jar of lemon drop candies.  The meal was a simple salad and a cornbread meat pie casserole was served.  The readers theater used "Cupcakes" in the first and the last part of it, so there were a variety of delicious and beautifully decorated cupcakes for us to enjoy, sitting on a dessert table.  It was a simple but very nice evening!

The little red hen

I am happy to share with you the link to a very cute Visiting Teaching Conference about the Little Red Hen, though it's title isn't that, you will have to go to this link to find out what it really is all about.  http://visitingteachingtips.blogspot.com/2013/03/visiting-teaching-conference-idea.html
 
When you get there, you can print off the darling program and use is in your own ward if you want.  It is a keeper, and besides The little red hen is one of my favorite childhood stories, that I use to even tell my kids when they weren't helping me out enough.  Enjoy!  Katie Gauger

P.S.  If you want to see the original Little Red Hen illustrated book, it can be found at this link at Project Gutenburg.  The images are priceless, and the story is timeless. http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/18735

 

 

Service Contest

"...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."  Matthew 25:40

I am gathering stories to include in my book that will focus on “Christ like Service”.  If you would like to participate in this wonderful contest opportunity, please email me with your stories of Christ like service that:

1.       Has been given to you
2.       Has been given to someone you know
3.       You have observed
4.       You have been a part of
5.       Or that has been a group project

Here are the details:

·         Stories should be no longer than 800 - 1000 words. (If you must go longer, be sure to total up the word count and submit it along with your story.)

·         Provide as much story detail as possible, helping those who will eventually be reading to have their own hearts touched by your experience.

·         You may include names of those involved in this service, or you may request for them to remain anonymous, in which case you can change the names or I will.

·         The stories MUST BE TRUE, and have actually happened. (document with dates that your story happened if possible)

·         Stories can be in the past, or present, and you can go way back to your ancestors if you wish, however  your stories must not have ever been published before in a book, magazine, or periodical of any sort.

·         Stories can be shared about being neighborly, aiding the sick or infirm, providing meals, groceries or other needs for someone, kind acts, service  that were passed on, helping a friend, lifting spirits of someone through kindness, or just about any other kind of service you can think of.  Whatever comes to your mind, that you feel is worthy of sharing, please do.

·         If you have photos of the service given, please include them.  If you did not take photos at the time and could take some after the fact, please include those as well.  Attach photos to the email.

Please be sure to include on your story and email the following:

·         Your full name

·         Your complete mailing address & zip code 

·         Email address

·         Phone number  (in case I need to contact you for further information about your submission)

 

On the Subject line of your email type in:   "Service  Contest"  

FYI: I will not give out your name, address, phone, etc., to anyone, but I will need it if I need to contact you about including your story in my book, as well as sending you a release and permissions form to use your story and or photos.  I will also need your address so I can mail you a copy of the book if I include your story.  No one but me will have access to your information.

All those whose stories are selected for use in my book will win a free copy of the book when it is completed and published. Your name will also be included as the contributor, and possibly a photo, so you too will be famous and published.   (As you know this may take up to a year or longer, so if your story is selected, please be patient remembering it takes time.) If your story is selected, you will be contacted by me within 6 months.)

These stories do not have to be LDS oriented only, but the book market will focus on  Christian readership.

Thanks so much for your time and interest in this wonderful project and contest which will run until midnight, April 1, 2013 .  I would like entrants worldwide, and this is why I am announcing it on my blog.  I have lots of blog readers from everywhere in the world, and hope to receive email submissions from most of you.   Please pass on the link to this contest to your friends and family, or any who you know has a story to tell. 

I look forward to your emails, and I wish you the best of luck, as well as enjoyment while you sort through your memory for stories of Christlike Service.

Best regards,

Kathleen Gauger

Ktgauger@gmail.com 

 

Valentine Day Card

I finally have recovered enough from my knee replacement surgery, that I am now back in the swing of things, and wanted to make a cute Valentine that you could give to those you Visit teach.  I made it up with the Roses are red poem, and thought that there are so many things you could do with this.  You could print off the card on card stock and the insert on plain paper or vellum.  Cut them and you could even tie a cute red ribbon around the fold of the card with a bow.  Your valentine could be as simple as that, or you could do other things such as:

• Buy a pretty, long stemmed Red Rose, and give it with the card. Costco has Roses for really cheap.  You could buy one bunch which usually is at least 18 roses, and take a single rose, and this card, to lots of your friends, and when you return, with no more roses left in your hand, you will feel sooooo good that you had a day of roses for others. 
• There are darling tiny pots of mini rose bushes that are sold in florists, and even in grocery stores
• Make a cute long stemmed Rose out of Hershey kisses. (see link for details of how to do this). http://www.alleventsadviser.com/plan/favors/hershey-kiss-roses/

Hershey Kiss Roses

 Make your own rose.  Details how to make one like this one pictured is found at this link:

Make a rose out of paper

 

For this cute paper Rose, you could attach a pin clasp on the back side to become a broach!  Darling!

I am sure that there are lots of other cute "Rose" themed things you could do, but the most important is the visit you make, to let your sisters, friends, or whomever you choose to gift this valentine to know, they are being thought about warmly, on Valentines Day!  Enjoy!  Katie

 

Happy Valentines Day! 

Relief Society and Visiting Teaching in Action--- Pay if forward.

I had whole knee replacement surgery, the day after Christmas, which was only 10 days ago. I have to say that other than having children, it has been the most painful and difficult thing I have ever undertaken. But setting aside the pain, I have to share with you, the love and sisterhood that has come my way.  I have had many prayers offered on my behalf, as well as I have had my name put in the temple by several of my sisters.I have had countless short calls, several short visits, many calls that my husband took, on my behalf.  Besides that I have had cards in the mail, and more meals and offers for meals,  that we can eat.  I know this kind of loving response, doesn't always happen, though I wish it would, I just had to share with you, why it has helped me so much.  I am even adding some of the photos I have taken of myself, during my recovery process... hopeing to see the progressess in future photos, but because I want to show you that this is ME, a real person, and tell you of the blessings that have come my way through kindness of so many.

No matter how much we as women, like to try to do it all ourselves, and try to recover from things, without letting others in to help us, we do need others.  We need our family and extended family... neighbors, friends, Visiting Teachers, and Relief Society sisters..... we just do.  I tried my best to let others know that my husband would be preparing all our meals, as we are both on diets, and trying to only eat what we are able... you know yucky diet food.  Well, they didn't listen and I am so glad because even though we have had lots of meals brought to us that are on our diet, they tasted so much better than the ones we cook, because that special ingredient they use, and add to flavor it so much better.   You know... "love".  Love makes everything taste better1

While I was preparing for this difficult surgery, I reached out to several sisters in my ward to help me understand just what I would be going through.  I wanted to be prepared, and those sister helped me to know what is important to do in preparation for the surgery, and afterwards, when the really hard part begins.  One neighbor brought over a little pedal machine for me to use, and explained that after she was over the biggest part of the pain, she would sit in a chair and slip her feet into the pedals, and pedal, while watching a movie, reading a book or working on her computer.  She said that she had let others use it after their knee surgeries too.  How kind, and what a thoughtful and helpful act of service. 

I have a darling sister I visit teach.  She has been inactive for many, many years, though loves to visit with and welcomes her Visiting Teachers.  I told her about my surgery and that I would probably have to miss a visit during January, because I would most likely not be driving or walking good enough by then to get it in.  Before I could suggest another option, like a telephone visit, she spoke up and said, "'Well then, I guess if you can't come Visit teach me, I will just have to come and Visit teach you!" ..... Now guess who was knocking at my door this morning, bearing gifts, and came for a nice visit?  You guessed it, my wonderful sister, who is also my wonderful friend.  I was so gratified by her visit, you can't imagine... actually maybe you can.  Visiting Teaching was the seed  that was planted and bloombed into a wonderful friendship. 

I can't walk without a walker, and I am going through some really painful physical therapy, but one day, my knee will be all healed and I will be out walking to my sisters homes, doing my Visiting teaching. 

I have heard from all of those sister I visit teach either by"checking up on your" texts, meals, or visits. Usually I am posting  on my blog of why it is important for you to get out and do your Visiting teaching, and  providing little handouts to make it easier to get there, but this time, I am getting pay back, even though it was never the motivation.  The love, concern and kind words that I have been given, is the best kind of pay if forward that I would ever even wish for.  I feel such gratitude.  Now if someone would just create the handout for this month for me.... any takers? Ha, Ha.

Being a Visiting teacher who develops REAL friendship with all those they teach is so important, and what our Heavenly father wants us to do.  My side of the story had to be shared, and I have such gratitude in my heart for the sisterhood that I feel as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I hope you can feel the other side of the story in your own live too.  It us usually the giver side I share with you of things you can do to get the job done, but the receiver side is just as important.  NOW make sure you get your sisters needs met.  Get to know what their needs are, and do something.  Become their friends, instead of just an associate.  Love them and serve them... for that is what our Heavenly Father desires for us.  Set your New Years goal high and never miss an opportunity to serve in this wonderful sisterhood, or wherever you are called, or anywhere else the opportunity arises.  Don't have to be a member of this church, or an active member to reach out and serve, or to be served by those who are.  Fill in each others gaps, and be the crutch under the arm to help bear one anothers burdens.  In doing, develop wonderful friendships in the process. 

I love my sisters!!!!  Each and every one of them.  Best loving regards, Katie G.