This is a blog filled with wonderful surprises that I am giving to you ... FOR FREE, just to help you get your Visiting Teaching done each month. It's a present for you every single month! Make sure to check out my other blog too at http://visitingteachingtips.blogspot.com for other Great Visiting Teaching and Relief Society oriented ideas!







Wednesday, May 6, 2009

May Visiting Teaching in English / Mayo 2009 Español



I love to Visit teach in the months of May and November because I get to go over all the wonderful Conference talks that were given from the prior month and reread and enjoy the messages all over again. For this months message, as you know you are to choose a talk out of the Conference Issue of the May Ensign and try to pick one. Actually there are no hard fast rules about picking one if you want to give excerpts from several wonderful talks. However you like it. If you don't have the ensign in your home, you can find it at http://lds.org/conference/languages/0,6353,310-1,00.html and pick a language to listen to it in, or go here http://lds.org/gospellibrary/pdfmagazine/0,7779,592-6-1,00.html to read it in PDF, or here http://lds.org/churchmagazines/EN_2009_05_00___04205_000_000.pdf for the May 2009 Conference issue of the Ensign.

Here is a tip from me.... I like to prepare my lesson and print it off for each sister because from time to time, when we begin visiting with our sisters, time runs out before we can give a lesson. When that happens, if you have a printed one to had to her, you can suggest when she has some quiet time, read the lesson, and briefly tell her what it was about. The Handout for this month is going to be a fun way of sharing all the Conference talks with your family at dinner time. I have just completed it an it is in three parts. The top one is a download for the labels that will go on the front and back of a quart canning jar. The next one is the pattern size to use for cutting out fabric to make cute lids for the jars. The word document is the quotes that go inside the jar. Directions are on the handouts.

Canned Conference Conversation
Directions on how to make it:
1. Cut up each Conference Quotes on the dotted lines, fold them up and place them in a quart canning jar.
2. Cut a round circle out of a cute fabric according to the pattern below. Place the sealing lid on first, then the fabric round, then screw on the screw bands to secure fabric in place. See example below.
3. Tie a piece of ribbon around the band.
4. Cut out the 2 labels and glue them to the jar, or print out the labels on label paper and adhere the sticky side of the label to the front and back of the jar.
5. You are now ready to have a healthy serving of “Canned Conference Conversation” over the dinner table or play a game for Family Home Evening using your April 2009 Ensign and the “Canned Conference Quotes”. Because the jar looks so cute, you can keep it on your dining table the entire month to enjoy your daily dose of “Canned Conference Conversation”.

HOW DO I USE THE JAR OF CANNED CONFERENCE CONVERSATION?
Each night as your family sits together at the dinner table you can play this game together. Dinner time provides a perfect setting for some “Canned Conference Conversation”. This conversation is directed and meaningful and provides a gospel centered message for your family to enjoy and talk about together. It also could be used just prior to daily Scripture reading time, or as a Family Home Evening.

The main purpose is to focus the conversation around the gospel messages found in the Conference talks. It is to help your family try to remember the different Conference talks, and gives you a fun forum for discussing gospel principles.

Directions to play the game at the Dinner table or to enhance Family Scripture study time: Each family member selects one folded up strip from the Jar and reads the quote. At that point that person can share their thoughts about what the quote means to them. Dad and Mom or other family members can chime in and add their thoughts about the message in the quote. You may want to only do one quote per night or let others take turns and share as many as you like during dinner.

Directions to play the game for Family Home Evening: Play the game basically the same way you would around the table, but you will do it where you hold your home evening, whether it be at the dinner table, or in your family room, or even outside on a picnic blanket. Make it fun and be sure to have Family Home Evening Treats for your family after playing this great game!

GENERAL CONFERENCE QUOTES FROM APRIL 2008 DIRECTIONS: Copy and paste the following quotes into a word document and then print. Cut each quote at the dotted line and fold into 4ths and insert into the quart jar. Attach the the above label and attach the directions on the back side of the jar. Cut out your fabric lid from the pattern above and follow the directions.

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“We now have approximately 53,000 missionaries serving in 348 missions throughout the world. We take most seriously the Savior’s mandate when He said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”1 We are deeply grateful for the labors of our missionaries and for the sacrifices which they and their families make in order for them to serve.” President Thomas S. Monson Prophet and leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

What kind of sacrifices do missionaries and their families make?
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Today I speak to all whose freedom to choose has been diminished by the effects of ill-advised choices of the past. I speak specifically of choices that have led to excessive debt and addictions to food, drugs, pornography, and other patterns of thought and action that diminish one’s sense of self-worth. All of these excesses affect us individually and undermine our family relationships. Of course some debt incurred for education, a modest home, or a basic automobile may be necessary to provide for a family. Unfortunately however, additional debt is incurred when we cannot control our wants and addictive impulses. And for both debt and addiction, the hopeful solution is the same—we must turn to the Lord and follow His commandments. Our challenges, including those we create by our own decisions, are part of our test in mortality. Let me assure you that your situation is not beyond the reach of our Savior. Through Him, every struggle can be for our experience and our good (see D&C 122:7). Each temptation we overcome is to strengthen us, not destroy us. The Lord will never allow us to suffer beyond what we can endure. “Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually” Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

How has dealing with your own temptations, and adversities helped you to understand that you need the Lord in your life? How do our trials help us?
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I wish to speak today about God's revealed quorum principles and the inspired direction of latter-day prophets relating to the Aaronic Priesthood. I invite quorum presidencies to ask the following questions and seek other questions the Spirit will inspire: What does an Aaronic Priesthood quorum president do to preside over a quorum? What are his duties? What does he do as he sits in council with quorum members? How and when does he teach? What are the covenants referenced in the verses? And what do the quorum adviser and the bishopric member do as each assists the president in his duties and in his use of priesthood keys of presidency? “Revealed Quorum Principles” Michael A. Neider Released Second Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency

Discuss the questions that are asked in this quote.
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What is the source of such moral and spiritual power, and how do we obtain it? The source is God. Our access to that power is through our covenants with Him. A covenant is an agreement between God and man, an accord whose terms are set by God (see Bible Dictionary, "Covenant," 651). In these divine agreements, God binds Himself to sustain, sanctify, and exalt us in return for our commitment to serve Him and keep His commandments. What are some of the covenants that we make with our Heavenly Father? “The Power of Covenants” Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

What kind of covenants do we make with God?
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My purpose today is to assure you that our Heavenly Father and the Savior live and that They love all humanity. The very opportunity for us to face adversity and affliction is part of the evidence of their infinite love. God gave us the gift of living in mortality so that we could be prepared to receive the greatest of all the gifts of God, which is eternal life. Then our spirits will be changed. We will become able to want what God wants, to think as He thinks, and thus be prepared for the trust of an endless posterity to teach and to lead through tests to be raised up to qualify to live forever in eternal life. It is clear that for us to have that gift and to be given that trust, we must be transformed through making righteous choices where that is hard to do. We are prepared for so great a trust by passing through trying and testing experiences in mortality. That education can come only as we are subject to trials while serving God and others for Him. In this education we experience misery and happiness, sickness and health, the sadness from sin and the joy of forgiveness. “Adversity” President Henry B. Eyring First Counselor in the First Presidency

What kind of tests or trials have you gone through, and what have you learned from them?
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We live in these days of the Lord’s “marvelous work and a wonder” (Isaiah 29:14; see 2 Nephi 25:17). We have been blessed to bring the gospel to our families and our posterity and to assist in preparing for the Second Coming of the Savior. The Lord described the purposes of the Restoration “to be a light to the world, . . . to be a standard for [us, His] people, . . . and to be a messenger before [His] face to prepare the way before [Him]” (D&C 45:9). "Come unto Him" Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

How can we contribute to the preparation that needs to b e done before the second coming of Jesus Christ?
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The message of that verse is that whatever happens in life, Jesus Christ has the power to save. Through His divine sacrifice, He has provided the way for us to gain eternal life. Truly, His work is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”2 He has asked for our assistance in helping one another do the things that will lead to eternal life. "His Arm Is Sufficient" Barbara Thompson Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

This talk was given in the Sunday morning session of Conference. Look it up and try to find the three goals to help us obtain Eternal life. List and discuss them.
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In the talk that was given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles entitled “None Were With Him” in the Sunday morning session, Elder Holland speaks of those who are alone, feel alone, or abandoned. He goes on to list many who feel that way. Look up the talk and list those he is talking about. Then talk about Jesus and how alone he was and how he dealt with His earthly trials.

This is such a wonderful talk and you might just like to read the entire talk for your family and savor the message. You could also discuss what you personally can do to help those who are lonely.
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It would be easy to become discouraged and cynical about the future—or even fearful of what might come—if we allowed ourselves to dwell only on that which is wrong in the world and in our lives. Today, however, I’d like us to turn our thoughts and our attitudes away from the troubles around us and to focus instead on our blessings as members of the Church. How might we have joy in our lives, despite all that we may face? Again from the scriptures: “Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you.” "Be of Good Cheer" – President Thomas S. Monson

Read the story that is in President Monson’s talk that begins with the paragraph that reads: “In about March 1946, less than a year after the end of the war, Ezra Taft Benson, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve,….” How do the trials of this faithful woman in this story compare to what we have to deal with? How can we be of good cheer when we face and deal with our own trials?
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Our Savior gave Himself in unselfish service. He taught that each of us should follow Him by denying ourselves of selfish interests in order to serve others. Our Savior teaches us to follow Him by making the sacrifices necessary to lose ourselves in unselfish service to others. If we do, He promises us eternal life, “the greatest of all the gifts of God” (D&C 14:7), the glory and joy of living in the presence of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. "Unselfish Service" Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

In this talk, Elder Oaks tells of all kind of unselfish service that members of this church give. Go to the talk that is found in the Sunday afternoon session and read about some of the service found in the first couple of paragraphs. Then talk about the kind of service that you and your family can do. Discuss the promise that is in the very last paragraph of President Oak’s talk that is listed above in the quote.
Read the first 4 paragraphs in Elder L. Tom Perry’s talk entitled “Bring Souls unto me”. Now read this quote from Elder Perry’s talk: “Viewed in this light, member missionaries—both you and I—are the shepherds, and the full-time missionaries, like the search and rescue team, are trying to do something almost impossible for them to do alone. Certainly the full-time missionaries will continue to do the best they can, but wouldn't it be better if you and I stepped up to do a job that is rightfully ours and for which we are better suited since we know personally those who are lost and need to be rescued?” Discuss what our role in missionary work could be both individually as well as within our family.
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President Thomas S. Monson in his talk in the Sunday Afternoon session of General Conference, entitled Until We Meet Again said, “To you parents, express your love to your children. Pray for them that they may be able to withstand the evils of the world. Pray that they may grow in faith and testimony. Pray that they may pursue lives of goodness and of service to others. Children, let your parents know you love them. Let them know how much you appreciate all they have done and continue to do for you.”

Keeping this quote in mind, discuss the evils of the world that children today face, and how they can resist these temptations. Talk about testimony and how to make it grow, and discuss service that children can do for others. Children can also express the reasons they love their parents and their appreciation for what their parents do for them.
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Español



Mayo 2009 – Conversación de Conferencia en lata
Como uso esta lata the “Conversación de Conferencia en lata” ?
Cada noche cuando su familia se siente ala mesa para cenar puede jugar este juego. El tiempo de la Cena nos facilita el perfecto tiempo para “Conversación de Conferencia en lata”. Esta Conversación es directa y valiosa y nos proporciona un mensaje sobre el evanjelio para que su familia disfrute y hablen juntos. Tambien se puede usar antes de leer las escrituras diariamente, o para Noche de Hogar.
Lo principal es enfocarnos en las Conversación al rededor del mensaje del evangelio en los Discursos de las conferencia. Es para ayudar a su familia recordar los diferentes discursos de conferecia y les da foro divertido para discutir principios del evangelio.
Direcciónes para jugar el juego en la mesa del comedor o aumentar Estudio de las escrituras : Cada miembro de la familia selecciona un papelito de la lata y desenrollelo y lea la cita . A este punto esa persona puede compartir sus pensamientos de la cita que ha leido.
Mama y Papa o otro miembro de la familia pueden ofrecer sus pensamientos del mensaje. Usted puede hacer una cita por noche o puede dejar cada uno por turno o cuantas citas quieren durante la cena.
Direcciónes para jugar para La Noche De Hogar: Juegen basicamente igual como se juega al rededor del comedor, lo juegan cuando tienen la noche de Hogar, si lo tienen al rededor de la mesa , o en la sala familiar , o hasta pueden tenerlo afuera o tengan un picnic . Hagalo divertido y no se le olvide tener antojitos para la Noche de Hogar despues de jugar este GRAN juego!!

Direcciónes para Como Hacerlo:

1.Corte cada cita de los Discursos en las linias, doblelo y pongan en una lata de cuarto para encanar.
2.Corte un circulo de bonito material conforme al patron abajo. Ponga o coloque la tapadera selladora primero, despues el material.
Vea ejemplo abajo.
3.Amarre un pedaso de liston alrededor.
4.Corte 2 etiquetas y pegelas a la lata , o enprimelas etiquetas a papel para etiquetas y pagarles con elado pegajosa en frente y atras de la lata.
5.Usted esta lista para tener una porcion saludable de “Conversación de Conferencia en lata” en el comedor o para La Noche de Hogar usando su Liohona de Abril 2009 y su“Conversación de Conferencia en lata”. Poque la lata se ve curiosita, la puede dejar como centro de mesa por todo el mes para disfrutar cada dia “Conversación de Conferencia en lata”.

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Tenemos actualmente 53,000 misioneros prestando servicio en 348 misiones por todo el mundo. Tomamos muy en serio el madato del Salvador cuando dijo: "...id, y haced discípulos en el nombre del Padre, y del Hijo, y el Espíritu Santo". Sentimos profunda gratitud por las labores de nuestros misioneros y por los sacrificios que aquellos y sus familias hacen para que puedan prestar servicio. - Presidente Thomas S. Monson Profeta y lider de la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias-

¿Que clase de sacrificios los misioneros y sus familias hacen?

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Hoy me dirijo a todos aquellos cuya libertad de elección se ha visto reducida por los efectos desacertados de las decisiones del pasado; me refiero especificamente a las decisiones que han ocurrido a la deuda excesiva y las adicciones a comida, drogas, pornografia y otros hábitos de pensamiento y de acción que disminuyen nuestro sentido de autoestima. Todos estos excesos nos afectan individualmente y debilitan nuestras relaciones familiares. Por supuesto, a fin de proveer de lo necesario para la familia, tal vez sea necesrio contraer algunas deudas para la educación formal, una casa modesta ó un automóvil sencillo. Sin embargo, lamentablemente, se incurre en deudas adicionales cuando no controlamos nuestros deseos e impulsos adictivos. La solucion prometedora es la misma, tanto para la deuda como por la adiccion: Debemos volvernos al Señor y seguir Sus mandamientos. Debemos desear más que nada cambiar nuestra vida para salir del ciclo de la deuda y de nuestros deseos desmedidos. Nuestros desafíos, incluso los que generamos por nuestras propias decisiones, son parte de nuestra prueba en la tierra. Permitanme asegurarles que su situación no está más allá del alcance de nuestro Salvador. Por medio de El, cada lucha nos servirá de experiencia y será para nuestro bien (vease D. y C. 122:7) Cada tentación que superemos es para fortalecernos y no para destruirnos. El Señor nunca permitirá que suframos más de lo que podamos resistir. -"Seamos Proveedores Providentes Temporal y Espiritualmente" Elder Robert D. Hales del Quorum de los Doce Apostoles-

¿Cómo tratando con tus propias tentaciones, y adversidades te ayudaron a
entender que necesitas al Señor en tu vida? ¿Como nuestras pruebas nos
ayuda a nosotros?
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Hoy deseo hablarles d elos principios revelados por Dios sobre los quórumes de la dirección inspirada de los profetas de los últimos días respecto al Sacerdocio Aarónico. ¿Que hace el presidente de un quórum del Sacerdocio Aáronico para presidir un quórum? ¿Cómo y cuándo enseña? ¿Cuáles son los convenios que se mencionan en las Escrituras?¿Que deben hacer el asesor del quórum y el miembro del obíspado para ayudar al presidente en sus responsabilidades y en el uso de las llaves de la presidencia? –“Los Principios Revelados Sobre los Quórumes” Michael A. Neider Segundo Consejero Relevado de los Hombres Jovenes en la Presidencia General –

Hablen acerca de las preguntas que se han hecho en esta cita.
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¿Cuál es la fuente de ese poder moral y espíritual? Y ¿cómo se obtiene? La fuente es Dios; obtenemos ese poder mediante los convenios que hacemos con El. Un convenio es un acuerdo entre Dios y el hombre en el que Dios fija las condiciones (vease Guía para el Estudio de las Escrituras, "Convenio" pag. 38) En estos acuerdos divinos, Dios se compromete a sostenernos, a santificarnos y a exaltarnos a cambio de nuestro compromiso de servirle y de guardar Sus mandamientos. - "El Poder de los Convenios" Elder D. Tood Christofferson del Quórum de los Doce Apostoles-

¿Que clase de convenios hacemos nosotros con Dios?
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Mi proposito hoy es asegurarles que nuestro Padre Celestial y el Salvador viven y que aman a toda la humanidad. El solo hecho de que tengamos la oportunidad de enfrentar la adversidad y la aflicción es parte de la evidencia de Su amor infinito. Dios nos dio el don de vivir como seres mortales a fin de que nos preparáramos para recibir el más grande de todos Sus dones, que es la vida eterna. Entonces, nuestro espíritu cambiará, y seremos capaces de querer lo que Dios quiera, de pensar como El piense, y así estar preparados para que se nos confíe una posteridad sin fin, para enseñar y guiar durante las pruebas, para que merezcan vivir por siempre en la vida eterna. Es obvio que, para tener ese don y recibir esa responsabilidad, debemos transformarnos al tomar decisiones rectas cuando estas sean difíciles de tomar. Al tener esas experiencias penosas y probatorias en la tierra, se nos prepara para confiarnos ese gran cometido. Sólo podemos recibir esa educación si estamos sujetos a pruebas mientras servimos a Dios, y por El, a nuestros semejantes.En ese proceso educativo experimentamos desdicha y felicidad, enfermedad y salud, la tristeza del pecado y el gozo del perdón. -"La Adversidad" Presidente Henry B. Eyring Primer Consejero de la Primera Presidencia-

¿Que clase de pruebas o de tribulaciones han pasado, y que han aprendido de estas?
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Vivimos en estos días de la "obra maravillosa y [el] prodigio" del Señor (Isaías 29:14; vease 2 Nefi 25:17). Hemos tenido la bendición de brindar el Evangelio a nuestra familia y posteridad, y de ayudar con los preparativos para la segunda venida del Salvador. El Señor describe los propósitos de la Restauración como "... una luz al mundo y un estandarte a [nosotros, Su]... pueblo... y un mensajero delante de [Su] faz, preparando el camino delante de [El] (D. y C. 45:9)-"Venid a El" Elder Neil L. Andersen del Quórum de los Doce Apóstoles-

¿Cómo podemos contribuir a la preparación que necesita hacerse antes de la segunda venida de Jesucristo?
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El mensaje de esa estrofa es que, pase lo que pase en esta vida, Jesucristo tiene el poder para salvar. Por medio de Su sacrificio divino, El ha preparado el camino para que alcancemos la vida eterna. En verdad Su obra es "llevar a cabo la inmortalidad y la vida eterna del hombre". El nos ha pedido que nos ayudemos unos a otros para que hagamos las cosas que nos llevarán a la vida eterna. - "Si Fieles le Somos" Barbara Thompson-

Este discurso fue dado en la sesión del Domingo en la mañana en la
Conferencia. Busquenló y traten de encontrar tres metas las cuales nos
ayudan a obtener vida Eterna. Hagan una lista y hablen acerca de estas.
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En el discurso que dio el Elder Jeffrey R. Holland del Quórum de los Doce Apostoles titulado"Nadie estuvo con el" en la sesion de la mañana del Domingo, el Elder Holland habla de aquellos que estan solos, se sienten solos, o abandonados. El sigue con un lista de aquellos que se sienten de esa manera. Busquen en el discurso y enlisten aquellos de los que el esta hablando. Despues hablen de Jesucristo, de que tan solo el estaba y como el le hizo con sus pruebas terrenales.

(Este es un discurso maravilloso y probablemente les gustara leerlo todo para su familia y savorear el mensaje). Tambien pueden hablar de como pueden personalmente ayudar a aquellos que se encuentran solos.
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Sería facil desanimarnos y perder la fe en cuanto al futuro - o incluso tener temor de lo que pueda venir - si sólo nos concentráramos en lo que está mal en el mundo y nuestra vida. Sin embargo, hoy quisiera que nuestros pensamientos y nuestras actitudes dejen de lado los problemas que nos
rodean y se concentren en las bendiciones que tenemos como miembros de
la Iglesia. El apóstol Pablo declaró: "... no nos ha dado Dios espíritu de
cobardía, sino de poder, de amor y de dominio propio”. -"Sed de buen animo"
Presidente Thomas S. Monson


Lee la historia que esta en el discurso del Presidente Monson la cual empieza
con el parrafo: "Aproximadamente en Marzo de 1946, menos de un año
despues de terminar la guerra, a Ezra Taft Benson, en ese entonces miembro
del Quórum de los Doce,..." ¿Cómo las pruebas de esta mujer de fe en la
historia se compara con lo que tenemos que enfrentar? ¿Cómo podemos ser
de buen animo cuando nos enfrentamos con nuestras propias pruebas?
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Nuestro Salvador nos enseña a seguirlo al hacer los sacrificos necesarios
para perder nuestra vida en el servicio desinteresado a los demás. Si lo
hacemos, El nos promete la vida eterna, "el mayor de todos los dones de
Dios" (D. y C. 14:7), la grloria y el gozo de morar en la presencia de Dios el
Padre y de su Hijo Jesucristo. Testifico de Ellos y de Su gran plan para la
salvación de Sus hijos. En el nombre de Jesucristo. - El Servicio
Desinteresado" Elder Dallin H. Oaks Quórum de los Doce Apost
oles

En este discurso, Elder Oaks dice de todas clases de servicio desinteresado
que los miembros de la Iglesia dan. Vayan al discurso que esta en la sesion
del Domingo en la tarde y lean acerca de el sercio que se encuentra en los
primeros dos parrafos. Despues hablen acerca del servicio que ustedes y su
familia pueden hacer. Hablen acerca de la promesa que esta en el ultimo parrafo del discurso del Presidente Oak que esta enlistada en la cita arriba.
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Los primeros 4 parrafos en el discurso del Elder L. Tom Perry "Traer almas a Mí". Ahora lean la cita en el discurso del Elder Perry: Visto desde esa perspectiva, los miembros misioneros, tanto ustedes como yo, somos los pastores, y los misioneros de tiempo completo, al igual que el equipo de busqueda y rescate, están intentando hacer algo casi imposible de lograr por si solos. Ciertamente, los misioneros de tiempo completo continuarán haciendolo mejor que puedan, pero ¿no sería mejor si ustedes y yo nos pusieramos a la altura de las circunstancias e hicieramos la labor que legitimamente nos corresponde y para la cual estamos mejor facultados al conocer en persona a quienes estan perdidos y necesitan ser rescatados?

Hablen acerca del papel del trabajo misional que puede ser ambos individualmente al igual con nuestra familia.
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El Presidente Thomas S. Monson en su discurso del Domingo por la tarde en la Sesion General, titulado ” Hasta que nos volvamos a ver” dijo, A ustedes, padres, expresen su amor a sus hijos, oren por ellos a fin de que puedan soportar las maldades del mundo; oren para que crezcan en la fe y el testimonio; oren para que lleven una vida de bondad y de servicio a los demás.Hijos, digan a sus padres lo mucho que los aman; expresenle lo mucho que agradecen todo lo que han hecho y siguen haciendo por ustedes.

Teniendo esta cita en mente, hablen acerca de las tentaciones del mundo las cuales los hijos enfrentan, y como pueden resistirlas. Hablen acerca del testimonio y como podemos hacerlo crecer, y hablen acerca del servicio que los hijos pueden hacer por otros. Hijos pueden expresar las razones por las cuales aman a sus padres y su apreciacion por lo que sus padres hacer por ellos.
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Thursday, April 30, 2009

If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear

Hi Sisters. I just wanted to make sure that all of you are prepared so you don't have to fear things that are coming up in the news about the Swine flu, and other concerns. We have been taught for years to prepare ourselves with food storage, and emergency preparedness items, in the event that things happen in this world that we will need this kind of help. Hopefully all of you have some food storage to be able to get you by for a short term situation.

I was called this morning by my daughter who lives in Park City, Utah. She told me that all Park City Schools were closed for the rest of the week and they even canceled Prom, because 3 cases of the swine flu had been reported. My daughter had told me this past week that she had personally felt like if Swine flu came to Utah that Park City would be one of the first places that it would hit, becasue of all the people visiting Park City as tourists, as well as people flying out of the country for Spring Break and vacations. Wow, she nailed it didn't she! I call that personal inspiration because she has been preparing herself on behalf of her family just in case. I am very proud of her for being prepared. Oh and she even gave me the website for where I can go to find out more about the Swine flu and get info and updates and that is at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm

My daughter has inspired me to get better prepared. I have lots of food storage, but very specific things and I have left out purchasing like canned veges and fruit because it expires way too fast and I have wasted so much of those kinds of foods over the years. My daughter prompted me to check my food supply and I found out that my powdered milk has expired. How can you get buy without having some kind of milk, especially if you have children in your house? Well that was put on my today's grocery list. I also realized that though I have wheat to grind and a grinder to make flour to make bread and rolls, I don't have any yeast. Another thing to put on my list. I also found out doing this inventory that all of my sugar that I had stored has also been used over time, and I am completely out. This was a good wake up call for me to get myself better prepared in the event that I might need to be.

My daughter also mentioned some of the symptoms of the Swine Flu and she told me that she had stocked up on the kinds of meds that would treat symptoms of flu and a variety of other things. She said she didn't have any extra children's tylenol, motrin, cold and flu meds, and other things to treat symptoms if she had to hunker down in her home for days to weeks. She also brought up a point that if kids and adults are nauseated, which is one of the symptoms of Swine Flu and other flus, that Gatoraid would be needed to keep the sick person hydrated. Smart Daughter I have, but I contributed to that comment and suggested that maybe we all should have some powdered Gatorade on our food storage as it would last longer than what is in bottles. These are just some things to think about.

Well, I did an inventory on my medications that I keep on hand to treat the colds and flu symptoms for my husband and I as we are empty nesters. Guess what folks... most of my meds are expired too. I think I have just purchased them in the past and forgot about them or used them from time to time as needed, but I realized, if I needed them now, my over the counter meds are expired. Today is the day to change my situation for this.

I don't think anyone needs to panic, but everyone does need to be prepared. Young couples I have the greatest concern for as many couples I have talked to say that they don't have any food storage because they can't afford it, or don't have anywhere to store it, or that they say if anything happens, they will just move in with their parents until the problems are over. I am here to say that moving back home with Mom and Dad for a while is a great solutions if they are prepared for extra, and if they are close enough in proximity to do so, but these other reasons need to be reconsidered. There are all kinds of easy and affordable food storage solutions like the $5 a week plan,( http://members.cox.net/auburnheaven/selfreliant/foodstorageplan.pdf ) or you could do like my youngest daughter does, and that is to buy one or two extra items every time they go shopping and put them away for a rainy day. Where does my daughter put them in her tiny place? Under beds, in a corner of the room, on top of the refrigerator, stacked up in a closet or anywhere she can find. She sayd, "I know I don't have much Mom and I can alwasy come home to you and Dad for a while, but the Prophet has told us to do it, and I want to do it."

I hope my thoughts encourage you to do some thinking about where you stand on your preparedness.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Attention sisters:

It has become quite a task lately for me to keep up with all the new information, design, ideas etc., of my blogs as I actively do 5 of them. I try to get new information on them in a timely manner, and sometimes I have typos, misspellings or other things missed when I edit myself. Some readers have brought it to my attention and I have fixed them, but it would save me a lot of time to not have to go back and fix a project once it has been posted than to find them before it posts. This is why I am writing this. I could really use someone to volunteer to edit my projects or posts before they are actually posted. It would save me so much time, and frustration, because I want to share with you something that is not ridden with mistakes. If there are any of you who could spare a couple hours a month to just go over my projects to edit and look for mistakes before publishing, I would really appreciate it. (I can't pay you so this would be a service) I love to do do this creative work with a valuable purpose in mine, and that is encouraging Visiting Teaching and sisterhood. I can tell by my readership that what I do is needed, wanted and appreciated. If you can help me, please email me at ktgauger@gmail.com

I want to publically thank Maria and Maya for offering to help me translate my ideas into Spanish as that isn't something that I can do myself. This is a much needed service as our Spanish sisters need the same kinds of helps that this blog provides, to encourage and assist them in their own Visiting Teaching. Thanks again.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Family Book Mark and Poster



By request, one of my visitors suggested that she would like to use for her own family, the goals that my own stake set, on the bookmarks and poster below. I have taken off my Stake name on the bookmarks and poster for those of you would would also like to use them for your own family or to give to your V.T. sisters. FYI - I created the poster for my ward R.S. President and she wanted to blow it up to display on the wall of the R.S. Room. You can do this too by saving the poster to your computer and then saving it to a disc or thumb drive or memory stick, and taking it to a copy store that makes posters. You can have one made at a price of anywhere between $4 - $35+ depending on what you want the poster copied and mounted on. I suggest that you just copy on the paper they have available for enlarging and then put it in a poster frame that you can get from any craft store or probably even Walmart. Enjoy! Katie G.


If you live in Lehi and happen to be in the Lehi Gateway Stake, I made this bookmark and Poster for you. Actually my ward Relief Society President wanted me to design it so they could display the Stake Goals in the Relief Society Room. It is the theme for the Stake and listed on the front page of the Stake Website. If you take the poster down to a copy place, you can actually enlarge it to be whatever size you wish to display. Enjoy!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Visiting Teaching Monthly Schedule



I drew this monthly schedule up for those of you who would like to be able to remember who gave the message or handout or treat or whatever the month prior, or so that the distribution of equal partnership responsibility is accomplished. One reader brought to my attention that one month of the year was left off the schedule, so I went back and added it, so this one is complete. (as well as the typo)

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Some fun Easter recipes & ideas


I was on the internet looking, NO, searching for some cute ideas to do for my family this Easter. Of course all of these types of things are also applicable for you too, because it doesn't take much to make a couple extra goodies and take them with you when you go do your Visiting Teaching. Right? Anyway, I found a new blog called Olivia Wagner food spot located at http://oliviawagnerfoodspot.blogspot.com/ and I emailed Olivia to see if I could use a couple of her wonderful photos of Easter treats and direct my readers to her blogspot. She graciously gave her permission and she said that the photos were hers but the ideas came from other sources. Well since I don't know where those other sources are, I am just going to tell you to go to her blog to get the recipes. The top photo is Cotton Tail Cookies, and they look so darling that I could imagine anyone would love them! The photo below is of Jelly Bean Nests, however I think I would not add Jelly Beans but Cadburry mini eggs, like is pictured. Such cute ideas for Easter!!! Thanks Olivia!

Even More April ideas for you....

Just so you know when I post, the most current post is on the top, but I have alot more April ideas and posts below, so don't forget to scroll down to get all the great April ideas.My husband just loves for easter to come around because he has a favorite Easter candy. HE LOVES PEEPS! Well in honor of my husband, I have found some great ideas for you to do with peeps for your Visiting teahing ladies as well as whomever you would like. I am going to do one of the Peeps ideas for my Sons & Daughters and son in laws & daughters in law. Keep reading...

My husband isn't the only one who likes peeps. I think is must be one of those strong genetic things because his sisters love them too. The other day when we were visiting with his sisters, one of them told my husband of what they do with Peeps every easter that makes them even tastier than just eating them plain. They take a bamboo shisk a bob stick and poke them into the peeps, turn on the burner on the stove and proceed to roast them. They eat them just like that, but I was thinking a step beyond would be to make Peep smores from the roasted peeps and squish them between two half graham crackers and add some chocolate bar squares and wrap in tinfoil until it is all melty and gooey. Then devour them!!!!

You know me, and I thought about how I love to melt M & M's in the microwave and eat them. Well how about substituting some melted Easter colored M & M's or Chocolate eggs of any variety, but the ones that are candy coated would be the best because they would contribute an added crunch to the mix. Anyway, now that my mouth is watering, just sprinkle some of those melted chocolate candies on top of the roasted Peeps inside half of the graham cracker, and add the other half and squish down a bit. Now that is what I call a Sweet -Peepy- Chocolatey -Crispy- Graham Crackery Easter Sandwich that you will most likely want S'more of!!!!! Yes punn intended.


I found a great idea for Bottling Purple Bunnies at http://creativeholidaygiftideas.blogspot.com/2008/03/easter-bunny-smores.html This is the one that I think I will be doing for my kids! Very Cute! This one would be a great one to do for the sisters that I Visit Teach as well, but there are so many cute ideas, I just don't know how I will pick.

Now if this isn't enough go to http://www.cakespy.com/2008/03/hoppy-easter-cakespys-suggestions-for.html for some other really great ideas to use your Peeps and Easter candy for your Easter Sunday Sugar High.

Just in case you want to emulate Martha Stewart,
she has the recipe to make home made peeps for those of you who don't get enough of them at Easter time. Go to http://www.marthastewart.com/article/homemade-easter-treats?lnc=6384d918a92ee010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&rsc=top7pop_entertaining_showers_3 Wouldn't you just know that Martha also has a whole workshop at her site that shows you exactly the steps to follow? Go to http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.79fd7096c5c97ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=94afe14f8426f110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default&rsc=related
and get ready to make your own home made peeps.


One last note about Peeps, and then I will stop Peeping... Another very cute idea for your sisters you visit teach, you could make up a Hot Chocolate bag with peeps to melt in it. The picture shows of how it would look made, and it is so cute with a little peep floating around in it. You could do just about the same basic thing as the idea above with the Bunny peeps smores in the jar, but Use hot chocolate mix poured into a plastic bag in the center of the Jar with Peeps all around the sides of the Jar looking outward. Once again, use a cute spring napkin or a springy piece of cloth for the jar lid. If you want the lid poufy, then add a small amount of cotton batting directly under the fabric and above the sealing lid, then screw on the cap. It is very cute, in fact all the peeps ideas are so cute. You could even do like the picture and get an inexpensive cup and saucer, and set a peep inside and even sprinkle the amount of chocolate that you think it will need, and all the recipient will have to do is add some hot water. Cute, Cute! AND that is all I will write on Peeps!

READER PEEP IDEAS (Feel free to comment with your other peep ideas!
I just received a cute comment from a reader of this blog (AMY G)who shared yet another "Peep" idea. She made up this fun idea as a fun one to do with your family as well as for those she visit teaches. Thanks for the idea Amy G.!!!! (You can see her actual comment below by clicking on "Comments")

"I just discovered your blog and I thought I'd share a peep idea I did a few years ago for the people I visit teach and my family. I took a posterboard and pastel gingham print scrapbook paper and I made giant checkerboards. I cut the paper into squares - I think I made them 1 1/2". You'd have to see how big your posterboard is. Anyways I laminated the boards. I included 2 big boxes of peeps in two different colors - so that they would have more than 12 peeops in each color. It was a peep checker game. Now, each Easter I buy my boys fresh peeps - they love to play - to king the peep we have small pipe cleaner crowns and one year my boys would just smush the peep - they knew smushed peeps were the kinged ones. My local 99 cent store has the big boxes so it's an economical gift too!" AMY G

Katie G Comments... I thought of another way of "Kinging" your peeps. You could king them with a jelly bean, Robin eggs, or other easter candy, and poke it right down into the head of the peep so it sticks. Also, I searched the internet and found a site that had a woven checker board template with insturctions. It was on the Nestle site, and they used their wrapped chocolate candies. To see the template.... go to http://www.verybestkids.com/Categories/TeachersCorner/Math/Article.aspx?articleID=13B157A1-13A9-455A-9866-E4E91BEC141C or http://www.verybestkids.com/Nirf/cm2/upload/BA5B0D65-5DDC-4784-974D-4C25CCC3BFCB/07.03_edible-checkers_tp.gif
I thought about another way to use peeps, as when I do my missionary work at the LDS Addiction Recovery meetings, sometimes the new participants don't realize that they can't have their little children in the meetings with them, so at times, I have taken those children into another room and colored, played games, and did fun things to entertain them while their parents are in the meetings. One game I have played that is loved by all the children is to play tic tac toe using candy or stickers instead of writing an "X" or an "O" with a pencil. So.... for Easter, you could use peeps or jelly beans, or any other kind of Easter Candy, and once the winner gets three in a row, they get to keep all of the candy pieces on the tic tac toe board.

You know what they say about old friends and antiques? They grow more valuable with time.

Glad that you dropped by my blog!

This blog and it's contents go hand in hand with my Visiting Teaching Tips and handouts blog found at http://visitingteachingtips.blogspot.com/ If you by accident get to this blog first, make sure to go back to the other one and see all that there is for you there. This is sort of my overflow or stroage blog because I can't keep everything there, so I add my creations to this storage unit and that is my Visiting Teaching Surprise for you. Sometimes however, I do put in things that I think you would enjoy even if they aren't specifically related to Visiting Teaching, but my vision in life is that if I take all the time to make things, I may as well share them and get more use out of them. Sorta like hand me downs but brand new "Down loads". I hope you enjoy these freebies. Drop me a note to say hello in the comments under the downloads posts.