2011 Ward Primary Program

Our sweet little Primary did an amazing job for the Primary Program!  I was so proud of our whole Primary. I just have to brag a little bit. They did a great job!! The Primary Program has always been my favorite Sunday.  I love how sweet and simple gospel message that these little ones share.  It is so adorable to watch them wave at their parents and look for their family in the audience.  This year I was so touched by the spirit when the children started singing “I love to see the Temple”.  I was on the stand with all the Primary children and right before this song started all the kids around me were whispering to me how this was their favorite song.  As the children were singing my heart was so full and my eyes started filling with tears.  What a powerful spirit these children posses and what great missionaries they are.  I am so very grateful to be blessed to work with such an amazing bunch of kids and leaders.  I think the Lord knew that I needed them more then they needed me. 

Fun Fall Pumpkin Stew

We have started this new Halloween/Fall Tradition of making pumpkin stew.  It was so much fun to see all the ingredients come together and to see everyone enjoy the stew. This stew served in a pumpkin really makes a great presentation and kids love that it comes in a real pumpkin. The other cool thing is you can draw a Jack-o-Lantern face on the pumpkin before you cover it in oil and bake it. The Face will still be on it when it comes out of the oven finished. Kids really love that!! I have included my recipe (I got a lot of request for it). Enjoy!!

Pumpkin Stew

Cook time:	4 Hr	Serves:	8-10 servings

Ingredients

- 2 lb beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes - 3 Tbsp vegetable oil, divided - 1 c water - 3 lg potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes - 4 md carrots, sliced - 1 lg green bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces - 4 garlic cloves, minced -1 bouquet garni (bundle of herbs: Thyme, Sage, Oregano, Chives, Bay, Basil, etc) - 1/2 cup butter

- 1 md onion, chopped - 1 container mushrooms (optional) -1 can corn or fresh corn (optional) -1 can green chilies (optional) - 2 tsp salt - 1/2 tsp black pepper - 2 Tbsp beef bouillon granules - 1 can(s) (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained - 1 pumpkin (10-12 pounds)

Directions

1. In a Dutch oven, brown meat in 2 tablespoons vegetable oil.

2. Add water, potatoes, carrots, green pepper, garlic, onion, corn, mushrooms, green chili, salt, pepper and bouquet garni. Cover and simmer for 2 hours.

3. Stir in bouillon and tomatoes and take out bouquet garni.

4. Wash pumpkin; cut a 6- to 8-inch circle around top stem. Remove top and set aside; discard seeds and loose fibers from inside.

5. Place pumpkin in a shallow sturdy baking pan. Brush outside of pumpkin with remaining vegetable oil and butter inside of pumpkin.

6. Spoon stew into pumpkin and replace the top.

7. Bake at 325* for 2 hours or just until pumpkin is tender (Do not overbake)

8. Serve stew from pumpkin, scooping out a little pumpkin with each serving.

Redbook’s No-Shame Campaign

Redbook is doing an amazing infertility campaign with Resolve. I was very excited to see that more and more people want to discuss and be educated about infertility.  I loved the videos and articles that can be found on Redbooks website.  So, check it out and share it with friends and family.

 http://www.redbookmag.com/archive/health-wellness/advice/inspiration-wellness/0/15

Baby Blessings

I guess it’s the time of year but with the arrival of so many bundles of joy. It’s also that time of year to attend baby blessings.  Typically, I love supporting family and friends on their new endeavors in life.  I love going to wedding receptions, birthday parties and baptisms.  I even attend baby blessings.  I guess I am that lady who puts on a brave face and attends.  In the past I haven’t had any problems going.  I am truly happy for my friends and family on their new stage in life.  Lately, though I have been struggling to have the brave face for baby blessings.  The last one I attended I started crying during and had a rough time pulling myself together afterwards.  I attended the little luncheon after for a few seconds but felt like I was having a melt down from all the baby talk.  I ended up leaving early for my sake and theirs, but mostly mine.  The funny thing about this is event was I didn’t even feel bad.  That is a first for me.  Usually I feel guilty about leaving or for feeling the way I feel.  Not this time.  I must say I was pretty proud of myself.  I think I am growing and understanding myself better.  Also, it shows that I am acknowledging the way I feel and taking time for myself.  I also decided not to attend another baby blessing so soon after the last one.  I knew I wasn’t ready to attend another one so I didn’t and my husband fully supported my decision.  I guess these little experiences have shown me that it’s okay to feel the way I feel and its okay to say no to baby blessings and not attend.   

Mormon.org

The missionaries were at our house for Family Home Evening and shared a wonderful video with us.  I was so touched by this video that I just had to share it on my blog. My heart was so full after this video it’s an amazing story of perseverance in the face of loss and infertility. 

 I love that the Church has started the Mormon.org page.  i am currently working on my page and can't wait to share my faith with everyone in my community.  What a great way to dispel myths about members of the church.  It’s a great way to remind and show people that we are followers of Jesus Christ and Christians. 

http://mormon.org/

Relief Society General Conference

The General Relief Society meeting was amazing.  What a wonderful boost for the women in the church.  It’s great to see how loved, cared about and respected we are by our leaders.  I do have to admit that my favorite talk was Brother Uchtdorf’s talk.  (He has always been one of my personal favorite speakers).  I walked away from that conference with a renewed sense of worth and a great desire to share that worth with others. 

My Favorite Conference Talk

It’s not often that I feel like a conference talk is written just for me.  This talk seemed to not only be written for me but also written to help those around me.  Brother Andersen’s talk was so powerful.  It was very difficult for me to see the speaker through my tears.  I had a hard time keep myself composed. I loved this talk and the message he shared!!  We are truly blessed to have such wonderful church leaders who understand our stages and trails in this life.