General Conference Preserves

Cutest idea ever! My visiting teacher dropped off a small mason jar with a lid and tag that said "General Conference Preserves May 2013." It was filled with small papers that had quotes from several of the General Conference talks. I loved looking through all the quotes as they reminded me of the different topics covered and I was then prompted to start reading those talks. Here are a few of the quotes I loved-

"As daughters of God we are each unique and different in our circumstances and experiences. And yet our part matters-- because WE matter." - Elaine S. Dalton

"Too often we think that the word sacrifice refers to something big or hard for us to do. In certain situations this may be true, but mostly it refers to living day-to-day as a true disciple of Christ." - Erich W. Kopischke

"My promise to you who pray and serve the Lord cannot be that you will have every blessing you may wish for yourself and your family. But I can promise you that the Savior will draw close to you and bless you and your family with what is best." - Pres. Henry B. Eyring

"In the happiest marriages both the husband and wife consider their relationship to be a pearl beyond price, a treasure of infinite worth." - Elder L. Whitney Clayton.

Thanks to a visiting teacher, I was reminded of the words I need to be studying and pondering in hopes of changing to be better person. I think I will try this idea for those I visit teach at the next General Conference.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

CTR 4

I have been teaching a CTR 4 class for the first part of this year. The lady who will teach it premanantly had back surgery, so she has been out for a short while. They are all boys and it has been quite entertaining. A couple of weeks ago I told them I was going to have a baby. Next questions out of there mouth, "Really, where is it?" and "How is it going to come out?"

My response to the latter, "Go ask your mom."

Favorite part of the day for them and me, the Goldfish crackers we have at the end of class.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Baby Jesus

I made these little crafts for our Relief Society Christmas dinner. When I saw them back in October, I knew that I needed to make them for the sisters in our ward. Originally the plan was to do 25. That got bumped to 75 when we changed the structure of our activity. While it was very time intensive, it was 100% worth it.

One thing that kept me going with a positive attitude while making them was thinking of my Grandma. I had asked her at Thanksgiving if her ward was doing a Relief Society Christmas dinner. She had said, "No, they say everyone is too busy during that month." I felt very badly about this. See, my grandma is not too busy during that month in fact she would have loved to have added that to her things to do. She is a care giver for my Grandfather right now and other than that she doesn't have a lot going on in her days. I then realized that while I felt the same way as those other sisters about being 'too busy,' there are many older sisters who aren't too busy. They need that opportunity to socialize and get out of the house. Relief Society meetings are important to have and  make time for.

 I wanted the sisters in our ward to feel the 'true' spirit of Christmas and thought these embodied it. Everyone loved them and we actually could have used more than the 75. How grateful I am for our Savior, for the season we celebrate his birth, and for my fellow Relief Society Sisters.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Duck Tape Tie and Head Band

No this is not a tutorial on how to make things using duck tape. I will leave that to the young lady in Justin's Sunday School class. She likes to create things out of duck tape. One Sunday this summer she asked my husband if he would wear a duck tape tie is she made him one. He said, "You have to ask my wife."

She asked me at girls camp and I told her only if she made me a head band to go along with it. Well she kept her end of the bargain and brough these to us a couple of Sunday's ago.

While I admire her creativity, I really am not into wearing headbands especially duck tape ones. Justin admitted he wasn't to into the idea either. I did put mine on for my Primary class and Justin did wear his for Sunday School. My primary class loved it and I think the Sunday school kids did too. I remember being into making things out of it when I was her age. Thanks Emily for the memories.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Arise and Shine Forth- Super Heroes

In May I was asked to help with our Stake Girls Camp. I LOVED Girls Camp as a young women and was looking forward to the opportunity. Going as a leader is a whole different ball game....., but may be more rewarding because of all the work you put in to make it a great experience for the girls. The last week of June I set out for the responsibility in a raft down the Sandy river. We arrived after and hour and a half of freezing cold waters and new introductions.

The theme for camp was awesome and I was impressed with all of the creativity and kindness from all who attended. Dinner each night had a different theme (historical and scripture heroes, literary heroes, super heroes, Hogwarts)and everyone could dress up for the theme. My favorite night was probably the Hogwarts banquet night. The camp director went all out and had the dining room completely decorated and a whole thanksgiving dinner was served by the camp dad.

After dinner was the special program. This years program revolved around heroic women of the scriptures. Six, 6th year girls, and the Stake President's wife played these women. They were spread out along a hiking trail (at night) and each held a candle that was lit while they told their stories about overcoming trials in their lives and "Coming to see themselves as Christ sees them." At the end of the trail the Young Women that came through went to a lit up area where a long mirror was placed. On the mirror the words were written, "Do you see what he sees?"

It was very powerful presentation,  and what an interesting way to look at these women? I have read their stories many times- Ruth, Esther, Mary-the mother of Christ, Hannah, the Woman who touched Christs robes, Sarah, Emma Smith; but I had never really thought about their stories from their perspectives. As I was editing the scripts prior to camp, I realized just how much I had in common with these women. It brought to life the sisterhood we really do share in life with all of the women we know. We are more alike in our feelings, thoughts and challenges than we realized. The sixth year girls did an excellent job and the younger girls felt the spirit.

I really enjoyed getting to know the sixth year girls. They kept me laughing with their talk of 'hot' celebrities and silly jokes. They did a great job leading the camp and inspiring the younger girls and I know they have great things in store for them.

Sixth year girls and Kirstin who was the main 6th year leader and Assistant Camp Director (One I have my back to)

The end of girls camp was bitter  sweet. We made great strides in friendships and camp songs in just 4 1/2 days, but I was EXHAUSTED! Kirstin, the assistant camp director and who I served with is super camp woman and I learned so much from her and her example.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Red Velvet Sheet Cake

Made my first ever cake that wasn't a disaster. It was also my first ever red velvet cake. I made it for a Relief Society activity, which is also my new calling: Relief Society Activity Committee. It was quite the thrill when it all came out of the pan in one piece. I got the idea from the Pioneer Woman blog.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard