November Lessons
November 1 2009 Presidency/Group Leadership Instruction - Teacher Kristy Gellersen
November 8 Joseph Smith #41 Becoming Saviors on Mount Zion – Teacher Ramona Ford
November 15 Joseph Smith #42 Family: The Sweetest Union for Time and for Eternity – Teacher Judy Paxton
November 22 Teaching for our Times General Conference Talk from October 2009 General Conference talk TBA – Teacher Myrna Clark
November 22 2009 Bishop’s Instruction
The Sister of the Month
This month we are spotlighting Sister Robinson we want to thank her for this glimpse into her life.
Ancestor of the Month
This month the Ancestor is another installment of Sister Marie Dueman's 4-great grandfather.
Scripture Thought
Daily Gems - 28 May 2008
Being Grateful Will Make Us Happy
"Mercies and blessings come in different forms--sometimes as hard things. Yet the Lord said, 'Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things' (D&C 59:7). All things means just that: good things, difficult things--not just some things. He has commanded us to be grateful because He knows being grateful will make us happy. This is another evidence of His love."
Bonnie D. Parkin, "Gratitude: A Path to Happiness," Ensign, May 2007, p 35
Book of the Month
The Book for this month is “Heaven Can Wait” by Fanny Flagg. The meeting is on November 12, 2009 @ 7:00 pm @ Sister Linda Owen’s Home located at
780 East Lisonbee Ave.
November Recipe
Since we have just finished with Halloween, there are pumpkins are very delicious and nutritious. Although I have thought that using jack-o-lanterns into pumpkin puree, I saw something on the computer that advised against using them. I called the Utah State University extension and was told that this is correct. She gave two reasons. The first is the 4 hour out of the fridge rule – once you cut open the pumpkin, this exposes the flesh of the pumpkin to bacteria. Also, she was saying that the pumpkins being sold for jack-o-lanterns aren’t good for cooking with. She said that there are those pumpkins that are specifically sold for cooking; they are either called cooking or sugar pumpkin and are smaller than the ones sold for carving. However, if you paint the pumpkin instead of carving this eliminates the safety issue. Personally, I have had varying success as far as the quality of the pumpkins I have used – possibly I have inadvertently bought the cooking type. Since this is still a good time for pumpkin recipes, I have included a Pumpkin Chili recipe and two ingredient Pumpkin Cake. One of the things that my father used to tell me is that the better pumpkin pies weren’t made from pumpkin, but from Sweet Potatoes. I googled pumpkin substitutions and found some information from About.com: Home cooking, that I have included with the recipes. For the full text see http://homecooking.about.com/od/foodequivalents/a/pumpkinequiv.htm. Also, since we are in Harvest season and apples are in plentiful supply of apples, I thought a couple of wholesome apple recipes seemed fun.
Gratitude
I found a couple of items concerning gratitude that are very good. One was from a blogger named Melodie Beatty concerning a gratitude attitude. The other was by Wayne Parker in About.Com concerning teaching children to be grateful. I have included them on the newsletter blog.
Health Tip
Since the flu season is upon us, there are a few tips concerning basic hygiene. Although it is geared toward children, it is useful information for everyone.
Review basic hygiene practices. Unless you are with your child every single second of the day (and who is?), your kids need to know basic hygiene. Teach them at a very young age about how to wash their hands properly, to cover their mouth with a tissue when they sneeze or cough (or to sneeze into the crook of their arm and not their hands), and not to share food or drinks with anyone. This is a good as time to discuss the no-no practice of "double dipping" snacks as well.
I have also included a website address concerning the H1N1 flu:
http://www.flu.gov/professional/community/faithcomchecklist.html
Also, keeping our furry companions in mind, here is some information from The Pedigree Foundation concerning Doggie Flu
http://pedigree.com/02All%20Things%20Dog/Article%20Library/fetch.aspx?artId=654&catId=3&sCatId=9&catName=Adult&sCatName=Health&zjxj=01900004W634654W865W0
Safety Tip
With the changing from Mountain Daylight Time to Mountain Standard Time, we are always reminded to check the batteries in our smoke detectors. I have also included a piece on fire alarm safety that can be downloaded at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/campaigns/smokealarms/.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sister of the Month - Sister Charlene Shaw Robinson
My name is Charlene Shaw Robinson. I was born in Ogden, Utah on Jan. 26, 1925. I moved to Salt Lake when I was ten and have lived in this area for the rest of my life except for ten years in the Northwest.
My mother and I bought our house at 744 E. Claybourne in 1942. This was the year I graduated from East High School and immediately started to work so I was able to pay for the house. My working career was 22 years for Utah oil, eleven years for the University of Utah, and ten years for the Washington State University in Pullman, Washington.
I married Jay Robinson in 1956 and we spent most of our married years in Murray, Utah where we were blessed with two sons, Bryan and Mark. In 1970 I returned to my home on Claybourne and began raising my two sons alone. In 1977 we move to Pullman, Washington where my sons finished their education. Mark met Sharon Harper at his high school and they married and have given me six wonderful grandchildren. The oldest, Aaron, is presently on an LDS mission in Torreon, Mexico. Mark has played football from age 8 through his college career and I would watch as many games as I could. This is where I developed my love of football. Bryan participated in Special Olympics and won several medals.
I have been active in the Church all my life and held many positions in all organizations, mostly as music director in ward and stake assignments. My most memorable assignments were 8 years as a worker at the Salt Lake LDS Temple, Relief Society President for 5 years and 18 months as ward missionary. I have sung all my life from age 16 on with organized musical groups and am known for “bursting into song” whenever the occasion arises. I have also enjoyed doing musical theatre.
I love my immediate and extended families and have organized many family reunions. I am know as the one who can answer questions about our ancestors.
I love the Lord and wish to serve him as long as I live.
My mother and I bought our house at 744 E. Claybourne in 1942. This was the year I graduated from East High School and immediately started to work so I was able to pay for the house. My working career was 22 years for Utah oil, eleven years for the University of Utah, and ten years for the Washington State University in Pullman, Washington.
I married Jay Robinson in 1956 and we spent most of our married years in Murray, Utah where we were blessed with two sons, Bryan and Mark. In 1970 I returned to my home on Claybourne and began raising my two sons alone. In 1977 we move to Pullman, Washington where my sons finished their education. Mark met Sharon Harper at his high school and they married and have given me six wonderful grandchildren. The oldest, Aaron, is presently on an LDS mission in Torreon, Mexico. Mark has played football from age 8 through his college career and I would watch as many games as I could. This is where I developed my love of football. Bryan participated in Special Olympics and won several medals.
I have been active in the Church all my life and held many positions in all organizations, mostly as music director in ward and stake assignments. My most memorable assignments were 8 years as a worker at the Salt Lake LDS Temple, Relief Society President for 5 years and 18 months as ward missionary. I have sung all my life from age 16 on with organized musical groups and am known for “bursting into song” whenever the occasion arises. I have also enjoyed doing musical theatre.
I love my immediate and extended families and have organized many family reunions. I am know as the one who can answer questions about our ancestors.
I love the Lord and wish to serve him as long as I live.
Henrick Esaiasoon's Genealogy Part 2
HENRIC ESAIASSON’s GENEALOGY
Henric’s birth. Henric Esaiasson Luomajärvi was born on Friday, 3 Jan 1817, on Luomajärvi farm, near Wenesjervi village, Kankaanpää Parish, Turku Pori County, Finland. His parents were the farmer Esaias Ericsson Luomajervi and 35 years’ old Caisa Ericsdotter. Henric was the youngest son, of Esaias and Caisa’s six children.
Henric Esaiasson Luomajärvi was most likely born in the family sauna, on the Luomajärvi farm. FINNISH AMERICAN REPORTER, Dec 1993, page 18: “POPULAR CULTURE: Sex and The Sauna, by Kristiina Markkanen. The word sauna brings, to most people, something dirty in mind. But for us Finns, it brings only ideas of cleanliness, not only physical but also spiritual rejuvenation. In fact, the Finns considered the sauna to be the cleanest place on earth for centuries, & they let their babies be born in these smoky, dark cabins.”
On Sunday, 5 January 1806, the farmer, Esaias Ericsson Luomajãrvi, of Kankaanpää Parish, and the farmer’s daughter, Catharina Ericsdotter, of Petkele [in Siikainen Parish, had their marriage banns first read, in the Siikainen Parish Lutheran Church. Marriage, Henric’s On Sunday, 9 Feb 1806, in Siikainen Parish, the farmer Esaias Ericsson Luomajärvi of Kankaanpää Parish, and the farmer’s daughter Catharina Ericsdotter of Petkele, Siikainen Parish, were married at the bride’s home, i full skrud, by Pastor Jacob Hallfors.
F.A.R., Feb 1994, page 22: “February/Helmikuu. The work Helmikuu means ‘pearl month’ & refers to a natural phenomenon which occurs in the forest during February. On certain days it is as if the branches shimmer with pearls. This happens when thawing weather unexpectedly occurs. If this is followed by severe frosty weather, the water drops from the melting snow turn to ice. These drops were called ice pearls.” From THE FINNISH FOLK-YEAR, A Perpetual Diary & Book of Days, Ways & Customs by Anneke Lipsanen, 1986.
Henric helps run Randala farm. Up through about 1845, Esaias Ericsson ran this farm, which came to be known as Randala, in Luomajärvi, near Wenesjärvi, Kankaanpää Parish. In about 1845, Johan Esaiasson, who was the oldest living son, of Esaias and Caisa, took over the Randala farm. Henric Esaiasson helped his older brother, Johan, run the Randala farm. Johan Esaiasson Luomajärvi married Lisa Johansdotter Luomajärvi, in Kankaanpää Parish, on Monday, 7 Oct 1839.
Henric’s birth. Henric Esaiasson Luomajärvi was born on Friday, 3 Jan 1817, on Luomajärvi farm, near Wenesjervi village, Kankaanpää Parish, Turku Pori County, Finland. His parents were the farmer Esaias Ericsson Luomajervi and 35 years’ old Caisa Ericsdotter. Henric was the youngest son, of Esaias and Caisa’s six children.
Henric Esaiasson Luomajärvi was most likely born in the family sauna, on the Luomajärvi farm. FINNISH AMERICAN REPORTER, Dec 1993, page 18: “POPULAR CULTURE: Sex and The Sauna, by Kristiina Markkanen. The word sauna brings, to most people, something dirty in mind. But for us Finns, it brings only ideas of cleanliness, not only physical but also spiritual rejuvenation. In fact, the Finns considered the sauna to be the cleanest place on earth for centuries, & they let their babies be born in these smoky, dark cabins.”
On Sunday, 5 January 1806, the farmer, Esaias Ericsson Luomajãrvi, of Kankaanpää Parish, and the farmer’s daughter, Catharina Ericsdotter, of Petkele [in Siikainen Parish, had their marriage banns first read, in the Siikainen Parish Lutheran Church. Marriage, Henric’s On Sunday, 9 Feb 1806, in Siikainen Parish, the farmer Esaias Ericsson Luomajärvi of Kankaanpää Parish, and the farmer’s daughter Catharina Ericsdotter of Petkele, Siikainen Parish, were married at the bride’s home, i full skrud, by Pastor Jacob Hallfors.
F.A.R., Feb 1994, page 22: “February/Helmikuu. The work Helmikuu means ‘pearl month’ & refers to a natural phenomenon which occurs in the forest during February. On certain days it is as if the branches shimmer with pearls. This happens when thawing weather unexpectedly occurs. If this is followed by severe frosty weather, the water drops from the melting snow turn to ice. These drops were called ice pearls.” From THE FINNISH FOLK-YEAR, A Perpetual Diary & Book of Days, Ways & Customs by Anneke Lipsanen, 1986.
Henric helps run Randala farm. Up through about 1845, Esaias Ericsson ran this farm, which came to be known as Randala, in Luomajärvi, near Wenesjärvi, Kankaanpää Parish. In about 1845, Johan Esaiasson, who was the oldest living son, of Esaias and Caisa, took over the Randala farm. Henric Esaiasson helped his older brother, Johan, run the Randala farm. Johan Esaiasson Luomajärvi married Lisa Johansdotter Luomajärvi, in Kankaanpää Parish, on Monday, 7 Oct 1839.
Pumpkin Recipes
Pumpkin Chili Recipe
Photo by: Taste of Home
This unique chili freezes well...but it still doesn't last around our farmhouse very long, especially when my five children and 13 grandchildren are around! They often are—we are a very close-knit family.—Betty Butler, Greencastle, Indiana
11 Servings
Prep: 10 min. Cook: 70 min.
Ingredients
3 pounds ground beef 1 medium onion, chopped
2 cans (16 ounces each) hot chili beans, undrained 2 bottles (12 ounces each) chili sauce
2 cans (10-3/4 oz) condensed tomato soup, undiluted 1 cup canned pumpkin
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon chili powder
Directions
In a large Dutch oven, cook beef and onion over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Add water if desired to reduce thickness. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour. Yield: 11 servings.
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 cup) equals 293 calories, 12 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 61 mg cholesterol, 1,034 mg sodium, 21 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 25 g protein.
*Although this recipe calls for canned pumpkin, fresh pumpkin would also work very well. Also, pumpkin could also be added to a favorite chili recipe.
Two Ingredient Pumpkin Cake
Submitted by: Chickentarian
"It can't get any easier than this! Just two ingredients and you have a moist delicious cake. Great when frosted with your favorite cream cheese frosting. Plan ahead, tastes best after chilling.
Prep Time: 5 Min Cook Time: 25 Min Ready In: 30 Min
Ingredients
• 1 (18.25 ounce) package spice cake mix
• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the spice cake mix and canned pumpkin until well blended. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool and serve, or store in the refrigerator. This tastes even better the next day.
Pumpkin Equivalents, Measures, and Substitutions
Most winter squashes are interchangeable in recipes, measure for measure. If you do not have pumpkin, substitute acorn squash, hubbard squash, butternut squash, buttercup squash, or calabaza. Sweet potatoes are also a good option as a subtitute for pumpkin.
Plan on purchasing 1/3 to 1/2 pound of pumpkin per serving as a side dish. Much of the weight will be discarded in the peel and seeds.
• 1 fresh 5-pound pumpkin = about 4-1/2 cups cooked, mashed pumpkin
• 1 pound fresh pumpkin = about 1 cup cooked, mashed pumpkin
• 1 15-ounce can pumpkin = 1-3/4 cups mashed pumpkin
• 1 29-ounce can pumpkin = 3-1/2 cups mashed pumpkin
Photo by: Taste of Home
This unique chili freezes well...but it still doesn't last around our farmhouse very long, especially when my five children and 13 grandchildren are around! They often are—we are a very close-knit family.—Betty Butler, Greencastle, Indiana
11 Servings
Prep: 10 min. Cook: 70 min.
Ingredients
3 pounds ground beef 1 medium onion, chopped
2 cans (16 ounces each) hot chili beans, undrained 2 bottles (12 ounces each) chili sauce
2 cans (10-3/4 oz) condensed tomato soup, undiluted 1 cup canned pumpkin
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon chili powder
Directions
In a large Dutch oven, cook beef and onion over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Add water if desired to reduce thickness. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour. Yield: 11 servings.
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 cup) equals 293 calories, 12 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 61 mg cholesterol, 1,034 mg sodium, 21 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 25 g protein.
*Although this recipe calls for canned pumpkin, fresh pumpkin would also work very well. Also, pumpkin could also be added to a favorite chili recipe.
Two Ingredient Pumpkin Cake
Submitted by: Chickentarian
"It can't get any easier than this! Just two ingredients and you have a moist delicious cake. Great when frosted with your favorite cream cheese frosting. Plan ahead, tastes best after chilling.
Prep Time: 5 Min Cook Time: 25 Min Ready In: 30 Min
Ingredients
• 1 (18.25 ounce) package spice cake mix
• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the spice cake mix and canned pumpkin until well blended. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool and serve, or store in the refrigerator. This tastes even better the next day.
Pumpkin Equivalents, Measures, and Substitutions
Most winter squashes are interchangeable in recipes, measure for measure. If you do not have pumpkin, substitute acorn squash, hubbard squash, butternut squash, buttercup squash, or calabaza. Sweet potatoes are also a good option as a subtitute for pumpkin.
Plan on purchasing 1/3 to 1/2 pound of pumpkin per serving as a side dish. Much of the weight will be discarded in the peel and seeds.
• 1 fresh 5-pound pumpkin = about 4-1/2 cups cooked, mashed pumpkin
• 1 pound fresh pumpkin = about 1 cup cooked, mashed pumpkin
• 1 15-ounce can pumpkin = 1-3/4 cups mashed pumpkin
• 1 29-ounce can pumpkin = 3-1/2 cups mashed pumpkin
Apple Recipes
Moist Caramel Apple Cake
Prep Time: 15 min Total Time: 1 hr 45 min Makes: 16 servings
What You Need
1 pkg. (2-layer size) yellow cake mix 1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Vanilla or French Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding
1 cup water 4 eggs
1/3 cup oil 20 KRAFT Caramels
3 Tbsp. milk
3 Granny Smith apples (1 lb.), peeled, coa rsely chopped
Make It
HEAT oven to 350ºF
GREASE and flour 12-cup fluted tube pan or 10-inch tube pan. Beat first 5 ingredients in large bowl with mixer on low speed until blended. Beat on high speed 2 min. Stir in apples. Pour into prepared pan.
BAKE 50 min. to 1 hour or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan 15 min. Loosen cake from side of pan; invert onto wire rack. Gently remove pan. Cool cake completely. Transfer to plate.
MICROWAVE caramels and milk in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 min., stirring every 30 sec. until blended. Cool 10 min. or until slightly thickened. Drizzle over cake.
Kraft Kitchens Tips Cooking Know-How
Do not use cake mix with pudding in the mix. To avoid soggy cake, drizzle caramel sauce over cake just before serving.
Cake can also be topped with thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping or vanilla ice cream.
Coconut Sweet Potato Casserole
Prep Time:
15 min
Total Time:
1 hr 15 min
Makes:
10 servings, about 3/4 cup each
What You Need
2 lb. sweet potatoes, cooked, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks (about 4 cups)
2 apples, cored, thinly sliced
2/3 cup maple-flavored or pancake syrup
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 cup BAKER'S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut
Make It
PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Place sweet potatoes in greased 13x9-inch baking dish; top with apples.
MIX syrup, butter and salt; pour over apples. Sprinkle with coconut; cover.
BAKE 30 minutes. Uncover. Bake an additional 20 to 30 minutes or until apples are tender and coconut is lightly browned.
Kraft Kitchens Tips
For extra flavor and crunch, sprinkle apples with 1/3 cup chopped PLANTERS Walnuts or Pecans along with coconut.
Apple and Peanut Butter Snack Recipe
Submitted by afarq
Makes 1 serving
Two small apples, organically grown, with Peanut butter on top! Mmm!
Ingredients 2 small Apples
2 tbsp Peanut Butter
Directions
1.Cut each apple in four
2.remove the core
3.spread on a TBSP of peanut butter on each apples
Read more: http://caloriecount.about.com/apple-peanut-butter-snack-recipe-r64327#ixzz0VYFeqIuD
Prep Time: 15 min Total Time: 1 hr 45 min Makes: 16 servings
What You Need
1 pkg. (2-layer size) yellow cake mix 1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Vanilla or French Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding
1 cup water 4 eggs
1/3 cup oil 20 KRAFT Caramels
3 Tbsp. milk
3 Granny Smith apples (1 lb.), peeled, coa rsely chopped
Make It
HEAT oven to 350ºF
GREASE and flour 12-cup fluted tube pan or 10-inch tube pan. Beat first 5 ingredients in large bowl with mixer on low speed until blended. Beat on high speed 2 min. Stir in apples. Pour into prepared pan.
BAKE 50 min. to 1 hour or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan 15 min. Loosen cake from side of pan; invert onto wire rack. Gently remove pan. Cool cake completely. Transfer to plate.
MICROWAVE caramels and milk in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 min., stirring every 30 sec. until blended. Cool 10 min. or until slightly thickened. Drizzle over cake.
Kraft Kitchens Tips Cooking Know-How
Do not use cake mix with pudding in the mix. To avoid soggy cake, drizzle caramel sauce over cake just before serving.
Cake can also be topped with thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping or vanilla ice cream.
Coconut Sweet Potato Casserole
Prep Time:
15 min
Total Time:
1 hr 15 min
Makes:
10 servings, about 3/4 cup each
What You Need
2 lb. sweet potatoes, cooked, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks (about 4 cups)
2 apples, cored, thinly sliced
2/3 cup maple-flavored or pancake syrup
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 cup BAKER'S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut
Make It
PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Place sweet potatoes in greased 13x9-inch baking dish; top with apples.
MIX syrup, butter and salt; pour over apples. Sprinkle with coconut; cover.
BAKE 30 minutes. Uncover. Bake an additional 20 to 30 minutes or until apples are tender and coconut is lightly browned.
Kraft Kitchens Tips
For extra flavor and crunch, sprinkle apples with 1/3 cup chopped PLANTERS Walnuts or Pecans along with coconut.
Apple and Peanut Butter Snack Recipe
Submitted by afarq
Makes 1 serving
Two small apples, organically grown, with Peanut butter on top! Mmm!
Ingredients 2 small Apples
2 tbsp Peanut Butter
Directions
1.Cut each apple in four
2.remove the core
3.spread on a TBSP of peanut butter on each apples
Read more: http://caloriecount.about.com/apple-peanut-butter-snack-recipe-r64327#ixzz0VYFeqIuD
Teaching Children to be Grateful
Teaching Children to be Grateful By Wayne Parker, About.com
Sometimes I am amazed at the things my kids do. As I was taking my youngest son and his friend trick or treating last Halloween, I decided to listen to the doorstep interactions between the boys and the "treat-givers." While I knew my son would say "Thank You" for every item he received, I did expect a wide variety in his enthusiasm based on how good the treat was. But he surprised me with how sincere he sounded, door after door.
I asked him as he was sorting through the loot about his experience, and he told me that he and his friend had been talking at school about trick or treating. They decided that some people just turned out the lights or left so they didn't have to spend the money on candy for the kids in the neighborhood. So everyone who was home and had candy, no matter what it was, had to be a nice person who liked kids, so they wanted to thank each one.
Well, our kids have been taught an attitude of gratitude over the years, mainly by their mother. But as I have reflected over the last few weeks about what we did to help them learn gratitude, I have identified some important strategies for teaching kids to the thankful and to express it. Try these ideas and see if they work for you like they have for us.
Make a List. From time to time, we take some time as a family to make a list of the things we are grateful for. Our kids have usually said things like a favorite toy or food. But sometimes they will express thanks for a family where they feel safe or for a dad's income that let's them have a few luxuries. And the older ones almost always mention access to a car or the concern of a parent. It is fun to watch their priorities change as they grow older.
Set the Example. Parents have to model behavior they hope their children adopt as their own. A simple, sincere expression of gratitude when the kids do something they were asked to do is always appropriate. Taking an extra moment to thank a sales clerk at the store or to tip your news carrier for getting the paper on the porch every day lets them know that gratitude is acceptable and encouraged.
Don't Demand Thanks. "I work my fingers to the bone every day for you, and I never hear a word of thanks" was a popular litany in the home of one of my friends when I was a youngster. Avoid demanding thanks from your children. They will internalize example much more than they will threats or humiliation. If you offer it sincerely to them, they will learn the skills of gratitude.
Teach Through Role Playing. If you notice a lack of the gratitude attitude, consider a little role playing. Have the kids act out a scenario where someone went out of their way for someone else, and have the receiver express gratitude. You might even consider a negative example and see how the giver feels when his or her giving is ignored.
Establish Family Traditions. In our home, dad gives a "speech" before every holiday dinner (at mom's insistence). I always talk about the blessings we have in our family (even if it's not Thanksgiving). Some families at Sunday dinner go around the table and ask each child to name one thing they are thankful for. Still others write thank you notes after every birthday and Christmas. By having family rituals that center on gratitude, children learn to express thanks.
Offer Service. My wife's elderly uncle lives a few blocks away, and we have volunteered as a family to weed his front flower bed now that he and his wife are less able to keep up. They are so appreciative of our service, and the kids feel good when we spend the morning working at Uncle Lavon's. Try taking the family to a nursing home or a homeless shelter to volunteer. They will often find that a little selfless service tends to make selfishness go away.
Try Going Without. From time to time, have a family project that involves going without something important. For example, try making bread for a week rather than buying it, or try walking to any destination less than two miles away. A little sacrifice causes us to miss things that we take for granted and helps us be a little more humble and grateful when the thing is restored.
It's the Little Things. A little common courtesy can go a long way, and taking time to notice the little acts of service in a family or a neighborhood can be so positive. Look for ways to say thank you often.
A little extra effort can go a long way in teaching children the importance of being thankful and of expressing than thanks in a sincere and meaningful way.
Sometimes I am amazed at the things my kids do. As I was taking my youngest son and his friend trick or treating last Halloween, I decided to listen to the doorstep interactions between the boys and the "treat-givers." While I knew my son would say "Thank You" for every item he received, I did expect a wide variety in his enthusiasm based on how good the treat was. But he surprised me with how sincere he sounded, door after door.
I asked him as he was sorting through the loot about his experience, and he told me that he and his friend had been talking at school about trick or treating. They decided that some people just turned out the lights or left so they didn't have to spend the money on candy for the kids in the neighborhood. So everyone who was home and had candy, no matter what it was, had to be a nice person who liked kids, so they wanted to thank each one.
Well, our kids have been taught an attitude of gratitude over the years, mainly by their mother. But as I have reflected over the last few weeks about what we did to help them learn gratitude, I have identified some important strategies for teaching kids to the thankful and to express it. Try these ideas and see if they work for you like they have for us.
Make a List. From time to time, we take some time as a family to make a list of the things we are grateful for. Our kids have usually said things like a favorite toy or food. But sometimes they will express thanks for a family where they feel safe or for a dad's income that let's them have a few luxuries. And the older ones almost always mention access to a car or the concern of a parent. It is fun to watch their priorities change as they grow older.
Set the Example. Parents have to model behavior they hope their children adopt as their own. A simple, sincere expression of gratitude when the kids do something they were asked to do is always appropriate. Taking an extra moment to thank a sales clerk at the store or to tip your news carrier for getting the paper on the porch every day lets them know that gratitude is acceptable and encouraged.
Don't Demand Thanks. "I work my fingers to the bone every day for you, and I never hear a word of thanks" was a popular litany in the home of one of my friends when I was a youngster. Avoid demanding thanks from your children. They will internalize example much more than they will threats or humiliation. If you offer it sincerely to them, they will learn the skills of gratitude.
Teach Through Role Playing. If you notice a lack of the gratitude attitude, consider a little role playing. Have the kids act out a scenario where someone went out of their way for someone else, and have the receiver express gratitude. You might even consider a negative example and see how the giver feels when his or her giving is ignored.
Establish Family Traditions. In our home, dad gives a "speech" before every holiday dinner (at mom's insistence). I always talk about the blessings we have in our family (even if it's not Thanksgiving). Some families at Sunday dinner go around the table and ask each child to name one thing they are thankful for. Still others write thank you notes after every birthday and Christmas. By having family rituals that center on gratitude, children learn to express thanks.
Offer Service. My wife's elderly uncle lives a few blocks away, and we have volunteered as a family to weed his front flower bed now that he and his wife are less able to keep up. They are so appreciative of our service, and the kids feel good when we spend the morning working at Uncle Lavon's. Try taking the family to a nursing home or a homeless shelter to volunteer. They will often find that a little selfless service tends to make selfishness go away.
Try Going Without. From time to time, have a family project that involves going without something important. For example, try making bread for a week rather than buying it, or try walking to any destination less than two miles away. A little sacrifice causes us to miss things that we take for granted and helps us be a little more humble and grateful when the thing is restored.
It's the Little Things. A little common courtesy can go a long way, and taking time to notice the little acts of service in a family or a neighborhood can be so positive. Look for ways to say thank you often.
A little extra effort can go a long way in teaching children the importance of being thankful and of expressing than thanks in a sincere and meaningful way.
Gratitude Attitude
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.”
Melodie Beatty
Now I know I startled you all a couple of weeks ago by mentioning Christmas, but before Christmas here in the U.S. comes Thanksgiving (yes, the holidays are upon us!). Before we fully get into the Christmas spirit, I was thinking about that how easy it is to fly right by Thanksgiving and all we have to show for it is a couple extra pounds from over-dosing on mashed potatoes, gravy and pumpkin pie.
I like to get as much out of the seasons and holidays as I can, so I started thinkin g about ways I could incorporate the attitude of gratitude around my house in the few weeks prior to Thanksgiving.
And what better day to start out thinking positively than on a Monday! Grumble, grumble.
Are you a glass half full person or a glass half empty person? I tend to be a glass half full gal, but I’d have to say my son is the opposite. I sometimes call him Eeyore. I am forever trying to help him see the bright side of things. We work on lessons in positive thinking and gratitude quite often around our house. And Thanksgiving is the perfect time of year to put our efforts into overdrive.
So, how can we create a home that reflects an attitude of gratitude? We need to practice it daily, not just on Thanksgiving. You know I like to make lists of 20 happy thoughts, so here are my 20 Little Attitudes of Gratitude for our home. These are all real things we emphasize around our house to keep us focused on blessings, or things I am wanting to incorporate this year.
20 Little Attitudes of Gratitude
1. Mind your manners. Say please, thank you and excuse me.
2. Smile when you see your family. Turn your frown upside down.
3. Pick up after yourself.
4. Notice when others do kind things for you, show gratitude by action or words.
5. Say I love you before going to bed.
6. Give hugs daily.
7. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Focus on what you are happy about today.
8. Create gratitude journals to keep track of daily blessings.
9. Show thankfulness for even the little things others do for you.
10. Leave love notes in unexpected places like lunch boxes and under pillows.
11. Encourage someone with a compliment.
12. Verbalize what you are grateful for when you feel like complaining about life.
13. Keep a basket of small slips of paper on the table. Write notes of thankfulness during the week and read them to each other during a family meal.
14. Remember to thank God for blessings each day.
15. Surprise your family (or friends) with little gifts or treats to show you thought of them.
16. No grumbling about minor annoyances around the house.
17. Do special things to cherish time with your family. You never know what tomorrow will bring.
18. Reflect on happy memories regularly. Make inspiration boards of special times.
19. Help someone out without them having to ask you. Watch for someone in need.
20. When you are doing household chores, be grateful you have a home to clean.
By making a list of 20 attitudes we can work on and putting them into practice, we can make our homes a much happier place to be by Thanksgiving. Even if you don’t have a family at home, you can make a list that applies to your life situation.
Melodie Beatty
Now I know I startled you all a couple of weeks ago by mentioning Christmas, but before Christmas here in the U.S. comes Thanksgiving (yes, the holidays are upon us!). Before we fully get into the Christmas spirit, I was thinking about that how easy it is to fly right by Thanksgiving and all we have to show for it is a couple extra pounds from over-dosing on mashed potatoes, gravy and pumpkin pie.
I like to get as much out of the seasons and holidays as I can, so I started thinkin g about ways I could incorporate the attitude of gratitude around my house in the few weeks prior to Thanksgiving.
And what better day to start out thinking positively than on a Monday! Grumble, grumble.
Are you a glass half full person or a glass half empty person? I tend to be a glass half full gal, but I’d have to say my son is the opposite. I sometimes call him Eeyore. I am forever trying to help him see the bright side of things. We work on lessons in positive thinking and gratitude quite often around our house. And Thanksgiving is the perfect time of year to put our efforts into overdrive.
So, how can we create a home that reflects an attitude of gratitude? We need to practice it daily, not just on Thanksgiving. You know I like to make lists of 20 happy thoughts, so here are my 20 Little Attitudes of Gratitude for our home. These are all real things we emphasize around our house to keep us focused on blessings, or things I am wanting to incorporate this year.
20 Little Attitudes of Gratitude
1. Mind your manners. Say please, thank you and excuse me.
2. Smile when you see your family. Turn your frown upside down.
3. Pick up after yourself.
4. Notice when others do kind things for you, show gratitude by action or words.
5. Say I love you before going to bed.
6. Give hugs daily.
7. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Focus on what you are happy about today.
8. Create gratitude journals to keep track of daily blessings.
9. Show thankfulness for even the little things others do for you.
10. Leave love notes in unexpected places like lunch boxes and under pillows.
11. Encourage someone with a compliment.
12. Verbalize what you are grateful for when you feel like complaining about life.
13. Keep a basket of small slips of paper on the table. Write notes of thankfulness during the week and read them to each other during a family meal.
14. Remember to thank God for blessings each day.
15. Surprise your family (or friends) with little gifts or treats to show you thought of them.
16. No grumbling about minor annoyances around the house.
17. Do special things to cherish time with your family. You never know what tomorrow will bring.
18. Reflect on happy memories regularly. Make inspiration boards of special times.
19. Help someone out without them having to ask you. Watch for someone in need.
20. When you are doing household chores, be grateful you have a home to clean.
By making a list of 20 attitudes we can work on and putting them into practice, we can make our homes a much happier place to be by Thanksgiving. Even if you don’t have a family at home, you can make a list that applies to your life situation.
Home smoke alarms and residential fire sprinklers
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) today launched an effort to encourage everyone to install and maintain home smoke alarms and, if possible, sprinklers. More than 3,000 people die in home fires each year, and the majority of them have no working smoke alarm. To prevent these deaths, the USFA, a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is sponsoring the nationwide Install. Inspect. Protect. Campaign, which emphasizes that “Smoke Alarms Save Lives.”
“The U.S. Fire Administration tracks fatal home fires every day, and it is tragic to see how many deaths are linked to homes without working smoke alarms,” said Kelvin J. Cochran, U.S. Fire Administrator. “The USFA is committed to preventing the loss of life and we want residents and fire fighters to be safe.” He added, “Smoke alarms are inexpensive, easy to install, and easy to maintain. We are asking everyone to make sure they have working smoke alarms in their homes, and if possible, sprinklers.”
When both smoke alarms and fire sprinklers are present in a home, the risk of dying in a fire is reduced by 82 percent, when compared to a residence without either. According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2003-2006, almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
Cochran also emphasized that firefighters often die in the line of duty trying to rescue people who did not get out at the first sign of a fire. He added, “Smoke alarms and sprinklers give you and your family more time to get out, before firefighters have to come in to rescue you.”
The Install. Inspect. Protect. Campaign is promoting fire safety through a free Campaign Toolkit DVD; featuring English and Spanish educational materials; print, radio and television PSAs; children’s materials, a video demonstration of how quickly a home fire spreads, and on the USFA’s consumer-friendly Web site at www.usfa.dhs.gov/smokealarms.
The USFA has always promoted fire safety and the use of smoke alarms through materials and in campaigns, such as “Tribute to Heroes” and “Prepare. Practice. Prevent the Unthinkable: A Parents’ Guide to Fire Safety for Babies and Toddlers,” to name a few. Now, emphasizing the importance of both smoke alarms and sprinklers, our PSAs --“My Dad” and “My Mom” – focus on the viewpoint of the child of a firefighter. The campaign materials include real stories of people whose lives have been saved because they had a working smoke alarm.
The USFA offers a few helpful tips on smoke alarms and sprinklers:
Place properly installed and maintained smoke alarms both inside and outside of sleeping areas and on every level of your home.
Interconnected smoke alarms are best, because if one sounds, they all sound.
The U.S. Fire Administration recommends that every residence and place where people sleep be equipped with both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms or dual sensor smoke alarms, which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors.
Test smoke alarms monthly and change alkaline batteries at least once every year, or as instructed by the manufacturer. You can use a date you already know, like your birthday or when you change your clocks as a reminder.
If possible, install residential fire sprinklers in your home.
Avoid painting or covering the fire sprinkler, because that will affect the sensitivity to heat.
Organizations in partnership with the U.S. Fire Administration’s Install. Inspect. Protect. Campaign include the American Fire Sprinkler Association, Burn Institute, Everyone Goes Home, Fire and Emergency Manufacturers and Services Association, Fire Department Safety Officers Association, Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, Home Safety Council, International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Women in Fire & Emergency Services, National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) , NASFM Fire Research and Education Foundation, National Association of Hispanic Firefighters, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, National Fire Protection Association, National Fire Sprinkler Association, National Volunteer Fire Council, and Safe Kids Worldwide.
Materials can be downloaded at www.usfa.dhs.gov/smokealarms (English) or www.usfa.dhs.gov/detectoresdehumo (Spanish). The Campaign Toolkit disc with all campaign materials is available from the USFA Publications Center at www.usfa.dhs.gov or by calling (800)561-3356.
“The U.S. Fire Administration tracks fatal home fires every day, and it is tragic to see how many deaths are linked to homes without working smoke alarms,” said Kelvin J. Cochran, U.S. Fire Administrator. “The USFA is committed to preventing the loss of life and we want residents and fire fighters to be safe.” He added, “Smoke alarms are inexpensive, easy to install, and easy to maintain. We are asking everyone to make sure they have working smoke alarms in their homes, and if possible, sprinklers.”
When both smoke alarms and fire sprinklers are present in a home, the risk of dying in a fire is reduced by 82 percent, when compared to a residence without either. According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2003-2006, almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
Cochran also emphasized that firefighters often die in the line of duty trying to rescue people who did not get out at the first sign of a fire. He added, “Smoke alarms and sprinklers give you and your family more time to get out, before firefighters have to come in to rescue you.”
The Install. Inspect. Protect. Campaign is promoting fire safety through a free Campaign Toolkit DVD; featuring English and Spanish educational materials; print, radio and television PSAs; children’s materials, a video demonstration of how quickly a home fire spreads, and on the USFA’s consumer-friendly Web site at www.usfa.dhs.gov/smokealarms.
The USFA has always promoted fire safety and the use of smoke alarms through materials and in campaigns, such as “Tribute to Heroes” and “Prepare. Practice. Prevent the Unthinkable: A Parents’ Guide to Fire Safety for Babies and Toddlers,” to name a few. Now, emphasizing the importance of both smoke alarms and sprinklers, our PSAs --“My Dad” and “My Mom” – focus on the viewpoint of the child of a firefighter. The campaign materials include real stories of people whose lives have been saved because they had a working smoke alarm.
The USFA offers a few helpful tips on smoke alarms and sprinklers:
Place properly installed and maintained smoke alarms both inside and outside of sleeping areas and on every level of your home.
Interconnected smoke alarms are best, because if one sounds, they all sound.
The U.S. Fire Administration recommends that every residence and place where people sleep be equipped with both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms or dual sensor smoke alarms, which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors.
Test smoke alarms monthly and change alkaline batteries at least once every year, or as instructed by the manufacturer. You can use a date you already know, like your birthday or when you change your clocks as a reminder.
If possible, install residential fire sprinklers in your home.
Avoid painting or covering the fire sprinkler, because that will affect the sensitivity to heat.
Organizations in partnership with the U.S. Fire Administration’s Install. Inspect. Protect. Campaign include the American Fire Sprinkler Association, Burn Institute, Everyone Goes Home, Fire and Emergency Manufacturers and Services Association, Fire Department Safety Officers Association, Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, Home Safety Council, International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Women in Fire & Emergency Services, National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) , NASFM Fire Research and Education Foundation, National Association of Hispanic Firefighters, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, National Fire Protection Association, National Fire Sprinkler Association, National Volunteer Fire Council, and Safe Kids Worldwide.
Materials can be downloaded at www.usfa.dhs.gov/smokealarms (English) or www.usfa.dhs.gov/detectoresdehumo (Spanish). The Campaign Toolkit disc with all campaign materials is available from the USFA Publications Center at www.usfa.dhs.gov or by calling (800)561-3356.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Springview Trunk or Treat
Saturday October 24th
We will begin setting up for Trunk or Treat at 5:30. Children will begin trick or treating promptly at 6:00 and will run till 6:15. Then it is inside the church for food games and fun! Decorate your trunk for prizes and don’t forget to wear a costume! (No masks please).
We will begin setting up for Trunk or Treat at 5:30. Children will begin trick or treating promptly at 6:00 and will run till 6:15. Then it is inside the church for food games and fun! Decorate your trunk for prizes and don’t forget to wear a costume! (No masks please).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)