January 2010 Newsletter

January Lessons
Conducting: Sandy Levinson
January 3 Relief Society Presidency Lesson
Teacher: Linda Owen
January 10 Gospel Principles # 1 “Our Heavenly Father”
Teacher: Judy Paxton
January 17 Stake Conference
January 24 Conference Talk
“Teaching Helps Save Lives” Russell T. Osguthorpe
Teacher: Myrna Clark
January 31 Fifth Sunday – Lesson topic determined by bishopric.
Our manual for this year is the new Gospel Principles manual. There is a good article in the Ensign concerning it; which I have included.

Ring in the New Year
The Beginning of a year (and a new decade) is commonly a time to reflect on what works, what doesn’t and how to improve our lives. While this is very common, it can also be fairly difficult. Because of this, it can be better to stick to the basics. In the Ensign, Dec 1994, 62–67, there was an article that talks about the basic goals. The article, “Resolutions,” is by Elder Joe J. Christensen, of the Presidency of the Seventy. On one of the following pages, I have included an excerpt from it. To see the entire article you can go to http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=d2803ff73058b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD.

Since one aspect of our physical goals should be to prepare for times of emergency, I have included a News Release from FEMA.

One of the problems with goals is that they are so hard to set up, let alone achieve. Each week I receive an email from the LDS Job Placement Program. Here is a quote from their July 10, 2009 email that helps explain why.

“The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don't define them, or ever seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them.” Denis Watley

In the hopes of helping make it easier to set and follow through goals, I am including some tips, that I found on this website http://www.goal-setting-guide.com/smart-goals.html. Another website that has similar information is: http://www.topachievement.com/smart.html.




I hope this type of information will give me some much needed help with my own goal setting.

The Sister of the Month
Our sister of the month is Sister Barlow. Not only has she given us insights into her life; she has also included a nice little quiz. I want to thank her for taking time in her busy schedule to do this.

Tip of the Month
Since we need to be sharp and alert to make all these wonderful goals in the New Year, here are 8 foods that keep our brains young and healthy (I know I can use all the help I can get).

Scripture of the Month
Since this is the goal setting time of year, here is a scripture that concerns what should be our ultimate goal.
Jacob 6: 11
O then, my beloved brethren, repent ye, and enter in at the strait gate, and continue in the way which is narrow, until ye shall obtain eternal life.

January Recipe
Another good goal would be to become more adept at using our food storage. If we are storing these foods, it’s a good idea to get use to using them. This accomplishes two things. When it does come time to use them it would be nice if we a) now how to cook them and b) are familiar enough with them that they aren’t a shock to our system physically and emotionally (during emergencies the comfort of eating something familiar is helpful).
I have included some recipes that I got from Emergency Essentials website. http://beprepared.com/recipes.asp_Q_ai_E_1_A_c2r_E_tn_A_name_E_Recipes
Although the recipes call for dehydrated/freeze dried foods, regular ingredients can be substituted (including leftover turkey or ham from the holidays). Conversely, even though one of the recipe calls for fresh potatoes, there are several forms of dried potatoes that could be substituted. One of these recipes has been calculated for two. Since we have enough sisters that don’t have large families to cook for, I thought it would good to have a recipe that doesn’t have to be cut down (and it’s easier to double/quadruple a recipe).

Also, there is something about homemade bread that is very warming and heartening – especially on a cold dreary January day. I have included a recipe for bread.

Ancestor of the Month
I have used my Great Great Grandparents Gudmundar and Marie Jacobsen Gudmundsen.