SUPER SATURDAY!

For our Super Saturday in November, we had so much fun! Everyone was able to make a few (or a lot of) crafts to take home to give away for the holidays free of charge.

Christmas cards/origami (thanks Joan)

A cute nativity (Thanks Taya)

Temple blocks (Thanks Katie)

Magnets  (Thanks Sky)

We also did shell candles and advent calendars!

We also had a lunch for those who just wanted to come and hang out with their sisters on a Saturday. It was ridiculously delicious thanks to Leticia, who catered the whole thing herself! She is amazing! We had curry chicken salad with croissants, turkey/bacon green salad with vinaigrette, tofu rice salad for vegans, and creamy potato soup. Kim outdid herself with delicious cream puffs and a delicious peanut butter/chocolate bar. It was standing room only and some of us were banished to eat in the kitchen :).

We also had a short but sweet program. Rachel, Kim, Hannah, and Joan sang We Need a Little Christmas. Genevieve sang Where are You Christmas accompanied by her cousins on the violin and John played piano all day to entertain us and put us in the festive mood. 

Carlene retold a talk by President Uchtdorf about not being such a grinch at Christmas time.

We were able to socialize and uplift one another.

We ended the SUPER day with a candy making demonstration from the world famous Joan (thanks Geri for the hook up). I heard it was quite the hit, and all the candy was eaten up. No one shared with me!

We thank EVERYONE who helped in any way, there were too many to name! We also want to thank everyone who came and supported and participated! We counted at least 50 women, and there were men and children involved as well!

Our message to kick off the holiday season is to not let it get you down. Simplify and remember the true meaning of Christmas. It should be fun and filled with love! We love you sisters!

Monday Minutes

HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST WEEKS LESSON:

"As you center your home on the Savior, it will naturally become a refuge not only to your own family but also to friends who live in more difficult circumstances. They will be drawn to the serenity they feel there. ...One of the greatest blessings we can offer to the world is the power of a Christ-centered home where the gospel is taught, covenants are kept, and love abounds." -Elder Richard G. Scott

NEXT WEEKS LESSON:

Sunday School: Lesson 35

Relief Society: Combined Priesthood & Relief Society Meeting

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK:

None

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES:

September 28- Stake RS General Broadcast- At the stake center, 4pm dinner and5pm broadcast

September 29- Fast Sunday due to General Conference the following week, combined Priesthood and Relief Society lesson

November 9: Save the Date for a fun Super Saturday Activtiy, 10am-2pm 

Back To School Night

This RS Activity was so creative and fun. April outdid herself with handouts and decor.

These were the cute invitations

Look at the cute decor, I loved the banner, apples everywhere,  and peanut mnm's!

For our Back to School Night, we had four teachers. Seminary, PE, Electives (talents), and Home Ec (cleaning, organizing) There was some great thoughts and advice given! I took lots of notes and April challenged to find some thing in our lives, just one thing to make a change for the better! I loved how Taya, our Electives teacher suggested that to find your talent, do something that brings you joy. Talents take time to develop, and if you don't work for it, then you are not going to grow! Inspiring!

Enjoying apple pie, apples, pound cake, and peanut mnms for dessert! It was a great turnout. Thank you everyone for coming and to April and the teachers for all your hard work! 

PS Coach Chambers made us get up and stretch!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST WEEKS LESSON:

"As we become united in the gospel, we increase in light and intelligence and prepare to dwell in God's presence." -President Lorenzo Snow 

NEXT WEEKS LESSON:

Sunday School: Lesson 34

Relief Society: TFOT, p.29, Elder Scott

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK:

16-Harriet Hatch & Fontina Johnson

17- Joan Rudd & Amanda Sell

18- Crisha Homan

20- Michelle Gordon, Christine Harrison & Andrea Williams

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES:

September 19- Evening RS Activity: 7pm at the James street building, Back to "School"  Night

September 21: Primary Program Practice, 10am-12, James Street chapel

September 28- Stake RS General Broadcast- At the stake center, 4pm dinner and 5pm broadcast

September 29- Fast Sunday due to General Conference the following week, combined Priesthood and Relief Society lesson 

WARD CHOIR meets at 4:15 in chapel on Sundays. Please join us!

Dutch Oven Dinner Party!

For our August Relief Society Activity, we learned some outdoor cooking techniques. Sky showed us how to make dump cake with dutch ovens and it was so much fun!

We held the activity at Leticia's beautiful property. Twenty five ladies arrived for a quick demo.

Four ingredients: fresh raspberries, a yellow cake mix, butter, and sprite/7up. DUMP IT IN!

Cook for 15-20 minutes depending on how hot your coals are!

A MASTERPIECE!!!!

Then we went up to Leticia's beautiful outdoor eating area to enjoy bbq chicken, our favorite summer salads potluck, zucchinis cooked in aluminum foil over the fire pit, bread, and yummy dump cake!

JayJay, Geri, Arlene, Kathy

Carlene, Kristine, Joan, a guest?, Sue

Mimi, Host Barry, Lori, Amy

My camera battery died, sorry I didn't get everyone! Thanks April for some photos! Thank you Sky for such a great demo, Katie and her mom for the yummy chicken, and all those who helped! And THANK YOU Leticia for being the hostess with the mostest!

Getting Our Jam On!

We had such a fun night for our July RS Activity!

The tables were set so beautifully! To take advantage of our beautiful summer weather, we set up outside!

We enjoyed yummy rolls with homemade jams of all kinds. Scones, muffins, smoothies and more! We had the most fun just catching up and getting to know one another. Thanks everyone for your contributions and for coming out and supporting your sisters!

Here are a couple bread recipes that were served with our delicious jam!

Melt In Your Mouth Rolls (recipe from Carol Linde)

Put the following into a bowl:

3/4 Cup warm water

1 tsp. sugar

3 Tbsp. yeast

Put the following into another bowl and mix well:

6 Tbsp. butter

3/4 Cup hot water

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 can (13 oz.) evaporated milk

1/2 Cup sugar

Add to the yeast mixture, stir and add 3 beaten eggs (beat well) and 6 - 6 1/2 Cups flour.  Punch down and knead 10 minutes, using more flour if necessary.  Roll out and cut with biscuit cutter or round glass.  Dip in butter and fold over onto cookie sheet, pinching down one edge.  Can also cut into wedges and roll into crescents.  Let rise to 3 times larger.  Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 8 minutes.  Watch closely or they will burn.

Pao De Queijo (Portuguese recipe that has NO GLUTEN)

1 Cup milk

1/2 Cup vegetable oil

1 tsp. salt

2 Cups tapioca flour

2 eggs

3 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese

Mix all ingredients in a blender.  Spray mini muffin cups with Pam or other oil-based spray; Fill cups 1/2 full with liquid.  Bake 20 minutes at 350.

For variety, play around with cheese, spices, jalapeno's, etc.  They are also good opened like cream puffs and stuffed.

Getting to Know...

Our ward primary president, Michelle Gordon! She was born and raised in Ogden, Utah. She met Scott while he was stationed at HillAFB at the gym. After they were married, they have lived in California, Texas,  Maryland, and Korea. After he got out of the Air force they moved back to Utah and lived there for 12 years before moving to Bellingham 8 years ago. They are celebrating their 26th wedding anniversary this month and have 5 girls and 2 boys ranging in age from 22-6. She has four biological children, Kenzie, Katie, Kelsie, and Ryan; and three adopted, Jayden, Destina, and Avrie. 

Here is Michelle and her wonderful family!

Her favorite food is dessert of any kind, and pizza.  She loves photography, traveling, reading, and practicing yoga, but her favorite thing is being a mom and spending time with her family.  She is grateful for the opportunities to serve in the church. She has had callings in every organization and loved most of them but, of course, her favorite right now is being in the primary working with children. She loves going to church every week and spending time with all the cute kids in our ward. 
As if Michelle didn't have her hands full, she also works for the State Foster Care program as a Visiting Supervisor. I have known Michelle since she moved to Bellingham, and if there is one thing I would have to pick out that I admire about her is what a hard worker she is, and how she has taught all her children by example to be hard workers as well! Here is her brief testimony. We are so glad for the Gordons and their examples to us in the ward!
 I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that we are led by prophets who love us and want the best for us. I have a very strong testimony of eternal families I know that we will be with our loved ones who have passed away and this gives me much comfort and peace. I know that life is full of trials but that we can weather any storm if we rely on the Savior to carry our burdens when they become too heavy. I know prayers are answered and that Heavenly Father and Jesus love each one of us, no matter our circumstances or past mistakes.