Willing, Waiting, and Wanting to Help

    What do you do when a parenting dilemma has you totally perplexed? Where do you turn when you are burned out, overworked, overweight, overwhelmed, etc.? There are sources of inspiration, encouragement, and information all around—willing, waiting, and wanting to help. Who are these people? The Mothers in your life.
    When I’ve had child-rearing—or homemaking--questions, I looked around, at my friends, family and neighbors and sought out someone who I thought was having a successful experience in the area of my struggles. The mothers I sought out were always more than happy to share their experiences and expertise with me. Nobody thought I was inept or stupid. They were frequently flattered that I had sought help from them.
    When the situation has been reversed, and I was the mentor, I was always pleased that someone thought I had things together enough to ask my opinion. In the role of mentor—or listening ear—it is vital to keep the information that’s been entrusted to in strictest confidence. So choose mentors prayerfully.
Women are very verbal creatures. Many times we have a great need to talk things through with someone we trust. Often the opportunity to just express our feelings, with the right person helps us find answers.
    I have found that as I travel through life, if I process my experiences with the idea that I will someday use what I’ve learned to help someone else, I pay more attention. Thus, the experience becomes much more valuable. None of us lives in a cocoon or cave. We are here to be instruments in Heavenly Father’s hands to bless the lives of his children. Be the person in someone’s life that you’ve needed at some time in your life.
    So, the next time you feel the need to unload or EXPLODE, look to your sisters in the ward or women in your life for relief. You will find them willing, waiting and wanting to help you.
D. Baker. Copyright 2010.

Simple Summer Skirts

This week for our supplemental Relief Society meeting we will be learning to make simple summer skirts, something like this...Here is a list of what you will need to bring to the church on Thursday night at about 7pm.

1.5 yards cotton summer weight fabric that has been washed and ironed
1.5 yards lining fabric that works well with your other fabric
1 package of double fold bias tape that matches you fabric
7" to 9" zipper that matches your fabric
thread to match too.
Fabric scissors and pins to cut out the skirt.
A Sewing machine if you have one

Hope to see you there!

Lemonade Social Schedule

Here is the schedule for the
Sunday Evening Lemonade Socials
for the remainder of the summer.

July 18th ~ Robertson's
July 25 ~ Jones'
August 1 ~ McClellan's
August 8 ~ Hopkins'
August 15 ~ Lamb's
August 22 ~ Mathew's
August 29 ~ Sanford's
Sept 5 ~ Stilson's

Teaching our Children about Patriotism

   Independence Day is a very special event in our neighborhood, especially when it comes to our ward family and the many opportunities we have for eating, celebrating and socializing.  But, do our children really understand the significance of what we just celebrated?  Do they only hear us talk of “the 4^th” or do we discuss how we won our independence from England, our reverence for the flag and for the brave men and women who gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy?  Have we read the Book of Mormon prophecies concerning this Promised Land?  As we go to vote, have we explained this privilege and process to our children?

   Even though the holiday has passed, it is not too late to teach the true significance of this celebration.  Do our children know how to show respect as the flag passes—no talking and right hands over hearts?  Have we taught proper flag etiquette—the fact that it must not touch the ground and what it means to “retire” a flag?  Have we explained the meaning of the colors, stars and stripes?  Do they know the history of “The Star-Spangled Banner?”

   There is a wealth of information on the courage and sacrifices of the signers of the Declaration of Independence as well as other patriots.  We need to share and discuss stories of those who have courageously fought for freedom throughout our history and we need to teach the significance of our inspired Constitution which codifies and secures our liberties.  It’s likely that you can find inspiring stories in your own family history.  Just choose accounts that are age-appropriate for your children.

   An exercise that might be helpful is asking your children what they love about living here. They may mention playing with friends, attending school, swimming, going on family trips, abundant delicious food, going to church, etc. This can open a discussion of the fact that there are children in many parts of the world who must work, who can’t attend school, cannot freely travel and many who don’t have sufficient food or clean water.

   As our children come to understand and appreciate this wonderful country they will develop a greater sense of responsibility for safeguarding our freedoms and way of life.

   Information sources for teaching our families could include the public library, the internet and the Boy Scout Handbook and family histories.

D. Baker

Copyright 2010

Get Well Soon

Our dear Sister Verona is at Aspen Ridge of Utah Valley recovering from knee surgery. It would be great if you could find the time to go and visit her I know she would love to see a friendly face.

Aspen Ridge of Utah Valley
1992 So. Columbia Ln. Room 518
Orem, UT 84097

* UPDATE*

Verona has had to go back to the hospital for some more surgery and is not at Aspen Ridge currently we will update you again when we know more.