Dear Sisters

Dear Sisters
Highland 12th Ward Sisters

Monday, April 22, 2013

Tulip Festival!

Tulip Festival!
 
It would be almost criminal to live so close to Thanksgiving Point and never go to the Tulip Festival.  I went a few years ago and was amazed at the beauty and color...not to mention the variety of beautiful tulips and daffodils, and other spring flowers.  This would be a wonderful opportunity to call your VT sisters and spend some (Spring) time with them.  I hope the weather will be as nice as pie...the temps should be a bit warmer by Wednesday.
 
When our family lived in Germany, we were not too far from the Dutch border.  One beautiful...and rare...sunny day, we drove to the Keukenhof for the Tulip Festival.  Driving through the lovely countryside we passed field after field of colorful tulips and daffodils.  One field would be purple, while the next was red...or yellow.  It was like being in a storybook.  There were windmills in the fields and several at the Keukenhof...which is located outside the town of Lisse.  It was a hunting area in the 15th century. Herbs for the kitchen of the castle of Jacoba van Beieren were also collected here; hence the name Keukenhof...which means "kitchen garden."  A little tulip trivia for you.
 
I love how the flowers flowed through the woods like a river.

Windmills are a favorite symbol for me...they make me happy! 
 

Don't miss out on the fun!
 
 
A Letter of Thanks...
 
From Lynette Chidester to the committee members for the RS Birthday Dinner
 
Dear Sisters,
Thank you so much for the time you spent and effort you made for a wonderful evening.  Because I am in Primary, it was so enjoyable to visit with people I don't see on a regular basis.  It was also nice to have the chance to socialize and catch up with the everyday things happening to the sisters in our ward, have a wonderful meal, (I love salads, so I especially enjoyed that part of the menu) have a yummy ice cream sandwich, (something I haven't enjoyed for years) and then finish with a poignant and spiritual lesson.  Please submit the story Rich told about his mother to the Church News or Ensign so others will be encouraged in their visiting teaching.  I shared it with my mother, and even over the phone she was touched by the message.  I am not sure everyone will receive this little note, but I hope everyone who did so much for all of us knows it was appreciated.
 
Thanks again,
Lynette.

Thank you, Sisters, for visiting!
 

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Sourdough Waffles...and the Great Shakeout!

Sourdough Waffles!
Yummy with fruit...ever served them with banana pudding?
OMGoodness!
 
The Birthday Breakfast for March/April birthdays was held last Saturday at Debbie Stobbe's home.  She set such a beautful table and even provided us with fresh-squeezed orange juice.  Being the Disney fan that I am...I got the honor of wearing the Minnie Mouse birthday crown...lol!  But the real crown jewel belongs to the wonderful sourdough waffles that are the family brunch tradition at Conference time.  Scott was in charge of cooking the light and fluffy waffles.  They offered berries and cream for toppings and...banana pudding.  It was a surprising variation...but non-negotiable where the Stobbe family is concerned.  It must be served!  Scott gave me the waffle recipe, which follows.  I have also included a recipe for sourdough starter.  You'll need it!
 
Stobbe Family Sourdough Waffles
Ingredients:
 
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 T. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup sourdough starter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup milk
1 egg (separated)
2T milk
1/4 tsp. baking soda
 
1.  Combine dry ingredients, starter, oil, egg yolk and milk.
 
2.  Dissolve baking soda in the 2 T milk in a small cup.
 
3.  Beat egg white until stiff.
 
4. Add the mixture of milk and baking soda and allow to foam for about 2 minutes.
 
5. Gently fold in egg whites.
 
You are now ready to cook!  Makes 6 large waffles.
 
Nice and bubbly...you know it's working!
 
Sourdough Starter...with Yeast
Starter
1 T active dry yeast
2 1/2 cup flour
2 1/2 cup warm water
 
Dissolve yeast in warm water.  Add flour.  Mix well.  Loosely cover with a lid and let stand in a warm place for 3 to 5 days.
 
Feeder
Add 2 1/2 flour
2 cup warm water
 
Always save 1 cup of the mixture to keep the starter going. Put in a pint jar with a tight lid and refrigerate.
 
Now...how did Grandma do this?
 
Shake, Rattle and Roll!

Yikes!  This is tomorrow!

I was asked to pass along this information.  The "Great Utah ShakeOut" will be held tomorrow...April 17...throughout the state of Utah.  The drill will be held statewide at 10:17 a.m. This is a preparedness exercise simulating a magnitude 7.0 earthquake.  Government leaders have invited the participation of all Utah citizens.  Information about this event is found at www.shakeout.org/utah  All ward members are encouraged to visit this website.


 
Thanks so much, Sisters, for your support of this blog!
Please share your good news with us...email me!
 


 
 

Monday, April 8, 2013

Angels in the Outfield Recap!

Visiting Teaching?
What do a baseball movie and visiting teaching have in common?

Rich Harris was the speaker for this baseball-themed RS Birthday Dinner.
The room was decorated with baseball paraphernalia.

After a  pitcher's mound of BBQ Ribs and Salads...with ice cream sandwiches for dessert...it was time for a little coaching/instruction.

Bro. Harris showed a clip of the movie..."Angels in the Outfield."
As visiting teachers we learned that we are all angels in the outfield
as we help the sisters around us.
He spoke of his mother's illness and her desire to finish her visiting teaching...even with only days left to live.

Our RS Team Captains.
They have all our bases covered.
 
"Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack..."
Everyone went home with Cracker Jack and a thought.
 
 
 
April Visiting Teaching Message
Our beautiful Mount Timpanogos Temple.
How often I see it shining at the base of the mountain.
 
Temple Covenants
"The saving ordinances received in the temple that permit us to someday return to our Heavenly Father in an eternal family relationship and to be endowed with blessings and power from on high are worth every sacrifice and every effort," said President Thomas S. Monson.  If you have not yet been to the temple, you can prepare to receive sacred temple ordinances by:
  • Believing in Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.
  • Cultivating a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ an the restored Gospel
  • Sustaining and following the living prophet.
  • Qualifying for a temple recommend by paying tithing, being morally clean, being honest, keeping the Word of Wisdom, and living in harmony with the teachings of the Church.
  • Giving time, talents, and means to help build the Lord's kingdom.
  • Participating in family history work.
President Monson further taught, "As we remember the covenants we make within [the temple], we will be more able to bear every trial and overcome each temptation."

The Nauvoo Temple...1840s
When the Nauvoo temple was dedicated, thousands of Saints came to receive their temple covenants.  Even though they would be leaving soon on their westward exodus, the people knew that the strength and power of these temple blessings would sustain them on their journey.  Without these covenants, the difficult journey would have been...in the words of one sister who was a temple worker..."like one taking a leap in the dark."
 
March/April Birthday Breakfast!
Saturday, April 13 at 9:00 a.m.
Debbie Stobbe's House
9695 north 5750 west
 
To celebrate all March/April Birthdays!
Please come and enjoy a breakfast in your honor!
 
 
 
 


Monday, April 1, 2013

Sister Spotlight...Becky Madigan!

 
Becky Madigan...
We are so excited to have Becky Madigan and her family move into our ward recently.  She and her husband Scott have been married for four years.  They have one daughter who will be two years old in April.
Downtown Solvang
Becky grew up in Southern California...mostly in Solvang, a little Danish town just north of Santa Barbara.  She is the oldest of 5 children.  Something interesting about her...she has one blue eye and one brown.  Becky served a mission to SLC at Temple Square.  She loved it and had many great experiences. 
If Becky could travel anywhere it would be Bora Bora!  She loves the beach!
 
Becky has worked in Hospice Care the last 10 years and has been doing massage therapy for 20 years.  Her favorite holiday is Halloween...she loves seeing kids all dressed up and so excited about it. 
Jane Austen
Becky loves yoga, going for walks, reading, movies (especially anything Jane Austen), ice cream, homemade chocolate chip cookies, artichokes and Diet Coke...lol!  Welcome to our ward family, Becky, we look forward to getting to know you better very soon.
 
 
 
Relief Society Presidency Message
President  Dieter F. Uchtdorf 
Dear Sisters,
On LDS.org, President Uchtdorf has some great advice for members of the Church as we prepare for General Conference this week.  He recounts the story of a fine member of the Church who was talking to a neighbor who belonged to another faith about prophets, aspostles, and his testimony of modern day revelation through them.  The neighbor inquired about what messages had been shared in the last General Conference, but the man was embarrassed when he couldn't remember the details of even one talk.  He felt humbled by this exchange and vowed to better remember the words spoken by the Lord's servants in General Conference.
 
President Uchtdorf adds that it is hard for us to remember every message of Conference, but emphasizes that they are given as a gift and blessing from heaven for our personal life situations.  In preparation for Conference, he suggests three basic concepts that may help us to better receive, remember and apply the words spoken by the Lord's servants.  Here is what he has to say:
 
1.  Members of the Church are entitled to personal revelation as they listen to and study the inspired words spoken at General Conference.
 
Answers to your specific prayers may come directly from a particular talk or from a specific phrase.  At other times answers may come in a seemingly unrelated word, phrase, or song.  A heart filled with gratitude for the blessings of life and an earnest desire to hear and follow the words of counsel will prepare the way for personal revelation.  As you prepare for General Conference, I invite you to ponder questions you need to have answered. for example, you might yearn for direction and guidance by the Lord regarding challenges you are facing.
 
The Choir in the Tabernacle
 
2.  Don't discount a message merely because it sounds familiar.
 
Prophets have always taught by repetition; it is a law of learning.  You will hear repetition in themes and doctrines in General Conference.  Let me reassure you:  this is not due to a lack of creativity or imagination.  We continue to hear messages on similar issues because the Lord is teaching and impressing upon our minds and hearts certain foundational priciples of great eternal importance that must be understood and acted upon before we can move on to other things.  A wise builder first lays the foundation before erecting the walls and the roof.
 
3.  The words spoken at General Conference should be a compass that points the way for us during the coming months.
 
If we listen to and follow the promptings of the Spirit, they will serve as a Liahona, guiding us through the unknown challenging valleys and mountains that are ahead (see 1 Nephi 16).  Since the world began, God has raised up prophets who speak the will of heaven to the people of their times.  It is our responsibility to listen and then apply the messages the Lord provides for us.  Our merciful loving Heavenly Father has not forsaken and will not forsake His children.  Today, as well as in times past, He has appointed apostles and prophets.  He continues to reveal His work to them.
 
What a marvelous privilege it is to hear God's messages for each of us during General Conference!  Let us prepare well for this great blessing of divine guidance delivered by His chosen servants.
 
Love,
Your Relief Society Presidency.
 
Good News!

This album is "so stinkin cute!"
 
Etsy Shop...Teresa Taylor!
Teresa Taylor has...as she put it...taken the leap and started to sell her handmade crafts on Etsy.  Her shop is ScrappinTeresa...one word...that you type in the search to find her.  Or use this link: ScrappinTeresa.  She has one mini album out right now, but will have a lot of different things in the future.  Teresa has sold other scrapbook kits that she designed to dollar stores and worked on a scrapbook magazine for a while.  This is her first attempt at selling on Etsy.  I love Etsy!  I buy handmade crafts from many of my Blog Buddies.  For those not as familiar with the site...Etsy is a place where you may purchase handmade items and crafts from an individual who has set up her own shop.  They also sell craft supplies and vintage items.  It's almost as fun as Pinterest to shop there!



Something to brighten your April showers!
 
From Lynette Chidester:
To celebrate the 185th anniversary of Noah Webster's dictionary, the Readers Digest listed some new definitions for many familiar words. Here are a few of my favorites.
 
Abdicate (ab-di-Kate) to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.
Calories: tiny creatures that live in your closet and sew your clothes tighter every night.
Opera: when a guy gets stabbed in the back and,instead of bleeding, he sings.
Vegetarian: an old Indian word meaning lousy hunter.
Yoga: a Sanskrit word that means "heal your back without health insurance".
Zucchini: a vegetable that can be baked, boiled, fried, or steamed before your kids refuse to eat it.

Hope you have had a wonderful day and a lovely Easter.