Friday, May 31, 2013

Eternal Things


This was an amazing quote by President Kimball that Sister Julie B. Beck quoted at Women's Conference in 2009.  I got goose bumps all over when I heard it. Man do we  have a work to do or what?!  We need to love everyone and be understanding of differences, but we do not need to shirk from what we know is true or lower our standards and beliefs because the world says that we need to.  The family is under attack.  Pres. Kimball said "...There are those who would define the family in such a nontraditional way that they would define it out of existence."  Sis. Beck also said in that talk that "We are in those times when we are the ones who must preserve our families amid the gathering evil around us.  How do we do that?  How do Latter-day Saint women do that?  We do that by keeping our focus clearly on the blessings of eternal life.  It is our responsibility to help ourselves and our families and our loved ones prepare for the blessings of eternal life.  The Lord said, 'This is my work and my glory-to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man'  (Moses 1:39).  For this purpose the worlds were created and we were created.  We need to keep our focus on that."

So basically the temple. We need to focus on our temple covenants and use them to strengthen our own little families.  We will bless and contribute to the world the most by doing the daily small and simple things of the gospel; praying, scriptures, serving, repenting, trying and trying and trying again.  I find that wonderfully comforting especially in this crazy time that we live in.
I don't have to change the world and make these big huge contributions to society, BUT I do have to improve myself and my family for the better each day by loving & serving others, giving my time, means and talents to others and by following the living Prophet of God.   If I focus on those eternal things in my family, in the end, that will be the biggest contribution I can make to the world.

In that same talk, Sister Beck also says:


So powerful.  Knowing who we are and "who's we are" and who's work this is changes EVERYTHING.  I am not perfect at this life as none of us are, but I do feel that God still needs me and wants me and all of us to succeed and be wise and fruitful in our labors as His children.  We're each going to have times when we are more focused on what matters most than others, the important thing is that we all keep trying our best, and even if its not our best, than something close to our best still counts. This is an awesome work and it's awesome to be a part of it.  I love it, I love it, I love it.  Did I mention, I love it?!

Here's to keeping our focus on the Eternal things!



Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Dividers for Home Management Binder

 So, remember my home management binder  post?  Well, I decided to create a few new dividers to add to my binder and I thought I would go ahead and share them with you.  Click on the picture below of the style you want and it will take you to the free download.  Happy Organizing.





If you would like blank dividers with the mellow backgrounds, then you can click HERE.



Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Sunday 'Cans'

I loved this idea I found on Pinterest

I don't know about the rest of you, but when I get home from church I feel like collapsing and not waking up for at least 2 hours.  But, that usually doesn't happen for me.  I find that I'm terribly grumpy unless I have an action plan.  My kids need me to be a leader and teach them how to use time wisely, especially on Sunday's.

Now the Lord kind of feels strongly about keeping the Sabbath Day Holy.  It really isn't too much to ask of us is it.  One day in the week that we set aside to worship, relax, bond, pray, study, serve,  learn, etc.  Those things sound really nice but how much do they really happen?  I for one need to be more deliberate in my Sabbath Day worship and activities.

Anyhoo, there is a lot of Thou Shalt Not's on the Sabbath Day, so I like the approach of the Sunday 'cans' to show just how much we Can do on Sunday's.  So many ways to show our Heavenly Father that we are willing to dedicate one day to Him completely.  He is happy when we are strengthening others and lifting our families and spending time on things of a better.

So, here is the low down on the whole project.  From start to finish it took about 1 hour.  1 hour investment for several hours worth of activities.  Good trade.

That is not a crinkle in the paper, it is just the lighting of the camera form my phone  It actually looks very smooth in real life.


Okay, so if you haven't ever bought sticker paper or label paper, now is the time.  It is such a great thing to have on hand for quick-non messy crafts.  For $19.95 you get 100 sheets (which has lasted me about 1 year).


Print out the free download on your label paper and then you just have to cut around the lines.  There is 80 in this download.  It took me and my daughters 25 minutes to get them all cut out.  Not bad.


The labels perfectly fit these jumbo craft sticks that I got at Walmart for like $.80 or something insanely cheap like that.  They are great to have on hand for all sorts of crafts.


I just tear of a small part of the back and line it up and push it down.  So easy and so free of messes.  The kids were able to do it just great.  (Ages 4-10)  They aren't perfect, but they are so so close, and I love that we made them together.


There is also a download for the backs that are applied just the same as the fronts.  Trim around the edges for a nice clean look.



Wallah!  Finished.  Now I am armed with ideas and inspiration to help keep the Sabbath Day filled with uplifting ways to spend our day of rest together.  It sure beets the tired, stressed out mom that I usually am on Sunday's, who is so tired after sacrament meeting and doesn't an ounce of creativity to come up with anything at the moment even remotely close to uplifting.  I can now refer to my 'can' can and happiness will abound.  So excited to implement this into my family.




BTW, I just used an old pudding can, but any Campbell's soup can or jar or whatever you have can work.  My label is about 4" x 11".  So make sure your can isn't taller than 4"  There are two can labels, one to put on the underneath layer and one to cover any gaps for the top layer.


Happy Sabbath!  You 'can' do it too!



Click HERE for the Sunday activities download, and 'blanks' to create your own activities.



Thursday, May 16, 2013

Free Proclamation Download for Boys


Family Proclamation



I made a bunch of proclamation signs for girls HERE so now it is the boys turn.  These were so fun to make.  I hope you enjoy them.  Have your boys display them in their rooms, lockers, notebooks, etc.  Wherever you can get it in front of their face.

Click on the link of the one you want below and it will take you to your download.  Print them out, frame them and your good to go.


HERE THEY ARE:

Free Proclamation Downloads for Girls






I was making some Proclamation print outs for my kids' rooms and I thought I would go ahead and go crazy and make a bunch for you too.  There are16 girl choices and I'm doing 16 boy choices in another post so this one is gigantic.  Choose which one you want, print it out, put it in a frame and wallah!

Having the proclamation on display in our homes will help all of us to know the will of the Lord pertaining to families and it will help encourage us to defend the family, know the doctrine and aid us defending the family and our God given roles and responsibilities as His sons and daughters.  Display it with pride!  Alright, get choosing.

Proclamation for Girls  (large download of all of them- takes awhile)  OR, you can click on the links below for individual downloads.


HERE THEY ARE:


Dark Purple
Doodles



Flower Power
Black Paisley




Grey & Turquoise
Hot Pink
Grey Chevron


Light Purple
Orange


Pink Flower
Retro Flower

Turquoise & Brown

Turquoise & Orange

Turquoise Chevron

Yellow