Helpful Reminders

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Through the years, we members of the LDS Church have received plenty of reminders about preparedness. There have been enough General Authorities, including prophets, giving us advice and reminding us of what's expected of us.

We'd like to share a few thoughts given by members of the Church in Joplin, Missouri, after the May tornado. Read the full account in the Newsroom.

"Our emergency plan, while there is a lot of detail to it, is quite simple: account, assess, report promptly,” said President Jones. “You need to account for your people. Everybody goes out to find out how the missionaries are, how the members are, and if everyone is accounted for. Then they assess. Who is missing? Who has injuries? Who is without a home? Who is without power? What are their physical situations, family needs, and so forth? And then you report promptly, communicating that information back through the priesthood line.”

"As members of the stake followed the emergency plan, they saw miracles happen every day. Bishop Chris Hoffman of the Joplin First Ward, one of two wards where members were deeply affected by the damage, reported that people in the ward told him about times they needed some particular kind of help, only to have a fellow ward member arrive with exactly what they needed when they needed it."

So, do you think that reminders work? Please share your thoughts with us.

 

To see the Neighborhood News for Wednesday, 13 July, please click here.

We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below.

Sharing

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The following poem was sent to us by Linda Garner. We wish you a great summer weekend.

Summer Witness 

Ah,summer. Backyard barbecues. Fresh veggies from the garden. Colorful days and starlit nights. Children's laughter. Tangy lemonade. Rhubarb pie.

We spent a summer in Arkansas, where forest was everywhere. Even in the city we were surrounded by gracious trees. We walked daily near a friendly stream where fireflies and locusts entertained us and shy forest creatures sometimes said hello. It was a magic place, and one magic summer day I created this poem.

Summer Witness

What could be so pleasant as a peaceful summer day,
When life slows down a little bit and troubles melt away.
The sun’s a ball of butter and the earth is dressed in green,
While overhead the sky’s the bluest sea you’ve ever seen.
Now and then a puffy cloud floats across the sky,
And all around are buzzing things and things that flutter by.
The stream is just a trickle as it gurgles in its play.
The sleepy river lazily meanders on its way.
The heady smell of blossoms comes softly on the breeze
And all the woodland creatures take refuge in the trees.
Surrounded by this beauty and the joy that’s in the air,
Why do some folks wonder if God is really there?

What could be so pleasant as a starlit summer night,
Watching fireflies dance and flicker underneath the moon so bright,
Stepping in and out of shadows made by giants dressed in green,
Watching for the bashful creatures which by day are seldom seen,
Listening to the chicka chicka of the locust’s rhythmic song,
And the chirping of the crickets, as night birds sing along.
Though the earth is far from quiet, there’s a stillness in the air.
My heart is filled with gratitude. I bow my head in prayer.
I listen for the answer. It comes soft as summer rain.
It warms me and it softens me and fills my heart again.
As summer’s warmth enfolds me, I’m surrounded by His love,
And I know that He cares for me from His heavenly home above.

Linda Garner

To go to Linda's website, click here.

Don't forget to checkout our Free Download Friday.

To see the Neighborhood News for Friday, 8  July, please click here.

We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below.

Be Prepared

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We have been warned again and again to be prepared.
In an Ensign article from August 2007, Are You Prepared? we take the following excerpt:

"A natural disaster is only one of many challenges that can cause us to rely on our home storage. Loss of income is another, whether it comes from the loss of the job, health, or life of the wage earner.

"Our prophets have counseled and encouraged us since the days of President Brigham Young to 'lay the foundation to feed and clothe and shelter ourselves.' This encouragement has continued and become more explicit. It is still firmly in place."

Some of us spend a lot of time getting prepared, following the counsel of our church leaders. What kind of preparations are we getting? We should make sure that our thoughts involve more than just temporal possessions.

The Lord has said:

"Wherefore, verily I say unto you that all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal." (D&C 29:34) 

Let's be prepared for the disasters that are natural and those that cannot be predicted easily.

We welcome your comments.

To see the Neighborhood News for Wednesday, 1 June, please click here.

Personal Touch

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Jean Knight Pace is a busy mother of four children. But on January 1, 2011, she challenged herself to feed her family of six on just $6 a day for the whole year. She outlined her "Rules" for budgeting, cooking, and eating and put them in writing. She also created a blog called The Tasty Cheapskate and began sharing her success, her mistakes, her lessons learned, and, best of all, her recipes. She's also challenged others to join her as fellow Tasty Cheapskates and on her blog you'll find their ideas too. Jean Knight Pace holds a BA in music and an MFA in creative writing from Colorado State University. Jean, her husband, and 4 kids--ages 8,6,3, and 1 live in southern Indiana.

Web: http://tastycheapskate.blogspot.com/

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With all the feelings involved in troubled marriages, there's consolation to know that we have direction from our Church leaders. Here's a Mormon Message entitled 'Marriage and Divorce.'

 As always, we welcome your comments.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 21 March, please click here.  

Enjoy Every Moment

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Family, good food, the gospel, living my religion, doing service, having a good time with my husband, reading a book, listening to music, my children. These are all tings that make me happy.

President Brigham Young wrote:

"Where is happiness, real happiness? Nowhere but in God. By possessing the spirit of our holy religion, we are happy in the morning, we are happy at noon, we are happy in the evening; for the spirit of love and union is with us, and we rejoice in the spirit because, it is of God, and we rejoice in God, for he is the giver of every good thing. Every Latter-day Saint, who has experienced the love of God in his heart, after having received the remission of his sins, through baptism, and the laying on of hands, realizes that he is filled with joy, and happiness, and consolation. He may be in pain, in error, in poverty, or in prison, if necessity demands, still, he is joyful. This is our experience, and each and every Latter-day Saint can bear witness to it. (Discourses of Brigham Young, 236)

I'm sure that other people have a different list to show. There are so many things that can make us happy, and we should just enjoy what we have that the Lord has so graciously given us. But do we take advantage of the blessings that we receive, or do we wish for more?

What are some things that make you happy?

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Wednesday, 16 February, please click  here.

Personal Touch

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This month Personal Touch celebrates Christmas with a special series on the Life and Miracles of Jesus Christ. Throughout December we’ve explored the miracle of the Savior's Birth, the powerful lessons of the Savior's childhood, and the Miracles of Christ’s ministry.
This week, we turn to award-winning singer/songwriter Hilary Weeks for reflections on the Everlasting Christ. She and artist Simon Dewey co-authored He Lives, a book of music, art, and text that celebrates the Atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Hilary has published two other books and released 6 albums earning 6 different Pearl Awards from the Faith Centered Music Association including Inspirational Album of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year. With inspiring lyrics and a voice audiences have come to love and depend upon, she shares her heart and the insight drawn from everyday life. In addition to her solo releases Hilary has been featured on an extensive list of compilation albums, but for every achievement, she credits the great love of Jesus Christ. And in spite of all the accolades and success, her most beloved moments are those spent with her family. Hilary, her husband Tim, and their four daughters live in Utah.

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One of the articles we’re featuring today got me thinking about regrets. The article is about going back in time and giving your younger self some advice. Even when the writer is talking about advice from an author’s point of view, I thought of it in a broader scale.

I thought: would I want to go back and change some of the things that I’ve done? Would I tell myself to go in this direction instead of the other one taken? Would I do things differently? Or would I stick it out and stay in the road I’d chosen?

I came to the conclusion that, even with all the emotional pain that I may have gone through at times, I wouldn’t change my life. I realized that from the deepest sorrows that I’ve felt in life, I have learned the greatest lessons, and I don’t want to lose them.

I took inventory and realized that I have a wonderful family, a husband that wants to provide for us, children that want to do what’s right, and a home that’s getting a face lift even as I write this. I have improved my talents in ways that no one but me (and my husband) can tell. I have made mistakes, plenty, but that’s between the Savior and I, and I’m fine with that.

What about you? What would you do? Please share your thoughts with us.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 27 December, please click here.

Personal Touch

Welcome to the Neighborhood News

This month Personal Touch celebrates Christmas with a special series on the Life and Miracles of Jesus Christ. Last week we explored the miracle of the Savior's birth, this week to gain a deeper understanding of the Savior's childhood, we talk with Brigham Young University Church History and Doctrine professor Dr. Susan Easton Black who recently published 400 Questions and Answers About the Life and Times of Jesus Christ. She is a past Associate Dean of General Education and Honors and Director of Church History in the Religious Studies Center at BYU. Dr. Black has been the recipient of numerous academic awards. She is married to Harvey B. Black. She is currently serving as a ward Gospel Doctrine teacher.

Web: http://religion.byu.edu/Susan_Black

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I believe that one of the most misunderstood traditions in this holiday season is the one about the Twelve Days of Christmas. Since popular belief says they start today, let’s comment on it.

I grew up celebrating it, even though I didn’t even know that’s what it was called. When I was a little girl growing up in Argentina, the best day about Christmas was actually January 6, when the Wise Men or Magi would come and leave a present on my polished clean and carefully laid out shoes, by my bedroom door. How many times did I imagine hearing their camels (not reindeer) making noises outside the house!

There’s symbolism in every single one of the presents in the song, even if some people think they are a bit odd and not related to Christmas.

Advent is a season of preparation, of joy and hope for the coming of the baby that will be the Redeemer of the world. Epiphany happens 12 days after the birth of the Savior. If you start counting on December 25th, then the evening of January 5th is the 12th night and January 6th is the 12th day of Christmas.

In most countries around the world where they still celebrate the old traditions, that’s when the Wise Men came to deliver presents to the newborn baby. And people believed there were three Wise Men just because He was given three presents. In South America and Spain, it’s called Dia de los Reyes Magos (Day of the Kings).

The song was created to teach young children about the tenets of the Catholic church. And these are the meanings:



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 1 Partridge in the Pear Tree= Jesus Christ, the Son of God

 2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments

 3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues

 4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists

 5 Golden Rings = the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch.”

 6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation

7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments


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 8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes

 9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit



10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments

11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles

12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed



Because some people love to surprise friends during the next twelve days, we have a few suggestions for you today. First, one of the featured articles in the newsletter has ideas for your kid’s teachers, and then, check out these other two entries: here and here.

 

Sources: here, here and here.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 13 December, please click here.

Personal Touch

Welcome to the Neighborhood News

This month Personal Touch celebrates Christmas with a special series on the Life and Miracles of Jesus Christ. To gain a deeper understanding of the miracle of the Savior's birth, we begin with an interview with gospel scholar Paul Thomas Smith. Paul wrote the text in the new book, This Is The Christ: Art by Carl Heinrich Bloch. Within its pages, readers see the Danish artist's masterpieces depicting the life of Christ and find Smith's explanations of the events, their history, and scriptural background. This Is The Christ coincides with Brigham Young University's Museum of Art exhibit of Bloch's artwork, The Master's Hand, which runs through May 7, 2011. Paul Thomas Smith has taught for the Church Educational System and served on the Institute curriculum writing committee; he was also a faculty member at the Joseph Smith Academy at Nauvoo, Illinois, and arranged for tours to Church historic sites in seven states. A charter member of the Florida Mission, he has served on several Church writing committees and in various callings. He and his wife, Gail, currently serve as ordinance workers at the Bountiful Utah Temple. Paul is a service missionary for the Historic Sites Division of the Historical Department, is a docent for the Museum of Church History, and records for the Utah State Library for the Blind.

Web: http://moa.byu.edu/index.php?id=1809

 

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We all know of Santa Claus and that he brings presents to children on Christmas. No matter how you feel about his involvement with the holiday, he’s here to stay, and he’s been a staple for a very long time. Let me share his story with you today.


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 Nicholas lived in a village in a country that today is Turkey. He was the son of a wealthy family, and became a monk at a young age. One of the stories told of him says: “In the not too distant city of Myra, the Bishop of the church passed away. As the authorities of the church assembled to consider his replacement, Nicholas was there. The man considered wisest amongst the authorities had a dream and was visited by a heavenly messenger. He inquired of the angel "Who should the new Bishop be?" The angel said that if the gathered authorities would just wait by the door of the church they should select the first person named Nicholas to walk through the doors. The church authorities had their answer, and Nicholas had his miracle and was named the youngest bishop of the church ever on record.”
 

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 As a bishop, he continued to help others, and was known for defending those who could not defend themselves.
During the Middle Ages, life was hard and dreary, so people tried to mitigate their existence by celebrating with feast days named after popular saints. The word holiday comes from holy day, which were days set aside by the Catholic church to honor their saints. With time, the feasts came to be a combination of secular and religious activities.


One story is worth mentioning: there was a father with three daughters. They were so poor that he couldn’t afford a dowry for any of them. In the middle of the night, Nicholas came to their help and left a small bag of gold coins (some people say through an open window, others down a chimney). In any case, he did it three times for each one of the girls.

Nicholas died in 342 AD. He was very popular for his acts of kindness, was canonized and became the patron saint of children.



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From those times, Saint Nicholas, “SaintNiclaus”, Santa Claus, was seen as a fatherly figure dressed in bishop’s clothes. It wasn’t until the late 19th or early 20th century that he was transformed into the jolly old elf that we all know now.

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Some of us can bring up the fact that Santa is part of a very commercial holiday. Some of us can say that it’s fun for the kids. I like the story that depicts Santa kneeling in front of the baby Jesus. I think that brings it more into perspective. Yes, we can go out and buy presents, in moderation, since baby Jesus was given presents, and we all love to show our appreciation for others. But shouldn’t we hold in our hearts the spirit of giving throughout the year?

I’ll leave you with the quote from Dickens: “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”

Sources here, here and here.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 6 December, please click here.

Holiday Preparations

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It is interesting to find out how other cultures celebrate Christmas. Even here, in the United States, people celebrate in different ways. How, you say? Well, I’ve seen Christmas specials from around the country, and they’ve portrayed the uniqueness of each place. For example, there’s no way boats can be decorated and paraded around canals here in Utah as they do in Florida. And have you seen the beauty in a lighted cactus or palm tree, as opposed to a spruce or fir? Our world is amazing, and we can find beauty in what’s different and how different people choose to worship the Savior.

Let me share traditions in other parts of the world. Even though I won’t be able to spotlight all, I’ll give you the links to find them.

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In Africa: “Christmas is a summer holiday. In December, the southern summer brings glorious days of sunshine that carry an irresistible invitation to the beaches, the rivers, and the shaded mountain slopes. Schools are closed, and camping is the order of the day. In the cities and towns carolers make their rounds on Christmas Eve. Church services are held on Christmas morning. Christmas Eve celebrations in larger centers include "Carols by Candlelight" and special screen and floor shows. Homes are decorated with pine branches, and all have the decorated Christmas fir in a corner, with presents for the children around. At bedtime on Christmas Eve, children may also hang up their stockings for presents from Father Christmas. Many people have a Christmas dinner in the open-air. For many more, it is the traditional dinner of either turkey, roast beef, mince pies, or suckling pig, yellow rice with raisins, vegetables, and plum pudding, crackers, paper hats, and all.”                                              (From http://www.santas.net/aroundtheworld.htm)  

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In Argentina: since I come from there, I can tell you how it’s done. Christmas is a summer holiday, so there’s no snow. Most people are Catholic and they attend Midnight mass. Families get together to have Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) dinner. It includes all kinds of meats, salads, mince pies, breads, puddings, alcoholic fruit punch, and cakes. There are also bowls with fruits, nuts and cheeses. After dinner, people go to wish good tidings to friends, neighbors and family. There are fireworks and dances out in the open. At homes, the traditional fir tree is decorated, but the most important decoration is the crèche (pesebre). I remember visiting a great-aunt as a child, and her nativity was impressive: it went from floor to ceiling, very elaborate. Presents are not given until January 6, when the Magi come to visit children. The children leave their shoes out the night before and on that morning they find presents left on the shoes by the Magi.



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In Bethlehem: “From a few days before 25th December, the town is decorated with flags and other items of adornment. Streets are strung with Christmas lights. A Christmas market comes up and Christmas plays are performed. A cross is painted on the doors of every Christian home and Nativity scenes are displayed in every household. On Christmas Eve, annual Christmas processions are taken out. Residents of the town as well as tourists crowd the doorways and the roof of the Basilica to get a view of the parade. Galloping horsemen and police mounted on Arabian horses lead the procession, followed by a man riding over a black steed and carrying a cross. After him come the churchmen and government officials. The procession quietly enters the doors and puts an ancient effigy of the Holy Child in the Church. The visitors are then taken through winding stairs leading to a grotto where a silver star marks the site of the birth of Jesus."                                                 

 (From http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/worldxmas/)



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In India: “Christians in India decorate banana or mango trees. They also light small oil-burning lamps as Christmas decorations and fill their churches with red flowers. They give presents to family members and baksheesh, or charity, to the poor people.”

(From http://www.santas.net/aroundtheworld.htm)

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In Italy: “The Christmas season in Italy goes for three weeks, starting 8 days before Christmas known as the Novena. In the week before Christmas children go from house to house dressed as shepherds, playing pipes, singing and reciting Christmas poems. They are given money to buy presents. A strict feast is observed for 24 hours before Christmas Eve, and is followed by a celebration meal, in which a light Milanese cake called panettone features as well as chocolate. By twilight, candles are lighted around the family crib known as the Presepio, prayers are said, and children recite poems. At noon on Christmas Day the pope gives his blessing to crowds gathered in the huge Vatican square. In Italy the children wait until Epiphany, January 6, for their presents. According to tradition, the presents are delivered by a kind ugly witch called Befana on a broomstick. It was said that she was told by the three kings that the baby Jesus was born, she was busy and delayed visiting the baby. She missed the Star, lost her way and has been flying around ever since, leaving presents at every house with children in case he is there.”

 (From http://www.santas.net/aroundtheworld.html)



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In Japan: “Only 1 per cent of Japanese people believe in Christ. Even so, most Japanese people decorate their stores and homes with evergreens during Christmas. They enjoy giving each other gifts, and this is the part they celebrate. They have a Buddhist monk called Hotei-osho who acts like Santa Claus. He brings presents to each house and leaves them for the children. Some think he has eyes in the back of his head, so children try to behave like he is nearby. Among the Christian Japanese Christmas is not a day for the family. They do not have turkey or plum pudding, rather than that the day is spent doing nice things for others especially those who are sick in hospitals.”

 (From http://www.santas.net/aroundtheworld.htm)

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In Turkey: I decided to add this one, because while researching I found there’s some controversy. Considering that the idea of Santa Claus came from a city that is now in this country (Myra), I thought it should be interesting to find out more. And find out I did.

“Turkey is a Moslem country. Although there are Catholic and Jewish minorities, most Turks are Moslems. The Turkish minorities live in peace with Turkish Moslems and have their own places of worship. You will find churches and synagogues all over Istanbul. For the Moslems, December 24th is not a date that commemorates Jesus' birth. They do have Jesus at their Koran (Moslems' Holy book) but the most important figure in their religion is Mohammed the prophet. At the end of the year, Istanbul will be decorated with lights all over its main streets, but this is done to commemorate the new year.”                                                                                      

  (From http://www.business-with-turkey.com/tourist-guide/xmase.shtml)

However you choose to celebrate Christmas, I’m sure it is a time to build up memories for you and your family. And if you’d like to contribute your thoughts or traditions, send a comment our way.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Friday, 3 December, please click here.

Personal Touch

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Today, in our Personal Touch with Rebecca Cressman segment, she interviews Ryan Allred. Ryan is the 18-year-old founder of the Ryan’s Lion Organization, a non-profit corporation that distributes plush “courage” lions, called “Ryan’s Lions” to hospital Newborn Intensive Care Units and Pediatric Intensive Care Units where they are given to families of premature and stillborn babies, and to critically ill children. Lion recipients are encouraged to “take him, hold him and use all of his courage, and if someday you find someone who needs him worse than you do, pass him on.” A Ryan’s Lion becomes a unique expression of sympathy for someone who is struggling. Ryan maintains a website, http://www.ryanslion.org/ where lion recipients and other visitors can read stories of hope and courage from those who have received lions and passed them on to others.

Our friend and contributor Barbara Salsbury, from 'Three P's in a Pod' brings to us her article "You Need a Binkie in your Cupboard." She makes a good point, which is: "what we can do is resolve to do something, to create our own safe haven in attitude and action in our own preparedness program. Even if you are in a small apartment there has to be one corner that you can set aside to hold a few things that will benefit you. If you can’t create a 'safe room', plan and create a comforting 'safe corner.'"

The next article comes from Chris Pearson at "The Survival, Emergency Preparedness and Self Reliance Blog." His article is entitled "The Survivalist’s Instant Garden" and is a very simple reminder that we can garden anywhere, with what's in top soil bags. He explains his method of gardening, and I'm telling you, it's as simple as cutting up a bag of top soil and dumping your seeds in it. Check it out.
 

Our last entry is from Kaydee at "Food Storage Recipes." Have you ever made tin foil dinners? Well, her article is aptly named "Sum Sum Summertime" and it's got a few ideas on how to prepare this kind of meals. As an extra, I think they're also perfect for when you go camping, scouting, or for family reunions.

We hope you're having a great 4th of July weekend!
 
To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 5 July's, please click here.

Be Prepared... Find Your Chocolate

Today's Neighborhood News brings Barbara Salsbury's Three P's in a Pod blog. She says that Chocolate Is a Symbol: "Imagine a worst-case scenario with no power, no heat, and no light for days. Now imagine the same situation, but add chocolate."

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Do you need a few new methods for organizing and rotating food on your shelf? Find the system that will work best for you and your family with these tested ideas, contributed by Brigitte at LDS Intelligent Living, in the article 9 Food Rotation and Labeling Ideas.

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Why Be Prepared? In an emergency, it will take only one-to-three days for the grocery stores to be completely depleted of all their food and other inventory. Wouldn't it be great to know you always have a well-stocked pantry?

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To view a copy of Monday, March 1st's, Neighborhood News, click here

Looking Ahead

The first article in our Monday, February 1st Neighborhood News is a reflective piece by the nationally recognized preparedness expert, Barbara Salsbury. Her article, "Mud Cakes and Alarm Clarks" is a stinging reminder of the current common day of the Haitians. Barbara's practical personal preparedness instincts are called forward as she sorts these matters of the heart.

Visiting teaching is a calling which is at the heart of the gospel. As a true disciple of Christ, sisters may proceed within the charge of their calling to perfect the saints, proclaim the gospel and care for the poor and the needy. A great work indeed! However, a women's touch often eases the way in the door and leaves sentiments that allow a fond recollection of the visit. The oft visited Sugar Doodle has prepared a creative and fun year's list of visiting gift ideas.

Valerie Albrechtsen is a mother of seven and author of the PreparedLDSFamily blog. Valerie was raised by parents who practiced preparedness principles and through her own family of nine has learned to be a wise steward over her blessings. She has created a month by month Food Storage and Preparedness Calendar that addresses the needs of most families. This is a valuable resource for any looking to be better prepared in 2010.

What are your most enjoyable memories of visiting teaching? Do you have plans for being further prepared by the end of the year? How are you preparing for upcoming events of 2010?