Monday, January 30, 2012

Thank You!

Thank you to the sisters Kirsten Eads, Shawna Pryor, Hannah Pryor, Miriam Plass, Leslye Wilson, Wanda Franklin, and Connie Knight who donated to the flowers for Sister Marie Fox's sons funeral.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Sending Sister Marie Fox a condolence

Marie's son, Ian Davis, will be laid to rest today. If you would like to offer a brief condolence message simply click on this link. Then, when you get to the funeral home page, click on the tab "sign guest book" on the top right of the page to leave a message.
Thank you for your love and prayers on Marie's behalf.
The RS Presidency

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Beginning a Food Storage

** Note**  If you haven't noticed, I love to use hyperlinks.  I have linked you to the websites mentioned for the following information sites on the areas that say here or the name of the company/site.  Just click on it and you will find TONS of information!  Happy Hunting!***
This looks like my parents food storage under their stairs!
If you are new to storing food, you will find that there are MANY options out there.  The church has many basic food necessities available to purchase and a few can even be mailed to your home.  You can click here for their recommendations and information on storing food.  I will try to get all of the information from the cannery (the place where you can pick up the food and have it canned) and from the stake about getting the mylar sealer etc.

If you would rather spend a lot of money upfront and just have a food storage, you can check out companies like emergency essentials, shelf reliance etc. . .   They have kits that have 1 year supply of food for one person for around $1400 that ist he basic 2000 calorie option.  the 1200 calorie option is $950.  (that quote is for emergency essentials because I have their order form right here, but most are similar.)  I have used emergency essentials only to buy buckets for my wheat thus far so I can't tell you how the food is.  Their prices for basic items are much more than that of the church so if you are looking for wheat, flour, sugar, oats etc, I would get that at the cannery.  I do have a friend who does shelf reliance and she liked it because she could put what she wanted on-line figure out a monthly budget and then it is sent to her home etc, and she determines how much to spend each month.

Another few websites that are great resources.

Safely Gathered In-  This is a blog that I have followed in the past.  If you follow their guidance, in one year you will have a year supply of food (If I remember it is the basics.. One month grains, one month lentils etc.They don't say go out and buy ketchup or alfredo or anything), a 72 hour kit, and a car kit.  They have a LOT of good information including recipes, how to make a 3 month supply of food etc.  It is written by some members of the church in the Utah area I believe.  Fun read.

All About Foods-  A friend recently sent me to this site. I haven't studied it too much, but it seems to be similar.  They don't help you get your storage as above, but they help you to know how to can, preserve, cook with etc.  They have some great recipes it seems as well.

Wendy Dewitt Food Storage Program- This is the program that I'm looking into doing at this time. I think this is what is going to work for my family because I have a picky husband who hears the words dry milk and he wants to retch. Or if I tell him that we wont eat meat he says he'd rather die.  Her system has you gather the things you like so that you can make 7-14 of your own dinner and breakfast recipes.  She also focuses on canning meats and such to be used and I like that idea.  If you would like to watch her video click here.  She is the area canning expert for Northern Arizona and Southern Utah. I have actually e-mailed her once and received a quick reply.

Those are the sites I would start looking at if you are new to collecting food or if you are looking for a different method.  Like I have said, I'm not an expert, but I'm learning just like you, and together we can figure everything out and have a storage that will support our families in times of need!  If you have any questions please fire them my way!

Why We Do What We Do

The call to be a self-reliant people is not a new concept.  In fact, President Brigham Young encouraged the saints to be able to be self- reliant. "He wanted them to be safe from physical harm, and he also wanted them to keep themselves safe from worldly influences that could harm their faith and their testimonies.  He wanted them to be independent from worldly influences, both temporally and spiritually."  (Daughters in My Kingdom pg. 51).

He encouraged the sisters to sew so that they could be fashionable independent of outside influence.  (That would sure make it easier to stay modest in some aspects today.)  I keep telling my mother that she needs to stay mentally with it until my girls have gone to all of their school dances and have gotten married so that she can make them modest outfits.  I definitely didn't get her talent in sewing, although I keep plodding along so that I'll be able to do a decent job if required.  (When I get into another project, I'll let anyone who is interested in learning know and they can come join me to learn.  Or if you are doing a project and want to invite someone to learn that would be amazing!  Think of the possibilities or teaching others!)

President Brigham Young also counseled the women to store up a little grain and flour.  They taught "Think what it would be to hear your little one cry for bread" (pg. 53).  I can't imagine what a heart breaking thing that would be.

After WWI and as the world went into the great depression, that is when the biggest push began for self reliance, food storage, and the church welfare system was put into place 1936.  President Heber J Grant stated "Our primary purpose, was to set up, in so far as it might be possible a system under which the curse of idelness would be done away with, the evils of a dole abolished, and independence, industry, thrift and self respect be once more established amongst our people.  The aim of the church is to help the people to help themselves.  Work is to be reenthroned as the ruling principle of the lives of our Church membership" (pg 72).

President Thomas S. Monson has stated" Remember, church assistance is designed to help people help themselves.  The rehabilitation of the individual and the family, aided by the priesthood quorum and Relief Society.  We are attempting to develop independence, not dependence." (pg 73).

Whew!  It is so much information, but it is good stuff!  We have come so far as a church, and we are able to do so much!  But, we as individuals must still do our part!  Did you know that if there was a crisis and no food available, the church could only feed 4% of the members of the church with the reserves that they have (And they have A LOT!).  So, don't wait to see if the church will feed you in times of need.  Set something aside today!  More on that to come!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Clean out the shoe closet and donate!

Let's donate our "gently worn" footwear to people in need around the world! Please bring shoes any time to a member of the Columbia Second Ward Relief Society Presidency between now and the March meeting on 03/14 http://www.soles4souls.org/

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Please, consider...

Sister Marie Fox tragically lost her son this weekend and is traveling to Utah to plan his funeral. If you would like to contribute to a floral arrangement from the RS please contact Chey Brower by Tuesday morning. Please also remember Marie and her family in your prayers.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Homemade Soft Scrub

 Talking to a friend a few weeks ago, she mentioned that she makes her own soft scrub.  I thought "Why not?"  So I googled it.  (Sisters, Google is AWESOME!)  I would suggest that you have some sort of a filter on your computer before you start searching because you never know if you'll get something off color, but for the most part you can find all kinds of things.  I will often times just type in the question that I have i.e. How to make soft scrub.  And miraculously something pops up 99% of the time.  You'd be surprised what is on the internet and will save you time so that you don't have to figure it out on your own. Anyway. Back to soft scrub.
My 3 day old soft scrub baking soda and blue dawn

Here is the link to the blog I found.  (Click here).   I tried her recipe about 1/2 c. baking soda and enough dish detergent to make it the consistency of frosting, and the results have been amazing!  (You can add essential oils if you want a scent, but you don't need to).  I have used it on my glass top stove, sinks, tubs, toilets, tile, counters etc, and everything has come back really shiny.  If you want to save on cleaners.  This is a great way to go because it is made with ingredients that are already in your house and a little goes a LONG way!

My sink 3 days after cleaning  (And yes it gets used a LOT)

Living Providently


We are truly blessed to have apostles and prophets lead and guide us today.  President Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave a great talk to the priesthood in October 2011 General Conference entitled "Providing in the Lord's Way".  WOW!  What a great speaker.  You can click here to watch, read, or listen to it.  He focuses on church welfare the most, but he goes into self reliance as well.

I was called last month to be the Provident Living "Specialist" in the ward.  You will find that I'm not a specialist, but that I like most of you have the desire to learn more and do better!  That is my goal: 1. to provide well for my family now and in the future and 2. to pass along all the information that I find so that you in turn can care for yourselves and your families.  I definitely can't provide for the whole ward, but together we can make miracles happen in our own homes.

So what is "provident living".  I really didn't know the exact definition so I looked it up.

1.  having or showing foresight, providing carefully for the future.
2.  Characterized by or proceeding from foresight.
3.  Mindful in making provision
4.  Economical; frugal; thrifty

So the things that I will focus on sharing with you are ways that we can provide for the future and ways that we can be more economical/thrifty.

One thing that we need to remember is that "The temporal and spiritual are bound together" (Dieter F. Uchtdorf).  If we don't care for ourselves spiritually then we will have a hard time doing so temporally and vise versa.  The most important thing that we can do each day is turn to our Heavenly Father in prayer, study his teachings in the scripture, and then roll up our sleeves and get to work!  We may have to do a little less facebooking, scrapbooking, or napping in order to find the time to provide for our families futures, but it will be worth it. (Believe me I'm talking to myself too!).

 "Can we do it?  YES WE CAN!!"

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Hair Cut

Sisters, if you any of you are good :-) to give little kid haircuts, let sister Olga Campora know.

Thanks,

Potty Chair and Socks

We are in need of a potty chair and socks for 2yr old toddler boy. If you have any of these to donate, please, connect with Sister Chey Brower. Thanks!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Quiet Toys Needed for Donation

Sisters, We are trying to put together a "Quiet" Bag of toys for a toddler for use during Sacrament Meeting. If you have any books, quiet toys or other appropriate entertainment for a 2 year old to use during church, please let a member of the Presidency know or bring it to us on Sunday. THANK YOU!!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

In law apartment for rent

Sisters, do we have anyone in our ward with an in law apartment to rent? I you do, please, connect with sister Chey Brower.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Washing Machine and Electric Dyrer

Are you in a need of washing machine or electric dryer? Sister Ann Cox is giving away two washing machines and one dryer. She would like them gone as soon as possible.

If you're interested, connect with sister Ann Cox directly.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

CAR SEAT


If you happen to have a car seat to GIVE AWAY, please, contact sister Chey Brower ASAP.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Couch Giveaway


"Hello everyone

We have a free couch available if any one has a need. I attached a picture. It is moss green and 84 in. long. The cushions have some tears on the edges. You would have to figure out a way to pick it up if interested."

Contact Michelle Eakin if interested.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Oak Desk Giveaway

Christine Hipp has an oak desk that she is looking to give away. It is a six drawer, they have organizational dividers, they hold a lot of stuff, and two are filing drawers. The desk is in good condition and has been kept up nicely. The desk is solid and made well. Measurements are 54" wide, 24" deep, 30" high. Pick up or delivery. Please email us for Christine's cell phone number. col2rs at gmail dot com