Spring Bling for Straws

As a parent, it’s a joy to make ordinary things a little more special.  Adding a little bling to a straw does just that.  These straw decorations are perfect for everyday or for special events.

Supplies for Straw Decorations:

• paper
• double stick tape
• scissors
• straw
• ladybug (wooden or sticker)

Directions:
1.  Put two sheets of paper together, back-to-back, and cut out desired shape (heart, flower, circle, square…)
2.  Use double stick tape to attach the two shapes together on either side of the straw.
3.  Attach the ladybug with double stick tape.
4.  Invite your friends over to sip lemonade or make your child’s sippy cup look extra happy.

FHE Idea of the Week

Lesson 3: My Body Is a Temple

Opening Song: “The Lord Gave Me a Temple” (CS 153)

Opening Prayer

Family Business:

Scripture or Testimony: 1 Corinthians 3:16

Lesson:  Vicki F. Matsumori, “Sharing Time: Ye Are the Temple of God,” Friend, May 2002, 44

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? … For the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are (1 Cor. 3:16–17).Close your eyes and picture a temple. What color is it? How big is it? Does it have any windows? Are there spires? How many?  The temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are unique. The Salt Lake Temple in Utah has gray granite walls and six spires. It looks different from the Cardston, Alberta Temple in Canada, which has natural stone walls and no spires. Even though each temple looks different, all are beautiful and are built for the same purpose. They are places where special ordinances take place that are needed for us to return to Heavenly Father. Temples are also places where Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father can come.

You are like the temple. You are different from everyone else, but you, too, are a house for the Spirit of God (the Holy Ghost). The Apostle Paul said: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? … For the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” (1 Cor. 3:16–17.) Your body is a temple.  Just as you treat temples with respect, you should treat your own body with respect. You can do this by obeying the Word of Wisdom (see D&C 89), by dressing modestly, and by following the counsel of President Gordon B. Hinckley to “be clean” (see Friend, February 2001, page 25). One way to be clean is to not have tattoos. President Hinckley said, “A tattoo is graffiti on the temple of the body” (Ensign, November 2000, page 52). You should also keep your heart and mind clean by reading, listening to, and watching only “things that are pleasing to Heavenly Father” (see My Gospel Standards).  If you are clean in mind and body, you can receive great blessings because “the Lord hath said he dwelleth not in unholy temples, but in the hearts of the righteous doth he dwell” (Alma 34:36).

Activity: Find your way through the maze. When you get to a picture, follow the path that represents your choice. Choose the Yes path if the picture shows something that helps you keep your body “a temple of God.” Choose the No path if it is something that would not be good for your mind or body.

Draw small pictures of five other things that are good for you, and five things you should avoid. Place your pictures over corresponding good-and bad-choice pictures in the maze.

Closing Prayer & Treat

April 2009 General Conference.

As many families have started to do, we view conference at home in front of the computer.  Today was no different accept that I got very little out of it because my girls don't nap and didn't want to sit still.  But my favorite part was from President Uchtdorf. This really motivates me to want to jump in and live the gospel like I know we all should and the way the Lord would have us live.

“Discipleship is a journey. We need the refining lessons of the journey to craft our character and purify our hearts. By patiently walking in the path of discipleship, we demonstrate to ourselves the measure of our faith and our willingness to accept God’s will rather than ours.

It is not enough merely to speak of Jesus Christ or proclaim that we are his disciples. It is not enough to surround ourselves with symbols of our religion. Discipleship is not a spectator sport. We cannot expect to experience the blessings of faith by standing inactive on the sidelines any more than we can experience the benefits of health by sitting on a sofa watching sporting events on television and giving advice to the athletes. And yet for some, ’spectator discipleship’ is a preferred if not a primary way of worshipping.”...

...“Let us remember on this Palm Sunday, during this Easter season, and always, that the restored gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has the power to fill any emptiness, heal any wound, and bridge any vale of sorrow. It is the way of hope, faith, and trust in the Lord. …I bear my solemn witness that Jesus the Christ lives. He is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. He is the promised Messiah. He lived a perfect life and atoned for our sins. He will ever be at our side. He will fight our battles. He is our hope; He is our salvation; He is the way.”

5 out of 5 Suelzles agree, puppy poo smells just as bad as doggy poo!

Myra and Belle have had their puppies.  Myra had 6 puppies but one died early today.  Belle had 2 very fat puppies.  I think that it is killing Jacob to have to be at work while these puppies are here at home.  I have to stop now!  The puppies are in the computer room and the smell and heat are getting to me.