Isn't MY bag heavy enough?

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,

even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

Ephesians 4:32

"When filled with God's love, we can do and see and understand things that we could not otherwise do or see or understand. Filled with His love, we can endure pain, quiet fear, forgive freely, avoid contention, renew strength, and bless and help others in ways surprising even to us."

John H. Groberg

One of my teachers had each one of us bring a clear plastic bag and a sack of potatoes. For every person we'd refuse to forgive in our life, we were told to choose a potato, write on it the name and date, and put it in the plastic bag. Some of our bags, as you can imagine, were quite heavy.

We were then told to carry this bag with us everywhere for one week, putting it beside our bed at night, on the car seat when driving, next to our desk at work.

The hassle of lugging this around with us made it clear what a weight we were carrying spiritually, and how we had to pay attention to it all the time to not forget, and keep leaving it in embarrassing places.

Naturally, the condition of the potatoes deteriorated to a nasty slime. This was a great metaphor for the price we pay for keeping our pain and heavy negativity!

Too often we think of forgiveness as a gift to the other person, and while that's true, it clearly is also a gift for ourselves!

So the next time you decide you can't forgive someone, ask yourself...

Isn't MY bag heavy enough?

 

Lemon Blueberry Bread

Lemon Blueberry Bread

Ingredients:

for the bread
1-1/2 cups + 1 tbsp all purpose flour, divided
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup plain yogurt
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
2 tsp lemon zest (from 2 lemons)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1-1/2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
for the lemon syrup
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup sugar
for the lemon glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
3-4 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9x5" loaf pan, dust with flour, and tap out excess.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, vanilla, and oil.
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet. In a separate bowl mix the blueberries with the 1 tbsp of flour and then gently fold them into the mixed batter.
Pour the batter into the pan and bake 50-55 minutes, or until cake tester comes out clean.
Let bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
While the loaf is cooling, combine the lemon juice and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until sugar is dissolved, and then continue cooking for another 3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Use a toothpick to poke holes in the tops and sides of the warm loaf and brush with the lemon syrup. Continue to brush the loaf until all of the syrup is added.
To make the lemon glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice and pour over the top of the loaf. Let the lemon glaze harden before serving.

"Grace..."

 

GRACE

The boy stood with back arched, head cocked back and hands clenched defiantly.  "Go ahead, give it to me."

The principal looked down at the young rebel.  "How many times have you been here?"

The child sneered rebelliously, "Apparently not enough."

The principal gave the boy a strange look.  "And you have been punished each time have you not?"

"Yeah, I’ve been punished, if that's what you want to call it."  He threw out his small chest, "Go ahead I can take whatever you dish out.  I always have."

"And no thought of your punishment enters your head the next time you decide to break the rules does it?"

"Nope, I do whatever I want to do.  Ain't nothin you people gonna do to stop me either."

The principal looked over at the teacher who stood nearby.  "What did he do this time?"

"Fighting.  He took little Tommy and shoved his face into the sandbox."

The principal turned to look at the boy, "Why?  What did little Tommy do to you?"

"Nothin, I didn't like the way he was lookin at me, just like I don't like the way you’re lookin at me!  And if I thought I could do it, I'd shove your face into something."

The teacher stiffened and started to rise but a quick look from the principal stopped him.  He contemplated the child for a moment and then quietly said, "Today my young student, is the day you learn about grace."

"Grace?  Isn't that what you old people do before you sit down to eat? I don't need none of your stinkin grace."

"Oh, but you do."  The principal studied the young mans face and whispered.  "Oh yes, you truly do..."

The boy continued to glare as the principal continued, "Grace, in its short definition is unmerited favour. You cannot earn it; it is a gift and is always freely given.  It means that you will not be getting what you so richly deserve."

The boy looked puzzled.  "Your not gonna whup me? You just gonna let me walk?"

The principal looked down at the unyielding child.  "Yes, I am going to let you walk."

The boy studied the face of the principal, "No punishment at all? 

Even though I socked Tommy and shoved his face into the sandbox?"

"Oh, there has to be punishment.  What you did was wrong and there are always consequences to our actions. 

There will be punishment.  Grace is not an excuse for doing wrong."

"I knew it," Sneered the boy as he held out his hands.  "Lets get on with it."

The principal nodded toward the teacher.  "Bring me the belt."  The teacher presented the belt to the principal.  He carefully folded it in two and then handed it back to the teacher.  He looked at the child and said. 

"I want you to count the blows."

He slid out from behind his desk and walked over to stand directly in front of the young man.  He gently reached out and folded the child's outstretched, expectant hands together and then turned to face the teacher with his own hands outstretched.

One quiet word came forth from his mouth.  "Begin."  The belt whipped down on the outstretched hands of the principal.

Crack!  The young man jumped ten feet in the air.  Shock registered across his face, "One" he whispered.  Crack!  "Two."  His voice raised an octave.  Crack! "Three...” He couldn't believe this.  Crack! "Four."  Big tears welled up in the eyes of the rebel.  "OK stop! That's enough.  Stop!" Crack! 

Came the belt down on the callused hands of the principal.

Crack!  The child flinched with each blow, tears beginning to stream down his face.  Crack!  Crack!  "No please", the former rebel begged, "Stop, I did it, I'm the one who deserves it.  Stop!  Please.  Stop..." Still the blows came, Crack!  Crack!  One after another.

Finally it was over.

The principal stood with sweat glistening across his forehead and beads trickling down his face.  Slowly he knelt down. He studied the young man for a second and then his swollen hands reached out to cradle the face of the weeping child.

"Grace..."

Author Unknown

 

Eternal Scorekeeper is understanding

 

 

"If your life is in disarray and you feel uncomfortable and unworthy to pray because you are not clean, don't worry. He already knows about all of that. He is waiting for you to kneel in humility and take the first few steps. Pray for strength. Pray for others to be led to support you and guide you and lift you. Pray that the love of the Savior will pour into your heart. Pray that the miracle of the Atonement will bring forgiveness because you are willing to change. I know that those prayers will be answered, for God loves you. His Son gave his life for you.

I know they will help you."

Richard G. Scott

 

"To all who are weary, let the comforting words of the Savior console you: 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' Let us rely on that promise. The power of God can infuse our spirits and bodies with energy and vigor. I urge you to seek this blessing from the Lord. Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you, for He has promised that 'they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.'"

Joseph B. Wirthlin

 

"I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us."

Thomas S. Monson

 

"Each of us is a runner in the race of life. Comforting is the fact that there are many runners. Reassuring is the knowledge that our Eternal Scorekeeper is understanding. Challenging is the truth that each must run. But you and I do not run alone. That vast audience of family, friends, and leaders will cheer our courage, will applaud our determination as we rise from our stumblings and pursue our goal. The race of life is not for sprinters running on a level track. The course is marked by pitfalls and checkered with obstacles…Let us shed any thought of failure. Let us discard any habit that may hinder. Let us seek; let us obtain the prize prepared for all, even exaltation in the celestial kingdom of God."

Thomas S. Monson

 

 

"The divine reproach Jesus felt so exquisitely, because of His meekly standing in
for us, fulfilled yet another prophecy: 'Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full
of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for
comforters, but I found none'. His heart was broken, as He did 'suffer
both body and spirit'. He trembled because of pain, and yet He,
amidst profound aloneness, finished His preparations, bringing to pass the
unconditional immortality of all mankind and 'eternal life for all those who would
keep His commandments ."

Neal A. Maxwell

"Prayer in the hour of need is a great boon. From simple trials to our Gethsemanes, prayer-persistent prayer-can put us in touch with God, our greatest source of comfort and counsel. 'Pray always, that you may come off conqueror.' This is also a key to use in keeping depression from destroying us."

Ezra Taft Benson

Mounds Brownies

 

 

 

Mounds Brownies

 

Ingredients

 

·         Family size (9 x 13-inch) pan of brownies, prepared

·         5⅓ cups shredded coconut (14oz bag)

·         14oz can sweetened condensed milk

·         1 ½ cups powdered sugar

·        1 can of chocolate frosting

 

Instructions

 

1.    Prepare and bake the brownie mix as directed on the box for a 9 x 13-inch size pan. Set aside to cool.

2.    In your mixer, combine the coconut, condensed milk and powdered sugar and mix until well blended. Spread over cooled brownies.

3.    Take your can of chocolate frosting and peel off the aluminum seal. Put the container in the microwave for 15 seconds. Take a knife and stir it around in the container, then spread on top of the coconut mixture.

4.    Refrigerate until set.

 

The Stunning beauty of our King

 

We truly need him every hour. whether they be hours of sunshine or rain.

 

“Heavenly Father loves you, each of you. That love never changes

 

It is simply there”.

 

Thomas S. Monson

 

 

Please first doubt your doubts, before you doubt your faith.

 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

 

 

"Shall I falter, or shall I finish?"  Thomas S. Monson

 

"The acorn of honest inquiry has often sprouted and matured into a great oak of understanding."

 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

 

 

Trust in God. Hold on in his love.

Know that one day the dawn will break brightly and all shadows of mortality will flee.

 

 Jeffrey R. Holland

 

I promise you that you will one day stand aside and look at your difficult times,

and you will realize He was always there beside you.

 

Thomas S. Monson

 

We will not always understand the role of God's hand,

but we know enough of His heart and mind to be submissive.

 

 Neal A. Maxwell

 

 

 

Mini Cranberry Apple Crisps

Mini Cranberry Apple Crisps

Ingredients:

For fruit filling:
4 large apples, peeled, cored and chopped into ½ inch pieces (about 5 ½ cups) I used Granny Smith and Fuji
1 1/2 cups of fresh cranberries
1/4 cup of brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon

For topping:
6 Tablespoons of butter, cold and cut into small pieces
1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
3/4 cup of brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 cup of rolled oats

For serving (optional):
vanilla bean ice cream
whipped cream
sprinkle of cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Place 10-6oz ramekins (or other oven proof dishes) on a rimmed baking sheet and set aside.

2. Prepare fruit filling: Place apples and cranberries into a large bowl. Add brown sugar and cinnamon and toss to coat.

3. Divide mixture evenly between 10 ramekins. The ramekins will seem very full but the fruit cooks down during baking.

4. Prepare the topping: Place all of the topping ingredients into a medium sized bowl (butter, flour, brown sugar, spices and oats). Using a pastry blender, cut the butter into the dry ingredients; this step will take a few minutes, but in the end you should end up with a well-blended crumbly topping with pea-sized pieces of butter throughout.

5. Divide the topping evenly among the ramekins, gently pressing it into place on top of the fruit. The ramekins will seem extremely full at this point, but it will all cook down in the oven.

6. Place the baking sheet with the filled ramekins into the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is golden brown.

7. Allow to cool slightly. The crisps can be served warm or at room temp with a big scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or dollop of whipped cream. A sprinkle of cinnamon is always a nice idea, too.

8. Store extra crisp covered in the refrigerator.

This can be baked in a 9x13 inch glass baking dish. You may need to increase baking time slightly.

 

The cloak of His redeeming love

“To all who are weary, let the comforting words of the Savior console you: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ Let us rely on that promise. The power of God can infuse our spirits and bodies with energy and vigor. I urge you to seek this blessing from the Lord. Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you, for He has promised that ‘they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.’”

Joseph B. Wirthlin

“Brothers and sisters, indeed we have great reason to rejoice. If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most. Strength comes not from frantic activity but from being settled on a firm foundation of truth and light. It comes from placing our attention and efforts on the basics of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It comes from paying attention to the divine things that matter most.”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“What a spiritual comfort and blessing it is to know that, if we look to our Savior
Jesus Christ and endure to the end, eternal life and exaltation can be ours. Our
capacity to see and comprehend is increased only in proportion to our willingness
to look. God becomes more approachable as we look to him.”

Marvin J. Ashton

“Come and see,” come seeking to know Him, and I promise you will find Him and see Him in His true character as the risen, redeeming Savior of the world. “Come and see,” and you will recognize Him as the Christ of the empty sepulchre, the conqueror of Calvary, who broke the bands of death and rose triumphant from the tomb, to bring immortality to all and eternal life to the faithful. He is the “lamb without blemish and without spot,” foreordained in His messianic role “before the foundation of the world”.  “He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities: … with his stripes we are healed”

“Come and see,” and in your coming lay your burdens at His feet. Give away all your sins that you might see and know Him. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,” He said, “and I will give you rest.

“Take my yoke upon you and learn of me … and ye shall find rest unto your souls”. Come unto Him, and He will take away your sins and heal your soul, though it be sick with sin. He will replace hatred with love and selfishness with service. He will strengthen your shoulders to better bear your burdens and give you new courage and hope for the journey ahead.

“Come and see,” and as you do so your eyes will be opened and you will really see, perhaps for the first time, who you are, and who He is. You will come to see yourself as a child of God, of divine parentage, possessed of infinite capacities to grow spiritually and become more like Him.

“Come and see” the fruits of gospel living. Taste them for yourself, and you will find them sweet and delicious. As you come to know “that when ye are in the service of your fellow men ye are only in the service of your God”, you will seek to wear out your life in the service of the Master.

“Come and see” provides both an invitation and a promise to all people everywhere. Come to Him; see Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords; recognize in Him the great Messiah who will come again with healing in His wings, to set His people free. He will wrap you about in the cloak of His redeeming love, and your life will be changed forever.

Alexander B. Morrison

 

And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Matthew 24:31

 

For those who love the Lord and live his law it will be a day of peace and

triumph and glory and honor the day when the Lord comes to make up his jewels.

Mal. 3:17

May we look to God; put Him first in our lives & especially in our hearts.

MINI PUMPKIN PIE CROISSANTS

 

 

 

 

MINI PUMPKIN PIE CROISSANTS

 

2 tubes crescent rolls. Roll each crescent roll out and cut lengthwise in 2. This recipe will make 32 mini croissants. Each croissant will get a generous teaspoon of this luscious cream cheese pumpkin pie filling: 4 oz softened cream cheese 1C canned pumpkin 1–2T pumpkin pie spice 3–4T sugar Beat together until fluffy and creamy, about 1t on each triangle of dough. Roll up. Mix 4T sugar & 1T pumpkin pie spice and roll each in it! Bake at 375* for 13-15 mins

Remember

If Your Heart is Unsettled

Some days aren’t the best days. You know the days when you feel unsettled? Unrest?

And you try to breathe deep because people say that is what will help.  And it does…when you remember to do it…but if you let your mind wander too much the unrest settles right back in?  

The times when heavy burdens set in and you have no other choice then to carry them.

Remember

“…He has not forgotten you! Whatever struggle or trial you are going through, He knows and understands those very moments. He loves you! And He will carry you through those moments… He has paid the price that He might know how to succor you. Cast your burdens upon Him. Tell your Heavenly Father how you feel. Tell Him about your pain and afflictions and then give them to Him.”

 The Holy Ghost will attend you in these moments.  Angels will assist you.

Our Father, who loves us beyond comprehension, will pull out all the stops.  Send His very best.  To surround the one who is struggling with people who know how to bring and how to lead.

Because He doesn’t want to lose even one.

“People respond to struggles in different ways. Some feel defeated and beaten down by the burdens they are called to bear. Many begin to blame others for their difficulties and defeats, and they fail to follow the counsel of the Lord. It is a natural tendency to seek the easy road on life’s journey and to become discouraged, filled with doubt, and even depressed when facing life’s struggles.
‘The winds of tribulation, which blow out some men’s candles of commitment, only fan the fires of faith of others’

Remember how good God is.  How kind.  How tender.

And how sometimes the reason why we carry heavy burdens

 is so that we will be able to stand as a witness of Him.

Of His kindness.

Of His goodness.

Of His tender mercy.

If you shoulder a heavy burden right now, if your heart is unsettled, if you are filled with unrest

Remember His love.

And there you will find peace.

He can and will give you rest, He can and will give you peace

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.

Double Chocolate Pumpkin Cake with Pumpkin Spice Buttercream

Double Chocolate Pumpkin Cake with Pumpkin Spice Buttercream

1 box devils food cake mix

1 small box instant chocolate pudding

1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil

1/2 cup buttermilk or milk

4 large eggs

1/2 cup sour cream

15 ounce can pumpkin (reserving 2 Tablespoons for buttercream)

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Pumpkin Spice Buttercream

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

2 tablespoons reserved pumpkin

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

4 to 5 cups powdered sugar

2 to 4 tablespoons milk

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and spray two 9×5 inch bread pans with non-stick cooking spray.

2. In a stand or electric mixer, place cake mix, pudding mix, oil, buttermilk, eggs, sour cream and can of pumpkin, and chocolate chips–mix all ingredients until well combined, about 1 to 2 minutes. Divide cake batter evenly into prepared bread pans. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until cooked through.

3. While cakes are baking prepare the buttercream. Place butter, reserved 2 tablespoons pumpkin and cinnamon into stand or electric mixer. Mix on high until well combined. Slowly add the powdered sugar until thick and creamy. Slowly add the milk until buttercream is a nice consistency. Frost over cooled cakes, slice and serve.

Makes 16 servings

 

"Things aren't always what they seem"

 

For he shall give his angels charge over thee,

to keep thee in all thy ways.

 

Psalms 91:11

 

God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face.

 

God is God

He knows what He is doing.

When you can’t trace His hand,

Trust His Heart.

 

We are only given the burdens God knows we can carry.

If your burden is heavy trust that He has given you great strength.

 

.... You have His power within you to sustain you. You have the right to ministering angels about you to protect you. Do not let Goliath frighten you. Stand your ground...

 

Gordon B. Hinckley

 

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family.

The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room.

Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement.

As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it.

When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied,

"Things aren't always what they seem"

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor,

but very hospitable farmer and his wife.

After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest.

When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears.

Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field.

The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel how could you have let this happen?

The first man had everything, yet you helped him, she accused.

The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die..

"Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied.

"When we stayed in the basement of the mansion,

I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall.

Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune,

I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it." "Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of

death came for his wife I gave him the cow instead.

Things aren't always what they seem."

Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things 

don't turn out the way they should.

If you have faith, you just need to trust that

every outcome is always to your advantage.

You just might not know it until sometime later...

May we all believe more readily in, and have more gratitude for, the Lord’s promise “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, … my Spirit shall be in your heart, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.”  In the process of praying for those angels to attend us, may we all try to be a little more angelic ourselves with a kind word, a strong arm, a declaration of faith…..