So Sorry

I knew I could not make it through the month without forgetting to post at some point. Here are the days I missed and the rest of the challenge lest I forget (and impede your progress) again.

December 16th: Do Your Best
Read the story of Martha in Luke 10:38-42
Remember who you are. Choose to give the better part today. Find a way to share the love of the Lord. Find even a small way to help someone else recognize the good part, the meaning of Christmas, or the joyful message of Christ’s atonement.

December 17th: Be Still
Read the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-6
First, find your sycamore tree, or the quiet place you can go to focus on the Savior. Second, make haste and invite the Lord to your home. How will you prepare to receive Him?

December 18th: Develop Faith
Read the account of pleading father in Mark 9:17-27
Take time to identify and write down an area in which you feel you are not enough. Take it to the Lord. Plead your case in prayer. Don’t be afraid to acknowledge your weakness and ask for greater faith. Then be still and listen to the promptings that will come.

December 19th: Give All
Read the account of the rich young man in Mark 10:17 - 22 and the widow’s mite in Mark 12:41-44
Think of someone you know who has given all in service to the Lord. What lessons can you learn from that person? How can you be more like him or her? Commit today to give all you have in service to the Lord. Choose one area where you feel you could give more.

December 20th: Understand Grace
Read Ether 12 and look for the blessings.
Remember that grace comes after all you can do. Take time today to analyze a trying situation in your life. After you have done all you can do, place it in the hands of the Lord. Keep a record of the greater things and the unspeakable gifts that will come as He leads you to the promise.

December 21st: Seek
Read the account of Mary Magdalene in John 20:1-18
Examine your life, what is your greatest need? Find a way to seek the Lord. Find Christ in the answers you long for. Strive to reach a new level of understanding.

December 22nd: Abide
Read the account of the disciples walking on the road to Emmaus, in Luke 24:13-32
Learn to use the scriptures to receive personal revelation form the Lord. Look for a scripture that speaks to you. Let His spirit abide in your heart by reflecting on that scripture throughout the day.

December 23rd: Rejoice
Read about Mary the mother of Jesus in Luke 1:26-55
Take time to think about Mary’s response to the news that she would bear the Son of God. Consider her attitude and rejoicing despite that overshadowed any fear, inadequacy, or concern she must have had over her new “calling.” Strive to rejoice and express deeper gratitude for all that the Lord has blessed you with.

December 24th: Proclaim
Read the story of the birth of the Savior in Luke 2:1-20
Let us emulate the shepherds who made known abroad all that which was told unto them. We must be willing, as they were, to leave off other tasks to declare the glad tidings of Christ’s gospel and Church fully restored. Consider all with which you have been blessed and all that you have to share with others-- how will you share it?

December 25th: Remember
Read the story of Joshua and the crossing of the river Jordan in Joshua 3 and 4
Either figuratively or literally, gather 12 stones. Assign each stone to represent a blessing that you have recognized in your journey closer to Christ. Record your faith building experiences and testimony. Commit to continue your growth. Share your testimony and the blessings your have recognized with your family.

December 15th

Grow
Read Alma 32:41-43

Change and growth require patience and diligence. Commit to nurture your faith every day in some way. Think about the rewards you have experienced because of your faith and write them down. Use that list to fortify yourself when your patience wears thin.

Enrichment Activity - The Christmas Sweater

On Wednesday, December 17th, we will be meeting to attend the live simulcast of Glenn Beck's theater production of "The Christmas Sweater". We will meet at the Kerasotes Town Plaza Theater in Cape at 6:30 pm. Tickets to the show are $20. Contact Sister Lane with questions.

See the videos below, including an introduction to the production by Glenn Beck as well as the video of him telling his conversion story.

November/December Missionary Challenge

As last month's missionary challenge suggested, this is the month that we are asking each of us to share a gift of the gospel. We have been praying to know of someone who is ready to receive our gift. This is an excellent time of year, not to mention the many people who are looking for hope in our troubled world, to share the gospel. We live in a part of the country where we are surrounded by good people who believe in Christ.

First, if you have not already determined who you will share with, do it now! Pray to know who of your friends and family are ready.

Then SHARE. Here are some ideas. Please send me or use the comment link to share other ideas, I'd love to post them.

1. Look online at the Church Distribution Center for ideas. You can share a picture of Christ, a video, a book. There are hundreds of options. Here is a link to the distribution center.

2. If you cannot or or would prefer not to purchase an item, check with the missionaries to see what they have available for you to give away. I'm sure they will be happy to give you some options! Call Elder Cahoon and Naylor at 573-517-9230.

3. This is my favorite choice. This DVD is available at the distribution center for $6.20 (the missionaries may have some, I am not sure). It is a great way to share the message of the gospel at Christmastime. Here is a link to purchase that item from Distribution.


4. Share a Book of Mormon. We will have some available on Sunday for you to pick up. Be sure to include your testimony with it.
5. Invite them to attend the First Presidency Christmas Devotional broadcast this Sunday night at your home or at the church building.

6. Invite the person or family to your home for a dinner and share a gospel message with them.

7. Invite a family or person to share a spiritual and fun family home evening.

8, 9 10.... there are so many more ways.... please offer your ideas!

Branch Christmas Party

Our Branch Adult Christmas Party will be held on Saturday, December 20th starting at 7:00 pm at the home of Dale and Christine Sirrine.

Drinks, desserts and chips and dip will be provided by the activities committee. Please prepare to bring your favorite hors d'oeuvres or Christmas appetizers to share.

Dress for the activity will be business casual to dressy. Please also take note that this year's party is planned for adults. The Activities Committee is asking that you please make arrangements to leave your children with other family members, friends or a babysitter that evening.
If you have any questions or need directions to the Sirrine home, please contact Sister Miller or Sister Sirrine.

December VT Message

Click here for a link to the December message.

December 14th

Change
Read the account of the lepers in Luke 11-19

Identify a change you need or want to make in your own life. Write down a plan that will enable you to make that change. Approach the Lord in prayer, having faith, asking for His help.

December 13th

Focus
Read the accounts of Peter’s focus on Christ in Matthew 14:22-23 and John 21:1-19

Remember to focus on Christ today. Allow Him to become part of your thoughts. Long to be near Him. Remember whom, above all else, thou lovest.

December 12th

Stand
Read Luke 22:31-32

When you see the battle raging, where do you see yourself in the fight? Consider your church calling, your role as a parent or as a friend. Do you give some, or do you give all that you have?
Find someone you can strengthen today.

December 11th

Trust
Read Alma 58:10-11

Hope is an abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to us. How have you come to trust the Lord? What assurances have you received? How does hope bless your life?

Day 8 (Wednesday 12/10)

Listen
Read the parable of the Good Shepherd in John 10:1-18

Think about how you have learned to recognize the voice of the Shepherd. Make a list of times when you heard His voice and heeded the call. Listen for His voice today.

Day 7 (Tuesday 12/9)

Pray
Read Moroni 7:26

Answers to prayer come differently for each of us. How have you personally received answers to prayer? What types of answers do you look for? Recognize how the spirit communicates to you. Write down an experience when your prayers were answered.

Day 6 (Monday the 8th)

Hope
Read the story of the blind man in John 9:1-38

Take some time to write down some of the good things that have come to you through Christ. How does recognizing these blessings bring you hope?

December Visiting Teaching/Missionary Challenge

Please remember our missionary challenge for this month. We have challenged you to SHARE a message of the gospel this Christmas season. See the original post for some ideas. You may choose to share with a sister on your visiting teaching route. Invite her to participate in our journey closer to Christ. We have a couple of extra journals with the daily challenge bookmarks if you would like one, see me. OR, point them here to follow along online.

Please remember this challenge and make a point to share the greatest gift we have to give.
AND, please take care of scheduling your visiting teaching early this month or it may get lost in the business of the season.

Day 5 (Sunday the 7th)

Discover
Read the account of the Samaritan woman in John 4:1-42

Prepare to receive a simple learning moment, a “pearl in the field” today. Search “in every hour” for any heavenly blessing that will bring you closer to Christ.

Day 4

Search
Read the account of Jarius in
Matthew 9:18-26
Think back on a time in your life when you had to search for the Savior to find strength beyond your own. What process led you closer to Him? Are you still doing those things?

Day 3

Keep
Read 2 Nephi 25:21-26
Take time to write your testimony of Christ. Include such things as your belief in Him, your gratitude for Him, or an experience that has strengthened your testimony of Him.

Day 2

Covenant Read the account of the Last Supper John 13:4-15 Find ways that you can bring honor to Christ’s name by letting your life exemplify Him. Today, try to remember Him in all things.

Join our journey closer to Christ

23 Days Closer to Christ
We will post the new reading assignment and daily challenge here each day. Here is day one:

Come
Read the account of the fishermen in
Mark 1:16 - 18 and John 1:38-39
Determine what fills your nets. What is holding you back from developing a relationship with Christ? Listen for the quiet invitations from the Lord to come and see.

Many of the selected scriptures and assignments come from Emily Freeman's book: 21 Days Closer to Christ.

Enrichment - Closer to Christ

Thanks to all who attended and helped with our Enrichment Meeting last night, and to those who shared testimonies and helped with carpooling (or tried to, anyway!). We had a great night and appreciate you contributing to the spirit that was there. If you missed the meeting, here is the video we made to go along with our theme last night. Also, see the above post to follow along with us in our 23 days Closer to Christ. If you did not receive a journal, we will have them available Sunday for you.

Pistachio Pudding Cake Recipe

Per your request:

1 white cake mix
1 small package pistachio pudding mix
1 cup oil
3 eggs
1 cup club soda

Bake cake for 30 minutes at 350º. Let cake cool completely, then make frosting:

8 oz. cool whip
1 small package pistachio pudding mix
1 1/2 cups milk

Mix frosting and beat until light and fluffy. Pour on cooled cake and refrigerate. Frosting should set up completely before serving (at least 4 hours). Serve cold.

AND, speaking of recipes, we are still needing your best recipes for the stake RS cookbook, get them to Sister Jamieson as soon as you can, please.