August 22nd Temple Trip

New Relief Society Presidency

If you missed the change this past Sunday, Sister Sirrine, Wheeler, Jamieson and I were released as your Jackson Branch Relief Society Presidency. We feel truly blessed to have served in our callings and are grateful for your support. Our lives have been so blessed as we have grown to know and love you over the last two years.

We are thrilled to sustain our new Relief Society President, Sister Wheeler. She will be serving with her 1st Counselor over Education, Sister Schoen, and her 2nd Counselor over Enrichment, Sister Brewington.

Please join us in doing all that we can to support them in their efforts to serve the Lord and the sisters of our branch.

Sister Wheeler will be taking my place soon as the author of this blog, so check back for what are sure to be more exciting posts...

May Visiting Teaching REPORTS

Sister Wheeler will be collecting Visiting Teaching Reports for May. Please do her a favor and call or email her with your reports today! Click here to email her.

Water storage containers

Due to the huge response we received over our Emergency Preparedness Item of the Month for May, we will be a little slow in filling the orders. We will distribute some of the water storage containers as they are available, but will have to wait for a larger order to come in before all the your orders are fulfilled. I (Erin) have all the orders and will be distributing the containers, so check with me if you are wondering where yours are.

GREAT JOB in taking this opportunity to become better prepared! We are excited that so many of you responded. Stay tuned for new items to come!

Missionary Zone Conference

This Tuesday, June 9th is Missionary Zone Conference and we have been assigned to prepare and serve their lunch meal. Thanks to Sister Betty Smith who always faithfully takes on this responsibility.

She will be working to prepare a Mexican meal and has asked for help on Monday evening at 5:00 pm at her home in Chaffee to pre-make the enchiladas. Help will also be needed on Tuesday from 10:30 - 1:00. If you are available to help either day, please contact our Compassionate Service Leader, Maegan Jensen, to coordinate the times and days you are available.

Sunday Lesson, June 14

Our lesson for the 14th will be from our Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, Chapter 35. Click here for a link to the lesson.

Sisters of Light

Since we missed several of you at our April Enrichment Meeting I am posting the video that we shared during the meeting last night.

And Another

Baked Russian Chicken
from Christine Sirrine

4-5 large chicken breasts
1 small bottle of Russian Salad Dressing (I use Wish Bone)
1 pkg (envelope) dried onion soup mix (I use Lipton)
1 (8-12 ox) orange marmalade, apricot or peach jam (don't be afraid to try a variety of jams to see what you like-- I often mix plum or strawberry jam with the apricot, etc. Just do it to taste)

Place Chicken Breasts in baking dish. Mix all remaining ingredients together. Pour over chicken. Bake at 350º for one hour or until done. Do not cover while baking. This will help the sauce crystalize on the chicken. You will have extra sauce which may be put on top of rice, etc.

Another recipe

Bran Muffins
from me this time

1-1/4 cups sugar
2-1/2 tsp baking soda
¾ cup shortening
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup boiling water
2 cups buttermilk
1 cup All Bran Cereal
3 cups flour (white or wheat)
2 cups bran flakes cereal

Add shortening and bran flakes to boiling water and set aside. Mix all other ingredients in mixer and then add water mixture. Beat well. Bake muffins in paper muffin cups or greased muffin pan at 350 degrees till done, either mini muffins or larger.

Here is the best part: Batter can be stored in refrigerator in covered container for about 2 weeks and used as needed.

Temple Trips

Jackson Relief Society Enrichment Activity Temple dates for 2009

Carpools will be arranged for each date and we are always looking for a volunteer to drive. We can do lunch (or dinner) afterwards depending on the needs of those who attend and can be flexible. We may also try to stop at the cannery and pick or bulk or can if we have time and all carpoolies (is that a word?) want to make the stop. Cape Girardeau Ward sisters are also welcome to attend, please let us know if you'd like to be included.

June 20 (Sat) afternoon session (This is the day the Choir will be in STL), leave Perryville at 11:30 or noon for 1:30 or 2:15 sessions
July 10 (Fri) evening session, leave Perryville at 5:30 PM
Aug 22 (Sat) This is RS Temple Day, time and schedule TBA
Sept 25 (Fri) morning session, leave Perryville at 8:00 AM
Oct 17 (Sat) morning session, leave Perryville at 8:30 AM
Nov 20 (Fri) evening session, leave Perryville at 5:30 PM
Dec 11 (Fri) morning session, leave Perryville at 8:00 AM

Watch for sign up sheets or contact Sister Wheeler if you are interested in carpooling.

Time for a new post

It has been a while since I posted anything informational, so here I go.

1. VISITING TEACHING: April is over and I am in need of visiting teaching reports once again. Also, a few changes were made to the routes last month. If you have not received a new list or know if your route has changed, NOW is the time to find out! Please email or call me with your reports. If I haven't heard from you by the end of the week, you can expect a call from myself or my trusty Visiting Teaching Leader, Sister Schoen. You can email me at ewindbigler@gmail.com or call me at 837-3908.

2. TEMPLE TRIP: We have scheduled a carpool trip to the temple this Friday evening for Stake Temple Day. I will be driving (fair warning, in case that scares you :) We will be meeting at the Fruitland Exit (Drury parking lot) at 5:00 pm on this Friday evening, May 8th. If you prefer to meet us in Perryville, please plan to meet at the Perryville Wal-Mart parking lot at 5:30 pm. AND, if you plan to attend, I need to know so that we are sure to have enough seats in cars. Please email or call me to let me know you will attend. Again, you can email me at ewindbigler@gmail.com or call me at 837-3908.

3. SERVICE PROJECT: There may be opportunities to do service at the Jamieson home. Anyone who would like to help call Chantal at 986-8830.

4. COTTAGE MEETING: This Saturday evening at the Godwin's home in Marble Hill. If you have any friends or family OR visit teach any less active members in the Marble Hill area, get in touch with Brother John Thompson, Sister Joanna Thomsen, or the missionaries to attend and invite others to attend with you.

5. ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY: Coming soon, we promise. Stay tuned.

6. SUNDAY LESSON for May 10 will be from the Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, chapter 33. Click here for a link to the lesson online.

And a recipe

Since many of our Jackson Branch recipes were left out of the Stake RS Cookbook (not our fault, we promise!) we are going to post your submitted recipes here for all to enjoy. We will eventually also get them printed out for you to add to your copy of the Stake Cookbook. AND, I promise to bring all submitted recipes to return to you this Sunday, so remind me to give them to you!

Here is one for today form Sister Godwin:

Angel Biscuits
Mix well:
5 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon salt

Cut in:
3/4 cup shortening

Dissolve 1 pkg dry yeast in 1/2 cup water and stir into 2 cups buttermilk. Add this mix to the flour mixture and stir till moistened. Cover and chill. Bake on lightly greased cooking sheet at 4:00º for 12 minutes. Dough will keep several weeks in refrigerator.

Yield: 4 dozen biscuits.

Impromptu Enrichment Activity/Service

Christine O. is getting her new house ready for moving in and could use some help painting a couple of rooms TONIGHT between 6-8pm. Her house is in Indian Hills, turn in, the first street is Highland, turn right, go to the top of the hill and there is a little white house. That's it!!! Call Christine if you have questions at 314-825-3650.

Cottage Meeting in Jackson

The missionaries and Branch Mission Leader have planned a cottage meeting for those who are interested in learning more about the church on Saturday, April 25th at 7:00 pm at the Senske/Smith home. Brother Thompson has asked that we think about those who we will invite to attend. If you feel impressed to extend an invitation, please talk to him or one of the missionaries.

Ben Sirrine Mission Update

Ben Sirrine had originally planned to begin his mission as soon as school is out at the end of this month. His plans, however, have been delayed as he is now going through treatment for Ulcerative Colitis. His treatment will last till June 25th, after which the doctor will determine if he can send his mission papers in and get a clean bill of health. The Sirrine Family wishes to express thanks to all for your kind thoughts and prayers.

Sister Posey update

I received an updated address for Sister Katie Posey today. She has actually been reassigned to serve in a Spanish-speaking area of her mission despite the fact that she does not speak Spanish at all. As always, she has a great attitude and is willing to go wherever the Lord wants her. She mentioned that she appreciates letters from so many of you and wanted me to be sure to share her new address. So here it is, lets keep up our support for this great sister missionary:

Hermana Katie Posey
759 Brookside Dr.
Vacaville, CA 95688

Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment Meeting on April 21st

Click on above image to enlarge.

I apologize that we have been a bit behind in getting this information out to you. We WILL be meeting on Tuesday, April 21st at 7:00 pm at the church for out first Enrichment Meeting of the year.

We will share:
• Dessert
• An opportunity to get to know each other a little better
• A short (really, we promise) video message about our goals for the year
• And a chance to share your love and light with sisters in our branch who need a lift

We will be making unity "jars of love" with thoughts, testimonies, scriptures, or other messages of love and encouragement for some of our sisters who could use a little extra portion of our collective light, as well as a reminder of our love and concern for them.

We promise a fun, yummy, and uplifting hour and a half and hope that you plan to attend. A children's class will be provided by our Cape Relief Society sisters and Sunday dress is not necessary. Please don't hesitate to call or email if you have any questions. ewindbigler@gmail.com or 573-837-3908

Another great temple trip!

Thanks to Sister Wheeler who drove the temple carpool this past Friday evening. I hear that those who went had a great time together int he car and especially in the temple. Saturday morning, April 18th is the next scheduled temple trip carpool. Talk to Sister Wheeler if you'd like to go.

Thanks

Thanks to Sister Smith, Victoria, Mary, Maegan and Ellen for pulling off another successful Missionary Zone Conference Lunch. We very much appreciate you sisters taking care of this responsibility for us.

For those of you with YW...

The Young Women General Broadcast is Saturday evening, March 28th at 7:00 pm.

Tuesday, April 21st Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment Meeting

Join us at 7:00 pm at the church on Tuesday, April 21st for our first Branch Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment Activity. The topic of the night is UNITY. We will share dessert, a short message, and other various information about each other... you won't want to miss it. More details to come.

General Conference/Stake Conference and Fast Sunday

Please remember that next Sunday, March 29th is Fast Sunday due to General Conference falling on Sunday, April 5th.

General Conference will be broadcast on April 4th and 5th
Stake Conference will be on Easter Sunday, April 12th at 10:00 am

And thanks again

To those who came to serve at the Jamieson's home on Saturday. Some of you put in a lot of effort and time. I am sure that Chantal appreciates your service, as do I.

I was so impressed with this 20 year old young woman's testimony and composure as she answers some tough questions about the church during an interview at Harvard-- that I had to share it. What an amazing example of how to answer some of those questions that seem hard to answer.


Day of Faith: Personal Quests for a Purpose - 3. Rachel Esplin from Harvard Hillel on Vimeo.

March Visiting Teaching

Here is a link to the March Visiting Teaching Message
Now go visit!

2009 Enrichment Dates

See our (finally) scheduled Enrichment Meeting dates for 2009 on the left sidebar. mark your calendars NOW so that you can attend.

4/21, 8/1, 9/26, 11/3

Successful Temple Trip

Sister Wheeler, Owens and Delos Santos carpooled to the temple on Friday, February 13th and had a very enjoyable day. We will be offering a similar carpool each month. The next date will be in March, stay tuned for details.

Please remember

Ben Sirrine's awaited mission call has been delayed due to some medical concerns that need to be resolved. Please remember him and his family in your prayers.

These sound good!

Apple Enchiladas
Sister Wagner

1 (21 ounce) can apple pie filling
6 (8 inch) flour tortillas
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 c. butter
½ c. sugar
½ c. firmly packed lt. brown sugar
½ c. water

Spoon filling evenly down center of each tortilla; sprinkle evenly with cinnamon. Roll-up, seam down in a 2 qt. dish. Simmer butter, sugar and water and stir constantly for 3 minutes. Pour over enchiladas, let stand for 30 minutes. Bake at 350º for 20 minutes. Makes 4-6 servings.

You’ll be surprised at how GOOD this stuff is, yum! - Betty

What are YOU making for dinner tonight?

Lasagna
from Brenda

1 lb ground beef
1/2 c. minced onion
1 clove garlic
1 (16 oz.) can tomato paste
2 c. canned tomatoes
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 tsp. basil
1/2 lb lasagna noodles
1 lb shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 lb fine cottage cheese
1/2 teas. oregano

Cook noodles, add a little cooking oil to water to prevent noodles from sticking. Drain. Cook beef, onions and garlic together until brown. Add tomato paste, tomatoes, salt, pepper, basil and oregano. Cook over low heat until somewhat thickened; about 15 minutes. Grease 2 q/w qt casserole pan. Arrange layers of ingredients as follows: tomato/meat mixture, Parmesan Cheese, noodles, Mozzarella, cottage cheese. Repeat process, ending with meat mixture and Parmesan cheese on top. Bake in 350º degree oven for 30-35 minutes. Makes 6 - 8 servings.

I figured I would copy and paste recipes as I type them in. This is my choice for today only because it was emailed to me -- thus, already typed! Thanks Brenda, enjoy!

Teachings for our Time Schedule

2009 Teaching For Our Time Lessons - Cape Girardeau Stake
Find the lessons in your Nov. 2008 Ensign or online.
Teachings For our Times Lessons are taught on the fourth Sunday of each month.

2/22 Pray Always
David A. Bednar
3/22 Our Hearts Knit As One
Henry B. Eyring
4/26 Hope Ya Know We Had a Hard Time
Quentin L. Cook
5/24 Finding Joy In The Journey
Thomas S. Monson
5/31 Lift Where You Stand
Dieter F. Uchtdorf Combined Priesthood/RS taught by the Stake