Her First Scripture in Primary

Since Hannah is turning four this year, at our church, for Sunday school, she now attends primary.  In primary the kids begin to take part in each week's program.  Every Sunday, children say the prayers, share scriptures, share articles of faith, and give talks in front of the rest of the primary children.  This week Hannah got to participate for the first time.  She shared a scripture.

The theme for Primary this week was, "Jesus Christ taught the gospel, and set an example for us."  The scripture she shared was 3 Nephi 12:48, "Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect."

For those of you familiar with the Bible, that probably sounds a lot like Matthew 5:48.  As Latter-day Saints, one of our beliefs is that after the Savior left the people of Jerusalem, and ascended to Heaven he actually visited the Americas and taught the people there his gospel too.  His visit to the ancient Americas is found in the Book of Mormon in 3 Nephi, Chapters 11-18.  In those chapters, he teaches the people of ancient America many of the same things he taught the people of Jerusalem (sometimes verbatim).  So a lot of what is found in those verses is also found in the Bible.

To be honest with you, I debated which verse to have her share. I love the Book of Mormon, but there really is a special place in my heart for the New Testament.  I really gained my testimony for the first time while I was reading it for seminary.  It finally came down to one thing: Hannah's little Book of Mormon.

When Hannah was in nursery, her nursery leaders gave each of the kids a little Book of Mormon.  Now, whenever we read scriptures as a family, she gets so excited and asks if she can "read" too.  (a.k.a. have someone tell her what the scripture says and then repeat it).

When I told her she would be sharing a scripture in primary, her eyes just lit up.  She jumped up and ran to get her little Book of Mormon and wanted me to help her pick out a scripture right then and there.  I couldn't bare the thought of telling her the scripture she was going to share was in a different book of scripture, so 3 Nephi 12:48 it was.  And she did a great job.  She wasn't afraid or nervous at all.  She spoke loudly and clearly, and sat reverently until it was her turn to share.  I was really proud of my little banana.

Now we just need to get her a little bible so she can have a complete set of scriptures for next time.  :)

I'm Going to Brag a Little Bit

Today...well, today was not the greatest day.  For many reasons, but the most significant of which involved much throw up and an unhappy baby and daddy.  (I'm just PRAYING nobody else gets it).

That being said, there is one member of our family that seriously just shined today.  This little girl:

I cannot tell you how many times I asked her to get diapers, towels, bowls to catch throw up in, disinfectant whipes, etc, or to get food for or play with/entertain her sisters that were feeling okay, and EVERY time she did it with a cheerful, "Okay mom!" Seriously she is a saint!  I truly do not know what I would do without her.

At one point when everyone else was taking naps.  She entertained herself by drawing some pictures.  After everyone was in bed for the night, when I was finally able to pick up the inevitable mess of a day like this, I ran across what she had drawn, and just about melted.

I don't think she meant for them to be, but I swear, these are totally self portraits.  It shows exactly how she was today: A little mother bird.  Helping wherever she could, whenever she was needed.   I know I've said it before, but I'm SOOOOOO grateful for (and proud of) my little mother bird!

Food Photography

When my dad was growing up on the farm, every year on your birthday you got to choose what was for dinner.  You could have anything you wanted.  Anything.  One year, when it was my dad's birthday, my aunt was really excited.  She knew they would have a good dinner that night.  (Birthday dinners were always good).  But when my grandmother asked my dad what he wanted for dinner, he responded, "Bread and milk."  Yep.  Bread and milk.  Of all of the foods in the world that he could have, he chose bread and milk.  My aunt still gets worked up whenever she talks about it.



As funny as having bread and milk for dinner may sound, I have to confess...it's one of my favorite meals too.  But only when it's homemade bread.

My mom has a bread recipe from her mom that my siblings and I absolutely LOVE.  In fact, my three siblings who are still in college each have a Bosch (purchased solely for the purpose of making this bread) and ALL semi-regularly make it!  Seriously, we love it that much.  :)  And since this month's blog circle theme is food photography, I thought I'd share not only some pictures of the bread, but the recipe as well.

Grandma Timms' Wheat Bread

1/2 c warm water
2 Tbsp yeast (sprinkle yeast on to water, set aside)

2 Tbsp salt
1/2 c oil
1/2 c honey
4 large eggs
1 can evaporated milk
2 c warm water
1/2 c apple sauce
8 c wheat flour
4 c white flour


Mix all ingredients except yeast mixture and flower in the bowl of a Bosch fitted with the dough hook.  To the mixture add 2 C of flour at a time, mixing well in between.  After you've added 1/3 of the flour, add the yeast mixture.  Continue adding the flour beating it well.  Add just enough flour to make the dough slightly come away from the bowl (too much flour makes the bread dry and coarse).  Knead 10 min in Bosch bowl or by hand.   Let the dough rise in bowl until it is 1 inch above the bowl, punch down.  Shape into 4 loaves and put into 4 bread pans that have been greased and floured.  Let rise slightly above pan.  Bake two loaves at a time at 375°f  for 25-30 minutes. 

Enjoy!

If you feel up to it, you can whip up some homemade jam to have with it too!  It's heavenly, and makes a great little gift to pass on to a neighbor or friend.



Now go check out Stacey's blog to see what she came up with this month.