We had a wonderful monthly Relief Society meeting on Tuesday. The theme was based on the “Five Little Piggies” children’s rhyme. There were wonderful speakers, food, and company. Here is a recap of what was taught.
Going to Market: Lindsey Smith shared her tips and tricks on couponing and how to really stretch your dollar. We learned how to save money on food, clothes, toys and hygiene products, as well as some great budgeting tips. She brought various items that she had purchased in the last week, that retail totaled $150 but she only spent less than $10. The items included, a jumbo pack of diapers, boxes of cereal, toothbrushes, a coat and two shirts, a Baby Alive doll (which she scored for $1!), feminine hygiene products, and many more. Lindsey is a fabulous resource if you would like to learn how to budget and coupon.
Staying Home: Cassie Mickelsen taught us the importance of prioritizing our lives, focusing on the most important things. She referenced this talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, in which he discusses things that are good, things that are better, and things that are best. Cassie shared some experiences about how she learned to make her children her focus over her growing photography business. She gave a powerful testimony on the importance of putting the things of the Lord first and how life is much more manageable when the Lord and our family is top priority.
Having Roast Beef: Rachel Maw spoke to us about the importance of cooking good, nutritious meals for our family. She focused primarily on finding ways to have home cooked meals. Rachel presented an idea called “Once a Month Cooking.” It is a system where you prepare a month’s worth of meals in one day, freeze the meals, and then you have a home cooked meal ready to go every night of the month. She gave us a sample meal plan, recipes, and a shopping list to get started. Her biggest recommendation, if you want to tackle this, is to do it with a friend. She has done it with a friend for quite a while and she had some great stories to tell. So, if this sounds interesting, contact Rachel, find a friend and start cooking! It will be a great benefit to you and your family.
Having None: Tamara Halls talked to us about “having none.” Whether you actually have none or just feel like you have none (no kids, no self-esteem, no talents, etc.) the antidote is having a positive attitude, being grateful for the things that you do have, and service to others. Tamara told some great stories from her life about actually having none and times when she felt like she had none. Through all of her trials she learned to be grateful for her trials, seek the positive in all situations, and to always being willing to serve and give to others.
Wee, Wee, Wee, All the Way Home: Teresa Throop spoke about having joy in our lives and most especially joy in our homes. President Hinckley once said, “Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.” Teresa gave great insight on understanding different perspectives, especially those of your children. She talked about how stepping back from hard situations and taking a positive perspective on them can make a world of difference in how you react and how you see life. We are meant to have joy in our lives and it is our responsibility to find that joy and enjoy every aspect of our lives.
Overall, we were richly blessed by the talents, experiences and testimonies of the sisters in our ward. If you were unable to make it to the meeting, you were missed and we hope that we will see you next month.
Love,
Kate
Love,
Kate
