Saturday, November 29, 2008

HOLIDAY "GOODIES"

The holiday time is always a great time to share cool, new recipes. I have one that I put away "to save" several years ago. It has all of the stuff in it that I like and thought it would be really good. I will probably try it in the next few weeks, but wanted to give ya'll the opportunity to try something yummy:

CHOCOLATE CHIP TREASURE COOKIES

1 1/2 Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
1/2 Cup All-purpose Flour
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1 (14 oz.)can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/2 Cup Butter, softened
1 (3 1/2 oz.) can Flaked Coconut (1 1/2 cups)
1 (12 oz.) pkg. Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips (2 cups)
1 Cup Chopped Walnuts


Heat oven to 375 degrees. In small bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, flour, and baking powder. In large mixer bowl, beat sweetened condensed milk and butter until smooth. Add graham cracker crumb mixture; mix well. Stir in coconut, chocolate chips, and walnuts. Drop by rounded tablespoons unto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 9 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Store loosely covered at room temperature.


Let me know if you make them before I do. ENJOY!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Monday, November 24, 2008

A TIME TO GIVE THANKS

Last night, I had the opportunity to attend a "Holiday Devotional" for all temple workers from the Mesa Arizona Temple. We each received a program that included a heartfelt message from our Temple Presidency. I wanted to share a few thoughts on thankfulness with you:

"It is our hope that each of us can deepen our feelings of gratitude during the Holiday Season. You will remember that President Hinckley, in his address to the youth of the Church in November of 2000 listed, 'Be Grateful' as the first of his 'Six Bs'.

President McKay taught: 'Gratitude is deeper than thanks. Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.'

Your kindness, love and caring for those who come to the temple is a wonderful example of your gratitude.

The Lord has counseled: 'Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things.' (D&C 59:7) This would include not just good things, but also difficult things in our life. When we come to the temple, even in difficult times, we find a 'place of thanksgiving for my saints.' (D&C 97:13) May the temple always provide for us feelings of thankfulness and gratitude.

Thankfulness becomes gratitude as we recognize, with love and appreciation, that the source of all our blessings is our Father in Heaven. His greatest gift to us was allowing His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to come to earth and to effectuate His eternal plan through the atonement. This precious gift of the atonement gives purpose and meaning to all that we do."

I am so thankful for the opportunity that I have to serve in the Mesa Arizona Temple and to work with such wonderful brothers and sisters each week. I am very thankful for the multitude of blessings that I experience in my life each and everyday. They are too numerous to name at this time, but one of the most important blessings I have in my life are my family members. May each and every one of you that take the time to read this blog know how much I love you and appreciate having you as part of my earthly family.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

PRIMARY PROGRAMS

PRIMARY PROGRAMS are always the BEST!! The music and message are always awesome, but watching the children (especially grandchildren) sing numerous uplifting songs and give their speaking parts is "priceless."

Today we went to see the Dickinson clan participate in their Primary Presentation. We usually get to see Nancy and Jim Stradling there too (Ben's Mom and stepdad) and we're always amazed at all of the people we see that we know that are also coming to support their extended families (grandchildren).

The program was great - - the theme was "I Am A Child of God" - - and Anson, Ashley, Felicia, and Nathaniel all gave their speaking parts very nicely. Anson was right up front with the other Sunbeams and although he wasn't completely able to sit still, he was very quiet! Way to go guys!!!

Now it's off to Tithing Settlement, church, home for dinner and then to the Holiday Devotional for all temple workers. That should be really cool too especially since our past Stake President (now general authority), Daryl Garn, will be the key speaker. We always love to hear him speak - - he is so spiritual and sweet and so down-to-earth!

Hope everybody has a great Sunday - - ours is definitely off to a good start!!!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SPENCER!!

Today is the 31st Birthday of my son, Spencer Condie Call! I hope he has a very Happy Birthday! I'm sorry he lives so far away because that means that we can't see him in person on his birthday - - bummer! But we do know that he will have a fun day with his family celebrating his birthday!!

I'm sorry that Spencer and Merrianne both decided to close down their blogs because now we don't get to hear much about how things are going in their family. Hope if they decide to open new ones that they will let us know and invite us to view them.

Or better yet, it would be great to hear first-hand how things are going - - our email is still the same as always.

Again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my special son, SPENCER!!!

Love ya bunches & bunches,
MOM

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

ELECTION '08

Well, it looks like many of us have had a JOLT!!! Even though many of the election polls showed Barrack Obama considerably ahead of John McCain - - I still kept thinking that McCain would be able to pull ahead and win. At least I was hoping!! Sorry to say, I was wrong.

I have been very concerned about many of the liberal ideas held by him (Obama) and many of his followers. And his background seems to be full of "interesting" people. Some of the people that voted for him actually think that he can CHANGE all of the problems of the American people overnight! History is full of politicians that have made interesting and bizarre campaign promises - - MANY of which could never happen. Some people actually think that he can "fix" our economy overnight too and that all unemployed Americans will have jobs handed to them as soon as he is sworn in - - NOT!! And what about EVERYONE being entitled to affordable health insurance - - how is he going to do that?? Many small businesses will go under because they can't afford to give health insurance to their employees.

Our Congress has been under the influence of a majority Democratic vote for the past four years and they are the ones that should take a brunt of the blame for how our economy is right now. It's too bad the blame was placed almost entirely on President Bush! Because of that blame, many people switched what would-have-been Republican votes to "the other side."

Things were starting to look up for the Anti-Abortion possibility - - but that went out the window with Obama being elected. AND with his lack of support/respect for the American flag, who knows what will happen to the phrase "One Nation UNDER GOD" that so many liberals want to do away with?? What about our troops - - does he think he can just call them home when we are in the middle of a war?? We need to finish what we started!

The next 4 years is going to be yield many CHANGES for the American people - - hope there can be a few positive ones in there somewhere!

Thank Heaven for the Gospel of Jesus Christ - - it does not change! It is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow!!! AND with the Lord's help, we'll all make it through what the future holds for us! But watch out 2012 - - - if Obama doesn't pull off what he promised the American people during the next four years - - - that will be an interesting election to watch!!!

And as a final note - - since so many of the Obama supporters are truly interested in the really "important details" - - I wonder what kind of puppy the Obama kids will have when they go to live in the White House??? Remember, he mentioned that in his acceptance speech!