Thoughts from General Conference

There is nothing quite like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing "Come Thou Font of Every Blessing" or "O Divine Redeemer".

This has been a weekend of spiritual enrichment for me filled with inspiring music and motivational talks from men and women of God. Twice a year (every spring and fall) I look forward to General Conference where members of our church all over the world (over 13 million strong) gather to receive counsel and direction from the Lord's living prophet, apostles, and other church leaders.

Our Beloved Prophet, Thomas S. Monson and his two Counselors

The Twelve Apostles

I was so looking forward to General Conference, and now that it's over, I can't wait to receive it in print so I can read the messages again and again.

Here are a few thoughts I remember from the talks today:

Develop the "ity" virtues: humility, spirituality, integrity, fidelity, civility, generosity, morality, charity, etc.

In reference to holding to the word of God... "Get a Grip" and "Hold Tight; Knuckle White" are great mottos. If I ever have to plan another Youth Conference or Young Women's Camp, I'll remember those lines as possible themes.

I was touched by the story of a father asking his children each night at the dinner table,"And what did YOU do for someone today?"

"Unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose in our lives."

"Man's greatest happiness comes from losing himself in the service of others."

"Have you immersed yourself in the thick of thin things?" This really made me think of what I could eliminate from my life so that I can focus more on service to others.

"Find someone who is having a hard time, or who is ill, or lonesome and do something for them."

GIVE WARM FUZZIES! My friend, Holly, who has young children has decided to adopt this in her home. They will have a "warm fuzzy" jar and each time the kids do kind service for someone else, they'll add a little warm fuzzy to the jar.

As President Monson shared the stories of Primary children throughout the world who had given service to others as their birthday gift to him, it brought tears to my eyes. He talked about the little four year old whose dad was in the military. This little guy said his good deed each day was to give his mom lots of hugs and kisses. The young boy in Mongolia served by bringing water from the well. Another girl worked hard to clean out the toy cabinet. It would make mommy so happy because she didn't even ask!

Thinking of those elderly and lonesome who need to be reached out to..."We have to live a LONG time to know how empty a room can be that is filled with furniture." President Monson is such an ideal example of someone who has lost himself in service to others.

"Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone’s burden been lightened today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?

When they needed my help was I there?"

As Elder Holland spoke, the power of his message overcame me and I didn't write anything down. But it was a talk that will not be forgotten. Those of you who heard it, know what I'm talking about.

"Having religious observance in the home is as important as food, shelter, and clothing"

"Identify temptations that easily best us and put them out of reach--WAY out of reach."

It's been a WONDERFUL weekend. I'm a little sad that it's over.

Proud to be a COUGAR!

So, I'm not a huge sports fan; but the excitement in the basement last night was way too much to resist. I found myself in front of the big screen in lively anticipation with the rest of the masses. BYU played the previously ranked #3 team, the Oklahoma Sooners. It was a nail biter up to the last few seconds. In the words of my sports fanatic son, "THEY DID IT! BYU FREAKIN' DID IT! B! Y! U! COUGARS!!!!!" Yeah, I'm proud to be a Cougar.

SIMPLE SATURDAYS

Now that "Super Saturday" is over, I thought we'd plan some "Simple Saturdays" where we just learn/complete one craft at my home on a Saturday morning in an hour or two. This is one idea I thought I'd share. The frame is 11" X 14" and it would cost $10-$15 to make. If you think it's something you'd be interested in, let me know.

This second idea I got from my sister-in-law in California. They made it at her Super Saturday this summer. The photos aren't the greatest, but I think you can get the idea. It's a wooden plague painted black with a metal sheet attached (they used upholstery nails). Finally, vinyl letters add scripture or quote of your choice. Thread a sheer ribbon through the top and hang. Like it?

How I Plan to Save an Extra $25,000 in the next two years...

Why am I making this so public? Simple. The more people who know, the more likely I am to keep my commitments. I believe that with the support of family and friends, I can do anything I set my mind to... especially if it is only temporary. Right now, two years seems like forever; but after living on this earth for almost 47, I realize it will be over before I know it. My son, David, has been on a mission for a year and it has FLOWN by. By time he returns, I'll be halfway through this. I wish I had started when he left.

Here's my plan:

1. Vacations vs. Staycations

For the next two years, I will not spend money to travel (by plane, train, or automobile) to a place where I have to pay for lodging (resort, hotel, cabin, cruiseship, lodge) because I already have a beautiful home to enjoy. (This excludes any necessary travel for weddings, funerals, and temple trips.) We love to travel and to spend time with family and we will look forward to doing that again beginning in August of 2011. For the next two years, STAYcations will replace vacations.

2. Salon Services - Nails

For the next two years, I will not get my nails done (manicures, pedicures, acrylic nails, etc.). I'm embarrassed to say it, but this will truly be a sacrifice for me. I have worn acrylic nails pretty consistently for over 25 years. I did take a short break a few times, (once, when I accidentally poked Jennie in the eye as she was learning to walk--felt SO guilty about that) but I missed them and it wasn't long before I was back in my french tips. I love having pretty toes, and getting pedicures in the spring/summer months is a real treat. For the next two years, if I want a pedicure, I'll be doing it myself.

3. Salon Services - Hair

For the next two years, I thought about not getting my hair professionally cut, colored, or highlighted. Then Jennie said, "MOM, if you don't at least get your hair trimmed, you'll get terrible split ends. It will ruin your hair! You'll need at least $25,000 to fix the damage!." So, here's the compromise. For the next two years, I will only trim my hair every ten weeks which comes to about five times a year. If I use a coupon at Great Clips, I'll walk out the door for under $15.00 including tip. That's my commitment until August 2011.

4. Wardrobe Updates

For the next two years, I will not buy any new clothes for myself with the exception of underclothing and workout shoes. This will be a HUGE savings!

5. Dining Out

For the next two years, I will not go out to eat. This will be an adjustment and a challenge, but with planning it can be done. The only exceptions will be when I am out of town for a wedding, funeral, or temple trip. I'm also allowed to pick up a Little Caesar's pizza for dinner once a week (HOT & READY $5.00). Add a fresh salad and dinner is served.

6. Movies
For the next two years, I will not pay to watch a movie in a theater. That includes our family tradition of going to see movies on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Last year, we went to the Fork and Screen on Christmas Day and dropped at least $180... for a freakin' MOVIE!!!! I will simply wait until movies are available on dvd and I can pick them up at redbox for $1.00. We have a wonderful home theater with a big screen TV, surround sound, leather recliners, and it's completely free! Last night Dana and I thoroughly enjoyed a $1.50 date as we sat in the comfort of our own home with a big bowl of Orville Redenbacher microwaved popcorn and a movie. There is truly no place like home!

7. Furniture

For the next two years, I will not buy any new furniture ... not even accent pieces. Okay, if the house burns down or is destroyed by a tornado, I can replace our furniture with money from insurance, but other than that ... no new furniture.

8. Home Decor

For the next two years, I will not buy any new home decor. Anyone who knows me understands how tough this one will be. I so enjoy decorating. I'll just have to rearrange things on occasion to mix it up a bit. It does help that one of my favorite stores, "Something Else" went out of business recently. The exceptions here are my annual Christmas Decor Exchange in December and any project samples I make as Enrichment Counselor in the Relief Society.

9. Fitness

Once I complete the current 12-week program with my personal trainer, I will not spend any money on fitness...other than our family membership at Prairie Life Center. I LOVE that gym and would pay twice as much as we already do to feel this great.

10. Groceries

Finally, I'll buy all the groceries I can at Aldi. I discovered Aldi years ago when we first moved to Chicago. I had never heard of it until a friend told me you could buy a pound of bananas there for 25 cents and a loaf of bread for 69 cents. I quickly became a weekly Aldi shopper. Every time I went through check out with my overflowing cart of groceries for six, they told me the total and I said out loud..."THAT'S ALL?" Every time! Back then, you had to pay cash, but now they accept debit cards (still no credit cards or checks). You even need a quarter to get a shopping cart, but you get your quarter back when you return the cart. (Since they do everything possible to cut costs, they aren't willing to hire extra employees to collect carts.) In recent years, I've been too lazy or too proud or too busy to make the Aldi run, but for the next two years that's going to change. I will buy everything I can at Aldi (except Produce ... their produce sometimes leaves something to be desired) before I head to Hen House or Costco.

So that's the plan. Please check up on me in a few months to see how it's going. I've made it through my first three days...only 727 to go!

Update on Elder Drake

David has been on his mission for ten months (and a week and four days...but whose counting). He is currently serving in the Katsura Ward in the beautiful city of Kyoto. David is still with the Zone Leader, Elder Williamson, but that will change when Elder Williamson goes home on the next transfer.

Here are a few paragraphs from recent letters:

"Sunday night I got to baptize Yamashiki san. He was definitely prepared for the gospel...only took him about a month from when he started the lessons until we baptized him. On Wednesday, after we watched "The Testaments" he started bawling and told us he knew he needed to get baptized. It was a great experience for everyone involved (the member who referred him, the missionaries, and Yamashiki). He'll be a great member."

Elder Williamson, Sister Inoue, Brother Yamashiki, Elder Drake, Sister McIntyre, President McIntyre

"Two days ago (or yesterday, for you Americans, I guess) we celebrated 4th of July. We didn’t have the fireworks, barbeque, waffle breakfast or anything like that here in Kyoto… but we sure celebrated! Koga-san (now Koga Kyodai) got baptized! It was the perfect way to celebrate the 4th... and afterward a member took us all out for a buffet dinner—so I guess the only thing we were missing was the fireworks. Of course I miss spending the 4th with the family and celebrating Jennie`s birthday, but it was still a great way to celebrate the birthday of the greatest nation EVER *God Bless America… and Nascar yeeeehaw*"

Sister McIntyre, Elder Williamson, Koga Kyodai, Elder Drake, President McIntyre

Cheney Family Cruise - Alaska 2009

Not only have I plastered photos of our recent Alaskan cruise all over facebook, I look at them at least twelve times a day. It was a great little escape for Dana and I and I don't regret AT ALL leaving the kids home.

A few months ago, when my four brothers planned this trip (in place of our 2009 Cheney Family Reunion), we Drakes decided we weren't going to make it. It just happened to fall the same week as Jessie's River Trip and Daniel's High Adventure; Jennie would be working hard to earn college tuition and couldn't really take time off; I wasn't thrilled about going somewhere "FREEZING COLD" and it simply wasn't part of our financial plans this year to fly the family to Anchorage. About three weeks before the cruise, we (I) decided that we (I) couldn't stand to miss out. A light bulb went on and a completely novel idea emerged..."LET'S GO WITHOUT THE KIDS!" Thankfully there was still room on the ship. I reserved a cabin, booked our flights, and started packing...oh, and I told Dana our plans.

One of my favorite things was walking up to my sister-in-law, Lisa, on the ship and saying "Excuse me, is this seat taken?" We had a blast watching facial expressions as we surprised each of them one by one. They were totally blown away.

Entering beautiful Glacier Bay National Park.

Formal Dining

Our ship at port in Juneau.

Ideal weather...no jacket necessary!

Juneau--Alaska's capital city.

Shopping in Skagway.

Another night at dinner.

Our eHarmony.com brochure photo. (Ha!)

One Every Once in a While

So, they say that once you have your basics in food storage like wheat, rice, beans, and oats (which you could technically survive on, but which are not fun to eat for long periods of time in and of themselves) you can begin to add a few items that will expand your storage and add variety and flavor. Can you imagine the comfort and relief chocolate chip cookies will deliver if you are quarantined within the walls of your home during a global pandemic? Three must- haves for food storage baking are:

powdered eggs, ...

powdered butter,...

...and of course, my home-sealed Chocolate Chips!

Use your own favorite cookie recipes. You don't have to reconstitute the eggs or the butter, just add them to your dry ingredients and then increase the liquids according to directions on the can.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES (FOOD STORAGE STYLE)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup butter flavored shortening

1/3 cup powdered butter

1 tsp. vanilla

1/3 cup water

1 1/2 cups flour

2 Tbsp. whole powdered eggs

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1-2 cups chocolate chips

Directions:

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Stir dry ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside. Cream sugars, shortening and butter, add vanilla and water. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Scoop by tablespoon onto foil-lined cookie sheet. Bake for 8 minutes or until beginning to brown around the edges. Cool slightly before taking from cookie sheet. Enjoy warm with an ice cold glass of milk. :)