Vancouver Sisters

Now That Halloween's Over...

2006-11-01T09:15:00.000-08:00

... and we've put all those little ghosts and goblins to bed for the year...Here's a lovely Thanksgiving countdown to help you get ready for the next big holiday (my personal favorite). Hope it helps!

Howdy

2006-10-17T05:43:00.000-07:00

Hi Michelle, and everyone else who reads this. If you're alive, blink for me.

General Conference Talks Are Online

2006-10-08T07:33:00.000-07:00

For those of you who missed General Conference last week, or the Relief Society broadcast the week before, click here to read or listen to the talks. There were so many great words of wisdom - I know I'll be referring back to this page often.

More Calling Changes

2006-08-20T21:06:00.000-07:00

And the fun never stops! The calling-go-round enjoyed another spin this morning in Sacrament meeting. Here are the changes:- Stephanie B., formerly the Relief Society Enrichment counselor, is a new Relief Society teacher (I'm excited - I've heard this girl teach and she's good).- Erin M., formerly the Primary chorister, is the new Relief Society Enrichment counselor.- Susan C., formerly the

Temple Website

2006-08-01T09:48:00.000-07:00

Another cool website alert: click here. Downloadable temple wallpaper, lots of fun temple trivia, and other cool stuff. Da-da-dun-da-daaahhh, I'm lovin' it.

Welcome Aurora!

2006-07-30T18:54:00.000-07:00

Sariah, aka White Shores, had her beautiful baby... she arrived Friday, July 28. You can read all about it in Sariah's words here. Aurora is a gorgeous kid! So nice for Acadia to have a sister. Congratulations, R. Family!

New Website In Town

2006-07-28T19:46:00.000-07:00

Hello again ladies...I was trying to get ideas for cheap meals, it being "that time of the month," and found a very fun website called The Homemaking Cottage. Put together by fellow sisters, it's chock full of homemakery goodness. I'll put a link to it on the sidebar so you can always find it. Enjoy - hope you're enjoying the finally cool weather...

Come one, come all!

2006-07-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

Even though this info is in the last post, I just felt it was time that someone posted something! So although this is nothing profound or amusing, I just wanted to remind all our McLoughlin sisters about our Enrichment Activity tonight. Dorothea M., an extremely talented tailor, is helping us learn how to mend and alter clothing. Bring an article of clothing that needs some help, thread,

Straight From the Source...

2006-06-27T10:40:00.000-07:00

Stephanie B., our RS counselor over Enrichment Night and Activities, let me know about the following upcoming events. Here you go!Every Wednesday and Saturday @ 9:30 A.M. - walking group (Meet at the discovery trail parking lot off Devine between 18th and Mill Plain) July 6 - V.I.P. (Very Informal Potluck) Luncheon at Marilyn Beckstrand's home at 12:00 NOON. (Remember, it's the first Thursday

What's Going On This Week - June 25

2006-06-24T20:40:00.000-07:00

25 - Pioneer Handcart Broadcast at the stake center, 6:00 PM; Single Adult Fireside at the stake center RS room, 7:00 PM; Peggy C.'s birthday26 - Family Home Evening27 - Relief Society stake temple day28 - Activity Day Camp; Mutual, 7:00 PM; Mandy C.'s birthday29 - Activity Day Camp30 - Activity Day Camp

Today's Cannery Trip

2006-06-24T20:28:00.000-07:00

I had fun today at the cannery. It was my first time and before today, I had the idea that it was a huge involved process, but it was actually very simple to get there, buy the food, can the food, and take it home, and I'm sure I'll be going back again soon. I brought home 3 cans of wheat and 2 cans of flour that I canned with my own two little hands.Ward members who went were: Blaine & Marilyn

Cannery Recipe Blog

2006-06-23T15:46:00.000-07:00

This is a blog I found today, dedicated to recipes using food storage products. What better timing, considering our next cannery trip is tomorrow (June 24)? We'll be meeting at the stake center at 8:00 AM sharp to ride down together.

What's going on this week - June 18

2006-06-18T14:26:00.000-07:00

While I'm sitting home, sick and bored, I thought a new weekly calendar on the blog might be nice. So here's what's up for this week, including ward sisters' birthdays.18 - Happy Father's Day! Debbie H.'s birthday19 - FHE; Eryn A.'s birthday20 - Selma S.'s birthday21 - Mutual, 7:00 PM; Michelle B. (aka Funny Bunny)'s and Gwyn W.'s birthday22 - Cub Scout Pack Meeting, 7:00 PM at the stake

Let's Get Fit!!

2006-06-16T11:06:00.000-07:00

I heard a lot of talk about getting out and exercising last night at Enrichment Night. Here's your chance to get started! Starting this Saturday, we want to start a walking group. Meet at 4th Plain and Falk Rd (Discovery Trail) at 9:30 am. For now, it will just be on Saturdays; but maybe once the group gets more established, we can add more days to the schedule. And maybe as we get more in

ENRICHMENT NIGHT TONIGHT

2006-06-15T15:55:00.000-07:00

OK - I want to see all of you there tonight at the church at 6:30. There will be salads galore - I am making my famous jello - and we'll have a wonderful class taught by the very entertaining Leann H. about provident living. This is a presentation she gave to all the Relief Society presidencies of our stake, and it was so incredibly mind-boggling, she was asked to come and present it tonight.So

Ward Campout Coming!!! Plan on it!!!

2006-06-13T07:58:00.000-07:00

Fri. Aug 18th – Sat. Aug. 19th – Ward Campout Where: Big Fir Campground, 5515 Northeast 259th St Ridgefield, WA 98642 - #360-887-8970Come and have some fun! We'll have games, activities, good ole campfire cookin' and more!Directions and Map to come. Cost: Campsite: $4/person per night Includes cost of 1 vehicle/4 people RV: $21.88 Back in (4 people)

Ward Updates (You heard it here)

2006-06-05T20:06:00.000-07:00

On Friday evening...Those of us who attended the ward pizza party activity were good to go for dinner. Lots of pizza, salads, desserts, and pop were consumed, and the ward Young Women did very well at their silent service auction (read about it here on White Shores' blog) and made quite a bit of money for Girls' Camp. The kids played games and the adults yakked their little hearts out. I was

Yowza, Yowza, Yowza!* It's Pizza Time!

2006-05-31T13:27:00.000-07:00

It's MC Ward Activity time again! This Friday evening, June 2nd, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, we'll be eating an awesome pizza dinner and playing games in the ward's "backyard," Pioneer Park (weather permitting). Have any fun outside toys or games you'd like to bring? Please do (I'm bringing my Frisbee)! Also, please bring blankets or chairs to sit on so your family will have a cozy spot to sit.SEE

Works For Me Wednesday

2006-05-17T16:30:00.000-07:00

Some of the girls out there in Blogger Land participate in this fun weekly thing called "Works For Me Wednesday," where they share tips that make their lives easier. Today I found an awesome one: a monthly dinner menu & shopping plan. It's a simple idea, but I found it quite earth-shattering. Here you go.

YOU'RE FIRED!

2006-05-16T07:30:00.000-07:00

The MC ward Bishopric and the stake presidency, apparently having watched too many episodes of "The Apprentice," slapped on their Donald Trump wigs and cleaned some major house during Sacrament on Sunday. (shudder - Donald Trump wigs...)Due to the Keith & Carol K. family moving out of the ward next month, a hole was left in the bishopric, so Cary C. will be taking Keith's place and we know he'll

Fold a shirt..the cool way

2006-05-03T19:59:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty sure that by now, everyone should have seen this video, however, I had watched it over and over, and couldn't figure out how she did it >:(Thankfully, someone did figure it out over at Ready Made: Know How to Fold ‘Em with easy step-by-step graphic. Impress your friends and neighbors be the life of the party!

How much should a mom be paid for her work as mom?

2006-05-03T11:34:00.000-07:00

Via my sister, who is a super-momJust in time for mother’s day: have you ever wondered what mom should be paid for “mommy work” (I know: priceless), well, wonder no more!, use the mom salary wizard to create your own “mom pay check”, Go to Mom Salary Wizard. Who knew "Laudry Machine Operator" paid $9.44?Please share yours, mine came to $101,181.00

Photos of our Prophet

2006-04-19T13:43:00.000-07:00

I was going to post some photos of President Hinckley here, but they mess up our sidebar. So, I posted them on our MC News blog page instead. Please click over to that page and see these pictures, they just make you smile!(And sorry in advance to messing up the MC News sidebar! lol)Thanks!

Blogging 101

2006-04-14T23:42:00.000-07:00

The question has recently come up several times: "What's a blog?"I first started my illustrious blogging career after reading this article from LDS Living, an online magazine I subscribe to. Interesting read, particularly if you'd like start a blog of your own.The link in the sidebar, "What's this blog thing?", will also take you to this article, and will stay there permanently in case you ever

Maybe we could make skirts for the local salmon

2006-04-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

This is about the cutest thing you've ever seen, and yes, it was a real Humanitarian Aid project.

When Upon Life's Billows...

2006-04-14T12:31:00.000-07:00

With America's preoccupation with material wealth constantly being thrown in our faces, the questions are raised: How much is enough? Will we ever be satisfied with what we have? What can we do to thwart influences that make our very blessed circumstances seem inadequate? Read "Grateful List."

Thanks for attending...

2006-04-13T13:35:00.000-07:00

...today's wheat cooking classes, hosted by Marcie M. and taught by her mother-in-law Joan!I went to the class this morning and it was excellent! We had a nice turnout, and we CHOWED. I mean, I was not expecting to go over and have more than a bite of this or that (you know, a cooking class, there are usually samples) - but it was a full-blown meal. I spoke with Dan during the class tonight

Meeting Up with President Bush at Church

2006-04-12T13:49:00.000-07:00

My uncle JR sent this via email. It was such a cool story, I had to share. Author's note: This story is from an acquaintance of mine from high school. His name is Mike Winder, related to the Winder Dairy family. This is an email sent to his sister. He was on a trip to D.C. and this is his exciting story. EW ****************************************Hi, everybody!

Easter, bunnies, eggs, oh my!

2006-04-12T07:37:00.000-07:00

Last week as I read this story “City Hall evicts Easter Bunny”, where a civil rights chief (yeah, whatever) claimed non-Christians might find the holiday decoration offensive; I puzzled over it, perhaps because it’s an American tradition* I just didn't get, and at our home, we never did the Easter eggs with my kids, since I wanted to make very clear what Easter meant to us.Interesting, I'm

You were anxious about this

2006-04-07T22:36:00.000-07:00

Ever worry, "How much would I weigh if I weren't a member of the Church?" Well, now we have our answer. Not only are we hefty-hefty-cinch sacks compared to the rest of the population, but we're also less likely to become addicted to naughty illegal substances. Want proof? Read here.

Youth Achievement Celebration Nominations

2006-04-07T14:32:00.000-07:00

contributed by Tami Jo G.There's still time, but please hurry! The Youth Achievement Celebration is April 29th!Nominating a young person for a Youth Achievement Award is easy! Just click: hereFill out the online form and hit the "submit" button. Heck, do it 6 or 8 times!Maybe you like the idea of nominating a youth for an award, but think, "I don't know anyone who's done anything

Digging on General Conference

2006-04-01T12:26:00.000-08:00

Oh yeah... I am (to quote McDonald's) loving it!So far (just the Saturday morning session has occured) I have really enjoyed President Monson's talk. I am taking notes and - this is the first time I've done this - after each talk's notes, added a goal I would like to accomplish in accordance with each talk. Hopefully I will use this little list to inspire me to do better, and not beat myself

Susan C. (MC ward) in the hospital

2006-03-31T13:07:00.000-08:00

Please send prayers and service Susan's way... she was admitted earlier this week for a leg infection. She visited the doctor with a swollen, painful leg, and he told her to head to the emergency room. After some hours there she was admitted. Tests have so far been inconclusive as to the cause of the infection, but she is receiving antibiotics and pain medication. Susan's parents are visiting

Attention All Scrapbookers

2006-03-30T18:33:00.000-08:00

I have been cleaning out my craft room, preparing to turn it into a nursery (yay!) and I have a HUGE pile of scrapbooking magazines that need a new home!I've got 45 in all! Most are Creating Keepsakes, but there are a couple others. They date back to Summer 2002 and go all the way up to now, with only a couple of issues missing.However, the catch is that most of them are missing my favorite

Take a stand against HBO's "Big Love"

2006-03-27T21:43:00.000-08:00

We're often told by church leaders that we can no longer be passive and simply "avoid" the dark influences of the world - we are now called to actively "stand for truth and righteousness". Well, here's another opportunity to do just that. I'm asking for your help--for about 3 minutes of your time.HBO's new series, "Big Love", is about a polygamous family and is set in a Salt Lake City suburb.

Another MC ward celebrity

2006-03-27T17:46:00.000-08:00

Imagine my surprise today when, flipping through the latest issue of "Taste of Home" magazine (April/May 2006), I saw a very familiar face: that of Jan B. on page 63! She is one of the 1,000 field editors that contribute to this very fun (one of my favorites because it has FOOD in it) magazine. I did not know this about her. Along with her cute picture is a little blurb, which I quote:JAN

Better than Heloise (if that's possible)

2006-03-27T09:26:00.000-08:00

We recently had a discussion at Vancouver Sisters about how the Spirit speaks to us. Throughout my life as a member, I've loved hearing the stories of lives being saved, testimonies being strengthened, life-changing decisions being made, through the gift of the Holy Ghost. Wonderful, faith-promoting stories. Keep reading

YW in the news!

2006-03-25T13:36:00.000-08:00

For those of you who missed Friday’s newspaper, Ashli-Marie Grant made front page news:Teen Makes Her Point (The Columbian)If you see her, make sure to congratulate her.Way to go Ashli-Marie!!!!!

My Readers Demand It.

2006-03-24T20:55:00.000-08:00

I'm back by popular demand (...that’s the two of you who read my posts):Fun all around: the Firstenburg Community Center in Vancouver

The Bishop's Birthday Present

2006-03-19T15:17:00.000-08:00

The next time you find yourself in the Bishop's office (MC Ward), take a look at a very special picture he has in there. It is a picture taken of the youth and leaders with the Bishop in front of the SLC Temple (from the trip we took for Gen. Conf. last Oct). In honor of our dear Bishop's birthday, the youth had that picture blown up and framed. They each signed their names on the mat within

Family History News

2006-03-19T09:04:00.000-08:00

The Church's family history department has a new project going, nicknamed "Scanstone," in which all of the microfilms stored in the Granite Mountain Vault near Salt Lake are being scanned and digitized. What does this mean for you? This will make it possible for everyone with Internet access to look at every record stored there by just going online. This is a big deal - microfilms and

Sabbath Day Activity Ideas ... Chapter 2

2006-03-18T09:19:00.000-08:00

A weekly series.11. Have family scripture study. Younger children may want to draw representational pictures beside their favorite scriptures. This will enable them to find the same scripture and remember what it was about in the future.12. Visit the temple grounds as a family or bring a non-member friend. 13. Give time to a nursing home or to others who may need help reading letters from loved

I'm (sniff) having the time (sob) of my life!

2006-03-17T06:35:00.000-08:00

If you're looking at the title wondering "What in the heck?" then you obviously weren't at MC ward's Home, Family & Personal Enrichment Night last night. We had the kind of Enrichment Night I love - we felt the Spirit AND laughed our fool heads off. As the sisters came in, they were asked to sit at their birthday table - we had a table for each month, and it was fun to see sisters who didn't

The Icing on the Cake (and the Kids)

2006-03-15T22:07:00.000-08:00

Frosting flew fast and furious tonight at the HFPE cake decorating activity. Stuffed into a small classroom because it was Wednesday night, twelve sisters (with the help of three adorable toddlers and a sweet baby) endeavored to frost cakes for the Enrichment Night birthday dinner tomorrow evening. It was interesting to see how many tables, women, children, chairs, and cakes could be crammed

THE COUNTER

2006-03-15T10:45:00.000-08:00

Private eyes *clap* they're watching you *clap clap* they see your every move...We installed a cutesy little hit counter to keep track of how many visitors our blog gets. It's down there at the bottom of the page. :) Thanks Statcounter.com (bok bok)!

Painfully Obvious to Everyone but Me

2006-03-14T23:42:00.000-08:00

Go ahead and laugh… I’m totally serious about this.Tonight as I was coming home from the family history center, I turned on the car radio and switched around, trying to find a song I liked. Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven” began playing. The song is years old and when it became popular, you may remember, disc jockeys played it incessantly...the proverbial beating of a musical dead horse.

Unused Credit Card Applications: an experiment

2006-03-14T18:24:00.000-08:00

Sisters, what do you do with your unused credit card applications: do you rip or shred them?Find out what happened when Rob returned a Torn-Up Credit Card Application to the Credit card company. A MUST read.More

IT'S A...

2006-03-13T17:13:00.000-08:00

I had an ultra sound today... (Yes, for anyone who has not heard yet... I'm pregnant! Due the end of July.) I assumed everyone knew by now because I don't think I'm hiding it well, lol.I posted on my personal blog what it is and the ultra sound pictures (that really look more like an alien than anything else... but we'll take it!). The only thing I have to say is that I know of one sister in

What would you like to see on the site?

2006-03-12T20:39:00.000-08:00

Sisters - in developing the site, some of us have been impressed with the need for ongoing and themed postings. Example: The Sabbath Day Activity Ideas. Some other thoughts have been for a discussion related to RS/Gospel Doctrine Lessons, humor, service challenges, and so forth. What are your thoughts on these suggestions? Do you feel that something is missing - what can we do to improve and

Sabbath Day Activity Ideas ... Chapter 1

2006-03-12T19:47:00.000-08:00

This will be an ongoing feature. I realize that at almost 8 PM on Sunday, this list may come a little late in the day, but what the heck? You'll have more ideas for next week.1. Read Church magazines from cover to cover.2. Prepare any future talks or lessons. 3. Use crock pot recipes to cut down on extra cooking. 4. Prepare Family Home Evening lessons for the next day. 5. Visit those you know

Disclaimer

2006-03-09T16:35:00.000-08:00

To our dear sisters: A very nice sister in Utah, Tigersue, has taken on the sizeable responsibility of keeping a current list of LDS women’s blogs. This list is accessed by clicking the “LDS women’s blogs” link. We chose to have our blog put on her list, and in exchange, have placed her link here. Many of the blogs on her list are high-quality, uplifting, and insightful. However, some are not

Help me find another church!

2006-03-06T14:13:00.000-08:00

Submitted by Michelle B.: In a local newspaper in Provo, Utah, there had been an ongoing series of articles written by individuals who wanted to persuade LDS Church Members to leave the church. In response to the highly critical and spirited remarks, a member wrote this rebuttal:Dear Editor: I have been thinking about quitting the Mormon Church. Yes, if I can, I am going to get even with that

Discussion: Divine Direction vs. The Free Agent

2006-03-06T12:10:00.000-08:00

So, we all know that we can receive "Divine Direction" and revelation for our families, right? But what about being the "Free Agent"?We are given the opportunity to make choices in our lives . . . . and we are also given the gift of the Holy Ghost to inspire us to do the Lord's will.Personal revelations are received in both the mind and in the heart. These impressions come to the mind as thoughts

Temple Trip!!

2006-03-03T10:27:00.000-08:00

Brennan's going to the temple with the ward young men today, to do proxy baptisms for the dead. It's his first time and we're all excited about it - probably me more than him. Understandably he's a little nervous. He mostly worries about not being able to read the names without his glasses - the poor kid inherited my terrible eyesight. I assured him that one of his Young Men leaders would

Book Review

2006-03-01T08:36:00.000-08:00

The book I’m currently reading, The Other Eminent Men of Wilford Woodruff, gives a list of all the past U.S. presidents, signers of the Declaration of Independence, and other historical figures, who appeared to Wilford Woodruff in 1877 in the St. George temple and asked him why no one had done their temple work yet. Wilford Woodruff wrote down their names and the names of the women and fifty

Cookie Monster

2006-02-28T18:51:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to inform everyone that I only have 1 box left of samoas.Today I bought Dreyer’s Grand limited edition Girl Scouts Samoas Cookie Ice Cream, and it's good.So there.

Have you been inspired?

2006-02-27T12:49:00.000-08:00

We often find inspiration and direction in many forms - daily. How have you been surprised by the whisperings of the spirit as of late?

Family Legacy Captioned in First Presidency Message

2006-02-27T12:12:00.000-08:00

In case you haven't picked up February's Ensign yet - do! There you will find the First Presidency message, "Refined in Our Trials" featuring Stillman Pond, a noble man of strength and great great grandfather to one of our MC ward sisters, Marzee D. His story was highlighted as "A Chronicle of Endurance", among other great latter-day saints. When asked what she thought of the article, Marzee

Warning

2006-02-27T08:01:00.000-08:00

One of the sisters in the MC ward answered the door last week to find a man, posing as a newspaper salesperson. When she told him she was not interested, he pulled out a gun and tried to force his way into her home! She was able to force the door closed, blocking him from entering. This happened in broad daylight! PLEASE keep your home locked at all hours and do NOT answer the door unless you

THE HOUSE FAIRY

2006-02-25T13:09:00.000-08:00

DING DONG. “Mike, get the door.”“Hi, there. I’m the House Fairy, and I’m here to check your rooms!”“Who’s there, Mike?”“It’s Aunt Waynee with swim fins and a snow hat on.”“Waynette, what are you doing here, dressed in my old ballet tutu? What are those onions hanging around your neck? Where did you get that yellow wig and purple lipstick? What’s the clipboard for?”“I’m here to check the kids’

Don't Fall For It. Avoiding Scams

2006-02-24T18:36:00.000-08:00

“I am asking you all, begging you to please, forward this email on to anyone and everyone you know, PLEASE. My 9 year old girl, Penny Brown, is missing.” “My name is Walt Disney Jr. Here at Disney we are working with Microsoft which has just compiled an e-mail tracing program that tracks everyone to whom this message is forwarded to” “Dear Citibank customer, Recently there have been a large

Two sites I love

2006-02-23T09:53:00.000-08:00

Hi there! Natalie has shared some great links (Fly Lady really IS our friend). I’d like to share two links that have to do with my favorite past time: movies Screen it! Reviews for parents -Have you ever been watching a movie with your kids, just to realized that PG rating should have been PG-13?, or there was a scene you weren’t ready for and now you have to come up