Bringing Up Your Children in Light and Truth

Dear Sisters, 

Thank you for the wonderful "Mommy Support Group" we had in Relief Society today. I could feel how important your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and young friends are to each of you. I only wish we could have had more time to help each other. 

And maybe that's something to think about. I'm going to try to be a little more open in my daily life about when I need help and advice. I was so impressed by the depth of mothering experience we had in that room today. We had sisters in every stage of motherhood and grandmotherhood and in various different mothering roles--for your own children and for others' children. When I think of the power for good that the sisters in our ward are, it makes me want to do better at tapping into that power and soaking it up as often as I can. 

Thank you all for the good women and good mothers that you are. You inspire me so much! 

Love, 
Erica

PS - Here's the video I shared in the lesson today: 
 

Today's Family: Elder Anderson on Children

Food Storage Part 2: Recipes for Using Oatmeal

Use dry oatmeal in meatballs and meatloaf to replace breadcrumbs.

Griggs Burgers

1 lb lean ground beef

¼ c chopped onions

2 eggs

Oatmeal

Salt and pepper or other seasonings

Combine the ground beef, onions, and eggs. Add enough oatmeal to thicken the beef enough to form patties (¼ – ½  c). Season to taste (we like 1 teaspoon Greek seasoning or other meat rub). Form patties and cook to desired doneness. Makes 9-3oz patties.

Oatmeal Rolls

2 1/3 c water

1 c oatmeal

3 T butter (or cooking oil)

1 T dry yeast

2/3 c brown sugar

5 to 6 c flour

1 ½ t salt

Combine oatmeal, water, and butter in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high 3-4 min. until oatmeal is cooked. Pour into a large mixing bowl and allow to cool.

When oatmeal mixture is cool, add the yeast, brown sugar and ½ flour. Mix well. Add salt and enough flour to make a soft, sticky dough. Knead one minute more. Place dough in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled (about 1 hour).

Punch down, divide dough, and shape into 24 balls. Place balls one inch apart on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until doubled (30-45 min.). Bake at 350° for 20-25 min.

Oatmeal Pancakes

(These pancakes are thin and chewy, a lot like sourdough pancakes without the sour.)

1 c oats (quick or regular depending on how chewy you want your pancakes)

3 ½ c milk (or 3 ½ c water and 1 c milk powder)

2 c all-purpose flour

3 t sugar

1 T baking powder

¼ t salt

2 eggs

¼ c butter melted (or cooking oil)

Mix oats and milk in a small bowl. (If using water and milk powder, mix oats with water and add milk powder to other dry ingredients. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients and make a well in the center. Add oatmeal mixture, eggs, and butter or oil. Mix just until blended. Cook on a hot griddle.

Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 c butter/margarine

1 c sugar

1 c light brown sugar

2 eggs

1 t vanilla

2 ½ c blended oatmeal (measure oatmeal and blend in the blender until a fine powder)

½ c regular oats

2 c flour

1 t soda

1 t baking powder

½ t salt

¾ c nuts, pulsed in the blender

¼ c chopped nuts

4-8 oz Hershey chocolate bar grated (do not use Symphony)

8-10 oz chocolate chips

Cream butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Mix together dry ingredients. Add to butter mixture slowly. Mix in chocolate chips, Hershey bar, and nuts. Allow dough to sit for 10 min. Bake at 375° for 8-10 min. Cookies should still be puffy with their tops slightly cracking.

Honey-Oatmeal Bread 

(By far, our favorite bread at the Royer house.)

2 ½ c water

1 c oats (quick or regular—if you use regular oats, you may end up adding as much as ½ c water to the final dough)

2 T butter or cooking oil

1 pkg dry yeast or one scant tablespoon

¾ c honey or maple syrup

5 to 7 c all-purpose four

2 t salt

Combine water, oats, and butter or oil in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high 3-4 min. until oatmeal is fully cooked. Allow oatmeal to cool. (If I am in a hurry, I add some flour to the oatmeal to help it cool faster.) Add honey to the oatmeal and mix. Add yeast and ½ flour. Mix well. Add salt and enough flour to make a soft, sticky ball. Knead one more minute. Pour into a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise until double (1 to 1 ½ hours). Pour out onto lightly floured surface. Divide into two balls. Cover and let rest 5 min. Shape into loafs and place in greased 9 x 5in pans. Cover and allow to rise to 1 ½ size (30 min to 1 hour). Preheat oven to 425°. Put loaves in oven. Turn down to 350°. Bake 35-40 min.

You may substitute half wheat flour for the all-purpose flour. This may require a bit more water.

Food Storage Part 1: Recipes for Using Wheat

Wheat Berries

1 part wheat kernels

3–3 ½ parts water

Bring wheat and water to boil. Cover and simmer 1 ½ to 2 hours.

Use on salads, mixed with plain or fried rice, in soups, or as a meat extender (w/ground beef or shredded beef, chicken or pork) or replacement (usually ground beef).

Fried Rice (adapted from a recipe from the USU Extension)

2 T oil

3-5 eggs, beaten (your preference)

Dash of salt

4 c cooked, cooled rice

1 c wheat berries

2 T soy sauce

1 t seasoning salt

1 c ham or cooked chicken, diced or chopped

½ c green onion, diced

2 c frozen or fresh veggies (whatever you have around)

If you are using fresh vegetables, chop and steam them. In a large skillet, heat oil. Pour in eggs and salt and cook as an omelet. Remove to a cutting board and chop. Pour in Rice, wheat, soy sauce, and seasoning salt. Sauté until hot. Remove. Do not add more oil. Put ham or chicken and onion into pan and sauté until onions get a little wilted. Stir in all ingredients, including frozen or steamed veggies. Cook until hot. 

BBQ Porcupine Meatballs (adapted from a recipe from the USU Extension)

1 ½ pounds lean ground beef

1 c cooked, cooled rice

½ c whole wheat berries (may substitute rice)

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 can tomato sauce (8 oz)

½ c dry bread crumbs

½ c oatmeal

¼ t chili powder

½ t seasoning salt

Combine all ingredients; mix well. Form into balls, each about 2 inches in diameter. Place in casserole dish. Cover with sauce (below). Bake at 350° for about 1 hr. Meatballs will still be pink inside because of the tomato sauce. They should be at least 165° F. Makes about 15 or 16 large meatballs. Serve with rice.

Meatball Sauce

1/3 c brown sugar

½ c bottled barbecue sauce

½ c catsup

1 can tomato soup

½ c water

1 t Worcestershire sauce

½ t seasoning salt

½ t chili powder

Combine all ingredients and blend thoroughly. Pour over meatballs.

Cracked Wheat

Crack wheat in a grain mill, blender, or food processor. 

Bring 1 part cracked wheat and 2 ½ parts water to boil (add salt if desired). Cover and simmer 20 min. Serve with your favorite oatmeal toppings

Sprouted Wheat

Sprouted wheat releases vitamins and enzymes not available in wheat berries or wheat flour. It is also more digestible that non-sprouted wheat.

To sprout wheat, cover in water and soak 12 to 24 hours.

Drain and rinse the wheat. Cover in a dark place 6 to 10 hours until small white tails appear. One cup of dry wheat makes approx. 1 ¾ cup sprouted wheat.

For breads, use immediately or store in the fridge 1 to 2 days until you are ready to use it. When using it in breads, always use an acid (lemon juice, crushed vitamin C, sourdough starter, yogurt, or buttermilk) to control enzyme activity.

For sprouted wheat flour, spread the sprouted wheat on a cookie sheet and place in oven at 170° and dry overnight. Remove from oven and cool. Grind in a blender or food processor. 

For salads, leave the sprouted wheat in a dark spot and rinse 2–3 times a day for 2 to 3 days. The sprouts will be long and white. If you want the added benefit of green sprouts leave them out in the light the last day (some say this makes the sprouts more bitter). Refrigerate until you are ready to use.

Sprouted Wheat Bread

2 ½ c water

3 c sprouted wheat

2 T butter or cooking oil

1 T yeast

1/3 c honey

1 T lemon juice

1/3 c dry milk powder

2 T vital wheat gluten

2 ½ t salt

5-7 c all-purpose flour

Place sprouted wheat and 1 c water in blender or food processor. Blend 3-4 min until you get a fine pulp. It will still be gritty, you just don’t want it to be too gritty. Pour the pulp into your bowl. Add the rest of the water, butter, yeast, and honey. Mix well. Allow to sit for 5 min. Add lemon juice, dry milk powder, vital wheat gluten, salt, and half the flour. Mix well. Add more flour until you get a soft and sticky ball of dough. Knead for 1 more minute. Pour into a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise until double (1 to 1 ½ hours). Pour out onto lightly floured surface. Divide into two balls. Cover and let rest 5 min. Shape into loafs and place in greased 9 x 5in pans. Cover and allow to rise to 1 ½ size (30 min to 1 hour). Preheat oven to 425°. Put loaves in oven. Turn down to 350°. Bake 35-40 min.

You may substitute half wheat flour for the all-purpose flour. This may require a bit more water.

 

Henry’s Point Relief Society 2014 Cover to Cover Challenge

Dear Sisters,

Please join us in reading the Conference (May) edition of the Ensign from cover to cover. We will be culminating this challenge with an activity in October. Below is a schedule to help keep you on track.

Love,
HP Relief Society Presidency

Henry’s Point Relief Society

2014 Cover to Cover Challenge

May 18-                 Welcome to Conference                                                    President Thomas S. Monson

                                The Cost—and Blessing—of Discipleship                        Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

                                The Joyful Burden of Discipleship                                    Elder Ronald A. Rasband

May 25-                 Christ the Redeemer                                                           Elder Carlos H. Amado

                                Protection from Pornography                                           Linda S. Reeves
                                                —a Christ-Focused Home

June 1-                   Spiritual Whirlwinds                                                           Elder Neil L. Andersen

                                A Priceless Heritage of Hope                                            President Henry B. Eyring

June 8-                   The Sustaining of Church Officers                                    President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

                                Church Auditing Department Report, 2013                   Kevin R. Jergensen

                                Statistical Report, 2012                                                      Brook P. Hales

                                Let Your Faith Show                                                            Elder Russell M. Nelson

June 15-                 “I Have Given You an Example”                                         Elder Richard G. Scott

                                “If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments”                    Elder Robert D. Hales

June 22-                 Let’s Not Take the Wrong Way                                          Elder Claudio D. Zivic

                                What Are You Thinking?                                                     Elder W. Craig Zwick

June 29-                 Roots and Branches                                                            Elder Quentin L. Cook

                                The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood                      Elder Dallin H. Oaks

July 6-                     What Manner of Men?                                                      Elder Donald L. Hallstrom

                                The Choice Generation                                                       Randall L. Ridd

July 13-                  Are You Sleeping through the Restoration?                   President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

                                The Priesthood Man                                                           President Henry B. Eyring

July 20-                  Be Strong and of a Good Courage                                    President Thomas S. Monson

                                Grateful in Any Circumstances                                          President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

July 27-                  Following Up                                                                         Elder M. Russell Ballard

                                “Fear Not; I Am with Thee”                                                Jean A. Stevens

Aug 3-                    Your Four Minutes                                                               Bishop Gary E. Stevenson

                                Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease                                     Elder David A. Bednar

Aug 10-                  Love—the Essence of the Gospel                                     President Thomas S. Monson

                                “The Witness”                                                                      President Boyd K. Packer

Aug 17-                  Live True to the Faith                                                          Elder William R. Walker

                                Obedience through Our Faithfulness                              Elder L. Tom Perry

Aug 24-                  The Prophet Joseph Smith                                                Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge

                                Where Your Treasure Is                                                     Elder Michael Jon U. Teh

Aug 31-                  If Ye Lack Wisdom                                                               Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis

                                The Resurrection of Jesus Christ                                      Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Sept 7-                   Until We Meet Again                                                           President Thomas S. Monson

                                Keeping Covenants Protects Us,                                       Rosemary M. Wixom
                                                Prepares Us, & Empowers Us

               

Sept 14-                 Sisterhood:  Oh, How We Need Each Other                   Bonnie L. Oscarson

                                Wanted:  Hands and Hearts to Hasten the Work          Linda K. Burton

Sept 21-                 Daughters in the Covenant                                               President Henry B. Eyring

                                Conference Story Index                                                     P. 129

Sept 28-                 They Spoke to Us:  Making Conference                           P. 130
                                                Part of Our Lives

                                News of the Church                                                             P. 132

               

Because of Him

Something Extraordinary

Thank you to everyone that helped with our Relief Society Celebration tonight! It was a nice evening, and we missed all of you who couldn't make it. 

The video above is the one shared during the presentation.

We Never Walk Alone

Dear Sisters,

For our lesson this coming Sunday, we will be discussing President Monson's talk, "We Never Walk Alone." In his talk, President Monson promises us: 

"As we seek our Heavenly Father through  
         fervent, sincere prayer and  
                                      earnest, dedicated scripture study, 

our testimonies will become strong and deeply rooted. 

We will know of God’s love for us. 

       We will understand that we do not ever walk alone. 

I promise you  
     that you will one day stand aside and look at your difficult times, and  

you will realize that He was always there beside you."

My one abiding wish for every Relief Society sister in our ward is that each of us (me included) would feel and understand God's love for us. My hope is that we can stand together, "rooted and grounded in love, [that we] may be able to comprehend. . . what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height" of God's love for us (Ephesians 3: 17-18). 

In preparation for our lesson, will you join me in an experiment?  

Over the next few days, let's test our prophet's words. Let's all try to be more fervent and sincere in our prayers and more earnest and dedicated in our scripture study. Wherever you are in your practice of these two principles, step it up. Make a plan for today on how to fit these two things into the rhythm of your life, and tomorrow, make a plan for tomorrow. 

Please do not let Satan tell you that it is too hard or that you are too busy. The strength and peace you will feel will be worth the sacrifice of time and energy. When you pray, talk to God like He is your parent or your friend. Tell Him how you are feeling and what you have been worried about that day and how you hope it will all play out. Open your heart to Him so that He may fill it. 

I believe that if we will all prepare, our fast Sunday experience will be a feast! We will be able to feast upon the Spirit during sacrament meeting as we listen to each other testify of Christ, and we will be able to feast upon the Spirit in our other classes, including Primary, Nursery, Young Women, and Relief Society. 

Above all else, 

we will be able to feel God's love, and it will be sweet!

I love you, my dear sisters. 

Love, 

Erica