More than a Visit

I've been thinking a lot lately about how often we "miss the point of Visiting Teaching." It is not just an at home visit where we talk and share a gospel message. It is to create a trust and friendship through service in which we can help those sisters we were assigned to draw closer to Christ. 

 I've had many experiences within the last year that has shown me the importance of "true" Visiting teaching. I'm grateful for the wonderful visiting teachers in my life who are such a great example to me. 

 My first experience started when I was first married. I had to work Sunday's all the time but my visiting teachers never missed a month to visit me and worked around my schedule. Little did they know the effect they had on me. They were my connection to the church, ward, and become my close friends. It was a connection I needed. This is where is really hit me how important visiting teaching was.

  Now, all I needed was a visit at that time and that's really all I need now. I enjoy talking to adults and it is a break for me from the everyday tasks and maybe that's all your sister needs but sometimes it's something more.

  If you look at the comic I drew it is a sister who just got done being taught and her teachers ask if she needs anything. Her response is a normal response "No, I'm doing great, but thanks!" They end up leaving and are happy she is doing good but look around her... Her dishes need done, juice is spilled on the floor, kids are crying, dinner is burning, and a look of distress is on her face. OF COURSE SHE NEEDS HELP! Are we so caught up in our checklist of visiting teaching that we are really not serving those that need it.

 Instead of asking and accepting the answer, just do. We need to hear with our eyes and NOT our ears. We can see when someone is in need.

   Most of the time sisters will say "they are doing fine," and most of the time they are; but if we really are observing and getting to know these girls we teach, then we will know that those "doing fine" days are days when she may really need a pick me up.

We never may know fully what are sisters are going through. Sometimes they just need a friend, someone to talk to, someone to say it's going to be okay, a hug, a note, a meal, company, someone to teach them how to do something (cooking, sewing, etc.), a smile. 

I also want to talk about the 100%. It's not the number but what the number means: It's means that every single girl in your ward has been checked up on, that every single girl has a friend, someone to talk to, someone to rely on. When we don't get that number it means that someone is missing out on that friendship, love, fellowship as sisters in Christ. Someone that may really need it. It's our way to create a bond with those in our ward to uplift each other and when that 100% isn't reached that means that someone is left behind. The RS Pres. can not do it all and that's why your sisters are so important.

Now I understand that life gets busy, but you are never to busy to serve. Service doesn't have to be big. Remember: It's the little things that count and make a big difference in people's lives. Service is just helping a friend in need. 

"People who need people, are the luckiest people in the world."-unkown

So Here's some tips:

1. First Observe, then Serve. 

2. Be a friend/Don't judge

3. Don't wait to be asked to serve.

4.  Cookies, meals, and genuine notes 

5. Invite to activities

6. listen, listen, LISTEN!

I'm trying to be better at visiting teaching and I hope you can to!

From my house to yours.

Easy Crock Pot Lasagna

This crock pot lasagna is a favorite at my house and it's a little bit healthier than normal lasagna. I use ground turkey which gives it a texture and flavor that is just to die for! (I tried using beef once and it didn't turn out as good)

Follow the directions exactly...Even the part where you are boiling the meat. Seriously! boil it up!! You'll thank me.

Enjoy!

Ain't no Ad about it! Funny Story

Funny Story:

   So I was trying to get into Blogging and hopefully make a few extra bucks out of it too with displaying ads. "Why not turn a hobby into a paycheck!" Right???  Then I can save for my Husbands Masters Program and eventually Doctorate since he wants to be a Professor. Well, it turns out it was more complicated than that. I actually had to pay money to create my own website with a monthly fee.

Now, Here's the FUNNY PART:

So, my husband comes home and I say, "Honey, I have this detriment!! I can't make money unless I pay money! I just want a monthly income" (sigh, sad face)

He responds: "You do!"
Me: No I don't!
Him: Yeah, you do....my WHOLE paycheck!!! (We both start laughing)

Bahahahaha.....poor kid! (We're still laughing!) But keep reading...

Just to Clarify: I do NOT spend all his (our) money. We budget together and I make sure we have enough in savings and mostly/if not all is spent on things we need; like diapers, clothes, etc. I'm usually the one spending the money since he has school and work and so I do the shopping for what we need. He is the most selfless man and I'm grateful for him in my life. He is such a hard worker and takes care of our family. I have seen the blessings of tithing and being faithful to that promise in our lives more than I can imagine. The Lord is truly good to us and I'm so blessed.

From my house to your,

Amy

The Best Homemade Costa Vida Salad

I just made the BEST homemade Costa Vida. I seriously crave this stuff and I bet you do to! So I decided to share my recipes I used to make the Salad so our wallets will thank us....after all; the Holiday's are coming up and any extra change just makes people happy!

Note: Read and follow the directions precisely (I didn't use measurements on some so I'll just explain what I did)

Dressing (Cilantro and Lime)

In a Blender add:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup milk
• 1-2 package of Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch dressing mix (depending on how much flavor you like)
• 1 Jalapeno's (Take out the seeds)
• 1 bunch of fresh cilantro
• 1 tsp. crushed garlic
• 1/2 to 1 cup salsa verde
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• a pinch of Salt

BLEND that baby up and enjoy! ( I seriously could drink this stuff)

RICE (Cilantro/Lime Rice)

*****READ DIRECTIONS BEFORE DOING ANYTHING!!!****

• 2 cups dry rice
• 1 can chicken broth
• 2-3 cups water
• 1/2 cup chopped up cilantro
• 4 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tsp. Lawry's Garlic Salt

Directions: In a frying pan add rice and a little bit of oil. and sear the rice. This will add texture and flavor. STIR CONSTANTLY and watch closely so the rice doesn't burn. It is done when it turns an opal white color. (My mom taught me this trick) NEXT: put rice in a rice cooker along with the rest of the ingredients: Stir in and cook. (Don't worry about the cilantro going to the top) when it is done cooking mix everything again and ENJOY!

Chicken and Steak

• Chicken or Steak

Spices:

• Cumin
• Chilli powder 
• Lawry's Garlic Salt

Directions: slice chicken or steak into thin slices and shake each spice over the meat and rub in. (I didn't measure so you'll just have to eyeball it)

NEXT: spray cookie sheet and place meat on top and Broil it in the oven until done. This not only enhances the flavor but gives it that nice grilled texture. 

-Broil for about 10-15 min....keep an eye on it since all ovens are different.

Now Time to make that Salad: (My mouth is Watering)

Layers go as follows: Tortilla, rice, black beans (out of a can that have been heated up), meat, shredded cheese, chopped romaine lettuce, chopped tomatoes, Tortilla chip strips, and dressing

NOTE: The Tortilla Strip chips seriously make this salad as do all the ingredients and can be found by the croutons at your local grocery store.

Spinach Dip

Here's my delicious Recipe for Spinach Dip! It's great for any Holiday, Party or a Get Together.


Spinach Dip

-One 16oz package of chopped spinach (frozen)
-1 1/2 cups of Mayonnaise
-16oz tub of Sour cream
-2 packages of Knorr Vegetable mix
-1 teaspoon garlic salt (Lawry's Garlic Salt)
-1 teaspoon Mrs. Dash (Garlic and Herb)
-2 loaves French Bread


Directions: Empty package of frozen spinach into a strainer and pour cold water over it until it is thawed. Let all the water drain out and set aside. In a bowl combine mayo, sour cream, vegetable mix, garlic salt and Mrs. Dash and mix well. Then add in spinach. Stir until everything is evenly mixed in. Put in Refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.

Serve COLD with slices of French bread

Weight Loss and Eating Out: Staying with Your Diet

 

My husbands birthday is coming up and it's a tradition in our house that the birthday person gets to pick were they want to eat out for the day. Since I'm on my "Life change diet" I asked were he wanted to go and went from there. The choice of Restaurant being: Red Robin...Yuuuuuuum!

Here's what I'm doing to stay in my "Life change diet" Plan while eating out.

Tips:

1. Check out the Restaurants home page and look at their Menu section. Sometimes they have a section for Healthier choices that give you calories, carbs, protein and everything that is in it.

2. Make your menu at Home before you go eat. This gives you a plan and you have already looked over your choices and swaps that you might want to do so when it's time to order you are ready.

3. Write it down. Write exactly your order and then take it with you. This way when you get to the restaurant you know what you are getting and not scrambling your brain to remember. It will also help you not to make the "not so good, when it doesn't look that bad" choices. It keeps you accountable!

Good Luck and enjoy eating out!

From my house to yours,

Amy