Chances to Serve

This week has been a week full of service.  It started out by making cupcakes for a family in our neighborhood whose father had passed away and serving the family dinner.  The next two days I spent serving the sisters in my ward through my church calling.  Then it was teacher appreciation week at our elementary school, and I was privileged enough to be able to make 2 meals for the teachers at  school.  I love to serve; it brings me such great joy.

As I have been studying what I could share about service that would inspire others to go out and serve, I found it interesting that there are several types of service.  There is being kind to others, service in our church callings, temple service, service in our families, missionary service, community service, just to name a few.  I also found it interesting that as I was studying conference talks about service that service was most usually paired with another gospel principle.

In the Book of Mormon in Mosiah 2:17 we read, "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow being ye are in the service of your God"

Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ- "As we obey His commandments and serve our fellowmen, we become better disciples of Jesus Christ" (Becoming a True Disciple- Elder Daniel L. Johnson)

Becoming Whole- "Be assured the Savior still seeks to mend our souls and heal our hearts.  He waits at the door and knocks.  Let us answer by beginning again to pray, repent, forgive and forget.  Let us love God and serve our neighbor and stand in holy places with a life made clean". (Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?- Elder Timothy J. Dyches)

Withstanding the Temptations- "Fill your life with service to others. As you lose your life in the service of Father in Heaven's children, Satan's temptations lose power in your life." (Personal Strength Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ"- Elder Richard G. Scott)

"I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in the service of others, there is little purpose to our own lives.  Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish-and in effect save their lives."- (Thomas S Monson)

I know that as I have served those around me, my life has been blessed in many way. To just name a few: I have learned to love those around me, look  for the good in others, my life is full of joy, and I have gained a stronger testimony of our Savior.

"We are surrounded by those that are in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness....We are the Lord's hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children.  He is dependant upon each of us." (First Observe, then Serve - Linda K. Burton)

I hope that you will take the chance to look around you each day and find at least one person to serve.

For the recipe for the cupcake in this blog, you can find it on my other blog Little Delights Cafe, it the lemon cupcake.

A Chance to Sing

My family along with another family got the chance to sing in our Sacrament Meeting on Sunday.  If you are not sure what Sacrament Meeting is, its our worship services for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I am one that does not like to sing in front of people but I was grateful for the chance to share my testimony of Joseph Smith.  Here is a link for you to hear the song.  I want you to know that I do have a testimony of Joseph Smith, I know that he was called of God.

Everyone likes a Treat

My personal goal this year is to get to know all my neighbors on my street.  I'm not one that goes out of my way to meet new people, which surprises most people.  I am very much a people person, I love people, but leading out in new friendships is not my thing.   So I decided to make treats to take once a month to the neighbors I don't know, everyone likes a treat... Right?

Here is my go to treat at Valentines. When I lived with my mother in law when I was first married she made this every Valentine. If you have a neighbor that you should meet here's a chance for you to meet a new neighbor and share a yummy treat!

Holiday Chex Mix

1 large box Chex Cereal

1 large package M&M  (Holidays are my favorite)

1 package of peanuts (about 2 cups)

2 cups raisins 

Mix together in a bowl

In a saucepan place:

3/4 cup butter (stick and half)

1 3/4 cup Karo syrup

1 3/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoon Vanilla (add after the 3 Min boil, watch out it will spit at you)

Boil for 3 minutes. (it does grow a little so make sure your pan is big enough). Add vanilla.

Pour over cereal mixture, stir until cereal is coated well. Spread out on wax paper or foil and let cool