FHE Emergency Kits!

A few weeks ago I was in a training called the "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" and we were talking about living in the Q2(the preparation phase).  Our facilitator, the amazing Steve Woolley, was applauded by the company CEO for astounding preparation for any situation placed in his car.  Steve has everything you could think of in the back of his car.  He could survive for over three months in his car if he had too.  So we were inspired a decided to make these emergency kits for our car for Family Home Evening.  We decided that we would't spend more than $75 for each kit. Below is a list of all the things that are in them. I encourage you to make your own kit so you will always be prepared no matter what happens.  We plan to continue to build onto ours every six months for different seasons and circumstances.

1. Small gas tank.  This is a size that would get you to a gas station and would not be too heavy to carry back to your car if you had to walk a ways.
2. Water  We put three large bottle each.  
3. Flashlight We just bought the dollar ones at Walmart.
4. Sunscreen We found extra bottles at home.  I would recommend looking around your home for items before you start shopping so you don't spend money on things you have and aren't currently using.
5. Batteries I would go with the batteries that would fit in the flashlight.  This was one of the more expensive items but I hate the dark so maybe one day it will be worth it.  
6. Toilet Paper 
7. Feminen Products I put some in my husbands kit as well just in case
8. Scissors 
9. Table Cloth We thought this would be good in case you have to eat on a gross table or the ground
10. Extra Clothes We just grabbed a T-shirt a pair of sweats from home
11. First Aid Kit We found five dollar ones at Walmart.  They would take care of scrapes, cuts, stings but nothing crazy.
12. Food We did granola bars (this is one we plan to build on)
13. Pen and Paper This would be good if you plan to leave your car to find help but you could leave a note if someone found your car. 
14. Bug Spray 
15. Medicine I have way too big of a medicine cabinet so we just threw it all on the ground and picked out a few of each to put in a plastic bag.  Make sure whatever you put in the bag can be determined.  Most medicines have on the back of them what they are.
1. Tylenol
2. Dramamine
3. Mydol
4. Benydryll
5. Theraflu
6. Emergen-C
7. Claritin
8. Sleeping Pills
9. Motrin
16. Hand and Foot Warmers  Even for just a skiing trip and having these could be a life saver
17. Lighter Get one that you can operate.  My husband wanted to get a flint but there is not way I would want to try my hand at that in an emergency.
18. Hand Sanitizer  Go to the area with the small traveling items to get these for less than a dollar
19. Wipes 
20. Whistle The cheapest one we found also had a compass on it which was a bonus
21. Duct Tape Look for a little while for the most basic brand and you will find that you don't have to spend near as much for the ones you see all over with the funky designs
22. Pocket Knife
23. Emergency Triangles If you have to pull over with kids in the car and can't get out these are a must
24. Tools The best way to do this is to go to the buckets and buy a few tools individually.  The packs are way to expensive and lets be honest I wouldn't know how to use half of whats in them.
25. Extra Cash
26. Emergency Contact Information I laminated our and put it in the front of the car so if we were in an accident it would be easier to find.
27. Blanket We used an extra one from home
28. Rags They have ones in the car area that are super cheap and come with ten or so
29. Trash Bags Took a few from home
30. Plastic Bag
31. Tissues 
32. Glow Sticks We figured these would come in handy if for someone reason the flashlight broke (and they cost nothing and would keeps kids entertained)
33. Chapstick
34. Battery Powered Fan
35. Jumper Cables We already had these in our cars
36. Deck of Cards Had these around the house as well
37. Tire Guage 
38. Sting Ointment This has come in super handy already with mosquito bites
39. Panchos
40. Disinfecting Alcohol 

All of this for only $75, and that is including the tote we put everything in!  So skip the already put together ones that cost a fortune and make your own. Please share with us anything that we may have missed!

What I have learned in 5 months of marriage

This is a list of things that I never expected in marriage.  Maybe you have or have not experienced some of these things but from my experience this is it!

1.  My husband doesn't like to talk when he is upset.  He would rather be by himself and just get over it in his mind.  This use to drive me crazy but I have since learned that some time to yourself can ease over many conflicts.

2. Coupons are great! Before moving into a real place (not student housing) I had never received a full newspaper of coupons.  Now we get them once a day.  Though they sometimes drive me crazy because we have so many it really helps save money.

3. You now get to make lives decisions together. As your lives become one your dreams must become one. I have learned the only way to do this is through prayer and an open mind.  

4. Relief society takes a lot more effort in a family ward than a single or married student ward.  There are so many different age ranges you have to be open to making all kinds of friends instead of just close girlfriends.  

5. There is nothing better than going back to the temple together and doing sealings.

6. I have to watch Keeping up with the Kardashians and the Bachelorette when Kyle isn't home or else my meditation time is disturbed by sarcastic comments.

7. Things that I use to pay for are now taken care of by my Mr. Fixit.  The sink drain, the laundry machine, patching holes, scaling the side of the building to clean windows.  Its super attractive and free!

8. You get to double your family size.  It is really up to you now what your relationship with your family will be like.  I have learned that making visits and establishing a good relationship will always be worth your while. Especially when you get cute neices and nephews. 

9. You do laundry twice as often as you use to.  It's never ending.

10. You have to constrain some of your favorites. For instance I love pasta and could eat it everyday, but my husband would go nuts. He loves to have his back tickled but my arm would fall off  if he made me tickle his back for the entire movie.  

11. Being apart over night are the longest nights ever and it sucks not having your warrior to check all the rooms in the house before bed.

12. I have all new pet peeves like hair being on the sink but I also have all new favorites like long hugs after a long day and having your best friend to see the world with.

Though there are so many more things I could add to this list these are the ones that definitely stand out. If you are about to get married it is the best.  So much in life has changed but I wouldn't change it for the world!   --Devin

Because I'm HAPPY!

Follow the path of Happiness

This will be the first blog post that will have three of us! (Lori, Dev, and Bre).  We are excited to tell you what makes us HAPPY!   If you haven't already read the article posted above titled "Follow the path of Happiness" by Bishop Gerald Causse I recommend it.  We have each taken one of the four principles of happiness and shared an experience regarding this principle.  Enjoy.

1. Become who you are (Dev):

In this section he speaks of a woman who had received a letter from herself when she was seven.  The letter described the things she wanted to do and become.  She realized she wasn't who she had always wanted to be now at the age of 40.  I thought since I am only 21 and still have a lot of becoming to do I could write one to my future self as well... here it goes.

Dear me,

I hope you always keep the gospel in your life and live its teachings.  I hope you always stand up for what is right and raise your future children to be good people who want to serve others.  Always remember how much you are loved by your Heavenly Father and your duty to share that love.  In everything you do be a light to others.  Be true to your covenants and to your husband.  If you ever find yourself unhappy change.  Always forgive and never be too stubborn to apologize.  Learn everything you can!  Read...a lot.  Never switch to those electronic books its not the same.  Don't be afraid of what the future holds cause I bet it has already turned out pretty good.

Love,
Me

I challenge you with Bishop Causse to write one of these letters as well and plan for all the things that you want in order to be happy!

2. Trust in God's Promises (Lori)

I really like the scripture that he references in his talk under “Trust in God’s Promises”.

D&C 101 Verse 16 reads: 

Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God.

We have to be willing to accept the Heavenly Father’s will for us and know that everything he does is for our good. In his talk Bishop states, “the greatest thing we can desire in life is to align our will with God’s will --  to accept his agenda for our lives.”  We need to put our trust in God and the rest will fall into place.

3. Your future is as bright as your faith (Bre):

After reading this talk by Bishop Causse the section that stuck out to me the most was "Your Future is As Bright As Your Faith". I think this stuck out to me the most because I am a junior in high school and I pretty much have my whole future at my feet. I could go in any direction I want, but not all directions are the right one for me. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for me and he knows what direction I need to be going, so if I don't have faith in him how will I ever make it down the right path? With so many decisions coming my way about college and classes and an internship and a job there is no way I can make them all alone. I know that I need the direction and help of my Heavenly Father. 

I recently just got back from EFY, and if you ever have been to EFY you know that it can be a life changing experience and for me it was. While I was there I had to evaluate if I am on the right path in life and if not what things I should be changing to get there. I know that your faith comes from living the commandments of God and to do that you have to be living righteously. After going to EFY it became clear to me why I am here on this Earth and that I have a purpose and if I live faithfully I know that my future will be bright. 

The Symbolic Donut

 

I want to share a story that I have heard a few times but never seems to get old(sorry in advance for not knowing who the real author is but I do not take credit for this story as my own).  Every time I read it I find myself in tears and with a stronger understanding of sacrifice.  Enjoy and we would love to hear your comments and reactions to the story.  Happy Monday everyone!

Brother Christianson taught Seminary. He had an open-door policy and would take in any student that had been thrown out of another class as long as they would abide by his rules. Steve had been kicked out of his sixth period and no other teacher wanted him, so he went into Brother Christianson's Seminary class.
Steve was told that he could not be late, so he arrived just seconds before the bell rang and he would sit in the very back of the room. He would also be the first to leave after the class was over.
One day, Brother Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. After class, Bro. Christianson pulled Steve aside and said, "You think you're pretty tough, don't you?"
Steve's answer was, "Yeah, I do."
Then Brother Christianson asked, "How many push-ups can you do?"
Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."
"200? That's pretty good, Steve," Brother Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?"
Steve replied, "I don't know... I've never done 300 at a time."
"Do you think you could?" Again asked Brother Christianson.
"Well, I can try," said Steve.
"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I need you to do 300 in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," Brother Christianson said. Steve said, "Well... I think I can... yeah, I can do it."
Brother Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday."
Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room.
When class started, Brother Christianson pulled out a big box of donuts. Now these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited-it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend.
Bro. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want a donut?"
Cynthia said, "Yes."
Bro. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?"
Steve said, "Sure," and jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Bro. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk..
Bro. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe do you want a donut?"
Joe said, "Yes." Bro. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?" Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut.
And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten pushups for every person before they got their donut. And down the second aisle, till Bro. Christianson came to Scott.
Scott was captain of the football team and center of the basketball team. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship. When Bro. Christianson asked, "Scott, do you want a donut?"
Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own pushups?"
Bro. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them."
Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."
Bro. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten pushups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?"
Steve started to do ten pushups. Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!"
Bro. Christianson said, "Look, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk.
Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow. Bro. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry.
Bro. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?"
Jenny said, "No."
Then Bro. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten pushups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?" Steve did ten, Jenny got a donut.
By now, the students were beginning to say "No" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks. Steve was also having to really put forth a lot of effort to get these pushups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.
Bro. Christianson asked Robert to watch Steve to make sure he did ten pushups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. So Robert began to watch Steve closely. Bro. Christianson started down the fourth row.
During his class, however, some students had wandered in and sat along the heaters along the sides of the room. When Bro. Christianson realized this; he did a quick count and saw 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.
Bro. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.
Steve asked Bro. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"
Bro. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your pushups. You can do them any way that you want." And Bro. Christianson went on.
A few moments later, Jason came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!"
Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come."
Bro. Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten pushups for him."
Steve said, "Yes, let him come in."
Bro. Christianson said, "Okay, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?"
"Yes."
"Steve, will you do ten pushups so that Jason can have a donut?" Steve did ten pushups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.
Bro. Christianson finished the fourth row, then started on those seated on the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each pushup in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. Sweat was dropping off of his face and, by this time, there was not a dry eye in the room.
The very last two girls in the room were cheerleaders and very popular. Bro. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a doughnut?
Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you."
Bro. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten pushups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?"
Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow pushups for Linda. Then Bro. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?"
Susan, with tears flowing down her face, asked, "Bro. Christianson, can I help him?"
Bro. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, he has to do it alone, Steve, would you do ten pushups so Susan can have a donut?"
As Steve very slowly finished his last pushup, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 pushups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.
Brother Christianson turned to the room and said, "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, pleaded to the Father, "Into thy hands I commend my spirit." With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, he collapsed on the cross and died. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten."

If you have any questions regarding the Atonement of Jesus Christ or what we believe please feel free to comment below! 

Not Your Average Mother

Here are the points of view from the mothers around me and in my family. Even though we live and celebrate the same day, it can still be so drastically different for all of us.  Enjoy every stage!

Perspective 1:
A mother has recently sent her son away on a mission for two whole years.  For four months she has not heard his voice or seen his face.  During this time he has had many ups and downs bringing her to her knees.  On Mother's Day though, she gets to hear from her son on the phone and even Skype him for an hour or two.  It is also birthday.  They both celebrate.

Perspective 2:
While meeting with the relief society last week concerns were brought forward for the women that would be attending church on Mother's Day.  If you are like me you have probably never thought about Mother's day being a really hard day for anyone.  Having not yet wanted to have children myself (only been married four months!), I did not understand the pain that those who have trouble conceiving go through.  We decided to hand the normal rose and chocolate right after church as to not make anyone uncomfortable.  For a few there would be only questions of longing and misunderstanding. 

Perspective 3:
Sitting in a rocking chair as she does everyday, she tells the stories that everyone around heard only a minute earlier but she can't remember.  Her daughter is devoted and tired for caring for her needs 24 hours a day, but she realizes that her mother had done the same for her as a little child.  Her back aches from walking up the stairs, her body collecting its years. It is a bitter sweet day in the house as a daughter and mother find their way through time.

Perspective 4:
The hospital room was filled with family only a few days ago.  He was perfect and the mother was doing great.  They named, measured, and took pictures.  Their daughter became a sister, though she did not quite understand that yet.  Long sleepless nights ahead but the sacrifice would never be too much for the young mother.

One day soon I hope to be a mother and understand all that Mother's Day has to offer good or bad, happy or sad.