Saving money by altering my daughter's dance uniforms

When I found out that my daughter's school was going to offer free dance lessons I was so excited! The dance uniforms required are two piece black shorts and top that cost about $16 each piece if I got them through the on site vender. I did a little research and from Walmart was able to get a black leotard for $7 and black leggings for $5. I simply cut off the bottom of the leotard and then hemmed it. Next I altered the sleeves to make them the required cap sleeves instead of a little longer short sleeves. Finally, I cut off the leggings to the correct length and simply hemmed them up. I saved about $20 and it only took me about a half an hour of my time to alter them. Plus it was a fun sewing project:)

We are the generation to protect the Constitution

Elder Dallin H. Oaks gave a devotional on October 13, 2009. He gave us great counsel on how each of us can help to protect our freedom. He gave us suggestions of specific things we must do to protect our freedom:
-Speak with love and show patience, understanding and compassion to those with differing viewpoints.

-Do not be deterred or coerced into silence by intimidation from opponents, insisting that churches and their members be able to speak out on issues without retaliation.

-Insist on the freedom to preach the doctrines of their faith.

-Be wise in political participation, remaining respectful of those who do not share their religious beliefs and contributing to reasonable discussion.

-Be careful to never support or act on the idea that a person must subscribe to a specific set of religious beliefs in order to qualify for public office. For highlights of the talk click here.

I finished the "Miracle of Forgiveness"

I am so happy to have completed my goal to read the "Miracle of Forgiveness" by Spencer W. Kimball. I first started it as a teenager when my seminary teacher Dad suggested it would be a good book to read. I had good intentions :) but never finished it completely--and always felt badly that I hadn't whenever I heard someone mention how good that book is. This year I have been reading it for my scripture study time on Thursdays and it has taken a while to complete but was so worth it. What a great book.

Here is one of my favorite quotes from p. 362 in the last chapter:

There is a glorious miracle awaiting every soul who is
prepared to change. Repentance and forgiveness make a brilliant day of
the darkest night. When souls are reborn, when lives are changed--then
comes the great miracle to beautify and warm and lift. . . And such great miracles will never cease so long as there is one person who applies the redeeming power of the Savior and his own good works to bring about his rebirth.

I am so thankful that I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that he came to earth to live as the Great Example to guide the way for all of us to follow and to also suffer for our sins, die and then be resurrected. Because he did those things, we can all find peace and direction in our lives and have the option to change and repent and become better people. We will live again after we die. I know that when he suffered for my sins he also experienced my personal sorrows and challenges and all other emotions and experiences I deal with so that he can always know perfectly how I feel and how to help me. I know he loves me and is always there for me. I love him and am so thankful for him.

See also: Richard G. Scott "To be Free of Heavy Burdens"

and "Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball" chapter 4

"Matt and Mandy" helps me teach.

My daughter LOVES to read the "Matt and Mandy" section of the Friend magazine each month. She also loves to watch "Matt and Mandy" episodes online (click on the link above). One day, when she was facing a problem with some friends from school and trying to decide what she should do about it, we decided to create our own "Matt and Mandy" comic page about a similar situation and figure out what she thought Mandy would choose to do. It really helped her in thinking through how she should solve the problem (and helped me refrain from telling her how to solve it so she could learn to do it herself). I am really thankful for the Friend magazine!