Like a Lighthouse

A few weeks ago we had a women's retreat. Our theme was like a lighthouse. Chirst is our lighthouse and if we look to him and follow him we will never go astray. I thought I would put the words of this beautiful song here.
Like a Lighthouse (words and music by Michael Webb)

Feeling alone, feeling afraid,
Losing my hope, losing my way,
Tossed about like a ship on a stormy sea
Waiting for someone, to rescue me, and then I see Him.

Like a lighthouse standing bold against the gray,
Shining through the night to warn of dangers in our way.
Like a lighthouse, built on solid stone,
Shedding light on weary seamen, who have drifted far from home.

So many paths, so many roads,
So hard to know which way to go sometimes,
lost at seas with no compass to point the way
hoping that someone will save my day and show the way

Like a lighthouse standing bold against the gray,
Shining through the night to warn of dangers in our way.
Like a lighthouse, built on solid stone,
Shedding light on weary seamen, who have drifted far from home.

Blog for Jake Davis

Sisters, Ragnhild Davis has set up a new blog with updates about Jake. Please read it and leave her a comment showing this sweet family your love and support. Also, let's keep them in our prayers as he has a long road to recovery and the family needs all of our faith during this difficult time.


http://davisfamilyinmidway.blogspot.com/

Write Your Elected Officials!

Helen Hall gave a beautiful lesson on our Patriotic Responsibilities this past Sunday. She spoke of our responsibilities as mothers and women in helping to shape the future of our country for generations to come. Certainly it starts in the home by teaching our families about the current events in our State and our Nation. We need to educate ourselves and be aware of the goings on in our world.

During the course of her message, it was brought up that not long ago, a U.S. Congressman said that for every 1 person who writes their elected official, it represents approximately 100-150 people who feel the same way but do not write! It is our responsibility to let our elected officials know our views on issues that affect our State and our Country. Remember, they work for us...WE elected THEM to represent us.

We as Sisters in Zion have power in our voice. We are strong and we know the concerns we have for our children but where do we begin? It's simple...We have 3 elected U.S. Congressmen and 2 elected U.S. Senators in the state of Utah. Here in Midway we are in the 2nd Congressional District and our Congressman is Jim Matheson. If you click on his name, it will take you to his website and you can read about the issues he is currently dealing with. Then click on the "Contact Jim" tab at the top and you can fillout the form...easy peasy. Or you can Fax him on your own. (There will be a list of their info at the end of this post). Also, it is perfectly fine to include our 2 Senators, Bob Bennett and Orrin Hatch in any communication you send (click on their names as well for the same type of info)

Their websites share their views on the latest issues. Please take time to peruse each one. This will give you insights to what is happening, not only in our State, but in our Nation as well.

Here is all you have to write:

Honorable Jim Matheson,

I am very concerned about (blah blah blah). My feelings are (blah blah blah) and I ask you to vote (in favor/against) this issue.

Sincerely,
Your name

OR

If you aren't sure how you feel about an issue you can write something like this:

Honorable Jim Matheson,

I am concerned about the (blah blah blah) issue. If this is authorized in the U.S. Constitution, then I am in favor of it and ask you to vote in favor of it. If it is not authorized in the Constitution, then I ask you to vote against it.

Sincerely,
Your Name

You can keep it simple or you can expound. It counts either way. Also, this would be a great FHE activity. Even young children can write to their elected officials and sometimes they even have MORE power in their letters then adults do. Each time you write, you will get a letter back from the official. How cool is that??

Sisters, we are strong women who care about our families and the future we are leaving for them. We are encouraged to speak up and help our elected officials by sharing our desires. We have a voice...let's not hesitate to use it.

Fax Numbers:
Congressman Jim Matheson  (202) 225-5638
Senator Robert F. Bennett (202) 228-1168
Senator Orrin G. Hatch (202) 224-6331

Thanks Helen for your inspiring lesson!

Homemade Disinfectant/Baby Wipes

Last night we gathered at the ward kitchen to make homemade disinfectant wipes and baby wipes.

Here is a tutorial  for those of you who missed a great evening:

You just need a roll of sturdy Paper Towels your favorite Disinfectant Cleaner and some sort of Container (if you have an old storebought wipes container, PERFECT!) In the picture below, I used "Brawny", but I have found better towels that are industrial strength. They "Scott Xtreme Shop Towels". They are blue and found in the paint dept at Home Depot for about $1.98 per roll.

You simply cut your roll of paper towel in half...a serrated knife works best. Then mix 2 Cups of water with 2 Tablespoons of your disinfectant (more if you want) and pour over the half roll. It is best to really soak the center core as you will need to remove it. Turn it over and soak the other side. If you have extra liquid, that's a good thing. The towels will soak it all up!

Pull out the center...

Put in your container...also, you can use a Tupperware type container. You might have to "squish" it in, but it will still work.

That's it!

Baby Wipes:

2 Cups Water

2 Tbs Baby Shampoo

2Tbs. baby Oil

**Any sturdy paper towels will work. The blue industrial wipes only have 50 sheets, but they are SO much more durable so you ultimately use less. The roll is thinner than the regular Bounty/Brawny types which makes them fit into an old wipes container much easier...

Your total cost per container of wipes is approximately $1.05. I bought my Baby Shampoo and Baby Oil at the Dollar Store when I was in SLC so it works out to be the same or less than the Disinfectant Wipes by just pennies.

Homemade Laundry Soap Recipe

We had a wonderful time making Homemade Laundry Soap for PENNIES last month. Here are the recipes for both the LIQUID and POWDERED Laundry Soaps:

LIQUID LAUNDRY SOAP:

• 1/3 Bar of Fels Naptha Soap
• 1/2 Cup of 20 Mule Team Borax
• 1/2 Cup of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda

You will also need a 2 gallon bucket or larger and some sort of grater (a cheese grater or food processor is great)

Fels Naptha: This is an old fashioned soap found in the laundry aisle. It is in bar form
20 Mule Team Borax: Borax is a natural occuring mineral, Sodium Borate. It is also a white powder and its purpose is as a laundry whitener and a deodorizer.
Arm & Hammer Washing Soda: This is NOT baking soda. Washing Soda is "Sodium Carbonate" or "Soda Ash". Washing Soda is a white powder and its purpose is to remove dirt and odors.

**All of these ingredients can be found in the Laundry Aisle**

Grate the soap and put it into a pot. Add 6 Cups of Water and heat over med heat until soap melts, stirring often. It's best if you grate the soap very finely, it will melt faster. Then add the Borax and the Washing Soda. Remove from heat when it is all dissolved.

Pour 4 Cups of Water into your bucket. Now add your soap mixture and stir. Then add 1 gallon + 6 Cups of water (22 Cups total) and stir. Let the mixture sit for at least 24 hours.

**A few things to note about the soap**

This picture was taken after it has set for 24 hours and after it has been stirred..unstirred, it is more gelled on top...

The soap will not be a solid gel. It will be a gel on the surface. It has an "Egg Noodle Soup" look but once you give it a good stir, it becomes more watery...this is fine.

Also, it is a low sudsing soap. This is OK as suds are NOT what do the cleaning, it's the ingredients in the soap.

OPTIONS: If you want fragrance, you can add 1 oz. of your favorite essectial oil. The most popular are Lemon or orange. Lavender is nice as well.

You will only need between 1/3 - 1/2 Cup per load depending on the size of the load.

Cost Breakdown:

Keep in mind that you are making approximately 2 gallons of soap which will give you enough to do about 64 loads of laundry.

1 Bar Fels Naptha $1.59

1 Box of Borax $4.99

1 Box Washing Soda $3.19

When you break it all down proportionately,  the cost is between .77-.99 cents per gallon!

**Note, if you have a front loader washer, you may only need between 1/4 - 1/3 Cup per load, even MORE savings!

POWDERED RECIPE:

• 
  
  1 Bar Fels Naptha Soap, grated very finely (food processor works best)
• 
  
  1/2 Cup 20 Mule Team Borax
• 
  
  1/2 Cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda

Mix all ingredients together. You only need 1 TBS (yes, that's really true!!) per load. This makes approx. a 6 month supply. I doubled mine and am good for a year. You can buy extra bars of the Fels Naptha and keep it in your food supply along with the Borax and Washing Soda and you will be set for Laundry Soap for a LONG time!

Also, if you use 1/4 - 1/2 Cup of White Distilled Vinegar per load instead of expensive Fabric Softeners, you will have less static build up and it rinses your clothes amazingly well...you will not smell the vinegar when it's done...I promise!!

Beautiful Quotes

Sister Anna Heimburger gave a beautiful lesson on Elder L Tom Perry's talk titled "The Past Way of Facing the Future - The lessons of the past... prepare us to face the challenges of the future." If you haven't read this talk it is wonderful.
Here are some beautiful quotes that she used in her lesson
1.
Learn the past
Watch the present
Create the future
2. You can't change the past, but you can ruin the present by worrying about the future.
3.
The past is behind, learn from it.
The future is ahead, prepare for it.
The present it here, live it.
4.
The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.
5.
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain.
6.
Many folks want to serve God, But only as advisers
7.
If God is your Co-pilot, swap seats!
8.
The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.
9.
Don't let your worries get the best of you; Remember, Moses started out as a basket case.
10.
It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.
11.
Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on the front door forever.
12.
When you get to your wit's end, You'll find God lives there.
13.
Prayer: Don't give God instructions, just reports for duty!
14.
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
15.
Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.
16.
God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
17.
Don't put a question mark where God put a period.
18.
You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him.

Swiss Bread

Sisters, just a reminder that we will be making Swiss Bread this Saturday, April 10 at 8:00 AM over at the cannery. This is always a great time. Each loaf is $1.50...where can you get bread for $1.50 a loaf these days?? Please contact Chalise Provost or Shauna Kohler if you haven't signed up yet. See you there!