Talents and Gifts

It was my privilege to teach the Relief Society lesson this past Sunday on "Our Heavenly Family." What a wonderful reminder of the Divine Nature that each of us possesses. I was touched as class members shared their responses to my question, "What talents were you blessed with that you have used to bless the lives of others, and what talents have others used to bless your life."

Of course, we know that charity is the pure love of Christ, and that charity is based in service; service rendered in terms of actual deeds performed as well as in a generosity of spirit as we pray for, nurture, and set good examples for one another. I am so thankful for the many in my life (both male and female, although I focused this week on the women) who are such great examples to me. Those would include women in my family (my Mother was the most amazing woman, and I have sisters who are awesome, along with cousins, and dear, dear friends!) Sometimes, women we know only by reputation or from a distance provide for us tremendous examples of faith and perseverence, from the women in the scriptures to women who serve in public office or write inspirational books for our edification. These women--not those behind the glamorous faces on the Hollywood magazines--are the role models worthy of emulation. It is these women who remind me of the blessing it is to be "A Mother in Zion."

I carried on my "Aloha-tradition" and shared cookies during my lesson. I've been asked for the recipes, so I will share them here. NOTE: I must give credit to One far greater than I for creating the roses and tulips, but my kids brought them for my birthday and they were too beautiful not to add as props. :)

Pineapple Cookies with Pineapple Glaze
(Recipe makes about 3 dozen, depending of course on how large you make them.)

1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple
1/2 cup Crisco or butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Drain pineapple, reserving 3 tablespoons juice for frosting. In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar. Add egg; mix well. Add drained pineapple and vanilla; mix well. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; stir into the creamed mixture. Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 325° for 17-20 minutes or until golden. Immediately remove from baking sheets to cool on wire racks.

Frosting:
In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar with enough of the reserved pineapple juice to achieve a smooth spreading consistency. If you ice while the cookies are warm, it will form a glaze, or you can wait until the cookies have cooled for more of a frosting.

Carrot Cookies
¾ cup shortening (I used ½ cup butter and ¼ cup Crisco)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 cup cooked carrots, mashed
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup nuts (I omitted the nuts inasmuch as some cannot have them)

Cream shortening (and/or butter) and sugar. Add egg and carrots. Sift dry ingredients together and then add to creamed mixture. Add vanilla, and nuts, if desired. Drop by spoonful onto cookies sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes (until “set) at 350 degrees.

Icing
1 cup powered sugar
3 tablespoons Orange Juice
Rind of 1 orange, finely grated

Ice cookies while warm
Makes about 3 dozen, depending of course upon how large you make them. ENJOY!

Along with loving to teach the Relief Society lessons and interact with these amazing women, I love the Visiting Teaching program and the opportunity to meet new sisters. I'm always torn because I love to continue visiting the women who have been on my route, but I also know from experience what fun it will be to become better acquainted with someone new. With the new year, I was given a new friend to visit with, as well as a new friend on our list (a young mother I've desired to get to know better).

When I was in WY in December, my sister Jan (who was recently called as the Education Counselor in R.S.) taught her first lesson. It was amazing! And she made some wonderful handouts (based on President Monson's "Warm-Fuzzy" Conference talk) that she found on visitingteaching.net. That was my first introduction to this great site; another example of someone willing to provide a service that greatly blesses others. I found a wonderful 2010 calendar on this site, as well as the cutest cards designed to provide contact information to those new to one's route. I printed them out, laminated them, and added magnets to the contact cards for easy posting. Everyone loved the calendars and the cards!

Inasmuch as the theme for January was Self-Reliance, it provided a wonderful opportunity to share a few things that will go perfectly into a "72-hour emergency kit." I had already picked up some fun microplush throws in a bright turquoise, and when our Ward's featured items were waterproof matches, flashlights (or lighting sources), and candles, I was able to find the cutest "smiley-faced" LED lights for $1!