FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

In 2008 President Monson gave a talk titled "Finding Joy in the Journey". I find the concept of joy intriguing. Do we recognize joy in our lives? Nephi 2:25 says "...men are, that they might have joy." As I interpret this, it means that our purpose in this life is to find joy.

Joy may come to us at different times and be triggered by different events. Can anyone who has given birth forget the joy of holding their newborn baby? Certainly family is at the top of our list of receiving joy. I'm sure the Gospel truths are on that list, as well as service in the Temple.. Other joys may include music reading, physical activity, nature, friends, developing skills and talents, etc.

It is important to recognize what brings you joy and nourish those moments. When we are not joyful, we can go to our Heavenly Father as we read in Doctrine and Covenants 136:29. "If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful." He has given us the gift of joy. I pray we will contemplate our lives and find joy therein. May God bess you all. Carol

SOUP of the Month

Tortellini Soup (4 servings)
3 cups vegetble broth
3 cups water
1 package (9 ozs) Cheese-filled Spinach Tortellini
3 large carrots, peeled and penny sliced
3 stalks celery, sliced
1/2 tsp dired Italian seasoning
3/4 lb ripe plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 bag (6 oz) baby spinach
Grated Parmesan Cheese

Bring broth, water and seasoning to boil. Add tortellini and simmer for 3 minutes. Add carrots and clery and simmer for 4 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and spinach and simmer for 2 minutes. Ladle into bowls and serve with Parmesan Cheese. (215 calories 4g. fat)

2009 HUMANITARIAN REPORT

Sacred Heart recieved 70 baby quilts, 215 preemie hats, 82 preemie blankets. We made 25 clothing protectors for Sunshine Gardens' 5 quilts for Mountain of Quilts' 5 baby afgans and 5 baby blankets to Partners and 24 filled Christmas stockings to the Valley missionaries. Much thanks to all those who contributed materials and worked on the copletio of these projects.

The QUILT GROUP will be doing some different things this year. WE want to focus on finishing individual projects that we haven't gotten to for months. We will do a a quilt block each month which will give us a quilt top at the end of the year. We will continue to make some baby quilts for Sacred Heart and participate in a community project called 1,000,000 Pillowcases. All are welcome to join us on Friday mornings for fun and service.

The QUILT GROUP will be meeting at the Argonne library o the 19th of February from 10 to 4. WE need to bring our lunch and an individual project to work on.

VISITING TEACHING MESSAGE

Managing Resources Wisely and Staying Out of Debt
Ensign February 2010

Managing Resources
"Provident Living".....implies the conserving of our resources, the wise planning of financial matters, full provision for personal health, and adequate preparation for education and career development, giving appropriate attention to home production and storage as well as the development of emontional resiliency... If we live wisely and providently, we will be as safe as in the palm of His hand." 1

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985).
"What skills do we need to help us become self-reliant?... In the early dats of the Church, Brigham Young pled with the sisters to learn to prevent illness in families, establish home industries, and learn accounting and bookkeping and other practical skills. These principles still apply today. Education continues to be vitally important..

"I asked severl bishops what self-reliance skills the sisters in their wards needed most, and they said budgeting. Women need to understand the implications of buying on credit and not living within a budget. The second skill bishops listed was cooking. Meals prepared and eaten at home generally cost lee, are healthier, and contribute to stronger family relationships."2

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.

AVOIDING DEBT
"May I suggest five key steps to financial freedom.....
"First, pay your tithing...
"Second, spend less than you earn.....
"Third, learn to save........
"Fourth, honor our financial obligations.......
"Fifth, teach our children to follow your example."3

Elder Joseph B. Wirthline (1917-2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve apostles.
"When we go into debt, we give away some of our precious, priceless agency and place ourselves in slef-imposed servitude. We obligate our time, energy, and means to repay what we have borrowed--resources that could have been used tohel ourselves, our families, and others.....

"To pay our debts now and to avoid future debt require us to exercise faith in the Savior--not just to do better but to be better. It takes great faith toutter those simple words. 'We can't afford it' It takes faith to trust that life will be better as we sacrifice our wants in order to meet our own and others' needs."4