Thankgiving Week

This week I hope each of us focus on all we have to be grateful for.  We are so abundantly blessed and we need to remember that.  With all of the tragic news reports of terrorism, bigotry, wars and attack on the family, there is still so much we have to be thankful for.  Switch off the TV and open your scriptures, where we can learn so much and focus on hope.  I think there is no better time to share my favorite scripture than now:

Take time to study your favorite passages in the Book of Mormon this week, and be thankful that we have them.  We can also be grateful to have a living prophet here on earth at such a time of unsettling circumstances.  I always am grateful that I never hear a message from any Conference that invokes fear.  All of the messages delivered are positive and up lifting.   Not to say that we receive warnings, but with every warning there is good news by being obedient.

This week we were greeted by a wonderful surprise.  Jared had gone to Arizona last summer and purchased some heifers to rope and breed for a business venture.  On Wednesday, when he was going to feed, he saw a pile of something in the corral.  As he neared, he realized that it was an animal.  Fear touched his heart, as he thought one of his dogs had been trampled by the cows.  Much to his surprise, he found this calf laying there, moments after it's birth.  Soon we were over there, to see this precious creature sent from heaven, wobble and try to stand.  He was knocked over a few times by his Mother, as her interest had turned to eating, after her labored afternoon.  The miracle of life is so amazing!  Each day as we will watch this baby grow, we are reminded that God is near and he blesses us just with the breath of life.  Let us not take life for granted.  We know we are not here forever, so we must live our lives as Our Savior, Our Exampler did, in the service of our fellow man.  Thank you so much for your generous contributions over the past few weeks.  They are much appreciated.  I would like to share a message I received this past week:

Thanks to all the women who have helped Jennifer and her 9 children.
One woman had 10 folding chairs and that is perfect so they could all sit down together for meals,

So many donated; kitchen items, a recliner, even food, laundry soap, paper towels. I can't itemize everything, but I just want to let you all know that Jennifer is grateful and said to say Thank You!

Right now she's trying to figure out how to have a job and shuffle children to schools and one son to a job. She a very determined woman and I know she'll make it work.

Thanks again to all the Relief Society women who have responded.

Sincerely,
Pat Trujillo

Remember, we are always being watched.  Let us not get caught up in the chaos of the world, as the holiday approach.  Take time for the smallest of moments.  Laugh with children, forgive your enemy, and be quick to help others.  It is my blessing to still be in this Ward and serve as Relief Society President.  Know I truly do love each of you and pray for you daily.

Much love, Connee

White Chicken Tortilla Soup

This post is a repost from Hungry Hinton's Blog 

4-5 chicken breasts (Since I was in a hurry, I used the chicken we canned because it was already cooked. :) )
2 tbsp butter
5 green onions- just the white parts finely diced
3 tsp cumin
Salt and pepper
8 cups water.
8 tsp chicken base.
3-4 cans white beans ( I did great northern)
One bag of frozen corn
1/2 jar mild-medium salsa blended up
2 cans diced chilies (4 oz cans)
1 cup whipping cream
6 corn tortillas cut into 1 inch squares. The more tortillas you add the thicker the soup. So you can for sure add more if you'd like.

Emily does everything in the giant stock pot. It keeps the chicken more moist.
Brown the chicken in the butter and add the onions. Cook til soft. Add cumin, salt and pepper. Mix and cook a bit more to get seasonings to coat chicken. Add everything else while heating it through on med heat. Bring to a boil and let stand for a bit before serving.

Emily brought cheese, sour cream and chips to serve with it. I didn't need any of that. It was delicious without. My kids loved the cheese and chips with it...of course. :)

This makes a lot. At least 2 meals for my family of 6 and will be good for Brielle's lunch for 2 or 3 days as well. Yay! I love leftovers that double for school lunch as well!

I'm Back!!!

I feel like I have been gone forever!! I had a wonderful visit with my Darcy. Of course, it was hard to leave my baby girl behind. I was so grateful to find her in wonderful surroundings. A couple blocks from the Hyde Park Chapel and in a safe area of London. I cannot express my gratitude for the Gospel around the world. My baby girl really was struggling here, and needless to say, I was so very concerned. When she suggested to me that she wanted to go to London, immediately I said yes. I didn't even know where that came from. I have kept her safe under my wing and now I was going to let her travel to another country to live!!! Well, that yes has proved to have been one of the best moves ever. We had to hurry our day activities along so she could attend institute. Who was this girl? Not only one night, but two!! Not to mention FHE, grateful, yes...but more like blessed. I have to come to understand that I don't care where my children live, as long as they are happy and growing in the gospel. Thanks to Kathy McConkie for being my strong example. I can do it too!!!

Although I wasn't here, that doesn't mean I wasn't thinking and praying for each of you. I wanted to share my special relationship with my dear friend Shirley Johnson. I was assigned years ago to be Shirley's visiting teacher. Each month I would sit and visit with this sweet Sister. I learned of her firm testimony and love for her Savior. She was raising her two Grandchildren, Avery and Adrianne. She did all she could to ensure these sweet grandchildren had every opportunity available. She supported their attendance to the Youth Activities, and when I was put in as Young Women's President she supported me whole heartedly. Foster and Shirley have always been willing to do whatever was needed from them to help and support our Ward. When my Father passed away, they were there for me. Foster led the military rites and collected the shells from the ground and gave them to my family. I still have mine tucked away and often look at, I cannot look though, without Foster and Shirley being in my thoughts. The past few years have really been a struggle for Shirley, as her health has declined. Whe lost her Son this past summer, which took a significant blow on her. When I went to see her after her surgery, she had just been admitted in ICU. I boldly went in, like I belonged there. I went in her room expecting to see her awake and recovering. I stepped in the room, and much to my surprise, I saw a frail old woman ready to meet her Father in Heaven. I gently put my hand over hers and told her goodbye and that I loved her. I knew Shirley had made her decision to join her Son and many more and was preparing her departure. Right before I boarded the plane, I got a call that Shirley had passed. I felt torn on leaving, because she was so special to me I find comfort in knowing that I will see my sweet friend again and tell her how much I love her.

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