Our New Ward-Maple Valley

So it's been about a month now that we have been in our new ward.  It's been a big adjustment for all of us.  Just to give you an idea of the changes here is some info we got at the ward splitting meeting.
College Ward and Spring Creek are now three wards.
Before the split College Ward had 667 members and Spring Creek had 481
College Ward had 226 in the Primary and Spring Creek had 117
Now with the split
College Ward has 319 total members, Spring Creek has 431, and Maple Valley has 395
Primary totals for College Ward 89, Spring Creek 109, and Maple Valley 145.

Not only are we in the new ward but we go to a different church building and are meeting time is 2:30.  This is really late for the kids.  We have at least one of the kids who completely fall asleep in Sacrament meeting and then they are not happy to be woke up to go to primary.
Devin is still working with the Deacon's Group and have 2 boys and a couple who are non-members.  This has been a hard adjustment for their group but they are working with it.
I was released from the Primary Presidency and now get to play the organ for Sacrament Meetings.  This is a fun job but very exposing.  I enjoy the challenge and the chance to learn how to play the organ.  Right now I'm working to develop my foot pedal playing and finding great sound combinations with the various stops.  The organ we have is electronic and can save your settings, which is really cool.  Every time I go practice at the church I learn something new.
I substituted in Primary the week before General Conference and it was nice not to be in the front but I do miss seeing the kids every week.  I was use to being the teacher and now I get to be taught in Sunday School and Relief Society so that has been a new experience.  The first week I felt like I was a slacker because I wasn't running all over the church getting materials from the library, checking on primary classes, and helping take kids potty.  I also really miss the relationships that I had while serving in the Presidency.  There is a special bond that you feel as you work together for a common goal, especially when your serving with the Lord.
Change is good and I can see the benefits of this smaller ward.  I am meeting people that have been in the ward for a while but they were hidden because of how large the ward was.

Favorites Party

So I've been excited to try and do some of the things that I learned at the Favorites Party.  Basically I went to this party knowing only thee people and went away feeling like sisters with everyone.  It was so great.  Here are a few I am going to do for sure or already have started!
Cleaning the Kitchen Sink at Angie's-  Our family did this tonight for FHE.  A local restaurant piles a kitchen sink full of ice cream, three toppings, two bananas, and whip cream.  If you eat it all you get a bumper sticker that says, "I cleaned the kitchen sink at Angie's"  I've seen those on cars around here and had no idea what it was talking about.  Our family did it together, and the kids thought it was so great.  The kitchen sink is not really as big as a real kitchen sink but it is a miniature one.  It's a lot of ice cream.

"And They Were Not Ashamed"  A book about marriage that was highly recommended.  So I picked up a copy today and I'm excited to start reading.

Salt Lake City Connect Pass-  This sounds so fun and I think Devin and I will do this for an anniversary someday.  It's a pass you buy on-line and it gets you into 13 venues in SLC plus Dinner or Lunch at the Lion House.  Some of the venues are the Children Museum, This is the Place Monument, a movie at the Gateway, The Planetarium.

FHE Idea:  Learn about the Quorum of the 12 apostles before conference and have a treat for the kids when they can identify each of the apostles' picture by name.

Going to Yellowstone in the fall-Less crowds, great hotel deals and active wildlife.

Homemade Kitchen Floor Solution:  Fill your sink with 2-3 inches of water, then pour in 1 cup of rubbing alcohol, followed by one drop of liquid dish soap.  No residue and it dries fast!

Web Protection for you and your children:  I haven't done this but am planning on checking out both of these sites and seeing what is better for our family:  k9webprotection.com  and onlinefamily.norton  Both are a free online security where you can manage where your children go online and protect from pornography.

Bottling Chicken:  Pressure cooking chicken when it goes on sale.  Great food storage item and makes it so easy to put in your favorite recipe all cooked and ready to go.

www.vrbo.com:  This is a site you can rent vacation homes and condos for a great price.

7 days of Valentines for your children and hubby:  Give little tokens of love for the whole week of valentines for your kids and husband to find at random throughout their day

New Recipe: CREAMY WHITE CHILI

 

 

1 POUND BONELESS SKINLESS CHICKEN BREASTS, CUT INTO 1/2-CUBES

1 MEDIUM ONION, CHOPPED

1-1/2 TEASPOON GARLIC POWDER

1 TABLESPOON VEGETABLE OIL

2 CANS (15 1/2 OUNCES EACH) GREAT NORTHERN BEANS, RINSED AND DRAINED

1 CAN (14-1/2 OUNCES) CHICKEN BROTH

2 CANS (4 OUNCES EACH) CHOPPED GREEN CHILIES

1 TEASPOON SALT

1 TEASPOON GROUND CUMIN

1 TEASPOON DRIED OREGANO

1/2 TEASPOON PEPPER

1/4 TEASPOON CAYENNE PEPPER  ( I OMITTED THIS)

1 CUP SOUR CREAM  ( I USED LIGHT)

1/2 CUP HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM  (I USED HALF AND HALF)

 

1)  IN A LARGE SAUCEPAN, SAUTE CHICKEN, ONION, AND GARLIC POWDER IN OIL UNTIL CHICKEN IS NO LONGER PINK.  ADD THE BEANS, BROTH, CHILIES AND SEASONINGS.  BRING TO A BOIL.

 

2)  REDUCE HEAT;  SIMMER, UNCOVERED, FOR 30 MINUTES.  REMOVE FROM THE HEAT; STIR IN SOUR CREAM AND CREAM.  SERVE IMMEDIATELY.  ENJOY!!!!

 

WHEN I USE MY BOTTLED CHICKEN I SAUTE THE ONION BY ITSELF ADDING THE GARLIC POWDER.  I ADD THE CHICKEN WHEN I ADD ALL THE OTHER INGREDIENTS.  I ALSO USED LESS GREEN CHILIES THEN THE RECIPE CALLED FOR, IT JUST DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU THINK YOUR FAMILY WILL LIKE.