Deseret Book - Family Weekend

I Will Trust in Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ

2006 Primary Theme Resource Book
This terrific resource book is filled with instructive ideas to help leaders, teachers, and parents support and reinforce the outline provided by the general board of the Primary. Each chapter supports one of the twelve monthly themes for the year with fun learning activities such as concentration games, word searches, hidden pictures, dot-to-dots, and flannel board stories. An easy-to-use CD-ROM is included with the book so that teachers and parents can print out artwork from their own computers.

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Fighting the High Cost of Energy

Recent catastrophies have taught us that there is a direct and sometimes dramatic connection between Mother Nature and our energy bills. Consequently, being prepared is about not only proper food and water storage, but knowing how to best handle unexpected bill hikes.

There are always ways to save money on your energy bills.

When Hurricane Katrina and her younger sister, Rita, slammed into the Gulf Coast in late summer, they delivered a hard one-two punch. Energy prices prior to their arrival were already high, but the blow delivered by these two hurricanes has nearly knocked us to our knees. Nonetheless, with careful planning and creativity, we can weather the surge in energy costs.

The Big Three
According to Utah Power and Light, the appliances doing the most damage to your energy bill are the air conditioner, furnace, and refrigerator. Fifty-one percent of your energy bill goes to just these three appliances. Here are ways to lessen these expenses.

• Buy a programmable thermostat. Set the thermostat for your family’s needs. Have it automatically adjust up and down to accommodate bedtimes, mornings, and time away from home.

• Change the furnace filter every two months and make sure the cold air return is free from obstruction.

• Check the furnace belts for wear and tear and replace them when needed.

• If your home has older windows consider replacing them to eliminate heat and cool air from escaping through your windows. Caulk the windows as needed.

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by Lyle and Tracy Shamo - LDS Living Magazine Jan/Feb Issue

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Short & Simple
News, Musings, and Other Interesting Tidbits

"Penny-Pinching 101"

Starting a family means learning to sacrifice and prioritize. It doesn’t, however, mean you have to survive in poverty. Here are some of the do’s and don’ts of living better on a small budget.

Do develop a plan. Decide what’s most important and create your budget from there.
Don’t go out as often. Instead, invite friends over and ask each guest to bring something to eat.
Do keep the change. At the end of the week, all of those nickels and dimes can add up pretty quickly.
Don’t forget your tithing or decide you just can’t afford to pay it. Of all the aids to financial security you could hope to receive, nothing will help you more than faithfulness in this area.

For more great facts and tidbits, check out the Short and Simple section of the January / February issue of LDS Living Magazine

Try This!

I Love You More

It's time for bed, and a beloved daughter plays a favorite game with her father about how much love one person can have for another. As each tries to top the other's declarations of love, they both learn that love has no beginning and no end--it cannot be measured . . . or can it? This playful picture book features sixteen beautiful, full-color, emotion-filled illustrations. I Love You More is truly a breathtaking book that parents will want to read with their children again and again.

Daily Thought

Nothing is more simple than prayer. . . . If we have faith that our Heavenly Father lives and that we can commune with Him in a very direct way, then prayer becomes one of the most beautiful, lovely, simple acts that we can do.

—Glen L. Rudd