Marriage

Taught by Terry S.

 Elder James E. Faust said that one of the less obvious reasons for divorce is;

"The lack of a constant enrichment in marriage,...an absence of that something extra which makes it precious, special, and wonderful, when it is also drudgery, difficult, and dull." 

He counseled: 

"In the enriching of marriage the big things are the little things.  It is a constant appreciation for each other and a thoughtful demonstration of gratitude.  It is encouraging and the helping of each other to grow.  Marriage is a joint quest for the good, the beautiful and the divine."

In the story Alice in Wonderland, Alice approaches the Cheshire Cat and asks,  "Would you please tell me which way I ought to go from here?" The Cheshire Cat replies, "That depends on where you want to go."  Alice says, "I admit, I don't care much where."  The Cheshire Cat then says, "That it doesn't really matter much which way you go, does it?"  "Just so I get somewhere," responds Alice.  Then the Cheshire Cat reveals an interesting truth, "Oh you're sure to get there if you keep walking long enough."  What is the message?  "Somewhere" is not good enough.  We must know where we want to go and be firmly committed to getting there.

None of us is without sin.  Everyone of us makes mistakes.  We have all been wounded.  We have all wounded others. Happiness does not spring from perfection but from applying divine principles, even in small steps.  When we live the laws pertaining to celestial marriage, we are practicing the same laws that are practiced in heaven.  We are practicing how to live with God the Father and his Son and with our families in the eternities to come.  The time to practice is now.  That is what this life is for.

TWENTY WAYS TO MAKE A GOOD MARRIAGE GREAT

1.  Night and morning prayer.
2.  A weekly planning meeting.
3.  A daily phone call or personal conversation.
4.  a weekly date.
5.  Patience regardless- of missed meals, tardiness, forgotten favors, a thoughtless remark.
6.  Daily service.
7.  A budget.
8.  Listening- not only to what is said, but also what is meant.
9.  Regular attendance- at church and the temple.
10.  Daily scripture reading.
11.  Working together - caring for a garden, painting a bedroom, team teaching a class.
12.  Forgiving each other.
13.  Courtesies- like saying please and thank you, not interrupting or belittling, not doing all the talking.
14.  Soft and kind words.
15.  Learning together by-  reading to each other, discussing ideas.
16.  Respecting-  opinions, ideas, privacy.
17.  Supporting your spouse's-  church callings and righteous goals.
18.  Caring for your spouse's family.
19.  Occasional gifts-  such as a note, a needed item, but mostly gifts of time and self.
20.  Loving with all your heart- (D&C 42:22)

Stake Women's Conference / Recipes

"Strength isn't just something you have--

it's something you find,  

and we can find strength in each other.."

We hope many of you were able to attend Women's conference

and not only were filled with good food,

but greatly filled in Spirit! 

Baked French Toast

click here ~PRINTABLE RECIPE

1 loaf Crusty French Bread

8 Whole Eggs

2 C. Whole Milk

1/2 C. Heavy Cream

1/2 C. Sugar

1/2 C. Brown Sugar

2 Tbsp. Vanilla Extract

TOPPING

1/2 C. Flour

1/2 C. Brown Sugar

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1/4 tsp. Salt

1 Stick cold Butter, Cut into pieces

For the French Toast: 
Grease the baking pan with butter.  
Tear the bread into chunks, and evenly distribute in the pan.  
Crack the eggs in a bowl and whisk together with the milk, cream, greanulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla.  
Pour evenly over the bread.  
Cover the pan tightly and store in fridge overnight.

For the Topping:  
Mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a bowl using a fork.  
Add the butter and with a pastry cutter, mix it all together until the mixture resembles fine pebbles.  Store in a plastic bag in the fridge.

When you're ready to bake the casserole, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 
Remove the casserole from the fridge and spinkle the topping over the top.  
Bake for 45-50 minutes until set and browned on the top.

Serves 8

ALMOND CRUNCH GRANOLA
click here ~ PRINTABLE RECIPE

1 cup  Slivered Almonds, toasted
1 cup  Flaked Coconut
1/2 cups  Honey
2 1/2 cups  Rolled Oats
3/4 tsp  Cinnamon

Combine toasted almonds with oats, coconut and cinnamon.  Blend honey with oil and drizzle over almond`oat mixture, tossing to mix well.  Bake in oven at 350 degrees, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Remove from oven; loosen with spatula; cool.

BREAKFAST SAUSAGE AND GRAPE SKEWERS WITH BALSAMIC GLAZE
click here ~ PRINTABLE RECIPE

6-8" wooden skewers
1 1/2 cups halved red grapes
1 Tbs olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 links Tarantino breakfast sausage, cut into thirds
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 sprigs of thyme
1 tsp honey

Prepare a medium gas grill fire.  Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 15 minutes

In a medium bowl, toss grapes with oil and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Thread the grapes and sausages alternately onto the skewers, stirring and ending with a grape half.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan combine vinegar, thyme and honey.  Bring to boil over medium high heat and cook until reduced by half, about 5 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Grill the skewers, brushing all over with the balsamic glaze, until browned, about 4 minutes total.

Makes 6 skewers

Know Your Neighbor / Madsen's

The Madsen Family

Jamie and Cameron Madsen recently moved into our ward.  They bought the Wilde’s house on Willow Valley Drive.  They moved to Centerville from Bountiful.

Jamie grew up in Orem, Utah as the fifth of six children.  Most of her family has since moved to Davis County and they all love it here.  Jamie graduated from Mountain View High School where she was a runner.  She earned a scholarship to Weber State University in running.  Running is still a passion for Jamie and she tries to do it every day.  Jamie is having lots of fun remodeling and decorating their new home.  Jamie especially enjoys being a stay-at-home mom and spending time with their daughters.

Cameron grew up in St. George, Utah as the oldest of four children.  He graduated from Pine View High School where he played on the football team.  He moved from St. George to Salt Lake to attend the University of Utah.  After he graduated from the “U” he stayed in Salt Lake.  He now works for Harrison Imports in Bountiful as their Finance Manager.  Cameron is an avid hunter and enjoys hunting with several members of his extended family.  He also enjoys sports and is a big Utah Jazz fan.

Jamie and Cameron met on a blind date which was arranged by Cameron’s best friend.  They hit it off and, as the saying goes, “The Rest is History.”  They have two daughters, Gabriella and Amelia.

Gabriella, who goes by Gabby, is six years old and in the first grade at Stewart Elementary.  Gabby loves to sing, dance, and read.  She is excited to have her own yard and tree house to play in and a farm as a neighbor.  Gabby is proud to be the only person who can make her baby sister, Amelia, laugh on demand.

Amelia is seven months old and has recently learned how to chuckle.  She seems to enjoy watching the family make fools of themselves trying to get her to do it.

As a family they like going to the park, having picnics, hiking, fishing and just spending time together.

Welcome to the Willow Wood Ward Madsen family!  We are so happy to have you in the neighborhood!