Monday, November 15, 2010

Presidency Message from October Newsletter

“....When a temple is conveniently nearby, small things may interrupt your plans to go to the temple. Set specific goals, considering your circumstances, of when you can and will participate in the temple ordinances. Then do not allow anything to interfere with that plan. This pattern will guarantee that those who live in the shadow of the temple will be as blessed as are those who plan far ahead and make a long trip to the temple..... When we live righteously and have received the ordinances of the temple, everything else is in the hands of the Lord. We can do the best we can, but the final outcome is up to Him. We should never complain, when we are living worthily, about what happens in our lives.”
taken from Temple Worship: The Source of Strength and Power in Times of Need by Elder Richard G. Scott

Monday, November 1, 2010

Fall Treat= Apple Crumble

Because today is November 1 and rainy and cloudy this morning, it feels especially like a Fall day. And what a wonderful way to celebrate fall than with a tasty treat. Kelly C. wanted to share this healthy dessert recipe that is a favorite for this time of the year. So without further ado, here it is.......ENJOY!!!


Healthy Apple Crumble:

1 c oats
1/2 c wheat flour
1/2 c flour
1 c brown sug
1 1/2 t ground cinn 
1/4 t salt 
1/4 c froz apple-juice concentrate,
2 T oil (maybe applesauce or 1/2 of each?)
6 c apples.
Heat oven to 350°. Put oats on baking sheet and bake until browned 15 to 18 min. Grease 2 Qt dish.Combine oats,wheat flour,flour, brown sugar,cinnamon,salt,apple-juice concentrate,oil in a bowl. Put apples in baking dish. Put mixture over apples bake 35 to 40 minutes.

Trunk-or-Treat

This past Wednesday night our ward had our annual Trunk-or-Treat. The weather was beautiful and comfortable making it an enjoyable and fun night for all of those in costume (and those not in costume..hehehe). The costumes ranged from ghouls and goblins to princesses and fairies, to our favorite Disney characters, video game characters and book characters. The trunks were well decorated and the tricks we had to do to get our treat were very creative. The evening was well spent with great people! What a wonderful way to start the celebration of the holiday season as a ward ohana (family)!



If you would like a copy of a picture you can email Nisi U.

NEGLECTED!

I am sooo sorry for not keeping this blog up-to-date! No excuses BUT I have been busy and hopefully you will all soon see why. I do have soooo much to share; from General Conference to Ward Camp to snippets from our October Newsletter to Trunk-or-Treat. So please bare with me because it is all coming, I PROMISE!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Spotlight



We would like to welcome Vicky T. and her cute little family to our L4 Ward Ohana. Vicky and her husband, Joshua, are from Kiribati. She and Joshua met briefly back home before coming to BYUH in Spring 2005, the reason they moved to Hawaii and more importantly L-town. They were even on the same plane coming to Hawaii (Was that a tender mercy?).
Some of Vicky’s favorites are the color green, vanilla ice cream, weekends and Monday nights, and getting to be with and doing things with her family. Her favorite things to do are baking, going to the beach, swimming, sewing (she is still learning but says it is fun), cooking, visiting family and friends, reading, and spending time with her family, Joshua and Maylynne (2 1/2yrs. old). 
Vicky’s ultimate favorite thing to do would be attending temple sessions once a week if possible. One thing that Vicky would like to accomplish/learn would be to be able to make wedding cakes. She says that she is still working on her skills and not even close to the first step. (Maybe she wants us to think that...) Vicky also loves Relief Society. 
We are so excited to have Vicky and her family in our ward and Vicky in our Relief Society!

First Presidency Message for September

First Presidency Message
“All of us feel, in our best moments, a desire to return home to live with God. He gave us the gift of His Beloved Son as our Savior to provide the path and to teach us how to follow it. He gave us prophets to point the way. The Prophet Joseph Smith was inspired to translate the record of prophets that is the Book of Mormon. It is our guide on the way home to God.
Joseph Smith said of that precious book,’I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.’
The precepts of the Book of Mormon are the commandments of God we find in it. Some are direct commandments from the Savior through HIs prophets as to what we are to do and what we are to become. The Book of Mormon gives us the Savior’s example to increase our faith and determination to obey HIs command to follow Him. The book is filled with the doctrine of Christ to guide us.
Each time I read even a few lines in the Book of Mormon, I feel my testimony strengthened that the book is true, that Jesus is the Christ, that we can follow Him home, and that we can take those we love home with us. It has been for me the book of books. It is the word of God.
I pray that we and all those we love will drink deeply and daily from it. I testify in the name of Jesus Christ that 
it is a true guide.
--President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, Sept. 2010 Ensign, pgs. 4-5

Have You had Your Facial Yet?

***Thanks to Nui I. and the wonderful activity last month!


Facials
 “There are mystically in our faces certain characters which carry in them the motto of our souls,
wherein he that cannot read A, B, C may read our natures.” 
- Sir Thomas Browne -



Facial Skin Products
Facial Washes- Dissolve grime, dirt & stale make up from skin’s surface.

Cleansing Bars- Cleanse skin without stripping it of moisture.  Great for oilier skin types to clear pores and prevent pimples and blackheads



Cream cleansers- Ideal for drier complexions, contain oils to dissolve surface dirt and make up can be quickly removed with cotton pad.



Toners and Astringents- Remove excess oil from surface layers of skin.  Astringents are ideal for oily skins because of higher alcohol content.  Toners are better for normal or combinations skins as they are gentler.



Moisturizers- Forms a barrier film on skin to prevent moisture loss.  The drier your skin, the thicker the moisturizer you should choose.  All skin types need a moisturizer.  Most valuable ingredient to find in a moisturizer is UV filter to protect from sun damage.





Facial Masks- Intensive treatments deep cleanse your skin or boost its moisture levels



Facial scrubs and Exfoliators- When massaged into damp skin, particles dislodge dead surface skin cells, revealing younger fresher cells underneath.



Eye creams- The delicate skin around your eyes is first to show signs of ageing.  Gels and creams contain ingredients to plump out fine lines and can reduce puffiness and under-eye shadow.



Night creams- Intensive creams designed to pamper your skin while you sleep.  These creams are thicker than normal moisturizers.

Facial Skin Types
Oily- Usually has open pores, oily surface, has tendency towards pimples, blackheads & sallow appearance.  This skin type is most prone to acne.  Oily skin will make your skin stay younger looking for longer.
Dry- Skin may feel tight & as if it’s a size too small.  It can feel tight & itchy after washing.  It can be flaky with little patches of dandruff in eyebrows.  Has a tendency to premature aging, fine lines & wrinkles. 
Combination-Usually T-Zone tends to be oily, with the other areas tending to be dry & flaky.  To test which areas are most oily, press a tissue to face an hour after washing.  Treat oily & dry zones separately.
Normal-Perfectly balanced skin type with healthy glow, fine texture and no open pores.  Very rare to find as skin usually becomes drier as you age.
Sensitive-Usually fine in texture, tendency to be rosier, easily irritated by products, prone to redness and allergies, may have fine broken veins across cheeks and nose.  Usually must be very careful of products used.  Hypo-allergenic products specially formulated to protect sensitive skin.
Facial Massage
Encourages a brighter complexion and can help to reduce puffiness.  
  • Dot skin with moisturizer and smooth in.  Starting in the center of forehead, make small circular motions with your fingertips and work slowly out towards the temples.  Repeat 3 times.
  • Use your fingers to apply gentle pressure to the area where the eye socket meets your nose.  Repeat 3 times.
    • Treat area around eyes very gently as it is the first area to show signs of aging…use ring finger to massage this area
  • Move your fingers outwards along the brow bone from the top of your nose. Repeat 5 times.
  • Starting on sides of your nose, move your fingers outwards using circular motions along the cheekbone to the jaw.  Repeat 5 times.



Facial Mask Recipes





***Remember to stay clear of eye area when applying facial masks***




Avocado Mask 
Mash the meat of ½ and avocado into a creamy texture, then add ¼ cup honey.  Spread generously onto face and neck.  Leave on for 15 minutes.  Gently rinse with warm water, then pat dry.
Coconut Milk and Pineapple Mask



Place 4 slices of fresh pineapple & 2 Tbsp. of coconut milk in food processor.  Mix them into a smooth paste.  Smooth gently and equally onto face and neck.  Leave on for 10-15 minutes.  Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
Papaya Mask

Peel and omit seeds of ripe papaya.  Blend to a very smooth paste.  Apply liberally to face and neck.  Leave on for 15-20 minutes.  Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Lemon and Egg White Mask 



Squeeze ½ a lemon and mix the juice with one beaten egg white.  Leave on your face overnight or just 15 minutes for a quick pick-me up.  Rinse face with warm water, then pat dry.

Banana Wrinkle Fighter
Mash 1/4 banana until very creamy.  Stir in 1Tbsp. of milk for added nutrients and moisturizing.  Spread on to face and neck.  Leave on for 15-20 minutes.  Rinse with warm water.  Gently pat dry.

Honey Mask



Place a cloth in warm water and apply to your face to open pores.  Smear on honey.  Leave on for 15-30 minutes.  Rinse with warm water, pat dry.

Yogurt and Honey Mask



Mix 1 Tbsp. natural yogurt at room temperature with 1 tsp. runny honey.  Apply to neck and face.  Leave on for 15 minutes.  Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
*For dry skin add an extra tsp. of honey
*For oily skin add a few drops of fresh lime juice

Moisturizing and soothing Mask



Mix 2 egg whites with 2 Tbsp. natural yogurt.  Apply to face.  Leave on face for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, and pat dry.

Oatmeal Exfoliating Mask 
Mix 2 tsp. oatmeal, 1 tsp. baking soda and water to make a paste.  Apply to neck & face.  Leave on 15 minutes.  Rinse with warm water and pat dry.



* Feel free to add a little powdered milk for more nutrients.

Cucumber Mask 
Blend 1 whole cucumber (peeled & cubed), ½ cup of plain yogurt and 1 tsp. milk powder to form thick paste.  Apply generously to face and neck.  Leave on for 10-15 minutes.  Rinse with warm water and pat dry.





Exfoliant Recipes


Natural exfoliant for all skin types



Mix a small amount of brown sugar with olive oil in your palm.  Once it turns into a paste, massage gently onto your face and neck.  Rinse with warm water and pat dry.  **Cure chapped lips by mixing brown sugar with honey and massaging into lips. 

Sunny Citrus Exfoliating Scrub
Mix 1 Tbsp. honey, ¼ cup granulated sugar and enough juice from a lemon or orange to form a thick paste.  Gently massage onto face and neck.  Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Honey Bee Moisturizing Facial Scrub



Mix 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar, 1 Tbsp. plain yogurt, and slowly add ¼ tsp. honey to make a smooth paste.  Gently massage onto face and neck.  Rinse with warm water and pat dry.


Facial Steps



1. Cleanse 6. Close Pores
2. Exfoliate 7. Tone
3. Steam or Extract 8. Treat Eyes
4. Facial Massage 9. Moisturize
5. Mask 10. Product Recommendations

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Stake and Ward Websites

Did you know that there is a L4 website and a Hawaii North Stake Website. Any member of the church can access these websites. You can find our stake and ward website on the church's website. All you will need to do is to create an account using your membership number and your birth date. You can find your membership number on your temple recommend. If you do not have a temple recommend you can ask our ward clerk for your membership number. I encourage all to access the L4 Website because it is a wealth of information.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Book Review

These book reviews are from the May 2010 Friend Magazine. Hopefully, these should help you find a good read for yourself or a family member.


Picture Books
Sergio Makes A Splash! by Edel Rodriguez
Best Little Wingman by Janet Allen
Children 5-9 years
How Oliver Olson Changed the World by Claudia Mills
On the Go with Pirate Pete and Pirate Joe by A.E. Cannon
Children 10-12 years
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
Willow Run by Patricia Reilly Giff
Nonfiction
A Weed is a Flower: The Life of George Washington Carver by Aliki
Rare Treasure: Mary Anning and Her Remarkable Discoveries by Don Brown


more info @ 

Recipe: Bottle Lebanese Cucumbers (Pickled Cucumbers) from Elizza K.


4kg. cucumbers sliced (1 kg. = 2.2 lbs)
1 kg. onion diced finely
Mix cucumbers and onion together & sprinkle with 3/4 cup salt
Add 4 trays of ice cubes & cold water to cover & stand for 3-4 hours
Wash twice with clean cold water
Boil together:-
4 cups vinegar
4 cups white sugar
1 tsp. Turmeric
1 tsp. celery salt
1 tsp. mustard seeds
Bring to a boil. Continue to boil for 5 mins. (until sugar dissolves)
Put cucumber mix into clean jars
Pour vinegar & sugar mixture into jars. Screw lids tight. Should hear a pop when sealed.