Packages & Geodes: Lessons about the beauty on the inside

To start off, here's a quick analogy for you:

Your local mailman (or lady) comes to the door and shows you two different items:
  
A beautifully wrapped, bow-on-top type of box.
A plain, old cardboard box with a mailing address sticker on top.

He tells you that you can either have one or the other, but each packaging contains a different content.

Which one would you chooose if you didn't know the contents?

One thing about humans is that they are normally drawn to pretty things.  They want to be pretty.  They want to have the best looking car, the best looking house, the best looking spouse....

But that's not the point.

Sometimes the most beautiful and spectacular items are located in the humblest of packages.
....
Meaning that you can't always judge a book by its cover.

Some of the most wonderful people I've ever met are not beauty queens or body builders.  Some of the most wonderful and precious qualities are housed inside those who are not necessarily gorgeous.

It is like one of our scripture masteries from last year:  1st Samuel 16: 7

 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord ^aseeth not as ^bman seeth; for man looketh on the outward ^cappearance, but the ^dLord looketh on the ^eheart.

I love that scripture.  How often do we judge somebody because they are overweight, short, or have disabilities?  Do we try to get to know their heart?  If we were to see our fellow man through Christ's eyes, we'd see their potential, their inner beauty, and their gifts - not what package they come in.

If we were to be walking down the street together and see this rock (below), what would we think?  Oh, it's just another rock....it's of no significance.


But maybe if we were to look a little deeper, to "look on the heart", we would see something deeper.  In reality, that old, dirty looking rock was simply the packaging.  On the inside, we would see...
  That.
I hope all of us (including myself) learn to see more than just the package, but we try to  go past the outward appearance.

The Day Ever Little Girl Dreams of.....Temple Marriage

I've been dreaming about it since I was just a little girl....

And you probably have been too.

Hi Ladies,

    A few days ago, I got an email from a viewer talking about how much she appreciated the link to LDS Bride under our "Favorites."  She told me how she loves being able to find cute modest clothes.  That inspired me.
    
    In many Young Womens' lessons, activities, and meetings, we hear about being sealed in the temple.  For those outside of our religion, they may find it hard to see why we adore the temple and why it is our goal. 
    So why is the temple part of the ideal LDS Marriage?
 
    1. The temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are special holy places.  We believe they are the house(s) of Diety, where Christ Hisself walks.  We believe that through the holy dedicatory prayers and processes, that they are dedicated unto the Lord.  Those who enter must be worthy to enter and obtain a current temple recommend (or CTR.)  This does not signify that the temple patrons are perfected.  We go to the temple to be perfected.  Those who enter with pure hearts and open minds will be able to feel His Spirit in abundance.
    2. We want to be together forever.  Imagine this: You are once again a young child.  Your father one day comes up to you and says, "Here is a special china doll for you."  You love that doll. It is priceless to you.  But, your father said one thing that dampens it all: "You can only have this doll for a week."  That is like becoming part of a family and having a spouse who you love immensely and not being with them for the rest of time and all eternity.  We believe that families can be together...FOREVER!  In the holy temples, families are sealed together through the priesthood, a power given to worthy men through God.  And best of all - this marriage has no experation date.  This family does not have a timer.  We can be together FOREVER!

    I, like many of you good sisters and amazing friends, have put this eternal marriage high on my priority list.  It is worth it!  Being together forever, even if it means not being able to have a close non-LDS friend attend or not being able to get married on the beach, is most important.

    Not only must we seek for godly, Christ-minded, and wonderful men who bear the priesthood, honor their covenants, and think we are the bee's knees (awesome), but we must reflect that.  We must be worthy.  We must honor our covenants.  We must be the virtuous young women that young men would die for!
    
     I know I've had this part planned out for a long time:  THE DRESS!
     Now, it's not like the dress is all that matters, of course.  The man and the location are the important factors.  But, the dress is fun and it is hard to find modest wedding dresses.  So, in honor of my friend's comment....here are a few Latter Day Bride favorites of mine. 

:) Flame


Click on them to see in greater detail! :)
                


*Do you have a favorite modest wedding dress company, a favorite dress, or something to say about eternal marriage? Comment/email and let us know!*

Handouts 3

Again, made with Creative Memories!  Enjoy!  Let me know if you need these translated...I will make handouts in the future that are actually in foreign languages!
:) Flame

-Who's on the Lord's Side? 2012

-1st Nephi 11: 8 2012

-Golden Ticket 2012

-Forgotten 2012

Handouts 2

More handouts.  These are ones I made with Creative Memories.  Please enjoy.  Right click and "save as" so you can print and use them!
:) Flame

-He Knows You 2012

-We are greater than we suppose 2012

-Butterfly 2012

-Matthew 3: 16-17

Handouts

Hi Ladies,

So here are some "handouts" (or what I sometimes refer to as "passouts") that I found online.  If you go to our "Favorites" bar on the right and click on "LDS Handouts", it will take you to their blog.  It's fantastic.  I hope to get a few of my own handouts on here in a bit!

:) FLAME

I Will Stand

Hello Ladies,
 
    So, in a few weeks (I'm counting down!) I will be privileged to attend my third year of Latter-Day Saint Young Womens' Girls' Camp!  Yeah!  I look forward to this experience every year and start planning and packing weeks in advance. 
     Of course, I will give you the whole spiel once I get back and give you all the juicy details.  But, for now at least, I want to just talk to you about my stake's theme this year:
                                                I Will Stand
  I'm super hoping to get some cute little handouts for you guys that you can print off and put on your fridge, but we'll see.
   What does it mean to stand?
    To me, at least, it means that you are taking your stance in truth and righteousness.  It is you are standing up and showing the world what you believe and that you aren't ashamed to live it.  It means standing for virtue, standing for righteousness, and standing for Christ.  Not only are you standing for Christ when you make the pledge to stand, you are standing with Christ.
    I love this scripture:
    Doctrine & Covenants 84:88
   .....there I will be also, for I will go ^bbefore your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my ^cSpirit shall be in your hearts, and mine ^dangels round about you, to bear you up.
      To me, I think that is a true promise that comes to you when you stand with Christ and for Christ.  He will be with you and you will have the Spirit in your heart.  His angels will be your chaperones and they will aid you in times of trouble.
     Also, one important thing about "I Will Stand" is one point I think can be easily overlooked.  Look at the second word: Will.  It doesn't say "I Will Try to Stand" or "I May Stand."  No, this is a firm covenant. I Will Stand.  I will stand with Christ and I will stand for Christ.  I will stand for truth and righteouness and share my light - my flame. 
     I hope all of us can take up that commitment. It won't be easy.  I cannot say I am perfect at this either. But I know that His promise, given hundreds of years ago, still applies and still stands...it always will, as long as we stand.

Sincerely,
Flame

Speaking of Cookies....

So,

Since in my last post "NEW!" (which you should read) I talked about my awesome cookies and sharing them, I've decided to give you some awesome cookie recipes.  Enjoy....

Much Love,
Flame


1. Almond Butter Cookies: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/almond-butter-cookies-3/detail.aspx

              
Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour, or regular whole wheat flour
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup smooth, unsalted almond butter
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 36 raw whole almonds

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray two baking sheets with cooking spray. In a large bowl whisk together the flours, salt and baking soda. In another large bowl beat together the butter, almond butter and sugars until fluffy. Add the vanilla and egg and beat until well combined. Gradually stir in the flour mixture, blending well.
2. Shape the dough into 3/4 inch balls, and place on the baking sheets. Place an almond in center of each cookie and press down lightly. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. 

2. Amariette Cookies


   Ingredients

• 7 egg whites
• 2 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 pounds ground almonds
• 2 tablespoons almond extract
• 1 cup chopped almonds
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar for decoration

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Beat egg whites and sugar until fluffy. Add the ground almond and almond extract, mixing well. Shape dough into walnut sized balls, roll in sugar and put a piece of almond or candied cherry on top.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees F) until firm. Bottom should be light brown.