RuthAnne Strong: September 2017

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Youth Sunday School Lesson: Commandments and Flashlights

How does keeping the commandments affect my ability to learn the gospel?

For this lesson I wanted to focus on how keeping the commandments
gives us more knowledge, truth and light.

Obedience is the first law of heaven. -Joseph F. Smith

We discussed how we can be blessed with knowledge and understanding because of our obedience. We read Joseph Smith History 1: 11-17.

The great test of this life is obedience! -President Monson

I also shared the broken flashlight object lesson that they had in the outline for this lesson. I asked why the flashlight didn't give light then read the following quote from Elder Scott. He said, "One must be ever mentally and physically clean and have purity of intent so that the Lord can inspire. One who is obedient to His commandments is trusted of the Lord. That individual has access to His inspiration to know what to do and, as needed, the divine power to do it. Our obedience assures that when required, we can qualify for divine power to accomplish an inspired objective."

We then talked about how the broken flashlight illustrates the principles he brings up. When we are obedient to the commandments we are better able to receive light and knowledge for ourselves and to help others along the way.

The knowledge which we seek, the answers for which we year, and the strength which we desire today to meet the challenges of a complex and changing world can be ours when we willingly obey the Lord's commandments. I quote once again the words of the Lord: "He that keepeth God's commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things."

President Monson

We also discussed how keeping the commandments helps us strengthen our own testimony. We are better able to receive revelation and share that knowledge with others too!

I gave the cutest little flashlights I found on Amazon HERE for a great deal, I also gave some highlighters to go with the light theme so they could prepare for General Conference this week!

If you'd like the 'Be enLIGHTened!' printable you can find it HERE!

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Youth Sunday School Lesson: Standards and Sharks

How can I help others understand my standards?

This last Sunday I gave a lesson on standards to our Youth Sunday School class. I love that standards and commandments are a great topic for everyone, no matter what their age we always need to keep high standards and the commandments.

We talked about why we keep the standards and commandments the Lord asks of us. And I encouraged the youth to see them as blessings, and instructions for a happy life instead of a burden. We also did an activity where they chose a standard in For the Strength of Youth, and in pairs they told us about that specific standard and the blessings we will receive if we keep it, or any personal experience they have had with that standard/commandment.

I love the story Elder Keetch shared in his General Conference talk, "Blessed and Happy Are Those Who Keep the Commandments of God." Read it! It seriously is one of my favorites! He tells a story about how sometimes we can't see the danger that lies ahead of us, but Heavenly Father does and that's why we have commandments and standards to protect us and make us happy. Some may see them as barriers and others see them as blessings of protection, safety and peace. With keeping these standards and commandments we can become the people He designed us to become and show our love to Heavenly Father! And there's sharks in the story so that's awesome in itself!

I found the cutest shark gummies at Winco and decided to make some shark candy kebabs for a little-very sugary-treat! You can find shark gummies online HERE or HERE! I grabbed tons of gummy candies at Winco and Smith's, but if you want to find them online I'll link them next. I used colored gummy fish, sour rope, orange slices, peach rings, and gummy worms. I made a different mix of candies on each skewer and made sure to keep a lot of shark gummies throughout the mix! Then I put them in my favorite clear bags and tied them off with the cutest little shark tags.

Standards and commandments definitely keep us from the sharks of life!

You can find the free printable for the tags right here>>>>Shark Tags!

This post may contain affiliate links, but all opinions are my own.

Saturday, September 2, 2017

September Visiting Teaching Handout Ideas

Of One Heart

Before I get into all the adorable details for this months visiting teaching message I wanted to thank you all for your support on the giveaway I had this week! Everyone that entered and checked out those amazing Etsy Shops are such sweethearts! Thank you for your support and a huge congrats to Sarah Osborne on being the lucky winner! Seriously I'm jealous! haha

This months Visiting Teaching message is all about becoming one with one another. This means that by showing love, compassion and accepting others we become closer to each other and we are able to please our Father in heaven by doing what he has had planned for us all along. We grow closer to each other when we share each others burdens and show kindness no matter what they may be going through.

This month I was inspired by the book, The Crayon Box that Talked By Shane DeRolf. I love the simplicity of this book and that no matter how young or old, everyone can relate to this book and learn something from it. It's a book about a box of crayons that don't get along with each other. A little girl hears their conversation and buys the box and goes home to color the prettiest picture. Only after they all work together, they see how needed and important each one of them really is.

I love this part of the book, "We are like a box of crayons. Each one of us unique. But when we get together...The picture is complete."

So with Back to School in full swing the theme just fit! I think it would be such a fun gift to give the sisters you visit teach-the book with this little tag or calendar, but if you wanted other options I have loads more too!

Like these adorable little crayon decorations that are in the clearance Dollar Bins at Target. I got mine for 50 cents, but I've heard they've dropped even lower.

Or if you've been giving the calendar every month like my cute Grandma, you could give these little pencil clips just attach a magnet to the back. Or just give them the printout so they can put it in their IKEA frame.

I feel like everyone always love art supplies, and giving crayons with this message is a no brainer!

All of these items were less then $4 and the lowest was only about 20 cents. I love the option of the crayon Twistables. Super cute and easy to use!

Pair your choice of crayons or colored pencils with this super cute little coloring book all about how we can become 'Of One Heart." Find all these adorable free printables below with links for the items if I can find them!

Or if you'd like you can put an adult coloring book with it.

I found these coloring books at Dollar Tree.

Not feeling the actual crayons? They have the cutest new nail polish that would go perfectly with this theme! The perfect collaboration with Sally Hansen and Crayola! Give them their favorite color so they'll love it even more!

If you're feeling a little crafty I have the cutest idea for you! I found more crayons at Dollar Tree and grab a container while you're there. They had glass ones too if you'd prefer that.