June Recipe

Quick and Dirty Chocolate Pie 
Note: This is seriously one of the best desserts I have EVER
made. -Sydnie Powell

Ingredients:
2-4 Tablespoons heavy cream
3-4 Tablespoons honey
2 Cups Ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon good tasting Stevia
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt

Directions:
Combine heavy cream, honey, salt, ricotta, stevia, and vanilla in
a food processor. Blend for a couple minutes, until perfectly
smooth. No lumps! Melt unsweetened chocolate on High in
microwave for 40 seconds. Stir, and melt chocolate in 15 second
intervals until liquefied. Scrape chocolate into food processor and
blend until thoroughly incorporated. With no streaks of chocolate
visible. Taste filling, and add more stevia if necessary. Spread
filling into a pie plate, or whatever serving container you desire.
Chill until firm. Top with stevia-sweetened fresh whipped cream
(3/4 cup). Grate 85% cacao chocolate over whipped cream if
desired.

June Quotes

"The greatest thing a father can do for his daughter is to
love her mother." -Elaine S. Dalton

"A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised,
unnoticed, and yet on of the most valuable assets in our
society." -Billy Graham

"What is a dad? A dad is someone who wants to catch you
before you fall, but instead picks up, brushes you off, and
lets you try again. A dad is someone who wants to keep you
from making mistakes but instead lets you find your own
way, even though his heart breaks in silence when you get
hurt. A dad is someone who holds you when you cry, scolds
you when you break the rules, shines with pride when you
succeed, and has faith in you even when you fail…"
-Author Unknown

"A father is someone who carries pictures in his wallet
where his money use to be." -Unknown

Happy Father's Day

Pet Emergency & Disaster Plan

I am Sister Anastasia Vandoros and I have the calling in the ward to work on the Emergency and Disaster committee, specifically to help members to prepare, care for, and maintain pets as part of their family in the event of an emergency/disaster that might occur in the area. I have literature for display and to hand out for that purpose.

Animals unlimted Inc is a non profit, charitable humane organization headed by Anastasia. In that capacity I have received an okay from Bishop Grasteit to request donations of animal supplies to AU Inc so the group (along with other animal groups who would rally around) could assist the Ward in any kind of emergency disaster which might hit our area. We had experience in the Katrina disaster which gave us the know-how to help animals in an earthquake and/or fire.

We need the following items: Dog & cat houses, cages of all sizes, carrying cases, leashes collars, harnesses, kitty litter and boxes, washed clean blankets, feeding bowls & dishes, etc., medical supplies new and unopened, only canned food at this time due to storage problems.

If you wish cash donations are being accepted so we can buy the above items. Tax deductable receipts will be issued for all donations. Donations can be dropped off before or after church at Anastasia's Big Blue Chevy can at the back parking lot on the 22nd and 29th of June. If you have any questions please contact Anastasia Vandoros at (818) 340-3327.

We do not have to choose between please & animals. Together we can plan for both. Remember Noah took only eight people on the ark all the rest were animals.

Now is the time to part with those pet supplies you have no use for any more but have been hanging onto for sentimental reasons. The living animals will have a great need for them.

Thank you,

Anastasia Vandoros

Box Spring

Hello Sisters. Sister Taylor has a single raised box spring if anyone is looking to make their bed higher. If you are interested please call her or me (Lisa Bell)

Women's Conference

Saturday May 17th, 10am at the Stake Center

All women, youth and children ages 8 and up are invited to the Stake Relief Society Conference. Lunch will be served afterwards. Babysitting will be provided but please bring a lunch for your child.

Youth Fundraiser Dinner

DON'T MISS OUT! 

The Woodland Hills Ward Youth Fundraiser is this Saturday night, May 17th, at 5:30 PM. 

If you didn't get a chance to sign up for the delicious Spaghetti Dinner...it's not too late, but we would appreciate you letting us know you are coming, so that we prepare enough food. Please email Jamie Green at gardenswest1@aol.com with how many will be attending. Also, we will be having a Silent and Live Auction. Some wonderful items have been donated, so come and place your bid for...

"Movie" and "Spa" Baskets

Picnic and Sailing lesson to the back side of Anacapa Island (For 4 people)

Surf Lessons

Shooting Range Visit with and FBI Agent

Landscape Services

Social Dance Lessons

Karate Lessons

Delicious Homemade Goodies

In-home Massage

Beautiful Handmade Scarf

Tax Return Preparation

Summer Tutoring

Pottery Barn Couch Slipcover

Gel manicure

Handmade Blanket

Signed Artwork Prints by Buddy Reyes

Disney Snowglobe

Nascar Decoration

Diet and Exercise Consultation with Rob Godwin

'Great Clips" Haircut

4 Dodger Game Tickets

4 Night Stay in Mammoth Condo (Sleeps 8)

Also the youth will be auctioning off Babysitting, Yard Work, Coaching, and Swim Lessons...

We hope to see you there! Thank you for supporting our Young Men and Women programs!

Mormon Helping Hands This Saturday

Mormon Helping Hands: Saturday, April 26 - 8am to noon at Canoga Park High School Farm.  Check in at the corner of Vanowen and Jordan. Cleaning, painting, trimming, and weeding. Kids will enjoy seeing the horse, Llama and farm animals! Please bring any rakes, weed diggers, branch cutters, hoes, shovels, brooms, hat, gloves, and sunscreen. Be sure to mark your tools with your name! Light breakfast, BBQ lunch, and water bottles provided. All ages and abilities needed. Parking across the street at the mall next to the former Sizzler’s.

Food Sign-ups for Linger Longer 4/13

Ward Conference is Sunday April 13th. We will be having a Linger Longer after church and we are in need of food sign-ups.

Please email me at lisamarinagarcia@gmail.com if you can bring any of the following:

Finger Sandwiches (or any other type of finger foods)
Fruit
Vegetables
Salad
Dip
Chips
Dessert

Sorry for the short notice. Thank you!

Lisa Bell

Primary/Ward Easter Activity

Please join us at the Easter Celebration Saturday, April 12 from 10-12 at the Ward Building. There will be food, activities for the children, easter eggs and a good time by all.

How the Atonement of Christ Eases Sorrow

• By Rebecca Rickman at familyshare.com
• When my youngest daughter, Hannah, who is now 22 and married, was little, she was a bit of a complainer and a whiner. I got so frustrated with her that I devised a little game and when she would complain, I would add something to it and she would add something to that. She would say, "I’m tired" I would add, "I’m tired and my leg hurts" She would say, "I’m tired and my leg hurts and the sun is in my eyes"_I would continue, "I’m tired and my leg hurts and the sun is in my eyes and I’m hungry."_We would go back and forth until we had a list of complaints far too long to be remembered and she would start giggling and that would solve the problem, at least temporarily.
  Being a young child, to her, these complaints were very real and very painful. That's the problem with grief and pain. You may feel completely alone in it because no one ever feels it quite the same way. Our pain generally gets all scrambled up with past painful experiences that are uniquely our own and so no one feels the pain in quite the same way as we do. Knowing that can cause the compound pain of feeling misunderstood and alone.
  For instance, if someone else is hungry, it’s an annoyance and they go and get something to eat. If I’m hungry, it is mixed with the memory that there was a time that I couldn’t feed my children properly.
  I was asked to speak at a funeral for a baby that died, inexplicably, the day she came home from the hospital. This young couple is dealing with what I believe must surely be the worst pain anyone can feel. Much worse than losing a parent, which is at some point anticipated. Worse than losing a sibling. But even in that greatest of sorrows, each of these two parents are feeling it differently. Most people can’t express all the crazy events in their lives that compose their current hurt. And that makes them feel alone.
  There is hope. Understanding the atonement of Jesus Christ can allow us to take comfort in the knowledge that there is someone who understands exactly how we are feeling. Exactly. Because through his atonement Jesus Christ has felt every hurt of every single person who has ever or will ever live. And not just the sorrows, but the anger and the betrayal and the hunger and the skinned knees and the broken hearts and the guilt.
  When the world will spoon-feed us platitudes and dismissals like, "Just get over it," or, "Time heals all wounds," or, "I know exactly how you feel," we can take consolation in knowing that there is one person who understands and feels our pain the way we feel it.

  The atonement is for everyone

  Christ atoned for everyone, whether or not they believe or accept or understand.

  The atonement is not just for our sins

  The atonement covers our pain, whether self-induced or inflicted by others or by circumstance. We are not alone.

  The atonement can heal us

  By knowing we are not alone, we can turn to our God and our Savior and pour out our hearts to them and receive comfort through the Holy Ghost.

  The atonement is infinite

  It does not stop or have a limit in its capacity to cover our ongoing pains and heal us with its power.
  This beautiful plan allows us to call on the powers of Heaven to overcome any trouble or pain that we may be in. We can discuss it any place, any time, with or without words, and receive comfort in the knowledge that we are heard, understood and loved without limits.

April Recipe

Vanilla Coconut Rice Pudding

1 1/2 cups cold cooked rice
1 1/2 cups of coconut milk
2 cups of whole or 2% milk
1/3 cup sugar
pinch of salt
1 vanilla bean, insides scraped out (or vanilla extract to taste)
Directions:
Combine all the ingredients together in a saucepan and simmer
medium-low heat for 40 minutes. Allow to cool and serve.

Quotes:

If you feel unclean, unloved, unhappy, unworthy, or unwhole,
remember, "All that is unfair about life can be made right through
the Atonement of Jesus Christ," Have faith and patience in the
Savior's timing and purposes for you. "Be not afraid, only believe."
Elder Timothy J. Dyches

"However late you think you are, however many chances you think
you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made
or talents you think you don't have, or however far you are from
home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify
that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love.
It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of
Christ's Atonement shines." Jeffrey R. Holland

"…Thee are times when we will experience heartbreaking sorrow,
when we will grieve and when we may be tested to our limits.
However, such difficulties allow us to change for the better,
to rebuild our lives in the way our Heavenly Father teaches us,
and to become something different from what we were -- better
than what we were, more understanding than what we were, more
empathetic than we were, with stronger testimonies than we
had before." Pres. Thomas S. Monson, Oct 2013

Coupons

Hello Sisters,

Sister Kim would like to know if anyone receives the Sunday Newspaper and would be able to give her the coupon inserts. She does not get the paper anymore but could really use the coupons. Let me or Sister Kim know if you are able to help.

Thanks,
Sister Bell

Food Storage

Hello Sisters,

Sister Vandoros has some old cans of food storage that she will not be using. They are about 20 or 30 years old but if you would like to take your chances with them and see if any are good then please contact Sister Vandoros and she will bring them to you on Sunday.

Sisters to Pray for

Please pray for the following sisters:

Dana Kim - MS attack and Asthma attack
Toni Staker - recovering from surgery.

If you you know of any other sisters that would like extra prayers please contact me Lisa Bell at lisamarinagarcia@gmail.com

Taking the Reins

by Jourdan Strain
From the June 2010 New Era

When it comes to setting goals, this world champion is easily guided.

You could say that Emily Winegar is pretty good at horse reining. She was recently crowned the American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Champion. She was named the National Reining Horse Association’s Youth of the Year in 2008. She’s rigorously training for the junior U.S. team for the World Equestrian Games.

Maybe we should rephrase: Emily Winegar is really good at horse reining.

Horse reining is a western riding competition in which a horse is judged on its athleticism and controllability by performing a series of circles, stops, and spins. The rider must control the horse with extremely limited movement, and Emily has worked hard to become proficient at it. She says that her many accomplishments can be traced back to one important habit: she sets goals for herself and takes the steps necessary to achieve them.

Emily says that she likes the Young Women Personal Progress program because it encourages setting goals, like reading her scriptures every day and getting married in the temple. But Personal Progress has proven fruitful in other ways, too. For her Knowledge value project, Emily started a dog breeding business. Though the project only called for 10 hours of work, Emily didn’t stop there. Two years later, her business continues to thrive, and she’s earned enough money for college.

Emily completed her Personal Progress and is now doing it for the second time. “A lot of Wednesday nights, we do activities related to Personal Progress, and I started thinking, ‘Oh, I’ve done this before.’ A girl in our ward finished the program about the same time I did, and she started doing it again. I thought it was really cool, so I decided to start working on it again, too.”

Setting goals and meeting them successfully requires ambition, practice, and in Emily’s case, a full schedule. On top of practicing for competitions, she’s a good student as well as an active participant in Church activities, and she makes sure to spend plenty of time with her family. “It’s not as hard as a lot of people think it is. Every night I make a to-do list and make sure I get everything done. It happens line upon line, just like the gospel.”

But Emily has even more to think about: she has to be a good example. “Everyone knows that I’m Mormon, and they watch to discover what that means,” Emily says. “I realize I may be a person’s first introduction to the Church, so it’s important that I radiate the gospel in my life. The scripture I keep on my mind most often is Alma 5:19, which says, ‘I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?’ I hope others can look at me and see the image of God in my countenance. I want them to know I’m a daughter of God.”

“You can’t be perfect overnight,” she says. “You have to take it step by step, even if it means reading five minutes a day in your scriptures. If you try to perfect the things you do, I think it helps you become a better member of the Church.” Spoken like a true champion.

Name: Emily Winegar

Age: 15

Location: Aubrey, Texas

Major Accomplishments: Crowned American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Champion in 2009; named the National Reining Horse Association’s Youth of the Year in 2008; Palomino Horse Breeders Association Youth World Champion for the last four years.

To see a short video about Emily, go to youth.lds.org.

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Meatballs

Ingredients:
32 oz package precooked frozen meatballs
13.5 oz can of unsweetened pineapple chunks (put juice aside)
1 large green pepper, diced
1 cup brown sugar
2 TBLS cornstarch
2/3 cup white vinegar
2 TBLS soy sauce

Directions:
Place meatballs in crock pot, and top with green pepper and drained pineapple chunks. In a separate bowl, mix reserved pineapple juice, brown sugar, cornstarch, vinegar and soy sauce. Pour over meatballs, pineapple and green peppers. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or until heated through. Serve with rice.

Elder M. Russell Ballard - Talk givent to the Salt Lake Area Young Adults, Oct 18, 1981

"I am so thoroughly convinced that if we don't set goals in our life and learn to reach our goals, we can reach a ripe old age and look back on our life only to see that we reached but a small part of our full potential. When one learns to master the principles of setting a goal, he will then be able to make a great difference in the results he attains in this life."

Gordon B. Hinckley - Ensign, May 1995

There is something of divinity within each of you. You have such tremendous potential with that quality as a part of your inherited nature. Every one of you was endowed by your Father in Heaven with a tremendous capacity to do good in the world. Train your minds and your hands that you may be equipped to serve well in the society of which you are a part. Cultivate the art of being kind, of being thoughtful, of being helpful. Refine within you the quality of mercy which comes as a part of the divine attributes you have inherited.

From Brigham Young