Family Finance Workshop by LDS Family Services

This is a new resource we were just recently made aware of.  It is the Family Finance Workshop created by LDS Family Services.  It is so new we cannot find it on the Family Services website yet.  We do have an article written by LDSTech blog and you can order the available documents on store.lds.org.

The quote about this workshop from store.lds.org is: "The Family Finance Workshop is designed to teach financial literacy and well-being. Includes teaching and discussion resources on using a budget, building reserves, avoiding debt, and financial planning."

You can download the facilitator's guide ($4.90 for paper copy) and particpant's guide ($3.50 for paper copy) pdf format for free on store.lds.org as well.  You can also purchase the spending registers from store.lds.org for 40 cents each.

The description of the participant's guide is: This guide contains step-by-step activities, forms, and other resources to help participants apply the principles from the Family Finance Workshop. Each participating individual, couple, or family should have a copy.

October 28 RS Lesson

This week's Sunday lesson is our last one from April General Conference.  It is the talk by Thomas S. Monson  titled The Race of Life.  

Please take a moment to review it and join us on Sunday for a discussion about your thoughts and insights concerning what he taught us.

Free Classes- Hillsborough County Extension Service

Have you ever been interested in:

• Catching your rain water in rain barrels (you get a free rain barrel at the end of class)
• Creating a terrarium - Library class
• Gardening to minimize your water usage (you get a free drip system after class)
• Canning fruits, vegetables, and even meat (sign up for classes)
• Making your own solar oven
• Learning about container gardening - Library class
• Learn about composting (you get a free compost "kit" after class)
• Free one on one money management coaching
• And many more????

You can learn these skills and many others through the Hillsborough County Extension Service.  Many local libraries also have classes as well.  You can check out the Extension Service event calendar here.

The Extension service is on Mango Road (CR 579) between US 92 and MLK, in Seffner.  Very easy to get to.just off of I-4 exit 10, Mango Road.  You can click on the address for a Google map  5339 County Road 579  Seffner, FL 33584, (813) 744-5519

Helps with your November Ballot

NOTE:  Please forward this link to others, Twitter it, or Facebook link it to help your friends and family this election season.  Voting is a privilege  one that many people in the world don't have, don't take your voting for granted.

Here is a breakdown of the amendments from the University of Florida.  It will be very helpful if you have a chance to read through them before you vote.  Then you can take the time to understand the issues involved for or against each particular amendment and decide BEFORE you spend time in the booth which amendments you want to vote for or against.

You can also go to the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections website to view a sample ballot.  Click on the link to the right.  Then you can review all of the candidates and other issues on the ballot and how it looks to also get you in and out of the voting booth in record time.  You may also want to personalize your ballot which will then show a specific ballot for your voting district and school board district so you can view those candidates as well.

Local newspapers also publish articles on each candidate so you can view what their platform is and are more informed about your voting choices.  Most candidates have websites that you can view so you can be informed.
BayNews 9 Election page
Tampa Bay Times - Know your Candidates and Amendment Guide

Remember that your local elections, city, county, state, may have more of an impact on your life day to day, than even the national election.  Who do you want to decide how your money is spent in your city, county, and state.   What judges do you want deciding how the laws will be enforced?  What property appraiser do you want to vote for?  Do the people you vote for match your values and what is important to you?  You can't really decide that if you aren't educated about who you have the option to vote for.

Early voting begins October 27 if you are interested in casting your ballot without waiting in line.

If you are not sure where you are supposed to vote on election day, November 6, you can find out here.

Lesson 19 - Word of Wisdom

This Sunday's Relief Society lesson is from the George Albert Smith Manual, Lesson 19: Temporal and Spiritual Blessings from the Word of Wisdom

October 2012 VT Message

It's not too late to begin your visiting teaching for October.  Remember that we "count the caring", not just a visit.  Do something for your sisters that show them you care.

Here is a graphic for this month's VT message.

What's in Your Handcart?

What's in Your Handcart?  If you had limited space, what would you bring?  Come and find out.

Our Relief Society additional meeting this month is Thursday, October 18th at 7 pm.  Have you marked your calendar?  Have you scheduled your time to join together as sisters?  We look forward to seeing you there.

Bring a sweet or salt snack you wouldn't want to be without.

Need Trunk or Treat Ideas?

October 27, 2012 at 5:00 pm is our ward's annual Trunk or Treat activity at the church building and in the parking lot.  We also have a chili cook-off as well as a pie contest.  So make that chili and bake those pies and bring them to share.

If you need some Trunk or Treat ideas, here are some links to help inspire you.
http://trunkortreat.homestead.com/

http://pinterest.com/tonykummer/trunk-or-treat-decorating-ideas

http://www.tipjunkie.com/holiday-crafts/decorate-your-car-for-trunk-or-treat/

Lesson 18 - Stay on the Lord's Side of the Line

Today's lesson is from the George Albert Smith Manual, Lesson 18: Stay on the Lord's Side of the Line.

Family History - Getting Started

Here is a new link (see below) from LDS.org that I was just e-mailed.  It is an easy get started tutorial/guide.  In fact it is made even easy enough for children.  Check it out.  You now have no excuses.  You really can do Family History at home and even in your pajamas.  Of course, the church also provides ward family history consultants, and stake family history libraries, etc, for when you are stumped or need help.  But if you can turn on a computer, you should be able to follow this fun getting started guide.

Family History - Getting Started from LDS.org

October 2012 General Conference Summaries

Here is a document that has quick summaries of each October General Conference talk in summary format.  Click on this link to get a copy (you can enlarge it with the magnifying glass or choose to download it and print a copy).

Below is an example of what just one talk summary looks like.  It gives you a chance to quickly review all of the talks before you get your hands on the November 2012 Ensign.

Interested in Home Canning?

Hillsborough County Extension Service offers free classes for learning how to can (bottle) jam, tomatoes, vegetable, meat, and seafood.  They will teach you which method, hot water boiling or pressure canner, you should use.  They have classes coming up this month.  You register online for free.  Choose a date now and be sure an attend.  The location is just south of US 92 on Mango Road.  Very easy to find.  See pdf flyer link.

They do ask for a $5.00 donation to help cover the costs of the class.