Change is Change

Anyone who knows me, knows that I like change. I'm always trying something new or trying a new way to do things in an attempt to make it better. But there are some changes that still rock my world. Being released last Sunday is one of them. I have enjoyed this calling with a passion and a love that I've never experienced before. The best part has ALWAYS been the opportunity I have had to work with and learn from AMAZING people. I will dearly miss working with all of you, but you should know that you have restored my belief that there are wonderful people in the area all working with the same purpose...the same goal. Thank you for all of your support over the years. Thank you for your fine examples and love.

Our old Primary blog will still be on the web only under a different name. You are still welcome to use or adapt anything that we created over the last several years. The new address is: independencestakeofzion.blogspot.com

Know of my love and determination to serve where ever I am needed. Thank you again for all the many wonderful experiences we have shared.

with love always, your sister,
Melissa Longo

Wedding Bells

We would like to publicly post our CONGRATULATIONS to Anna on her marriage to Jon Sperry. So now you can call her SISTER SPERRY!! What a nice sound!

Nurseries are for Growing

Over the last several months Sister Longo and I have visited most of the wards to share with the nursery leaders some training. We enjoyed being with the children and also learned a great deal, from the wonderful leaders. I would like to share with you some of the things that we learned in these visits, specifically on creating a safe and loving environment in nursery.

Many of the nurseries had soft music playing during open play time. This invites the Spirit and gives the children a sense of familiarity as many of them know the songs, from home or from previous weeks. I noticed at times that when the music was to loud the children were easily agitated but when it was softly in the background it had a very nice calming effect.

All of the nurseries had a strong feeling of love from the leaders to the children, this was evident by their warm welcomes, with hugs and kind words and the children’s names used. One of the most memorable was a sister serving in the Independence 1st ward nursery, who refers to the children as her babies, and she greets and sends home every child with a hugs a kiss and making certain they know how much she loves them.

It was also very sweet to watch as some children would get upset, often it only took as simple hug or soft reassuring words from there loving teacher to calm them.

There are many other things that we saw that warmed our hearts as we visited. These I share with you because they are plain and precious and with that can be used very effectively in many other settings including other classes within primary.

Thank you for all of you hard work.
Anna Plemons

FRIEND Website

Have you seen this yet? The Church launched a new addition to their lds.org site for families and Primary presidencies. It has wonderful interactive games, stories, coloring pages and more for children. Quick links to music and sharing time helps for Primary presidencies. We love it! Take a quick moment and check out the link: http://www.friend.lds.org/

Have a wonderful day!

New Packet-Preparing for the New Year

We just wanted to make sure everyone saw the new packet on the right hand side under the title of: "Preparing for the New Year Checklist and Forms". As usual, you just have to click on the link and then create (very easy) or log in to your Box.net account. You should be able to download the forms right onto your computer. If you have any other ideas on how to help make planning for the New Year in a happy, stress-reduced way, PLEASE share!

The One, The Only...The Zesty Bean Dip you've been asking for!

Here's the recipe for the dip that was served at the Stake Primary Appreciation Dinner.
Zesty Bean Dip

1 can of corn
1 can of black eye peas
1 ½ avocado
3 tomatoes (medium sized)
A bunch of cilantro (to taste)
A bunch of green or white onion
2 cloves of garlic (you can substitute garlic powder)
Zesty Italian dressing seasoning mix

Slice up the avocado and tomatoes into bite sized amounts. Chop up the cilantro and green onion. Add all of the ingredients together. Put the packet of Zesty Italian dressing mix in with the other ingredients and mix. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips.

Fiesta, Fiesta, Fiesta

Can you say "Ole?" We had the best time at our Annual Primary Appreciation Dinner. We had an incredible turn out, the food was terrific...if we do say so ourselves (the Zesty Bean Dip and the Tortilla Soup were favorites) and the entertainment was muy bien! We'd like to offer an enormous "GRACIAS" to Diaz and Elizabeth (friends of Anna's) who came to give our dance demo and class (too much fun!) and to the participants of the Mariachi band. And thanks to all of you who attended. You made it a HUGE success. We can't wait until next year's party!

As all of the wards are now finished with their presentations, we can look back with gratitude that things went well and relief because you have at least a year before doing this again. I wanted to focus on gratitude for this message. I think we sometimes forget what an honor it is to be working with these precious spirits. Their testimonies are so pure and sweet that we are inspired and taught as we listen to our little ones. We need to be more grateful for our chance to work with and serve them. As the Savior has taught we need to become more like little children, and be submissive, meek and humble. As Thanksgiving nears, I hope that we can find some time to write down the things that we are grateful for as we serve in primary. I know that for me, one of the things I am grateful for is to be able to meet and learn from each of you. I am also grateful for how my testimony has been strengthened as I have watched each of your presentations. I haven't known all of the children in each ward, but I could feel their spirits and was touched as they sang. I hope that we can all strive to be more grateful and recognize our many blessings. I leave this with you in Jesus Name. Amen.
-Marissa Carlson (2nd Counselor)

Not the Knights of the ROUNDTABLE

A Happy reminder that this Thursday (Nov 6th) at 7:00pm is BSA Roundtable for the Blue Elk District. It is held at the Plaza Heights Baptist Church, 1501 SW Clark Rd, in Blue Springs.

Also North Star District's Roundtable is this Thursday (Nov 6th) at 7:30pm at Platte Woods United Methodist Church. They didn't specify a place on the online calendar but it would seem logical that it is in Liberty. If you need more information contact: Jason Ballew at 816-569-4982 or email at jballew@bsamail.org

Who should attend? All Primary presidents, the Primary President counselor over scouting, all den leaders, CubMasters, Cub Committee (CC) Chair, CC Secretaries, CC Members, 11 year old Scout Leaders & Assistants. If you have never been to a Roundtable and are still learning about Scouts I would recommend you skip the regular activities and attend the class called "NEW LEADER ESSENTIALS". If you ask the people behind the desk in the main lobby of the church, they will direct you where to go.

Here's the link to the program handouts from last month (October 2008), just in case you missed it. They will post November's afterwards too. (That way if you do attend New Leader Essentials you can also get the handouts.)
http://hoac-bsa.org/ae_links/BE_CS_RT_2008_10.pdf

We'll see you there! Happy jousting!

Position Specific-The wonders of Cub Scout Training

I spent my Saturday going to Cub Scout Training. I was a great refresher course. I had never been to Cub Committee Training. Good stuff! For those of you who have never been to Cub Scout or Boy Scout Training, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it, especially if you are a Primary president or the counselor over Scouts. (Go to the Cub Committee Training.) We spend so much time encouraging our scout leaders to go to training, but perhaps you have never realized how much you will benefit in your calling and how much your leaders will benefit from you knowing what they are doing. The more you know about scouts the more effective leader you will be. The surest sign that you need to go to training is if you feel overwhelmed at the prospects of learning about scouts. Training is so well organized. After "New Leader Essentials" you'll walk away with a clear understanding of why and how the program works. In the first part of "Position Specific" everyone is combined. Topics like: budgeting, uniforms, advancement, etc. are covered. Then the last part consists of break out sessions for your specific position where you can get more detailed information and ask specific questions.
So, here are the basic courses you should take in order to start as a leader in or over Scouts:

1. Fast Start (Online at: http://olc.scouting.org/?cncl=307 )

2. Youth Protection (Online at: http://olc.scouting.org/?cncl=307 )

3. New Leader Essentials (At Roundtables every month)

4. Position Specific (A couple times in the fall and spring, see below for times)

It's not difficult. In fact, IT WILL MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER! All the answers you are searching for are right at your finger tips. The training staffs are excellent and excited about what they do.

The next "Position Specific" training for Blue Elk will be held on October 28th (Tuesday). Registration begins at 5:30pm. Training begins at 6:00pm. It will be held at St. Mark's Catholic Church on Lees Summit Road north of 39th Street in Independence. There are no fees for this training. (For North Star and Pioneer Trails you will need to wait until next year or go to Blue Elk's.)

You do not need to take these trainings in any order, BUT please keep all of your cards they give you proving you've taken the trainings. (If you take a course online, there is a card to print out at the end of the training. Print and keep it.) If you have not registered before you go to training you will need to submit these cards to BSA so they can mark you as being trained.

Knowledge is freedom. Be free, my friends, be free. :)

Scout Training THIS SATURDAY

I'm not sure if everyone has gotten the announcement that LEADER SPECIFIC BSA Scout Training is being held this Saturday morning 10/18. Registration is at 7:30am. Training starts at 8:00am. It's being held in Blue Springs at First UMC of Blue Springs. It also includes New Leader Essentials.

On Tues 10/28 at St. Mark's Catholic Church (5:30 registration, 6:00 start) the last LEADER SPECIFIC Training for the year will be held. Please plan to attend one.

PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL OF YOU CUB SCOUT LEADERS ARE AWARE OF THESE DATES and help to remind them.

Hallelujah Chorus

I had to laugh at myself for putting Handel's Hallelujah Chorus on the playlist. I just know that someone is going to get onto this blog for the first time, that song is going to start playing, and they will know the heavens are pleased because they finally made it here. So, if you are one of the fortunate that get the Hallelujah Chorus as your welcome...know that we were thinking just of you.

Rosters, Faith In God and Arrow of Light Tracking

You knew it was coming...yes...this is a reminder blog. We need three things from each ward:

1. The Roster with all the children in your Primary arranged by class. (Please hightlight less actives or non-members and note which is which.) If you didn't receive a copy of the blank roster template please let us know. Email the completed form to: stakeprimary2006@yahoo.com

2. We need the names of all the children who have graduated and will graduate from Primary this year. Please tell us which of these children have received their Faith In God award. Please email this information to stakeprimary2006@yahoo.com or return the call from Laurel Brooks.

3. Please give us the list of all your boys who have turned or will turn 11 this year and which ones have received their Arrow of Light Award. Please email this information to stakeprimary2006@yahoo.com or return the call from Laurel Brooks.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your help in getting this information to us. (See... that wasn't THAT painful. :)
with love, your sisters,
The Stake Primary Presidency & Committee

Fun, Fun, Fun (Auxiliary Training)

This last Saturday, October 11, we held our semi-annual Stake Primary Auxiliary Training at the Independence Stake Center. We had so much fun. "Fun?" you ask. Yep...it was fun! With the expert brevit of Marissa Carlson :) (2nd Counselor) we got through the "training forms" we had created (and found) for helping Activity Girl and Cub Scout leaders track what activities they've done with their children. (Look for those forms as "Forms created by the Independence Stake" under "Links to Activity Girl Helps" and "Links to Scout Helps" on this blog.) Sharel Olsen (secretary) also helped us by reminding everyone to get their Primary rosters turned in and contact lists updated. (Hint, hint)

Anna Plemons (1st Counselor) spent some time talking about "Love Languages". Each of us have different ways that we feel loved or appreciated. There are five main areas that we talked about: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Physical Touch, Receiving Gifts, and Acts of Service. Each attendee took a test to see what their preferences were and then shared those findings with their presidency. The whole idea was that we need to share the feelings of gratitude and love we have for the people we work with in ways that are meaningful to them. Just as a missionary learns the language of the country he works in to be able to express his feelings about the Savior and gospel, we need to learn the language of love that will allow us to share the feelings we have for others. The test we used was editted from the test found in the book titled Love Languages by Gary Chapman to be used in a church setting. (I personally tried it out on my family before okaying the use of it in our training and was amazed at how accurate it is. It's been extremely helpful in our own presidency as well.) We hope that you will not feel uncomfortable about taking or sharing the test. It doesn't matter which way you feel appreciated, but it's very helpful if others know what that way is. If you didn't get a chance to take the test or lost your results, look on the right side of this blog page under "Auxiliary Training 2008 Forms"/ "October 11, 2008" for the test so you can download a copy and use it for you and/or your family.

Personally, my favorite part was next. Sheila Bruns, of the Liberty Stake, led us in "Adventure Learning". We adjurned to the Cultural Hall and did a series team-building type activities. As we finished each activity, Sheila would ask us what things we learned and how we could apply that to Primary. She is a master facilitator, evidenced by the fact that we not only learned and had a FABULOUS time (much laughter), but we were also uplifted as we felt the Spirit. THANK YOU SO MUCH SHEILA!!!! We love you!

The last activity we did for the day was make purse-sized "Miracle" Journals. So often we are pressed by the daily cares of administering Primary. The joy of Primary is in the experiences we have with the children and one another. Having a place to remember all of the MANY miracles that are a part of Primary helps us to focus on the positive and track all the good we are doing in the service of God and his children. May you find much satisfaction and happiness as you focus on the miracles all around you.

We missed those of you that were not able to attend, in a way that you can't imagine, but we were so thankful for those of you that came. I am also personally thankful for all of the hard work that our presidency put into making this a beautiful experience.

I love you all!
with love, your sister,
Melissa Longo

Welcome, Welcome

Here's to the maiden post of this Stake Primary Blog. We hope that it will help you as you see the things we are working on. This will also be a place where you can access many of the helps we've already created to help in all you do for your Primary.

Know of our love for you and our devotion to the Lord and to serving you.

With Love,
The Stake Primary Presidency and Committee