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!