The British Homemaker - One day at a time

One of the things I took on board when I was active in the Lds church was the preparedness they encouraged. This covers a whole range of things from food storage to car breakdown, from family emergencies to power shortages. With the Uk on various weather alerts there's a lot of talk on whether it'll happen or not but I like to air on the side of caution and prepare for the worst. The one thing I don't like is being caught out with such things so I figured I'd share what I've done to prepare my family for the severe rain and winds, cos one thing is for sure, we ain't going anywhere! The following suggestions are just that, they will vary family to family but some are pretty standard, however I'm not sure how long the bad weather is set to last so I'm working on a 7 day period. {Food} ~ Be sure you have plenty of the staple foods such as bread, milk, potatoes. If you have a plastic box you can store some outside if you can't fit them in your fri...

For almost 14 years I have been Lds (Mormon). I have never regretted a second of it. Like any other choice in life there's been easy times and hard times, good times and bad. I've been ridiculed and I've been challenged, I've been called weird names and I've lost 'friends' but never did I ever get to a conclusion that I have now that wasn't so obviously isolating and condescending. You see, I haven't been going to church for just over a year now. One or two people know why and others haven't bothered to ask. I've tried to talk about it, to listen to others similar experiences and be as open as I can yet I find I'm supposed to 'do it' just because I know its right. Well I don't work like that. I have no doubts about the gospel, about God and Jesus Christ. I have no doubts about Joseph Smith and President Monson. I do, however doubt many (but not all) members and for the life of me I cannot get past the fact that I choose car...

I love things to do with homemaking, diy and creativity and for the last 5 years I haven't had a fire surround for the stockings to be hung... an absolute must in my house but it just wasn't feasible in our former home given the ridiculous amount of doors in just the living room and radiators on the other. However, a few months ago I gained a dark wood one from freecycle with an electric fire, it needs a good overhaul in all honesty but I just haven't got to that on my to-do list yet. BUT that doesn't stop me enjoying the fact that the kids now have a place to hang their stockings and i get to play at mantel dressing.... or is it a fire place? Here in the UK we call it a fire place/fire surround but our fellows in USA call them mantels....so we'll go with both.. keeps the peace, dontcha think? :) I have a gorgeous dark wood framed picture of the baby Jesus above the fire place/mantel, {another to-do list project, lighten up the frame} which i...

The Lds church don’t believe that Jesus Christ was born on 25th December but we do celebrate the day for a few reasons. One being that it’s an opportunity to share in the birth of Christ with other religions and non faith people, two being that we love to have a good time when it is good and uplifting and three because it’s an event that very often brings people together. Our church is all for unity; unity of people, of faiths and of hearts. Today, in our Branch Council Meeting I was deeply touched by the vision our recently called leaders have for the coming year. We have been called the ‘happening branch’; we are well liked and respected by other wards/branches in our stake and I  know from experience we give the warmest welcomes to visitors, members and non members. Our activities are driven by the spirit (I know cos I am the activities leader!), we are driven to include anyone that wishes to come along and take part. We do not ‘bible bash’ and preach. We are friendly, bus...

You understand why the family unit is so important Becoming a teacher of all good and healthy things feels like you should earn a degree by the 10th year Giving up is not an option, simply because the Lord has made it clear on a load of occasions that He will get me through Being so tuned in to your children fuels your sense of worth and purpose Quitting on your kids is not an option Knowing that the kids have security, faith and acceptance from me is priceless Cooking and baking becomes second nature, especially with all the activities we and the kids share in Some days its hard to remember that we have a deeper understanding of parenting, some days its just so very overwhelming Accountability becomes another title Faith and gratitude override all the downsides, the tough days and the worries. Debs

Twice a year The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints hold a General Conference where we get guidance and inspired revelation from many of our church leaders. For those that are not in Salt Lake City to be there in person, many watch it via satellite broadcast at their Stake Centres or, like me, at home. However it is listened to or watched depends on what works for the family but it is an event that really should be prepared for in advance to be able to get the most out of it. We watch most of the sessions online whilst in pj’s, eating a range of nibbles and lounging on my bed! Charley will either play with his toys and raise his head occasionally to ask a question about what he’s just heard or, in the last session, he has worked through the various GC packets that have been available to download. The next General Conference is 2nd and 3rd October and now is the time to begin preparation if you haven’t done so already. If you want a totally awesome website to go to with...

Driving across town today, enjoying the sun, the breeze and the knowledge that my kids where happily in school I got to thinking about the talk given by President Uchtdorf. It’s not a new one but its one that continually resides in my mind, especially when I am trying to make some positive changes to our lives. I plugged in my ipod and listened to the talk again… Like most things in life, the more I hear this the more my thinking expands. Whilst I am taking more time with myself and my kids just now I am seeing the blessings unfold before my eyes just by not clock-watching or trying to fill up every waking minute of the day. Instead, because I know this time out is only to recoup and reset some values I want the kids and I to strengthen I feel like I am being taught so much more. I love learning, even if I forget a lot of stuff, I still retain bits of it to ponder then eventually the whole principle of something just clicks. Light bulb moments are rock...

  Purpose The purpose of this video contest is to give more members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints an opportunity to strengthen their testimonies as they share their talents with worldwide members and to "join the conversation" in sharing the gospel with the world. This contest will also help gather videos and material that could be used in future Mormon Messages and other Church video projects. Entries submitted to the contest become the property of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church will grant a license to you to use the video. Theme: "Make Your Own Mormon Message" Members are invited to enter the contest and create new videos. The videos can express any subject about Latter-day Saint life, history, beliefs, values, scripture, etc. See current Mormon Messages for ideas. Video Theme Suggestions and Ideas: A gospel principle My life as a Mormon Mormon life in general Mormon music video ...

Boys will be boys…enjoy seeing your boy…more to come on Wednesday for ya! :) Oh how I teased them…but they played up to it even more… Hurry up and get him married when he’s home… ;) lol And if you think this is a one off, think again!  These two are always like that!! I left them alone with the camera while I finished up dinner…oh boy, I’m too scared to look at the video they made! Now I’m trying to get it all loaded up so you can see it…but it may need a health warning, all I could hear was them play fighting, singing and messing around!! Lol Gotta love our missionaries!! :) Debs