Scripture Timers and Poem

I love to read the scriptures and want to encourage my son, nieces and nephews to feel the joy that I feel from reading them everyday.  I bought these three minute timers on Amazon Prime and wrote a poem to go with them so encourage them in their personal studies.  I hope they will enjoy using the timers.

Make TIME for Scripture Study

How many hours are in a day?

We can work, learn, sleep and play.

Make time for scriptures everyday!

You’ll learn from what the prophets say.

Ponderize, pray and be happy and strong,

And learn to choose between right and wrong.

Parables, lessons, lots to learn and know.

You’ll feel the spirit and testimonies will grow.

Remember to treasure all that you read.

Heavenly Father loves his children indeed.

He gave us scriptures because of His love,

So we can return to Heaven above.

Just like we brush our teeth every day

Reading scriptures should be treated that way.

We take care of our bodies and also our souls;

In both areas we set some important goals.

This reading timer shows you three little minutes,

So you’ll know when to start and when to end it.

Flip it again if you’d like to double your time,

And flip it once more to read for nine.

Whether you choose to read for nine, six or three,

You’ll be blessed for your efforts and very happy.

Poem - Help From the Holy Ghost

I love this poem by Erin Renouf Mylroie that was in children's magazine called, The Friend.  This could be used in conjunction with a talk or lesson.

I’m learning how to choose the right.

I’ll do my best both day and night.

But when I’m not sure what to do,

The Holy Ghost will help me through.

In math my grade is not the best,

So when I have to take a test,

I sometimes wish that I could look

At Jenny’s work or in my book.

But then I feel the still, small voice,

And I will make the righteous choice.

There are some big boys at my school.

They fool around and act so cool.

They tell me I should say bad words

And join them to throw rocks at birds.

But then I feel the still, small voice,

And I will make the righteous choice.

My buddy Tom has some neat toys,

Like video games made just for boys.

But if the game makes me feel strange,

I’m shy to say, “Let’s make a change.”

But then I feel the still, small voice,

And I will make the righteous choice.

I’m learning how to choose the right.

I’ll do my best both day and night.

But when I’m not sure what to do,

The Holy Ghost will help me through.

"Let It Go" Christmas Song (to the tune of "Let It Snow")

This little song came into my mind tonight when I was starting to stress out about all the Christmas stuff (and normal every day stuff) I have to do.  I tell ya, it is hard to work full-time and be a mom/wife/friend/daughter/sister/church volunteer/school volunteer/neighbor, etc.  There are only so many hours in a day and I feel like to find more time I need to steal from my sleeping hours.

With the shortage of time, it probably doesn't help that I decided to compose this little poem tonight.  But it made me happy, and only took me 10 minutes to write it, so I indulged.

At any rate, here's my little poem.  If you can relate, enjoy!

Teacher Appreciation - Sandwich Poem

The PTSO is providing dinner for the teachers on their Parent-Teacher Conference day since they have to work through the evening and won't have time to leave the school.

We have a really yummy sub shop near our house, so we decided to order sandwiches for our teachers and make fun little "sack dinners" for them.  The dinner will consist of an individually wrapped 6 inch turkey, ham and cheese sandwich with lettuce and tomato (condiments on the side), a pickle slice, a small bag of chips and a homemade cookie.

Of course being the completely cheesy person that I am, I had to write a poem to go with the dinner.  I'm going to print it on white paper and then mount it on colored cardstock.  I'll put all the food in a paper sack and attach the poem to the front (probably stapled).  It should be fun for the teachers to have a yummy and easy dinner that they can take back to their classrooms to eat on their dinner break.  And I'm sure the poem will give them a little much-needed giggle.

Here is a link to the PDF file for the dinner poem.  Here is the link to the PDF file for the lunch poem.  (On Google Drive)

Poem - Summers in Arizona

Isn't our little dog cute!  My boys dressed her up to survive the Arizona elements.

I'm not sure who wrote this poem, but it really is true in the summertime!  I do love the sunsets, the summer thunderstorms, and the warm night swimming here in Arizona, but when we go out during the heat of the summer day, I ask myself what on earth I was thinking when we decided to move here.  Luckily, the awesome people make up for the hotter-than-heck weather!

The devil wanted a place on earth

Sort of a summer home.
A place to spend his vacation
Whenever he wanted to roam.

So he picked out Arizona
A place both wretched and rough
Where the climate was to his liking
And the cowboys hardened and tough.

He dried up the streams in the canyons
And ordered no rain to fall
He dried up the lakes in the valleys
Then baked and scorched it all.

Then over this barren desert
He transplanted shrubs from Hell
The cactus, thistle, and prickly pear
The climate suited them well.

Time Out for Women - "Halt! Who Am I?"

I loved Mary Ellen Edmunds' talk about becoming and returning to who we are.  Here are my notes and thoughts about her talk.

She spoke about a packet of carrot seeds.  As tiny little carrot seeds, it is hard to imagine that they will someday turn into big carrots.  But sure enough, after those small seeds are planted, they grow into big carrots.  God plants you where you're supposed to be and surrounds us by people to help us.  We need to stand in awe as we become who we're supposed to be.  YOU ARE WHAT YOU ARE MEANT TO BE!  Expect greatness.

What lies behind us and what lies before us are nothing compared to what lies within us.

Poem - Halloween & the Holy Ghost

This is a cute poem to use for a little Halloween gift for visiting teaching, Primary, Young Women, etc.

Since this is the time for goblins and bats
Halloween parties and ghosts and cats
Weird costumes and strange masks too
These are the things I wish for you-
May the only ghost that comes to stay
Be the Holy Ghost to guide your way.
May the only spirits you chance to meet
Be the spirits of love & warm friends sweet.
These are Halloween wishes for you
And may God bless you in all you do.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Poem - Halloween Pumpkin Poop

For a cute little Halloween gift, you can attach the following poem to a package of Candy Corns.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

I started to carve a pumpkin
with my carving knife and scoop
But the pumpkin got so scared
He took a little poop!
It looked so cute and funny
Just like a candy treat
So I'm sharing it with you now
Because you are so sweet!

Father's Day Poem

I went to the dollar store and bought a pair of work gloves for each of my Nursery kids to give to their daddy's with the following poem for Father's Day.  I wrote the poem so it is not copywrited and you can use it and pass it on if you'd like.  Click HERE for some free Father's Day printables.

Poem - Prayer is Like Brushing Teeth

I liked this poem that I received from my sister-in-law Michelle. I have always said that there really is not a good excuse for skipping your family prayers, personal prayers or scripture study. Somehow we find time to brush our teeth, shower, get dressed and eat every day. We would never think of skipping one of these things consistently and then using the excuse of lack of time. Since I developed this attitude with my scriptures and prayers it has been a lot easier to be faithful on these important habits.

The goal is to encourages children to pray twice daily. Since we should brush our teeth morning and night, a tooth brush seems a natural reminder for saying prayers morning and night. Attach the following poem to a tooth brush:
Saying your prayers is like brushing your teeth--
it's a habit you form, a commitment you keep.
You should brush your teeth both morning and night,
the same with your prayers if you're saying them right.
Don't let your spirit or teeth begin to decay--
PRAY (and brush) at least twice a day!

Poem - Nursery (No Sick Kids Please!)

We posted this outside our nurseries on cute paper. Some people tend to send their children to Nursery or Primary even when they have very snotty noses, a cough or if they were sick the night before. They say "oh, it is just allergies" or "they don't have a fever anymore because I gave them Tylenol" or sometimes they just don't really notice. The Nursery can be a very germy place if standards are not set and maintained. This poem was a light-hearted way of reminding people of the rules. Sick kids need to stay home from church.

We all like to play, have fun and share.
But sharing our germs can be quite unfair.
Children get sick, you know this is true.
At a moment’s notice they’re down with the flu.
So, please keep them home with the sniffles or cough.
Everyone in the nursery will be much better off!

Poem - Baptism (Towel symbol)

We attached this poem to a fluffy white towel to give to people when they were preparing for baptism. If possible it is nice to have the person's name embroidered on it. Another cheaper option is those iron-on letters at Walmart or craft stores. We did that and put the child's initials on the towel (on the flat part toward the bottom). It is a fun tradition but can be costly, especially if you have many children being baptized. If you are doing this as a member of a Primary Presidency ask your bishop if this expense is appropriate for your ward. It is a fun gift for a friend or relative to receive.

This clean, white towel is a reminder for you
Of your baptism day for all the years through.
When you come out of the water, clean and pure,
Dry off with this towel and you can be sure,
That you are as clean as the towel is white
And soon the Holy Ghost can guide you day and night.
For the Holy Ghost is your gift after the laying on of hands
And will be a comfort and guide if you obey God’s commands.
When your towel becomes soiled, remember that we too
Make some mistakes but have been taught what to do.
Just as you can wash your towel so again it will be clean,
Your sins can be washed away and never again be seen.
The price for all your sins was paid by Jesus Christ with love.
Through repentance you’ll be worthy to return to Him above.
You will follow the Savior’s example as you make this choice.
Continue to try to be like Him and listen to the still, small voice.
Your Heavenly Father loves you. Remember to always pray,
And His Spirit will be with you forever and a day.

Poem - Baptism (Soap Symbol)

When I was in the Primary Presidency we attached a cute little paper CTR shield to a bar of soap and added the poem. Some people put it on the actual soap and then put wax on top of it to make it look attached to the soap. I am so busy for that so I just bought the soaps that come in a little white box or sealed in a white plastic bag and glued a CTR shield to the outside. My son still has his special soap and poem in his keepsake box. We gave the soaps to the Primary kids when we passed out invitations to the Baptism Fireside. It is also cute to give to friends when they are preparing for baptism.

I'm just a little bar of soap made especially for you,

I smell good and can make you clean, but I’m a symbol too.

When you go outside and play and get dirty as can be
You come inside and grab some soap to clean yourself you see.

This is how you clean your body of the dirt and grime
You also need to clean your soul to feel happy all the time

When you make mistakes in life and want a better way
You can pray to Heavenly Father and repent every day

So let this soap remind you of repentance and the role

The Savior plays to help you in your life to make you whole.

Poem - Baptism Bracelet

Here is a cute poem to attach to a bracelet and give a young girl as she is being baptized.

Today I’m getting baptized
I recently turned eight.
This bracelet will remind me
Of this important date.

A pearl to mark each year
As I have grown to be,
A precious child of our dear Lord
Poised for eternity.

So Father may I ask thee
To comfort me when weak.
To lift me up and steady me
As fervently I seek.

To do as thou has taught me;
To follow in thy way.
To grow my faith and lift my heart
As reverently I pray.

Poem - Prayer Bear

I used this originally while working with the Young Women, but it can be used for younger children too.

I'm your little prayer bear, I'll sit here on your bed.
I'm just a little reminder, to make sure your prayers are said.
I'll sit here and look so cute, and when the day is through,
You'll see me and remember you have journal writing too.
And just before you climb in bed, and close your eyes so tight,
I'll be there to remind you, to read your scriptures tonight.

In Memory of Abby

This is a beautiful poem written by my friend Jennifer. Her precious little Abby returned to live with Heavenly Father a few months after she wrote this poem. Abby was born a few months before Jonah and she passed away on her second Thanksgiving day. Every Thanksgiving Day I look at my sweet little Jonah and think of Abby and how big she would have been had she lived. My heart aches when I think of her sudden sickness and death, but I know that she will someday be reunited with her family. Abby's parents (and grandparents) are some of the spiritually strongest people I have met and their testimonies of the Savior and His Atonement are stronger than ever. This poem was included on her funeral program. I think most mothers will relate to the tender feelings during moments alone with our babies and how quickly the time passes.

For Abby
September 29, 2003
Tonight I rocked and held you close,
My precious little daughter,
Unwilling to let go this day,
Of baby loves and infant ways,
I pressed your cheek against my face
As smooth as clay to potter.
Tonight our breath was sweet and slow,
My sweetest little angel,
Mine fell low and yours fell light -
Music in the gentle night,
Up and down and eyes shut tight
As rhythmic as if rain fell.
Tonight I wished for nothing else
My darling dearest child,
Than that which I held close to me -
Your cuddly warmth in slumber deep,
This happy hour when clock hands sleep,
Our mother-daughter reverie
As we our heaven styled.
Jennifer Ferre