Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake
Perfect for a weekend treat!

Ingredients:
3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
3 eggs
6 ounce of sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 (16.5-ounce) rolls refrigerator chocolate chip cookie dough (keep refrigerated until needed)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C.
2. In a large bowl, beat together cream cheese, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract until well mixed; set aside.
3. Slice cookie dough rolls into 1/4-inch slices. Arrange slices from one roll on bottom of a greased 9- x 13-inch glass baking dish; press together so there are no holes in dough. Spoon cream cheese mixture evenly over dough; top with remaining slices of cookie dough.
4. Bake 45 to 50 minutes, or until golden and center is slightly firm.
5. Remove from oven, let cool, then refrigerate. Cut into slices when well chilled.
If desired top with ice cream or whipped cream.

Presented by: Jackie Burnett 

26 January 2014 - Relief Society Recap

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Carol Stoner - We ask you to keep Carol and her husband in your prayers during this time. Carol has had a reaction to some medication and has been sent to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. Due to this, we have cancelled the meal schedule until further notice.

2. Stake Relief Society Women's Conference - Thursday, February 27th from 6:30 to 9:00pm
Come join us for fun and informative classes followed by a dessert bar.

3. Time Out for Women - Friday, March 14th through Saturday, March 15th in Spokane!
TOFW is a great inspirational women's conference to uplift and edify us in every way possible. It's a two day event filled with wonderful music and motivational speakers. We encourage as many to attend as possible. It's a wonderful event.

4. Relief Society Compassionate Service Project - Tuesday, February 11th from 6:30 to 8:30pm
Join us for the second annual freezer meal assembly! Last year's event was such a success that we've decided to do it again. Last years meals were a great blessing to 30 different families and we would love to continue to bless families in our communities.

5. Teaching for Our Times - If you need a schedule of lessons or a manual, please contact a member of the Relief Society Presidency.

6. Keeping the kitchen clean! - Time was spent cleaning out the kitchen and we ask you to remind those in your family to make sure they clean up after themselves when using the kitchen and the items inside. There has been quite a few dishes and items being left behind and it's being left up to others to clean. Please remember that the church is the Lord's house, but he does not do the dishes!

7. Food Bank Needs - The food bank is in need of volunteers! Tuesday, February 4th we need two sisters to volunteer to help clean the Food Bank. If you would like to sign up, please contact Beth Moxley at 397-0297 for details. The food bank is also in need of the following items; soup, crackers, peanut butter, jelly or jam, canned meat or tuna and mayonnaise. As always, other items are always welcome.

LESSON OVERVIEW

How do you best respond when mental or emotional challenges confront you or those you love?

"Above all, never lose faith in your Father in Heaven, who loves you more than you can comprehend. As President Monson said to the Relief Society sisters so movingly last Saturday evening: "That love never changes. ...It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God's love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve [it]. It is simply always there." Never, ever doubt that, and never harden your heart. Faithfully pursue the time-tested devotional practices that bring the Spirit of the Lord into your life. Seek the counsel of those who hold keys for your spiritual well-being. Ask for and cherish priesthood blessings. Take the sacrament every week, and hold fast to the perfecting promises of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Believe in miracles. I have seen so many of them come when every other indication would say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost. If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all, remember the Savior's own anguished example: if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead."

Elder Jeffrey R Holland - Like a Broken Vessel - November 2013 Ensign

Presented By: Jackie Burnett

Compassionate Service Project

SECOND ANNUAL RELIEF SOCIETY COMPASSIONATE SERVICE PROJECT FREEZER MEAL ASSEMBLY

Tuesday February 11th, 6:30 pm

Sisters come to join in the fellowship, service and some tasty snacks.  Please sign up for needed items ( lists are being distributed in RS, YW and Primary) and come lend a hand. 

Remember to bring knives, cutting boards and big mixing bowls to help with meal preparation. 

For questions contact: Betina Workman 397-2288

presented by Jackie Burnett

19 January 2014 - Ward Conference

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• 25 January at 4:00pm - Hope's Baptism
  1055 NE Orchard Drive, Pullman
• 11 February at 6:30pm - Relief Society Meeting
  A light dinner will be served followed by an evening spent fellow-shipping while preparing freezer meals for the Ward Compassionate Service.
• 27 February at 6:30pm - Stake Women's Conference
  "Come... lay aside the things of this world and seek for the things of a better." Join us at the Stake Center where there will be classes followed by a dessert bar. 
• 26 April - Ward Temple Trip - Plan ahead and check those temple recommends! :)

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

• Meals for the Stoner's - If you would like to offer a meal for the Stoner's, please contact Stephanie Mackey at 509.553.2025 (home) or 509.398.6301 (cell). You can also sign up online at www.takethemameal.com - Recipients Name: Stoner - Password: Stoner

WAYS TO HASTEN THE WORK OF THE LORD

Presented by:

Michael Pickard - First Counselor in Stake Presidency

Eric Limburg - Second Counselor in Stake Presidency

1. Gain knowledge of new techniques and new ways to share the gospel.
2. Pray daily for missionary experiences.
3. Utilize the new investigator application on your mobile devices.
4. Get to know and socialize with more non-members.
5. Share the gospel and be approachable.
6. Listen to the Holy Ghost and act on all promptings you receive.
7. Know what we believe and study the Articles of Faith.
8. Offer to be of service! - Help those in need.
9. Make it a priority to complete your home and visiting teaching every month.
10. Invite friends/acquaintances to activities - continue to be friends even if they turn you down.
11. Be a leader by example.
12. Never give up on anyone - regardless of the stage of life they are in you never know how the Lord is working in their lives.
13. Ask the Missionaries!! Learn ways you can assist the missionaries so they can assist more.... even helping you.
14. Focus on our less active brothers and sisters - each need that FIRE OF DESIRE to bring them back. YOU may be that fire and not know it 
15. Don't be afraid to share your talents, you never know who will need them and the example you'll set.

Presented By: Jackie Burnett

He Freely Gives

 He Freely Gives As We Grow In Righteousness

There is much to ponder as we read and study the scriptures. The condition of our heart is important when we consider our relationship with God. Searching all the scriptures that mention the condition of the heart may teach us much about purity and humility.

Jesus Christ lived, died and is resurrected. He lives. He has done what He said He would do. There is a connection between obeying His commandments, repentance when we do not and the guidance and inspiration from the Holy Spirit that we long for. He freely gives as we grow in righteousness.

Salted Fudge Brownies

SALTED FUDGE BROWNIES

Ingredients:
1 ½ sticks unsalted butter 

2oz unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped 

¼ cup + 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
2 cups sugar

3 large eggs
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon course sea salt



Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350degF. Line a 9-inch square cake pan with foil, draping the foil over the edges. Lightly butter the foil.

2. In a large saucepan, melt the butter with the unsweetened chocolate over very low heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat. Whisking them in one at a time until thoroughly incorporated, add the cocoa, sugar, eggs, vanilla and flour. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface. Sprinkle the salt evenly over the batter. Using a butter knife, swirl the salt into the batter.

3. Bake the brownies in the center of the oven for about 35 min, until the edge is set but the center is still a tad undercooked. Inserting a toothpick in the center should result in a lightly coated toothpick. Cool for 1 hour then refrigerate for 1 hour. Lift the brownies from the pan, peel the foil and cut into 16 pieces. Serve at room temperature.

Presented by Jackie Burnett

5 January 2014 - Relief Society Recap

We understand that some of our valued sisters of the Relief Society are unable to attend Relief Society due to different circumstances; attending their callings or other oblications, sometimes sickness or other reasons. We would like to offer a weekly overview of what occurs in Relief Society each week to provide an opportunity for those who cannot attend to keep updated on what they may have missed. We hope this aids in keeping every sister informed.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1.       Youth Temple Trip – This Saturday, January 11^th, the ward is participating in a youth temple trip. If your youth plans on attending please meet at the church and be ready to leave at 12:30pm.
2.       Ward Temple Trip – Mark your calendars! April 26^th is our ward temple trip. More information will be available as we get closer.

SIGN UPS:

1.       Food Pantry Clean Up – The Relief Society is working together to help clean up the food pantry. If you have a few minutes to spare and would like to volunteer to help clean it up, please speak with a member of the Relief Society Presidency.
2.       Primary Substitute List – The Primary is asking for our help in creating a substitute teacher list for times when teachers are not available. If you would be kind enough to be able to add yourself to that list, please speak with a member of the Relief Society Presidency or a member of the Primary Presidency.

LESSON OVERVIEW:

"BE ON THE LORD’S ERRAND"

“The sweetest experience I know in life is to feel a prompting and act upon it, and later find out that it was the fulfillment of someone’s prayer or someone’s need. And I always want the Lord to know that if He needs and errand run, Tom Monson will run that errand for Him. That is a pattern that each of us should want to follow” - Thomas S. Monson
 

As sisters in the Relief Society, it is extremely important to follow the promptings, both large and small, that our Heavenly Father gives us. This is a way Heavenly Father reaches out to each of us to allow us to know the needs of the sisters in our community. As we help those around us, we are doing the Lord’s work.

FOUR WAYS TO ACT ON PROMPTINGS:

1.       Desire to receiving promptings. If the desire to receive promptings is not there, Heavenly Father is not going to offer them to us. We need to show that we are ready and willing to do His work before He is provides us with the opportunity to bless others.

2.       Inviting the spirit into our lives. As we invite the spirit into our homes and into our lives, we’re showing Heavenly Father that we want to do His work. When we show our reliability, more opportunities to receive promptings to help will occur.

3.       Heed simple promptings and act upon them quickly. You cannot expect to receive large promptings if you consistently ignore or fail to recognize the small promptings that Heavenly Father has sent us. Acting on them quickly is a great way to ensure that we help others in their time of need.

4.       Report back. As we ask our Heavenly Father for promptings to help others, it’s important that we take the time to report back to Heavenly Father, to show that we recognized the promptings and that it was important to us. Even when the actions we take don’t always work out the way we had planned or the expected results didn’t occur, we must recognize that we did the Lord’s work, as the Lord has asked and that things work out in His timing. It may not manifest itself in ways we imagine but Heavenly Father always has a plan and a reason for His timing.

The Divine Gift of Gratitude

Following are highlights from an inspirational talk presented by the Prophet Thomas S. Monson during the October 2010 General Conference.

THE DIVINE GIFT OF GRATITUDE

Thomas S. Monson
Ensign October 2010

Do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love.

We can lift ourselves and others as well when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude.

A grateful heart then comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives. This requires conscious effort – at least until we have truly learned and cultivated an attitude of gratitude. Often we feel grateful and intend to express our thanks but forget to do so or just don’t get around to it.

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

To express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven.

It is my prayer that in addition to all else for which we are grateful, we may ever reflect our gratitude for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His glorious gospel provides answers to live’s greatest questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where do our spirits go when we die? That gospel brings to those who live in darkness the light of divine truth. He taught us how to pray. He taught us how to live. He taught us how to die. His life is a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He saved.

Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His words. By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude.

*Note: Please read the remainder of this talk for a great example of gratitude. It’s located in the October 2010 Ensign.*

As we pass the holiday season, let us remember to show gratitude to those we love and those around us. What a better way than to make a special treat and share with those around us who mean so much to us.

This post composed and presented by Jackie Burnett.