Basic All-Purpose Cleaner Formula

Basic All-Purpose Cleaner Formula
This recipe makes 2 cups of formula, and it works on most types of dirt.

½ teaspoon washing soda (if you can find it; if not, skip)
2 teaspoons borax
½ teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
2 cups hot water
spray bottle

Combine the minerals, soap or detergent, and water in a spray bottle. Shake to blend.
Spritz the area every foot or so, and wipe clean with a clean soft rag as you go. For difficult dirt, spray and leave the cleanser on the surface for five minutes or so before wiping.

Strong Roots

Recently on the island of Molokai in the Hawaiian Islands, Sister Wirthlin and I passed by two very large trees that the wind had blown down and uprooted. These huge trees had extremely shallow roots. I wondered if they would have survived the winds and storms if their roots had been deeper. Relatively mild gusts of wind blow some trees down. Graceful palm trees, for example, are lovely to look at but will not stand up in a heavy wind because they are not well anchored. Contrast this with giant oak trees that have deep root systems that can extend two and one-half times their height. Such trees rarely are blown down regardless of how violent the storms may be.

Faithful members of the Church should be like oak trees and should extend deep roots into the fertile soil of the fundamental principles of the gospel. We should understand and live by the simple, basic truths and not complicate them. Our foundations should be solid and deep-rooted so we can withstand the winds of temptation, false doctrine, adversity, and the onslaught of the adversary without being swayed or uprooted. Members whose roots are only at the surface of the gospel need to sink them deeper until they reach the bedrock below the soft topsoil.

--Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Deep Roots,” Ensign, Nov 1994, 75

Shaking an Oak Tree

"It is time for my response. Nineteen years ago, after my being set apart by the Quorum of the Twelve in the temple as an assistant to the Twelve Apostles, Elder LeGrand Richards gave me two pieces of wisdom that have come to me over and over in the past fifty-some-odd hours that I have known of this call. First was, “Oh, to be a boy and have your whole life ahead of you.” I was forty-two years of age. I am now sixty-one and am once again a boy. There are men sitting on this stand who have been Apostles and in the First Presidency for half my age.

"The second gem of wisdom that Elder LeGrand Richards gave me was that each time a new assignment in the Church came to him, it was like the shaking of an oak tree: when the tree shook, an acorn would fall and be planted, allowing him a new beginning in that assignment. “You know, my life has been like a great oak tree. From a tiny acorn, I would grow a great oak tree.” Then he said, “I did it in business, and the oak tree shook. An acorn came down, and they sent me out as a mission president. Then I grew another oak tree; they sent me out a second time as a mission president, and then a third.” Then he talked of being a Presiding Bishop. And each time the oak tree would shake, an acorn would be planted.

"At this time, I understand the oak tree has shaken. An acorn has been planted; it is a new beginning."

--Robert D. Hales, “The Unique Message of Jesus Christ,” Ensign, May 1994, 78

We Must Uphold the Constitution

"I testify to you that God's hand has been in our destiny. I testify that freedom as we know it today is being threatened as never before in our history. I further witness that this land—the Americas—must be protected, its Constitution upheld, for this is a land foreordained to be the Zion of our God. He expects us as members of the Church and bearers of His priesthood to do all we can to preserve our liberty."
--Ezra Taft Benson, "A Witness and a Warning", Ensign, Nov. 1979, 31

Reverence is a Godly Virtue

"If reverence is an attitude towards Deity, then it is a private feeling. It is something we feel inside our hearts no matter what is going on around us. It is also a personal responsibility. We cannot blame others for disturbing our reverent attitudes. Where, then, does the development of reverent attitudes begin? The home is the key to reverent attitudes, as it is to every other godlike virtue."
--L. Tom Perry, "Serve God Acceptably with Reverence and Godly Fear’", Ensign, Nov 1990, 70

FInding Joy in the Journey

"Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows."

--Thomas S. Monson,, "Finding Joy in the Journey", Liahona, Nov 2008, 84–87

Freedom and Liberty

"I testify to you that God's hand has been in our destiny. I testify that freedom as we know it today is being threatened as never before in our history. I further witness that this land—the Americas—must be protected,its Constitution upheld, for this is a land foreordained to be the Zion of our God. He expects us as members of the Church and bearers of His priesthood to do all we can to preserve our liberty."
--Ezra Taft Benson, "Ezra Taft Benson, A Witness and a Warning", Ensign, Nov. 1979, 31

Covenants and Gifts of the Spirit

"When we have entered into divine covenants, the Holy Ghost is our comforter, our guide, and our companion. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are “the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment” (Moses 6:61). The gifts of the Holy Spirit are testimony, faith, knowledge, wisdom, revelations, miracles, healing, and charity, to name but a few."

--D. Todd Christofferson, "The Power of Covenants", Ensign, May 2009, 19–23

We Are Children Of God

"As children of God we are somebody. He will build us, mold us, and magnify us if we will but hold our heads up, our arms out, and walk with him. What a great blessing to be created in his image and know of our true potential in and through him! What a great blessing to know that in his strength we can do all things!"

--Marvin J. Ashton, "In His Strength", Ensign, Jul 1973, 24

Patience

"Patience is tied very closely to faith in our Heavenly Father. Actually, when we are unduly impatient, we are suggesting that we know what is best—better than does God. Or, at least, we are asserting that our timetable is better than His. We can grow in faith only if we are willing to wait patiently for God's purposes and patterns to unfold in our lives, on His timetable."

--Elder Neal A. Maxwell, "Patience", Ensign, Oct. 1980, 28

Who is God's Friend?

"A friend is a possession we earn, not a gift. ....The Lord has declared that those who serve him and keep his commandments are called his servants. After they have been tested and tried and are found faithful and true in all things, they are called no longer servants, but friends. His friends are the ones he will take into his kingdom and with whom he will associate in an eternal inheritance."
--Marvin J. Ashton, "What Is a Friend?", Ensign, Jan. 1973, 41

Forgiveness

"Not only our eternal salvation depends upon our willingness and capacity to forgive wrongs committed against us. Our joy and satisfaction in this life, and our true freedom, depend upon our doing so. When Christ bade us turn the other cheek, walk the second mile, give our cloak to him who takes our coat, was it to be chiefly out of consideration for the bully, the brute, the thief? Or was it to relieve the one aggrieved of the destructive burden that resentment and anger lay upon us?"

--Marion D. Hanks, "Forgiveness The Ultimate Form of Love", Ensign, Jan. 1974, 20

Forgiveness

“Ever keep in exercise the principle of mercy, and be ready to forgive our brother on the first intimations of repentance, and asking forgiveness; and should we even forgive our brother, or even our enemy, before he repent or ask forgiveness, our heavenly Father would be equally as merciful unto us.”

--The Prophet Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 3:383.

Peace

"We are a warlike people, easily distracted from our assignment of preparing for the coming of the Lord.. When enemies rise up, we commit vast resources to the fabrication of gods of stone and steel –ships, planes, missiles, fortifications – and depend on them for protection and deliverance. When threatened, we become antienemy instead of pro-kingdom of God; we train a man in the art of war and call him a patriot, thus, in the manner of Satan's counterfeit of true patriotism, perverting the Savior's teaching: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44-45.)

--President Spencer W. Kimball in a talk 1976 entitled “The False God's We Worship”.

Blessings of Obedience

"Because of Christ there is hope smiling brightly before you, and you need not worry too much about sickness, death, poverty, or other afflictions. The Lord will take care of you. Your responsibility is to keep the commandments, feast upon the words of Christ, and stay in the path to your heavenly home."

--Julie B. Beck, "There Is Hope Smiling Brightly before Us", Ensign, May 2003, 103

Quickening by the Holy Ghost

"When we invite the Holy Ghost to fill our minds with light and knowledge, He "quickens" us, that is to say, enlightens and enlivens the inner man or woman. As a result we notice a measurable difference in our soul. We feel strengthened, filled with peace and joy. We possess spiritual energy and enthusiasm, both of which enhance our natural abilities. We can accomplish more than we otherwise could do on our own. We yearn to become a holier person."

--Elder Keith K. Hilbig, "Quench Not the Spirit Which Quickens the Inner Man", October General Conference 2007

Educating Children

"If children are to be brought up in the way they should go, to be good citizens here and happy hereafter, they must be taught. It is idle to suppose that children will grow up good, while surrounded with wickedness, without cultivation. It is folly to suppose that they can become learned without education."

--Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 273.

Motherhood

"Motherhood is the one thing in all the world which most truly exemplifies the God-given virtues of creating and sacrificing. The mother who, in compliance with eternal law, brings into the world an immortal spirit occupies first rank in the realm of creation."

--Gospel Ideals, "Respect for Mothers and Their Divine Role", Improvement Era, 1953.

Isaiah 61:3

and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61:3 (New International Version)

Yogurt Cheese (LABNEE or LABNEH, pronounced lah-bah-neh)

In The Middle East, this mild spread often makes an appearance as a breakfast choice. The Syrians are particularly known for their fondness for Yogurt Cheese. It is also one of my family's favorite cheeses.

1 quart plain yogurt (without gelatin)
1 teaspoon salt

Line a strainer with double-thickness cheese-cloth. Place strainer over bowl. Mix yogurt and salt; pour into strainer. Cover and refrigerate at least 12 hours. Unmold onto a plate and shape it how you want (or leave it as is to show the texture of the cheese-cloth).

To Serve Labneh as they do in the Middle East:

1. form into desired shape on a plate ( a slight depression in the middle holds the oil)
2. drown in olive oil
3. sprinkle with pulverized spearmint
4. surround with Greek black olives.

Eat it with toasted pita bread slices, as the Arabs have done for millennia. You can also use it like a slightly tart cream cheese.

The Carvalho's (Oak Tree's) Response to Disaster

My friend Marcia Maia sent me this fabulous article that explains so well how I would like my family to be. I am posting it here for all of you Portuguese readers to enjoy!

02 de setembro de 2008

De Novo!

"... a fim de que se chamem carvalhos de justiça, plantados pelo SENHOR para a sua glória." (Isaías 61:3)

Você, assim como eu, já teve a sensação de estar passando por um mesmo problema, uma situação difícil, uma luta, uma enfermidade, um desemprego, uma traição, dívidas, mais de uma vez? Parece que a coisa está se repetindo...

E claro, fazemos de tudo para sair delas o mais rápido possível. Oramos, jejuamos, buscamos solução e... ufa! Graças a Deus passou.

Mas, de repente, aparece tudo de novo. Não são exatamente iguais, mas parece que a lição a ser aprendida é a mesma que de outra ocasião. E se for, por quê? O que foi que eu não aprendi da outra vez, para estar nesta situação novamente? O que Deus está querendo me mostrar com tudo isso?

Em muitas ocasiões nós acabamos buscando uma saída mais fácil, ou sem querer pegamos um atalho, e Deus na sua infinita bondade e misericórdia nos permite voltar atrás, ao ponto onde paramos, e aprendermos a lição toda para então seguirmos em frente.

Mas há ocasiões em que toda a lição foi assimilada e houve aprovação. Então porque nos parece que ela está se repetindo? Talvez minha amada, Deus esteja simplesmente forjando teu caráter e permitindo que você se torne como um carvalho.

O carvalho é uma árvore usada pelos botânicos e geólogos como um medidor de catástrofes naturais do ambiente. Quando querem saber o índice de temporais e tempestades ocorridas numa determinada floresta, eles observam logo o carvalho (existindo no local, é claro), que naturalmente é a árvore que mais absorve as conseqüências de temporais. Quanto mais temporais e tempestades o carvalho enfrenta, mais forte ele fica! Suas raízes naturalmente se aprofundam na terra e seu caule se torna mais robusto, sendo quase impossível uma tempestade arrancá-lo do solo ou derrubá-lo! Cada tempestade para um carvalho é mais um desafio a ser vencido e não uma ameaça! Numa grande tempestade, muitas árvores são arrancadas, mas o carvalho permanece firme!

Assim somos nós. Quando permitimos que Deus nos trate, Ele nos torna fortes, robustos, inabaláveis, fonte de inspiração e de fortaleza para os cristãos mais novos que precisam de heróis na atualidade, para saberem que Deus continua agindo no meio do seu povo como fazia nos tempos da Bíblia.

Se você está passando por lutas muito grandes por estes dias, pense como o carvalho... é só mais uma tempestade que o tornará mais forte.

Sandra Torres

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