Peoria Ward Playgroup

February Schedule

2012-02-03T06:25:00.000-08:00

Note the varying start times this month.

Friday, February 3 - Play date at Wood’s
Meet at Carrie Wood’s home (10815 N Fieldgrove Dr, Dunlap, 370-3933) at 9:30am to play.

Friday, February 10 - Valentine's Day Party at Powell’s
Meet at Melissa Powell’s home (3607 W Compton Ct, Peoria; 264-9280) at 9:30am. Bring a Valentine to put in each child's container (we will make the container as a craft). If you’d like, you may bring a treat to share too, but don’t feel obligated.

Friday, February 17: Wheels at the church
Meet in the cultural hall at 10am. Bring a ride-on toy or other wheeled-toy.

Friday, February 24 - Preschool Splash at Riverplex (600 NE Water St, Peoria)
Meet at 10am for Preschool Splash. End time is 11:30. $3 per child (under one is free). Parents must accompany children in the water.

January Schedule

2011-12-29T13:04:00.000-08:00

Friday, January 6th: TotallyTots at the Riverplex (600 NE Water Street, Peoria)

Meet at 9:30am (end time at 11:30) at the Riverplex. Kids canplay with our oversized foam equipment, balls, hoops, trikes, cars and scooters.No food or drink allowed in the play area. The cost is $3 per child; childrenunder 1 and Riverplex members are free.

Friday, January 13th:North Branch Story Time (3001 West Grand Parkway, Peoria)

Meet at 10:15am (end time 10:45) at the new library (behindMenard’s off Allen Rd)for Fun Time Storytime. Enjoy fun stories and songs. Afterwards, you can readbooks with your child(ren), and let them play with the puzzles and blocks.

Friday, January 20th:Play date at the Christensen’s (2315 W Miners Dr, Dunlap)

Meet at 9:30am at Nikell Christensen’s house (801-361-1142)to play.

Friday, January 27th:Tunnels & Trains at Church

Meet at the Church in the cultural hall at 9:30am. Bring atrain toy and/or tunnel to share.

December Schedule

2011-11-17T06:19:00.001-08:00

December Schedule

Friday, December 2^nd:McDonald’s (7720 North University Street, Peoria)

Meet at 9:30am, and play on their indoor play-place. Don’tfeel obligated to order food in order to play.

Friday, December 9^th:Toy Exchange at the Church

Meet at 9:30am at the church. Bring a USED toy that has beenwrapped. Bring one toy per child that would like to receive a toy. We’ll meetin the nursery so the kids can play too.

Friday, December 16^th:Christmas Party (2107 West Winnebago Dr, Peoria)

Meet at 9:30am at Jacqie Lewis’ house. Bring a holiday treatto share if you’d like.

Friday, December 23^rd:No Playgroup

Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 30^th:No Playgroup

Happy New Year’s!

November Schedule

2011-10-24T12:25:00.000-07:00

With winter approaching, it is time to compile the list of familieswilling to host playgroup at their home. If you volunteer, we would come toyour house to play with your toys during the regularly-scheduled playgroup time(Fridays, 9:30-12noon). I would, of course, check the specific date with youprior to sending the schedule out to everyone. Please email me directly - so as to avoidcluttering others’ inboxes - if you are willing to host sometime this winter,and I’ll get your name on the list. THANK YOU!

November Schedule

Friday, November 4^th:Chuck E. Cheese (2601 W. Lake, Peoria)
Meet at 9:30am. There is a slide and a climbing thing thatare free, and there is no entrance fee. Just buy tokens if you want them. Checktheir website for coupons. https://www.chuckecheese.com/coupons/

Friday, November 11^th:Wheels!
Meet in the cultural hall at the church at 9:30am. Bringyour toys with wheels: ride-on, toy cars, trains, etc.

Friday, November 18^th:Franciscan Complex Motor Mites (908 N Sterling Ave, West Peoria)
Meet at 9:15am (ends at 11:15). Cost is $2 per child ages1-5. This winter open gym is a great way to let little ones with lots of energyenjoy the fun of playing freely with scooters, balls, hula hoops, tumblingequipment, and more. This place can be hard to find if you’ve never been therebefore; it is not directly on Sterling Ave. To get there, take University South and goRight on Main Street,Right on Heading and Left on Sterling.

Friday, November 25^th:No Playgroup
Happy Thanksgiving!

October Schedule

2011-09-22T12:45:00.000-07:00

NOTE: New Time! Playgroup will now begin at 9:30am, but you are welcome to come and go anytime between 9:30 and 12noon.

Friday, October 7^th:Sommer Park North (6600 N. Basket Oak Drive, Edwards)
Meet at 9:30am (enter off Koerner Rd through Sommer Place neighborhood). Bring sand toys.

Friday, October 14^th:Tanner’s Orchard (740 State Route 40; Speer, IL)
Meet at Tanner’s Orchard at 9:30am. Bring your camera and some cash. There’s a country market, playground ($3 for ages 2-12), petting zoo (feed for 25 cents), and duck pond. For more information, http://www.tannersorchard.com/index.php

Friday, October 21^st:Bumper Bowling (4100 N Brandywine Dr, Peoria)

Meet at the Christian Center Lanes at 9:30am.
(Bowling Prices - Adults: $2.50, Children: $1.50) (ShoeRental - Adults: $2.00, Kids: $1.00)

Friday, October 28^th:Halloween Party

Meet in the nursery at 9:30am. Come in your costumes (kids andmoms!) and bring a festive treat to share. We’ll do an easy Halloween craftwith the kids and play with the toys.

September Schedule

2011-09-07T12:12:00.000-07:00

Note: Back to Fridays - Playgroup will now be on Fridays for the school year.

Friday, September 2nd: No Playgroup
Happy long Labor Day weekend!

Friday, September 9th: Nursery Cleaning
Time for some service! Come help clean and organize toys in the nursery while the kids play. Meet at 10am at the church. Bring a bucket and rag.

Friday, September 16th: Ride-on Toys & Car Seat Safety Presentation
Meet at 10am in the church parking lot with ride-on toys for the kids. (If the weather isn’t nice, we’ll head into the cultural hall.) While the kids play, we will have a special presentation from OSF about car seat safety. Come prepared with any questions you may have. She’ll begin at 10:30, and afterwards will be available to check the installation of our car seats as well. (Thanks to Jacqie for organizing this!)

Friday, September 23rd: Charter Oak Park (5802 N Orange Prairie Road, Peoria)
Meet at 10am to play on the playground.

Friday, September 30th: Discovery Children's Museum (101 E Beaufort St, Normal)
Meet at the church at 9am to caravan/carpool to the museum. If you just want to meet us at the museum, we’ll arrive about 10am. We’ll plan on staying until about 12noon.
Admission is $6 per person ages 2 and over; under two are free.
Pack a lunch, and bring it inside. They have tables, and don’t mind having children eat there. The only food-for-purchase inside the museum is vending machines. There’s also a McDonald’s on the way back to the highway, if you’re interested.
Parking is recommended in the College Avenue Parking Deck, which has plenty of spaces and is only a block away. The first hour is free, and then parking is $1 an hour. There is also a small parking lot across the street from the Museum, directly to the north. This lot offers two hour parking. There is another small lot, located near the intersection of Beaufort and Broadway, to the west of the Museum, that also offers two hour parking.
For more museum information, visit their website: http://www.childrensdiscoverymuseum.net/index.asp
Questions? Contact Melanie Chambers (660-3220).

August Schedule

2011-07-30T14:08:00.000-07:00

Note: This will be our last month with Wednesday playgroup. In September, we’ll return to Fridays. Also, please note the special instructions for August 17th's event.

Wednesday, August 3rd: Grand View Drive Park (3210 Grand View Drive)
Meet at 10am by the playground for some outdoor fun.

Wednesday, August 10th: Riverplex Playground Picnic (600 NE Water Street, Peoria)
Meet at 10am next door to the Riverplex at the playground. Bring a lunch and enjoy playing on Peoria’s riverfront. Then we’ll have lunch at the picnic tables in the shade.

Wednesday, August 17th: Fire Station Tour
Meet at Jacqie Lewis’ home (2107 West Winnebago Dr, Peoria) at 9:40am. We’ll walk about a block to the Northmoor Fire Station where we’ll have a short tour starting at 10am. If you plan on attending, email Jacqie (jacqie96@hotmail.com) each of your children’s names no later than the 11th to RSVP.

Wednesday, August 24th: Riverfront Walk (100 NE Water St, Peoria)
Meet at 10am by the Spirit of Peoria. Don’t forget strollers for the little ones. Maybe we’ll see a train or a barge!

Wednesday, August 31st: Chartwell Park (2828 Willow Lake Road, Peoria)
Meet at 10am by the playground. Please note that this park only has on-street parking in the neighborhood, and then there’s a short walk down a path to the play structure.

July Schedule

2011-06-30T12:06:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, July 6th: Safety Town (6518 N Sheridan Rd, Peoria)
Let’s try this again. Bring your bikes/ride-on toys and a helmet and meet at 10am. There is a covered bleacher seating area, port-a-potty, picnic tables, and drinking fountain.

TUESDAY, July 12th: Fondulac Farm Park (305 Neumann Drive, East Peoria)
Meet at the farm (go east on I-74, take the Camp Street exit - 95B; turn right onto Meadow Avenue - Route 150 at the 2nd stop light; continue on Meadow Avenue for about 2 1/2 miles; turn right onto Neumann Drive at the barn-shaped sign; follow the road up the hill and take the first right to the parking lot) at 10am. Bring a sack lunch, and we’ll eat outside on the grass after touring the farm. Free admission on Tuesdays! Feed is 50 cents.

Wednesday, July 20th: Movie at Willow Knolls 14 (4100 West Willow Knolls Drive, Peoria)
Come watch Stuart Little (rated PG) for just $1 per person. Movie starts at 10am, so arrive a little early.

Wednesday, July 27th: Water Fun at Lindsey Williams’ house (5816 W Brookmere St, Edwards)
Meet at 10am in Lindsey’s backyard. We’ll have splash pools and a sprinkler for the little ones. Bring a towel, sunscreen and a lawn chair.

At Church Today

2011-06-15T05:36:00.000-07:00

Playgroup will be held at the church nursery today, due to the rain. Please bring liquid Elmer's glue, if you have any, for our Father's Day craft.

June Schedule

2011-05-26T12:42:00.000-07:00

Note: Playgroup has been moved to Wednesdays for the summertime rather than Fridays in order to accommodate traveling and to give moms with older children who are home from school a mid-week break. We will return to Fridays in September.

Wednesday, June 1st: Detweiler Park (Dogwood/Pine Shelters)
Meet at 10am at the “spider web” playground. If it is too crowded, we’ll move to the Moose Shelter playground.

Wednesday, June 8th: Forest Park Nature Center (5809 Forest Park Drive, Peoria Heights)
Meet at 10am for a Wildflower Walk hosted by their nature guides. Afterwards, enjoy their summer story time from 10:30-11:15 in the Nature Center.

Wednesday, June 15th: Father’s Day Craft at Northtrail Park (1621 W. Meadowview Drive, Peoria)
Meet at 10am at Northtrail Park. We’ll do a craft in the shelter for our daddies, and then play on the slides and swings.

Wednesday, June 22nd: North Library Story Time (3001 W Grand Parkway, Peoria)
Meet at 10am at the North Library (the new one on the road between Menard’s & WalMart) for their story time. Expect fun stories and a craft.

Wednesday, June 29th: Glen Oak Park (2218 North Prospect Road, Peoria)
Meet at the large wood play structure by the zoo at 10am to run and play. If it is too crowded, we’ll head around the loop to the smaller, plastic structure.

May Schedule

2011-04-25T12:21:00.000-07:00

Reminder: You do not need to have children in order to attend - If something sounds fun to you, please join us!

Friday, May 6: Sommer Park
Meet at 10am (enter off Koerner Rd through Sommer Place neighborhood; left at dead end – Basket Oak Dr). Bring sand toys.

Friday, May 13: Bicycle Safety Town
Meet at 10am (6518 N. Sheridan Road - near Sheridan & Knoxville), and bring your bike and helmet. There is a covered bleacher seating area, port-a-potty, picnic tables, and drinking fountain.

Friday, May 20: Detweiller Park, Moose Shelter
Meet at 10am (8327 North Galena Road/Route 29), and bring your teddy and sack lunch for a picnic together.

Friday, May 27: Rock Island Trail
Meet at 10am (Alta Ln parking lot). We’ll be walking down the trail. Bring strollers and/or bikes.

In case of rain, playgroup will be at the church nursery.

Egg Hunt at Church

2011-04-21T12:33:00.000-07:00

Due to all the rain this week, the Easter Egg Hunt will be at the church instead of Mirinda's house! If it isn't too muddy, we'll do it outside at the church, but otherwise it'll be indoors there.

Meet at the nursery at 10am (with your eggs, if you haven't already given them to Mirinda).

April Changes

2011-04-07T12:25:00.000-07:00

First, a reminder: Playgroup is for any woman in the ward who would like to attend. You do not need to have children. It is as much for the women to socialize as it is for the kids to play. In fact, I attended playgroup a few times before children and had a fabulous time. So, if you are free on Friday mornings (usually at 10am) and would like to come and join us where ever we may be, please come! We'd love to have you!

Now, some updates to playgroup for this month...

1 - Friday, April 15th: I'd really like to go to the activity listed below, and I am hoping other moms will want to too. So I am canceling our Easter Craft at the church. Instead, meet at HyVee for an Earth Day Celebration. Thanks to Jacqie for the info.

2 - Friday, April 22nd: Mirinda has volunteered to host our Easter Egg hunt this year. She has requested that each mom get their eggs (6 plastic eggs per child filled with something) to her BEFORE that morning. You may bring them to church or drop them at her home any time before the 22nd. Of course, if you don't get them to her early, that is fine. She just wants to get the bulk of them hidden before the kids arrive. Please don't NOT come just because you weren't able to plan ahead. :-) Also, in case of rain, meet at the church instead of her home. Happy Hunting!

April Schedule

2011-03-26T12:45:00.000-07:00

Friday, April 1: Chuck E Cheese
Meet at 9am (2601 W. Lake, Peoria). Check their website for coupons. There’s a slide and a climbing thing that are free and no entrance fee. Just buy tokens if you want them.

Friday, April 8: Ride-on Toys
Meet in the church cultural hall (in the parking lot, if it’s nice) at 10am with your child’s favorite ride-on toy.

Friday, April 15: Easter Craft
We’ll be making bunny ears for our Easter Egg Hunt. Meet at the church nursery at 10am.

Friday, April 22: Easter Egg Hunt
Meet at Mirinda Chatfield’s house (6235 N Hamilton Rd, Peoria, 692-4304) at 10am. Bring 6 plastic eggs filled with something per child and a basket for collecting.

Friday, April 29: Poem in Your Pocket Day
Bring your favorite children’s poem (Need ideas? Google Jack Prelutsky or Shel Silverstein for silly ones for toddlers), and meet at the church nursery at 10am. We’ll have the moms take turns sharing (in story time fashion), and then let the kids play.

March Schedule

2011-02-23T17:58:00.000-08:00

4 Read Across America Party
Bring your favorite book to read to your child, and meet at the church nursery at 10am. Enjoy time swapping titles with other moms and reading to your child/children.

11 St Patrick’s Day Party
Meet at Carrie Wood’s house (10815 N. Fieldgrove Dr, Dunlap, 370-3933) at 10am for a leprechaun craft. Be sure to wear green, and bring a treat to share if you’d like.

18 McDonald’s (different location than January’s)
Meet at 10am at the University McDonald’s (7720 North University Street, Peoria). Do not feel obligated to purchase food (but you may if you’d like), just come and play on their indoor playground.

25 Play Dough Fun
Bring any toys for play dough fun to the church nursery at 10am.

February Schedule

2011-01-31T12:25:00.000-08:00

Friday, February 4
Play date: Sledding at Jacqie Lewis’ house (2107 W Winnebago Dr, Peoria, 219-0061) at 10am. Wear snow clothes and bring sleds. If there’s no snow, we’ll play inside.

Friday, February 11
Valentine's Day Party: Meet at the Church nursery at 10am. Bring a Valentine to put in each child's bag, and a treat to share. We will decorate a bag as a craft.

Friday, February 18
Jungle Jamboree: Meet at Jump Start Gymnastics (8820 N Industrial Rd, Peoria) at 11:15-12:15. $5 per child; for children who are 3 and under. The gym floor is filled with balls, tunnels, building blocks, legos, and mats.

Friday, February 25
Cowboys & Indians: Meet in the Church cultural hall at 10am. Bring a toy to share that goes with our theme.

January Schedule

2010-12-31T12:23:00.000-08:00

Friday, January 7
Trains: Meet in the Church cultural hall at 10am. Bring a train toy to share!

Friday, January 14
McDonald’s in Chillicothe: Meet at 10am to play on their indoor gym. Do not feel obligated to purchase food, but if you choose to - breakfast is served until 10:30 with lunch food following.

Friday, January 21
Play date: Meet at Mirinda Chatfield’s house (6235 N Hamilton Rd, Peoria, 692-4304) at 10am to play.

Friday, January 28
Motor Mites: Meet at the Franciscan Rec Center (908 N. Sterling Ave, West Peoria) from 9:15-11:15. $2 per child. Kids can play with scooters, balls, hula hoops, and tumbling equipment. (This is not directly on Sterling Ave. You can take University south and go right on Main Street, then right on Heading and a left on Sterling.)

December Schedule

2010-11-15T07:12:00.001-08:00

Here's the December Playgroup Schedule... Please note the request for Dec 10th: Does anyone have the Polar Express movie?

Friday, December 3
Preschool Splash at River Plex (600 NE Water Street; Peoria) from 10-11:30 am. Ages 1-5 are $3. Under 1 is FREE. No charge for adults, but you must be in the water with your child.

Friday, December 10
Polar Express Party at Melissa Powell’s house (3607 West Compton Ct., Peoria, 691-3946) at 10am. Wear your pajamas, and we will drink hot chocolate and read the book. Does anyone have the movie? Interested kids can watch the movie, and the others can play.

Friday, December 17
Toy Exchange at the Church at 10am. Bring a USED toy (wrapped). Bring one toy per child that would like to receive a toy. We’ll meet in the nursery so the kids can play afterwards.

Friday, December 24
No Playgroup – Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 31
No Playgroup – Happy New Year!

Feel free to send an email if you'd like to do something over the holiday break, or if you hear of something fun and are willing to share. I'm sure many of us will be around and looking for something to do out of the house, especially those of you with kids out of school.

November Schedule

2010-10-28T11:57:00.000-07:00

Friday, November 5
Totally Tots at the Riverplex (600 NE Water Street; Peoria) from 9:30 to 11:30am. Kids play with oversized foam equipment, balls, hoops, trikes, cars, scooters and much more. No food or drink allowed. $3 per child; children under 1 are FREE.

Friday, November 12
Ride-on Toys at the Church at 10am

Friday, November 19
Play at Mary Stettler’s home at 10am (5539 North Renwood, Peoria, 713-3521)

Friday, November 26
No Playgroup – Happy Thanksgiving!

Playgroup Survey

2010-10-28T11:53:00.000-07:00

With Brittany's coming move, I have volunteered to head-up Playgroup. Any and all suggestions and help are welcome! In fact, here's a few things I have been thinking about...

1 – Hosting: With winter approaching, I was hoping to compile a list of families willing to host playgroup at their home. Basically, we would all just come to your house to play with your toys during the regularly-scheduled playgroup. I would, of course, check the specific date with you prior to sending the schedule out to everyone.

2 – Money: An additional winter-challenge is the necessity of attending more indoor events which sometimes have a fee. What is your opinion about the frequency of such events? My goal is to limit pay-for events to once per month. I’d love to hear your perspective.

3 – When: Playgroup has traditionally been held Friday mornings at 10am. I have heard some discussion about rotating the date and/or time to accommodate different/more people. If we met on different days, we could also attend different events that are sometimes only held Tuesday/Thursday, for instance. What’s your opinion? Would it be too confusing to move it around? Would having it on a different day allow you to attend?

4 – Ideas: Even with all the ideas from previous years (Thanks Brittany and Melissa S.), it would still be nice to have more input. Do you have any ideas for playgroup? If you hear of anything, you are welcome to send it my way any time.

You can post a comment to this blog, or you can email me (my email address is on the ward website) with your thoughts. THANKS!

October Playgroup

2010-09-29T06:29:00.000-07:00

Friday, October 1^st

Meet at Sommer Park at 10am (enter off Koerner Rd at Sommer Place neighborhood; left at dead end; parking lot at the next dead end). Bring sand toys and lunch. You can also bring strollers and bikes, because there’s a nice trail.

Friday, October 8^th

Meet at Tanner’s Orchard at 10am (740 State Route 40; Speer, IL).

http://www.tannersorchard.com/index.php

Bring your camera! And cash if you’d like: there’s a market, playground ($3-5 for ages 2-12), petting zoo (feed for 25 cents-ish), and duck pond (new this year!). Bring lunch and join us!

Friday, October 15^th

Meet at Columbia Park at 10am (300 W McClure Ave, Peoria) to play.

Friday, October 22^nd

Preschool Splash at River Plex 10:00-11:30. Parents must accompany child in the water. Ages 1-5, $3 per child, adults free.

Friday, October 29^th

Halloween Party at the church at 10. Come in your costumes and bring a festive treat to share. We’ll do an easy Halloween craft with the kids.

This month Lindsey Williams is heading up playgroup, so feel free to contact her with any questions. If anyone else would be willing to do the schedule for a month, please let me know!

Apple Blossom Farm

2010-09-21T11:05:00.001-07:00

This friday we are heading to Apple Blossom Farm. The address is : 9809 North Route 91 for those of you who haven't been there before. We will meet at 10. The playground is free. They still have the petting zoo, but unfortunately the big slide is no longer there. BUMMER! The website states there is a beehive you can check out in the Harvest Barn (store).

Come enjoy our beautiful weather, let the kids run and play, and maybe enjoy a cider donut or two. They have a little bakery where you can buy lunch from 11-2.

If you want to check out their website:
http://www.appleblossomfarm.com/index.html

Group picture at the Dairy

2010-09-21T11:04:00.000-07:00

Directions to the Dairy for playgroup

2010-09-16T10:02:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow we will be heading to the Dairy in Elmwood for playgroup. Be sure to wear CLOSED toe shoes, and maybe a pair you don't care to much about. We will meet at Dannielle Spackman's house at 10 and then following her out to the Dairy. It will take you a good 30-40 minutes from Peoria to get out to Elmwood due to some construction. Dannielle's address is:605 N. Chestnut Drive Elmwood, IL 61529.

You can get the directions on mapquest through this link: http://www.mapquest.com/mq/7-lWHS8Dj2

For any questions....you can call my cell phone tomorrow: 309-550-0191. DON"T FORGET YOUR CAMERA!

Hope to see you there,

Brittany DeCaires

September Playgroup

2010-08-31T05:24:00.000-07:00

3 Rock Island Trail - meet at 10 at the main parking area off of Alta Road, bring bikes for kids and strollers for walking

10 Picnic at Chartwell Park @ 10am Bring a lunch and your kites. There is sand under the playground, so don't forget your sand toys.

17 Fun on the farm- Spackman's Dairy in Elmwood. Come see all the cows and get a good whiff of that dairy!

24 Apple Blossom Farm ($5 per child ages 3+)
-more info to come, they are re-opening with new ownership on Sept. 1st and hopefully will have more info.

Playgroup is BACK.........August Schedule

2010-07-22T10:23:00.000-07:00

5- (a thursday) Come enjoy a story in the great outdoors. Forest Park Nature Center (5809 Forest Park Drive) - Summer story time 10:30-11:15. Those that would like to meet at 10 can come go for a short hike before story time. The paths are stroller friendly!

13- Sommer Park Subd. @ 10, bring a picnic for the kids and come to play! There is sand, swings, basketball courts, and a skate park for the older kids! Don't forget your sand toys!

From 150 going towards and passing Grand Prairie, Left on Koerner, Right at Summer Place Subdivision, follow through neighborhood to dead end. Left at dead end and that will take you to the park

20- Safety town at 10....bring helmets and bike and get your cruise on! I won't be there due to preschool open house, but you can all meet for some fun!

27- Detweiller Park at 10. We will be at the "spiderweb" park. That is what we call it. If any of you know the real name of the shelter, let me know!

From Knoxville turn on Detweiller, follow all the way down, stay left at the fork. Once you get the bottom of the hill you'll take your first right turn, almost like a u- turn into the parking lot. There is a sign there stating it is to a shelter. Follow it back and you'll see the park on your left.

Just an FYI: the park district has a great coupon for a free child's admission to the zoo with paid adult.

December Playgroup

2009-11-29T14:21:00.000-08:00

2 - (Wednesday) – Dunlap Library Story Time 9:30 - Free

4 - (Friday) - Tunnels, Tents, Forts at the Church. 10:00 Craft project: Learn how to make bows.

9 - (Wednesday) – Dunlap Library Story Time 9:30 - Free

11 – (Friday) Jungle Jamboree – Jump Start Gymnastics 11:15 - 12:15 (ages 3 & under $5.00 per child)

16 - (Wednesday) - Ride On Toys at the Church 10:00

18 – (Friday) Preschool Splash at River Plex 10:00-11:30. Parents must accompany child in the water. Ages 1-5, $3 per child, adults free.

23 – No playgroup

25 – No playgroup

30 – Melissa Schroeder's House 10:00

This is the last month the schedule will be posted on this blog site. For future information about playgroup join: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sospeoria/

November Playgroup

2009-11-01T12:44:00.000-08:00

6 – (Friday) – Carrie Wood’s house 10:00 am

11 – (Wednesday) – Dunlap Library Story Time 9:30 - Free

13 – (Friday) Jungle Jamboree–Jump Start Gymnastics
11:15-12:15 (3 & under $5/child)

18 – (Wednesday) – Dunlap Library Story Time 9:30 - Free

20 – (Friday) – Ride On Toys at the Church 10:00 am

25 – No Playgroup

27 – No playgroup

Friday Oct. 23

2009-10-21T07:36:00.000-07:00

Playgroup with be at Melissa Schroeder's house. If it is nice we will walk on the Rock Island Trail so bring your strollers and meet at my house. If it is soggy and wet we will just play in my basement.

Friday October 9th Playgroup

2009-10-08T17:17:00.000-07:00

Due to the bad weather - playgroup will be moved to:

Franciscan Recreation Complex - Motor Mites Open Gym

This open gym for ages 1-5 is a great way to let little ones with lots of energy enjoy the fun of playing freely with scooters, balls, hula hoops, tumbling equipment, and more. It’s a great way for children and parents to socialize. Parents must attend.

M-W-F: 9:15-11:15 am
plus Fridays! 1:00-3:00 pm
$2 per visit or $20 for a 12-visit pass

I have a sick child so I will not be able to attend but I hope everyone has fun!!

Playgroup today

2009-10-02T06:40:00.000-07:00

It is just a little too soggy for me today so I'll be at my house - for those who want to come by for playgroup. I'm sure those of you who don't mind the soggyness (not sure that is a word) would love Tanners! So have fun today either way!

October Playgroup Schedule

2009-09-30T11:21:00.000-07:00

October

2 - Tanner’s Orchard at 10am. (if raining – then meet at Melissa Schroeder’s house for playgroup)

9 - Rock Island Trail meet at 10 am at the main parking area off Alta Ln.

16 - Preschool Splash at River Plex 10:00-11:30. Parents must accompany child in the water. Ages 1-5, $3 per child, adults free.

23 – TBA - Possibly playing at Rainbow Play Systems but will need to check as the date gets closer.

30 - Halloween Party at church at 10. Come in your costumes and bring a festive treat to share. We’ll do an easy Halloween craft for the kids

Also starting in November I was thinking about trying to do a playgroup once a week at someone's house PLUS Fridays. The idea would be Tuesdays at someones house and Friday's would be somewhere else (such as the River Plex, the Church, Motor Mites). What do you think? If you would like to give it a try please e-mail me in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks!
Melissa

Change....

2009-09-25T07:01:00.000-07:00

Lindsey Williams has offered to open the church for people who wish to go. If you want to get out of the house and let your kids run around she will be there at 10am.

Thanks!

No playgroup today.

2009-09-25T06:24:00.001-07:00

No playgroup today.

Farm tomorrow...

2009-09-15T14:14:00.000-07:00

Farm fun tomorrow at the Spackman farm. Meet at 10 am at Dannielle Spackman's house. Bring your lunch because after the farm visit stick around for a lunch at Dannielle's house.
Check your e-mail for the address or call me for the address.

Thanks
Melissa

Sept Schedule

2009-09-02T17:54:00.000-07:00

September

4 – Safety Town @ 10am

11- Picnic at Chartwell Park @ 10am Bring a lunch and your kites.

16 (WEDNESDAY) – Fun on the Farm – Spackman Farm – More info later

25 – Tanner’s Orchard @ 10am

September Playgroup

2009-08-27T11:47:00.000-07:00

I'll be moving playgroup back to Fridays in September. I'll post a schedule when I return after the 1st.

Rain

2009-08-18T20:32:00.000-07:00

If it is raining tomorrow playgroup will be cancelled.

August Schedule

2009-07-28T18:15:00.000-07:00

August

5 - Water Wars…at Carrie Wood’s House. - 10am - Kiddy pools & sprinklers.

11 – (TUESDAY) – Fondulac Park Birthday party - 10am - $0.25 admission per person.
http://www.fondulacpark.com/farmpark.html

19 - Sommer Park Playground - 10 am – swings, slides, and sandbox.

26 - Rock Island Trail - 10 am - meet at main parking area off Alta Ln. We’ll be walking down the trail.

July 15th

2009-07-14T12:14:00.001-07:00

If it is raining tomorrow (Wednesday, July 15th) - playgroup will be moved to Friday at 10 am. Same location/event.

Rain Rain Go Away

2009-07-08T07:13:00.000-07:00

Due to the rain today - playgroup will be at my house at 10:00. The kids can play and we can chat and work on the baby quilt from quilting group last night....we need all the help we can get as there is a bunch more left to do.

Thanks
Melissa

July Schedule

2009-06-29T12:52:00.001-07:00

Please note that Playgroup has switched from Fridays to Wednesdays for the summer.

July
1 – Grand View Drive/Park @ 10am (3210 Grand View Drive) – Fourth of July Pom-Pom making. Bring a stapler and scissors.

8 – Forest Park Nature Center @ 10am (5809 N Forest Park Drive, Peoria Heights) We will be hiking on a trail.

15 - Safety Town @ 10 (6518 N Sheridan Rd, Peoria) – Bring your bikes/ride-on toys.

22 – Lakeview Museum of Arts & Science - Discover Center @10 (Adults $6.00 & Youth 3-17 $4.00)

29 – Riverfront Walk - Lets walk around the Riverfront. Meet at 10 by The Spirit of Peoria.

If anyone has suggestions for future playgroup events or places to go....PLEASE let me know.

Thanks!

Playgroup Change

2009-06-24T17:00:00.000-07:00

Due to the fact that the pools don't open until afternoon we will be meeting this Friday (6-26) at Sommer Park at 10 am. Bring a picnic lunch.

Playgroup tomorrow - 06-19

2009-06-18T07:43:00.001-07:00

Playgroup tomorrow will be at the Church. The kids can run around - bring a ride on toy for more fun!

Also, if you have any old magazine you want to get rid of lets do a magazine swap tomorrow.

June Playgroup Schedule

2009-05-24T18:03:00.001-07:00

June
5 – Rock Island Trail, meet at 10 am at the main parking area off Alta Ln. We’ll be walking down the trail and getting some much needed outdoor time.

12 – Safety Town Picnic – Bring bikes, cars, trikes or any toy plus lunch for a picnic meet at 10 am

19 – Father Day activity (not sure what yet – check back later)

26 – Lakeview Family Aquatic Center meet at 10am for some fun in the sun & water

June Playgroup Schedule

2009-05-24T18:03:00.000-07:00

Kite Flying

2009-05-21T18:13:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow (Friday) looks like it will be a great day to fly kites! I will be unable to make it to playgroup tomorrow but I hope everyone has a wonderful time!!

Melissa

Playgroup cancelled today

2009-05-15T04:55:00.001-07:00

Playgroup is cancelled today due to the rain.

Location Change

2009-04-30T12:32:00.000-07:00

Due to the soggy ground and the chance of rain again tomorrow (May 1) - playgroup has been moved to Melissa Schroeder's house. We will still meet at 10 am. We will be also working on some baby blankets for donation or for expecting moms in our ward.

Hope to see you there!

May Playgroup

2009-04-26T12:15:00.001-07:00

1 – Sommer Park Playground – swings, slides, and sandbox.

8 – Touch A Truck at Peoria Stadium (on War Memorial). 10:00 am
Check back for meeting location if you want to meet up as a group…or feel free to come and go as you please.

15 – Safety Town Picnic – Bring bikes, cars, trikes or any toy plus your lunch for a picnic.

22 – Chartwell Park - Kite flying

29 – Forest Park Nature Center- meet at 9:30. We will be hiking down the trail and having the kids go for a nature scavenger hunt. (5809 N Forest Park Drive, Peoria Heights)

April Date Change

2009-04-06T18:00:00.000-07:00

I'm just switching the next two activities. So the Easter Egg hunt is before Easter....I don't know what I was thinking when I planned the events.

10 – Easter Egg Hunt at the ChurchBring 5 eggs per child (filled with something) and a basket for your child/children to collect eggs

17 – Riverplex Preschool Splash at 10-11:30, $3 per child. Parents must accompany children in the water.

April Playgroup

2009-03-28T13:16:00.000-07:00

April
3 – Craft Project at Church
Mom: Pop Art
Kids: TRAINS....bring any toys to have a CHOO-riffic time. Bring any toys that pertain to the theme.

10 – Riverplex Preschool Splash at 10-11:30, $3 per child. Parents must accompany children in the water.

17 – Easter Egg Hunt at the Church
Bring 5 eggs per child (filled with something) and a basket for your child/children to collect eggs

24 – Games at Church (maybe outside if it is nice)
Hop, Skip Bang, Backyard Bowling, Obstacle Course

March Playgroup

2009-02-22T13:17:00.000-08:00

March

6 – Craft Project at Church (for moms - Flower Pins) 10 am
Kids: Coloring & Ride-on toys (bring your favorite ride-on toy & crayons)
I have printed coloring sheets for the kids to color on.

13 – Carrie Wood’s House 10 am

20 – Bubble Fun at the Church 10 am
Bring your bubbles and have fun!

27– Franciscan Rec. Complex – Motor Mites $2 per child

I've taken over for Brittney. Please let me know if there is anything you are interested in doing at playgroup. I'm going to try doing a craft project each month (sometimes for the moms and other times for the kids) - toally optional!

Thanks Brittney for all your hardwork over the past couple of years!!

Melissa

New playgroup leader needed!

2009-02-13T14:24:00.001-08:00

This month will be my last month holding playgroup. I am looking for a new leader to keep the group going! If you are willing to do this, leave a comment and your email address. I would hate the group to not be held anymore.

Thanks,
Brittany

February Playgroup Schedule

2009-01-19T19:07:00.000-08:00

6- Cowboys and Indians...come enjoy a fun time to play and let the kids run WILD in the gym! Meet at church at 10 am in the gym. Bring any toys that pertain to the theme.
13- Valentine's Day Party- church at 10am in Nursery Room. Please bring a Valentine and treat to put in each child's bag as we have our own little V-Day party. If you would like to bring snacks to share, that would be great as well! We will help the children make"love bug" hats.
20-Riverplex Preschool Splash at 10-11:30, $3 per child. Parents must accompany children in the water.
27- TRAINS....bring any toys to have a CHOO-riffic time. Meet at church at 10am in the Nursery Room. Bring any toys that pertain to the theme.

January 16th- NO PLAYGROUP

2009-01-15T19:23:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately I have to cancel playgroup tomorrow. I have two sick kids and the two people I usually pass the key to are not available! So, We are going to revise the schedule.....once again! School has been canceled as well which may make it more difficult for some.

2- No Playgroup
9- Church at 10- Hair time, Come and enjoy a fun day of the kids playing hair. Bring your combs and bows.
16- NO PLAYGROUP
23- Preschool Splash at the River Plex from 10-11:30, $3 per child. Parents must accompany child in the water. Those on the activities committee will be setting up for the Ward activity that night. If any of you would like to come help at the church, feel free!
30- Church at 10am, Tunnels and wheels. Bring a ride on toy or tunnel for the kids to play in the gym.

January Playgroup REVISED

2008-12-26T16:03:00.000-08:00

2- No Playgroup
9- Church at 10- Hair time, Come and enjoy a fun day of the kids playing hair. Bring your combs and bows.
16- Church at 10am, Tunnels and wheels. Bring a ride on toy or tunnel for the kids to play in the gym.
23- Preschool Splash at the River Plex from 10-11:30, $3 per child. Parents must accompany child in the water. Those on the activities committee will be setting up for the Ward activity that night. If any of you would like to come help at the church, feel free!
30- Meet at 10 at the Lakeview Museum of Arts, Adults $6, Children 3-17 yrs $4. Lets go explore the Discovery Center.

canceled

2008-12-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

Due to weather it is canceled today. We will do another hair day in January.

January Playgroup Schedule

2008-12-15T13:36:00.000-08:00

2- No Playgroup
9- Sledding at Detweiller Pine Shelter- weather to be determined. Check blog for updated details.
16- Church at 10am, Tunnels and wheels. Bring a ride on toy or tunnel for the kids to play in the gym.
23- Preschool Splash at the River Plex from 10-11:30, $3 per child. Parents must accompany child in the water. Those on the activities committee will be setting up for the Ward activity that night. If any of you would like to come help at the church, feel free!
30- Meet at 10 at the Lakeview Museum of Arts, Adults $6, Children 3-17 yrs $4. Lets go explore the Discovery Center.

December Playgroup Schedule

2008-11-20T08:40:00.000-08:00

5- Toy exchange at the church at 10 am. Bring a USED toy wrapped to do a toy exchange with the other children. Bring one toy per child that would like to receive a toy.
12- Motor Mites is open at the Franciscan Rec Center from 9:15 to 11:15, $2 per child. Some of us will be setting up at church for the ward Christmas party. If you would like to come help, plan on meeting at 10 am on Friday.
19- Hair time! We are going to be doing hair at playgroup. This is for all the girls and boys! Bring your clips, brushes and spray bottles to let the kids have a great time! Meet at the church at 10. Feel free to bring older kids as well!
26- No playgroup

November Playgroup Schedule

2008-10-27T13:28:00.001-07:00

7-Chuck E. Cheese, meet at 9am, 2601 W. Lake , check website for coupons
14- Franciscan Complex Motor Mites, $2 per child, 9:15-11:15, 908 N Sterling Ave
West Peoria, IL 61604. This is not directly on Sterling Ave. You can take University South and go Right on Main Street, Right on Heading and Left on Sterling. This place can be hard to find if you don't know quite where it is. I hope these directions will help!
21-Playgroup at Melissa Schroeder’s home at 10pm. We will be working on decorations for the Ward party while the kids play!
28- No playgroup, Thanksgiving weekend!

Updated October Playgroup Schedule

2008-09-27T17:15:00.001-07:00

3- Preschool Splash at River Plex 10:00-11:30. Parents must accompany child in the water. Ages 1-5, $3 per child, adults free.

10- Safety Town, meet at 10am

17- Original Plan: Meet at Columbia Park on McClure to play at 10.
Optional Plan:I will be at the church decorating for the Halloween Party that night. Any of you that would like to come and help can meet at the church at 10!

24- Bumper Bowling at the Christian Center Lanes at 10

31- Halloween Party at church at 10. Come in your costumes and bring a festive treat to share. We’ll do an easy Halloween craft for the kids….no paint, I promise!

Playgroup September 12th

2008-09-12T06:19:00.000-07:00

Today we will be having playgroup at the indoor McDonald's playplace on North University near Pioneer Parkway. Do to the weather, the park isn't looking very promising. We'll still be meeting at 10.

September Playgroup Schedule

2008-08-25T11:18:00.000-07:00

-PLAYGROUP NOW ON FRIDAYS-

5- Rock Island Trail, meet at 10- bring bikes or strollers for children to walk the trail

12- Picnic at the Chartwell Park, meet at 10- bring a lunch and sand toys to come and play as we welcome Fall weather! This is a great park for kite flying as well.

19- Apple Blossom Farm at 10- you can pick your own apples or just play on the playground. $5 per child 3+, parents free. Check the website for coupons on both apples and the playground. http://www.appleblossomfarm.com/index.php

26- Safari fun at Detweiller Pine Shelter, meet at 10- bring an old paper towel tube to make binoculars for bird watching! I’ll have all the additional supplies….you bring the tube!

August Playgroup Schedule

2008-07-24T08:59:00.000-07:00

-Last month it will be on Wednesday-

6- Come and enjoy a story in the great outdoors. Forest Park Nature Center (5809 Forest Park Drive)– Summer Story Time 10:30-11:15. Those that would like to meet at 10 can come and go for a short hike before story time.

13- Safety Town @ 10 (6518 N Sheridan Rd, Peoria)

20- Horton Hears a Who at Willow Knolls 14 Theatre @ 10:30, $1 per seat

27- Sommer Park Subd. @ 10, bring a picnic for the kids and come to play!

From 150 going towards and passing Grand Prairie, Left on Koerner, Right at Summer Place Subdivision, follow through neighborhood to dead end. Left at dead end and that will take you to the park

REVISED: JULY SCHEDULE

2008-07-02T07:14:00.000-07:00

As you all know...I rarely can put a schedule out that I don't have to revise. So here it is!
2- Strawberry picking at Schaer’s Country Market. 1118 Spring Bay Rd. East Peoria, IL meet at 10. The season is almost done and it is time for “open picking” There may not be tons of strawberries but we can still have fun!
9- Time for service! Come help clean and organize toys in the nursery while the kids play. 10am @ church.
16- NO PLAYGROUP DUE TO COOKING GROUP
17- This is unofficial but my kids ask every day when we get to go to the water playgroup I told them about. So, I am planning on going to the park and doing what we had scheduled for the 16th, on the 17th. I hope some of you will join me. Water fun at the park. Come armed with a water gun or water balloons for some fun play. Don’t forget your towel and a change of clothes so you can still play on the playground after. Detweiller Pine Shelter at 10.
22- IT IS A TUESDAY! Monical’s Pizza Tour at 10am. 4408 N. Knoxville Road (on Knoxville and Lake) The kids will be touring the shop and seeing how they make the pizza’s.
FYI -23-The Pirates, Veggie Tales movie at Rave Theatre 10am, admission free….have to get there early!
30- Charlotte’s Web at Rave Theatre, 10 am, admission free…get there early to get in!

Six Flags Tickets in Chicago

2008-06-25T12:06:00.000-07:00

Buy one get one free for $54. Great deal for those of you who might want to go to Six Flags in Chicago. We went in St. Louis a few weeks ago and had a blast. Deal only good when you buy online through July 3rd.

http://www.sixflags.com/greatamerica/tickets/index.aspx

July Playgroup Schedule

2008-06-24T12:18:00.001-07:00

July Playgroup Schedule
2- Strawberry picking at Schaer’s Country Market. 1118 Spring Bay Rd. East Peoria, IL meet at 10. The season is almost done and it is time for “open picking” There may not be tons of strawberries but we can still have fun!
9- Time for service! Come help clean and organize toys in the nursery while the kids play. 10am @ church.
16- Water fun at the park. Come armed with a water gun or water balloons for some fun play. Don’t forget your towel and a change of clothes so you can still play on the playground after. Detweiller Pine Shelter at 10.
22- IT IS A TUESDAY! Monical’s Pizza Tour at 10am. 4408 N. Knoxville Road (on Knoxville and Lake) The kids will be touring the shop and seeing how they make the pizza’s.
FYI -23-The Pirates, Veggie Tales movie at Rave Theatre 10am, admission free….have to get there early!
30- Charlotte’s Web at Rave Theatre, 10 am, admission free…get there early to get in!

Directions to Fondulac Farm

2008-06-24T06:33:00.000-07:00

Ok, here are the directions to Fondulac Farm:

74 East toward Bloomington
Exit 95 B (Camp street exit)you will exit just when you get over the bridge.
continue on E. Washington Street...which is what it turns into when you get off the freeway.
Turn right onto Meadow Avenue (Rt. 150)
Follow this road up for a little
Turn right on Neuman Drive
There is a little wood sign that looks like a barn that says Fondulac Farm.
It will be a steep right turn up a big hill. Follow this up and once you get up close to the top you'll see it on the right.

I hope this gets everyone there. When I got lost last time I didn't have the "Meadow Drive" name and I got lost!

Don't forget your sack lunches and camera!

Glen Oak Ampitheatre

2008-06-12T11:56:00.000-07:00

Family Flicks
The entire family can enjoy full-length, family films Monday evenings, June 9-Aug 4. These movies begin at dusk and the cost is only 25 cents a person.

June 9:
Shrek

June 16:
Are We Done Yet?

June 23:
Happily Never After

July 7:
Back to the Future

July 14:
Shrek the 3rd

July 21:
The Bee Movie

July 28:
Open Season

August 4:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

June Playgroup Schedule

2008-05-26T10:48:00.000-07:00

*Note this schedule is different then what has been printed in the RS Newsletter. I will print and pass out schedules next week.

4 - Story time at McClure Library @ 10-10:30 then off to the park to play after

11 - Charter Oak Park - Father's Day Surprise @ 10, bring craft paint

18 - No playgroup due to cooking group

25 - Fondulac Farm Park @ 10, Children $2, Adults $2.50, Feed $.50Bring a sack lunch and we can eat outside on the grass after touring the farm.

Playgroup is canceled today

2008-05-23T06:20:00.001-07:00

I don't know about you but being out at the park in the rain just doesn't sound good. Since we all have the Ward party tonight, I decided to just cancel it and let us take it easy this morning! See you all tonight!

Revised May Schedule

2008-05-08T05:30:00.000-07:00

*I decided to change this because the Wheels o' Time museum didn't start until 12. I didn't want to go and I know a few of you probably didn't either. So, I have mixed things around!

2 – Teddy Bear Picnic at Detweiller Park, Moose Shelter, meet at 10. Bring your teddy and sack lunch for a fun picnic together.
9 – Rock Island Trail, meet at 10. We’ll be walking down the trail and getting some much needed outdoor time.
16 – Garage Sale walking! My neighborhood is having a neighborhood garage sale. Meet at my house at 10 and we can walk the neighborhood with the kids and play in my backyard after!
23 – Kite making and flying at Chartwell Park, meet at 10. Bring anything to decorate basic kites.
30 – Forest Park Nature Center- meet at 9:30. We will be hiking down the trail and having the kids go for a nature scavenger hunt. (5809 N Forest Park Drive, Peoria Heights)

Rain or shine we are having our picnic

2008-05-02T07:07:00.000-07:00

I am still planning on going to the park. what is more fun then playing in the rain. I am dressing my kids in clothes that they can "play" in. So, I am game to let them go wild and have a good time. Pull our the rain boots...mom's bring a chair so your bums aren't wet and enjoy all that nature has to give us!

Safety town.....rain or shine!

2008-04-25T07:28:00.000-07:00

I am still planning to go to safety town....a few puddles won't scare me. If it is raining pretty bad then we can all come over to my house. But, we can meet at Safety Town at 10 as planned.

May Playgroup Schedule

2008-04-21T19:03:00.001-07:00

May Playgroup Schedule
2 – Teddy Bear Picnic at Detweiller Park, Moose Shelter, meet at 10. Bring your teddy and sack lunch for a fun picnic together.
9 – Rock Island Trail, meet at 10. We’ll be walking down the trail and getting some much needed outdoor time.
16 – Kite making and flying at Chartwell Park, meet at 10. Bring anything to decorate basic kites.
23 – Wheels O’ Time museum. Meet at 12. 11923 N Knoxville Avenue Peoria, 61612 Adults $5.50 Children 3+ $3.50. We may be able to get a group discount if enough people come. Print coupon for discounted admission: http://wheelsotime.org/print_this_coupon.htm
30 – Forest Park Nature Center- meet at 9:30. We will be hiking down the trail and having the kids go for a nature scavenger hunt. (5809 N Forest Park Drive, Peoria Heights)

Dairy farm...see you tomorrow!

2008-04-17T21:07:00.000-07:00

We are planning to meet at the church tomorrow at 9:30 and head out to the dairy farm. It is a little complicated which is why we were going to do a car chain. I am hoping to be there, but we'll see how my girls are feeling. Be sure to wear farm appropriate clothing and bring a lunch and toys for after....weather permitting. Don't forget the camera!

Conference Summary

2008-04-07T19:41:00.001-07:00

2008 April Annual General Conference
Saturday AM
President Henry B. Eyring: “This is the true church, the only true church, because in it are the keys of the priesthood. Only in this church has the Lord lodged the power to seal on earth and to seal in heaven as he did in the time of the Apostle Peter. ..
"This is a day of historical significance and of eternal importance in the history of the world and to the children of our Heavenly Father. Now, our obligation is to remain worthy of the faith necessary for us to fulfill our promise to sustain those who have been called ... To sustain (them) we must examine our lives, repent as necessary, pledge to keep the Lord's commandments and follow his servants. The Lord warns us that if we do not do those things, the Holy Ghost will be withdrawn, we will lose the light which we have received and we will not be able to keep the pledge we have made today to sustain the Lord's servants ...
"I am personally aware of the power of the faith of members of the church to sustain those who have been called. In the past few weeks, I have felt in powerful ways the prayers and faith of people whom I do not know and who know me only as someone called to serve through the keys of the priesthood."

Elder Russell M. Nelson: "To be saved means to be saved from physical and spiritual death. Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, all people will be resurrected and saved from physical death. People may also be saved from individual spiritual death through the atonement of Jesus Christ, by their faith in him, by living in obedience to the laws and ordinances of his gospel and by serving him.
"The time to prepare for our eventual salvation and exaltation is now."
Such preparation involves repentance, baptism and the receipt of the Holy Ghost and then living according to God's laws.
"The home is God's laboratory of love and service ... Throughout the world, the family is increasingly under attack. If families fail, many of our political, economic and social systems will also fail. And if families fail, their glorious eternal potential cannot be realized."
While the Resurrection is universal, exaltation "is a conditional gift." It requires eternal marriage and continuing obedience to the principles of the gospel.
Preparation for exaltation must involve not only self and family but ancestors, without whom "we cannot become perfect."
"Sealing ordinances are essential to exaltation."

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin: "Jesus Christ is our greatest example. He was surrounded by multitudes and spoke to thousands, yet he always had concern for the one ...
"Some are lost because they are different. They feel as though they don't belong. Perhaps because they are different, they find themselves slipping away from the flock. They may look, act, think and speak differently than those around them, and that sometimes causes them to assume they don't fit in. They conclude they are not needed.
"In God's orchestra, every instrument is precious and adds to the complex beauty of the symphony ...
"Some are lost because they are weary. It's easy to feel overwhelmed ... Many feel discouraged because they have not measured up to their potential. Others simply feel too weak to contribute, so as the flock moves ahead, gradually, almost imperceptibly, some fall behind ...
"Step forward, put your shoulder to the wheel and push ...
"Some are lost because they have strayed. Except for the Lord, we have all made mistakes. The question is not whether we will trip and fall, but rather, how will we respond? ... Church is a place for imperfect people to gather together ... and become better."

Elder Ronald A. Rasband: "Life's experiences can become building blocks of faith and testimony. These experiences come to us in vastly different ways and at unpredictable times. They can be powerful, spiritual events or small, enlightening moments.
"Just as the building blocks of our homes support the rest of the structure, so too, do our personal life experiences become the building blocks of our testimonies and add to our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Moments of personal revelation, such as when a person gains a testimony of the prophetic mission of Joseph Smith, that the Book of Mormon is a true testament of Christ or when a fervent prayer is answered become such building blocks. As you contemplate such special experiences, don't they give you a sense of gratitude and resolve to go forward with renewed faith and determination?"
On a visit to members of the church in the city of Puno, Peru, high in the Andes Mountains on Lake Titicaca, my wife and I learned Uros Indians were living the gospel in very different settings.
"The interaction became a new building block added to my house of faith ...
" Weak and simple members of the church ... are taking the gospel to the ends of the earth."

Elder Kenneth Johnson: "With knowledge of the great plan of happiness, we have the opportunity and also the responsibility to help restore faith in the family.
"While scientists use laws associated with naturally occurring processes, they did not create those laws. Similar laws keep life and living things in balance and can be applied to ethical standards and moral values ...
"Disciples of Christ receive their witness by studying his words, observing his works, putting principles into practice and through the spirit of inspiration ...
"Although spiritual truths may appear less tangible, to the humble heart, their impact is undeniable. It is important to understand that natural laws were not determined on the basis of popularity. They were established and rest on the rock of reality ... there are moral verities that did not originate with man. They are central to a divine plan which, when discovered and applied, brings great happiness and hope on our mortal journey ...
"We must hand down to future generations a foundation of faith in the family, as defined by deity. We should never forget that freedom and happiness in all aspects of life come by understanding and living in harmony with eternal principles."

Sister Cheryl C. Lant: The most important family traditions "are connected with the way we live our lives and will last beyond us as our children's lives are influenced and shaped ...
"What kind of traditions do we have? ... Are they mostly material in nature or are they eternal? Are we consciously creating righteous traditions, or is life just happening to us? Are our traditions being created in response to the loud voices of the world, or are they influenced by the still small voice of the Spirit?"
True conversion must precede traditions. "This conversion is a firm belief in Jesus Christ as our Redeemer (and comes through) a witness of the spirit as we study these very scriptures that testify of him. It comes as we pray and as we fast. It only comes when we have a deep desire to know the truth."
Consistency is important in creating righteous traditions.
A legacy of righteous living can strengthen families despite death and other circumstances. "What is the legacy we are giving them today? What will it be tomorrow? It can start with us ...
"As we become steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord, we will secure the blessings of heaven for ourselves and for our families."

Saturday PM
Elder L. Tom Perry: "I believe that if we could create in our minds a clear and true picture of eternal life we would start behaving differently."
Latter-day Saints wouldn't have to be prodded to do home or visiting teaching, attend meetings, go to the temple, say prayers, read the scriptures or live moral lives.
"We would want to do all these things and more because we realize they will prepare us to go somewhere we yearn to go."
"Essentially, the gospel of Jesus Christ is a five-ingredient recipe for eternal life."
"In order to embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, a person must first embrace him whose gospel it is." Trust the Savior and what he has taught. Accept and apply his Atonement and his teachings.
Then, repent, be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
"In order to prepare to be baptized and take upon ourselves the name of Christ we must humble ourselves before him — offer our sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit and accept his will."
"Baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost are the prescribed ways to enter the 'strait and narrow' path to eternal life."
Finally, endure to the end. "Enduring to the end is definitely not a do-it-yourself project. First, it requires the Savior's redemptive power."

Elder Dallin H. Oaks: "There has never been a greater need for us to profess our faith, privately and publicly."
"We live in a time when some misrepresent the beliefs of those they call Mormons and even revile us because of them. When we encounter such misrepresentations, we have a duty to speak out to clarify our doctrine and what we believe.
"We should be the ones to state our beliefs rather than allowing others the final word in misrepresenting them."
However, speak in mildness and meekness. Never be overbearing, shrill or reviling.
A testimony should be a personal witness of eternal truths, "borne to our souls by the Holy Ghost, not a travelogue, health log or an expression of love to family members."
The first two steps to gain a testimony are to desire one, then ask God in sincere prayer. Another way to gain or strengthen a testimony is by bearing it.
"One of the greatest things about our Heavenly Father's plan for his children is that each of us can know the truth of that plan for ourselves. That revealed knowledge does not come from books, from scientific proof or from intellectual pondering.
"As with the apostle Peter, we can receive that knowledge directly from our Heavenly Father through the witness of the Holy Ghost."

Elder Richard G. Scott: "The only way to rectify the "tragic consequences"of sexual abuse is through the secure healing of the power of the Atonement.
The Atonement can help both the perpetrator and the victim.
"Healing requires childlike faith that your Father in Heaven has supplied a way to heal."
"As impossible as it may seem now, in time the healing you can receive from the Savior will allow you to truly forgive the abuser, and even have feelings of sorrow for him or her."
Find the courage to seek help.
"To the perpetrator who has shattered the life of another by abuse: Recognize that you need help with your addiction or it will destroy you. You will not overcome it by yourself. You likely will need specialized professional help."
Your transgression might be hidden now, "but know that the Lord Jesus Christ is completely aware of your sins." Take steps now to cleanse your soul and suffer the penalties.
"When combined with complete repentance, the Atonement also affords the perpetrator a way to avoid the severe punishment the Lord has decreed for such acts."

Elder Robert D. Hales: "People all over the world, of every creed and persuasion, search and struggle to know, 'Who is God?' 'What is his relationship to Jesus Christ?' and 'What is our relationship with them?"'
Latter-day Saints can get the answer to these questions by following the example of the Prophet, Joseph Smith. He studied the scriptures and turned to the book of James in the New Testament and learned, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God."
The Prophet Joseph then obediently knelt in prayer and was visited by Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ.
"Since my own boyhood, Joseph Smith's experience has been a guide to me — and can be for all of us. The young prophet learned the truth about our Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ, because he sought to know from the scriptures his Heavenly Father's will, and then he faithfully obeyed.
"This pattern was set and perfectly exemplified by the Savior as recorded in the Bible."
So, "Who is this Jesus?"
He worked with his father in the creation of the world. He is the mediator with the Father. He laid down his life for mankind and pleads their cause with the Father.
Jesus, like his father, is a glorified being of power and authority.
"I testify that our Savior lives. He is the Only Begotten of the Father, and he will come again."

Elder Carlos H. Amado: Latter-day Saints come to know the Lord through serving our fellow man.
"Service makes us strong in our faith and useful in his kingdom. Service gives us a purpose and courage in life. It brings us closer to God and helps us refine our divine nature."
Service teaches us to love and understand others and forget our personal desires. It eliminates selfishness, pride and ingratitude and allows us to develop the virtues that the Savior possesses."
"Kindness, love, patience, understanding and unity will increase as we serve, while intolerance, jealousy, envy, greed and selfishness decrease or disappear."
Those who serve always seek to please God and live in harmony with him. They are full of peace and have a cheerful countenance and spirit of kindness. They possess the love of Christ.
"Those who serve ... are not easily discouraged, fatigued or frustrated because the promise of peace of mind and the companionship of the Holy Spirit will never abandon them."
"Christ cannot help us if we do not trust him; he cannot teach us if we do not serve him.
"He will not force us to do what's right, but he will show us the way when we decide to serve him. Certainly for us to serve in his kingdom, Christ requires that we experience a change of thought and attitude."

Elder Gerald N. Lund: "We must, of our own free will, open our hearts to the spirit, or he will not force himself upon us."
"So, how do we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit?"
"Purity of heart is certainly one of the most important qualifications of receiving inspiration from God."
"While none of our hearts are perfect, the more diligently we strive to eliminate impurity, or push out things which do not belong there, the more we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit."
Church members lose that purity by setting their hearts on the things of the world. Pride is a natural consequence of this.
"Pride quickly desensitizes our hearts to spiritual promptings."
Latter-day Saints need the help of the Holy Ghost to make it through perilous times.
Don't we all want to be visited by the Holy Ghost? "To have the Lord draw closer unto us? To find joy and consolation in our lives?
"If so, then carefully assessing the condition of our hearts is one of the most essential things we can do in this life.
"The heart is a tender place. It is sensitive to many influences, both positive and negative. It can be hurt by others. It can be deadened by sin. It can be softened by love."
"Let us make it a part of our everyday striving to open our hearts to the spirit."

Elder William R. Walker: "Every one of us who serve in presidencies anywhere in the church should look to the First Presidency as our pattern and the example that we seek to follow as we carry out our stewardships.
"We should strive to be like them and to work together in love and harmony as they do."
The Lord has given the Saints a clear pattern of leadership.
President Hinckley often explained the pattern, and said he met every Monday with his counselors to talk about church business and make decisions.
"President Hinckley said, 'We work together. You can't be a one-man operation in a presidency. Counselors — what a wonderful thing are counselors. They save you from doing the wrong things, they help you to do the right things."
Members of the First Presidency use careful consideration on all issues before them before coming to the same conclusion.
"That should be our pattern in presidencies.
"The revelations teach us to make our decisions in quorums and presidencies 'in all righteousness, in holiness and lowliness of heart, meekness and long suffering, and in faith, and virtue, and knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity.'"
"We have sustained today the new First Presidency of the Church. They will teach us and show us the pattern that we should follow."

Saturday Priesthood Session
President Thomas S. Monson: "My brethren ...let us all determine to prepare for our time of opportunity, and to honor the priesthood we bear through the service we render, the lives we bless, and the souls we are privileged to help save. You are a 'chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation' and you can make a difference.
"When we qualify for the help of the Lord, we can build boys, we can mend men, we can accomplish miracles in his holy service. Our opportunities are without limit.
"Ours is the task to be fitting examples. We are strengthened by the truth that the greatest force in the world today is the power of God as it works through man. If we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's help. That divine help, of course, is predicated upon our worthiness. Each must ask: 'Are my hands clean? Is my heart pure? Am I a worthy servant of the Lord?'
"My young friends, be strong. The philosophies of men surround us. The face of sin today often wears the mask of tolerance. Do not be deceived; behind that facade is heartache, unhappiness and pain. You know what is right and what is wrong, and no disguise, however appealing, can change that.
"Have the moral courage to be a light for others to follow."

President Henry B. Eyring: "Rising to the possibilities of the oath and covenant of the priesthood brings the greatest of all the gifts of God: eternal life. That is a purpose of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
"If you are like I was when I first heard those words as a young man, the challenge of accepting the Melchizedek Priesthood could seem daunting. There are at least two reasons why you should be confident rather than discouraged ...
"Whether you accept the oath and covenant and find it too difficult, or if you fail to try, the penalty is the same.
"If we choose not to try, we would certainly lose the opportunity for eternal life. If we try, and with God's help succeed, we will gain eternal life.
"There is yet another reason to decide now that you will try with all your heart to qualify for that oath and covenant, and have confidence that you will succeed. God promises you the help and power, which, if you exercise faith, will give you success.
"My prayer is that you will decide tonight, and then every day, to go forward in faith in keeping your covenants with God and so claim the promise he has made to you with an oath.
"I testify that God wants you to succeed and to come home again to live with him in families forever."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: "Through years of serving the Lord and in countless interviews, I have learned that the difference between happiness and misery in individuals, marriages and families often comes down to an error of only a few degrees.
"Suppose you were to take off from an airport at the equator, intending to circumnavigate the globe, but that your course was off by just one degree. By the time you returned to the same longitude, how far off course would you be? A few miles? A hundred miles? The answer might surprise you. An error to only one degree would put you almost 500 miles off course, or one hour of flight for a jet.
"The longer we delay corrective action, the larger the needed changes become, and the longer it takes to get back to the correct course ...
"These commandments and covenants of God are like navigational instructions from celestial heights and will lead us safely to our eternal destination.
"Remember: the heavens will not be filled with those who never made mistakes, but with those who recognized that they were off course and who corrected their ways to be back in the light of gospel truth.
"Please, do not drift off course, not even a few degrees. Hearken unto the Lord your God ..."

Bishop H. David Burton: "Tonight the scripture passages 'as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me' (Matthew 25:40) and 'remember in all things the poor and the needy' (D&C 52:40) take on special meaning as we review highlights of humanitarian endeavors during the past year.
"In behalf of the General Welfare Committee of the church, we express our appreciation to the many individuals, families, quorums, Relief Society and Young Women groups who are the good Samaritans of today.
"In 2007, church humanitarian assistance responded to major earthquakes in five counties, massive fires in six countries, hunger and famine in 18 countries, and flooding and severe storms in 34 countries. In total, the church and its members responded to 170 major events in 52 countries — nearly one event every two days for the entire year. It was a busy year with many opportunities to serve.
"In addition to responding to natural disasters, thousands of public health initiatives were undertaken during the year.
"Thank you for your compassion, goodness and generosity. May we press forward to lighten the load of neighbors, encourage and assist the downtrodden, open our purses to assist the poor and extend our helping hands."

Elder Quentin L. Cook: "As priesthood holders of the church, it is our solemn responsibility to follow our prophet. We sustain President Monson and his counselors, President Eyring and President Uchtdorf.
"We want you young people to know that President Thomas S. Monson has been prepared by the Lord from his youth to be the prophet.
"He is the youngest man called as an apostle in the past 98 years and has served for over 44 years. The last 22 years he has served as a counselor to Presidents Ezra Taft Benson, Howard W. Hunter and Gordon B. Hinckley.
"Doctrine and Covenants Section 81 sets forth instructions to a counselor in the First Presidency. The first instruction is be 'faithful in counsel.'
"The second instruction is 'proclaiming the gospel.'
"The third instruction reads, 'Wherefore, be faithful, stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.' Many of our brothers and sisters face devastating problems in their lives. It is in our Christ-like outreach to them that we as priesthood leaders, parents, friends, and home teachers can be like the handcart company rescuers.
"President Monson's rescue efforts in this regard have been particularly exemplary."

Elder John M. Madsen: "I would like to direct my remarks to each 12-year-old deacon attending this General Priesthood session.
"In order for us to more clearly envision the 'divine destiny' of this 'chosen' and 'royal generation,' we need only to reflect upon the 12-year-old Jesus who went up to Jerusalem with his parents, to celebrate 'the feast of the Passover.'
"Who was this 12-year-old boy? What was his mission and destiny? And, how was he able to fulfill it?
"Now, as to how he was able to fulfill his mission and destiny, consider these words of Jesus, who said, '... when ye have lifted up the son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone, for I do always those things that please him.'
"That each one of us, as sons of God, can fulfill his mission and destiny is made plain by these words of the Lord to the Prophet Joseph Smith, 'Verily, thus saith the Lord; It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments ... may come unto the Father in my name and in due time receive of his fullness."'

Brother Dean R. Burgess: "'Do you know who you are?' Knowing who you are makes you spiritually strong, sound and steadfast in your priesthood duties. You become confident with faith and determination to make right decisions. You have courage to stand up for what you know is right. You realize that it is a privilege to hold the priesthood of God and have the authority to act in his name.
"Finding out who we are is one of life's greatest quests. As parents and leaders, we make a sincere and honest effort to help those we love understand and know the answer to this simple but profound question, 'Who am I?'
"I ask you young men of the Aaronic Priesthood, 'How do you come to receive a knowledge and witness of who you are?' Please consider the following three questions and related principles that are essential in understanding your true identity.
"First, do you know that you are a son of God?
"Second, do you know who you are in God's plan?
"Third, do you know who you are as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
"You belong to a priesthood quorum of young men, where you can feel the brotherhood and friendship of priesthood holders. The quorum is a protection for you against worldly influences."

Sunday AM
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: "I testify that the doctrine of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is the faith of our Heavenly Father. It is his truth revealed to his servants the prophets from the days of Father Adam until our own time. The Father and the Son appeared to Joseph Smith to restore the faith of our Father on this earth, never to be taken away again. God desires that all of his children receive it, irrespective of their background, culture or tradition. True religion should not originate from what pleases men or the traditions of ancestors but rather from what pleases God, our Eternal Father.
"We invite everyone on this beautiful planet to taste of his doctrine and see if it is not sweet, good and precious. We ask those of sincere heart to learn of this doctrine and ask their Father in Heaven if it is not true. And by so doing, all can discover, embrace and walk in the true faith of their Father, which faith will make them whole.
"That is our message to the world.
"Continuing revelation is a fundamental feature of this faith. Joseph Smith's first prayer is a powerful testimony of this. Revelation is a constant compass that keeps us always true to the will and the faith of our Heavenly Father."

Elder Sheldon F. Child: "As we faithfully pay our tithes, the Lord will indeed 'open the windows of heaven and pour us out a blessing, that there shall not be room to receive it.'
"We are living in challenging economic times. However, if we look back over the past years, we find there have been, and will continue to be, times of relative prosperity and times of financial uncertainty. However, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves, if we first pay our obligation to the Lord and then use wisdom and good judgment, the Lord will help us manage the resources he has given us.
"President Heber J. Grant stated: 'I want to say to you, if you will be honest with the Lord, paying your tithing and keeping his commandments, he will not only bless you with the light and inspiration of his Holy Spirit, but you will be blessed in dollars and cents; you will be enabled to pay your debts, and the Lord will pour out temporal blessings upon you in great abundance.'
"The Lord asked Israel to prove him, to test him, to have faith in him so that he would be able to keep his promise to them. That same commandment and that same promise are in effect today. When we keep the law of the tithe, the Lord's promise is sure."

Sister Susan F. Tanner: "My soul delighteth in the things of the Lord — his law, his life, his love. To delight in him is to acknowledge his hand in our lives. Our gospel duty is to do what is right and to love what is right. When we delight to serve him, our Father in heaven delights to bless us. 'I, the Lord ... delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.' (D&C 76:5).
"In the Book of Mormon, Nephi speaks often of delight. He delights in 'the things of the Lord,' in the Scriptures, and in the 'great and eternal plan' of the Lord. Notably, Nephi often remembers his sources of delight in the midst of affliction, serving to lift and focus his spirit on eternal blessings.
"We too should delight in the things of the Lord for it will 'lift' our hearts and give use cause to 'rejoice.'
"I take great delight in my role as a nurturer, which allows me to express my deepest identity as a woman.
"I delight in families.
"I delight in the Lord's 'mercies and miracles.'
"Finally, I delight in, more than I can express, the eternal love and constant help of my husband and the prayers and support of my children and parents during these years of my service as Young Women general president."

President Boyd K. Packer: "The most precious thing lost in the apostasy was the authority held by the Twelve — the priesthood keys. For the church to be his church, there must be a Quorum of the Twelve who hold the keys and can confer them on others.
"In time came the First Vision and the restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood by Peter, James and John.
"There has been an unbroken line of authority. The priesthood keys given to the apostles have always been held by members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve.
"We do not hear the priesthood keys being exercised in other Christian churches. It seems odd that we are described by some as being non-Christian when we are the only ones who have the authority and the organization that he established.
"The present Twelve are very ordinary people. They are not, as the original Twelve were not, spectacular individually, but collectively the Twelve are a power.
"We come from a variety of occupations."
"Yesterday Elder Christofferson became the 96th apostle to serve in the Twelve in this dispensation. He will be ordained an Apostle and given all priesthood keys conferred that the other 14 prophets, seers and revelators — apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ — have."

President Thomas S. Monson: "I pledge my life, my strength — all that I have to offer — in serving him and in directing the affairs of his church in accordance with his will and by his inspiration.
"I am keenly aware of the 15 men who preceded me as president of the church. Many of them I have known personally.
"My earnest prayer is that I might continue to be a worthy instrument in his hands to carry on this great work and to fulfill the tremendous responsibilities which come with the office of president."
"A sweet spirit of unity exists among the general authorities."
"I thank my Father in Heaven for my sweet companion, Frances. This October she and I will celebrate 60 wonderful years of marriage.
"Change for the better can come to all. Over the years we have issued appeals to the less active, the offended, the critic, the transgressor — to come back.
"I would encourage members of the church wherever they may be to show kindness and respect for all people everywhere. The world in which we live is filled with diversity. We can and should demonstrate respect toward those whose beliefs differ from ours.
"We are waging a war with sin, my brothers and sisters, but we need not despair. It is a war we can and will win."

Elder D. Todd Christofferson: "I thought I knew what it felt like to be inadequate." In retrospect, being called to the Seventy 15 years ago seems like a pleasant experience.
As one who has been immersed in God's work, "I trust in him. I know his grace is sufficient."
"I plead with my Heavenly Father to sustain me as he ever has, that I might measure up to something that is far beyond my native capacity, and be able to focus outwardly. ..."
Saints must become new creatures in Christ, Paul states in the New Testament.
"It is faith in Christ as the atoning one, the Redeemer who can cleanse from sin and make holy."
"To be complete however, repentance requires a covenant of obedience." Baptism unto repentance is "the culminating step, the capstone of our repentance."
"Then the Lord baptizes us by fire, or the Holy Ghost."
"Now the Lord cautions us to take heed since there is a chance we may fall from grace."
Some may ask why doesn't this mighty change happen more quickly to them. Scriptural accounts of mighty changes are miraculous and not typical.
"For most of us, the change is more gradual."
As members continue in the path of rebirth, "Temptations will lose their appeal, and through Christ you will become holy, as he and his father are holy."

Sunday PM
President Thomas S. Monson: "I have attended general conferences for a long time and have not felt as blessed as during this session ... We have had a smorgasbord of faith, love and counsel. Let us incorporate it into our lives. ...
"My sweet (wife) Frances had a terrible fall" recently and was in a coma for 27 days. "She never moved a muscle. Our children and grandchildren wept. I wept. Then one day, she opened her eyes. I broke a speed record to get to her side." Her first words after the long silence were that she had forgotten to mail their fourth quarter tax payment.
"Brethren, treat your wives with dignity and respect. ... Sisters, honor your husbands ... Parents, show love to your children. ... Call on Heavenly Father for help in dealing with the challenges" of parenthood. ...
"I commend our youth who stand up to the inequity of the world. ...
"Brothers and sisters, we have had a wonderful conference. We have been edified and our testimonies strengthened. Let us rededicate ourselves to live the gospel. ... We have felt your prayers in our behalf and appreciate your sustaining vote. ... Together, we can reap the blessings (the Savior) has in store for us."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: "The LDS Church claims that 'God continues to speak his word and reveal his truth, revelations that mandate an open canon of scripture' is one of the doctrinal issues that are viewed by some as marking the church as 'not Christian.'
"Some Christians, in large measure because of their genuine love for the Bible, have declared that there can be no more authorized scripture beyond the Bible. In thus pronouncing the canon of revelation closed, our friends in some other faiths shut the door on divine expression that we in (the LDS Church) hold dear — the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine & Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price and ongoing guidance received by God's anointed prophets and apostles. ...
"Continuing revelation does not demean nor discredit existing revelation. ... Please do not misunderstand, We love and revere the Bible. ... The Bible is the word of God. It is always identified first in the canon, our 'standard works' of the church.
"It was a verse from the New Testament that led Joseph Smith to his vision of the Father and Son, setting into motion the restoration.
"One of the great purposes of continuing revelation through living prophets ... is to declare to the world that the Bible is true."

Elder David A. Bednar: "Simply saying prayers is quite a different thing from engaging in meaningful prayer. ... Even though we recognize the importance of prayer, all of us can improve the consistency and efficacy of our personal and family prayers. ...
"I have long been impressed with the truth that meaningful prayer requires both holy communication and consecrated work. Blessings require some effort on our part before we can obtain, and prayer, as a form of work, is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings ... Asking in faith requires honesty, effort, commitment and persistence.
"To pray for the success of missionaries is meaningless without a true effort to support the work meaningfully. To pray for the poor and needy requires action to alleviate their needs.
"Prayers may not be answered until after one has endured 'the trial of our faith.'
"Recognizing and accepting the will of God in one's life is an important aspect of prayer. Discerning and accepting the will of God in our lives are fundamental elements of asking in faith in meaningful prayers. However, simply saying the words 'thy will be done' is not enough. Each of us needs God's help in surrendering our will to him."

Elder Russell M. Ballard: "While women live in homes under many different circumstances — married, single, widowed or divorced, some with children and some without — all are beloved of God, and he has a plan for his righteous daughters to receive the highest blessings of eternity. ...
"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each has different challenges, different skills and abilities and certainly different children. ... What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else. ...
"It is crucial to focus on our children for the short time we have them with us and to seek, with the Lord's help, to teach them all we can before they leave our homes. The eternally important work falls to mothers and fathers as equal partners. ... But I believe that the instincts and intense nurturing involvement of the mothers with their children will always be the major key to their well-being. ...
"As a church we have enormous respect and gratitude to you mothers of young children. We want you to be happy and successful in your families and to have the validation and support you need and deserve."

Elder W. Craig Zwick: "The time has come when we must take an unyielding stand. We must shore up our spiritual underpinnings and be prepared to withstand the wiles of the devil."
A teenage boy recently asked his mother, "Do I need to lower my standards to keep my friends?"
"It is a profound question for each of us to consider at all stages of life. Are we lowering our standards to fit into our neighborhoods? Are we altering our values to suit the situation in the workplace or to be popular at school?"
Don't do it.
"Live by your standards and stand up for what you believe in. Sometimes it is not easy and you may be standing alone for a while."
Find friends with integrity and character, and tell them you appreciate their example. Pray for guidance and protection from the Lord.
"He will become your trusted friend and you will discover that your example will attract many friends who will take courage from your strength of character ...
"It requires courage to make good choices, even when others around us choose differently. As we make the righteous choices day by day in little things, the Lord will strengthen us and help us choose the right during more difficult times. ...
"We must fortify ourselves. That sure spiritual fortification is found in two words: Jesus Christ."

Elder Robert R. Steuer: "We live in marvelous times, yet also an hour when peace has been taken from the earth. To prosper in these times, spiritual light must burn within us.
Latter-day Saints obtain this spiritual light by learning true doctrine, gaining a pure testimony and living the gospel courageously.
President Henry B. Eyring has taught that the words of doctrine 'can open the minds of people to see spiritual things not visible to the natural eye. And they can open the heart to feelings of the love of God and a love for truth.'"
"A pure testimony is the confirmation by the Holy Ghost that God is our Father and that Jesus is the Christ.
"The light and truth we see in all things urge us to obtain knowledge by study and faith, which precede the confirmation by the spirit.
"We can learn much of God's handiwork and goodness by our physical senses. But an even deeper testimony is revealed as we spiritually seek the truth with real intent."
Latter-day Saints must live courageously in accordance with the light and testimony they have received.
"We are promised ... 'He that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.'
"It takes real effort and sacrifice to live the gospel courageously."

Elder Lance B. Wickman: "Mortality is fragile. Only one heartbeat, the drawing of a single breath, separates this world from the next. ... Death is a curtain through which each must pass and ... none of us knows when that passage will occur. Of all the challenges we face, perhaps the greatest is the misguided sense that mortality goes on forever, and its corollary — that we can postpone until tomorrow the seeking and offering of forgiveness, which, as the gospel of Jesus Christ teaches, are among mortality's central purposes.
" ... the person we are when we depart this life is the person we will be as we enter the next. Thankfully, we do have today ...
"We really are immortal, in the sense that Christ's Atonement conquers death, both physical and spiritual. And provided we have so lived today that we have claim on the Atonement's cleansing grace, we will live forever with God. This life is not so much a time for getting and accumulating as it is a time for giving and becoming. Mortality is the battlefield upon which justice and mercy meet. But they need not meet as adversaries, for they are reconciled in the Atonement of Jesus Christ for all to wisely use today ... Today is the day to forgive others their trespasses."

Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander: Often, there is one among a crowd who reacts individually and reaps blessings.
The biblical account of the woman who touched the Savior in the midst of a crowd, with faith that she could be healed of a long-standing illness, was "set apart from the crowd. The crowd came to see, but the woman came to be healed."
In the Book of Mormon, Alma stood in a crowd of King Noah's priests, but "Alma alone took to heart what Abinidi had taught. With courage, he stepped away from the crowd to follow the Lord."
These and other stories are not about crowds, "but individuals among those crowds. They are really about you and me. All of us are among the crowds of this world. My experience has taught me that almost all of us are like the woman who, despite the crowd, comes to the Savior. We all have faith that just a touch will bring healing to our aching souls and relief to our innermost needs. ...
"Struggling through the crowds of the world can be lonely and hard. ... Who can reach, support and ultimately rescue the one among the crowd better than the Savior? He understands what it is to persevere among a disrespectful crowd and still remain true."
He will emerge from the crowd as the Anointed One, the Savior and Redeemer.

Elder Craig C. Christensen: "The Book of Mormon is a book with a promise. Although its history is compelling by itself, it is a book of scriptural significance, comparable to the Bible, and should be received and read under the influence of the Holy Ghost."
It is a book with a purpose, which is to convince each person that Jesus is the Christ, the eternal God. It is a book that "teaches the great plan of happiness" in profound yet understandable terms it teaches the purpose of life, from whence mortals came and what happens to them when they die.
"We learn of faith in Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice, of repentance, of the importance of baptism by immersion and the gift and power of the Holy Ghost.
It testifies that Jesus is the Christ, the savior of the world. Book of Mormon prophets have borne solemn witness that Jesus is the creator of the Earth, the redeemer of mankind and the only begotten of the Father. The book is evidence that Joseph Smith was a prophet, chosen by the hand of the Lord to restore his ancient church to Earth.
"Ever since Samuel Smith set out to preach the gospel with a few first-edition copies, the Book of Mormon has blessed the lives of millions around the world.

General Conf Packet for Kids!!!

2008-04-03T12:33:00.001-07:00

I was just passed a wonderful General Conference packet for children. If you would like a copy, leave a comment with you email I'll send you the pdf file. I looked through it and it was great!

April Playgroup Schedule

2008-03-26T17:58:00.000-07:00

4 - Preschool Splash at the RiverPlex from 10:00-11:30, $3 per child ages 1-5, parent must accompany child in the water
11 – Chuck E’ Cheese, meet at 9…when it opens! Check online for token coupons.
18 – Hilcrest Farms, tour a real working dairy with all the cows you could want. Meet at the church at 9:30 to carpool out to the farm. Wear appropriate clothing and shoes for a farm! Feel free to bring a sack lunch to eat outside and let the kids run and play.
25 – Safety Town meet at 10, bring bikes or ride on toys

Other dates of interest:
April 5- Illinois Wildlife Show, Lakeview Museum, 1pm free
April 10- Beauty and the Beast, Peoria Civic Center, 10 am and 12:15 showing, $6 a ticket.

Easter Playgroup

2008-03-19T10:17:00.000-07:00

This Friday everyone should bring 5 easter eggs to hide. Bring 5 for each child that wants to do the hunt. We'll plan on meeting at the church at 10. You can also bring a lunch and blanket to do a little "indoor" picnic if you want as well. I will only be there for about an hour as Brian has the day off and will be home with Ashlyn. But, any of you that want to bring your husbands, feel free!

Free Matinee at Willow Knolls

2008-03-17T17:33:00.000-07:00

Free matinee at Willow Knolls Theatre at 10 and 11 on Saturdays. The schedule of movies is as follows:
Mar 22 - Bratz
Mar 29 - WaterHorse
Apr 5 - Golden Compass
Apr 12 - Bee Movie
Apr 19 - Mr. Magoriums Wonder Emporium
Apr 26 - The Pirates who don't do anything (Veggie Tales)

It's bunny time!

2008-03-08T19:09:00.000-08:00

It's bunny time!

2008-03-08T19:07:00.000-08:00

March Schedule

2008-03-04T08:27:00.001-08:00

March

7- We’ll be making bunny ears for our Easter Egg Hunt, Church at 10

14- Play dough ,Bring any toys for play dough fun! Church @10

21- Easter Egg hunt. Bring a sack lunch and blanket to have a “picnic” in the gym. Church, 10am

28-Bubbles! Bring any toys that will make our day more fun! Church @ 10am

Playgroup at Krispy Kreme

2008-02-26T08:35:00.000-08:00

I will not be able to attend playgroup on Friday. I am going to Time out for women and will be leaving for Chicago around noon. The tour has been canceled, but you are free to go and look through the window. They usually give you a free donut when you go inside. I hope those of you that can go, will have a good time.

$5 off when you spend $15 at TGIF

2008-02-05T09:18:00.000-08:00

http://www.tgifridays.com/Feb2008_5off15_search.htm

Hinckley Challenge!

2008-02-04T20:47:00.001-08:00

I thought I would pass this along. - Brittany
As you know, our beloved prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley passed away at the age of 97.

I was thinking of how I could honor his legacy and I came up with an idea. My friend and I have created a challenge for those willing to accept it: Read the Book of Mormon in 97 days. We are trying to get everyone to start on the same day. Here are the details:

Go to www.hinckleychallenge.com and create an account (free, of course).
On Feb 4, 2008 (the Monday following the funeral) have an FHE lesson on the Book of Mormon and begin your reading.
Each day you read, record what page number you are on by going to www.hinckleychallenge.com.

We would like this challenge to be heard all around the world! Please forward this message to everyone you know. We would love to see over 1 million pages of the Book of Mormon read by the time this challenge has ended.

Do you want to show your support? Do you want to follow the prophet? Do you want to get rid of all of your excuses for not reading and become a warrior? Then join me in this challenge!!!

We are going to spread this throughout the news media (TV and radio) and we've already contacted Fox news, KSL, CBS, and ABC. But we cannot get the word out to everyone without your help! Please forward this on to EVERYONE in your address book. Time is of the essence!! This will be the one forwarded message that everyone will be happy to get :).

Toys for sale!

2008-02-01T14:59:00.000-08:00

All toys for sale! All money goes to the Scouts! I have listed these on Craigslist as well. Let me know if any of you are interested in any of these items.

IHOP - free pancake day

2008-02-01T11:42:00.000-08:00

February 12th, IHOP is having a free pancake day from 7am to 10pm. All they ask is for a donation to support your local Children's Hospital. They'll give you one free shortstack.
http://www.ihoppancakeday.com

Free Radon Kit for IL residents

2008-02-01T07:24:00.000-08:00

Here is a link to a free radon kit. For those of you with basements, it may be worth checking.
http://www.radon.illinois.gov/RadonTestKit.asp

February Playgroup Schedule

2008-01-26T12:19:00.000-08:00

1- Sledding at Linehan’s @ 10, wear snow clothes and bring sleds.
Check the blog for changes due to weather.

For those interested:
6- Charlotte’s Web @ Peoria Civic Center -$6 per person, showings at 10 or 12:15. Open seating. Tickets available at the Peoria Civic Center Box Office or through Ticketmaster online. http://peoriaciviccenter.com/html/eventslanding.html

8- Church
We will be making special Valentine’s. Please bring any paint, brushes or glitter you have.

15- RiverPlex Preschool Splash – 10:00-11:30, $3 per child, Parent must accompany child in water.

22- Church @ 9:30
Tunnels and wheels. Bring a ride on toy or tunnel for the kids to play in the gym

29- Krispy Kreme @ 10 - The manager canceled the tour on me...so we can still go on the 29th and just check out the donuts!

Free lotion with purchase at Bath and Body Works

2008-01-25T16:46:00.001-08:00

http://f.e.bathandbodyworks.com/i/34/528207786/0115welcomecoup.html

70% off Leap Pad Books

2008-01-25T12:58:00.000-08:00

Leap Pad books are 70% off with free shipping.

http://www.leapfrog.com/en/shop/leappad_classics.html

Some codes to use:
Free shipping (no minimum purchase required): WT8VFS
$5 off $20 purchase: HL7LM

*I don't think the codes are stackable, but my order was less than $20 so I did not try.

Krispy Kreme Coupon

2008-01-16T11:00:00.001-08:00

Buy one dozen, get one free:
http://a.slickdeals.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=73037&d=1200489775

Riverplex on Friday

2008-01-14T08:21:00.003-08:00

I called to ask about having older kids go on Friday, and they said it is only for the little ones. So, any 5 and under can go play!

January Playgroup Schedule

2007-12-29T17:53:00.001-08:00

4 – Motor Mites 9:15-11:15 @ Franciscan Rec Center, $2 a child (908 Sterling Ave.)

11 – Trains! Playgroup 10:00 @ church, Bring a train toy to share!

18 – Preschool Splash @ RiverPlex from 10-11:30, $3 per child, adults free

(600 NE Water Street) Adult must accompany children in the water.

25 – Playgroup 10:00 @ church, Theme: Cowboys and Indians…bring something pertaining to the theme.

Friday the 21st Playgroup canceled!

2007-12-16T14:42:00.000-08:00

I didn't realize that when I made the schedule a month ago for playgroup my brother would be here on the day I am in charge. So, I have canceled playgroup rather then finding someone to do it for me...since I was supposed to do the craft after all! Sorry! We will start playgroup again after the new year in 2008! I hope you all enjoy the holidays.

Gift exchange on Friday!

2007-12-11T16:48:00.001-08:00

Remember to bring a used wrapped gift worth $10 to our gift exchange on Friday. I figure we will probably meet in the nursery room again. I hope to see you all there!

Winter Wonderland, light show!

2007-12-03T08:58:00.000-08:00

Folepi's Winter Wonderland

New in 2007 - Galactic Laser Light Show in Winter Wonderland!

* Nov. 25-Dec.-31, 2007, including Christmas Eve
* Closed Christmas Day
* VFW Post 2078 Park off Springfield Road, East Peoria
* 5-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
* Cars and vans - $10 each night Photo by Sievers Photography
* Limousines and RVs - $20
* Party buses (hold more than 15 passengers) - $50
* Full-size buses - $150

Visitors to Folepi's Winter Wonderland in 2007 might just think they've been transported to a different galaxy! New this year in the almost 2-mile drive-through electric park is a free outdoor laser light show simulating a cosmic adventure. The new display will incorporate laser lights and computerized laser images with the festival's space-themed parade floats, and be located toward the end of the drive-through. Lighted arches stretching across the driving path provide the impression that visitors are traveling through a black hole and ending up in a space port!

Photo Fundraiser benefits Toys for Tots
Photos with Santa at Folepi's Village, part of the Festival of Lights, can help the Toys for Tots Foundation. Santa's photographers, from Northern Lights Photography of East Peoria, are offering a discount on photos in exchange for new, unwrapped toys from noon-4 p.m. Dec. 1-2 and Dec. 15-16 at the Festival Building, 2200 E. Washington St.

Photos with Santa and family photos in an old-fashioned sleigh will be available. Cost is $10 for each 4x6-inch photo. However, anyone donating a new toy will receive a 50 percent discount on their photos. For those paying full price, the photographers iwll donate a portion of the amount to the Toys for Tots Foundation.