Scripture Study

Many friends in Provo saw my scripture study method and this past weekend my sister came to visit and asked about it as well.  So, here's the basics.  I certainly am not a pro, I was just looking for a system that would help me remember things and be able to find notes more easily after I had taken them.  Before, I would write in the margins of the Ensign, but then I'd have stacks of magazines to look through before I found the article I was looking for.  Now, I have everything together in one source.
First off, gather the following supplies:

• Whatever you are studying: Ensign, Sunday School lesson, Church book, etc.
• Have your scriptures nearby
• a blank notebook.  I like Mickey, so that's who is on the front of mine :)
• Post-it notes
• a six pack of highlighters (I like to color code things, and six is what I've found works for me)

So, as I read, I take notes of what is important, what stands out, and what I am thinking/feeling on the subject.  First, I write the date and the source, then I make note of anything I liked about the article, chapter, whatever.  Direct quotes, scripture sources, personal thoughts, and summaries are all common.  When I've finished with the article, I write the general topic or theme in the margin, making it easy to find talks about specific topics later.

Then, when I've finished, I go back with my highlighters.  Above is the first page in this notebook so I included a color key, but if you can't read it I use the following:

• Yellow: Author, speaker, source
• Blue: direct quotes from the article
• Green: my personal thoughts
• Orange: scripture notations
• Purple: anything that has to do with parenting (since that is my focus in life right now)
• Pink: major announcements 

So, what if I find a quote that I like so much and think it pertains to a specific scripture?  I write the quote on a post-it and stick it right to the page in the scriptures.  Post-its don't ruin the thin paper in the scriptures and can be moved and replaced multiple times.  Also, you'll note a purple bracket around a talk in the notebook above.  That's because the whole talk related to parenthood, but I also wanted to use other colors to denote scriptures and sources.

That's pretty much it.  It sounds complicated but it actually only takes about 30 extra seconds at the end of my study to highlight items.  It has helped so much with giving talks in Sacrament meeting as well as Family Home Evening lessons and impromptu supplements to our couples scripture study.

How to keep your little ones Reverent in Sacrament meeting.

My cousin Tammy has these awesome church bags that keep her kids reverent and focused on the Savior during Sacrament meeting.  She can rotate the items in the bag, but most (if not all) are focused on the Lord.  The bags grow with her kids from toddler age to teenage.  I have had so many other moms ask me about mine and wanting to make their own, that I thought I'd create a blog to share with other mom's out there.  I'll be updating and adding new ideas often, so check it out!  http://churchbag.blogspot.com/

Blessing Day

Today was Kaitlyn's blessing. She wore my blessing dress from when I was a baby. My grandma Zaelit made the bonnet, my grandma Webb made the blanket, and the pink fuzzy shoes belonged to my dad. (Side bar: when my grandma got pregnant again, she was so excited! She already had two boys and she knew this one was going to be a girl. She went out and bought these shoes, but alas, my dad was a boy. She still tried the shoes on him, but didn't take him out in public, and kept the shoes because she couldn't part with them. Now Jennie and I get to use them for our little girls' blessings.) Anyway, it was so good to see all of our family. Many of my family came down from the Salt Lake area and Mom & Dad came down from Idaho. It was so great to see them and share this special event with them. Jared blessed Kaitlyn and it was a beautiful blessing. I know he was nervous, but he did a great job! I am so grateful for the Priesthood and the wonderful husband I have who honors it. I love the fact that the Lord has given us a way to bless our infants, to give them strength and guidance as they grow. I know that many people might say that babies are too young, but I do not believe that at all. I know that Kaitlyn is closer to Heavenly Father right now than any of us, and I know that she understands the words of her blessings. We named her Kaitlyn Elenore Brown after my grandma Webb. She passed away in May, but she was so excited for this little girl to come visit our family. I know that she loved Kaitlyn and spent time with her before Kaitlyn arrived. I also believe that Grandma was present on Sunday as well. I didn't get any pictures of the bonnet, blanket, or shoes - I will at a later date.