Here are just a few more handouts to add to October's Come Follow Me outlines!

The overall focus of the month is "Becoming more like the Savior".

For this particular lesson outline...

"WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE GRATEFUL?"

...I decided to create a couple of different options for possible handouts.

One thing that my husband and I did last year was started something called our "Gratitude Journals"

(YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT IT HERE)

Honestly, I have seen so many blessings in my life as I have taken a moment to recognize all that I have. 

You start to see how significant the Lord's hand is in your life and how blessed you truly are.

Pretty awesome.

If you have some extra time on your hands (ha yeah right, right?)

you could possibly make a gratitude journal for each young woman as a handout.

I have created a simple cover logo, a bookmark, and some simple monthly tabs that you could print out and put together for each girl!

(If you are lacking on time, you could also just print off the bookmark!)

If you don't have time to make these gratitude journals now, 

I would still suggest doing it in the future!

Like I said, it is amazing the things you will begin to notice in your life as blessings!

A great idea for an YW, Relief Society, or FHE activity! 

You can download a PDF copy of the images by clicking on the links below.

Keep in mind that  if you attempt to change the sizing, you may run the risk of slightly blurring the image!

GRATITUDE JOURNAL COVER LOGO DOWNLOAD

For a PDF download of the handout (two on one sheet) CLICK HERE

GRATITUDE JOURNAL BOOKMARK DOWNLOADS

For a PDF download of the handout (four on one sheet) CLICK HERE

GRATITUDE JOURNAL TABS DOWNLOAD

For a PDF download of the handout (one set on one sheet) CLICK HERE

O Beautiful for Spacious Skies (Tune: MATERNA)

O beautiful for spacious skies,
for amber waves of grain,
for purple mountain majesties
above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee,
and crown thy good with brotherhood
from sea to shining sea.

O beautiful for heroes proved
in liberating strife,
who more than self their country loved,
and mercy more than life!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
confirm thy soul in self-control,
thy liberty in law.

O beautiful for patriot dream
that sees beyond the years
thine alabaster cities gleam,
undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee,
and crown thy good with brotherhood
from sea to shining sea.


Text: Katherine Lee Bates (1859-1929)
Tune: MATERNA, CMD, by Samuel Augustus Ward (1848-1903)

When we are called to sing your praise (KINGSFOLD)

1. When we are called to sing your praise with hearts so filled with pain
That we would rather sit and weep or stand up to complain,
Remind us, God, you understand the burdens that we bear;
You, too, have walked the shadowed way and known our deep despair.

2. When we are called to sing your praise and cannot find our voice,
Because our losses leaves us now no reason to rejoice.
Remind us, God, that you accept our sad laments in prayer;
You, too, have walked the shadowed way and known our deep despair.

3. When we are called to sing your praise and life ahead looks grim,
Still give us faith and hope enough to break forth in a hymn,
A thankful hymn, great God of Love, that you are everywhere;
You walk the shadowed way with us and keep us in your care.

Text: Mary Nelson Keithahn (b. 1934)
Tune: KINGSFOLD, CMD

We Give You Thanks (David Haas)

1. For the bread and wine we share here,
For the friends that we embrace,
For the peace we find in healing,
For all who gather in this place,
For the faith of those around us,
For the dead and all those here,
For the hope we find in mem’ry,
For the love that draws us near.
       
Refrain   

We give you thanks, we give you thanks
For the grace to receive, in you we believe,
We give you thanks, we give you thanks,
With faith and hope and love we give you thanks.

2. For the movement deep within us,
For the stories that we bring,
For the signs of God’s compassion,
For the journey that we sing,
For the word that holds our promise,
For the gifts that we can claim,
For the wonders that surround us,
For the song that sings our name.   

3. For the water bringing new life,
For the fragrance of release,
For the fire that blazes forward,
For the call to bring forth peace,
For the blindness now enlightened,
For the bound that are now free,
For the brightness of your new day,
For the kingdom we will be.   

Composer: David Haas (b. 1957)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

歌え主に感謝 (テゼ / Taizé)

See also other versions:

• Confitemini Domino 
• Come and fill our hearts with your peace

Music: Jacques Berthier (English bio) (French bio)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Come and fill our hearts with your peace (Taizé)

See also the original (Latin) version: Confitemini Domino (Taizé)

Music: Jacques Berthier (English bio) (French bio)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

s

わが心 たたえよ主を (テゼ / Taizé)

See also the original English version: Bless the Lord, My Soul (Taizé)

Music: Jacques Berthier (English bio) (French bio)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Within Our Darkest Night (Taizé)

English Lyrics:

Within our darkest night,
You kindle the fire that never dies away,
That never dies away

See also the French version: Dans nos obscurités (Taizé)

Music: Jacques Berthier (English bio) (French bio)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

In de Heer (Taizé)

See also other versions: El Senyor / Meine Hoffnung / In the Lord I'll be ever thankful

Music: Jacques Berthier (English bio) (French bio)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Každý den Pán mi sílu dává (Taizé)

See also other versions: El Senyor / Meine Hoffnung / In the Lord I'll be ever thankful

Music: Jacques Berthier (English bio) (French bio)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Meine Hoffnung (Taizé)

German:

Meine Hoffnung und meine Freude,
meine Stärke, mein Licht.
Christus, meine Zuversicht,
auf dich vertrau' ich und fürcht' mich nicht,
auf dich vertrau' ich und fürcht' mich nicht

See also other version: El Senyor / In the Lord I'll be ever thankful / Každý den Pán mi sílu dává

Music: Jacques Berthier (English bio) (French bio)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

In the Lord I'll be ever thankful (Taizé)

English:

In the Lord I'll be ever thankful,
In the Lord I will rejoice!
Look to God, do not be afraid.
Lift up your voices, the Lord is near,
Lift up your voices, the Lord is near.

See also other versions: El Senyor / Meine Hoffnung / Každý den Pán mi sílu dává

Music: Jacques Berthier (English bio) (French bio)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Exomologisthe to Kyrio (Taizé)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Rendez grâce au Seigneur (Taizé)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Today I am one Thankful Turkey

I just love this time of year.

This morning, as I woke up, I decided to lay in bed for a good 20 minutes

 just to think about all the things I am grateful for in my life. 

I'll tell you what--- I am one blessed girl.

There is oh-so much in my life that I have to be grateful for. 

The Gospel.

My marriage.

My parents.

Carley.

Caitlyn.

Cade.

Trials.

Smiles.

Modern Medicine.

My missionary memories.

My calling.

Friends.

My wonderful job. 

The prophet. 

Nieces & Nephews.

Lady.

Brett's sweet family. 

The Book of Mormon.

My health.

The temple.

...and the list exceeds just those few things.

To be honest, it's pretty overwhelming to think about all the blessings in my life. 

Recently, at work, we had a discussion and training on gratitude.

Side note: Have I ever mentioned how awesome my job is?

I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to be able to work 

at such an awesome organization that is invested in developing servant leadership.

I feel like I have grown so much in the past two years and I attribute

a lot of that growth to Vivint and the people I have had the opportunity to work with.

Anyways, so we had a training about 2 weeks ago on the power of gratitude.

We discussed and learned how as we recognize and show gratitude in our lives it changes us.

It strengthens our character.

It makes us feel more joy and happiness in our lives.

I must admit, I love the recent trend on facebook, blogs, and twitter 

where people post what they are grateful for each day of the month of November. 

It's really neat to be able to read all the things people come up with. 

As I have read the different posts (and listened to my training class)

it made me realize that in my busy life, 

I often don't slow down to take the time to think about all the things that I have.

I truly do have so many blessings in my life 

and I want to do a better job of recognizing them on a regular basis.

I was challenged to start keeping a gratitude journal.

Something to write in on a weekly basis and list out the things I am grateful for.

Brett and I decided that we wanted to start this tradition on a family.

Each Sunday night, we plan on sitting down as a family to write in our "Gratitudes".

We decided to make these journals really special.

I went out and purchased these matching journals.

I found this awesome quote about gratitude from Elder Wirthlin 

that I re-created and stuck down in the front of each of our journals.

Sitting down and writing in our "gratitudes" has really been a treat.

It's been fun to talk about and discuss the things we see in our lives as blessings.

I can honestly say that as we have documented our personal blessings,

we have found more happiness. 

Our testimonies have grown.

We have found more humility and gratitude.

Today and everyday I have so much to be grateful for. 

I am glad for this season to be able to re-focus myself and remember it.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Love, the Aitkens

Young Women Gratitude Goodies

I just love everything about the Thanksgiving season. 

The food. The changing colors. The food. The crisp air. Did I mention food?

Okay, okay--- while the food the food is a close second, 

I think my most favorite thing about the Thanksgiving season is the focus of gratitude.

As I started to think about this holiday season some of the things that I have been the most grateful for,

I couldn't help but think how grateful I am for the opportunities

 I have had in my life to interact with young women.

Sure sometimes it can be a little stressful,

but I would not trade my memories or experiences for anything in the world.

I was recently challenged to show my gratitude more openly towards 

the people who have had a large impact on my life. 

I decided to make these little popcorn goody bags for each of the young women with a little heart-felt note.

I think they turned out pretty cute, so feel free to use and share!

I decided to fill the bags with caramel popcorn.

I used my mom's famous recipe. Seriously--- it's to die for.

1 can sweet and condensed milk

2 cups brown sugar

1 cup butter

1 cup corn syrup

fresh popped popcorn

--------

Cook until soft stage.

Drizzle over popcorn

I found these cute little bags with a little window in them at Pebbles in my Pocket. 

I filled the bags with the caramel popcorn, added some pattern paper, twine and ribbon, 

and topped them off with a little tag I made. 

Now the Day is Over

1. Now the day is over,
   Night is drawing nigh,
   Shadows of the evening
   Steal across the sky.
   


2. Jesus, give the weary
   Calm and sweet repose;
   With Thy tend’rest blessing
   May mine eyelids close.


3. Grant to little children
   Visions bright of Thee;
   Guard the sailors tossing
   On the deep, blue sea.


4. Comfort those who suffer,
   Watching late in pain;
   Those who plan some evil
   From their sin restrain.


5. Through the long night watches
   May Thine angels spread
   Their white wings above me,
   Watching round my bed.


6. When the morning wakens,
   Then may I arise
   Pure, and fresh, and sinless
   In Thy holy eyes.

Composer: Joseph Barnby (1868)

How Shall I Sing That Majesty

How Great a Being
Which doth all beings keep.
Thy Knowledge the only Line
To sound so vast a Deep.

Thou art a sea without a shore,
A sun without a sphere,
Thy time is now and ever more,
Thy place is every where.

How shall I sing that majesty,
Which angels do admire?
Let dust in dust and silence lie,
Sing, Sing, Ye Heavenly Choir.

Thou art a sea without a shore.
A Sun without a sphere,
Thy time is now and ever more
Thy place is every where.

How shall I sing that Majesty
Which Angels do Admire?
Let dust in dust and silence lie.
Sing, Sing, Ye Heavenly Choir.

Text: John Mason (1645-1694)

For the Beauty of the Earth (John Rutter)

See also: the original hymn version

For the beauty of the earth,
for the beauty of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies,

Refrain:

Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower,
sun and moon, and stars of light (Refrain)

For the joy of ear and eye,
for the heart and brain's delight,
for the mystic harmony
linking sense to sound and sight (Refrain)

For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth, and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild (Refrain)

For each perfect gift of thine
to our race so freely given,
graces human and divine,
flowers of earth and buds of heaven (Refrain)

See also: the original hymn version

Words: Folliot Sandford Pierpoint, 1864
Music: John Rutter

Blessed be the God and Father

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
which according to his abundant mercy
hath begotten us again unto a lively hope
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled,
that fadeth not away,
reserved in heaven for you,
Who are kept by the power of God
through faith unto salvation
ready to be revealed at the last time.

But as he which hath called you is holy,
so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.
Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.

Love one another with a pure heart fervently.
See that ye love one another.
Love one another with a pure heart fervently:

Being born again,
not of corruptible seed,
but of incorruptible,
by the word of God.

For all flesh is as grass,
and all the glory of man
as the flower of grass.
The grass withereth,
and the flower thereof falleth away.

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.
Amen.

Composer: Samuel Sebastian Wesley