Delectable Chocolate Almond Balls

I got this recipe from my mother-in-law. It is very easy and well--delectable. Enjoy!

24 ounces Chocolate bar with almonds (I use 5 of the big 5 ounce Hershey bars with almonds)
12 ounce Tub of whipped topping
Vanilla wafer crumbs
Melt the chocolate in the microwave or a double boiler. (If you do it in the microwave be careful not to burn the chocolate by stirring often.) Stir in the whipped topping and refrigerate until mixture firms up. Roll about a teaspoon of mixture into a ball (I use a small cookie scoop) and roll ball in vanilla wafer crumbs. Keep refrigerated. So yummy.

Christmas Began with a Baby

I love this quote about the true meaning of Christmas by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. "At the focal point of all human history, a point illuminated by a newstar in the heavens revealed for just such a purpose, probably no othermortal watched--none but a poor young carpenter, a beautifulvirgin mother, and silent stabled animals who had not the power to utterthe sacredness they had seen. Shepherds would soon arrive and later, wisemen from the East. Later yet the memory of that night would bring SantaClaus and Frosty and Rudolph--and all would be welcome. But firstand forever there was just a little family, without toys or trees ortinsel. With a baby--that's how Christmas began."Itis for this baby that we shout in chorus: 'Hark! the herald angels singGlory to the newborn King! . . . Mild he lays his glory by, Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them secondbirth' (Hymns, no. 209)." 

Perspective

"There are so many problems facing us individually and collectively.Yet I have the simple faith that many, if not all, of them can be put intoproper perspective by Paul's sublime message to the Galatians:'Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I liveby the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me'(Gal. 2:20)." (James E. Faust, "A Christmas with No Presents," Ensign, Dec. 2001, 5-6)

For in His Strength I Can Do All Things - The Grace of Jesus Christ

David A. Bednar teaches us...

“Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea.

“Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by his grace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things” (Jacob 4:6–7).

Brothers and sisters, please pay particular attention to the word grace as it is used in the verse I just read. In the Bible Dictionary we learn that the word grace frequently is used in the scriptures to connote a strengthening or enabling power:

“The main idea of the word is divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ.

“… It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts” (p. 697).

Thus, the enabling and strengthening aspect of the Atonement helps us to see and to do and to become good in ways that we could never recognize or accomplish with our limited mortal capacity. I testify and witness that the enabling power of the Savior’s Atonement is real. Without that strengthening power of the Atonement, I could not stand before you this morning.

Can we sense the grace and strengthening power of Christ in the testimony of Ammon? “Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever” (Alma 26:12). Truly, brothers and sisters, in the strength of the Lord we can do and endure and overcome all things.

from In the Strength of the Lord October GC 2004 (emphasis added)

1. Ok First of all, can you imagine the trees, mountains, or waves obeying you? It creates quite a visual image in your mind. It is an amazing illustration of the strength of the faith of these people in Jesus Christ, for this is obviously something that you could not accomplish without God's power. It seems like an exclamation point or special emphasis on the size, power, importance, and strength of their faith in Jesus Christ.
2. Second, the Lord shows us our weaknesses in contrast to His grace, condescension, and power. We have to know our sins in order to partake of His atonement. Our human nature makes it necessary for us to rely on Him. Our sins, weaknesses, and problems can become strengths through Him. Is He showing you where you need to improve? Don't get discouraged by your faults. He wants you to see them in order to lean on Him in overcoming them.
3. Next, grace makes us stronger or enables us to do something. Through the Lord's grace we are better able to do things of which we thought ourselves incapable, or which we even thought impossible. What impossible tasks are facing you in your life right now? He will help. He loves you. His mercy is bountiful.
4. Now, are there good works that you are just too tired to carry on? Are you worn out? Are you too tired to continue in the service you have been asked to give? Does it seem too much? Do not despair. Through your faith and repentance you will receive strength and assistance. Don't try to do it alone. Lean on the Lord.
5. As Elder Bednar says, "Thus, the enabling and strengthening aspect of the Atonement helps us to see and to do and to become good in ways that we could never recognize or accomplish with our limited mortal capacity."

"Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God."~Joseph Smith

Thanksgiving is just a week away. Here's a favorite Thanksgiving hymn to enjoy:

Prayer of Thanksgiving

We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing;He chastens and hastens his will to make known;The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,Sing praises to his name: He forgets not his own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,Ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine;So from the beginning the fight we were winning;Thou, Lord, wast at our side, All glory be thine!

We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,And pray that thou still our defender wilt be.Let thy congregation escape tribulation;Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

(A translation by Theodore Baker: 1851-1934)

"Do not give up if at first you fail... Discouragement is part of that test. Do not give up. That brilliant morning will come" (Boyd K. Packer in Ensign, Nov. 1995, 19-20). Or in other words, "Go baby, go baby, go baby, go! You can do it!"

Our New Blog

We, two sisters, have been discussing how to make the world a better place. We came up with this idea to create a blog that we can use to spread joy and cheer to the world and to share our testimonies of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ! Our motto is "Hurrah for Israel!" Check back often to see what uplifting insights and ideas we have to share with you!