March Theme : Daughter of God

Happy March!  The Lengthening Your Stride theme for March is Daughter of God.  Be sure to check out the goal suggestions tab for goals that fit this theme.     

James E. Faust said:

'To be a daughter of God means that you are the offspring of Deity, literal descendants of a Divine Father, inheriting godly attributes and potential.  To be a daughter of God also means that you have been born again, changed from a ‘carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness’. …Being a daughter of God means that if you seek it, you can find your true identity.  You will know who you are.'

We hope that this month you can gain a deeper understanding of the blessings that come through lengthening your stride in the area becoming a daughter of God.

Please feel free to share your insights and thoughts with us throughout the month.

With Love,

The Literacy Committee

Learn to Index!

Who here is good at deciphering old calligraphy and three hundred year old cursive? You are not sure if you are good at it? Well, come give it a try at Larkin's house next Wednesday evening at 7:30! As Guardians of the Hearth (our theme for LYS this month), it is important for us to help preserve our family history. One way we can do that is through indexing. Check out the link below to learn more about indexing. You can take a two minute "test drive" to see if you like indexing. Then, when you realize that indexing is actually fun definitely more useful than playing angry birds/scrabble on your phone,  you can easily download the software to your computer or smart phone and index anytime you want! Dont let the phrase "download software" throw you off (i hate the word software, it scares me), the church website makes it super easy. 

Worldwide Record Indexing

This link has four tutorial videos.

So bring your laptops/smart phones and a snack to Larkins house on Wednesday 27th at 7:30pm and we will chat and learn how to index together. Larkin is pretty good at indexing, so she can be our guide if we need help.  We thought 7:30 would be a good time because it would allow moms to get kids ready for bed before heading out, but if it is too late, we can move the time back a bit. 

If you are anti-indexing, that is ok too! Just come to chat and hang out.

love, 

Regan

January Projects

Thanks to everybody who shared their January home update projects!

Sara organized her laundry space.

Regan is almost finished with a blanket.

Erica alphabetized her DVD collection.

Hilary painted her kitchen wall a lovely yellow.

Larkin cleaned out her pantry.

If you have any projects from the Lengthening Your Stride program that you would like to share, feel free to email us. 

Lots of love,

The Literacy Committee

February Theme : Guardian of the Hearth

It's February!  And it's cold outside -- but don't let that ruin your enthusiasm for the Lengthening Your Stride program!


The monthly theme for February is Guardian of the Hearth.  Be sure to check out the goal suggestions tab for goals that fit this theme.     

As members of the church & women, we have a unique role in and perspective about the importance of strengthening our families.  The Family: A Proclamation to the World teaches us:

'The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan . . . Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.'

We hope that this month you can gain a deeper understanding of the blessings that come through lengthening your stride in the area becoming a guardian of the hearth.

Please feel free to share your insights and thoughts with us throughout the month.

With Love,

The Literacy Committee

Coralville Library Book Sale

Event Date: Fri, 02/01/2013 - 1:30pm - 5:30pm

BOOK SALE at the Coralville Public Library

Hundreds of newly donated books will be available February 1st and 2nd. Sale hours are 1:30-5:30 P.M. on Friday, and 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Saturday.

In our non-fiction area, shoppers will find a large selection of cookbooks, classics, travel, self help, diet & fitness, parenting, crafts, foreign language books. Check out our miscellaneous section for those gems that defy pigeon holing. Thanks to a generous donor, dozens of Sherlock Holmes volumes are on sale. Mysteries and general fiction novels—both hard and soft cover—abound. Many children’s and chapter books for upper elementary school aged as well as a selection of young adult fiction are also available.

Friday prices are $2.00 per hard cover book, $1.00 for paperbacks and $.50 for all music CD’s and movies. Saturday prices are discounted half price. Children’s books are priced the same both days at $.25 - $2.00. As always, ample FREE PARKING is available at 1401 5th Street.

The Friends continue the traditional free book offering. As books are set up Thursday evening before the sale, FREE book carts are available outside the sale area. Be patient and note that there is no access to the sale area. Free books will also be available during sale hours. The library has removed hundreds of books on tape from the collection and these are also free. Friends of the Coralville Public Library is a non-profit organization that provides volunteer and financial support to the Coralville Library. Proceeds from the book sale will be used to support the library and other literacy focused projects. (For further information regarding this press release contact Deb Gill, 384-3328.)

Iowa Activity // Outdoor Ice Skating!

Starting today this little stretch of Iowa Avenue will be turned into a winter festival that you'll never forget! The Iowa City Downtown District is holding a free ice skating party in Downtown Iowa City. The ice skating rink (you read that right, AN ICE SKATING RINK!) will be located on Iowa Avenue between Dubuque and Linn Streets.

The rink will be open Friday from 4-10PM, Saturday 10AM-10PM and Sunday 12-5PM. The ice rink will be lit for skaters at night, and the event will include vendors with food and music. You can either bring your own skates or free rentals are provided.

It looks like it's supposed to be sunny and warmer this weekend, so come out to Downtown Iowa City to eat some food and do a little ice skating

For more information, click here.

Love, 
The Literacy Committee

January Goal Ideas: Continuing Education Classes

January's goals are all about learning new skills and finding ways to improve our homes. Kirkwood Community College has several continuing education courses that might help!

Click here to see the courses.

Courses are generally several weeks long and sometimes have a minimal fee.

Family/Home/Finance

Consumer/Finance                         Cosmetology Foods/Entertaining

Interior Design Lawn/Garden Family Develop.

General Interest

Arts Crafts Dance Dog Obedience Language/Culture

Leisure Mind/Body Music/Fine Arts Photography Writing/Literature

January Theme: Homemaker

Happy New Year!

We hope that the first few days of 2013 have treated all of you well.

The monthly theme for January is Homemaker.  Be sure to check out the goal suggestions tab for the list of monthly goals.   

We hope that this month you can gain a deeper understanding of the blessings that come through lengthening your stride as a homemaker.

Please feel free to share your insights and thoughts with us throughout the month.

With Love,

The Literacy Committee

Merry Christmas

"Christmas is a time for remembering the Son of God and renewing our determination to take upon us His name. It is a time to reassess our lives and examine our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Let this be a time of remembrance, of gratitude, and a time of forgiveness. Let it be a time to ponder the Atonement of Jesus Christ and its meaning for each of us personally. Let it especially be a time of renewal and recommitment to live by the word of God and to obey His commandments. By doing this, we honor Him far more than we ever could with lights, gifts, or parties."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Seeing Christmas through New Eyes", 2010 First Presidency Christmas Devotional

Goal Suggestion: Christmas Devotional

In case you missed the 2012 First Presidency Christmas Devotional, click here to read, watch or download. Watch as a family for Family Home Evening or perhaps on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Then don't forget to log this as a goal for the month.

Wishing you a warm and happy December,
The Literacy Committee

Christmas Is . . .

Check out the church's new website page "Christmas Is" to find out ways you can share and enjoy the true meaning of Christmas.

Click here.

Family Activity - Nativity, Cedar Rapids

Nativity Celebration

Friday, December 7th, 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Saturday, December 8th, 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Cedar Rapids LDS Stake Center

4150 Blue Jay Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids

This community nativity exhibit and music program includes the Armstrong-Smulekoff Nativity. Please consider bringing canned good donations to be collected for local agencies. If you would like to serve at the event or display your nativity, please contact Patty Hansen at 319-373-8488 or cinnapatty@gmail.com.

Ronald McDonald House - Volunteer!

The Ronald McDonald House of Iowa City is a great place to volunteer for those looking to assist families during their time away from the hospital. The Ronald McDonald House provides a haven where families can cook a meal, do laundry, relax, share a laugh, and find comfort and support.

• Become an in-house weekly volunteer:
• Being an In-House Volunteer is a special way to work closely with families staying at the House. In-House Volunteers work one three-hour shift every week (shifts range from 9-12, 12-3, 3-6, 6-9, seven days a week) and perform many important duties at the House. Such responsibilities include driving the Ronald McDonald House shuttle van to and from the hospital, taking families shopping for groceries, or helping clean rooms. 
• Click here to apply to be a volunteer.
• Prepare a meal:
• Serving a meal at the Ronald McDonald House is another great way to volunteer.  Families staying at the Ronald McDonald House appreciate home cooked meals following a long and stressful day at the hospital. 
• Click here for more information about preparing meals.
• Service projects:
• Just as with any home, it takes a lot of work and helping hands to keep the Ronald McDonald House tidy and neat. We always welcome volunteer groups that are interested in performing service projects, such as dusting, sweeping, and cleaning all of the areas of the House. Volunteer groups can also organize craft and game activities for the families and children.
• Help during the Holidays:
• It is always difficult for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House to be away from their home and families during the holidays. From Valentine’s Day to Christmas and Hanukkah, volunteers can assist the staff by making holiday meals and treats for the families and children. Volunteers willing to help decorate the House are also needed prior to the holiday season.

December Theme: Disciple of Christ

Happy December!

We are beginning the fourth month of the Lengthening Your Stride program -- time flies when you are having fun!  A special thanks to all of those who contributed to our November gratitude journal.  We truly have so many blessings and it was delightful to hear about them from the sisters in our ward. 

The monthly theme for December is disciple of Christ.  Be sure to check out the goal suggestions tab for goals that fit this theme.     

In the Book of Mormon, Nephi teaches us the importance of Jesus Christ:

'And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.'  (2 Nephi 25:26)

We hope that this month you can gain a deeper understanding of the blessings that come through lengthening your stride in the area becoming a disciple of Christ.

Please feel free to share your insights and thoughts with us throughout the month.

With Love,

The Literacy Committee

Santa Comes to Town - December 1st

From Melissa:

I just found out about some fun Christmas festivities going on downtown tomorrow and wanted to let you all know about it. There's free carriage rides, a visit from Santa, and lots of fun activities for kids. And parking is free, too! Can't beat that! Maybe we'll see you there!

Click here for more information.

November Gratitude Journal: Day 30

Here are five things I'm grateful for:

1. Jay
2. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and all the blessings
it brings into my life
3. Hugs from little ones, especially my fifteen nieces and nephews
4. Laughter
5. Music

{Talia Stirling}

November Gratitude Journal: Day 29

Of course I am grateful for the bucket list... family, income, shelter, gospel, etc... but here are a few things I am especially grateful for today!

I am grateful for indoor plumbing.  I can not imagine a life without showers, toilets, kitchen faucets, washing machines, and a toddler to boot!
I am grateful for our infrastructure, the trucking lanes, and the highways that allow ease of travel and things like food shipments to get to our hometowns.  

I am grateful for innovative minds that have made and continue to make everyday "chores" more convenient and easy.

I am grateful to be given the opportunities to learn new things every day.

I am grateful for the Lord letting me borrow from his endless supply of patience and I am grateful for a daughter who seems to drain my supply as fast as I can borrow it.

I am grateful for the trials I have been entrusted with throughout my life.  They have shaped me into who I am today, and even though I'm not perfect I know I'd be a lot less whole without the growth they have provided.

I am grateful for college football.  Fall + NCAA football + Hot Chocolate = SATURDAY ECSTASY!!!!  Really, NCAA football makes life worth living :)

{Brookie Stander}



One thing that has constantly been near the top of my thankful list is the ability to read. I love to read for pleasure and information. Perhaps that was one thing that motivated me to become a teacher. I am so grateful for the great thoughts and words open to me because of my ability to read.

No gratitude list is complete without "family" written down. I have much family to be thankful for.

I am thankful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is such a blessing to have the truth and to know that it is true.

{Lara Gelder}

November Gratitude Journal: Day 28

I am grateful for having shelter and plenty of food. I'm grateful for a husband who both complements and compliments me. I'm grateful that babies learn how to smile before they learn how to talk. I'm grateful for my dishwasher. I'm grateful for the family I grew up in, the one I married into, and the one I'm currently building. I'm grateful that this list could go on forever if I had enough time.

{Emily Leslie}

I am so thankful for the knowledge I have of the atonement.  Because of my Savior’s incredible sacrifice, there is Nothing in this world to fear, He has overcome the world! Words cannot express the gratitude I have for Him and for our Eternal Father who  “so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.”  Because our Savior was willing to suffer for us, we never have to suffer alone, and we can one day be with Them again. 

I am so thankful to be a mother.   I am so thankful for the gift these babies are in my life and for the knowledge I have that I get to be their mother forever!

I am so thankful for Matt!  I admire him and appreciate him so. darn. much.  Thank goodness he is also mine forever!

I am thankful to be living in a time where there is the fullness of the Gospel! I am thankful for the sacrifice of the saints who made that possible.  And what a treat to be able to watch it spread across the whole earth!

I am thankful for friends and family and to live in a day when communicating with people thousands of miles away is no big thing! So thankful for cell phones and all the other ways we can communicate from afar!

I am thankful for art in all forms and all other beautiful things and moments.

{Mary Smith}

November Gratitude Journal: Day 27

I am thankful for....

   a body that is functioning and able

   a husband that works hard and loves me

   a family that supports and cares for me

   a testimony of truth

   a job that challenges me

   a home 

   the internet

   and chocolate

to name a few:)

{Abbey Zmoos}

I am thankful for a wonderful husband, who loves me beyond words

a stable job that helps me to grow and learn in ways I never anticipated

a wonderful home to return to, a place where I feel safe and happy

good physical health, I have the strength to run and play sports

a mind full of creativity and a willful drive to try new things

a loving family, sisters who are my best friends and parents who would do anything to help me succeed in life

the gospel of Jesus Christ, the joy of knowing that the Lord has a plan for me and that I have the eternal capacity to become like He is

my life, for all the happiness that fills my soul with joy and carries me through the difficult times. 

{Melissa Humbert}

November Gratitude Journal: Day 26

Here are some things I'm grateful for:

My family
My husband
My daughter
Knowledge of the plan of salvation and knowing I'm a daughter of God
My Savior
My job
Priesthood blessings
Prayer
The holiday season
The scriptures

{Mallory McFarlane}