Sunday, April 17, 2011

For Grandma

I was talking on the phone with my Grandma yesterday while I made cookies for my relief society lesson. She asked me to post them on the blog so she could see them. So, here are photos I took yesterday Grandma.
I taught my lesson today on "Tithes and Offerings" and I used these cookies for my object lesson. They are supposed to look like money (if you couldn't tell).

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I lined up 10 cookies on the table and asked for 10 volunteers. I had each volunteer hold a sign that represented part of a monthly budget. These are the signs I had them hold.

1. Mortgage

2. Utilities

3. Gasoline

4. School

5. Grocery

6. SALE (at Bath and body works or whatever store)

7. Birthday

8. Doctor

9. Insurance

10. Tithing/Phone

I gave each woman a cookie/money for the budget item they represent. When you get to the last person say “Oh, shoot, the phone bill is due”…and take a bite of the cookie and say “I can just take a little bit of the tithing money right? The Lord will understand I still have bills to pay and could pay only part of his tithing this month. I even took it a step further and took another chunk off of the tithing cookie because "the kids were texting too much this month"

So, what is the moral of the story? What better choices could we have made? When we choose to pay the lord first it not only is easier to pay, but it changes the way the whole monthly budget flows. I have read a lot of financial books and they always say “pay yourself first” because at the end of the month you won’t have enough money left over (or very little money) to pay yourself. When writing a budget, you make a list of expected expenditures in order of priority. When you choose to pay the lord first, it shows him that He is our first priority. In doing so, we will surely be blessed.

Anyway, that was just part of my lesson and everyone got a cookie. who doesn't like cookies in the shape of money? Two good things are better than one any day.

I gave some extra cookies to my little cookie monsters as well. Here are way to many photos of them eating them outside last evening.
Love AND cookies.

Cookie Cutie

9 comments:

Grandpa and Grandma B said...

Way better than my lesson on tithing today! I think there is the same mutual admiration society still between those two as when Jake licked Lily when she was brand new.

Ali said...

What a wonderful post. First off, I wish I could be at your lessons. I am amazed that you can teach in front of everyone now. And you spend so much time preparing. I'm sure they are wonderful. And secondly, what cute pictures of your kids. I love the one of Jake and Lily laughing together. SO CUTE!

dave, catie, and baby b. said...

what a clever way to teach a lesson.
these cookies look awesome (as always).
never have i wanted to put a dollar bill in my mouth, until now :)

Grandpa and Grandma B said...

See i told you it would get easier as time goes by and with you creativity everyone enjoys you lessons.

Heather said...

I didn't say it was easier. I couldn't eat anything on Sunday before my lesson because I had a nervous stomach. I was so nervous I was shaking uncontrollably. My mouth was really dry and I kept stuttering my words. I was NOT crying uncontrollably though so that is good right?
I suppose it is easier,...just not easy.

Unknown said...

Those are supposed to look like money? Really, I couldn't tell at all- I'm glad you explained that. You are so silly- the cookies are adorable and of course it is evident they are money!

Sara said...

Super fun object lesson!

And I'm glad it's getting easier, but I'll agree with you -- it's never easy.

H. Wimmer said...

I love your lesson idea and I will have to use it IF I ever teach Relief Society. The cookies are so cute and you are so stinken talented.
I shake every week I teach 15 year olds because the lesson can go two ways. THEY actually listen and I am not prepared or I am prepared and they do not listen.

Oh yea and your kids are so CUTE!!

Michelle said...

Yep, you are STILL awesome! It's just not fair that you are so good at EVERYTHING!