Adventures in Married Life

Twelve drummers drumming:
 In the original Catholic version, the twelve drummers represent the twelve living apostles in Christ’s restored church. Look up information about the apostles and prophets on lds.org. 

Assignment
Create an apostle memory matching game by making fifteen cards with the apostles’ pictures and fifteen cards with their names; children must match the faces with the names.

Eleven pipers piping:

These symbolize the eleven faithful apostles in Christ’s original church. 

Assignment
See if you can name all of them. Talk about who these men were before they were called as apostles: Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen; Matthew was a tax collector. Why did Christ call men from such humble circumstances? How did these men learn and grow through their experiences with Christ?

Ten lords a-leaping:

These signify the Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20 and Mosiah 12-13. 

Assignment 
Discuss each commandment or draw a picture to represent each one. Have each family member share an experience in which they chose to follow one of the commandments even though it may not have been the easiest choice.

I really truly love my calling as the Primary President. 
I feel so blessed to be able to work with such amazing little children.  I understand completely the love Jesus has for little children. I think about them all day. I can't wait to see them each and every Sunday. I feel its one of the most important callings on earth, teaching and educating the children of the world. I have always been the pied piper of little children (and cats) but I love that I have been blessed with the talents and abilities that I have.  

Creamy White Chicken Lasagna Rolls

Ingredients:
10 lasagna noodles
2 cups boneless, skinless chicken breast, cooked and shredded* liquid reserved
8 oz. shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided (2 cups)
1 oz. finely shredded Parmesan cheese (1/4 cup)
1 oz. finely shredded Romano cheese (1/4 cup)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 cup milk
1 1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Boil chicken with salt and pepper. Reserve liquid. Shred chicken.  Prepare lasagna noodles according to the directions listed on package, drain pasta and align noodles in a single layer on a large sheet of wax paper.
In a mixing bowl toss together shredded chicken, 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, Romano cheese and 3 Tbsp fresh parsley, set aside.
In a separate mixing bowl using an electric hand mixer set on low speed, blend cream cheese until smooth, then mix in milk, dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder and season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour half of the cream cheese mixture into the chicken mixture and toss to evenly coat, reserve remaining cream cheese mixture.
Spread 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture into an even layer along the length of each cooked lasagna noodle then roll noodles to opposite end. Spread 1/4 cup of the remaining cream cheese mixture along the bottom of a 13 x 9. Align pasta snugly and side by side in baking dish - 2 rows of 5.  Add a cup of reserved liquid to remaining cream cheese mixture, and pour over lasagna rolls, being sure to cover tops of pasta entirely so they don't dry while baking. Sprinkle tops evenly with remaining 1 cup Mozzarella cheese. Bake in preheated oven 25 - 30 minutes until heated through and cheese has melted. Sprinkle top evenly with remaining 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Serve warm.

Nine ladies dancing:

These represent the nine fruits of the spirit found in Galatians 5:22. 

Assignment
On a piece of paper folded in the middle, write on one side family members’ ideas of how they feel when the Spirit is present, and on the other side how they feel when the Spirit is not present. Discuss what you could do as a family to have the Spirit dwell in your home.

3/4 Flour
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 c butter
3/4 c sugar
2 Tbsp water
1 12 oz package of chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 c nuts *optional*

Directions
Melt butter, sugar, and water to a boil take off heat. Add 1 cup chocolate chips and vanilla. Mix until melted, add eggs one at a time mix good. Gradually add flour, salt, and baking soda. Stir until smooth. Stir in the remaining chips and *nuts*. Pour into a greased 8x8 baking dish. Bake at 325 degrees for 30-35 min. 

Cookie Dough:  
3/4 cup butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 cup powdered sugar
3 Tablespoons whole milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips

2. Prepare the cookie dough: In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to combine butter, brown sugar and white sugar. Mix in milk and vanilla. Mix in flour just until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

3. Spread cookie dough over the cooled brownies. Refrigerate until the dough is quite firm. It's okay to speed up the process and place it in the freezer too. The firmer the dough, the easier it will be to cut into neat squares.  

Eight maids a-milking:
 These stand for the eight Beatitudes, as taught by Jesus in Matthew 5 and 3 Nephi 12. 

Assignment
Have family members make up skits to demonstrate one of the Beatitudes.

Seven swans a-swimming:

These represent seven gifts of the spirit, although in LDS tradition there are many more than seven. 

Assignment
Make a list of spiritual gifts from Doctrine and Covenants 46:11-33, 1 Corinthians 12:1-12, and Moroni 10:8-18. Try to identify strengths you have and how you can improve upon them.

Six geese a-laying:
These stand for the six days it took Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to create the Earth. Read the account in Genesis 1. 

Assignment:
Have younger children draw pictures of the creation.

These symbolize the first five books of the Old Testament (known in some religions as the Torah or the Pentateuch). Christ led Moses and the children of Israel to the promised land and there were many miracles that happened along the way. 

Assignment
Talk about miracles you have experienced in your own lives.
I have been witness to and receiver of many wonderful blessings. I have been blessed with an incredibly amazing and handsome husband. I was blessed with the best calling in the church, the primary. My own life is a miracle. I am grateful to be alive and to enjoy all the beautiful fruits of the world. 

 

These represent the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), because each of these disciples call out to the world through their testimonies of Jesus Christ. 

Assignment:
Look up “Gospels” in the Bible Dictionary; look at the chart that depicts harmony in the gospels and notice how several of these four men testified of some of the same events from Christ’s life.