Infant Car Seat Strap Covers

The family is ordained of God. Families are central to our Heavenly Father’s plan here on earth and through the eternities. After Adam and Eve were joined in marriage, the scripture reads, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.” In our day prophets and apostles have declared, “The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.” 

This commandment has not been forgotten or set aside in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We express deep gratitude for the enormous faith shown by husbands and wives (especially our wives) in their willingness to have children. When to have a child and how many children to have are private decisions to be made between a husband and wife and the Lord. These are sacred decisions—decisions that should be made with sincere prayer and acted on with great faith. -Elder Neil L. Anderson

(A guest post by my sweet sister, Elisabeth Monson)

We are about to welcome the newest member of our family into the world, and so I have been going a little bit crazy with crafting. My most recent craft endeavor has been accouterments for our little guy’s car seat.  Our car seat didn’t come with covers for the straps, and that is something I regretted with our last baby. So, I decided to just make some!  This is a really easy project that takes no more than 2 ½ hours or so!

All you will need is two colors of fabric (or, if you don’t want to make the bias tape, you can get that instead of a second color of fabric), very thin quilting batting, and some Velcro (roughly 16 inches).

1. The first thing you do is cut out four rectangles (for two strap covers). I had to tinker with the size, and eventually for the infant car seat, they ended up being 4”x7”. This size makes the strap roomy enough to easily adjust position. If you want yours to stay in place really well, I would make it a little shorter, though no less than 4”x6 ½”.  Cut out two rectangles of the batting to match your fabric ones.

2. Next, pin the fabric on either side of the batting with right sides of the fabric facing out. I only photographed one of the covers as I made them. Naturally, you follow the same steps for both.

3. This is where I decided to make my bias tape.  If you buy yours, you can skip from now until step number 7.

On the bias of the fabric, cut a strip that is 1 ½ inches wide and long enough to go around your squares comfortably. My fabric wasn’t long enough to make around both my squares, so I made two separate strips. (Note: I also didn’t have enough fabric to cut on the bias, so I cut my pieces along the grain, and it turned out just splendidly. So don’t stress if you don’t cut on the bias.)

4. Iron your piece (or pieces) in half.

5. Next, open your newly ironed strip and fold each outside edge to the center. Iron them in place.

6. Iron in half again.  

Now your strips should look more or less like store-bought bias tape!

7. Back to your poofy, pinned rectangles: Cut Velcro (both sides for each of your covers-to-be) to match the width of your rectangles (4”).

8. Stitch all the way around each one at 1/4” seam allowance.

9. Clip off the seam allowance all the way around to be closer to 1/8”. This makes all layers a uniform length, and makes it easier to get your bias tape around it. (In the picture, you can see the difference between the original seam allowance and the clipped, which will hopefully give you a good idea of how much of yours you want to clip off.)

10. Pin your Velcro into place at each end of the rectangles, on opposing sides (such that they stick together when folded in thirds). Put the edge of the Velcro just past the seam you made.

11. Stitch all the way around the Velcro on each end.

This is what they should look like together.

12. Pin bias tape into place, by straddling it around your clipped edges, making sure that the entire seam is covered on the front and back.

13. Sew all the way around until you see you are coming close to where you began. Once you have a good idea of how much more of the bias tape you’ll need, clip it off, leaving enough to fold the last raw edge down. Continue sewing around until you have reached the, now folded, end of your bias tape.

14. The finished product should look like this!

MODEST YOUTH

The Lord wants his children to be clean and well groomed, modest in dress and behavior and mostly beautiful.

As sister missionaries we wear professional clothing that helps distinguish us as representatives of Christ.  Not all members dress formally daily, however.  Most members wear what everyone else wears--but in a modest way.

For the Strength of Youth (a book of standards that youth should strive to achieve set forth by the First Presidency) helps us know how God would have us dress.

• Standards
• Dress and Appearance

Dress and Appearance

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? … The temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

1 Corinthians 3:16–17

Your body is sacred. Respect it and do not defile it in any way. Through your dress and appearance, you can show that you know how precious your body is. You can show that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ and that you love Him.

Prophets of God have continually counseled His children to dress modestly. When you are well groomed and modestly dressed, you invite the companionship of the Spirit and you can be a good influence on others. Your dress and grooming influence the way you and others act.

Never lower your standards of dress. Do not use a special occasion as an excuse to be immodest. When you dress immodestly, you send a message that is contrary to your identity as a son or daughter of God. You also send the message that you are using your body to get attention and approval.

Immodest clothing is any clothing that is tight, sheer, or revealing in any other manner. Young women should avoid short shorts and short skirts, shirts that do not cover the stomach, and clothing that does not cover the shoulders or is low-cut in the front or the back. Young men should also maintain modesty in their appearance. Young men and young women should be neat and clean and avoid being extreme or inappropriately casual in clothing, hairstyle, and behavior. They should choose appropriately modest apparel when participating in sports. The fashions of the world will change, but the Lord’s standards will not change.

Do not disfigure yourself with tattoos or body piercings. Young women, if you desire to have your ears pierced, wear only one pair of earrings.

Show respect for the Lord and yourself by dressing appropriately for Church meetings and activities. This is especially important when attending sacrament services. Young men should dress with dignity when officiating in the ordinance of the sacrament.

If you are not sure what is appropriate to wear, study the words of the prophets, pray for guidance, and ask your parents or leaders for help. Your dress and appearance now will help you prepare for the time when you will go to the temple to make sacred covenants with God. Ask yourself, “Would I feel comfortable with my appearance if I were in the Lord’s presence?”

HUMBLE AS A CHILD

I know a young man named John.  He is about six feet tall, has a sturdy build, and has thick, dark curly hair.
John is a friend to everyone.  He is patient and good.  He is kind and non-judgmental.  He has a sincere heart. {Sincere /adjective/: free from pretense or deceit; procedding from genuine feelings}

The Lord has prepared John to receive His gospel.  I know this because John has a desire to know what is true. {Desire /noun/: a strong feeling of wanting to have something or hoping something will happen} John is willing to experiment to know if what we are saying is true. {Experiment /noun/: a course of action adopted without being sure of the eventual outcome}

Through all of this, John has shown real intent. {Real intent /noun/: earnestly intending to act upon an answer, regardless of our preconceived notions} Most importantly, John is humble enough to pray and go to the origin of truth, our Heavenly Father, to receive his answers.  {Origin /noun/: the point or place where something begins, arises, or is derived}

God answers the questions we ask.  If you take the time to study the Book of Mormon and listen to the Mormon missionaries--truly desiring to know if what we teach is true; acting with no hypocrisy or guile--then God, the origin of all truth, will reveal this truth to you through the Holy Ghost.

3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. 

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. 

(Moroni 10:3-5)

John will be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on February 22. 

God lives and this is His Restored Gospel.  

TRUTH IS RESTORED

I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. He was born in a stable--likely dirty and ill-kept midst the busy tax season (Luke 2:12).  His mother was a mortal virgin and his Father the God of the universe (Alma 7:10).  He suffered every sin, temptation, and pain we have ever faced (Alma 7:11-13).  Because He worked to bring to pass the Father's plan, we can all repent and return to live with our Heavenly and earthly family. 

Eventually after Christ's death His gospel was distorted and changed by man.  The priesthood authority to perform sacred ordinances in God's name--such as baptism--was necessarily removed from the Earth (Amos 8:11-12).

But one of the greatest gifts that Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ ever gave this world is that, through the prophet Joseph Smith, Christ's gospel and his Church has been restored to the Earth.  

I am but human and frequently make mistakes, but I know that I have been called and set apart as a representative of  the Lord Jesus Christ.  I know this is true.  I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints holds all the priesthood keys and authority to perform ordinances that are necessary for our exaltation.  

I also know that because God is just, we will all have equal opportunities to accept or reject Christ and His Gospel--either in this life or the life to come.Because of this, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are actively perusing missionary work both here and in the Spirit World. 

If what I say is true, then it is the most important message this world could know.  Please, take the time to learn and ask God for yourself.  

ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

Moroni, a prophet who lived in the America's about 400 years after Christ's birth taught:

My BFF Skailaya and her niece and nephew. She was
baptized in July 2013.

4 And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.

5 And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls.

6 And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus.

Stephanie and Amy.  These girls are pillars of strength in
our congregation. 

   -The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ; Moroni 6:4-6

Brooke and Hayden.  Brook grew up in Canada
where she chose to continue going to church
even when her parents did not. 

Our purpose as missionaries is to invite EVERYONE to come unto Christ.  That include those who are not of our faith, those who are of our faith, and those whose faith is struggling. One way or another, that should include all of us.

Devin and Melissa.  Melissa was baptized in 2002 and Devin was baptized
in 2013.  Both of them frequently came out to teach with us.  

Through weekly meetings and daily contact with members of our congregations, we as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, try and make sure everyone feels the love of their Savior and the support of their neighbors.

Cory served a mission in Guatemala and now is in charge of missionary
work in our congregation.  As with all responsibilities in the church, it is all
volunteer work. 

Josh, Melanie, Terence, Courtney, and Taylor all drove for six hours to do work in the Temple.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father— That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.

ETERNAL FAMILIES

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 50 percent of first marriages end in divorce; second marriages 60 to 67 percent and third marriages 73 to 74 percent. 

A modern Apostle of Jesus Christ, Elder Dallin H. Oaks, shared: 

"We live in a world in which the whole concept of marriage is in peril and where divorce is commonplace. The concept that society has a strong interest in preserving marriages for the common good as well as the good of the couple and their children has been replaced for many by the idea that marriage is only a private relationship between consenting adults, terminable at the will of either. "The weakening of the concept that marriages are permanent and precious has far-reaching consequences. Influenced by their own parents’ divorce or by popular notions that marriage is a ball and chain that prevents personal fulfillment, some young people shun marriage. Many who marry withhold full commitment, poised to flee at the first serious challenge. In contrast, modern prophets have warned that looking upon marriage “as a mere contract that may be entered into at pleasure … and severed at the first difficulty … is an evil meriting severe condemnation,” especially where children are made to suffer." -Elder Dallin H. Oaks: Divorce

However, through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we can overcome the hardships of marriage and family life, rise above the smog of the world, and build an eternal family; one that will last beyond the grave.

I grew up in a suburb community.  Being seventh of eleven children, I always had a friend and always knew my family loved me.

My parents centered our home on Christ.  Through small and simple things, our parents taught us how to love, listen to, and serve the Lord and each other.

For example, each morning at 6 a.m. Mother and Daddy would divide and conquer to wake up ornery children for scripture studies.  However, it never was perfect and it was never easy:

We all had trouble staying awake; Mother outlawed blankets for our early morning scripture read.

We didn't pay attention to a word we read; Mother began to have quizzes at the end of each study.

We refused to participate; Mother said we could choose to come or not, but we couldn't choose the consequence: a week of dish duty.

The irony is, back then, I would give anything to stay in bed and sleep.  Now, I would give anything to be with all of my family reading the word of God.

It was these sorts of small activities that helped each of us 11 children gain a relationship with our Savior: family prayer, family night each Monday, family dinner, family vacations, and family councils.  My parents made sure we knew they had a testimony of their Savior, Jesus Christ and of His restored Gospel and church: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Everything decision they made was based on that testimony and all of us children benefited more than any of us can know.

We were not perfect.  There were lots of sibling arguments and fights, a  few broken doors and walls, ungrateful teenagers,  surgeries and sickness, financial struggles, and burnt food.  But, because my parents allowed the Savior to be the head of our home, we are able to overcome all obstacles 

Today we are all grown up.  Many of us have families of our own and all of us have testimonies of Christ's Gospel of our own. In the pictures below, my siblings are all holding up pictures that say "Happy Birthday" to my little brother, Elder Morgan Muhlestein, who is also serving a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Botswana.

Will
Age: 2 Years
Occupation: Mimicker

I feel good about Jesus

 Clara

Age: 5

Occupation: Kindergarten Student

 I know Jesus loves me and I know he will take care of me and help me do things.

Lucas
Age: 3
Occupation: Pre-school Student

I love to play with Jesus and sing songs about Jesus. Jesus makes me feel better.

 Crystal

Age: 30

Occupation: Mother, Craftsmen, 

Exercise Scientist

 I am so grateful for Jesus Christ, my Savior. One small part of my knowledge of the Savior, is that everything is easier when you are on the Lord's side. Our trials are easier to bear, are burdens are lightened, and we have a perspective that gives us so much hope and peace. All of that comes through faith in Jesus Christ and through the Atonement.

Lexi
Age: 2
Occupation: Quiet Hero

Nicholas

Age: 4

Occupation: Mommy's Boy

I want to share my testimony.  I believe in Jesus.  I believe the church is true.  I think Jesus loves us and wants us to be happy.

Jordan
Age: 32
Occupation: Dad,
Hospital Administrator

I know Christ is my Savior, and I am so grateful for his unending love and patience and forgiveness for me. Our current prophet, President Thomas S. Monson said, "Your future is as bright as your faith." I know when I put my faith in Christ, my future is wonderful, because Christ promises us if we come to Him, He will make everything in life better. I love Him.

 George

Age: 16

Occupation: Student, 

Swimmer, Debater

David
Age: 30
Occupation: Father, Policy Consultant,
Paintball Professional

I know that we are here on the earth for a reason.  We have the opportunity to live, learn and progress to become like our Heavenly Father.  Since we make mistakes and come up short, we have a Savior that will help us overcome our sins and has also provided a perfect example for us to follow.  As we follow Him, and listen to His prophet on the earth, we will receive the direction and inspiration we need to live our lives each day.  Through this, we'll find hope, happiness and peace, no matter the storms of life we must endure.

 Harry

Age: 5

Occupation: First Grade Student

Maren
Age: 28
Occupation: Mother, Nurse

Megan

Age: 30

Occupation: Mother,

Concert Pianist

I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior.  I can feel his presence as I pray.  I can see his hand in my life each and every day.  Through His atonement I am buoyed up and forgiven of my sins so that I can go home - home to my Heavenly Father and to my brother Jesus Christ along with my family.  We are meant to have joy in this life and I know true happiness comes through obedience to, and knowledge of God and His Son. 

Frank (honorary brother, he served a mission in Japan with Michael)

Age: 27

Occupation: 

Foreign Exchange Student,

Business Student

Joseph
Age: 28
Occupation: Father, Doctor

I am very grateful to know that Jesus Christ lives, was foreordained to be my Savior and has now successfully fulfilled the atonement and continues to serve as the head of the church and will one day assume his rightful place as King of Kings to all the world.  I know these truths through revelation and the spirit and know that it is only through faith, given as a gift of the spirit, that anyone can come to the same knowledge.  I am grateful for the Book of Mormon which is a powerful book of scripture and a physical, tangible evidence of the latter-day restoration.  I also know that the Lords house is one of order, and the greatest blessings we can have in this life and the life to come will be through sacred and binding covenants, officiated by and sealed by the authorized and duly ordained holders of the priesthood of God.  I accept that the limitations of mortality and sin are such that I will not come to a perfect understanding of God's plan, ways and means during this life, but have faith and spiritual affirmations that these limitations are not eternal and I will one day comprehend the actions of my God and have the chance to become like Him by following His Son.  It is my intention and desire to develop my faith and enter into and keep covenants with God so to one day be able to regain the presence and embrace of my Eternal Father and with Him live with him, my family, and as many others of my brothers and sisters from this life as possible.

Mother

Age: 58

Occupation: 

World's Best Mother

Tanner
Age: 18
Occupation: SBO, Basketball Player, Football Player

Daddy

Age: 57

Occupation: World's Best Daddy,

Cardiologist

“I want the world to know that I know that Jesus Christ lives and is my savior. He knows and loves me personally, as he does all of us. Because of that love, he willingly sacrificed himself and suffered greatly that I might not have to suffer myself. He has provided a way for me to return to live with my Father in Heaven together with all of my family. This opportunity only requires that I do my very best to live his commandments. Because of his atonement, I do not have to be perfect right now. I only have to try to become perfect. I can take advantage of his atoning sacrifice and repent of my sins and weaknesses over and over and over again until finally, maybe not even in this life, I too can become perfect as he and our Father in Heaven are perfect. Then I can live with him and my family forever.”

Larissa (honorary sister)
Age: 16
Occupation:
Foreign Exchange Student, Swimmer

Elisabeth

Age: 23

Occupation: Mother,

French Linguist

I know that Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God, and that He came to earth and lived a perfect life. I know that He payed the price for all the pain, suffering, and sins of the world, and that if I follow Him, I will have the best life I possibly can! I know that Jesus Christ knows and loves me personally, and I feel His love daily!

Josh
Age: 25
Occupation: Computer Scientist,
Everything man

Natalie

Age: 25

Occupation: Mother,

Physicist

Fay
Age: 1
Occupation: Tinker Bell

Adam

Age: 1 Day

Occupation: Cutest Little 

Thing

Michael
Age: 27
Occupation: Doctoral Student in Mechanical Engineering

I know that we have a loving Heavenly Father.  He loves us so much, that he sent his son, his only perfect son, to die for us.  But even more than to die for us, his son, Jesus Christ, was sent to live again for us.  And he lives.  I know this.

Kathryn

Age: 25

Occupation: Graphic Designer

Deep, deep down in my heart—with more conviction that I feel about anything else in my life—I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and that His church has been restored. The only way I have ever been able to find true peace has been through seeking to be close to Him and keep His commandments. I know I can trust Him with my whole heart and that He will lead me safely through every part of life, and back home again.

Mary

Age: 15

Occupation: Performer

Sister Christina Muhlestein
Age: 21
Occupation: Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Christ is the Savior of the world.  It is is only through living His gospel that we can return to live with him.  I know that I am called by a Prophet of God to be His representative as a missionary and that the message we share is necessary for us to return to live with our Father in Heaven.  That is why we are sharing it.

Elder Morgan Muhlestein

Age: 20

Occupation: Missionary for 

The Church of Jesus Christ of 

Latter-Day Saints

I know that Jesus lives.  The more I learn about him, and the more I pray and see my prayers answered, the more I know it.  I love him, and I know he loves me.  I have felt the power of his atonement.  I have a glimpse of my eternal opportunities because of him.

"Within the family, people experience many of life’s greatest joys and sorrows. Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and is central to God’s eternal plan for the salvation of His children. The means by which mortal life is created is divinely appointed and is safeguarded by marriage. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to endure beyond the grave.

"Marriage, however, can be eternal only when authorized priesthood holders perform the sealing ordinance in sacred temples and when husbands and wives who have been sealed together keep the covenants they have made.

"Husbands and wives are to love each other. As they keep the commandments and live gospel principles, they are to honor their marital vows with complete fidelity (see “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” see also D&C 42:22). Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of Jesus Christ and when parents make their family their highest priority. “By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners” (The Family: A Proclamation to the World). Together, parents are to teach their children the gospel of Jesus Christ and help them live it.

"Satan is making a concentrated attack on families. Years ago Church leaders set aside Monday evening as a time for family home evening. Parents should use this time to teach their children the gospel, strengthen their relationships with them, and have fun together. Other ways of strengthening the family include daily family prayer and scripture study, worshiping at church as a family, and serving others. Heaven is a continuation of the ideal home. Through priesthood ordinances and righteous living, we can live as families in God’s presence eternally."- Preach My Gospel