Presidency Message for June

Dear Sisters: 

I am truly grateful for each of you and the quiet acts of service that I see you do for one another and for your families.   You are great examples to me.  I admire so many qualities that you each possess and am thankful for our united desire to serve the Lord and keep the commandments.  It is so wonderful to be a ward family and to be sisters, one with another to love, support and serve. 

Our first Sunday lesson for June is from the April 2013 General Conference by Elder Boyd K. Packer titled, “These Things I Know.”  This talk is his testimony and witness of Christ.   Elder Packer shares with us an experience that he had recently in his backyard where he witnessed a snake crawling thru the ivy to the nesting place of house finches after attacking a nest and taking two fledglings and another time catching and killing the mother bird.  Elder Packer said he wondered if the Garden of Eden is being invaded again.                Then he makes the following statement: “There came into my mind the warnings spoken by the prophets. We will not always be safe from the adversary’s influence, even within our own homes. We need to protect our nestlings.  We live in a very dangerous world that threatens those things that are most spiritual. The family, the fundamental organization in time and eternity, is under attack from forces seen and unseen. The adversary is about. His objective is to cause injury. If he can weaken and destroy the family, he will have succeeded.”                                                                                               We desire to have our homes be our heaven on earth.  Our homes, families, and marriages need to be protected from the influences that would work to destroy them.  We do this by knowing what we believe and then living it.   We hold fast the covenants that we have made and have faith in our Heavenly Father.   We must constantly evaluate our progress and when we falter, pick ourselves up and try again.   We make sure that we are on constant guard to protect all that is most precious to us.  May we each, as a daughter, wife and mother, do our part to keep our homes safe from the snakes waiting to invade.    

                                            

  Aprils  Presidency Message

 

Hello Sisters, as I look out my window this morning I can tell it will be beautiful day! It is not often we get to say that!  Many of us are anxiously waiting to get outdoors after a long gray and gloomy winter. The great northwest does have its weather challenges in the spring with the recent hail and snow we saw a few days ago.   Just last week in Hockinson a small tornado destroyed half a barn. Now where did that come from?   Maybe that is the way life is for most of us, we deal with the day to day facts of life and then suddenly seemingly out of nowhere appears one of life’s “tornados”.

I am relatively sure we all have survived a “tornado” or two in our lives.   Though we would rather not have them at all…… we know that is not Heavenly Fathers’ plan. He gives us those opportunities to learn how to trust in him, have faith in him, to become humble and to call his name.  As visiting teachers we have great opportunities to be prepared to help our sisters during those devastating times.  We need not wait until our sisters have huge “tornados” in there live, even little ones need welcome reassurance for tender caring and compassion. 
Sisters let’s consider those we visit “family”. Let’s give them our love and concern always, but even more so when a “tornado” may touch down in their lives.  Let’s be ready and prepared not only to strengthen our own lives but those we have stewardship over.  The Lord would expect no less.
Always, Sister Linda R.

Presidency Message for March

Sisters,   what a wonderful Ward Conference we had last week.  I am so grateful for wonderful leaders to help and guide us. This month’s message is on Charity.  Charity is the highest, noblest, strongest kind of love.  It is the love that Christ has for the children of men and that the children of men should have for one another.  It is the most joyous to the soul.  Charity is the heart of the gospel and as we seek to be like our Savior, we will learn to love as He loves.  Sister Allred of the General RS Presidency tells us: “Charity is not a single act or something we give away but a state of being, a state of the heart, kind feelings that engender loving actions.”  President Monson says: “True charity is love in action.“  Sister Bonnie D. Parkin (former Gen. RS Pres.) tells us: “In exercising charity, we come to know a sister’s heart.  When we know a sister’s heart, we are different.  We won’t judge her.  We will simply love her.”  Pres. Monson also tells us: “In a hundred small ways, all of you wear the mantle of charity.  Life is perfect for none of us.  Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life.  May we recognize that each one is doing her best to deal with the challenges which come her way, and may we strive to do our best to help out.”  Sisters, there are countless ways to put our love in action around us.  As we serve each other, both we as the giver and the receiver will develop charity.  We appreciate the many ways we know that you serve one another.  We see examples constantly and appreciate you!   May we all learn to love as the Savior, with unfailing compassion, patience, and mercy.   Love, Sister Bobette

Presidency Message

Do You Love Me? Feed My Sheep.

Having served in the capacity of Compassionate Service “go-to” for a number of years, I’m always touched by the knowledge that you sisters take your opportunities to serve to heart. Many times, the asked-for meal has already been provided, or the recipient has let us know that someone has already contacted them about a meal. My mind and heart have been opened to the new and varied ways you have served without being asked. So, the other day, I was searching on the Internet for some great Compassionate Service stories that would bring an uplifted idea or two to use when serving our sisters. By-the-way, there’s lots of them out there. However, I ran across an idea about writing letters and cards. There were comments on writing letters to our Visiting Teaching sisters; writing to congratulate sisters about graduations, weddings, and other accomplishments; writing to a home-bound sister; writing a letter of encouragement, or whatever you can think of.  And there were others. But one thing I was touched by was that in writing a letter to someone who has made a positive influence on you in your life, and thanking them for it, both recipient and sender are lifted up! That's it...super easy! We often think of writing letters as a last ditch effort in our Visiting Teaching responsibilities, but just think of the boost that might be felt as a sister actually receives a real, honest-to-goodness letter in her hand, from someone who had thought about her and was inspired to share in a simple way! When we love somebody, we show it by doing something nice. So ours is to learn to serve by finding a need and fulfilling a need. Surprise someone with a good deed they hadn’t planned on. Elder Russell M. Nelson, in Woman of Infinite Worth, said, “In partnership with God, (your) divine mission is to help spirits live and souls be lifted up.” What a loving thing to do…regardless of the way we might choose to do it. Set a goal…one a month! What a great way to serve!

 

Thank you sisters, for your love and compassion.

 

Sis. Gloria P.

Presidency Message for January

As we begin a new year, many of us set goals for ourselves.  Our stake and ward are no different.  Our stake has a goal to do 1,200,000 indexing names this year.  Our ward has a goal to do one tenth of those names.  It is an important part of family history work that we can all be a part of.

  My mom had a love for family history work.  She served a mission in the Family History Center in Salt Lake.  She continued to work in the Family History Center in her stake after her return.  She researched constantly our family history and prepared many names for temple work.  She was excited to be a part of the indexing projects.  After she came to live with us, she taught our family how to do indexing.  During the 1940 census project, she set a goal to do 2000 names in one month.  After her recent passing, our daughters were looking on her computer to see if they could find out how many family names she had submitted for temple work.  They couldn’t find that number but they saw that over the last four years, she had completed over 34,000 indexing names.  We had no idea.

We can do indexing.  Mom’s health was not good but she was excited to be able to do indexing because it was a way for her to contribute.  We may not have the time to devote to the work that she had, but we can all do something.  Every effort is important.  Every name we do makes available one more record that can help someone with their family history research.  As we each do our part, we will easily be able to reach our ward and stake goals for this year.

  On January 13, our Relief Society lesson will focus on indexing.  Learn more about it.  Find out how to get started.  Commit to help with the work.  Catch the spirit of Elijah as you become involved.  Heavenly Father will bless you for your efforts.

 

To get started with this exciting opportunity, go to: www.familysearch.org/volunteer/indexing

 

Annette, Second Counselor

Presidency Message for Dec

Sisters, I want to convey to you my sincere love and appreciation for each of you.  We are sisters.  We are our Heavenly Father’s daughters.  He loves each one of us so much that He sent His Son to this earth to be our example and to atone for us that we may be able to return back to our Heavenly Father one day.  At this time of year and in this season, we do rejoice and celebrate this great miracle and gift to each of us.  Let us each look and see the Christ.  Let us spend our time and efforts in those things that will share His Light and Love with our children, spouses, family members, friends and neighbors.  May we all emulate His example by being charitable and sharing acts of brotherly kindness, reflecting upon our blessings, and forgiving and being forgiven.  Let us truly see the Prince of Peace and follow Him.  My love to each of you,

 Lori

Presidency Message for Oct.

I am writing this message after our Stake conference September 16^th. I just cannot help but to think how precious our priesthood leaders are. What important messages we received! I cannot help but think what the Lord and our General Relief Society sisters and the First Presidency members have in store for us on September 29^th.

Just a few notes that I jotted down from Stake conference: Brother and Sister Gillespie from the Portland Temple Presidency told us how important temple attendance is to our progress in strengthening our testimonies and improving our lives. Elder and Sister Greer taught us about our missionaries and missionary work. What a great spirit they had about them.

President Southwick taught us and reminded us how prayers are answered. What a difference gratitude for previous answers to prayers make; that we pay the price with our prayers, with fasting, with our obedience; that we are willing to change when the answer comes, and that we move forward as even small or part answers are given to us.

Hand in hand with President Southwick, President Walker taught us about how important fasting with prayer is to our lives in learning to live the gospel and love the Lord, Jesus Christ.

President Randall informed us of our stake goals: improving the quality of teaching in our ward and stake meetings, more temple attendance by our stake members, more temple workers from our stake, more index work being done, and more missionary work by our wards and stake. He also wanted us to sing our church hymns with more attention so we can benefit from their messages. He continued to teach us more about missionary work.

Nadine , 2^nd counselor

Super Saturday Activities and Crafts

Super Saturday

October 20, 2012
9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Come join us for crafting, food and fun.  We will be having classes on car care and what to do in case of emergencies while driving and a photography class.  We will be enjoying sweet breads and soups and samples made with our gluten free and MSG free seasoning mixes.

We will have a table set up for anyone who has unmade crafts still left at home if you want to bring them to finish while you enjoy visiting with the sisters.  We will also have a quilt set up for anyone who would like to help finish a quilt to donate for humanitarian aid. 

Order forms and money due to Susan Ward by Sunday, September 30.  Turn in order form or e-mail to tandsward@yahoo.com

Classes:

Car Care:  10:00  - 10:30 am: Learn basics from Brother Allen Berry about Car Care and what to do in case of emergencies while driving. 

Photography: 1:00 - 1:30 pm: Learn basics of photography

Book Wreath:

We supply: wreath, book

You bring: glue gun, LOTS of glue sticks (20-30)

Cost: $2.00

Approximate Time: 2 hours

Seasoning Mixes:

(Taco, Dry Onion (3 servings), Ranch (8 servings), Cream of Anything soup or sauce mix)

Gluten free and no MSG! we will be using these for our luncheon

We supply: seasonings, measuring supplies, labels

You bring: 4 pint jars with lids

Cost: $10.00

Approximate Time: ½ hour

Dry Erase Frames:

We supply: printed pages, embellishments

You bring: frame, glue gun, dry erase markers

Cost: Free

Approximate Time: ½ hour

Christmas Tree:

We supply: wood, star, paint, brushes, sand paper, berries, glue

You bring: yourself

Cost: $3.00

Approximate Time: 1 hour

"Celebrate" Banner:

We supply: brown paper bags, felt letters, ribbon, jute, and embroidery floss

You bring: glue gun, glue sticks, scissors, needle

Cost: $5.00

Approximate Time: 2 - 3 hours

Christmas Gift Tags and Ornaments:

We supply: everything

You bring: yourself (easy)

Cost: Free

Approximate Time: As long as you like

Birthday Banner:

We supply: 12 6" fabric squares for each month, dowel, batting, 12 stars

You bring: backing fabric of your choice (1 yard), scissors, pins

Cost: $5.00

Approximate Time: 1 - 1 ½ hours

Season Blocks:

We supply: blocks, paint, stencils, brushes sand paper

You bring: yourself (easy)

Cost: $4.00

Approximate Time: 2 - 2 ½ hours

Photo Blocks:

We supply: blocks, paint, brushes, glue, black and white scrapbook paper

You bring: scissors, 9 pictures that can be cut to fit on 3 ½ x 3 ½ inch square, colored scrapbook paper (if desired)

Cost: $3.00

Approximate Time: 1 - 1½ hour

Presidency Message

Sisters,
I hope you will take advantage of this RS address book prepared by the past and
current RS presidency. Many hours of work went into its making. What a valuable
little book! Pictures, names, birthdates, addresses, e-mail address and phone
numbers of sisters in our ward! I love this tool as a new comer to help me
identify each sister. If you don't have yours yet please contact your Visiting
Teachers or the RS presidency as they have one waiting for you with your name
on it.
Please take this current information, especially for those you visit each and
plug it into your personal e-mail lists, cell phone numbers and even your
family calendar. Let's mark down those special dates of our sisters, so we
don't forget them on their special occasions! We all love to be recognized or
enjoying receiving good wishes. What a small gesture that can brings such warm
feelings of love and concern for those we have stewardship over. Here is a
quote from Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, from the Ensign, November, 2008. As you
read his words please ponder how blessed we are and will be as we follow the
example of our Savior as we visit teach our sisters.
"You wonderful sisters render compassionate service to others for reasons
that supersede desires for personal benefits. In this you emulate the Savior,
who, though a king, did not seek position, nor was He concerned about whether
others noticed Him. He did not bother to compete with others. His thoughts were
always tuned to help others. He taught, healed, conversed, and listened to
others. He knew that greatness had little to do with outward signs of
prosperity or position. He taught and lived by this doctrine: “He that is
greatest among you shall be your servant.”
In
Jesus name Amen

Relief Society Service Auction

Thanks to all who made the Relief Society service auction such fun.
Brother Rob was a hit as he auctioned off homemade items from cookies to
pillows and services donated from babysitting to tutoring. Sisters bid against
each other to get great items that had been donated. The night was fun and the
fun just keeps spreading as the goods and services reach their successful
bidders!

June's RS Meeting

The RS sisters celebrated Taylor and Lauren becoming RS
sisters as they turn 18 and graduate from high school. We played games and ate
wonderful homemade yogurt! What a difference from store bought! Thanks to Deb. LaNette demonstrated several quick (and tasty) cooking ideas for
all of us. Taylor and Lauren received large baskets filled with things from
their new RS sisters.

June's Presidency Message

SisterJean A. Stevens, First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, spoke inthe April 2011 General Conference about the importance of becoming as a littlechild. Although we’ve heard this before,it cannot be over emphasized.

JesusChrist taught us the value of following the example of children. When his Apostles disputed who should be thegreatest in the kingdom of heaven he answered, “…Verily I say unto you, Exceptye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdomof heaven. Whosoever therefore shallhumble himself as this little children, the same is greatest in the kingdom ofheaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4)

Anyonewho spends time with young children knows why they are so precious in the sightof our Lord, and why it is their example we need to follow, not the other wayaround. Children are full of love. They exemplify humility, faith, andobedience. They arrive from heaven withbelieving hearts, and they are usually the first to forgive others. No wonder they are so precious in His sight,and in ours.

Inthe Book of Mormon we read about the events of the Savior’s visit to theAmericas following his resurrection. Histender ministry to the children is memorable. “…and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, andprayed unto the Father for them. Andwhen he had done this he wept…. And hespake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.” (3Nephi 17:21-23)

ElderM. Russell Ballard taught us the importance of the Savior’s admonition to“behold your little ones” when he said, “Notice that He didn’t say ‘glance atthem’ or ‘casually observe them’ or ‘occasionally take a look in their generaldirection.’ He said to behold them. To me that means that we should embrace themwith our eyes and with our hearts; we should see and appreciate them for whothey really are: spirit children of our Heavenly Father, with divineattributes” (“Great Shall Be the Peace of Thy Children,” Ensign, April 1994, 59).

Iflife’s experiences have robbed you of the believing heart and childlike faithyou once had, look around at the children in your life. If you have a heart to learn and awillingness to follow the precious example of children, their divine attributescan hold a key to unlocking your own spiritual growth.

Ihave such a testimony of the importance of following the example of preciouschildren. I am grateful for theirexample of purity, love, forgiveness, faith, and virtue. I desire to become more like littlechildren. I thank Heavenly Father fortheir example and for their presence in my life.

Joyce

Relief Society additional meeting in April

"Stretching Your Dollar"
Annette, Janice, and Geneva shared their wisdom on how to stretch a dollar at our last Relief Society additional meeting in April. Janice gave tips on comparison shopping and finding deals. Annette and Geneva shared ideas for cooking from scratch, including shopping with coupons, using foods in season, and ideas for meals and menu planning. The sisters in attendance contributed many ideas on finding good deals, saving money with homemade recipes, and using the internet for couponing and other resources. Thanks to Susan and Maike for the delicious and healthful refreshments as well.

Additional Relief Society Meetings

Our last two additional Relief Society meetings were held in February and
March. In February our meeting, "Angels Among Us", highlighted the beautiful
service rendered by our Relief Society sisters within the visiting teaching
program. Annonymous stories were read by different sisters, telling us true
accounts of experiences of our own ward sisters as visiting teachers and of
being recipients of the service and love of visiting teachers. It was touching
and uplifting. The sisters were also given some suggestions for getting to know
and caring for the sisters they visit teach and their visiting teaching
companions. Thanks to the many sisters who contributed to that evening. And
most of all, thanks to all of the Relief Society women who serve one another.
The needs of the sisters and families in our ward are met through visiting
teachers. We are all blessed by your spirit, love, and service.

In March we celebrated the birthday of the Relief Society. Our meeting focused on
friendshipping one another in the Relief Society. We began by writing on
notecards three ideas of activities each of us would like to do with another
sister in the ward. These were later distributed so that each sister had a card
written by another sister. We hope you will each contact one another and get
together to do one of the activities on the card you received that night. The
sisters also shared sack lunches of their own creation, and played a "get to
know more about you" game. We appreciated Adrienne's beautiful message about
the Relief Society, and enjoyed time to socialize. Thanks to Aundrea and Deanna
for the yummy refreshments, and to our committee who endlessly provide service
for our Relief Society meetings. Don't forget to contact the sister whose card
you received that night, and get together to continue the fellowship we enjoyed
that evening!

Presidency Message

The first step on the path of discipleship begins, luckily enough, in the exact
place where we stand! We do not have to prequalify to take that first step. It
doesn’t matter if we are rich or poor. There is no requirement to be educated,
eloquent, or intellectual. We do not have to be perfect or well-spoken or even
well-mannered. You and I can walk in the path of discipleship today. Let us be
humble; let us pray to our Father in Heaven with all our heart and express our
desire to draw close to Him. There are some who believe that because they have
made mistakes, they can no longer fully partake of the blessings of the gospel.
How little they understand the purposes of the Lord. One of the great blessings
of living the gospel is that it refines us and helps us learn from our
mistakes. We “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” yet the
Atonement of Jesus Christ has the power to make us whole when we repent. We
[might] see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees
us in terms of forever. …The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of
transformation. It takes us as men and women of the earth and refines us into
men and women for the eternities. To those who have left the path of
discipleship for whatever reason, I invite you to start where you are and come
to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Walk again in the way of the Lord. I
testify that the Lord will bless your life, endow you with knowledge and joy
beyond comprehension, and distill upon you the supernal gifts of the Spirit. It
is always the right time to walk in His way. It is never too late. To those who
feel inadequate because they have not been members of the Church all their
lives, to those who feel that they can never make up for the time they have
lost, I testify that the Lord needs your specific abilities, talents, and
skills. The Church needs you; we need you. It is always the right time to walk
in His way.