Friday, April 30, 2010
Change to blog
Please notice to the right hand side-I have added our monthly calendar there so we don't have to scroll through the blog to find specific dates and times.........hope it helps!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
May Visiting Teaching Message and Call To Action
For the May 2010 visiting teaching message we have been asked to prayerfully select a conference address from the April 2010 General Conference to share with the sisters you teach.
May Call to Action:
As you study the messages given in general conference, ponder the things the Lord has revealed to you through the promptings you receive. Did a specific message help increase your faith? How will you use the general conference messages to strengthen your family and home? Did the words of our leaders motivate you to seek out and help those in need? Share with us what you learned at reliefsociety@ldschurch.org.
May Call to Action:
As you study the messages given in general conference, ponder the things the Lord has revealed to you through the promptings you receive. Did a specific message help increase your faith? How will you use the general conference messages to strengthen your family and home? Did the words of our leaders motivate you to seek out and help those in need? Share with us what you learned at reliefsociety@ldschurch.org.
Enjoying the long-lost blessings of visiting teaching
Published: Monday, Feb. 1, 2010
My life has been in something of a transition phase for the past year, and one of the casualties of switching wards and moving states has been some lag time in getting fully integrated into my new Mormon congregations. Formal callings -- you know, the kind where they actually read your name over the pulpit and ask for a sustaining vote -- never take too long to show up, but getting involved in a new ward's home- and visiting-teaching programs seems to be a much slower process.
At least that's been the case for me, and the result was that I passed most of 2009 without ever making it onto anybody's assignment sheet, and without receiving any assignment myself. I don't say that to cast blame about; when I started attending a family ward in Chicago at the beginning of 2009, they knew I was short-term, so to speak; I was applying for graduate school and was fairly certain that it would take me out of state.
Then, when I moved to Massachusetts last fall I started attending a ward that was brand-new and still in the process of finding its bearings. And, frankly, I'm sure that if at any point last year I'd gone to my Relief Society president and demanded instant inclusion in the visiting teaching program, I could have at least gotten my own assignment. After all, service works both ways, and to my mind so does accountability for assignments like these -- at least a little bit.
No, my point in bringing all this up is to say that when I finally saw my name on that visiting teaching spreadsheet in December -- both as a teacher and as a teachee -- my heart leaped. I'd had inklings throughout the year of how much I'd missed that inclusion, but I don't think it really settled in until I saw the names of the women who had been given a degree of stewardship over me, and I saw the names of the sisters who were now officially in my care.
I didn't realize how much I'd missed knowing there was someone who would certainly take note if I failed to show up at church one week, and whom I could count on to stop by my home on a regular basis with an uplifting thought and genuine interest in my life.
That's all despite the fact that by the time those assignments were made, I already had made friends in my new ward who would noticed if I were missing one week, and who knew at least some of the particulars of my life and schedule. It wasn't that I didn't have anyone to look out for me, and thus desperately needed someone to be assigned to do so -- I just needed visiting teachers.
See, when my visiting teachers visit me in my home or check in on me during the week, it feels different to me than when a friend does so. To me, those women doing that work are standing in for the Savior, and their love carries the spirit of his love -- and I can feel the difference. I feel it when they come to my door, and I feel it when I consider and pray for the sisters in my care.
I know there are plenty of people who feel differently -- women who decry the visiting teaching program as phony friendship, or who feel like an item to be checked off a to-do list whenever their visiting teachers come to visit. And I know there are situations and circumstances where the program can indeed feel that way. But I also know it can -- and should -- be so much more than that.
During my time as a Relief Society president in Chicago, there was nothing I was more grateful for than the sisters in my branch who took the time to be diligent visiting teachers -- who knew the women they visited as friends, and who understood the importance of sharing spiritual things with them and being in tune with their needs and well-being. As much as I wanted every sister in my branch to have that kind of care, it wasn't something I could do by myself. We all needed everyone to do her part.
Those kinds of relationships are what visiting teaching is all about, and not only does everyone deserve to have them, I believe everyone needs them, too. I'm not there yet, of course; as much as visiting teaching assignments put us on the path to those kinds of friendships -- and the spirit of the work most certainly facilitates their creation -- it still takes time and work. And it most certainly takes love.
Speaking as someone who spent a year without the opportunity to do that work, I can attest that the simple calling of visiting teaching -- so simple we often don't even think of it as a calling -- is perhaps among the most powerful responsibilities we can assume in the church, and one of its sweetest blessings.
They say that sometimes you have to lose something to realize how much you needed it. Well, lesson learned. From now on, I think I'd rather understand its importance by embracing it.
MormonTimes.com is produced by the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, Utah.
It is not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Copyright © Deseret News Publishing Company
My life has been in something of a transition phase for the past year, and one of the casualties of switching wards and moving states has been some lag time in getting fully integrated into my new Mormon congregations. Formal callings -- you know, the kind where they actually read your name over the pulpit and ask for a sustaining vote -- never take too long to show up, but getting involved in a new ward's home- and visiting-teaching programs seems to be a much slower process.
At least that's been the case for me, and the result was that I passed most of 2009 without ever making it onto anybody's assignment sheet, and without receiving any assignment myself. I don't say that to cast blame about; when I started attending a family ward in Chicago at the beginning of 2009, they knew I was short-term, so to speak; I was applying for graduate school and was fairly certain that it would take me out of state.
Then, when I moved to Massachusetts last fall I started attending a ward that was brand-new and still in the process of finding its bearings. And, frankly, I'm sure that if at any point last year I'd gone to my Relief Society president and demanded instant inclusion in the visiting teaching program, I could have at least gotten my own assignment. After all, service works both ways, and to my mind so does accountability for assignments like these -- at least a little bit.
No, my point in bringing all this up is to say that when I finally saw my name on that visiting teaching spreadsheet in December -- both as a teacher and as a teachee -- my heart leaped. I'd had inklings throughout the year of how much I'd missed that inclusion, but I don't think it really settled in until I saw the names of the women who had been given a degree of stewardship over me, and I saw the names of the sisters who were now officially in my care.
I didn't realize how much I'd missed knowing there was someone who would certainly take note if I failed to show up at church one week, and whom I could count on to stop by my home on a regular basis with an uplifting thought and genuine interest in my life.
That's all despite the fact that by the time those assignments were made, I already had made friends in my new ward who would noticed if I were missing one week, and who knew at least some of the particulars of my life and schedule. It wasn't that I didn't have anyone to look out for me, and thus desperately needed someone to be assigned to do so -- I just needed visiting teachers.
See, when my visiting teachers visit me in my home or check in on me during the week, it feels different to me than when a friend does so. To me, those women doing that work are standing in for the Savior, and their love carries the spirit of his love -- and I can feel the difference. I feel it when they come to my door, and I feel it when I consider and pray for the sisters in my care.
I know there are plenty of people who feel differently -- women who decry the visiting teaching program as phony friendship, or who feel like an item to be checked off a to-do list whenever their visiting teachers come to visit. And I know there are situations and circumstances where the program can indeed feel that way. But I also know it can -- and should -- be so much more than that.
During my time as a Relief Society president in Chicago, there was nothing I was more grateful for than the sisters in my branch who took the time to be diligent visiting teachers -- who knew the women they visited as friends, and who understood the importance of sharing spiritual things with them and being in tune with their needs and well-being. As much as I wanted every sister in my branch to have that kind of care, it wasn't something I could do by myself. We all needed everyone to do her part.
Those kinds of relationships are what visiting teaching is all about, and not only does everyone deserve to have them, I believe everyone needs them, too. I'm not there yet, of course; as much as visiting teaching assignments put us on the path to those kinds of friendships -- and the spirit of the work most certainly facilitates their creation -- it still takes time and work. And it most certainly takes love.
Speaking as someone who spent a year without the opportunity to do that work, I can attest that the simple calling of visiting teaching -- so simple we often don't even think of it as a calling -- is perhaps among the most powerful responsibilities we can assume in the church, and one of its sweetest blessings.
They say that sometimes you have to lose something to realize how much you needed it. Well, lesson learned. From now on, I think I'd rather understand its importance by embracing it.
MormonTimes.com is produced by the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, Utah.
It is not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Copyright © Deseret News Publishing Company
Monday, April 26, 2010
Crafter's Club
From Emily:We are making photo pendants (just the pendants, the chain they will need to get themselves later) for Mother's Day. We will meet on Wed the 5th at my house at 7pm . The materials for each pendant will be $1.50 (limit 5 each) and they can just email me for more info and to get on my mailing list for the future.
email her at: emilie30@hotmail.com
May Relief Society Activity
Making Our Relationships "Picture Perfect"!
Wed. May 12th at 6:30 p.m. at the Banning building
We're inviting the preisthood to join us for dinner and a night of learning how to better the relationships in our lives!!
Also come ready for your own (short) photography session. Grab your hubby, kids, friends, or just yourself and we'll make your relationships last a lifetime through pictures.
Guest Speaker from LDS Family Services: Bro. Goodson!
~Please invite friends and the sisters you visit teach!~Nursery provided~
Wed. May 12th at 6:30 p.m. at the Banning building
We're inviting the preisthood to join us for dinner and a night of learning how to better the relationships in our lives!!
Also come ready for your own (short) photography session. Grab your hubby, kids, friends, or just yourself and we'll make your relationships last a lifetime through pictures.
Guest Speaker from LDS Family Services: Bro. Goodson!
~Please invite friends and the sisters you visit teach!~Nursery provided~
Ward Conference Lesson from President Miskin
President Miskin taught our combined Priesthood/Relief Society Lesson this past Sunday. His lesson centered on Isaiah 58 verses 3,6-7,8-11. We learned all about the fast (and what is required) and the amazing blessings associated with the fast. Fasting can help us to "Loose the Bands of Wickedness", "Undo a Heavy Burden", and bring us health, light, and a great protection. Check out the verses to find out more.
Challenge: To have a more perfect fast - fasting with a purpose and a plan.
Challenge: To have a more perfect fast - fasting with a purpose and a plan.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Relief Society Lesson April 18, 2010
"The Holy Ghost"
Experiences of prompting and prayer are not uncommon in the Church. They are part of the revelation our Heavenly Father has provided for us. The Holy Ghost is member of the Godhead. He is a "personage of Spirit". He can be only in one place at a time, but His influence can be everywhere at the same time.
The mission of the Holy Ghost is to bear witness of the Father and the Son and of the truth of all things.
The prophets of the Lord have promised, "By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things" (Moroni 10:5).
President Joseph Fielding Smith said:
"When a man has the manifestation from the Holy Ghost, it leaves an indelible impression on his soul, one that is not easily erased. It is Spirit speaking to spirit, and it comes with convincing force. A manifestation of an angel, or even of the Son of God himself, would impress the eye and mind, and eventually become dimmed, but the impressions of the Holy Ghost sink deeper into the soul and are more difficult to erase".
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we should make ourselves worthy to receive this special messenger and witness of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Future Lessons:
April 25th -Ward Conference
May 2nd - Presidency Lesson
Experiences of prompting and prayer are not uncommon in the Church. They are part of the revelation our Heavenly Father has provided for us. The Holy Ghost is member of the Godhead. He is a "personage of Spirit". He can be only in one place at a time, but His influence can be everywhere at the same time.
The mission of the Holy Ghost is to bear witness of the Father and the Son and of the truth of all things.
The prophets of the Lord have promised, "By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things" (Moroni 10:5).
President Joseph Fielding Smith said:
"When a man has the manifestation from the Holy Ghost, it leaves an indelible impression on his soul, one that is not easily erased. It is Spirit speaking to spirit, and it comes with convincing force. A manifestation of an angel, or even of the Son of God himself, would impress the eye and mind, and eventually become dimmed, but the impressions of the Holy Ghost sink deeper into the soul and are more difficult to erase".
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we should make ourselves worthy to receive this special messenger and witness of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Future Lessons:
April 25th -Ward Conference
May 2nd - Presidency Lesson
Monday, April 12, 2010
The Fall of Adam and Eve-Recap from Lesson on 4/11/10
“The Fall of Adam and Eve”
God prepared this earth as a home for His children. Adam and Eve were chosen to be the first people to live on the earth. Their part in our Father’s plan was to bring mortality into the world. They were to be the first parents.
Some people believe Adam and Eve committed a serious sin when they ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. However, latter-day scriptures help us understand that their Fall was a necessary step in the plan of life and a great blessing to all of us. Because of the Fall, we are blessed with physical bodies, the right to choose between good and evil, and the opportunity to gain eternal life. None of the privileges would have been ours had Adam and Eve remained in the garden.
After the Fall, Eve said, “Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed (children), and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient”.
“Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:22-25)
Upcoming lessons:
April 18th -GP Chapter 7 "The Holy Ghost"
April 25th -Ward Conference
God prepared this earth as a home for His children. Adam and Eve were chosen to be the first people to live on the earth. Their part in our Father’s plan was to bring mortality into the world. They were to be the first parents.
Some people believe Adam and Eve committed a serious sin when they ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. However, latter-day scriptures help us understand that their Fall was a necessary step in the plan of life and a great blessing to all of us. Because of the Fall, we are blessed with physical bodies, the right to choose between good and evil, and the opportunity to gain eternal life. None of the privileges would have been ours had Adam and Eve remained in the garden.
After the Fall, Eve said, “Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed (children), and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient”.
“Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:22-25)
Upcoming lessons:
April 18th -GP Chapter 7 "The Holy Ghost"
April 25th -Ward Conference
Stake Humanitarian Project
Stake Humanitarian Project: May 20th 9:00am-12:00pm AND 6:30-8:30pm We will be making cards for Loma Linda University Medical Center. Each ward is asked to provide
200 precut cards 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" of cardstock (colored or white)
Item to decorate cards such as: strips of scrapbooking paper, pictures cut from greeting cards, rubber stamps and ink pads, stickers, etc
Glue Sticks
Markers or gel pens to write messages of encouragement
Quilts will be set up to work on and an area from small children to play.
200 precut cards 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" of cardstock (colored or white)
Item to decorate cards such as: strips of scrapbooking paper, pictures cut from greeting cards, rubber stamps and ink pads, stickers, etc
Glue Sticks
Markers or gel pens to write messages of encouragement
Quilts will be set up to work on and an area from small children to play.
YW Camp Fundraiser Dinner
Spaghetti Dinner- also a Dessert Auction Saturday May 15th at 4:00pm Price- $5.00/plate Children under 5 years- $3.00
Yucaipa Stake Anniversary Event
Saturday, May 8th 8:00am- Yucaipa Stake Anniversary Event
Mormon Helping Hands
Service @ Richard Sanchez Park Lunch to follow at Yucaipa Community Park- Bring lawn chairs &/or blankets for lunch
Bring: hat/sunscreen, water bottles, gloves, rakes, shovels, hoes
Provided: Lunch, Donuts, Hot Chocolate
Mormon Helping Hands
Service @ Richard Sanchez Park Lunch to follow at Yucaipa Community Park- Bring lawn chairs &/or blankets for lunch
Bring: hat/sunscreen, water bottles, gloves, rakes, shovels, hoes
Provided: Lunch, Donuts, Hot Chocolate
Refrigerator Needed
We have a sister in the ward who needs a refrigerator. If you have an extra one you are willing to part with, please contact the RS presidency to let us know! Thank you!
TLC (Temple-Lunch-Chat)
The date for TLC for April is on the 22nd!
9:30am session
will lunch to follow at Trish Murrils home!
9:30am session
will lunch to follow at Trish Murrils home!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Relief Society Activity: Establishing a House of God!
We'll get great tips about decorating, speed cleaning, organizing, and inviting the Spirit into our homes!!
Wednesday April 14th from 7pm-8:30pm at the Banning building.
We'll enjoy some yummy strawberry shortcake too!
~nursery provided~
Wednesday April 14th from 7pm-8:30pm at the Banning building.
We'll enjoy some yummy strawberry shortcake too!
~nursery provided~
Monday, April 5, 2010
April 2010 Visiting Teaching Message
The April 2010 visiting teaching message is:
Seeking and Receiving Personal Revelation
"But behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore you shall feel that it is right."
Seeking and Receiving Personal Revelation
"But behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore you shall feel that it is right."
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