Service Auction Review, World Wide Leadership Report, and MORE!

RS Service Auction

For those of you who missed the service auction, I am so sorry, whether for time constraints, other demands, or you were unsure of what it was and not really up to finding out, but I wanted to report on it and let you know a little bit more about it.  It was a WONDERFUL time.  I really was a little unsure about this as it first came up, the more I learned about it, the more I liked the idea.  After actually participating, I am so excited to hold one again.  We laughed so much, we learned so much about each other and our abilities and talents and even by seeing what others would bid on and how hard they would try for certain items really helped us learn about each other and I have to say that I think everyone there had a great time.  As you can see from the picture, there were a wide variety of things from goodies to crafts, to service such as baby-sitting and singing and guitar lessons.  I truly feel that each day we miss opportunities to serve because we are often too wrapped up in the normal rut of daily life, but what a fun way to share our gifts and talents and make our service available to others!!

World Wide Leadership Training

On November 13th, there were a few dramatic changes for some of us leaders in the church.  That was the day of our annual World-Wide Leadership Training Broadcast, but with it came the new and completely updated church handbook.  No longer will we have little partial sections based on what our organization covers, now all Presidencies have the entire handbook and are asked to know and understand all that pertains to them.  Wow.  That is how I felt coming out of the meeting.  We will no longer have welfare meetings in the wards, but our ward councils are to become much more efficient, the ward council members becoming much more involved in the needs of the wards, helping to relieve much of the Bishop's load.  The focus of the handbook: the individuals and families of the church.  I felt so strongly that this was a greatly needed change, and while it will take us some time to adjust and to really get moving on the changes needing to be made, what a blessing they will be to each member of the church as we strive to love and serve each other--and not the organization.

What a blessing to have inspired leaders, a Prophet of God receiving His counsel and direction for us so that we are able to face the needs of His children to strengthen them in a world of unsurety and turmoil.  I was overwhelmed to a degree, feeling that there is so much responsibility that comes back to us as quorum and auxiliary leaders, but also that comes back to each of us as home and visiting teachers, as neighbors, as friends, and as members of the church.  It's back on us to see to the needs of those around us, to report to our leaders when we see those in need spiritually and temporally and then to work together to serve, strengthen, love, and guide them.  I am excited to see the changes that this will bring, and hopefully the unity to our ward and the church overall. 

Christmas Around the World

Our next upcoming Relief Society event is our Christmas Around the World Progressive Dinner on the night of December 16th at 6:00 pm.  We planned this event with the idea of being able to share each others talents and have a little bit of learning and culture tied in to the Christmas season.  We are looking for those who would like to cook any kind of ethnic food that they may know how (to be served in smaller appetizer sizes) and for others to host the meals and the sisters eating them in their homes.  We thought maybe some would want to show their Christmas decorations--especially if they have any fun or unique ones from around the world, that we can learn more about Christmas in different areas.  We will have different groups going to each home at a time.  If you are interested in cooking or hosting, PLEASE contact me by phone 4642 or email gjnboyz@yahoo.com.

A Parable About Eternal Marriage.....

Today was the first day of the Marriage and Family Relations Sunday School Class that is being held over the next 16 weeks in our ward for whoever is interested in attending.  We were given a reading assignment from the study guide to have finished by next week.  It ended with this parable, which President Packer told in a talk in the October 1993 conference, entitled, "For Time and All Eternity."  This parable really struck me and so I thought I would post it on here and share with you all.......

Once a man received as his inheritance two keys. The first key, he was told, would open a vault which he must protect at all cost. The second key was to a safe within the vault which contained a priceless treasure. He was to open this safe and freely use the precious things which were stored therein. He was warned that many would seek to rob him of his inheritance. He was promised that if he used the treasure worthily, it would be replenished and never be diminished, not in all eternity. He would be tested. If he used it to benefit others, his own blessings and joy would increase.The man went alone to the vault. His first key opened the door. He tried to unlock the treasure with the other key, but he could not, for there were two locks on the safe. His key alone would not open it. No matter how he tried, he could not open it. He was puzzled. He had been given the keys. He knew the treasure was rightfully his. He had obeyed instructions, but he could not open the safe.
In due time, there came a woman into the vault. She, too, held a key. It was noticeably different from the key he held. Her key fit the other lock. It humbled him to learn that he could not obtain his rightful inheritance without her.
They made a covenant that together they would open the treasure and, as instructed, he would watch over the vault and protect it; she would watch over the treasure. She was not concerned that, as guardian of the vault, he held two keys, for his full purpose was to see that she was safe as she watched over that which was most precious to them both. Together they opened the safe and partook of their inheritance. They rejoiced for, as promised, it replenished itself.


With great joy they found that they could pass the treasure on to their children; each could receive a full measure, undiminished to the last generation.


Perhaps some few of their posterity would not find a companion who possessed the complementary key, or one worthy and willing to keep the covenants relating to the treasure. Nevertheless, if they kept the commandments, they would not be denied even the smallest blessing.
Because some tempted them to misuse their treasure, they were careful to teach their children about keys and covenants.

There came, in due time, among their posterity some few who were deceived or jealous or selfish because one was given two keys and another only one. “Why,” the selfish ones reasoned, “cannot the treasure be mine alone to use as I desire?”
Some tried to reshape the key they had been given to resemble the other key. Perhaps, they thought, it would then fit both locks. And so it was that the safe was closed to them. Their reshaped keys were useless, and their inheritance was lost.
Those who received the treasure with gratitude and obeyed the laws concerning it knew joy without bounds through time and all eternity.
I bear witness of our Father’s plan for happiness, and bear testimony in the name of Him who wrought the Atonement, that it might be, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.