March 2012 PRESIDENCY MESSAGE

 (Our Focus this month in Relief Society is: Charity is greater than Faith and Hope and Gives Meaning and Substance to our Prayers.)

Dear Sisters,
Here we are into March. Where is 2012 going? Upcoming events include Stake Conference, which is next week. This conference promises to be very uplifting, especially if we all ready ourselves spiritually by preparing a talk as we've been instructed. We'd also like to remind you that General Conference is just a month away. 
This month’s presidency lesson deals with charity and prayer. Charity is the "pure love of Christ." Charity is also the action of showing that love. We all get caught up in our busy lives; sometimes we feel as if we have no time to show charity to those around us. Are we are so focused inwardly on our families, jobs, or all those other "good" things that we all do, that we don't (can't) see opportunities to provide service to those around us. This is where prayer comes in. When we say our daily prayers, let us ask our Heavenly Father for opportunites to serve. Maybe we should ask for our eyes to be opened so that we can notice ways to help. Maybe we could ask to be more sensitive. Focusing our efforts through prayer will help us to consciously think about serving at other times. President Spencer W. Kimball said, "To give of oneself is a holy gift." What better way to show our love to God than to give ourselves through charity. May we all strive harder to show love to all around us. We love and appreciate each one of you.
Love,
Jamie, Cindy, Loree, & Kathy 

"A Berry Good Idea" for keeping berries fresh....

The key to preventing moldy berries...

Berries are delicious, but they're also kind of delicate. Raspberries in particular seem like they can mold before you even get them home from the market. There's nothing worse than paying $4 for a pint of local raspberries, only to look in the fridge the next day and find that fuzzy mold growing.

Well, with fresh berries available, we can tell you that how to keep them fresh! Here’s a tip I’m sharing on how to prevent mold from growing, in the first place:

Wash them with vinegar.

When you get your berries home, prepare a mixture of one part vinegar (white or apple cider probably work best) and ten parts water. Dump the berries into the mixture and swirl around. Drain, rinse if you want (though the mixture is so diluted you can't taste the vinegar,) and pop in the fridge. The vinegar kills any mold spores and other bacteria that might be on the surface of the fruit, and voila! Raspberries will last a week or more, and strawberries go almost two weeks without getting moldy and soft. So go forth and stock up on those pricey little gems, knowing they'll stay fresh as long as it takes you to eat them.

This was sent to me from Sister Prince, our Provident Living Specialist.

Emmeline B. Wells

In celebration of the 170th Birthday of the Relief Society, I wanted to share a couple more interesting stories that I have read recently.  The Deseret News Mormon Times had a great article on Sister Emmeline B. Wells, whose birthday comes about two weeks before that of the Relief Society and who served as General Relief Society President from age 83-92.  Which is pretty remarkable in itself, and then there are all the other things she faced in her life that just add up to a very inspiring example for us to learn from.  The article from the Mormon Times is at the purple link below and I highly recommend reading it, it has different details than the bio below and both contain really neat stories.  
 

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865551019/Emmeline-B-Wells-story-is-truth-more-glorious-than-fiction.html 



And below is a short biography from the LDSWomenofGod Blog.  Hope you enjoy learning more about one of the amazing women of the early days of the Relief Society!!  And hope to see you out to our Birthday Dinner on Thursday at 6:30 at the Cultural Hall--come as you are, bring a friend, call for a ride!  NURSERY PROVIDED!!


Emmeline B. Wells
 May 3rd, 2009
 From: http://www.ldswomenofgod.com/blog/?p=765


 Emmeline B. Wells Our fifth General Relief Society President, Emmeline B. Wells, was an amazing woman. We need to remember her and her great work for us. Emmeline Blanche Woodward was born in Petersham, Massachusetts on February 29th, 1828 (leap-year). Since her childhood years, she felt she was meant to accomplish something specific and significant. She was bright and began teaching school at age fourteen. When she was fifteen, she married James Harris. She was baptized during this time, and together with his parents, traveled to Nauvoo to join the Saints. James left to go back east to find work and never returned. The child they had together died, leaving her totally alone, his parents having returned to their home in Massachusetts. She began teaching again and eventually married Newel K. Whitney, as one of his plural wives. She traveled with the Whitney family across the plains and settled with them in the Salt Lake Valley. Two years after arriving, Newel died, leaving Emmeline with two daughters.

 On Newel’s death bed, he asked Daniel H. Wells to marry and care for Emmeline. Pres. Wells was busy with church responsibilities and was not around for much of their forty year marriage, but Emmeline got on well with her sister wives (seven of them). In fact, when it came to polygamy, Emmeline felt it was a true doctrine, as well as a vehicle that gave women freedom and independence. Near the end of Daniel’s life they were able to spend long hours together and they both enjoyed that special time they had.

 While the Wells family lived all together in one house, Emmeline had her own home with their three daughters, where Daniel would visit from time to time. When business turned bad, money became tight and, at age 44, Emmeline began writing for the Women’s Exponent. This became her livelihood and only source of income. She soon became Editor and Chief, a position she would hold for 35 years. Her writings in the Exponent became a place to vent her strong feelings about women and their potential. She said, “I believe in women, especially thinking women.” She used pen names through the years such as: Blanche Beechwood, Amethist, Emmile, and Aunt Em. Her main objective, through the Women’s Exponent, was to get Mormon women involved in bettering the state of women. The best way to do this was to fight for women’s suffrage.

 This became Emmeline’s life. She served for many years as president, representative, spokesperson, and ambassador for Mormon Women at various suffrage meetings across America and even in Europe. She was honored for her diligence and her strong voice. At one time, a friend visiting from London said, “I have met two queens, Queen Victoria and the Queen of Utah, Emmeline Wells.” 
Emmeline became Relief Society President at age 82 and served for 11 years. Her greatest achievement was to almost single-handedly teach women what they could accomplish in this life through the pages of the Women’s Exponent, and it was thanks to her Mormon women got the right to vote. Words to describe her are very specific of character: feisty, sarcastic (sometimes caustic), inspirational, generous, keen executive ability, stylish (she liked jewelry), a thorn to her enemies, and always repentant. She could call Susan B. Anthony friend. She was a bridge-builder between Mormon women and Gentiles seeking after a common cause. In many portraits and photos of her, you will find that she offers her left side for view. In later years, she felt this was her better side and rarely faced the camera full on. She did not like to wear black in a society where black was often worn when you reached middle age, whether a widow or not. Instead, she would wear blue or white, just to stand out and be her lovely self. I look forward to the day I can meet and visit with this one-of-a-kind spitfire of a woman.
 At the 50th Anniversary of the Relief Society, Emmeline was the concluding speaker. Her remarks included these words, “Not only that 50 years ago the organization was founded by a prophet of God but that woman is becoming emancipated from error and superstition and darkness…That light has come into the world and the gospel has made her free…That the key of knowledge has been turned and she has drunk inspiration from the divine fountain.” When the “key was turned”, Emmeline believed women were finally given a voice. Emmeline received an honorary literature degree from BYU, she unveiled the Seagull Monument on Temple Square, and she sang in the Tabernacle Choir. At her funeral, in the Tabernacle, the whole state of Utah was in mourning with flags flown at half-mast. In 1928, at a celebration in the State Capitol building, a bust of her was unveiled which bears these words, “A Fine Soul Who Served Us”. Much of this information comes from a lecture given by Carol Cornwall Madsen

170 Years of Relief Society--What Does it Mean to You?

It has been 170 years since a small group of women met, with the Prophet Joseph on a historic day that would shape the lives of millions of women to come.  Do you ever step back and think of what it really means to you to be a part of the Relief Society?  

You are a member of the largest Women’s organization on earth, and one with more power to do good than any other that has ever existed, because we are organized under the power of the Priesthood, the Power of God on earth. 

Actual notes and minutes of the very 1st Relief Society Meeting.

If you have a few quiet minutes to think about that today, maybe even take out your journal and right down your feelings, I think that you, like me, might be taking something very wonderful just a bit for granted.

If you have a few minutes today, this week, this month, there is a great site, all about the Relief Society--it has all kinds of things like bio's on each of the past general presidents, minutes from many of the beginning meetings, and many of the major projects the Relief Society has accomplished over the years.

HEre is the link:  http://www.ldswomenofgod.com/blog/

OH, And by the way, we will be celebrating the Relief Society's Birthday on 

MARCH 22nd, 

a Thursday, 

at 6:30

 in the cultural hall!  

We will have a few sign-ups for anyone interested in helping with food, but other than that, it is a come and enjoy, bring a friend, have a nice evening celebrating this great organization of sisterhood that we have been blessed with!!

Feb 2012 PRESIDENCY MESSAGE

(Our Focus this month in Relief Society is: CHARITY IS THE BASIS FOR A CELESTIAL MARRIAGE ) 

Dear Sisters, 
February offers another opportunity for us to express our love for those dear to us. Many complain that it is just another holiday to sell greeting cards, flowers and chocolates. Any gift given at any time is appreciated, especially if the motives are pure. 
Our Savior spent his whole life giving love to everyone. “He healed the sick he raised the dead. . . . He cared for their spiritual well-being, but He also cared for their temporal needs as well. . . . Why did he do all those things? He had only one motive -- love. This motive means everything.” 
“We can do things with less-than laudable motives. Quoting his father, Mormon, Moroni wrote that if we give ‘a gift, (and) doeth it grudgingly; . . . it is counted . . . the same as if we had retained the gift; wherefore we are counted evil before God’. (Moroni 7:8,9).” 
“Why we do things is probably more important than what we do. . . . While it’s important to remember that we should not judge another’s motive, we can judge our own. We need to look inside and take stock. Are we doing what we do out of love? Or has some other motive taken over?” 
When we find ourselves needing to talk to our spouse or another member of the family, perhaps we could remind ourselves, “How can I say what I need to say in the most loving way possible?” The few extra seconds it may take could make a big difference in that relationship. 
“When others’ needs start to matter more than our own, and when others’ successes are more exciting to us than our own, we are beginning to experience the kind of love that our Father in Heaven and our Savior have for us. It is a love without dimension. It has no boundaries, no limitations. It is pure, infinite, and eternal.” (Quotes from Russell T. Osguthorpe)
Love, 
Jamie, Cindy, Loree, & Kathy 

This month....

This month is half over and yet I am just barely getting the blog updated.  BIG SIGH.  Oh, the good intentions that I have, that just don't always come to fruition!!  So, it is now updated almost all the way. 

I just wanted to thank Sister Lester for her work on our activity last week, we really had a great time, though our numbers were few, the food was great and we were able to gain new recipes and ideas to take home.  We definitely plan on having more of these throughout the year, using different recipe themes.  What is better than food and friends and a little time out?  I must admit, at 3:00 that afternoon I was ready to sit down and not get up again, and the thought of doing hair, face, decent clothes, plus making dinner for family and to take, was not a very happy thing for me to face.  Yet, I got up and did it and really, really enjoyed myself.  So, I understand how hard it is sometimes to get up and get there, plus there has been so much sickness going on and so many sports, etc.  Hopefully we will see more of you  next time.

Also, I wanted to thank all of you who were willing to sign up to help out with Sister Williams, but, for the time being, don't expect any phone calls from her, she had a serious fall last week and is currently in the hospital in Caliente for an undetermined amount of time, depends on her rehab, when they will have her up and going again.  If you had a chance to stop in and say Hi-I am sure she might appreciate that, and we will let you know when she is home again.

Congrats to the Bradfield family on the arrival of their daughter, Andrea almost two weeks ago.  Dad said both are doing well after a little bout of jaundice, and they like having a little pink around.

We also have the Beckstrands home again from their mission to the Phillipines--they will be reporting the 16th in sacrament, while Elder Ben Baker will be home THIS week and reporting his mission to Peru on Sunday!  Next month brings home a few more--we'll keep you posted.

I wanted to thank our visiting teachers for their great job lately, since we adjusted routes a couple of months ago we have really seen some GREAT things coming through on the reports, we are also getting some GREAT feedback on some of those changes, and that really helps us as a presidency feel good and that we are gaining th inspiration we need to direct the visiting teaching, though it is a constant work in progress.  My one concern is that though our numbers were reported as 100% for the month of December, we did hear of a few discrepancy's from that report and so we just want to remind you to please make sure you are reporting and to make sure that your sisters know who you are and that they also know that you have contacted them.  Sometimes just saying "HI" in the store might be about all you can do that month, but often times they don't recognize that as a visit????  So, please help them to know that you have actually made contact with them, checked on them, and most of all--pray for them!  We thank you for all that you do and for the great service you give--PLEASE remember to report to Sister Perkins if you know of any concerns or if there are any meals we can be providing or any other help, sometimes I feel like so much goes without my knowing and you are my link to the sisters so feel free to call, even if I may already know.

Jan 2012 PRESIDENCY MESSAGE

(Our Focus this year in Relief Society is: CHARITY NEVER FAILETH )
Dear Sisters,

A new year often represents a clean slate, a new start for many in the world. Resolutions are made, goals are set, and the plan is to somehow become better this year than you were in the last. As members of the church, we know that this opportunity is available to us everyday through the gift of repentance. But, yet, it is also kind of nice to have a time to set down and evaluate where we are in our progress, and to recognize that we always have room to improve.

I think that the greatest source of improvement we can have as Heavenly Father’s children is gained through the development of CHARITY. It is through Charity that we truly come to know and understand our Savior and His plan for us. It is through Charity that we become like him. We hear so much of Charity, and yet are we sometimes overwhelmed by trying to have it? Are there so many aspects to it that we feel almost helpless to truly achieve it? Sister Jeannie McAllister wrote, “Living a Christ-like life doesn’t mean that we must single-handedly save our spouse, the office, the ward, or the world. It does mean we can aid our brothers and sisters with love and encouragement as we progress through life. It does mean we must care for and replenish ourselves regularly so that we are fuller, purer vessels from which others may draw sustenance.”
If we take a little more time to love, spend a little less on judging, fit in more personal study of the gospel, we will truly develop the character of Charity bit by bit in our lives. May this be our goal not just this year, but every year.
Love,

Jamie, Cindy, Loree, & Kathy