MARCH 2011 PRESIDENCY MESSAGE

MARCH 2011 PRESIDENCY MESSAGE
(March'sTheme from the Releif Society Declaration is: Dedicate ourselves to strengthening our families.)

Dear Sisters,
What is our Role in the Work of Salvation and where does it begin?
President Joseph F. Smith taught, "He that sent his Only Begotten Son into the world to accomplish the mission which he did, also sent every soul within the sound of my voice, and indeed every man and woman in the world, to accomplish a mission, and that mission cannot be accomplished by neglect; nor by indifference; nor can it be accomplished in ignorance." He went on to teach that we need to learn our duty, we are here to labor to bring our families, our friends, and of course, oursleves back to our Father in Heaven.
He continued with, "We have a glorious destiny before us....it is worth all our attention....our lives and everything the Lord has put into our posessions and then ten thousand times more.....The gospel is salvation, and without it there is nothing worth having."
Our role in the work of salvation is great. No, we cannot save our family, we cannot save our friends, or neighbors, BUT we can teach them how to be saved. We set the example, we share our testimony--and that begins first and foremost in our homes. That is our first duty. As we begin to strengthen our homes and our families, we will be better prepared to share with our friends, neighbors, and those whom the Lord places within our path.
Love,
Jamie, Cindy, Loree, Kathy

A Lot to Think About.....

This morning I had a converstaion with someone about the price of hay.  By the end I was in a bit of a doomsday mood, though we know better than 'doomsday' as members of the church, we are also very well informed about the last days and what they will entail.  And, as we see abundant sign around us, we still don't know if it means years and years, or not very long.  So, what does the price of hay have to do with it all?  Well, the price of hay is looking to skyrocket this summer, possibly up to $300 a ton.  Market prices fluctuate between 100-200 a ton in a more stable economy.  Great for farmers selling the hay.  Horrible for the Dairy Farmers buying it to feed their cows--which passes on to the supermarket and you and me.  There are strong rumors about the effects of Japan's struggles on  an already weak US economy--two world powers with major economic issues will have severe effects on the rest of the world economy.  Struggles in warring countries, fuel prices consistently rising, lead to more fears about what lies ahead in the future.  Are we ready for hard times?  Harder than we have faced?  Will it really be so bad?  Will it be worse? 
And then comfort comes from the place where it always does--scripture, the word of the Lord through ancient and modern prophets--reminding us what we have been taught all along.
President Ezra taft Benson taught, using the people of Israel, under Joshua's leadership as an example,

“Now during this critical period, and it is a critical period that we are passing through, I hope that we will keep ever burning in our hearts the spirit of this great work which we represent. If we do so, we’ll have no anxiety; we’ll have no fear; we’ll not worry about the future because the Lord has given us the assurance that if we live righteously, if we keep his commandments, if we humble ourselves before him, all will be well. I turn to two passages of scripture today which I’d like to read:


“‘. . . Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.’ ( Joshua 1:9 .)
“This was the Lord’s admonition to his son, Joshua, encouraging him to trust in God. Joshua answered that admonition in counsel to his people in these words:
“‘. . . choose you this day whom ye will serve; . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.’ ( Ibid., 24:15.)
“Embodied in these two passages of scripture are the two principal essentials for security and peace: first, trust in God; and second, a determination to keep the commandments, to serve the Lord, to do that which is right. Latter-day Saints who live according to these two admonitions—trust in God and keep the commandments—have nothing to fear.
“The Lord has made it very clear in the revelations that even though times become perilous, even though we be surrounded by temptation and sin, even though there be a feeling of insecurity, even though men’s hearts may fail them and anxiety fill their souls, if we only trust in God and keep his commandments we need have no fear.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1950, pp. 145–46.)

Don't you just love the peace the gospel brings? 

At it Again....

It's afternoon and I am eating ice cream.  Way more ice cream than I should.  BUT, I am slo working on restructuring visiting teaching routes and partnerships, so I feel pretty justified in eating as much ice cream as I want ;)  Hey, it's challenging work, and sometimes it seems it is a never ending work, but even as I think that, I know in my heart that it is a worthwhile work.  If the formation of these companionships happen under the right direction they may have power to reach and bless and change lives in ways that we will only see in years to come. That is why it becomes such a heavy load to me, because I want so much for it to be done under the right direction, that of our Father in Heaven, because He is the only one who truly knows the needs of each of our sisters, and only He truly knows the gifts and strengths that we may individually have to share with them. 

“We must seek out those among us with need and, using our God-given talents for charity and our means for relieving others, coordinate the two. This has been the charge from the beginning. It is the charge today. We should go personally into each other’s homes, and we should tune our souls to the point that we may find those in need and offer friendship, help as needed, and courage to meet each day’s challenges” (Ensign, March 1997, 37).



So, as we again make a few changes here and there, and try to do a few more interviews on Sunday, my challenge to you is to pray for those you serve in visiting teaching and the sister you serve with.  I have gained great friendships with those that I didn't always expect to find it in from visiting teaching.  I have struggled and still struggled at times to get to know some of them, felt inadequate, self-conscious, or afraid to make even a simple phone call.  And, yet, at the same time, I am so grateful for those times when I have been able to be His hands, to offer friendship, comfort, maybe a meal, to listen, to serve and know that in that moment I knew true charity, which seems to be a hard thing to hold on to in busy days and hectic lives.  I am so thankful for those who have taught me of visiting teaching through their patience and great examples, for those who have served me through it, and for the Lord knowing what I need even better than I do. 

Have you had a chance to visit teach this month?  You might be missing something wonderful.

The Family.....

"This generation will be called upon to defend the doctrine of the family as never before. If they don’t know the doctrine, they can’t defend it."

 --Sister Beck



If you have had a chance to read the Ensign for March, there is a great article in it from our General Relief Society President, Sister Julie B. Beck, if you haven't here is the link: http://lds.org/ensign/2011/03/teaching-the-doctrine-of-the-family?lang=eng ,I really recommend reading it.  Today as I was trying to get a few things done on the computer, a yahoo news article grabbed my attention and so I stopped to read the article.  Many of you may have heard of the'seven year slump' that is said to be the time when most marriages have the hardest time or where the most marriages end in divorce.  Well, now studies are showing that you are 'lucky' to get to the seven--because the 'three-year itch' is taking over.  While there was nothing really new or impressive in the article to me, I had a thought to read the comments below it.  Bad idea.  I made it through about ten before I told myself to stop and get out of there before the discouragement ate away at me and turned to anger.  I could not believe how trite the comments were about marriage.  Someone said that the idea of the home with the white picket fence and the kid was basically a joke, that mortgages, credit card debt, divorce and misery were all that awaited.  I thought one might be positive at the beginning, but turned out to be about divorce and returning to a first love after a 35 year absence. 

"We are preparing our youth for the temple and for eternal families. Many threats are coming to them that can discourage them from forming an eternal family. Our role in this is to teach them so they don’t misunderstand."

--Sister Beck

Suddenly, Sister Beck's article seemed so much more powerful.  Oh, the importance of teaching our future generations about the importance, the joy, the sacredness of marriage and family.  As someone who grew up in the church and thought I knew the importance of those things, I still wanted to put a education, mission, and career before marriage and family.  Thank heavens the Lord knew what I needed.  I used to go to the first day of a college class and listen to the girls introduced themselves, "Hi, I am so and so and I am majoring in (whatever), but I don't know if I will ever use my degree, because I really just want to be a wife and mother."  And, I, in my stubborness would think, "Really, so you are just here shopping for a husband?  "  I was very critical, because I thought I knew what I wanted and was determined to do just that--I remember Coach Walker telling me at the end of my senior year that I would be married in a year and being somewhat furious and bound and determined to prove him wrong (He was Grant and I's first home teacher after we were married--a year and a HALF after graduation ;) ).  But, when it came to it, I tried to be in tune with the Lord, and I knew that marriage was an important decision--I didn't want to look back some day and say--well, I never knew for sure if it was right or not.  So, I fasted and prayed and over the years there have been many bumps, some larger than others--but, I had gained my answer and knew that come what may, this is where I was supposed to be.  So, when I look back, I am humbled by my attitude about such an importnat role.  And through those years I also learned that the choice to marry and have a family was the best I ever made--I can't imagine having passed it up, or put it on hold any longer, even when somedays it takes everything just to survive it. ;) 

"The story of Isaac and Rebekah is an example of the man, who has the keys, and the woman, who has the influence, working together to ensure the fulfillment of their blessings. Their story is pivotal. The blessings of the house of Israel depended on a man and a woman who understood their place in the plan and their responsibilities to form an eternal family, to bear children, and to teach them."

--Sister Beck

I also try to teach my children the importance of them being parents someday--once the thought of a girly daughter who loved pink was intimidating to me, since I was somewhat of a tomboy--but even then I dragged my dolls out to play in the dirt, and I am trying to encourage her to do the same--let her follow me when I clean, even though it is sometimes so much more work--let all of them take a turn adding ingredients when I bake...let them be part of a family and know the joy that comes from it.  We all have different homes, different challenges, different ways we do things, but there is one thing that must be the same--we must be teaching our children the gospel, we msut be showing future generations how important marriage and family are.  Sometimes it seems hard to balance--we are encouraged to pursue education in case we need to fall back on it, we are challenged to be the best at all we do, to compete in a man's world and home-making is no longer placed at the height of honorable work, but if we who know it's eternal importance, don't share that with our children, then it will continue to lose imortance in our society.

"Live in your home so that you’re brilliant in the basics, so that you’re intentional about your roles and responsibilities in the family. Think in terms of precision not perfection. If you have your goals and you are precise in how you go about them in your homes, youth will learn from you. They will learn that you pray, study the scriptures together, have family home evening, make a priority of mealtimes, and speak respectfully of your marriage partner. Then from your example the rising generation will gain great hope."

--Sister Beck

Don't you just love that last bit?  It's not about being perfect, it's about being our best in the areas the Lord has asked us--and He wouldn't ask us if He didn't know we could.

Sister Perkins



FEBRUARY 2011 PRESIDENCY MESSAGE

(February's Theme from the Releif Society Declaration is: Dedicate ourselves to strengthening marriages.)
Dear Sisters,

As Sister Perkins has stated before, this year in Relief Society we are discussing priorities. The Relief Society proclamation has outlined the primary areas that we as sisters should be emphasizing. The presidency lesson each month will focus on a different one. February's focus will be on strengthening marriages.

As I've been thinking about what to teach regarding this topic, something occurred to me. Brother Babcock spoke on this issue last week in Sacrament meeting. Not only will we be discussing marriage in Relief Society, but Bishop Poteet has directed the organizations to teach about strengthening marriages for the fifth week Sunday lesson. The Marriage and Family Relations class is currently being presented during Sunday School. I don't think that it is at all a coincidence that the ward leadership is being inspired to focus efforts on this subject at this time. Obviously, the Lord needs us step up our efforts to build strong marriages and families.

As President David O. McKay said, “No other success can compensate for failure in the home." I believe that this statement relates to marriage as well as child-rearing. With so much turmoil in the world today, let us strive to strengthen our marriages, which will lead to stronger family units, making our homes places of refuge and peace.
Love,
Jamie, Cindy, Loree, Kathy

Book Club for Tuesday.....

Our Book Club for Tuesday night at 6:30 pm is reviewing the book: HOLES, by Louis Sachar.  Since the movie sticks so closely to the book, we thought it would be a fun break to watch it, too, instead of just discussing the book--all are invited, even if you haven't read the book.  We are meeting at Sister Loree Stackhouse's for the review! 

It's an easy and fun read, so if you want to read it, contact Sister Roden.

Lifting Burdens....

Some days I think that the hardest part of a Relief Society President's call is to see and know that her sister's are struggling, having heartache, facing challenges, and to feel so helpless.  It's worse knowing that for the few of these I know of, there are probably so many more hidden heartaches that I don't know of.  I know how many things I keep to myself, how many times I have struggled with keeping a smile on my face so that no one would know that challenge I was facing.  Maybe if we could see into each others hearts, we would truly know how much we all really do have in common.
 So, how does she do it?  How does the Relief Society President meet those needs?  Can she?  Some people want you to be there for everything and it feels most of the time you are letting them down as you chase through your own crazy life--others don't want to share at all.  It is hard to find the balance, hard to know when to reach out, or even how to reach out.  Revelation from the spirit becomes key, and keeping the spirit to gain that revelation is a constant challenge in itself in our busy lives.  Of course, a lot of it comes back to our need for visiting teaching, for those sisters to prayer for those they are called to serve and to gain that guidance as to how to act and report back to the President when needed.
I watch my kids and dread the challenges they will face in life and then try to have courage and faith that in the end the burden will be blessing, their testimony stronger, their faith tried and true, and I feel the same for each of you in all that you face.  I truly love you all and wish for your happiness, worry when you are missing, want to know what to do to help when you struggle, and most often feel like I never get enough done for all that I could be trying to do for.

I love this little clip from lds.org and thought it was very fitting for today and hope you like it too!

http://lds.org/pages/lifting-burdens?lang=eng (Click on the link for the video)