Joy in Every Season

Tonight September, 12th we will be having our Relief Society activity. The theme is Joy in Every Season. Please join us for a wonderful evening to visit with sisters and learn about the Joy in Every Season. Activity starts at 6:45 pm at the Quail building. We are also collecting items for the women's shelter so bring something to donate if you would like. See ya there!

September Newsletter

Dear Sisters,      

In the September 2013 Ensign, President Uchtdorf gave the First Presidency Message about the seasons of our lives. Below is a brief synopsis of his message:

I have childhood memories of a part of the world that could serve as a picture postcard for the changing seasons of the year.  Each passing month was glorious and wonderful.  During a perfect winter day, pristine snow blanketed the mountains and city streets.  Spring brought cleansing rains and the explosion of green-dressed life.  The lazy skies of summer served as a pleasant blue canvas for the blaze of a bright sun.  And spectacular autumn transformed nature into brilliant shades of orange, yellow, and red.  As a child, I loved each season, and to this day, I love the character and uniqueness of each one.

We have seasons in our lives as well.  Some are warm and pleasant.  Others are not.  Some of the days in our lives are as beautiful as pictures in a calendar.  And yet there are days and circumstances that cause heartache and may bring into our lives deep feelings of despair, resentment, and bitterness.

The question is not whether we will experience seasons of adversity but how we will weather the storms. Our great opportunity during the ever-changing seasons of life is to hold fast to the faithful word of God, for His counsel is designed not only to help us weather the storms of life but also to guide us past them. Our Heavenly Father has given His word through His prophets—precious knowledge designed to lead us through the challenges of difficult seasons toward the unspeakable joy and brilliant light of eternal life. It is an important part of our life’s experience to develop the strength, courage, and integrity to hold fast to truth and righteousness despite the buffeting we may experience.

As members of His Church, as Saints, we serve joyfully and willingly in all weather and in all seasons. And as we do so, our hearts become filled with hallowed faith, healing hope, and heavenly charity.

Still, we will have to pass through all seasons—both pleasant and painful.  But no matter the season, as followers of Jesus the Christ, we will rest our hope upon Him as we walk toward His light.

In short, we are Saints of God, determined to learn of Him, to love Him, and to love our fellowman.  We are pilgrims on the blessed road of discipleship, and we will walk steadfastly toward our heavenly goal.

Therefore, let us be Saints in spring, summer, fall, and winter.  Let us be Saints for all seasons.

President Uchtdorf’s message goes hand in hand with our special Relief Society Meeting Night to be held on Thursday, September 12^th at 6:45 pm.  Please come and enjoy our sisterhood as we relish in the “Joy of the Seasons”.

Love Sue, Amy, Lisa, Jennefer and Jenny

Lesson Schedule

Sep 1                      Fast Sunday- Amy Wagner

Sep 8                      Ch. 17: Priesthood-For the                                 Salvation of the Human Family

                                 -Kristen Tanner

Sep 15                    Ch. 18: Church Leadership and                       Selfless   Service-Kay Bashford

Sep 22                    Come Unto Me-Henry B Eyring

                                - Jacque Garner

Sep 29                    Fast Sunday- Bishop’s Instruction

 

Happy Birthday

1          Joni Bowler

12        Larissa Flores

20        Sandra Crane

21        MaryKay Bashford

23        Tiffanie Huntley

24        Carmae Hiller

27        Ashley Yates

30        Geraldine Romans

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sept 12                        R.S Activity -“Joy in

                        Every Season”

Sept 18                        Ward Temple Night

Oct  5-6           General Conference

Nov 9              Super Saturday

                        (more details coming)

 

September 2013 Visiting Teaching Message

Visiting Teaching Message

Self-Reliance

Prayerfully study this material and, as appropriate, discuss it with the sisters you visit. Use the questions to help you strengthen your sisters and to make Relief Society an active part of your own life. For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

Self-reliance is the ability, commitment, and effort to provide for the spiritual and temporal well-being of ourselves and of our families.1

As we learn and apply the principles of self-reliance in our homes and communities, we have opportunities to care for the poor and needy and to help others become self-reliant so they can endure times of adversity.

We have the privilege and duty to use our agency to become self-reliant spiritually and temporally. Speaking of spiritual self-reliance and our dependence on Heavenly Father, Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught: “We become converted and spiritually self-reliant as we prayerfully live our covenants—through worthily partaking of the sacrament, being worthy of a temple recommend, and sacrificing to serve others.”2

Elder Hales counseled us to become self-reliant temporally, “which includes getting a postsecondary education or vocational training, learning to work, and living within our means. By avoiding debt and saving money now, we are prepared for full-time Church service in the years to come. The purpose of both temporal and spiritual self-reliance is to get ourselves on higher ground so that we can lift others in need.”3

From the Scriptures

Matthew 25:1–13; 1 Timothy 5:8; Alma 34:27–28; Doctrine and Covenants 44:6; 58:26–29; 88:118

From Our History

After the Latter-day Saints had gathered in the Salt Lake Valley, which was an isolated desert, President Brigham Young wanted them to flourish and establish permanent homes. This meant the Saints needed to learn skills that would allow them to become self-sufficient. In this effort, President Young had great trust in the capacities, talents, faithfulness, and willingness of the women, and he encouraged them in specific temporal duties. While the specific duties of Relief Society sisters are often different today, the principles remain constant:

1. Learn to love work and avoid idleness.

2. Acquire a spirit of self-sacrifice.

3. Accept personal responsibility for spiritual strength, health, education, employment, finances, food, and other life-sustaining necessities.

4. Pray for faith and courage to meet challenges.

5. Strengthen others who need assistance.4

What Can I Do?

1. How am I helping the sisters I watch over find solutions to their temporal and spiritual needs?

2. Am I increasing my spiritual self-reliance through preparing for the sacrament and sacrificing to serve?

Notes

  1. See Handbook 2: Administering the Church (2010), 6.1.1.

  2. Robert D. Hales, “Coming to Ourselves: The Sacrament, the Temple, and Sacrifice in Service,” Ensign, May 2012, 34.

  3. Robert D. Hales, “Coming to Ourselves,” 36.

  4. See Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society (2011), 51.