Caroling to Mainning Gardens

Mid week Relief Society Meeting!

See you there- tri tip dinner first!

Relief Society sisters worldwide are invited to view the satellite broadcast of the general Relief Society meeting, which will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. (MDT) and will be broadcast to many areas of the world.

All sisters 18 years of age and older are encouraged to gather together in meetinghouses to view the broadcast.

Video of the broadcast will also be available live in American Sign Language, English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish atconference.lds.org. Additional languages will be available as a live audio broadcast at the same site. Archives of the broadcast will be available in those same languages at the same site within 24 hours. Live audio will also be available in English at mormonchannel.org.

Visiting teaching in September

Remember to feed His sheep! Click on the link below for a cute handout to print and share with our sisters.

http://latterdaychatter.blogspot.com/2011/09/september-visiting-teaching.html

Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society

from Little LDS Ideas by Sheena

Have you seen the new book that was just announced, 'Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society'?

We received a copy of this wonderful book last week. But when I was handed the book I had a few questions as to what I was to use it for. Is it a new Relief Society Manual, is it supposed to be used for visiting teaching?

So I was happy to learn that there is a new companion website to go along with this wonderful new book: Here.

This website has instructions on how to utilize the book in Church classes, family, visiting teaching and more. You can also get to this site by following the path MENU> SERVING IN THE CHURCH> RELIEF SOCIETY > MESSAGES FROM LEADERS > DAUGHTERS IN MY KINGDOM.

Here is what the book is about:

Relief Society sisters have a glorious heritage. We pray that this volume will be an important resource for preserving that heritage.

~ The First Presidency

In grateful recognition of the blessing of Relief Society in the lives of Church members, the First Presidency has directed the preparation of Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society.

The teachings, stories, and examples in this history book will guide you in establishing priorities and practices in your life that will help increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help those in need.

The history of Relief Society teaches the divine identity and infinite worth of daughters of God. It is a Spirit-filled story of strong, faithful, purposeful women who have served with little public recognition.

As you study this history you will see that our Heavenly Father knows His daughters, that He loves them, that He trusts them with sacred responsibilities, and that He guides them as they fulfill those responsibilities.

You are encouraged to share the book with others. Church members of all ages may use the book as a reference in lessons, talks, council meetings, and at home.

Hear what others have to say about 'Daughters in My Kingdom' by visiting HERE.

I read through what some others had to say and found some amazing testimonies.

I loved what Sharon shared:

"Women are not a footnote in this church.... Relief Society wasn’t to sew shirts for the temple workmen—any benevolent society could have done that. Joseph restored a way for women to take their part in building up the kingdom of God. He organized it under a priesthood pattern, with presidencies and officers that held the stewardship to prepare women and their families for the temple. I could feel the excitement of those early sisters as they recognized what was happening. And for the first time in my life I understood Relief Society wasn’t a class on Sunday; it was my personal inheritance in Zion. "

I am so excited to read this book and learn about this wonderful organization that I belong to. I am excited to read about the stories, to learn how I can strengthen my family, increase my faith, and to learn how to seek those in need. I am thankful that we have been given this wonderful book and for the opportunity that I have to read it.

I hope all of you join me and read this book.

If you don't have the book yet you can download it online, HERE.

Have a great weekend! :)

"We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another and gain instruction, that we may all sit down in Heaven together."
Lucy Mack Smith, in Daughters in My Kingdom, page 25

September's meeting!

My Sister's Hands

Everyone was greeted with a hand massage by the RS presidency and taught about the basics of Visiting Teaching.

Though we had a small turnout- probably less than 20 of our more than 60 sisters-

It made for a warm intimate atmosphere-

We were able to visit and laugh together.

And of course EAT! Four different yummy salads and freshly baked rolls!

Before I was able to fill my plate the power went out.

Thankfully many were prepared with trusty cell phones leading the way.

Let me tell you -it was dark.

Most of the sisters abandoned the decorated tables and opted for the foyer.

No sooner than we had settled and even moved the piano when...

The lights came back on! (in answer to the RS presidency's prayers no doubt)

The program was beautiful! We listened and felt of the power and importance of being His hands in blessing the lives of our sisters.

I'll add a little more when I get the other pictures. Stay tuned.

August midweek activity

From Charcoal to Diamonds

Did you know that charcoal and diamonds are basically made out of the same thing? Carbon atoms. The difference being that a diamond has four bonds between atoms whereas coal only has 3. Increase the bonds- improve your relationships.

Jennifer and Michael team taught us about loving communication pointing out that we all communicate differently, which was illustrated in a fun game. They claim that they do not communicate perfectly but they sure work great together!

Why don't I have any pictures of Cori?! Probably because her class of Squashing our ANTs (automatic negative thoughts) was given just for me this time. We all received cute and useful flyswatters to help us remember to stay positive. (For some reason I seem to enjoy feeding my ants instead of getting rid of them while there is only one little guy.) Look at her down there in pink- it's no wonder we see her as Mrs. Positive!

Amanda, our guest from Selma, taught us about the important bonds between cake and frosting as she demonstrated how to make cake balls.

hands on style.

Can we say yumm? What a nice way to end a night. Huge thanks to all who helped to set up, teach, brought for the give and take tables, and taught the child care class! See you next time!

Visiting Teaching Message for June

Credit: "ambience" kit by Digi-Designs by Nicole

Como es mi espanol?

cupcake wars and gone green!

Murder mystery dinner

Cook Off!