Find Waldo...

My children (and grandchildren) love the books I have that are part of the FIND WALDO series. They know that Waldo is part of a very intricate picture and his appearance is often woven into a very normal landscape - their job is to find him in each illustration.
General Conference (this weekend, Oct 1 &2, 11-1pm & 3-5pm, at the church or on BYUTV or on your computer at lds.org) to me is just like a FIND WALDO book. I know, I mean I really KNOW that my Father in Heaven is talking to me during conference. Conference is like having my own Personal Priesthood Interview with Him.
BUT, it is up to me to find those "golden nuggets of thought" that apply to my cares and worry. So I sit with my notepad and write the thoughts that come - KNOWING - He is speaking to ME! The conversation would go like this "Put this in there for Jeanne, she will recognize those words and that I am speaking to her."
As the Relief Society President at this time, I am aware of many of the cares and worries of the sisters in this ward. I also know that there are a multitude of distractions on the first Saturday and Sunday of October. However, I have a deep and abiding faith that He makes these conferences possible so He can give us - individually - very specific comfort and direction. And these promptings can change the course of our thinking, our feelings, and hopefully our lives.
It is up to us, to FIND HIM!

"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER", AND WE WERE " REALLY" ALL PACKED INTO THE CULTURAL HALL TOGETHER.

Our Relief Society Presidency wants to thank all of you wonderful Sisters and Young Women for the tremendous turnout we had at our activity last evening. We fed well over 80 people including our "valiant" priesthood volunteers in the nursery.

A big thank-you to Bonnie Muir who supervised the food, to Natalie Marstella and Liz Rich who were co-chairs of the activity and planned all those fun crafts. To Amber Bateman, Kara Hall, Stephanie Manwaring, Katie Petersen, Alissa John , and of course Liz and Natalie again who brought their expertise to helped with the crafts.

We loved hearing from all the tables, the experiences you found in common - We are each different, yet as Sisters and Young Women, and Daughters of God - we have many things in common, and we need each other, oh, how we need each other!

We are so grateful to the Priesthood Quorums, who signed up to set up, take down, clean up and tend children - you are the best!

And lastly, thanks to all of YOU who brought your big smiles, your welcoming hugs and your lovely Spirits. We will post pictures soon.

FORGET NOT....

I enjoyed the Relief Society General Broadcast held on September 24th. I especially enjoyed the talk given by President Uchtdorf on the "FORGET NOTS" of life.
Two points he made hit home with me -
1. "Forget Not" the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice (do you notice they seldom use the word "bad").
2. "Forget Not" to be HAPPY NOW!
As I think about our upcoming Relief Society/Young Women Quarterly Meeting "We're All in This Together" on September 28th, both points apply.
Making time to associate with, help, and foster good feelings amongst women of all ages has to be a good sacrifice. No matter what is going on in our lives on this Wednesday - this just has to be considered something very worthy.
And the second "truth", to BE HAPPY NOW, must be considered as we celebrate and encourage these young women that it will be so fun to grow up and "fill" or fit into our shoes.
WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER as we try to become "Daughters in His Kingdom"!

Service

Yesterday Sister Fronda Wiseman gave the RS lesson on finding joy in service. She talked about how when we serve others, our own trials seem more manageable. Fronda encouraged us to accept Sister Allred's invitation (from the General RS Broadcast Saturday night) to participate in miracles by following the Spirit's promptings as we answer others' prayers through service. Fronda read from a children's picture book that I wanted to put on this blog for anyone interested in reading it.

This Weekend

SATURDAY

5:30pm dinner, 7:00pm General Relief Society Broadcast
Richardson Stake Center
(on Bowser Road between Spring Valley Drive and Centennial Blvd, east of Hwy 75)
Church Attire
If you need a ride, please call your visiting teacher.
We hope to see you there!
Click here to learn more about this broadcast

SUNDAY

Our lesson for Relief Society is based on two General Conference talks this week.

President Eyring's talk Opportunities to do Good

and

Elder Ballard's talk Finding Joy through Loving Service

Please read these talks before our lesson so you will be prepared to share your thoughts and insights.