March 2013 Calendar

Doctrine & Covenants 68:6

"Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear,

for I the Lord am with you,
and will stand by you:
and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ,
that I am the Son of the living God,
that I was, that I am,
and that I am to come.

This year we are going to create a book of "JOY" taken from thoughts of joy from all of you! 

We will be compiling it throughout the year, completing it for each of 
you to have for Christmas!
This will be such an awesome book of fun, love, inspiration and spirit for each of us to have. We can hardly wait till Christmas!!

We would like for each of you to write your thoughts on what brings you joy, keeping a scripture in mind that reminds you, or makes you think of it to tag with it. You can email it to: willowwoodwardrs@yahoo.com, write it in the comments spot at the end of this post, or simply write it down on paper and pass it on to a member of the Relief Society Presidency. 


MARCH: 

Friday & Saturday, 8th & 9th:   

                         Visiting Teaching Interviews

                         @ Terry Salmons home

                         note: if you havent signed up for

                         a time call a member of the 

                         Presidency; their numbers are listed

                         under the tab on the right side of 

                         the blog under "CONTACT US".

Monday, 11th:   *Empty Nester FHE

                         @ Karen Evans home

                         7:00pm 

Tuesday's:         Book of Mormon Class  

                        @ Sue G's

                         7:30pm     

Thursday, 14th:  *Pinterest Group 9-11am

                           Heidi Savage in charge

Sunday, 17th:    Saint Patricks Day  

* Notes activities that are special interest groups.

  

Finding Joy in Life

Taught by Terry S.

During the past year we have been focusing on "Having a heart like His".  Each month something was handed out in Relief Society to help us remember to do our visiting teaching with 

"A Heart like His".  The following story by Sister Virginia Pearce, reminds us of one way of opening our hearts.

"Several years ago I took my mother shopping for a winter coat.  Shopping is not my favorite activity, and it was getting close to dinner time before we finally found the right coat.  It was a soft grey wool with raglan sleeves that brushed the tops of her shoes.  The sales woman sent for the alterations lady, who helped mother onto the raised platform and went to work.  I sank into a chair in the corner of the fitting room, lost in my own little world, wondering if I had time on the way home to stop at the grocery store to pick up something for dinner.

Gradually, on the edges of my consciousness, I began to hear a conversation.  Mother would ask a question, and the alterations lady would answer.  At first the answers were rather brief, but as the questions and interest from Mother continued, the answers became longer.  By the time we left, the two of them were laughing together like old friends.  And I was left out- a shriveled, self-absorbed, tired little soul in the corner.  I looked at Mother.  She had come in just as weary as I but was leaving with an added spring in her step.

I learned something about opening hearts from the coat-buying encounter.  An open heart often coaxes open someone else's closed heart.  It's almost magical.  An open heart or a "Heart like His", presents a safe place that others sense, and they respond, sometimes immediately and sometimes more slowly.  No matter, however, whether they respond or not, because in the meantime, we feel so much better living this way.

Take the initiative to get outside yourself and express an interest in those you encounter.  Pray for the courage to do so.  You will find greater joy in life.  

Our new theme for 2013 is found in Doctrine & Covenants 68:6

"Wherefore be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you..."

Elder Richard G. Scott says, "It is clear that no one who has an inclination to live the commandments of God would intentionally do things that would separate him or her from the lord..  I am confident you have the intention of doing all the right things.  Yet I wonder, are you doing them as fully and completely as you are capable of doing?  That is not an accusatory question.  It is one asked in sincerity to help you, if needed, to open your eyes and evaluate each day's decisions to confirm that what you are doing will lead you to where you most desire to be".

Elder Scott suggests a list of things you can do for happiness:

• Pray with faith to Jesus Christ.
• Love and serve others.
• Receive the Temple ordinances. Return to bless others.
• Listen to the prophet and obey his counsel.
• Be grateful for what you have.
• Smile more!

Please remember sisters, that we are not perfect.  Perfection can sometimes be the enemy of righteousness.  When we get caught up worrying about being perfect it's easy to become discouraged, because none of us will ever be perfect in this life.  Even though our Savior commanded us to be perfect like Him, He has no expectations that we will accomplish that in this life.  It's impossible.  Remember, He taught Moroni that He gives us weaknesses so that we can be humble.  And if we humble ourselves, His grace is sufficient to make those weaknesses become strengths but not perfections.

The Purpose of Relief Society and Visiting Teaching

Taught by Terry S.

What are the purposes of Relief Society?

How would you say the Willow Wood Ward is doing in each of these areas?

Joseph Smith taught that the Relief Society was "not only to relieve the poor but to save souls," and Sister Beck said, "The larger part of the work of Relief Society today is to look after the spiritual welfare and salvation of all the female members of the church."

Please read Doctrine & Covenants 138:56 "Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men."

Sisters, we were prepared and taught, even before we were born on the earth, to love and care for one another.

When I hear of sisters who say they are not comfortable in Relief Society, it breaks my heart. If we can't feel comfortable among our sisters, friends and neighbors, what does that say about us?

We need each other - I need you. The Priesthood doesn't have activity night. The Lord knows that women need to gather together, teach each other and help each other through tough times I don't want to talk about menopause with my husband- he doesn't understand. I want to talk to other women.

Look at all the good that is done on an individual basis. So, when we get together, the possibilities of what can be accomplished are endless. We have great power alone and together we have even more power to do good. 

In the first Relief Society meeting, Sister Emma Smith said, "We are going to do something extraordinary." We are ordinary women doing extraordinary things.

Here in the Willow wood Ward we are so blessed. As a Relief Society we are going to start doing humanitarian and service projects on the months alternating with our acivities. There will be a special committee who will plan and put these projects into action. We are looking forward to serving those in need.

Next,

Ask yourself this question-

Do I need to change my attitude toward Visiting Teaching?

As I was preparing for this lesson, I wondered what I could say to change the attitudes about visiting teaching. I realized that there was nothing I could say that hasn't already been said a thousand different ways. What I realized is that change can only come through the Holy Ghost. If you ask and want a change in your attitude it can come.

Sister Beck also said in General Conference 2009, "Because we follow the example and teachings of Jesus Christ, we value this sacred assignment to love, know, serve, understand, teach, and minister in His behalf. A sister in this church has no other responsibility outside of her family that has the potential to do as much good as does visiting teaching."

She also said, "It is our blessing to pray for another sister and receive inspiration as to how the Lord would have us care for one of His daughters." And, "Faithfully serving as a visiting teacher is evidence of our discipleship."

                       

We have been asked by the General Relief Society of the church to change the way visiting teaching is reported. When you talk to your visiting teaching supervisor, she will now ask you how your sisters are doing. Not whether or not you got your visiting teaching done but what's going on with them. We want to know the good things and the bad things. Keep confidences and follow the promptings of the Spirit. You'll never go wrong by listening to the still small voice. It won't scream and yell or knock you on the side of your head. You have to live your life worthy to be able to hear it.

I know God lives and He wants us to take care of each other. We will find the greatest joy in our own lives by serving someone else. Thank you for serving one another.

May Calendar

Don't you just LOVE May!!!

The Earth is cloaked in green again. 

Flowers are blooming everywhere and the birds are 

singing their happy return.

This is the time to go outside, 

steal a minute in the glorious sunshine and 

just breath in an intoxicating 

moment of renewing joy!

*Recipe Group will be at Ingar D's house.

She is teaching mole' and spanish rice.

Presidents Message:

We are sad to say good by to Marilee as she leaves us to join the Stake Relief Society Presidency! We have truly been blessed by her wonderful lessons taught and service rendered.

We want to thank Katie for serving as a Relief Society teacher and Welcome her as Secretary to the Presidency. We look forward to her young 

and vibrant addition. 

Thank you both for your willingness to serve where ever the Lord calls you!

We are asking as you call your VT Supervisor with your Visiting Teaching report each Month, that you report how your Sisters are doing? What are their concerns, their needs, their happy happenings!

This will help not only you, but us, in our stewardship over each other as we give attentive, continuous loving care to watching over one another.

In an address titled; "Visiting Teaching: The Heart and Soul of Relief Society" given at the Fall 2003 Open House by Sister Bonnie D. Parkin, then the Relief Society General President, she talked about 'Watchcare'.

She said; "Visiting teaching creates connections for women.... Sisters, do we understand the purpose of visiting teaching?.......the handbook says: 

"The purposes of visiting teaching are to build caring relationships with each sister and to offer support, comfort, and friendship. This is what we call watchcare. In visiting teaching, both the giver and the receiver are blessed and strengthened...."

We are so grateful for the wonderful 

'Watchcare' 

being done by all you Willow Wood Women.  

You are the hands and heart of the Lord!

Luke 4:10

"For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:

Love, Terry

Leila

Nancy

Katie

April Calendar

 

Don't you just Love Spring!!!

Message from your President; 

Visiting Teaching was up to 87 percent for March. We don't focus on numbers for numbers sake, but are happy with high numbers for the sake of knowing we are looking out for one another!

A big 

Thank You 

for caring for one another!

• March 31st & April 1st: GENERAL CONFERENCE

• Tues, 3rd: NO BOOK OF MORMON CLASS

• Sunday, 8th: Easter

• Tuesday, 10th: Recipe Group

7:00pm @ Sydney G's Home 

Gourmet Steak Sauces

(can be put on Chicken or Fish as well)

• Tues, 17th: Book of Mormon, 7:00pm @ Sue G's.

• April 17th: Tuesday. State-wide Earthquake “Shakeout” Exercise. On Tuesday, April 17, 2012 Centerville City along with the State will be running a state-wide Earthquake Exercise. The stake will be participating in the Earthquake Exercise in the following way: Participation will focus on 1) education and earthquake preparedness, and 2) practice emergency communication between the ward (area) and stake (districts) and the city. The objective is to identify opportunities for our wards and stake to improve readiness and practice communication. The stake encourages families who are interested in an online registration opportunity to participate in this family earthquake drill on April 17th. The “ShakeOut” online registration provides helpful resource information and instructions on how to run your family earthquake drill. See: http://www.shakeout.org/utah/register/. Ward leaders, please see the attached document on the earthquake preparedness exercise.

• Thursday, 19th:   
   Relief Society Birthday Celebration:

'These are a Few of My Favorite Things'

A fun get to know you party 

and dinner!

        
        *Plan to bring something to show as one of your 

          favorite things. 

        *Bring it in a sack or wrapped up 

          in a towel or something so it is hidden.

        *This can be anything....and we mean anything 

          that is your favorite for any reason! 

Dinner will be served!

This will be another great evening out together. Bring your neighbors and the sisters you visit teach!

Note: There will be a nursery for those in need.

• Tues, 24th: Book Of Mormon class, 7:00pm @ Sue G's 

 

Visiting Teaching

If you need a good chuckle......

If you need your heart warmed.......

If you need some filling in your bucket.......

Click Here

You will learn something about Porcupines

you never thought of before!

As we continue on with our call this year to 

"Have-A-Heart-Like-His", 

we have come across probably the best talk 

ever given on this wonderful work we as 

Relief Society Sisters are privileged to do:

Visiting Teaching!

It was given at BYU's Women's Conference 2011 

by Mary Ellen Edmunds.

It is the most wonderful mix of humor, tenderness and feelings of the spirit ever brought together on this powerful subject!
You will be laughing and crying and just plain 
filled with joy!

If any of you have ever heard her speak or read one of her awesome books, you know what we are talking about.

Enjoy the boost in spirit!

Love, Your Relief Society Presidency

PS- Here are some of our favorite books from 

Mary Ellen Edmunds

 

'Make It A Great Day Cafe'

Stake Women's Conference

Stake Women's Conference this year was focused on finding and creating joy. It it so interesting that the Stake would be inspired to focus on 'Joy' at the first of this year and we were inspired to focus on 'Happiness' which is one and the same thing! This is truly a great need we have to reach our full potential here on this Earth. "Men are that they might have joy."  Research shows that happy, joyful people are more altruistic, more productive, more helpful, more likable, more creative, more resilient, are healthier,more interested in others, friendlier and serve more. Happy people make better friends, colleagues, and citizens. These attributes help us to have Charity the Love of Christ, bringing us closer to our Heavenly Father.

MAKE~IT~A~GREAT~DAY~CAFE

Finally!!! A diner that all will enjoy!  Open twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.  Even the most finicky palette will find their favorite dish in this warm and inviting 

Make-It-A-Great-Day -Cafe!

Offering down-home, "feel good" food is the motto for this diner.  Customers seeking joy will find that their appetites will be pleased and satisfied with the vast array of selections available to them.  Don't wait, dine today and create your own plate!

"Life is a fabulous feast of experiences just waiting for you to choose and explore. The best feast is at the table of the Lord. What is on the Lord's table? Love, good fun, uplifting music, peaceful prayer, scriptures, smiles, learning and service to other. That is where eternal joy can be found."

~Michaelene P. Grassli "follow Him." Friend ~

Points shared for finding JOY:

* Keep a "JOY" Journal and declare "A Day of Joy".  

• Do what makes you feel good, useful, and fulfilled.
• Make and refer to a list of "simple joys".
• Save unpleasant tasks, difficult people, and negative thoughts for tomorrow.

When we expect the best, it is amazing how forces are set in motion to create the best in our lives.

*Keep the rough "Moments" in your life in perspective by:

     1) Keeping the spirit close. Memorize a scripture to uplift and encourage yourself in times of need.

     2) Don't blame yourself for perceived shortcomings as a mother - Heavenly Father gives us all strengths and weaknessess. Mothers are not personally responsible for all their children's weaknesses.

     3) Remember we are all in this together: Comparisons (to another person) can destroy our joy. We can't be grateful and envious at the same time. Comparison's ugly sister is judging. We are all "perfectly imperfect".

*Some seek happiness, others create it.

"This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and have joy in it"  Psalms 118:24

     1) Choose joy daily.

     2) Reach out and show love to others.

     3) We can find joy even in times of trouble.

     4) Realize who we are and how Heavenly Father

         feels about us.

* Recognize the tender mercies in our days.

   Choose to receive love and gifts of others.

   Be proactive in finding happiness.

   It's okay to ask for help.

   We need our girlfriends!

President Strong closed the Conference telling us there are 

Three things necessary for true faith, or true joy:

1) To know that Heavenly Father exists.

2) To understand His attributes and purposes.

3) To know that the path you are pursuing is in 

    harmony with His will.

He gave an amazing talk reminding us to stay on the straight and narrow path. 

He said the path is defined broadly for us by our covenants and that Heavenly Father will personalize the steps that each of us take on that path.  These steps are not the same for all of us. We are all on different places along the path, and there are differences in how we go along the path at our own paces. When we compare ourselves to others we take Heavenly Father's personal ministry to each of us out of the equation. The plan of salvation is not a plan of self-deprecation. Respond positively to promptings to make changes in your life. We are meant to learn step upon step precept by precept. Have the flexibility and generosity to allow others to be individually tutored (along the path) by Heavenly Father. 

He shared a touching personal story about his Parents being in a car accident while on their way to the Temple in which his mother lost her life. It involved several vehicles leaving massive destruction. The medic on the scene shared his feelings of finding peace among chaos upon finding President Strong's parents. He said to find them in the midst of all that was going on, there with their Temple bags in back, holding hands was a feeling of peace. They were, as President Strong put it, on the "Straight and narrow path"

'Daughters In My Kingdom'

The History and Work of Relief Society
Taught by Terry S.

As my basement flooded a few weeks ago and I was home alone, I panicked! Feeling pretty helpless, I called my son Luke to come and help me.  He ran right over and found me in the window well bailing out the water. He asked why I didn't put the pump down in there to pump the water out.  I tried, I said, but it was stuck in ice and I couldn't get it out.  Well he just walked over and pulled it right out without much trouble at all and then said, "Boy, I would hate to be a woman."  I told him sometimes I hate it too.


In trying to get the Relief Society sisters and myself interested in reading "The History and Work of the Relief society", I decided to read it myself and give a lesson on the things I learned from it.  I chose some of the things that were interesting to me and that I thought others might also find interesting.

The very first thing I read was a quote by James E. Talmage.  He said, "The world's greatest champion of woman and womanhood is Jesus the Christ."  Even in excruciating pain on the cross, the Savior expressed concern for His mother, who by then was very likely a widow in need of watch care.  And, the first person to whom He appeared after His Resurrection was a woman. 
(page 3)

In 1842 the Saints in Nauvoo were busy building the Temple and women sought ways to contribute. (Read page 11) Initially membership in the society was not automatic for all female members of the church.  Women had to petition to belong.  They were accepted based on their goodness and virtue.


In February of 1846 the exodus from Nauvoo to the Salt Lake Valley began.  The formal organization of the Relief Society was discontinued. (Read page 31-34).  Though the sisters never lost sight of the institution, nor the promises made to them by President Joseph Smith but continued their work whenever and wherever an opportunity presented itself.  Relief Society was reestablished in the late 1860's. (Read pages 46-48)

President Kimball emphasized that visiting teachers need complete commitment and dedication.  He said, "Your duties are to watch over the church always~ not a knock at the door, but to be with them and lift them and strengthen them, and empower them, and fortify them,... and see that there is no iniquity,...neither hardness,... backbiting, nor evil speaking. (page 114)


There are so many good things in this book, I can't mention all of them.  You will have to read it for yourself.

I'll end with a quote from President Henry B. Eyring, 

"True chastity is the legacy of Relief Society ... why do we go visiting teaching?  Why do we take meals in?  Why do we visit and pray for our sisters who are sick or struggling?  Out of gratitude for His atonement, His infinite gift of mercy.  

And on page 179, President Joseph F. Smith urged Latter-day women to, 

"Lead the world and to lead especially women of the world, in everything that is praise-worthy, everything that is God-like, everything that is uplifting and that is purifying... You are called by the voice of the Prophet of God to do it, to be uppermost, to be the greatest and the best, the purest and the most devoted to the right."