11/29/09

Monty Hamilton gave the combined lesson. We discussed the 3-fold mission of the church--Perfect the Saints, Redeem the Dead, and Preach the Gospel and Monty wrote some examples of each area.
Much of the discussion centered around Home and Visiting Teaching. A visitor thanked the ward for helping her daughter by bringing her food, getting together as friends, and giving her opportunities to share. Another sister said she had a rough year, and she really could have used a friend, or someone to help her through the difficult times.
We are all busy, but don't forget to look around and share your spirit. It reminds me of a story I heard, where several seminary students were asked to write talks on the Good Samaritan, then were told to rush to the place where they were to present their talk. The catch? They had to hurry past someone (a plant) who was in desperate need.
Most people ran past the person who needed them without helping. What would you do? What DO you do? We are all busy. Really busy. How do we balance our time with family, job, friends, church and other responsibilities? How do we know if someone needs us? What do you think?

Our ward has several goals.

1. Book of Mormon: Starting December 1, please read 3 chapters in the Book of Mormon per day. If you can't, at least read the headings too keep up with the rest of the ward. There is a reading list, with one scripture to be marked and pondered each day. If you need one, please contact a member of the bishopric or your home or visiting teachers. The goal is to be finished by Feb. 14.
   
2. Better Home and Visiting Teaching: Most wards and stakes get about 23%. People mean more than numbers, of course, but the numbers give an idea of what is happening. These visits are the eyes and ears of the bishop, who cannot possibly get to everyone he would like to visit. Be a true friend to the people you visit. Do you need to call or visit more than once a month? Use prayer and the Spirit to determine what your families need from you.
3. Missionary work: Next Fast Sunday, fast and pray for someone who you can bring to church with you the following week. This could be a non-member or a less active member. We are so blessed and this is an opportunity to share valuable information with the people around us.
   
4. Temple attendance: Every third Thursday will be a ward Temple Night.
   

Instead of a Relief Society Meeting this month, Erlyn has created an Angel Tree. Please contact her for information about what gifts the children need or would like.

11/22/09

What a special spirit was in Relief Society during Ila Peterson's lesson. First, we heard in Sacrament and Sunday School about sharing the gospel, and the message was repeated in Relief Society. We heard several stories about and from converts. Kleenex's were passed around as the stories touched our hearts.

Sharing the gospel is more than convincing others to listen to the missionaries. We can do simple things: pray for people; get involved with their lives and care about them unconditionally; put their name on the temple prayer roll; stay worthy so we can feel the Spirit and be ready to do things; give service; etc.

Thank you to the sisters who shared their conversion experiences:

• Visiting teachers can make a difference. (Even when you don't feel welcome)
• Be a true, unconditional friend.
  
• You never know how much people are really absorbing.
• Nonmembers listen and watch.
• Never give up.
• The Lord will work on His own time.
• The Spirit does the work. You just need to be the instrument.

Calendar:

• Don't forget to fast and pray on December 6 for a person you would like to invite to Sacrament meeting on December 13 or to the Night of Christmas music at the Stake Center that same night.
  
• Ward challenge to read the Book of Mormon by February 14. If you can read 3 chapters a day, you can make it, but do what you can.
  
• Ward Christmas Party on Friday December 18 6:00 at the Stake Center (so there is more room)
• Welcome to Charlotte Longmore as a Visiting Teacher Supervisor.
• If you'd like to be a Visiting Teacher, please let Melanie know.
• If you didn't get a Relief Society Directory, please let Kathy T. know.