Thursday, May 21, 2009
Visiting Teaching Thought
Learn to be there for your sisters. It is not only the responsibility of the visiting teacher to develop that relationship. It is on YOU as well. Don't be afraid to share your problems with them or ask for help. Heavenly Father has set up the church and the VT program exactly for that purpose, and to help you with what YOU need, specifically, no matter how trivial you may think your need is. Like Christ's atonement, if we're not invested in that VT relationship, or are too proud or afraid to ask for help, then those programs are all for not, and turn out to be a waste.
God Shall Be With You Forever and Ever
Sherri Wright gave this lesson on April 19th based in the story of Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail.
Notes from the lesson:
Joseph's captors knew he and his companions were innocent, yet they still went along with what the mob demanded.
The conditions in Liberty Jail were almost inhumane. The jail cell didn't allow the prisoners any sunlight, nor any room to even stand upright. Joseph and his companions were imprisoned with true criminals, yet their unbearable circumstances never broke their spirits.
Trials can make or break you. Joseph's experience taught them, and it teaches us, to rely on the Lord.
** Difficult circumstances have the ability to bind the hearts of family and friends. **
** Trials can actually strengthen marriages and family relationships. **
The Lord's love is always there. We may not feel it because of OUR choices, or attitude, or actions, but His love is unconditional and always available to us.
We should remember when the Lord tells us things will be hard, or "for a small moment" that it is from His perspective and not ours. 50 years to us may seem an eternity, but truly isn't when COMPARED to eternity.
If we can keep the Lord in sight and know what is on the other side, it becomes easier to let go of the pain and suffering we experience through our trials. It makes Christ's sacrifice pointless if we hold onto our own pain. We need to be able to be "finished" and turn our pain over to him.
For children and those around us who make bad choices and are suffering, we just have to keep in mind that we are ONLY in control of ourselves. Those making poor choices must learn for themselves. All we can do is be good examples.
When we get through adversity, each successive trial becomes easier to handle. "If I got through THAT, then I can certainly handle this."
Notes from the lesson:
Joseph's captors knew he and his companions were innocent, yet they still went along with what the mob demanded.
The conditions in Liberty Jail were almost inhumane. The jail cell didn't allow the prisoners any sunlight, nor any room to even stand upright. Joseph and his companions were imprisoned with true criminals, yet their unbearable circumstances never broke their spirits.
Trials can make or break you. Joseph's experience taught them, and it teaches us, to rely on the Lord.
** Difficult circumstances have the ability to bind the hearts of family and friends. **
** Trials can actually strengthen marriages and family relationships. **
The Lord's love is always there. We may not feel it because of OUR choices, or attitude, or actions, but His love is unconditional and always available to us.
We should remember when the Lord tells us things will be hard, or "for a small moment" that it is from His perspective and not ours. 50 years to us may seem an eternity, but truly isn't when COMPARED to eternity.
If we can keep the Lord in sight and know what is on the other side, it becomes easier to let go of the pain and suffering we experience through our trials. It makes Christ's sacrifice pointless if we hold onto our own pain. We need to be able to be "finished" and turn our pain over to him.
For children and those around us who make bad choices and are suffering, we just have to keep in mind that we are ONLY in control of ourselves. Those making poor choices must learn for themselves. All we can do is be good examples.
When we get through adversity, each successive trial becomes easier to handle. "If I got through THAT, then I can certainly handle this."
March Discussion Group: Apocolypse Chow
March's discussion group was held at Eachel Austin's home on Tuesday, March 31st.
They discussed becoming financially self-reliant which included getting out of debt (examples of debt reduction plans reviewed), ideas and tricks to stretching food budgets, discussed different food storage programs from Noah's Ark to Basics, and discussed becoming spiritually prepared to be able to withstand any hardships or to assist with completing goals set towards becoming self-reliant.
They discussed becoming financially self-reliant which included getting out of debt (examples of debt reduction plans reviewed), ideas and tricks to stretching food budgets, discussed different food storage programs from Noah's Ark to Basics, and discussed becoming spiritually prepared to be able to withstand any hardships or to assist with completing goals set towards becoming self-reliant.
March Scrapbooking Class - Lucky Me!
Scrapbook Night was held on March 26th at Shellie Carter's home. We all worked on a little blessings book entitled "Lucky Me". This was a good exercise in journaling, and in gratitude, as people were able to think about and list their top twelve blessings. Everyone gained a few new scrapping techniques as well.
Also turned out to be a cute addition to desks and bookshelves!
Also turned out to be a cute addition to desks and bookshelves!
March Cooking Class - Japanese Cooking
Cooking Class was held on Tuesday, March 24th at Ashley Nillsen's home. We had a great turnout for the Japanese Cooking! After a short intro to Japanese food, the sisters were able to help make some food. We made two types of sushi, inarizushi (a sweet fried tofu stuffed with rice) and makisushi (rolled sushi, like California rolls). We also made gyoza (Japanese potstickers). Everyone enjoyed talking, cooking and especially eating all of our creations!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Living with Others in Peace and Harmony
Sherri Wright gave this lesson from the Joseph Smith manual on March 15th. Joseph obviously experience much persecution. The lesson relates a story about a day when the Prophet was visiting his parents’ home in Far West. A group of armed militiamen came in and announced that they had come to kill him for a supposed crime. After sitting down and conversing with the men about the beliefs of the church and the trials the church members had gone through, they vowed to never again harm Joseph.
Speaking the truth in a kind, forthright way, Joseph Smith overcame prejudice and hostility and made peace with many of those who had been his enemies.
Question: How can we be a peacemaker in our homes?
We see a huge difference as we observe different mothers and how they react in tense situations. We need to possess these qualities in ourselves, and in our homes before we can be a peacemaker in our community.
Questions to ask yourself: Do you look for pride and selfishness? Or do we look for the positive qualities in others?
Focus on the good, and their positive qualities will overshadow the bad ones.
Speaking the truth in a kind, forthright way, Joseph Smith overcame prejudice and hostility and made peace with many of those who had been his enemies.
Question: How can we be a peacemaker in our homes?
We see a huge difference as we observe different mothers and how they react in tense situations. We need to possess these qualities in ourselves, and in our homes before we can be a peacemaker in our community.
Questions to ask yourself: Do you look for pride and selfishness? Or do we look for the positive qualities in others?
Focus on the good, and their positive qualities will overshadow the bad ones.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
