From the Heart by Shelley Turner, Dec. 5, 2010

The other day, I received an email from someone I barely know—a friend of a friend. The message looked to have been forwarded several times while making its way through the email “circuit.” I always scroll through these just to see what they’re about; I was attracted to this one because it contained not one, but two quizzes! If you know me at all, you know I can’t resist a quiz. Here is how the first quiz goes. See how many you can answer:

1. Name the 5 wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last 5 Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last 5 winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name 10 people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

Now take Quiz #2:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name 3 friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name 5 people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of 5 people you enjoy spending time with.

Was that a little easier?

The lesson is obvious. The people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They probably don’t look like Miss America, have an “in” with the President, or find creative ways to hide from the paparazzi. They are the people who day after day are simply there. They are all around us and, in largely unglamorous ways, simply serve, and give, and teach, and care.

‘Tis the season. If this were an email, I might urge you to forward it on to those people who’ve made a difference in your life. Instead, I hope you will take a moment to acknowledge all the people in your life that bless your life. And then tell them. Happy Holidays!

Give Thanks! Relief Society Activity, November 10, 2010

Christmas Table

Thanksgiving Table

Thanksgiving Themed Entry Table

We'd like to thank our Relief Society Activity Committee for the enjoyable activity yesterday evening. The evening began with a table setting demonstration by Kristy, a dear friend of Trina Metcalf, who works at the Foothill Basket Loft. She had set a Christmas and Thanksgiving table, as well as a Thanksgiving themed entry table. Here are a few pointers:
1. If you see something you like in a magazine or catalogue, save it in a book for future ideas. Then you can shop sales to try to replicate the design.
2. Mix and match dishes, using items that you already have. Kristy likes to use mugs from her Grandmother and an eclectic mix of dishes, some from affordable places like Fred Meyer.
3. Repurpose existing items for display. You could use leaves or twigs from the back yard, or stack two wreaths to make a more unusual center piece. A favorite trick is taking a large glass jar, filling it with sugar (on a slight slope) and then creating winter scenes in the sugar. Rice (from food storage) could also be used. The reindeer linen in the center of the Christmas table setting was formally a tree skirt--Be creative!
4. Make your meals personal by having little, inexpensive take-homes at each place setting. She also suggested using these special meals as a time to share family stories and traditions. Christmas hard, ribbon candies remind Kristy of her grandmother's home in Pleasant Grove, so she uses those as a conversation starter to family history.
5. Group collections of decorations for more impact, rather than spreading out decorations. For example, group sets of Santa's or Nutcrackers in a hutch or on a table.

Kristy and Janice

LuAnne Reese and Chantelle Brown were also asked to share some ideas for family traditions. LuAnne and her family like to do a family run every Thanksgiving. Each family member wears matching t-shirts made for the event, or dresses up in crazy costumes and make-up when the economy is tight. She also shared her family calendars, made with collages of family pictures. One sister suggested using pictures of family members on the page of the month of their birthday.

Lisa and LuAnne

Chantelle shared her Thanksgiving jar idea, where family members are asked to say something they are thankful for about family members. Then, at Thanksgiving dinner, the jar is passed around, everyone draws out a thought to read and share. Her family also has a really fun tradition of extended family desert night, where cousins and family members gather and create a family tablecloth. Poster boards are laid over the table, then a white tablecloth and colored sharpy markers are provided for members to write on the tablecloth. The next year the tablecloth can be read by family members as a reminder of things that happened in their lives the year before. What great ideas!

Joyce, Bonnie and Chris

Chantelle showing her tablecloth

Shelley, Kathy, Jennett and Joyce

Caramel Apple Bar

The Finished Product--My 'Giving Thanks' banner

After the presentation, there was a caramel apple bar, complete with hot fudge, caramel and lots of toppings for desert and the opportunity to create "Give Thanks" banners. We'd like to thank Suzy Smart for all of her preparation and time in putting together the craft project. They turned out beautifully.

Katherine Peters and daughters

Kay, Coralee and Martha

Lisa King and Char Riggs


We also had the opportunity to thank Debi Frandsen and Trina Metcalf for all of their work in behalf of the Relief Society sisters. Debi has been called to be the Young Women's President, and Trina Metcalf will be the Young Women Secretary. We will really miss them in Relief Society, but know that the young women of this ward are in for a special treat with such great leaders.

Trina Metcalf and Debi Frandsen

Jody, Debi, Suzy, Lesa and Trina

Stacey, Debi, Lesa and Suzy

Eliza and Lisa Groneman

Thank you, thank you for such a fun evening and for all of you that came to support it!

Pioneer Spotlight edited by LuAnne Reese

The following is taken from remarks made by President Gordon B. Hinckley on the examples of our ancestors. “Every man and women in this Church knows something of the price paid by our forebears for their faith. I have been reminded of this whenever I read the narrative of Mary Goble Pay, my wife’s grandmother. She tells of her childhood in Brighton. It was here that her family was baptized. Their conversion came naturally because the Spirit whispered in their hearts that it was true. But there were critical relatives and neighbors and even mobs to deride and inflame others against them. It took courage, that rare quality described as moral courage, to stand up and be counted, to be baptized and recognized as a Mormon. The family traveled to Liverpool, where with some 900 others they boarded the sailing vessel Horizon. After six weeks they landed at Boston and traveled by steam train to Iowa City. There they purchased two yoke of oxen, one yoke of cows, a wagon, and a tent. They were then assigned to one of the handcart companies. In Iowa City their first tragedy occurred, their youngest child died from exposure. ‘... we traveled from 15 to 25 miles a day, until we caught up with the hand cart companies that day. We watched them cross the river. There were great lumps of ice floating down the river. It was bitter cold. . . . I wondered what made my mother cry. The next morning my little sister was born. She lived six weeks and was buried at the last crossing of [the] Sweetwater. We ran into heavy snow, my feet and legs were frozen. The men rubbed me with snow. They put my feet in a bucket of water. The pain was terrible. [My} brother James died at Devils Gate. My feet were frozen; also my brother Edwin and sister Caroline. My mother never got well, and died between little and big mountains; she was 43 years old. We arrived in the Salt Lake City on the 11th of December 1856. Three out of four that were living were frozen. My mother was dead in the wagon.’” President Hinckley concludes with this question: “Should we be surprised if we are called upon to endure a little sacrifice for our faith when our forebears paid so great a price for theirs? Without contention, without argument, without offense, let us pursue a steady course, moving forward to build the kingdom of God. If there is trouble, let us face it calmly. Let us overcome evil with good. This is God’s work. It will continue to strengthen over the earth, touching for good the lives of countless thousands whose hearts will respond to the message of truth. No power under heaven can stop it. This is my faith and my testimony.”

From the Heart by Lesa Wells

Lately it seems that many of our dear sisters have been struggling with either heartache, tragedy, illness, financial worry, divorce, or depression. I ask myself every day, "Why them?" I know my turn will come and I understand what the Lord says in D&C 136:31, “My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them.” We all will struggle at one point or another in this life. Elder Gene R. Cook said, "Jesus taught that we pass through all these trials to refine us 'in the furnace of affliction' (1 Ne. 20:10), and that we should not bear them unaided, but 'in [the] Redeemer’s name' (D&C 138:13). The grace of the Lord through the Atonement can both cleanse us of sin and assist us in perfecting ourselves through our trials, sicknesses, and even 'character defects.' We are both sanctified and justified through the grace of the Lord." Elder L. Lionel Kendrick tells us, "Without trials we cannot be prepared for the great blessings the Lord wishes to give us. Struggles are a part of the sacred sanctification process…Sanctification prepares us to live in the presence of the Savior.” The Lord told the prophet Joseph, "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment…And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high" (D&C121:1,7-8). The prophet did 'endure it well' and we can too. I recently read the following words, "Rather than simply passing through trials, we must allow trials to pass through us in ways that sanctify us." My prayer is that we can look at our trials as blessings that allow us to draw even closer to Christ, keeping our eyes and hearts centered upon Him, allowing Him to sanctify our souls.

Father’s Day Spotlight editor LuAnne Reese

A few of the Young Women in our ward were willing to share their feelings about their fathers with us.

Samantha Stoddard about her father Howard: “My dad goes the extra mile, he is always willing to help and he can fix pretty much anything. He graduated in graphic design and he always uses his art skills on things like a birthday card, a school project or a pinewood derby car. My dad always helps my mom; he cooks, cleans and sometimes he even washes the dishes. On Saturday night if we don’t have what we need for Sunday dinner, he’ll go buy it, even if it’s 10:30 at night. I love my dad and I want to marry someone just like him. But most of all he has a strong testimony of the gospel. He gives us father’s blessings, and I’m glad to have the priesthood in our home.”

Markell Anderson about her father Dirk: “There isn’t just one thing I like about my dad, other than he is my best friend. My brothers and I don’t call him dad, we call him ‘Fabio’. He can make anyone laugh at anytime. If you ever want to go on a trip you don’t have to ask him twice. He’s an awesome guy, who I look up to!”

Laura Evans about her father Gary: “Last year my dad and I went on a road trip to go camping at Little Wild Horse slot canyon, it’s right by Goblin Valley and Moab. We camped in the middle of nowhere. We had tons of fun, eating junk food and telling funny stories around the campfire. We hiked about 3 miles in a beautiful slot canyon and came across Bowtie Arch and Corona Arch. We took lots of pictures along our hike, on the way up and on the way back. When we were coming to the end of our hike my dad told me he could tell is getting old because the hike was only 3 miles long but it felt like it was 10 miles to him! I loved being with my dad, camping and hiking . . . just me and him. He’s a wonderful daddy and I have so many good memories in my life because of him. He makes everything fun, especially with his sense of humor. He’s totally awesome and I couldn’t ask for a better dad, ever!!!” Jessa and Sara also wanted to add that they think their dad is one of the funniest dads ever! He is also someone with a lot of patience, understanding, very protective of his family and crazy at the same time. They think it’s wonderful to be a member of such a loving family.

Sara Esplin about her father Bishop Kimo: “ He works hard every day so our family can have food, clothes and a nice house to live in.”

Relief Society Summer Salad Social this Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Be sure to join us for the annual Willow Creek 7th Ward Relief Society Summer Salad Social this Wednesday at 6:30 pm in Jody Done's backyard. We will enjoy several sister's demonstrating how to make their favorite salads and then relax and visit in the beautiful garden setting. This is a fun activity and we look forward to beautiful weather this year, so be sure to come!

From the Hearty by Shelley Turner

This week, my youngest graduated from high school. We spent the day celebrating this achievement, first with pomp and ceremony and later with a steak dinner. His two older brothers had made the effort to spend the day with him, and it was fun to hear the three of them swap stories about their time at the same high school. Interestingly, although many of the teachers and program details have been the same for each boy, what each has taken away from his high school experience has been quite different.

As I contemplated the three of them together, and the passage of time that little scene represented for me, I remembered something a friend said years ago, something along the lines of “All these years I thought I was raising my children, but really, my children were raising me.” It’s true. I have certainly become a better person than I started out to be—stretched to the max in every capacity to love and to pray for and to suffer deeply for others, as well as to forgive and to see beyond and to have faith—because of those boys.

Like my boys at Commencement, I often find myself swapping stories with friends about our life experiences and the things we’ve taken away from them. And we often lament the fact that after gaining all of this wisdom “the hard way,” no one—especially our children—seems that eager to benefit from it! As the last one goes off to college, I’m struck by the realization that there isn’t anything new I can tell or teach my children at this point in their lives. In God’s school system, they will learn wisdom the way we all do—by their own experience. Perhaps the best gift I can give them is simply to keep my covenants all my life. And honestly, that is the best gift they could give to me.

My children aren’t the only ones who play a part in raising me. Over the years there have been many, particularly among the members of the 7th Ward. Truth be told, I have sustained a great deal of personal growth here in your midst, and intend to keep on learning with you and from you for as long as I can. The best way I can think of to say “thank you” for your love and support and acceptance, and for your long-term investment in me is, again, simply to keep my covenants all my life. And honestly, that is the best gift you could ever give to me.

Relief Society Presidency Message by Jody Done, May 2, 2010

Previously in Relief Society . . . Sunday, May 2, 2010, Jody Done taught the Relief Society Presidency Message entitled, “You Have His Love.” She began by sharing some of her life experiences and trials. Jody told us “I have had to rely on my Heavenly Father many times in my life and I still do. I know he loves each of us and would love to share that with you wonderful sisters today. He has been by my side through many trials and I still have to call on him each day.”

Jody expressed that “We have his love—he always loves us.” She played a song by Jenny Phillips, “To Become Like Him.” The key to Jody’s lesson was well expressed in the chorus of the song. “Remember you are greatest when you walk with God, when His light is in your eyes. You are truly strong, you don’t have to prove your beauty in the eyes of men. You are divine within. You were sent here to become like him.” Jody explained that part of our preparation for life on earth meant dealing with “sickness, pain, sorrow, death and many other trials. We understood that we would learn from these and He would always love us.” We can recognize the Love of God because he gave us scriptures to teach us and uplift us. He gave us a Savior to help us and show us the way. We have modern day prophets to guide us. The greatest example of God’s love for his children is through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Jody asked three sisters to share experiences when they have felt Heavenly Father’s love whether through facing trials or in everyday life. Pat Stevenson shared her experiences with her son Ryan’s accident. Ryan was airlifted from Brighton, where it was discovered he’d cut his spinal cord, resulting in paralysis from the chest down. Pat found it hard to grasp the situation, let alone the future. She found strength in the scripture from 1 Corinthians 10:13, knowing that Heavenly Father wouldn’t give more than she could handle. Doctors expressed that “Ryan was still Ryan.” Pat felt like a “cold, wet towel started to be lifted and a warm blanket was wrapped around her shoulders” from all of the meals, cards, phone calls and chocolate chip cookies (“chocolate chip cookie therapy”). Pat expressed that Ryan started a car show to ”give back” after he was shown so much love and concern from family, friends, and the community. Pat feels that God loves us and uses angels to show his love.

Donna Thorum expressed that she feels the love of the Lord through the world, earth sciences and her love of birds. Forty-four years ago, when she moved into the ward, she saw her first scrub jay, a beautiful blue bird that sparked a life-long love of birds and learning about each type. She has identified 504 different species of birds in North America. She also felt God’s love for her through the prayers of ward members in her behalf after surgery. Donna felt that all of her prayers were answered and she is blessed to still be able to look at birds.

Kendrick Smaelie shared her year-long growing experiences of applying to college. She looks back on her initial plans and how they changed as she made new decisions. Each prayerful decision lead to unexpected changes in her future path. In this experience she feels Heavenly Father’s love guiding her to where she needs to be, because she wouldn’t necessarily make the best decisions wholly by herself.

Kathy Jones shared a story, “A Penetrating Light” by Michelle Bowden about how she felt Heavenly Father’s love. Jody then challenged the sisters to go home and make a list of the ways we have felt His love in our own personal lives.

Jody closed by telling the sisters, “You are loved. Be positive and spiritually centered and [you] may feel more of your Heavenly Father’s love and how we can become like him: see as He sees, think as He thinks. Pray and talk to Him and tell Him how you feel His love. She expressed her gratitude for all of the help and love she has received from her Father in Heaven.

Other Sources:
Gordon B. Hinckley, “Women of the Church,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, p.67.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Love of God,” General Conference, Oct. 2009.

From the Heart By Nicole Fisher

At our house, we are in the midst of a major remodel. I’m sure if you’ve driven up our lane, you haven’t missed seeing the story high pile of dirt, chunks of cement and stacks of plywood littering our front lawn. Thankfully, we’ve moved beyond what we have jokingly referred to as “The Death Drop,” (for several weeks, opening the front door could result in a 12 ft. plummet to certain injury and possible death). Needless to say, I was concerned for the safety of my children and that of the neighborhood children. Several neighbors kindly asked how I was handling all of this chaos. I realized that I was actually enjoying the process because despite the dangers lurking in my front yard, I knew the long-term plan. Besides, we still had a safe, comfortable environment inside our home and had taken precautions to warn our neighbors of any possible dangers.
We live in very difficult, often dangerous, times. Unlike my house that was only unsafe for a short while, we are constantly bombarded with problems in our everyday life. In this past General Conference, President Monson said in his closing address “ . . . Today, as we look at the world around us, we are faced with problems which are serious and of great concern to us. The world seems to have slipped from the moorings of safety and drifted from the harbor of peace . . . My counsel for all of us is to look to the lighthouse of the Lord. There is no fog so dense, no night so dark, no gale so strong, no mariner so lost but what its beacon light can rescue. It beckons through the storms of life. The lighthouse of the Lord sends forth signals readily recognized and never failing.” I love the image of the gospel of Jesus Christ as a safe harbor, where peace and love comfort and protect us from the storms of the world.
I feel blessed to have the gospel in my life. Just like blueprints and caution tape in my remodel, the gospel gives me guidance, direction, safety and teaches me of the eternal plan of our Father in Heaven. Chaos may rein today, but I take comfort in the knowledge of a loving Savior who lights the path to happiness.

Upcoming Relief Society Activity

Wednesday mornings, April 14th and 21st, the Relief Society will be doing service at the American Fork Humanitarian Center. If you are interested in serving, please contact Carolee Millet (801) 943-3249.

Relief Society Birthday Party Social

On March 10, we celebrated the Relief Society Birthday Social. We would like to thank the Enrichment Board for all of their hard work and a wonderful event for all of us. Ruth Todd was the guest speaker, after an excellent Pasta Salad dinner with homemade rolls. A special thanks to the Enrichment Board, Debi, Megan, Nicole, Betsy, Leah, Danielly, Jody, Stacey, Trina and Carolee.















Thank you to Janice Sansom who contributed the fabulous pictures.

We would like to extend our appreciation to Janice Sansom for her service as the Enrichment Counselor in our relief society. We are sad to see her released from her calling, but know that the 8th Ward will be blessed by her enthusiasm and happy smiling face. Her husband, Matt, has been called to be the Bishop of the singles ward. Thank you Janice.We love you and are going to miss you!

Here is a thought from the lesson Janice gave on service and living a happy life.

Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.

From the Heart by Shelley Turner

I buy my shampoo by the liter, direct from my hair stylist. Right now, the bottle is about empty, so I’ve been mixing in a little water and then shaking it up, for a few extra shampoos. It works. The water gets that last bit of shampoo from inside the bottle and it buys me about another week. The same trick works for my conditioner, shower gel, bubble bath, dishwashing liquid and pasta sauce. Yes, pasta sauce.

You can blame this tendency to get my money’s worth on my childhood. My parents, who met and married during The Great Depression, truly knew the value of a dollar. Growing up in our home, nothing was wasted, and nothing was thrown out until it had served its purpose and about six other purposes as well.

Depression Era values, which in my opinion will never lose their relevance, come from a place of not having enough. That is a real enough perspective, but a worldly one. The gospel of Christ offers a different perspective, as Jesus tells us in John 10:10, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Gospel scholar Robert Millet describes it this way:

“We teach fairly effectively that the purpose of the Atonement is to enable men and women to have sins forgiven, and to emphasize that Jesus Christ gave His life for us. Maybe we need to teach a little more effectively the idea that Christ came to earth also to live in us. . . . As we enter into covenants with the Lord, He not only cleanses us, but He empowers us, He fills us. It isn’t ‘I’m getting rid of all the negative,’ it’s also ‘I’m adding a lot of positive.’ What Christ proposes to do is not just forgive us our sins, but, as Paul says, to impute to us His righteousness.”

Sometimes we as sisters try to take on everything ourselves. In doing so, we simply tucker out. We don’t have enough of ourselves to go around. But as we partake of the powers and blessings of the Holy Spirit—as we allow Christ to be “alive” in us—we actually reverse that trend. Our abilities and capacities are increased, our knowledge and understanding are enlarged, our spirits are renewed and strengthened, and our impossible tasks are somehow made possible. Unlike that Depression Era mindset, our thinking now comes from a place of plenty, a feeling of abundance.

One of the neatest things about the Atonement is that it is infinite. It has no end. Its power to save and to lift us will never run out and, in fact, is overflowing. When we think we’ve gotten down to the last drop, guess what—there’s more where that came from. The Lord is simply waiting for us to get our money’s worth.

Ten Rules for Happier Living from Janice Sansom's Lesson, Feb. 7, 2010

Ten Rules for Happier Living

1. Give something away--no strings attached.

2. Do a kindness--and forget it.

3. Spend a few minutes with the aged--their experience is priceless guidance.

4. Look intently into the face of a baby--and marvel.

5. Laugh often--its life's lubricant.

6. Give thanks--a thousand times a day is not enough.

7. Pray--or you will lose the way.

8. Work--with vim and vigor.

9. Plan as though you'll live forever--because you will.

10. Live as though you'll die tomorrow--because you will, on some tomorrow.

Pasta Salad Recipe for RS Birthday Social

Spinach, Chicken and Pasta Salad

16 oz. bowtie pasta, cooked al dente

Dressing:
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup bottled teriyaki sauce (I use Soy Vay Veri Teriyaki)
2/3 cup white wine vinegar
6 tablespoons sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

1-10 oz. bag fresh spinach
6 oz. craisins
3-11 oz. cans mandarin oranges, drained
2-8 oz. cans sliced water chestnuts, drained
1/2 cup parsley, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
6 oz. honey roasted peanuts
2 cups cooked chicken, cut into small pieces or shredded

Blend dressing ingredients together in blender or food processor. Mix dressing and cooked pasta in medium bowl and marinate for 2 hours. Combine rest of salad ingredients in large salad bowl. Add pasta and dressing and toss.

Save the Date: Relief Society Birthday Social

Please join us for the Relief Society Birthday Celebration Wednesday, March 10th at 6:30 pm. The theme for the evening is "Heart in Hand." Put your hands to work and your hearts to God. We are pleased to have Ruth Todd as the Guest Speaker. Dinner will be served and a nursery provided. Come enjoy a WONDERFUL evening!

(If you would be willing to help with providing food for the social, please sign up in the Bulletins on Sunday. The Enrichment Board is looking for volunteers to bring Pasta Salad, Vegetable Trays, and Sweet or Savory Breads or Homemade Rolls.)

Stake Relief Society Education Day this Saturday!

Willow Creek Stake Relief Society Education Day is this Saturday, February 27, 2010 at the Stake Center from 9 to noon. Breakfast will be served from 9 to 9:30am, then the guest speaker, C. Terry Warner, will speak at 9:45 am. Terry Warner is an author, BYU Professor of Philosophy and Founder of the Arbinger Institute. We've been told this speaker will "change your life" so be sure to attend.

This Saturday also encompasses the Native American Humanitarian Project. Clean out your closets for gently used men, women and children's clothing. Priority needs include boots, coats and jackets.

Fast and Pray for Haiti

Brother Ivan Flint, who is helping in Haiti, has asked that we might include Bishop Marti in our prayers and fasts, as his three year old son was kidnapped in Haiti. I will try to get more information on this matter in the upcoming days. Along with all of the terrible devastation, what a terrible tragedy to lose a child. Our fasts and prayers for this little boy and his family would be greatly appreciated.

Change of Date for Activity Day Girls Daddy Daughter Dinner

Due to Pack Meeting on Wednesday, February 17th, the Daddy Daughter Activity Day Girls Dinner will be on Thursday, February 18th from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the church. Please be sure to change your calendars!

Willow Creek Mom's Group

Moms’ Group

We are starting up the moms’ group again for those at home during the day who would like a change of scenery, a little adult conversation, and an outlet for their kids’ excess energy. In an attempt to keep things simple, we’ll just be meeting at the church every Wednesday at 10 to visit and let the kids play in the cultural hall. To make it interesting, there will be a small activity each week, but the primary focus is just to get moms and kids together and socialize. Don’t feel like you need to bring something in order to come; just come and hang out!

February Schedule
(All activities on Wednesdays at 10)

Feb 3: Mom and Tot Yoga – see if you can get your kids to exercise with you (or on you); it’ll be entertaining at the least!

Feb 10: Valentine’s Cards – We’ll have craft materials for the kids to decorate (scribble on) cards to grandparents, etc.

Feb 17: Potluck Recipe Exchange – Bring a favorite snack or treat and a copy of the recipe to share. (We all understand if you’re too busy; you can just bring a recipe, or just a treat, or neither. Just come and visit!)

Feb 24: Discussion Group – Topic: Discipline – This will be a very informal forum to just share our ideas on disciplining our children. How do time-outs work for you? Have you tried the bug jar? Raquel will share some ideas from “Parenting with Love and Logic.”


You can check this calendar
and find other parenting helps and links at the moms’ blog:
Willowcreekmoms.wordpress.com

March Empty Nesters FHE Announcement

March Empty Nesters:
Hale Center Theatre, Fiddler on the Roof, March 15, 7:30 p.m.
Price $22. Please order your own ticket.
Please sign the sign up sheet in the Bulletin on Sunday, so we can car pool if you desire.

Previously in Relief Society . . . Jan. 24, 2010 by Pat Rosenbury

Previously in Relief Society…Jaanuary 24, 2010

Sister Pat Rosenbury created a “Jeopardy” game with content based on Elder David A. Bednar’s October 2009 Conference address, “More Diligent and Concerned at Home.” The sisters were divided up into two teams, consulted copies of the conference talk and scored points as they gave the “answer” in the form of a question, as the game required.

The categories were: Express Love and Show It
Bear Testimony and Live It
Be Consistent
Revelation
Repetitions
Hypocrisy

Many of the key points from Elder Bednar’s talk, covered in the question and answers, were:

“In 1833, a revelation in D&C 93:40-50 contained a strong rebuke to leading brethren of the Church to set their families in order. His theme is based on verse 50, “more diligent and concerned at home.” …Tell the people we love that we love them. Such expressions do not need to be flowery or lengthy. We need to say it, mean it and most importantly we need consistently to show it. President Monson said, “We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.”

…Our love for spouse, parents and children is reflected most powerfully in our thoughts, our words and our deeds. Feeling the security and constancy of love from a spouse, a parent or a child is a rich blessing. Such love nurtures and sustains faith in God. Such love is a source of strength and casts out fear. Such love is the desire of every human soul.

We can also….bear testimony to those whom we love about the things we know to be true by the witness of the Holy Ghost. A testimony is what we know to be true in our minds and in our hearts by the witness of the Holy Ghost. As we profess truth rather than admonish, exhort, or simply share interesting experiences, we invite the Holy Ghost to confirm the verity of our words. Feeling the power, the edification and the constancy of testimony from a spouse, a parent, or a child is a rich blessing…fortifies faith… provides direction…is a source of eternal perspective and enduring peace.

(In our family home evenings), Sister Bednar and I thought helping our sons understand the content of a lesson or scripture was the ultimate outcome…The consistency of our intent and work was perhaps the greatest lesson-a lesson we did not fully appreciate at the time. Each family prayer…scripture study is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. Our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results.

A public statement of love when the private actions of love are absent at home is hypocrisy. The hypocrisy in our lives is most readily discerned and causes the greatest destruction within our own homes…children are often the most alert and sensitive when it comes to recognizing hypocrisy.”

Mother's Group Activity

For any sister's interested, there will be a Mother's group potluck luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 27th at 10 am at the ward house. This will be a great way for women with young children to meet and get to know one another. A special thanks to Amanda Yauney for organizing this fun activity.

Previously in Relief Society . . . Jan. 17, 2010 Gospel Principles Lesson #2 by Laura Nielsen

Previously in Relief Society…..
On January 17, 2010, Laura Nielsen taught Chapter 2 “Our Heavenly Family” from the Gospel Principles manual. When Laura thinks of heavenly families, she thinks of her own family as she grew up and how loving our earthly families are. She knows Heavenly Father loves each one of us and that we are His children. So, what do the scriptures and prophets teach us about our relationship to God? We know that He is the Father of our spirits and the Father of the Savior. (See Moses 3:5-7.) Joseph F. Smith said that we are “born of heavenly parents and reared to maturity in the eternal mansions of the Father, prior to coming to earth” (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith [1998], 335. Kathy Jones is intrigued with the concept that we are raised to spiritual maturity in heaven before we are born. She wants the opportunity to have a “spirit baby” when she is in heaven! Jennett Apgood shared that when she was pregnant with her first daughter she felt that their spirits were very familiar with one another. She has met others and feels that she has known them forever. Laura says that she thinks we get specks and memories of what our lives were like before this earth.
We developed personalities and talents in heaven and we have the potential to develop divine qualities like our Heavenly Father. Courtney Crofts shared how her knowledge of being a child of God influences her decisions. Her ideas can be daily reminders that we are daughters of God:
I show a sacred respect for myself AND others because I realize we are all children of the same father.
I realize that nothing I do or have done will reduce the love He has for me.
I desire to share the love He so abundantly gives me with others.
My strengths are magnified, my weaknesses are tempered, and my efforts combine with His to do so much more than I could alone.
I don’t have to compare myself to anyone else because the love of God provides all the confidence I need to be my best self.
I need not live in fear, because no amount of uncertainty or difficulty is too great for me to handle with Him by my side.
I am focused on the things of eternity, not the things of the world.
The real difference between knowledge and wisdom is the ability to put insight and knowledge into action.
Laura asked how others bless our lives through their talents. Amanda Yauney said that her own talents have come about because of the talents others have shared with her and their examples. Susan Smaellie says that she models her own behavior after the examples she sees. Nicole Fisher shared a story of a friend who helped her with childcare when Nicole ‘s family was living in Michigan. It made such a difference to Nicole and it helped her look for ways to help others around her. Lee Beckstead is grateful for the love and talents of the Sperry family.

RS Activity Highlights

On Wednesday, January 13, our Relief Society Board planned a "P.H.D." Activity . . . a "Post-Holiday De-cluttering." Debi Frandsen, Susan Smaelie, Nicole Berry and Ellen Sperry each gave fantastic ideas for taking control of our clutter to simplify and better our lives. Renee Evans gave a beautiful, spiritual lesson on De-cluttering our lives to make room for the Savior. This was a great activity with useful, practical information shared in a spirit of inspiration for those of us who may be less than organized. We also enjoyed "simple" refreshments of mini quiche, veggies and dip, grapes and water bottles. Thank you, thank you to our wonderful RS Activity Board for another successful activity.

The following is a list of Organization Tips from the activity (you can also find a copy in the Relief Society Bulletins on Sunday).
Organization Tips (or How we learned to get organized, plan a trip and shop IKEA)

1-Get a binder t ohold all your "important documents" i.e. passports, immunization records, birth certificaqtes, etc-Carolee Millet (There were several variations on this idea. Use what works for you).
2-Tidy up before going to bed. It makes you feel better that night, and starts your day our right.
3-Throw out! Throw out! Throw out!-LuAnne Reese
4-Cleaning as you go makes life easier.-Joyce Jeffress
5-A place for everything and everything in its place.-Kathy Jones
6-Check out flylady.net. Fly=Finally loving yourself. "I love her with all my heart. She gives declutter tips and helps organize your day and your home."-Lisa Groneman
7-Structure your day-Every night write down 5 things you need to do the next day. It hleps prioritize the most important tasks.
8-Once a week, have a planning session with your family and go over everyone's schedules.
9-Lable file folders January - December. File all your receipts and paid bills by month. At the end of the year, replace the folders with new ones.-Mary Seehagen
10-Use a work chart for your children. Check with Lisa Groneman . . . she has a system that has worked for years!
11-Want to really shed some of that junk that's building up? Enlist a buddy to help . . . they will be more objective about tossing things and it will be much more fun!-Debi Frandsen
12-Assess your storage needs and then look for products that meet thsoe needs, regardless ofr how they are marketed, i.e. divided make-up trays work great for jewelry storage! Ask Susan Smaelie for more tips!
13-Plan your meals in advance and write out a menu. It saves you time and money at the grocery store.-Ellen Sperry
14-Use your child's backpack, at the end of the school year, as a storage container for that year's memorabilia. It makes you sort out only the most important things to keep.-Nicole Berry
15-It's the moment and memory that you want to keep, not the stuff, so take a photo of your kids with their diorama, soccer trophy, etc. and keep that!-Nicole Berry
16-If you've lost something, check with Ellen Sperry. She's probably three hole punched itand put it in the Sperry Household File!
17-Keep your RETURN receipts in a separate folder/envelope and check them against your credit card statements at the end of the month. You'd be surprised how many times you are not credited for that return.-Ellen Sperry
18-Find a system that works for you. Everyone is different, and has different needs and levels of tolerance for clutter.
19-Your conduit to your Heavenly Father is like a dryer vent. It gets clogged with "Dust bunnies" of regret, despair, overly filled schedules, and outside influences. Clean it our regularly with prayer and the scriptures.-Renee Evans

Previously in Relief Society . . . Jan. 10, 2010 Gospel Principles Lesson #1 by Maureen Egan

Previously in Relief Society…

Sister Maureen Egan gave the first lesson in the new Gospel Principles study manual. The topic of this first lesson is Our Heavenly Father. Most everyone saw the humor when Sister Egan pointed out that although the topic is so vast, so encompassing, her material to teach from was only one page of summary and one page of scripture references.

She also remarked at how much she missed the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith, after presenting lessons on his teachings for the past 2 years. So, she was happy to include a very appropriate quote on our topic from him. “The things of God are of deep import and time and experience and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Thy mind O man if thou wilt lead a soul into salvation must search into and contemplate the darkest abyss and the broad expanse of eternity, thou must commune with God.” (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, vol. 3, p. 295.)

Sister Egan shared, “This is not a church of ‘do what I say’ but a church of learn for yourself. In group scripture study this past week, someone remarked that the great advantages and blessings of studying the scriptures cannot be done in a group. Why? Because the Lord teaches and inspires us individually. He teaches to the one, as we learned with Shelley Turner’s lesson just last week.

Is there a God? Alma says this is the greatest question – in other words, Is there a Christ and can he save us? When questions like this come to us, especially from our children, we must welcome them because it indicates that they are thinking about all that this question and its answer means.”

Neal A. Maxwell said, ‘In our day many are not even asking the question anymore, preoccupied they regard Christianity not as untrue or even unthinkable….but simply irrelevant.’

Alma teaches us to experiment upon the word. These three words seem to be key: Enlarge, Expand and Enlighten. What are some of the things that testify there is a God?
Janice Sansom: “ A baby!”
Susan Smaellie: “When looking back at history and all things over periods of hundreds of years, coordinate to a perfect end or timing…I heard a quote on the radio that said, ‘Every fixture of history is covered with the fingerprints of God.’
Amanda Klaparek “Some people think that science puts you in conflict with God, but I love physics and think there is nothing more inspiring or spiritual as science.”
Barbara Geertson, “We have mentioned birth, but having lost both my parents this past year, I see God in death and my knowledge that He is there was like a great security blanket around me in my sorrow.”

“If you truly believe there is a God, it changes you and the way you live. You can’t compartmentalize that knowledge and then live and act another way.” Sister Egan’s daughter, Madelyn, shared that she and her husband were inspired by a conference talk a few years ago by Henry B. Eyring. He spoke about keeping a daily journal of ways we see God’s hand in our life. It seemed, at first, that their lists were similar day after day but about two months into it, they realized that instead of looking back through the day, they were recognizing more and more moments throughout the day, as they were happening, not just in retrospect. They began seeing the Lord’s hand more often and in more varied ways.

“We are so blessed to identify with a Heavenly Father in an intimate, loving, personal way. This is what Joseph Smith is talking about…we have to ponder these things to commune with God. When you start seeing the patterns, the fingerprints of God in our world and in our life, it is like an explosion – you cannot help but see them everywhere and in every moment.”

Previously in Relief Society . . . Jan. 3, 2010 RS Presidency Message by Shelley Turner

Previously in Relief Society…

Sister Shelley Turner shared what she called “an extended spiritual thought.” She presented the thought “one is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do,” confessing, humorously, the line originates from a hit single she enjoyed in her junior high years. “Yet, we all can relate to the feeling of being alone, lost or the only one. Jesus knew all about that, and his life and teachings and example teach us over and over about the number one.”

Camille Fronk said, “Even when surrounded by multitudes, Jesus singled out and attended to the ‘one’. To the Savior there was never a sea of faceless people. Rather, a multitude was made up of individuals, each with a name, a unique circumstance, and an unlimited potential.”

Matthew 18:11-13 reads, “The Son of Man is come to save that which was lost and to call sinners to repentance. How think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of the that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.”

What do we learn about the Shepherd from this parable?
Joyce Jeffres, “We are all so important – those who are lost need help from us.”
Does the Shepherd not care as much about the 99?
Jan Ormond, “When one child strays, the others may feel slighted. It is important to reinforce our love and appreciation for them.”
Who is the one?
We are all the “one.” Isaiah 53:6 reads “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the lord that laid on Himself the iniquity of us all.”

“Jesus taught, ministered and even atoned one on one and one by one. In dong so, he demonstrated what brother Steven R. Covey calls, ‘an invaluable principle of human influence: the way to inspire and preserve the many (the ninety-nine) is in the treatment given to the one. Going after the one “lost sheep” results not in neglecting the ninety-nine but in effectively reaching them. Everyone is the one.’ “

Kathryn Turley, ”When I meet with groups about Hands of Heaven, a lot of women react by saying, ‘Well, I just don’t have girlfriends like that” but if you want good friends, we need to be good and kind friends. We need to be able to open up and let others in.”
Janice Sansom, “Simple things help. Sometimes I think I can’t help because I don’t have time to make a big, full-course meal for them…my friends who had experienced tragedy were able to offer little services that made a huge difference.”
Betsy Chamberlain, “Sometimes we are afraid to mention or ask about someone’s sorrow, afraid they will experience more sorrow. I had a friend who just needed someone to listen and was relieved when someone asked.”
Nicole Berry, “I have witnessed so many times in this ward a reaction of acceptance without judgment.”

“The key to the 99 is the one. Or put in another way, the key to the group is the one individual who tests you. The key to the family is the most difficult child. The key to a ward is its struggling members. Some ways to nuture each one are: Be generous with praise, be happy for the success of others, not envious, do not take offense, be a light – not a judge, forgive, be faithful in our stewardships.”