Sunday, January 31, 2010
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!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
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
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
Friday, January 29, 2010
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.
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.”
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.”
Sunday, January 24, 2010
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.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
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
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.”
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.”
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.”
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