Ward Easter Dinner!

Just a quick reminder, the Ward Easter Dinner is tomorrow night (Friday) at 6pm at the stake center.  We will be having yummy pulled pork sandwiches.  Please bring a salad or dessert to share if you can. The Primary will singing and there will be an Easter Egg Hunt so don't forget baskets for the kids.  We hope you can all make it, it should be a lot of fun! :)

 

There are still a few days left in March so if you haven't, please get out and visit with your sisters!

SUNDAY 03/03

 The missionaries taught a wonderful lesson on how we are all missionaries.  How we can help member and non member with the gospel. Don't forget to do your visting teaching and get to know your sisters. 

10 Cow Woman Activity

We had such a good time at our Relief Society Birthday activity, Ten Cow Woman.  Thanks so much to Sister Helm, Sister Dykes, and Sister Martin for taking the time to talk to us on how to be a Holy Cow, Mad Cow, and with Moo-sic appreciation.  It was a wonderful night.  And thanks to all the yummy goodies and milk brought.  

 

 Absolutely LOVED the centerpieces, thanks Bri!

 

 

Its the beginning of a new month, remember to get out and visit your sisters! 

 

*And thanks so much for all the wonderful baby boy items donated to Sister Johannson. She now has plenty of things to clothe her extra addition in their home.  She is so grateful for all the love she has felt from you:)  

Thank you!

Thanks so much sisters for all your help with the lap blankets.  It was a success.  We are grateful for all the machines, fabric and things donated and the especially for the hands that helped.

 

For the sisters who still have blankets out, we would like them turned in by March 10th, then we will deliver them to a local assisted living center. 

 

Just a quick reminder: Our activity, Ten Cow Woman will be March 5th at 6:30pm.  It should be a lot of fun!!

Extra Meeting Tonight!:)

Hello Sisters! Just a reminder of our Extra Meeting tonight.  We are meeting at the stake center at 6:30pm and making lap blankets and eating yummy teats. Please bring any material, scissors, sewing machines, or thread you are willing to let us use.  If you can't bring anything, please just come and be with us:)  I'm excited to get to work and serve tonight. Hope to see you all there!

PS: There WILL be babysitting available for those who need it!

Just some quotes from our Sunday RS meeting...

Richard G Scott said, "Are there so many fascinating, exciting things to do or so many challenges pressing down upon you that it is hard to keep focused on that which is essential? When things of the world crowd in, all too often the wrong things take highest priority. Then it is easy to forget the fundamental purpose of life. Satan has a powerful tool to use against good people. It is distraction. He would have good people fill life with “good things” so there is no room for the essential ones. Have you unconsciously been caught in that trap?"

  "First, think about your life and set your priorities... Second, set short-term goals that you can reach... Third, through wise budgeting control your real needs and measure them carefully against your many wants in life... Fourth, stay close to your spouse, children, relatives, and friends... Fifth, study the scriptures... Sixth, schedule time for sufficient rest, exercise, and relaxation... Seventh, [as] families, teach one another the gospel, preferably in a weekly family home evening... Finally, pray often as individuals and as families."

M Russell Ballard “Keeping Life's Demands in Balance,” Ensign, May 1987, 13

"How well I know that we can surround ourselves with the material things to the extent that we have no time for the spiritual. Look around and you will see all the gadgets and toys and the nice and the fun things that cause us to squander and pay and to wander and play. 

We give our lives to that which we give our time. As I have said, while here in mortality we are subject to time. We also have agency and may do what we will with our time. Let me repeat: We give our lives to that which we give our time." (Elder William R. Bradford)

Some suggestions/comments in class: 

*Every morning, write down the things you need to get done for the day, with the most important at the top. Go through your day doing the most important things and go down from there. Even if you don't get everything done on your list... you did the things that mattered most.

*Spend time with your children.  The dishes and household chores can wait, they are only with us a short time in this life.  We need to cherish that time.

*Remember that Heavenly Father might have a different plan for you, so don't get too discouraged if your day doesn't go exactly as planned.

Learn By Faith

Learn By Faith

For those sisters who weren't able to be in Relief Society this past Sunday, we talked about learning by faith. Lorenzo Snow said, "The whole idea of Mormonism is improvement-mentally, physically, morally, and spiritually.  No half-way education suffices for the Latter-day Saint."

He taught us of: Education of the Spirit, Faith, Exertion, and Perseverance

Our teacher shared that, for us, reading the scriptures and gaining knowledge is compared to a child learning the ABC's. They don't learn is all at once and don't work on it one letter at a time (like starting with A, next B, and knowing it right away)  Children learn by repeating it over and over again, beginning to end until they get it.  Just with us, we don't just read the scriptures and remember every single story.  We need to read over and over again so we don't forget. Learning is always an ongoing process...

 Reminders: 

Tuesday, February 5th is coming up. We are still in need of thread, scissors, batting, and material (flannel, fleece, cotton, poly...).  We are making lap blankets for local assisted living centers.  Also, we will be sewing them together that night, so please bring a sewing machine if you are willing and able. 

*We will be cutting material in 6x6 squares, you are welcome to come with them already cut if you can:)  Or bring the material to me (Raquel Goodman) and I will cut it for you. 2316 Sioux Trl Bar Nunn

Thanks Sisters!

Let The New Year Begin!

Happy New Year Sisters! I have a new goal to keep you all updated better with our blog.  We miss Sister Dirks who was so diligent in keeping up with it!

Just a quick heads up... Our next Extra Meeting will be February 5, Tuesday. Dixie Bedsaul is going to be helping us make lap blankets for a local assisted living center here in town.  We are asking all sisters for any material you may have lying around your house you won't be using to donate for our project. We are rounding up as much material as we can so we can make them on the 5th. 

Please call Sister Dixie Bedsaul at 258-8321 if you have material to donate so she can keep a count and know how much more we need to buy. 

Supplies or donations needed for the night: material, batting, sewing machines, thread, scissors, and helping hands!

More details to come...

Stake Conference

Tonight begins our Stake Conference Sessions.  There will be a Priesthood Session at 4:00PM, then an Adult Session at 7:00PM, and our Stake Conference Sunday from 10:00-12:00.  Plan to come early as seating fills fast!

General Conference Weekend

Today starts the General Conference Weekend.  Please try to sit down and watch, listen, or go to the Stake Center and watch.  This is a wonderful time to hear revelation given to our Prophet and those that work and serve in the Church.  Sessions on both Saturday and Sunday are from 10:00-12:00 and 2:00-4:00. 

We Thank Thee Oh God For A Prophet!!!

RS General Broadcast

Tonight, beginning at 4:00PM, will be the Relief Society General Broadcast.  Dinner will be served!!!  Please wear Church Appropriate Attire since we will meet in the Chapel to watch the broadcast. 
~~Contact one of the Presidency if you'd like a ride, we'd be happy to help.

August Visiting Teaching Lesson~Late

Taking Action in Time of Need

As visiting teachers, one of our purposes is to help strengthen families and homes. The sisters we visit should be able to say, “If I have problems, I know my visiting teachers will help without waiting to be asked.” In order to serve, we have a responsibility to be conscious of the needs of the sisters we visit. When we seek inspiration, we will know how to respond to the spiritual and temporal needs of each sister we are assigned to visit. Then, using our time, skills, talents, prayers of faith, and spiritual and emotional support, we can help give compassionate service during times of illness, death, and other special circumstances.¹

Through the help of reports from visiting teachers, the Relief Society presidency identifies those who have special needs because of physical or emotional illness, emergencies, births, deaths, disability, loneliness, or other challenges. The Relief Society president then reports her findings to the bishop. Under his direction, she coordinates assistance.²

As visiting teachers we can have “great reason … to rejoice” because of “the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work” (Alma 26:1, 3).

From the Scriptures

Matthew 22:37–40; Luke 10:29–37; Alma 26:1–4; Doctrine and Covenants 82:18–19

From Our History

In the early years of the Church, membership was small and centralized. Members could respond quickly when someone was in need. Today our membership is over 14 million and is spread throughout the world. Visiting teaching is part of the Lord’s plan to provide help for all His children.

“The only system which could provide succor and comfort across a church so large in a world so varied would be through individual servants near the people in need,” said President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency.

“… Every bishop and every branch president has a Relief Society president to depend upon,” he continued. “She has visiting teachers, who know the trials and the needs of every sister. She can, through them, know the hearts of individuals and families. She can meet needs and help the bishop in his call to nurture individuals and families.”³

FINAL COUNT PLEASE!!!

We're trying to get a final count for our Ward Temple Trip on Saturday, September 1, 2012.  Please leave a comment if you are able to attend.  Include number of family members, and ages of the children.  We are so excited for this trip.  We were able to get the Cultural Hall  at 3595 Monad, Billings Montana, where you'll be able to drop your children off for fun, activites, and snacks while you attend the temple.  The bishop has said that the youth will start Baptisms at 9:00 and the adult session will begin at 10:00.  Please feel free to drop your children off between 9:15 and 9:30.  We will then meet again at the meetinghouse for lunch as a ward.  Please look at your schedules, talk with your families, and decide soon if you're able to go.  We will have a sign up on Sunday as well if you'd prefer to have the extra time to consider.  Please contact one of the presidency or bishopric if you'd like to go and need a ride.  We'd love to have you come!  This will be such a great day. 

Hope To See You ALL There!!!

Happy Birthday!!!

Today is our Prophet, President Thomas Spencer Monson's Birthday!  Do something nice for someone today! August 21, 1927.  85, WOW!

Mark Your Calendars!!

 Young (Again) Women's Camp!

August's Extra Meeting!!

When: Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Where: Dykes' Backyard

Time: 7:00-8:30 PM

Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and join us for a night of S'mores, Games, Testimonies, and FUN!  

Hope To See You There!!!

July Visiting Teaching Message

Demonstrating Our Discipleship through Love and Service

Throughout His mortal life, Jesus Christ showed His love for others by ministering to them. He said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). He set the example and wants us to “succor those that stand in need of [our] succor” (Mosiah 4:16). He calls His disciples to work with Him in His ministry, giving them the opportunity to serve others and become more like Him.¹

Our service as visiting teachers will closely resemble the ministry of our Savior when we show our love for those we visit teach by doing the following:²

• • 
  Remember their names and the names of their family members and become acquainted with them.
• • 
  Love them without judging them.
• • 
  Watch over them and strengthen their faith “one by one,” as the Savior did (3 Nephi 11:15).
• • 
  Establish sincere friendships with them and visit them in their homes and elsewhere.
• • 
  Care about each sister. Remember birthdays, graduations, weddings, baptisms, or other times that are meaningful to her.
• • 
  Reach out to new and less-active members.
• • 
  Reach out to the lonely or those in need of comfort.

From the Scriptures

3 Nephi 11; Moroni 6:4; Doctrine and Covenants 20:47

From Our History

“The New Testament includes accounts of women, named and unnamed, who exercised faith in Jesus Christ. … These women became exemplary disciples. … [They] journeyed with Jesus and His Twelve Apostles. They gave of their substance to assist in His ministry. After His death andResurrection, [they] continued to be faithful disciples.”³

Paul wrote of a woman named Phebe, who was “a servant of the church” (Romans 16:1). He asked the people to “assist her in whatsoever businessshe hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many” (Romans 16:2). “The kind of service rendered by Phebe and other great women of the New Testament continues today with members of the Relief Society—leaders, visiting teachers, mothers, and others—who act as succorers, or helpers, of many.”⁴

Vertical Gardening

Vertical Gardening:

Sister Blevins was so wonderful to demonstrate for us how to make a vertical planter.  It was an amazing class and so fun to learn.  I just hope I (Raquel) remember everything that was taught! 

She made the wooden boards previous to the class. She got them at Home Depot and screwed them together. She did her own design with different lengths, but you can do what you choose. You can even add in more dividers if you prefer as well (to hold the dirt more secure). Just one in between worked fine.

Alicia added the pipe on her own. You can do it with or without.  They are for watering purposes.  With the pipe, you would cut holes in them (more on the top then the bottom) in order to water the plants. When upright, pour water down the pipe and it will come out the holes to water inside.  If you chose to do without the pipes, you would just water the plants through the black fabric.

 

Better detail of the boards...

This is bottom of the planter. There are two layers of the black gardening fabric stapled to the wood. 

 

 The two separate pieces side by side. (Here you can see the choice in different lengths, again you can do whatever style you would like.)

 The potting mix she used.  "Moisture Control" is preferred.

 Fill the boards level with the potting mix.  (Note: you will still want enough room to be able to insert the flowers later, but enough soil inside to keep the flowers firm in place once lifted vertical.)

Adding just a bit more soil after the bags. (2 big bags were used for this project.)

Once the planters are filled with soil, cover the front with one layer of the black gardening fabric.

Trim and staple.

 

Fold the edges in before stapling to secure soil better. 

Just a suggestion: once you get to this point and the planters are covered securely with the fabric (except maybe the top), place the planter upright and allow the soil to settle.  Add additional soil at the top if needed. You want enough soil to keep flowers secure, but not too packed so flowers can be inserted. 

 Once everything is stapled and secure,  you can start planting.  

Cut an "X" in the fabric (a hole just enough to insert flower) and plant the flower into the soil inside.

If the pipe is right underneath the flower, cut the bottom of the flower at the roots to split it in halve, then place the divided flower roots over the pipe, then cover with soil. (Only cut the roots of the flower half way up so not to ruin the flower.)

Flower inserted in the hole and covered with soil.

  From here you can choose the flowers you want and place them wherever you would like.

BEAUTIFUL!!

I know there are SO many pictures on here, but the pictures explain much better than I can.  I hope this post helped and informed well on how to make vertical gardens.  If it didn't, call Alicia Blevins at 307-277-6089; she can probably answer better than I can!

I absolutely loved this project and hope to make mine soon!

Brigham City Temple Open House

Just to let you all know, the Brigham City, UT Temple will be having an Open House in August.  Tickets for this Open House will be available for reservation on July 30th.  What a wonderful experience for ALL!  I can't wait to be able to announce the Open House for the Fort Collins, CO temple.  And the Star Valley, WY temple.  And one day... The Casper, WY temple!!!  Make plans now to attend in Brigham City if you can!  You can always find out new information about Temples by visiting www.mormontemples.org!