Lupes Notes - Mar 25, 2012

Good afternoon sisters, I hope you have a great Sabbath and rest of the week.

THOUGHT: “...I express gratitude that “in my Gethsemane” and yours, we are not alone. He that watches over us “shall neither slumber nor sleep.” His angels here and beyond the veil are “round about [us], to bear [us] up.”

Elder Robert D. Hales

Our many thanks to all of you in helping with Sister Sharon Backman these last few weeks and for helping with the funeral. The family was so thankful and I'm sure that Sharon was too. She will be missed, but we learned much from her, especially her missionary spirit. Thank you.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Relief Society committee meeting tonight at 7pm at Martha's home.
2. RELIEF SOCIETY BIRTHDAY DINNER (“Circled in Something Extraordinary”) - All sisters are invited to come and enjoy a delicious dinner and listen to our guest speaker while we enjoy each other's company. It's this Thursday, March 29^th at 6:30 pm at the Manila Chapel (by the blue silos and the pond). Please everyone come, you don't have to bring anything.
3. Remember that next Sunday is General Conference and we will not be meeting. Also put on your calendar that due to Easter, our fast and testimony meeting will be on the 3^rd Sunday, April 15^th.
4. Our Sewing activity has been changed to a later date in April
5. STAKE WOMAN'S CONFERENCE – Saturday, April 21^st from 10:00 am – 12 noon (including luncheon) at the Stake Center. “Look unto me in every thought: doubt not, fear not”. You can attend any 2 classes: “Maintaining Perspective and Focus in Today's World Through Small and Simple Things”; “Receiving Daily Revelation”; “It Costs How Much? Manage Your Money Before Your Money Manages You”; “Looking at Mortality Through Spiritual Eyes”. ( Our Pat Heaton will be teaching the class on revelation.)
6. Tuesday, April 3^rd at 12:30 pm we will be our Temple Initiatory Activity.

BIRTHDAYS: March 25^th – Pat Jorgensen; April 3^rd – Dia Buckner Happy Birthday to you both.

Our lesson today was given by Darla Cox “ A Witness” by President Henry B. Eyring.

I am so grateful for the spirit I feel in my meetings, the teachers that fill my cup. A Witness is the title of today message. I will start at the end before I go to the beginning. “The Book of Mormon is a precious witness. I now leave with you my witness in the sacred name of Jesus Christ.”

“I leave you my sure witness that God lives and will answer your prayers. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. The Book of Mormon is a true and sure witness that He lives, that He is our resurrected and living Savior.”

Is there any doubt that he knows his Savior? I wasn't able to attend the Young Women's Conference, but my daughter told me that President Monson that there were three things that we needed to work on: belief, obey, endure. President Eyring is this talk, uses pretty much the same words, the same method of teaching these three things: being charitable, a witness and enduring to the end.

Lupe's Notes ~ Mar 18, 2012

Good afternoon sisters. Looks like winter is back. Have a good rest of the Sabbath.

THOUGHT: Now I do not think that many members of the Church consciously urge the persuasions of men or their own counsel instead of heeding the Lord's. However, when we do not keep ourselves advised as to what the counsel of the Lord is, we are prone to substitute our own counsel for His. As a matter of fact, there is nothing else we can do but follow our own counsel when we do not know the Lord's instructions.”

Marion G. Romney (“Seek Not to Counsel the Lord, “)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Relief Society Birthday Dinner “Circled in Something Extraordinary”, Tuesday, March 29^th at 6:30 pm at the Manila Chapel ( by the blue silos). Come and enjoy a delicious dinner and listen to our guest speaker while we enjoy each others' company.
2. General Conference – March 31^st and April 1^st.
3. Tuesday, April 3^rd at 12:30 pm will be a RS Temple Initiatory Activity.
4. Thursday, April 12^th 7 pm we will have “Circled in Sewing” at Kay Johnson's home. We will be sewing blankets, making wonder ovens, and doing humanitarian work; or, bring a project you are working on.
5. Saturday, April 21^st, will be the Stake Woman's Conference. More details to come.
6. Get ready to enjoy the first “Guilt-Free Celebration of Motherhood” on Thursday, May 10^th at 7 pm, created by Amy Waldron.
7. SISTERS, please e-mail your information to Julie Glenn for the spotlight portion of our Relief Society. New sisters need to know about the existing sisters as well as we need to know about the new sisters. jcglenn@live.com You can include, places where you have lived, information about your family, mission, where meet spouse, hobbies, favorite scripture and how it has helped you in your life.

BIRTHDAYS: Today, March 18^th, Gisele Miller and Kristy Attaway. March 22^nd, Micheale Cluff. Happy Birthday sisters. Enjoy your day.

UP -DATE ON SHARON: We want to thank each of you for your prayers, food, visits to the Backman family. Sharon has now been able to see all of her children which has been her desire. Continue to keep the family in your prayers. We will continue to keep you inform as things change.

We are now enjoying a most beautiful centerpiece for our RS tables given to us with lots of love from our sweet sister Janet Thwaits whom we miss so very much. She wanted us to remember her as if we could ever forget her. She was a piece of sunshine for us. Thank you Janet.

Our lesson today is from the Teachings of Presidents of the Church – George Albert Smith, lesson 36: “Sustaining Those Whom the Lord Sustains” presented by Amy Waldron.

This lesson is a marvelous one. It is in the order of Pat and Neal Maxwell to feast upon the words of Christ. We will be dinning with delight. It is a beautiful doctrine to have, that of priesthood leaders who are called and sustained by the faith, prayers and confidence of the people. The leaders have learned humility. It is a great test of Priesthood leaders whom we have been privileged to sustain.

I thought about Janet as I prepared this lesson. What Janet taught me was that we as Relief Society sisters need to know that we can share ourselves with other people. That it is ok if we are not doing all that we should. A Relief Society class can be so OK. Some classes are so that no one share everything that's real. The gospel knows how to address issues but not the true feelings. Janet was somebody that kept us from the just stay on the OK. She told her husband that in this new ward she was going to lay low. She is a valiant soul. I hope her new ward can see through her. She taught us good lessons.

I have put on the board four things: Principles, Careful, Callings, Promises.

We will start with principles

D&C 21:4-5 “Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all His words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth the, walking in all holiness before me.

“For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.”

What do we learn about prophets here?

Lupe's Notes ~ Mar 11, 2012

Good afternoon sisters. What a wonderful Ward Conference we had. Our Relief Society speakers were great also. Enjoy the messages.

THOUGHT: “We must ...get our teachers to speak out of their hearts rather than out of their books, to communicate their love for the Lord and this precious work, and somehow it will catch fire in the hearts of those they teach.” “This is our objective—to have love of God and commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ 'catch fire' in the hearts of those we teach.”

Gordon B Hinckley

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. March Preparedness: Get together with your family and come up with an emergency plan that will work for you.
2. The building will be closed on Tuesday and Thursday evenings so that you can attend your caucus meetings.
3. Stake Technology Day – Saturday March 17^th from 9 am-noon at the Manila Building. To register, visit http://pgtechday.eventbrite.com/.
4. RS Birthday Celebration “Circled in Something Extraordinary “. All Relief Society Sisters are invited to come and enjoy a delicious dinner and listen to our guest speaker while we enjoy each others' company. Tuesday March 29^th at 6:30 pm at the Manila Chapel (by the blue silos and pond). If you have lived somewhere outside of Utah and would like to bring a dish from that area to share, please let Melissa Brady know: 801-628-4635 or mbrady73@yahoo.co. Please come even if you don't bring anything. You are so important to us.
5. Please take a moment and send your spotlight information to Julie Glenn at jcglen@live.com. Include places you have lived, information about your family, your hobbies, your favorite scripture and how it has helped you in your life, and anything else you can think of. Even if you have lived here forever, the new sisters don't know anything about you.
6. Because of General Conference and Easter in April, Fast Sunday will be on April 15^th, the 3^rd Sunday.
7. SINGLE ADULT FHE: (31+) Monday March 12, 2012, 7 pm at the Manilla Stake enter. The speaker will be Brother George D Durrant. Refreshments will be served.

BIRTHDAYS: 12^th – Amy Smart and 13^th – Rebecca Poulsen. Happy Birthday sisters.

UPDATE ON SHARON BACKMAN: We want to thank each of you for all your caring and prayers, your kindness and visits. Sharon is not doing well. Hospice is trying to make her as comfortable as possible. Please continue to keep her and Brother Backman in your prayers.

Mona Porter, Stake RS second counselor:

It's a pleasure to be here. It is great to be among people who feel the spirit. Your visits with Sister Backman is an experience you won't forget. I had that opportunity with both my mother and mother-in-law. It is a sacred experience. I've seen the love of Christ thru them and the people showing loved to them. I have a testimony of that.

Lupe's Notes ~ Mar. 4, 2012

The Holy Priesthood—for the Blessing of God's Children

What a lovely day this turn out to be. And what a wonderful spirit was felt as we heard testimonies of the Savior and his goodness.

THOUGHT: “Each of the major writers of the Book of Mormon testified that he wrote for future generations...”If they saw our day and chose those things which would be of greatest worth to us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon? We should constantly ask ourselves, 'Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or Moroni or Alma) to include that in his record? What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day and age?'...”...In the Book of Mormon we find lessons for dealing with persecution and apostasy. We learn much about how to do missionary work. And more than anywhere else, we see in the Book of Mormon the dangers of materialism and setting our hearts on the things of the world. Can anyone doubt that this book was meant for us and that in it we find great power, great comfort, and great protection?”

President Ezra Taft Benson

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. March Preparedness: make an emergency family plan. Check the blog for more information and review your Preparedness Binder. Http://manila12thwardrs.blogspotcom
2. Our sweet sister Sharon Backman is not doing well. Please keep her in your prayers. You will be getting an e-mail regarding her situation and how you can help.
3. Remember that Tuesday, March 6th is our Ward Anniversary Annual Endowment Session – be at the Temple Chapel by 7:45 pm and then we will be doing an 8:15 session after a member of the Temple Presidency will address us.
4. Empty Nesters - Monday, Mar. 5^th at 7 pm at Harold & Carolyn Asplunds (1139 E 1350 N) Sharon Anderson will speak on “Joseph Smith”
5. WARD CONFERENCE next Sunday. Please try to be in your seats before 9 am.
6. STAKE TECHNOLOGY DAY – Saturday, March 17^th from 9 am – noon @ the Manila Building. We will have an opening keynote, followed by 2 sessions of breakout meetings where you will hear from several knowledgeable speakers. To register, visit http://pgtechday.eventbrite.com/.
7. BLOOD DRIVE – Saturday, March 17^th. Contact Brother Moon if you haven't signed up.
8. RELIEF SOCIETY BIRTHDAY DINNER – Thursday, March 29^th at 6:30 pm in the Manila Building by the blue silos. “Circled in Something Extraordinary”. We will sample foods from all over the world.

Our lesson today was presented by Tiffany and it was Lesson 5 The Holy Priesthood—for the Blessing of God's Children

It's been a while since I have been here, kind of a little vacation between Stake Conference and my having to travel. I am grateful for the opportunity to study, read and ponder this lesson. Two thoughts came to my mind as I did so.

1. I think about the things that I hold dearest and nearest to me. The blessings as a result of the priesthood.
2. All hope for the eternities as a result of the blessings of the priesthood. The spirit testifying to me of the hope for the blessings in eternity.

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March 2012 Preparedness Reminder

This month is simple but very important!

Discuss with family members the ways to escape from danger during an emergency:

1. What would you take with you? 
2. How would you get out of the house? 
3. Where would you meet?  
4. If separated who would you contact so everyone can be reunited? 

Talk about various kinds of emergencies that may happen:

1. fire 
2. flood 
3. gas leaks or spills 
4. terrorists
5. shootings 
6. earthquakes. etc.

See below for your handouts containing great ideas, preparedness test, and a Family Communications Plan from Homeland Security. This would make a great family night!

We live in a time when the best protection we can have is Spiritual protection.  Staying close to the promptings of the Holy Ghost will give you courage, guide your every action, protect you, and give you peace to act appropriately.  Daily scripture study and daily prayers individually and as a family along with weekly Family Home Evenings and regular attendance at the temple seem like simple things to do but they are our Shield from the storms of life.  When we do all we can to be prepared, then the Lord will do the rest. 

~ Here are the March Handouts for our Preparedness Binders ~
Click here to download & print these papers
Click on image to enlarge