May we all be thankful for our many blessings.

Relief Society Newletter

November 2012

At this Thanksgiving time we all need to make sure that we take time to stop and make a list of all the things we are grateful for…a gratitude list and then share it with family and friends. I know of a family that always goes around the dinner table before they eat that wonderful Thanksgiving dinner and have everyone express their gratitude for the blessings of the past year. What a wonderful tradition. We as a Presidency would hope that we don’t get so caught up in the busyness of the day that we don’t take time to reflect on the blessings that we have been given.

“This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth,” said President Monson. He went on to say, “Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help and children who obey.”

“Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love,” President Monson said. Do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Regardless of our circumstances, each of us has much for which to be grateful, if we but pause and contemplate our blessings.

May we ever reflect our gratitude for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He taught us how to pray. He taught us how to live. He taught us how to die. His life is a legacy of love. Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His words. By so doing, we give Him the divine Gift of gratitude.

May each of you and your families enjoy this wonderful holiday season by giving thanks for all that has been given to each of us.

Much Love,                                                                                                                         
Lisa, Barbara, Jocelyn, Kay

November 2012 Relief Society Newsletter

As a stake Relief Society presidency, we enjoyed meeting with each of our ward Relief Society presidencies at our Stake Leadership meeting a couple of weeks ago. We are very blessed to have such dedicated, kind and thoughtful women serving within each of our wards! Our stake is truly strengthened by your service. We have also felt and witnessed the many kind acts of love and care that the Relief Society sisters in our stake take part in all of the time. Once again, we are blessed to have that kind of ministering happening here!

During General Conference, Sister Linda K. Burton, our General Relief Society president said, “One of the greatest evidences we have that our beloved prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, is the Lord’s servant is that he has learned to follow the Savior’s example – serving individually, one by one. Those of us who have entered the waters of baptism have covenanted to ‘always remember (the Savior) and keep his commandments.’ and He has said, ‘This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.’

During this month of November as our minds turn to the numerous blessings we have, I think that we can best show our gratitude to our loving Father in Heaven by following the counsel of our General Relief Society President, (Sister Burton) to remember 4 words…

“First Observe, Then Serve.”

As I have thought about the countless acts of kindness given to my family and to me, my heart is filled with gratitude for those Christ like acts of service. Thank you for observing a need and serving in the Lord’s way!

I know that we are all invited to follow Jesus’ teachings to minister and to love one another…we can do this by first observing and then serving each other.

May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, enjoying the many blessing we have been given!

Much Love,                                                                                                                        
Lisa, Barbara, Jocelyn, Kay