Quick Announcements

1. Relief Society is cleaning the church building THIS SATURDAY, March 31st at 8a.m.  We are hoping to be done no later than 10a.m. so if you are available to come help please come.  The more hands the better!

2. General Conference this weekend! YAHOO!  Times: Saturday first session noon-2p.m. second session 4p.m.-6p.m. Sunday first session noon-2p.m. second session 4p.m.-6p.m.

3. Don't forget to report your visiting teaching for this month.

4. April 8th is Easter and will be Fast Sunday as well

5. April 12th Book Club Meeting at Marquases Blimes home.

6. April 20th-21st are the Stake Temple Days.  Friday, April 20th 1st Ward Relief Society will be having their temple trip.  Please contact Sister Gail Schrader if you are interested in going.

7. April's service group project is a book drive.  Throughout the month we will be collecting new or gently used children's books for the Big Bend Education Coalition.  Please bring any books to church and a box will be provided to place them it.  If you don't have any books to contribute but wish to participate, Good Will sells children's books for cheap cheap.

A Worldwide Circle of Sisterhood

In Relief Society today, we had the pleasure of hearing a lesson given by Sister Lindy Allen on Chapter 6 in the Daughters in My Kingdom manual.  Sister Allen began by explaining that when the Prophet Joseph Smith met with the Relief Society sisters in Nauvoo, he taught them that "in addition to giving temporal service, they were to strengthen people spiritually (pg. 83)."  This is what is so important about the Relief Society.  As a group of sisters we are to band together and to provide others with temporal help and strength but also spiritual strength to get through life's trials.  "Relief Society has become a shelter from the world-a place of refuge- and a center of light to the world- a place of influence (pg. 83)."  


We have the responsibility as members of this church to help save souls.  This is not a small task and can sound and be overwhelming, however, Sister Allen pointed out that throughout this chapter it was the small and simple acts and things that really helped to make a difference.  If we have faith and are kind, show and do good works, and have kind word uplifting words, we can influence others for good.  


Sister Allen read us a story from a talk called "Awake, Arise, and Come Unto Christ" by Sheri Dew.  The story begins: 

"One Saturday afternoon, I was scheduled to fly from Albany, New York to JFK 

International in New York City, and then home. I had plenty of time to connect at JFK— 

until the Albany flight was delayed more than an hour. By the time we finally landed at 

JFK and taxied to the tarmac where that little puddle jumper parked, I had four minutes to 

make my connection. I knew it was pointless, but I had the feeling I should at least try. 

So I grabbed my luggage and began running, heels and all, through a maze of 

construction cones, up two flights of stairs, and onto the concourse, dodging mothers 

pushing strollers as I ran. 

With no time left, I spotted my gate, saw them closing the door to the jet-way, and yelled, 

“Don’t close that door!” The gate agent looked up, saw a middle-aged missile barreling 

towards him, laughed, and pulled the door back open. It is not possible to change planes 

at JFK in four minutes. But I did.  

Now for the rest of the story. About midway through the flight home, I suddenly realized 

a man was kneeling next to my seat. (I’ve waited a long time for a man to kneel next to 

me.) He explained that he and his wife had been on vacation when they learned that her 

mother had died. 

“My wife is so sad,” he said. Would you just talk with her?” As she and I talked, I 

realized we had a lot in common. I had been in a hotel room far away when I learned my 

brother had died. We spoke of losing loved ones without saying good-bye, and of the 

healing balm of the Savior. 

I doubt the Lord cared at all that day about my schedule. But He cared about a grieving 

daughter. That’s why He gave me the airport miracle—for her, not for me. My airplane 

friend wrote later to say that our conversation had been an important turning point for 

her. At the time, I had no idea what that visit meant to her, nor how the Lord used it to 

teach her something significant about Him, but then, we rarely understand how the Lord 

uses us. "

The Lord does care about the small things in our life.  Not only did He bless Sister Dew by being about to catch her flight but the women whom Sister Dew talked to was also blessed.  The Lord is truly mindful of our every care and concern.  As Relief Society sisters we must be in tune with the spirit to be instruments in the Lord's hands to help those in need.  

During the mid 1900's the world suffered from wars and distruction.  Physical walls like the Iron Curtain and Berlin Wall were put up to restrict some people and exclude others.  "In contrast, Relief Society sisters built spiritual walls of refuge designed to protect and include.  They came together in a worldwide circle of sisterhood and invited others to join them (pg. 84)."  

Sister Allen went on to tell a story by Boyd K. Packer when in 1980, he visited the country of Czechoslovakia:

"In 1980, President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Donna, visited a Relief Society in Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic and Slovakia). He later recalled:

“It was not easy to obtain visas, and we used great care so as not to jeopardize the safety and well-being of our members, who for generations had struggled to keep their faith alive under conditions of unspeakable oppression.

“The most memorable meeting was held in an upper room. The blinds were drawn. Even at night, those attending came at different times, one from one direction and one from another, so as to not call attention to themselves.

“There were in attendance 12 sisters. We sang the hymns of Zion from songbooks—words without music—printed more than 50 years before. [A lesson] was reverently given from the pages of a handmade manual. …

“I told those sisters that they belonged to the largest and by all measure the greatest women’s organization on earth. I quoted the Prophet Joseph Smith when he and the Brethren organized the Relief Society. …

“The Spirit was there. The lovely sister who had conducted with gentility and reverence wept openly.

“I told them that upon our return I was assigned to speak at a Relief Society conference; could I deliver a message from them? Several of them made notes; each expression, every one, was in the spirit of giving—not of asking for anything. I shall never forget what one sister wrote: ‘A small circle of sisters send their own hearts and thoughts to all the sisters and begs the Lord to help us go forward.’

“Those words, circle of sisters, inspired me. I could see them standing in a circle that reached beyond that room and circled the world.”³

Recalling that meeting, President Packer said, “I stood, for a moment, in that circle and felt the impulses of faith and courage and love coming and going on either side (pg. 84-84)^"

President Howard W. Hunter states, "You are chosen to be faithful women of God in our day, to stand above pettiness, gossip, selfishness, lewdness, and all other forms of ungodliness.  Recognize your divine birthright as daughters of our Heavenly Father (pg. 85)."  I know that we all face the challenges of some of these things but if we rise above them we can stand as true witnesses of Jesus Christ.  Sister Allen gave another great quote from Sister Dew, we are to "influence the world (and not be) influenced by the world."  

Sister Allen, gave a great story about an object lesson she participated in at girl's camp a few years back.  She said that all the girls had a candle and had to walk through the woods at night together to get to a clearing.  Once they got to the clearing there was one match present and once the match was lit, only one candle was lighted.  The girls were to then pass the light down towards each other from that one match.  As one candle passed the light to another the flame shone bright and once all the candles were lit the whole clearing was shinning bright.  This is example of how as a whole, we as sisters can bring so much light and goodness to the world.  However, even just one candle was able to provide a lot of light but all together much good and light is given.  

Henry B. Eyring states, "You pass the heritage along as you help others receive the gift of charity in their hearts.  They will then be able to pass it to others.  The history of Relief Society is recorded in words and numbers, but the heritage is passed heart to heart (pg. 86)."  

Sisters, I urge you to read this whole chapter in the manuel.  It was such a wonderful lesson with much insight into the purpose and teachings of the Relief Society and how we as daughters of God and sisters can and are such a huge influence for good in an ever changing world.

Upcoming Relief Society Quarterly Meeting

Mark Your Calendars!!  It's going to be AWESOME.

A need in the Ward

**Message sent to Ward Council**

Brothers and Sisters, 

Chad Stoops (in the young men)  is in need of clothing.  Please consider how your organization can assist with the following,  

Sunday-appropriate slacks, 33" x 32" 

White dress shirt, size L (his 15 1/2" x 32" shirt is too small) 

Dress socks 

Dress shoes, size 10 or 10 1/2 

A Sunday-appropriate sports coat 

2-3 ties 

Of course, a suit would be welcome if available. 

Thank you,

Brandon Porter

Pictures from Craft Night

You missed the Craft Night?  No problem.  Here are some pictures to get an idea of how it went.  We successfully made four.... YES FOUR, diaper cakes to be donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Tallahassee.  Enjoy the pictures.

Workin' hard to make them look pretty!

Yes, we had refreshments.  Yummy brownies and blueberry muffins and even more delicious lemonade with strawberries.

End Result, two boy cakes and two girl cakes.

I'm sorry if you missed it but I hope you make it out to our next meeting, which happens to be on Saturday, March 17th from 9a.m.-11a.m..  It's going to be an awesome celebration of Relief Societies' Birthday!!  Details to come.

Also, this Sunday's lesson is Teaching For Our Times and the talk is President Boyd K. Packer's called "Counsel to Youth."  It is in the October 2011 General Conference.

Announcements and FYIs

Announcements

Wednesday, Feb. 22nd: Craft Activity! 7p.m. at Kendal Hargrett's Home

Friday, Feb. 24th: Young Married's Institute class at President and Sister Burton's Home at 7:00p.m.  Meet at the church at 6:30p.m. to carpool.

Tuesday, Feb. 28th: Ward Temple Trip.  Contact Brother Cleve Atchley at 850-562-0603, for more information.

Wednesday, Feb. 29th: Baby shower for Melissa Brock and Margaret Keisling.  The shower will be held at Sharon Haire's home from 7:00pm until 8:30pm.  It is drop in type shower open to all the sisters in the ward (ladies may come and go as they please). 

Thursday, March 1st: Book Club Meeting at Leslie Russell's Home

Tuesday, March 6th: 1st Ward Blood Drive.  6:45p.m.-8:30p.m.  You get a super cool T-Shirt for donating too!

Saturday, March 17th: Relief Society Quarterly Meeting.  Relief Society Birthday Celebration!! 9:00a.m.-11:00a.m.

Friday, March 23rd: Youth Temple Trip

Saturday, March 24th: Stake Softball Tournament

FYIs

Lori Clark Baumann (4th ward) is selling 2 practically new remote gas model planes at great prices. If interested, please call her at 545-2700.

Sister Elizabeth Groves, who recently moved into our ward, is in need of cooking ware in good condition. A casserole dish that works both in the oven or microwave would be especially appreciated. If you can help, please see or contact Sister Delp.

Craft Night!!

This Wednesday, February 22nd is our Craft Night where we will be learning how to make diaper cakes and then we will be donating them to The Ronald McDonald House Charity of Tallahassee.  It will be at my (as in Kendal Hargrett's) home at 7:00p.m.  Since it is a craft night we do encourage you to bring whatever project you have been working on as well.

The Relief Society will be providing the diapers but we have asked the sisters to please sign up to bring some of the accessories to place upon the cakes.  We will be making two cakes, so two of everything would be ideal. Listed below is who we have signed up thus far and the holes of things that are still needed.

Small bottles of Baby...
            Shampoo- Candy Southern, Pam Brown
            Lotion- Sandy Taylor
            Powder- Carole Gentry

Teething Rings- Margaret Kiesling

Rattle- Pat Brock

Onesies- Kathy Hollett, Jessica Hudson

Burp Cloth- Liz Roberts

Bibs- Kay Lippen, Kristen Anderson, Gayle Grissett

Receiving Blanket- Amy Hardee, Camisha Hodge

Small Baby Stuffed Animal- Gail Roberts, Mechelle Stone

Pacifier- Kendal Hargrett

Pacifier Holder- Liz Roberts

Bottle Cleaning Brush- Laura Tew

Spoons- Patricia Atchley

Please, remember we would like at least two of each of these items, so if you haven't signed up and wish to please e-mail me with what you are willing to get.  If you are unable to make it on Wednesday but wish to still contribute please send your item along with someone who is coming of let me know.  Thank you sisters for your service and hope to see you Wednesday!