Sunday Snippet

This week Peta gave our lesson based on the May 2010 Ensign "That the Children Might See the Face of the Saviour" by Sister Cheryl C Lant, former Primary General President. "Seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life." (D&C 101:38)
Christs invitation to seek Him is an invitation to know who He is, what He has done for us and what He has asked us to do.
There were three points that we focused on:
1. Love the Lord and our families - and all children.
We do this by knowing God and learning who He is and what He would have us do.
By reading scriptures and praying
By being obedient
By serving our families and others

2. Be good examples.
We can be worthy examples for all children by these qualities
Smile and be friendly
Kindness - having a kind manner
Happiness
Approachable and easily entreated
Patient and gentle


3. Teach the Gospel.
Find the joy of living the gospel
Going to church
Develop our personal relationship with Heavenly Father
Help children develop their relationship with Heavenly Father by using the scriptures and saying their prayers
Help children recognise the Holy Ghost and how He removes hatred and malice from us

"It is our sacred responsibility as leaders of this rising generation of children to bring them to the Saviour so that they might see His face and the face of our Father in Heaven as well. As we do this we also bring ourselves."

January Announcements
Saturday 1st
2pm at 34 Jenkins Street Taroona
BBQ @ 5pm
Bring your bathers and towel if its warm
RSVP on blog

Sunday 2nd
Meetings begin at 9am
please arrive early

Sunday Snippet

Fiona Cluff gave the lesson this week on "The Sacrament" chapter 23 from our Gospel Principles manual. Fiona began by telling us of a conversation with her cousin who asked why does Fiona take the sacrament often? Fiona found this hard to answer and was grateful for the opportunity to teach this lesson and learn about why we need to partake of the sacrament often.
We listened to a recording of sacrament hymn 196 "Jesus Once of Humble Birth". When it had finished she asked us what we had been thinking about while it was playing?
Had we been thinking of the Saviour?
"The sacrament is a holy priesthood ordinance that helps remind us of the Saviour's Atonement. During the sacrament, we partake of bread and water. We do this in remembrance of His flesh and His blood which He gave as a sacrifice for us. As we partake of the sacrament, we renew sacred covenants with our Heavenly Father."
We were divided into four groups and we analysed and discussed the sacrament prayers in Doctrine and Covenants 20: 77, 79
We covenant to take His name upon us and always remember Him and keep His commandments and He covenants that we may always have His spirit to be with us.
Taking the sacrament often helps us to remember Him and gives us the opportunity to repent and to do better.
We were asked how we can help the children be reverent while partaking of the sacrament. Tina suggested small books showing the sacrament kept especially for when the sacrament begins. Sisters Pat Barwick said to practice sitting still and taking the sacrament and Sister Elaine Watson said to discus it at home where there is an opportunity to talk about what is going on and what it means.
Fiona read a poem about what we might be thinking about when we take the sacrament.

Sacrament Poem
There was envy in the glances that a lovely woman cast,
At the hairdo of a neighbor while the Sacrament was passed.
And a teenaged girl I noticed, though a timid lass & shy,
Watched a youthful priest intently through the corner of her eye;

As he sat behind the table where the water trays were spread.
She was not remembering Jesus nor the prayer the priest had said.

There was nothing reverential in the things the cub scout drew,
on the pages of the hymn book till the Sacrament was through.

Not a thought of Jesus' passion entered careless elders' minds,
As they whispered to each other & the girls they sat behind.

And the high priest's brow was furrowed as he stole a secret glance,
At his checkbook's dismal story of his failures in finance.

There were hundreds in the chapel but the worshippers were few,
And I couldn't help but wonder what the Lord Himself would do.

I couldn't help but wonder what the Lord Himself would say,
Had he walked into a meeting where His saints behaved that way.

Would His loving eyes be saddened, would His countenance be grim;
While He there observed & listened to a meeting meant for Him?


Author: O. Willard Pilling

It is important to focus our thoughts on the Saviour as we take the Sacrament and Pat mentioned how there is a painting of Jesus Christ our Saviour administering the sacrament to the congregation.
"During the sacrament service we should dismiss from our minds all worldly thoughts. We should feel prayerful and reverent. We should think of the atonement of our Saviour and be grateful for it. We should examine our lives and look for ways to improve. We should also renew our determination to keep the commandments".
Thank you Fiona for reminding us of the importance of the sacrament and also for the gifts.


December Announcements
Merry Christmas everyone
Thank you for the contributions to Elder Shoobridge's Christmas box
Relief Society is scheduled for Boxing Day
In January we switch to mornings

Sunday Snippet

This week Amy King taught our lesson on the Gifts of the spirit.
It was very confusing at first as Amy and Lisa were teaching us the lesson in Japanese. This was to give us a taste of what it is like for international members and investigators. Amy said when she was overseas everyone including the Bishop came up to her and said Hello and this made her feel welcome and she encouraged us to welcome our international members.
We were then given a gift with a scriptural reference and we had to find the sister that had a match to ours and look up the scripture and discuss it.
With help from Chelsea the gifts were written on the board.
The Gift of Tongues (D&C 46:24)
The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues (D&C 46:25)
The Gift of Wisdom (D&C 46:17)
The Gift of Knowledge (D&C 46:18)
The Gift of knowing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (D&C 46:13)
The Gift of Believing the Testimony of Others (D&C 46:14)
The Gift of Healing (D&C 46:19,20)
The Gift of Working Miracles (D&C 46:21)
The Gift of Faith (Moroni 10:11)
To develop our gifts we must find out which gifts we have. We do this by praying and fasting. In Doctrine and Covenants 46:9 The Lord said "They (gifts) are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments and him that seeketh so to do."
We all have been given at least one spiritual gift to use for the benefit of others as well as ourselves. We can find out what gifts we are given when we receive our Patriarchal Blessing.
Doctrine and covenants 46:27 {"And unto the Bishop of the church and unto such as God shall appoint and ordain to watch over the church and to be elders unto the church are to have it given unto them to discern all those gifts lest there shall be any among you professing and yet be not of God." This is because Satan can imitate the Gifts of the Spirit and can deceive us with false prophets.
Our Spiritual Gifts are sacred and not for us to boast of, neither to speak of them before the world, for they are given for our profit and salvation.
Thank you Amy for the awesome lesson.


On Tuesday night at the Relief Society Activity many sisters attended (but if you didn't make it we missed you) and we had fun putting the hampers together. Kelly organised some games and Pictionary Christmas Carols was a lot of fun. We finished with a lovely supper including delicious plum pudding.

The High Priest Pot luck dinner on Friday was also fun and the food was yummy. It was an opportunity for Inga and Ian to enjoy a social dinner and we all enjoyed the beautiful surroundings. Another dinner is planned for early/mid January. The date to be advised.

DECEMBER ANNOUNCMENTS

Sat 18th Dec - Stake Back to Bethlehem Activity 3-5pm
Please dress up in Biblical fashion, bring a blanket or quilt to sit on and also a contribution of non perishable food.

Please check notice boards for further details or contact auxillary leaders

Sunday Snippet

Yesterday Blanche gave us a special lesson on Christmas. "Merry Christmas" was written on the board, the table was filled with presents and there was tinsel! We were given catalogues to browse through and paper to make out our wishlist.
Then Brother Sayers came and gently sang a "Away in a Manger" accompanied with a guitar for us which totally altered the spirit of the room. Mary (Sister Carmen) entered and told us about the night she went to Bethlehem.
Blanche then took down the tinsel, rubbed Merry mas from the board leaving "Christ". The presents were removed and under a large box was hidden the true meaning of Christmas; a nativity scene. Blanche had demonstrated how easily it is for us to be distracted from the true meaning of Christmas. The sisters then read from Luke 1:26-33, 2:1-19. We heard testimonies of Jesus Christ from Sister Dalton and Sister Stokes. We then wrote another wishlist which was quite different from the first one. This was the true meaning of Christmas. Merry Christmas everyone.


DECEMBER ANNOUNCMENTS
Tues 7th 7pm - ward RS Christmas activity

Friday 10th Pot luck dinner at the Oates'

Saturday 11th Glen Huon Carols BBQ at 5pm and Carols at 7pm

Sat 18th Dec - Stake Back to Bethlehem Activity 3-5pm
Please dress up in Biblical fashion, bring a blanket or quilt to sit on and also a contribution of non perishable food.

Please check notice boards for further details or contact auxillary leaders

Sunday Snippet

This week Angela taught us from Elder David A. Bednar's address from the May 2010 Ensign "Watching With All Perseverance" A spiritual early warning system . . . can help parents in Zion to be watchful and discerning concerning their children.
Noah, Lehi and Joseph(Mary's husband) were warned by God of things to come and were able to prepare and be saved. The Word of Wisdom is a warning to Joseph Smith for us (D&C 89:4).
There are three basic components to Elder Bednar's early warning system.
1. Read and Talk About the Book of Mormon.
The Book of Mormon is the keystone to our religion. Regular reading of and talking about the Book of Mormon invite the power to resist temptation and to produce feelings of love within our families. And discussions about the doctrines and principles in the Book of Mormon provide opportunities for parents to observe their children, to listen to them, to learn from them and to teach them.
2. Bear Testimony Spontaneously.
A testimony does not need to begin with "I bear my testimony" it can be declared simply as "I know I was blessed when . . ." Angela told how her mother shared a testimony with her as a story of when she paid her tithing and prayed for extra work ( as a dog groomer) so she could pay her bills. Her prayers were heard and answered and a wealthy customer was provided who told Angela's Mum how her three dogs had come and sat in front of her and stared at her and she realised she couldn't see their eyes, so she rang for an immediate appointment. The amount the customer paid including tip was the exact amount that Angela's Mum needed.
3. Invite Children to Act.
As gospel learners we need to be "doers of the word and not hearers only"(James 1:22). By being doers of the word everyone can gain their own testimony (John 7:17). Such learning requires spiritual, mental and physical exertion and not just passive reception.
Eldar Bednar says imagine a Family Home Evening where children are invited to come prepared with questions that the parents couldn't answer and they searched the scriptures together and were tutored by the Holy Ghost. Alma 1:26.
Angela shared another real life example when Michael Snr and young Liam had gone shopping.
Liam asked if he could buy a cake and Dad's initial thought was they could not afford it but he asked why Liam wanted to buy a cake and Liam said a child in his class at school had a birthday and was not able to afford a cake. There was a birthday cake reduced to sale price and with Liam's contribution of pocket money Michael Snr bought the cake. Liam took it to school and put it on the child's chair. His actions made the child very happy and brought tears to the eyes of the teacher and Angela too.
We need to give children opportunities to put gospel principles into practice so that what is known in the mind can also be felt in the heart, that they may claim blessings for themselves and be prepared spiritually for the challenges of mortality.

DECEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Relief Society Hampers this week is crackers and anything

Saturday 4th Stake Single Adult Activity

Tues 7th 7pm - ward RS Christmas activity

Friday 10th Pot luck dinner at the Oates'

Saturday 11th Glen Huon Carols BBQ at 5pm and Carols at 7pm

Sat 18th Dec - Stake Back to Bethlehem Activity 3-5pm
Please dress up in Biblical fashion, bring a blanket or quilt to sit on and also a contribution of non perishable food.

Please check notice boards for further details or contact auxillary leaders

One Night In Bethlehem

If you would like to practice the song we sisters are singing in sacrament meeting on 19th December then click HERE to view the words and music or you can see below.  We will have practices together each Sunday straight after church in room 6. All primary girls, young women and relief society sisters are invited (and encouraged) to participate...lets show the boys just how good we are?!


ONE NIGHT IN BETHLEHEM

1. In the little hamlet of Bethlehem,
The villagers gathered one night;
Have you seen, have you seen,
Have you ever seen a star so big and so bright?

2. And they looked at the trees there in Bethlehem,
The groves of olive and palm;
Have you seen, have you seen,
Have you ever seen the leaves so peaceful and calm?

3. In the light of the star over Bethlehem,
The shepherds stood watch on a hill;
Have you seen, have you seen,
Have you ever seen the sheep so quiet and still?

4. In the little hamlet of Bethlehem,
They heard the angels sing;
Have you been, have you been to the manger near the inn?
Christ is born, our Savior and King.

Sunday Snippet

This past Sunday we combined with Priesthood for a lesson given by Bishop Smith.  Bishop presented a timely reminder about the perils of pornography.  We also watched a talk by President Holland on the same subject.  Click on one of the links below to watch, read or listen to his inspired talk.

The link is http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1207-16,00.html to read the talk

or http://lds.org/conference/sessions/display/0,5239,23-1-1207,00.html to read/listen/watch the talk.  

It is the Saturday afternoon session of conference, last speaker, "Place no more for the enemy of my soul" 

Announcements


STAKE VOLLEYBALL IS CANCELLED

Wed night is combined mutual at the PCYC in Huonville

Friday 26th 7pm - Jenny Philips fireside

Sat 27th 5.30pm - Stake RS dinner & fireside

Sat 27th 8am - Priesthood service project at Lilian Goldstone's

Sat 27th 9.30 - 1pm YM Camp Preparation Activity @ Rosny

Tues 7th Dec 7pm - ward RS Christmas activity

Friday 10 Dec - Pot luck dinner at the Oates'

Sat 18th Dec - Stake Back to Bethlehem Activity 3-5pm

Please check notice boards for further details or contact auxillary leaders

WWL

Below is a link  for the November 13th 2010 Worldwide Leadership training material.  You are able to download the recording and review Handbook 2 online 


http://new.lds.org/training/worldwide-leadership?lang=eng

Sunday Snippet

This week the lesson was chapter 20 of the Gospel Principles manual, Baptism. Sister Andrea King taught us the difference between a principle and an ordinance, a gospel principle is a true belief and an ordinance is a ceremony. The first two principles of the gospel are faith in Jesus Christ, and repentance and the first ordinance is baptism. We must be baptised to become members of the Church of Jesus Christ. We must be baptised to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. We must be baptised to show our obedience. We must be baptised to enter the Celestial Kingdom.
There is only one correct mode of baptism and that is immersion by those with the proper authority. Baptism is not necessary before the age of accountability, 8 years old.
When we are baptised we make promises to do certain things and God promises to bless us in return. We covenant to

1. Come into the fold of God.
2. Bear one anothers burdens.
3. Stand as a witness of God at all times and in all places.
4. Serve God and keep His commandments.

God promises to

1. Forgive our sins.
2. Pour out His spirit more abundantly upon us.
3. Give us daily guidance and the help of the Holy Ghost.
4. Let us come forth in the First Resurrection.
5. Give us eternal life.

Sue shared the experience of her baptism as a child in Utah. How on the first Saturday of the month all those who had turned eight, and maybe the converts as well, were baptised by their fathers or the missionaries. It was a collective meeting organised by the leaders of the church and one after the other the fathers and their children would reverently go into the waters and perform the baptismal ordinance. Baptisms used to be done this way in Glen Huon ward too.

Baptism is a new beginning with it we begin a new way of life. Alma 7:14-16
One of the great blessings of baptism is that it provides us with a new start on our way toward our eternal goal.

NOVEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Every Friday night volleyball in the hall

21st Seminary and Institute Graduation 7pm

26th Musical Fireside with Sister Jenny Phillips

27th Stake Relief Society Christmas Dinner 5.30pm

December 7th
Hobart ward Relief Society activity

Sunday Snippet

Fiona taught us this week using talks from Sister Beck and Daniel L Johnson of the Seventy in 2006 and the Latter Day Saint woman manual and recent Relief Society training.
As Relief Society women we are guiding lights to others... we should however feel...LIT UP not BURNT OUT! If we are burnt out we are less inclined to feel, recognise and act on the promptings of the spirit and also less inclined to want to serve.
We are all blessed with

• Time:- We should consider our time as golden it is actually wealth, use it wisely.
• Talents:- Talents are gifts from God and are to be cultivated and used for His purposes.
  
• Possessions:- We should take care of the possessions we have responsibility for and be willing to sacrifice possessions for the building up of Zion. Tithiing is one way we can do this. 3Nephi 24:10

Doctrine and Covenants 58:37 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness.
We are anxiously engaged when things are important, we are whole hearted, and concerned.
This is when we are LIT UP.
When we are not anxiously engaged we maybe stressed, or procrastinate, or lazy and it may seem we are BURNT OUT.

Stake Relief Society President, Sister Katie demonstrated how we may be hindering our ability to succeed the word subtle.
Seemingly
Unimportant
Behaviours
That
Lead to
Error

Sister Katie also told of the weevils in her almond storage... she noticed that every single almond had just the top eaten, the weevils had only bitten off what they could chew.


NOVEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Every Friday night volleyball in the hall

13th Elders Quorum BBQ at Taroona Beach 11am

13th World Wide Leadership Meeting 6pm

21st Seminary and Institute Graduation 7pm

26th Musical Fireside with Sister Jenny Phillips

27th Stake Relief Society Christmas Dinner 5.30pm

December 5th
Hobart ward Relief Society activity

Sunday Snippet

This Sunday Relief Society and Priesthood were again combined to see a DVD about Family History and New Family Search. Brother Stokes gave us a flyer to help with registration, getting started, learning the basics and getting help.
The new Familysearch had replaced TempleReady as the means for preparing and submitting name for temple ordinances. We saw two excerpts from the DVD. "Emma Story" highlighted being connected to our ancestors and "Connections" showed us how to register and get started on new.familysearch.org . The DVD was designed to familiarise people with new. familysearch. To use this program at home you need an internet connected computer and to register you need your church membership number, which is found on your Temple Recommend, and your birthdate. The Ward Family History Consultants, Marjorie Lorraine, Andrea Groombridge and Lyn Drews, are able to come to your home and help you get started. If you don't have access to a computer you may come to the Family History Centre and use their many resources. Redeeming the dead and sealing families together forever is an important mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.

NOVEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Every Friday night volleyball in the hall

6th Young Women excellence Activity for all young women and parents

13th Elders Quorum BBQ at Taroona Beach 11am

13th World Wide Leadership Meeting 7pm

21st Seminary and Institute Graduation 7pm

26th Musical Fireside with Sister Jenny Phillips

27th Stake Relief Society Christmas Dinner 5.30pm

December 5th
Hobart ward Relief Society activity

Sunday Snippet

This week we were treated to a preview /invitation to the upcoming Strengthening Marriage and Family courses co-ordinated by Elder and Sister Ross.
It was noted that these courses are not designed for counseling troubled situations but they are there to provide us with tools to handle situations that we may possibly encounter in our relationships.
Former students agreed they had received much helpful information in the course and that it was well worth the one evening a week for six weeks.
Our Stake President would like all married couples whether married 60 years or 6 months to complete the course. He would also like courting or engaged couples and all the YSA to complete the course as well, because of the useful tools that they will gain to help them in the future.
________________________________________________________________

Last week we had our Hobart Stake Week at the Temple. It was awesome, it was wonderful, it was fantastic, it was historic! There were records set for the number of ordinances performed in the temple on one day. President Lobley noted that they are saved one at a time and he chose not to give numbers. Hobart Stake provided about ten ordinance workers and over a hundred patrons. Extra seats were added to the endowment rooms. All rooms at the Temple were in use.
Hobart Stake will have a week allocated to it annually and as we participate in this opportunity to receive the blessings of the temples we will be enriched individually and collectively.

________________________________________________________________

October Announcements

Friday 29th Ward Talent Night

Sunday 31st General Relief Society Broadcast

This week we are collecting nuts and drinking chocolate for the Hampers

Sunday Snippet

Our lesson today was Chapter 18 from our manual "Faith in Jesus Christ" and our teacher was Emi. We were divided into 4 groups to discuss different sections of the lesson and a spokesperson from each group presented the relevant points to the rest of the class. The presentations were as follows
1. What is Faith?
Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Alma 32:21 "...-faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true."
Faith is alive and we need to feed it or it may die. Faith must be centered in the Lord Jesus Christ. If you have faith you need not fear.

2. Why should we have Faith in Jesus Christ?
There is no other way to gain salvation. Faith in Christ gives us the strength to overcome temptaion. Faith makes repentance and forgiveness possible. Faith brings the Holy Ghost. Faith brings hope and we need not despair. Heavenly Father is the source of all our blessings and we need to have faith in Him and His son Jesus Christ.

3. How can we increase our faith in Jesus Christ?
Faith is like a tree and we need to plant the seed in our hearts and nurture it by reading the scriptures and praying. We can increase our faith by praying to Heavenly Father about our hopes, desires and needs and then responding to the revelations we receive.

4. What are some of the blessings that follow faith?
There are many blessings that follow faith: patience, testimony, knowledge, wisdom, miracles, healings, ministering angels. Faith is needed to obtain Priesthood blessings, which can bring about miracles. Protection comes from obedience to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Humble faithful prayer can bring about miracles.
"And he who posesses it (faith) will, through it, obtain all necessary knowlegde and wisdom, until he shall know God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, whom He has sent - whom to know is eternal life."

Thank you for sharing the personal faith promoting experiences with the class.

In Five Minute Music Elder Gardener and Elder Stone sang to us a wonderful medley of the hymns. " I Know That My Redeemer Lives" and "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief".

October Announcements
Mary's Baptism Saturday 23rd 10 am

No mutual or Primary Activity this week due to the Week at the Temple

Tuesday 19th Fireside with Sister Beck
Melbourne Stake Centre Wantirna

Friday 29th Ward Talent Night
Its not too late to sign up

Sunday 31st General Relief Society broadcast

and finally we are collecting dried fruit and confectionary for the hampers this coming Sunday

Conference Sessions + Sister Beck fireside

Conference session times:


Saturday 9th October:

• 11:00 AM General Conference Priesthood Session Rebroadcast
• 2:00 PM General Conference Saturday AM Session Rebroadcast
• 5:00 PM General Conference Saturday PM Session Rebroadcast

Sunday 10th October:

• 12:00 PM General Conference Sunday AM Session Rebroadcast
• 3:00 PM General Conference Sunday PM Session Rebroadcast

Broadcast with Sister Beck:

Saturday 16th October

• 6:00 PM Training with Sister Beck – General RS President
• 8:00 PM Fireside with Sister Beck – General RS President

Sunday Snippet

Angela taught the lesson this week from the April 2010 General Conference address of President Henry B Eyring. "Help Them on Their Way Home".
She mentioned the usefulness of modern GPS systems in our cars that tell us "to turn around" when we have got off track to our destination. The Holy Ghost is like our GPS in helping us stay on track.
Angela read of when President Eyring's eldest son (not yet baptised) was lost one evening on his way home. something came to his memory and he knew he was supposed to pray, he left the road and found a place to kneel down. Two young people heard him crying and offered to help. He didn't know his address or phone number but he knew his name and they found the family name in the phone book. President Eyring was grateful that kind people had been placed along his way home and that he was taught to pray with faith that help would come when he was lost.

The programs for the children at church are designed to reinforce what is taught at home and to help children recognise the Holy Ghost.
The first eight years of life are protected from Satan's use of mists of darkness because of the atonement of Jesus Christ. Families have an advantage in these years to strengthen their childrens faith and testimony that they may be less likely to need rescue as teenagers.
The Duty to God program of Young Mens help young men know their priesthood responsibilities and Personal Progress of Young Womens help young women know of their divine nature and individual worth. The programs of the church help our youth to reach their potential and to set and attain goals.
The Word of Wisdom (Doctrine and Covenants 89) provides guidance on temporal salvation 89:2, on the proper use of alcohol (a cleanser)89:7 and tobacco (a veterinary medicine)89:8 hot drinks (tea and coffee)89:9 and flesh of beasts to be used in times of winter, cold and famine 89:12,13,15; and to eat all wholesome herbs and fruits in season with prudence and thanksgiving 89:10,11,16.
"We help God's children best by providing ways to build faith in Jesus Christ and His restored gospel when they are young. And then we must help rekindle that faith quickly before it dims as they wander off the path."
"So you and I can expect a nearly continuous opportunity to help travelers among God's children. The Saviour told us... 'Enter ye in at the strait gate, for wide is the gate, and broad is the way which leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat;
Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.'(3 Nephi 14:13,14)"
Angela said Children can be funneled into the straight gate by teaching correct principles. Heavenly Father loves them and they are loved by their families and to help them recognise the still small voice.
The broad gate is like a funnel and it gets narrower and narrower until we are caught in a snare.

In testimony meeting Andrew McGown read Psalm 124:7 "Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken and we are escaped."

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tuesday 5th October Relief Society Activity night 7pm at the Chapel Pizza making and games

9th and 10th October General Conference

16th October Relief Society Fireside with Sister Beck (more details to follow)

29th October Ward Talent Night

We are beginning to collect items for Christmas Hampers. From the 17th October a box will be placed inside the Relief Society room. In October the focus is canned vegetables and canned fruit, dried fruits and nuts, confectionary and drinking chocolate. All suitable items are welcome.

July Activity Recipes

Here are the recipes that we tasted at our July Activity
Chilli lime noodles
500g rice noodles
tablespoons oil
2 medium onions, sliced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
350g minced pork

1 medium red capsicum, sliced thinly

¼ cup lime juice

2 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon fish sauce

1 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

2 green onions, chopped

Place noodles in large bowl, cover with warm water, stand 5 minutes, drain.

Heat oil in wok or large pan; stir-fry onions and garlic until onions are soft. Add pork to pan; stir-fry until browned. Add capsicum, noodles, juice, sauces and ginger to same pan; stir-fry until heated through. Sprinkle with green onions

Sweet and sour chicken

2 chicken breasts cut thinly

1 clove of garlic, chopped

About 1 cm of ginger finely chopped

Mixture of carrot, onion, beans, capsicum, finely sliced,

Pineapple rings cut up (however many you like)

2 teaspoons chicken

Sauce

3 tablespoons of sugar

2 tablespoons of tomato sauce

1 tablespoon vinegar

1 tablespoon soy sauce

Pineapple juice adds a lot of flavour - I usually add the pineapple juice from tinned pineapple

Prepare meat and vegetables, stir fry chicken with garlic and ginger, when cooked take out and stir fry vegetables, add juice or some water and then the sugar, tomato sauce, vinegar and soy sauce – just add the quantity of water depending on how much sauce you are wanting with the meal.

Mix up 2 tablespoons of cornflour with a little water and add to vegetables, stir until thickened and add more water if needed. Add chicken stock to own flavour requirements, put chicken back in, have some rice cooked and enjoy!

Pork and noodles with Plum Sauce

½ cup plum sauce

2 tablespoons salt-reduce soy sauce

¼ cup sweet chilli sauce

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

2 cloves garlic, crushed

500g pork fillets, sliced

500 Hokkien noodles

1 tablespoon oil

200g sugar snap peas

1 medium carrot, sliced

1 medium red capsicum

200g button mushrooms, sliced

½ cup chicken stock

Combine sauces with ginger and garlic in container. Combine half the sauce mixture with pork in large bowl. Rinse noodles under hot water; drain

Heat oil in wok or large pan; stir fry undrained pork, in batches, until browned and tender. Take meat out. Add vegetables to same pan; stir fry until just tender. Return pork to pan with remaining plum sauce mixture, stock and noodles, stir fry until heated through.

Beef Chow Mein from the Women’s Weekly Chinese Cooking Class Cookbook p 86

You will need:

750 g rump steak – or any other that you prefer

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon chilli sauce

1 tablespoon sate sauce (I buy Jimmy’s Sate sauce from the shop opposite Coles Sandy Bay)

250 g needles

2 tablespoon oil

125g small mushrooms

1 red pepper

3 sticks celery

2 medium onions

2 tablespoons oil, extra

Oyster Sauce:

1 tsp sugar

3 tsp cornflour

¾ cup water

2 chicken stock cubes

2 tablespoons oyster sauce

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 Remove all fat from meat. Cut meat into very thin strips, Place meat into bowl, add one tablespoon soy sauce, chilli sauce and sate sauce. Allow to stand 60 min. (I have never done this)

2 Peel onions cut into wedges, separate layers of onion out. Seed pepper, cut into strips. Slice mushrooms. Slice celery.

3 Add egg noodles to large quantity of boiling salted water, boil uncovered for five minutes or until noodles are tender Stir noodles occasionally to separate, drain well. Heat one tablespoon oil in pan or wok, add noodles and one tablespoon soy sauce, toss for two minutes, remove from pan, keep warm.

4 Heat remaining oil in pan, add onions, sauté for one minute. Add remaining vegetables, toss for two minutes, remove vegetables from pan. Heat extra oil in wok, add half the meat, fry quickly until meat just changes colour; remove from pan. Add remaining meat, work in the same way, return all meat to pan, fry. Combine all ingredients for Oyster Sauce, add to meat, toss until sauce is boiling, add vegetables, toss for a further two minutes over high heat. Place noodles on to serving plate, top with meat mixture. Serves 4 to 6.

Sunday Snippet

Our lesson this week was Gospel Principles chapter15 "The Lord's Covenant People".
Hannah taught us that in order to keep our covenants we must remember what they are. When we are baptised we promise that we will: Take His name upon us, Always remember Him, Stand as a witness of God at all times and in all places, Bear one anothers burdens, Serve God and keep His commandments. In return the Lord promises: To forgive us our sins, The constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, to Pour out His spirit more abundantly on us, Give us eternal life, and to come forth in the first resurrection. To help us remember these points we can imagine our promise on the five points of a star and the Lords promise on the five point of another star.
The Abrahamic covenant
"When we are baptised into the Church, we enter into the covenant the Lord made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. If we are obedient, we inherit the blessings of that covenant. we have the right to receive help and guidance from the Holy Ghost. Worthy males have the right to hold the priesthood. Families can receive the blessings ofthe priesthjood. we can gain etermal life inthe clestial kingdom . There are no greater blessings than these."
"Along with the blessings we receive as the Lord's covenant people, we have great responsibilites. Tjhe Lord promised Abraham that through his descendants the gosprel would be taken to all the earth. We are fulfilling this responsibility through the fulltime missionary program of the Church and the missionary work done by the members. This opportunity to preach the gospel to all the world belongs only to the Lord's Church and His covenant people."

The following scripture were read: Doctrine and Covenants 82:10 "I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."
Doctrine and Covenants82:3 "For of him whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation.

The New and Everlasting Covenant
The fullness of the gospel is called the New and Everlasting Covenant. It includes all the covenants we have made at baptism, sacrament, in the temple and any other time. It is new because each time the gospel is restored it is new to the people who receive it and everlasting because it will never be changed. When we accept this covenant we agreeto repent, be baptise, receive the Holy Ghost, receive our endowments, receive the covenant of marriage in the temple and follow and obey Christ to the end of our lives. As we keep our covenants we will receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom.
Being the Lord's covenant people shows in how we behave and how we dress.
Hannah conclude by reminding us that we make make these covenants so we can return home to Heavenly Father.


ANNOUNCEMENTS
General Relief Society President Sister Julie Beck will be in Melbourne in October and there will be live broadcasts of two Fireside that she will be speaking at on 16th and 17th October.

Motherhood:-An-Eternal-Partnership

Motherhood:-An-Eternal-Partnership
Click on this link to watch video.

Sunday Snippet

Our Relief Society President Blanche gave our lesson this week on the seasons of a woman's life. With assistance from the priesthood sisters serving in Primary and Young Womens were able to attend the lesson too.

Blanche played the beautiful CD "She" by Cherie Call and drew a simile between us and chocolate. We all have something the same but we are all different varieties.
We are all daughters of our Heavenly Father and we all have a divine nature.

ECCLESIASTES 3: 1-8 was read by Vanessa
3:1 To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven: ...

The seasons and times in a woman's life are: Childhood, Puberty, Adolescence, Single, Career, Callings, Wife, Motherhood, Menopause, Grandmother, Old age, Widow. It is important to be in the season your in at the time and not wishing to be elsewhere.

We then discussed the pros and cons of motherhood. The sleep deprivation, worry, disappointment, and not being valued by society. The relationship, happiness, joy, laughter, sense of fulfillment and unconditional love. In some ways we are all mothers.

We then heard personal experiences from Andy, Fiona, Ellie and Hannah.
The choices we make impact on our families and we need to seek Heavenly Fathers guidance before making decisions.

Blanche drew another simile with a daffodil. We need to have times of dark and cold in order to produce a beautiful flower. Trials help us reach our potential.
We watched a short video "Motherhood an Eternal Partnership with God" by Jeffery R Holland.
(Click on the link above Sunday Snippet), and we closed with the advice:
"When days and nights are most challenging, rely on Heavenly Father."

ANNOUNCEMENTS
23 September Stake Leadership Training meeting.

16th October Ward Talent Night
Get your act together, there will be a sign up sheet soon.

Sunday Snippet

This week Relief Society and Priesthood were combined and Steve King gave our lesson. It was about living a balanced life and the things that we spend our time on. With Chris Toselli as his scribe we discussed the things that make our life balanced and those things that can make it unbalanced. Chris drew a pie chart demonstrating things we spend our time on, a third on sleep, a third on work and a third made up of many things. Another chart similar to a Wheel of Fortune was drawn which we could spin and choose anything on it and it would help to balance our lives, such things as prayer, scripture study, pondering, service, and being centered on the Saviour and His atonement.
Happiness is a good indicator of whether our lives are balanced and we need to assess our lives and make changes if necessary.

4th Tuesday Relief Society Activity

This week Karina Thorne showed us how to improve our eating habits by portion awareness and the basics of a balanced diet so that we feel full when we have finished our meal. At every meal we need to have some lean protein -eggs, meat, dairy; beans, some complex carbs- vegetables, fruit, grains; and some essential fats- nuts, good oils like olive, for our bodies to function at their best. If these three items are not included we may not feel satisfied.

We then participated in a Zumba class, one of the first in Hobart. Our instructor Emma Martyn has just completed her training. It was a lot of fun and we had good participation. Thanks to all the sisters for their support and a special thank you to Karina and Emma.

Sunday Snippet

Angela gave our lesson this week based on talks from Elder M. Russell Ballard "Mothers and Daughters" and Relief Society General President Julie Beck "And Upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out MY Spirit" taken from General Conference Addresses May 2010.
We were taught the real value of women is in their nature, their talent to mother and nurture.
President Joseph F. Smith said: " It is not for you to be led by the women of the world; it is for you to lead the ...women of the world in everything that is praiseworthy, everything that is God-like, everything that is uplifting and ... purifying to the children of men."

Daughters are encouraged to look to their faithful mothers for a pattern to follow and to model them, not celebrities whose standards are not the Lords standards and whose values may not reflect an eternal perspective.
"Love your mother... Respect her. Listen to her.Trust her. She has your best interests at heart. She cares about your eternal safety and happiness. So be kind to her. Be patient with her imperfections, for she has them. We all do."

"Throughout the history of the world, women have always been teachers of moral values... A mother-daughter relationship is where a daughter learns how to nurture by being nurtured. She is loved. She is taught and experiences firsthand what it feels like to have someone care enough to correct her while continuing to encourage and believe in her at the same time."

Angela also taught us about the misconceptions that satan would have us believe in regards to our bodies and our marital relationship. Heavenly Father gave us our bodies to share with our spouses and there is nothing unwholesome about that.


In five minute music Chelsea Parson played for us 'The Swan' on her flute it was beautiful
Thank you Chelsea

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tuesday 7pm at chapel
Relief Society Activity

Sunday 29th
Bishop Youth Council

Sunday Snippet

On Sunday the lesson was Chapter 14 "Priesthood Organisation" from our Gospel Principles manual.

"When ordained to the priesthood, a man or boy automatically becomes a member of a priesthood quorum. From then on through life, it is expected that he will hold membership in a quorum of the priesthood according to his office."
"If a priesthood quorum functions properly, the members of the quorums are encouraged, blessed, fellowshipped, and taught the gospel by their leaders. even though a man may be released from Church callings...his membership in his quorum does not change. Membership in a quorum of the priesthood should be regarded as a sacred privilege."

As sisters we can help our fathers, brothers, husbands and sons fulfill their duties by being supportive, so they can magnify their callings.
What a marvelous blessing it is to have the priesthood restored to the Earth in these latter days.


In "Five Minute Music" Amy King played her harp for us, it was beautiful, thank you Amy.


Announcements
Stake Conference 13th -15th August
Friday 7pm
Stake Music Festival

Saturday
3pm Priesthood session
7pm Adult members

Sunday
9am Stake and Ward counsel
10am General Session


Tuesday 24th August
Relief Society Meeting at the Chapel 7.oopm
Healthy Eating with Karina Thorne
Then... Zumba, so wear appropriate clothing and shoes

Sunday Snippet

On Sunday our lesson was taken from the May 2010 Ensign, President Boyd K. Packer's address on "The Power of the Priesthood".
Angela gave a wonderful simile to electricity and how we may have the power in our homes but if we do not "switch" it on it will not work for us.
There are two parts to "The Power of the Priesthood" There is the authority and there is the power.
"During translation Joseph and Oliver Cowdery read about baptism. They prayed to know what to do. There appeared to them an angelic messenger, John the Baptist. He conferred upon them the Aaronic Priesthood, 'which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.' "
The apostles Peter, James and John appeared next and conferred upon Joseph and Oliver the Melchizedek priesthood, named after the great High Priest Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes.
" This then became their authority. Through the keys of the priesthood, they had access to all of the powers of heaven."
President Packer said " Unless we enlist the attention of the mothers and daughters and sisters - who have influence on their husbands, fathers, sons and brothers - we cannot progress. The priesthood will lose great power if the sisters are neglected.
Priesthood is the authority and the power to which God has granted to men on Earth to act for Him. When priesthood authority is exercised properly priesthood bearers do what He would do if He were present."
"Authority in the priesthood comes by way or ordination; power in the priesthood comes through faithful and obedient living in honouring covenants. It is increased by exercising and using the priesthood in righteousness."
As sisters we need to help the priesthood holders in our family exercise their priesthood power by asking our husbands / fathers, not the Bishop, or Area Presidency, to administer blessing to us. For those of us who don't have priesthood holders in the home we call on our home teachers to bless us.
What a wonderful blessing "The Power of the Priesthood" is and because we have that we have no need to fear the future." Fear is the opposite of faith. we move forward certain that the Lord will watch over us, particularly in the family.


In five minute music we listened to
"Cootamundra Wattle" by John Williamson


ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Relief Society Activity lastTuesday night was most enjoyable and informative. Sarah demonstrated on Sue how to massage the acupuncture points on our meridian and to warm our kidneys to help them function properly.
Andrea King cooked for us some delicious stirfrys. Sate beef and veg, Teryaki and honey chicken and pork and lime, delicious. If there had been a larger attendance and we needed to be split in to groups we would also have had Sweet and sour chicken, Barbecue beef, and another dish that I can't recall, but the recipes will be available on the blog soon.
It was a good night and thank you for providing the activity for us.

Sunday Snippet

Relief Society and Priesthood were combined this week and we were introduced to "The Addiction Recovery Program". It is being included in the church program to help members and others to overcome habits that are detrimental to their agency.

"If you or someone you love struggles with addiction, there is hope. Addiction recovery groups sponsored by LDS Family Services are available to help you and your loved ones overcome addictive behaviour and more fully enjoy the blessings of Church participation"
"Addiction is habitually turning to something other than God and which is destructive."
There are many types of addiction, we can have problems with the Word o f Wisdom, gambling, eating disorders, chastity, pornography and even television and computer games can be affecting our agency.

"If you suspect you are addicted and if you feel even the smallest desire to break free, we invite you to join us in the addiction recovery support group meetings. Participation is free and confidential."
HOBART ARP MEETINGS: Fridays 7.30pm Rosny Chapel
ARP Missionaries Elder and Sister Summerfield 62861111 or 0418343486


ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday July 25th
Gospel Enrichment Fireside

Tuesday July 27th 7pm
Relief Society Activity
42 Hillborough Road
South Hobart

Sunday Snippet

This weeks lesson was given by Nicole and the topic was "The Atonement".
Nicole divided us into 5 groups and we discussed sections of the lesson within our groups.
The topics were
1. The Atonement is necessary for our salvation.
2. Jesus Christ was the only one who could Atone for our sins
3. Christ suffered and died to Atone for our sins.
4. The Atonement and resurrection bring resurrection to all.
5. The Atonement makes it possible for those who have faith in Christ to be saved from their sins.

A spokesperson from each group then explained to the class what ideas their group had on the topic.
Nicole finished the lesson with a parable on justice and mercy, and how the only way to show mercy and to satisfy justice is to have a mediator. Someone who is prepared to pay our debts for us.

'Our sins are our spiritual debts. Without Jesus Christ, who is our Savior and Mediator, we would all pay for our sins by suffering spiritual death. But because of Him, if we will keep His terms, which are to repent and keep His commandments, we may return to live with our Heavenly Father.

It is wonderful that christ has provided us a way to be healed from our sins, He said:
"Behold, I have come unto the world ... to save the world from sin."
"Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a litttle child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved"
(3 Nephi 9:21-22).'

Sunday Snippet

Sorry everyone...I missed last week.  I was sick!

So this weeks post is about the lovely lesson Emi gave us on Sunday.
It was about the life of the Savior, the things he taught, the miracles he performed and the example he set.
We watched parts of two dvd's;  'Special Witnesses of Christ' and  'Finding Faith in Christ'.
Emi posed two questions:
1. How can we love God?
2. How can we love our Neighbour.

We broke in to four groups and came up with a few ideas:
know Him (through prayer, study, service)
Be obedience (the 'O' factor, how is yours?)
Acknowledge Him in all aspects of life
Trust in Him, rely on His guidance
Respect and appreciate others and all creations
Become part of His plan.  Have a sense of partnership with Him
Love unconditionally as the Savior & Heavenly Father do.
Accept & fulfill callings
Be humble
Look after our families
Care for those around us
Live the Gospel
Listen to the Spirit
Be temple worthy
Be thankful
Keep the commandments
Ask for blessings
feed our testimony
Be helpful
create opportunities to serve
Love the sisters we visit teach
Always give people the benefit of the doubt
Don't judge
Be honest with ourselves and others
Count your blessings
Learn to cook - making a meal for someone might make their day!
Make the right choices
keep on going, even when we have had enough!

Quite an extensive list.  I'm sure there's something for everyone there.

Announcements:

• Starting in July we will have RS Meetings (activities) every 4th Tuesday of the month
• Alyssa Thomasson will be getting baptised July 3 10am
• If you are participating in Week at the Temple, you MUST book in to sessions with Bro Stokes

Sunday Snippet

Announcements:

Youth Sports Activity Saturday 12 June (Huonville)

Week @ Temple schedules to Bro Stokes

Indoor Soccer competition starts Friday 11th June

On Sunday I taught and we started with a fun game then talked about the different things that are precious to us.  Friends, family, health, special trinkets, family heirlooms & the gospel were among a few we talked about.

The Gospel, and more specifically, Relief Society (RS) is precious to me and something I need in my life.

Shortly after the Church was organised Joseph Smith also organised the Relief Society.  He said, "The church was never perfectly organised until the women were thus organised...".  It's good to know that RS is an essential part of the church.  It is my desire that each of us will understand why it is essential in our lives.

What does RS do for those women who choose to embrace it as part of their life? How does it bless families, homes and individuals? This is a question that was posed on Sunday and each sister present was able to share their thoughts with everyone.  The list was a long one and included; 

leadership skills

organisation

friendship & diversity in friends, companionship

a sense of belonging

love & respect

discovery of gifts, talents, abilities

opportunities to serve (VT, compassionate service)

skills for motherhood

self-reliance

knowledge

preparation for the temple & other covenants

help in staying true

identity & self-worth

Sister Allred (of the General RS Presidency) has a daughter named Norma.  She once said, "Your attendance at relief Society Sunday meetings will bless you...but your participation in the work of Relief Society will bless the whole church."

And the General Relief Society Presidency have this message for us:

"Whether you are young or old, single or married, widowed or living in a family, we want you to bless your life and home with the influence and power of Relief Society"

Our Previous Prophet, President Hinckley had some wonderful things to say about the women in our lives.  We watched this on Sunday, it only goes for about 3 minutes.  Click to watch this short address.

I believe that one of the most useful resources we have as an organisation is each other.  I believe that Heavenly Father intended for us to teach each other, to use our talents, abilities and gifts to help and enrich each others lives. I believe that within the Hobart ward we have a goldmine of things to offer each other but I also believe that this resource is mostly untapped.  As a Presidency and with the help of our Relief Society Meeting Coordinators, we plan to change that!!

In small groups on Sunday, sisters compiled an extensive list of the talents, gifts, and abilities of those in their group.  In the same manner another extensive list was made, this one contained things people need or want to learn, experiences and activities people would like to be involved in, skills they would like to have etc.  The plan is to use these lists when we plan lessons and activities for Relief Society.  I'm guessing that the first activity will have something to do with learning how to handle 'Man Tools!'

While I was planning this lesson, I was very aware that we have many sisters who do not attend church, and are not participating in RS.  I feel very strongly that we need to reach out to these women and take up the call from our Relief Society General Presidency when they said,


"...To those of you who already attend Relief Society, we extend a call.  We ask you to go to the women who are not engaged in relief Society work in your wards and branches to teach them with love what Relief Society will do for them.  Testify to them that Relief Society will enrich their homes and personal lives.  Offer your friendship and sisterhood.  Watch over and strengthen them.  Help us reverse society's trend of disintegrating families.  Help your sisters turn to the Lord and His plan of happiness for His children.  They will find guidance, comfort, peace, understanding, and inspiration.  They will know Heavenly Father loves then and cares for them in ways beyond measure."

Blanche 

P.S If you would like to read the talk that inspired this lesson it is 'Every woman needs Relief Society' - Nov 2009 Ensign.

Sunday Snippet

Ward Conference 2010

Our Relief Society lesson was led by the Stake Relief Society Presidency; Katie, Olan, Lesley and Lyn.  The focus was very much our divine role as women and teachers in the home.  Each of us has the capacity to have a positive influence that reaches into many facets of life; school, home, church, community, workplace, to name a few.  We have many examples available to us of righteous, successful women who can help us in our efforts to teach and nurture those we have stewardship for.  Each of us is at a different place in our lives, each of us has our own specific talents, gifts and abilities, we are all unique.  Having said that though, there is something common to us all regardless of our situation in life, we are all daughters of God and he has blessed each of us with the capacity to love and serve.  If we humble ourselves before Him, and are willing to be obedient, He will show us how we can best do this.




Announcements:

• Primary Activity 4 June 10-12 @ stake centre
• Week @ Temple schedule need to be in to Bro Stokes asap (both bro Stokes & I have schedules if you need)
• Stake Youth Sports Day 12 June
• Strengthening Marriage course to start 18 June (see Bishopric or RS Presidency if you'd like to participate) The course will consist of six 90 minute classes taught over 6 weeks by Bro Andrew & Sis Fran Ross.  It is the hope of the Stake Presidency that every couple will have the opportunity to participate over time.
• Tithing Settlement interviews - there is a sign up sheet on the ward notice board

Sunday Snippet

Hello!! Oh my heck, I have just spent the last hour trying to find the notes that I took in Relief Society today.... here they are!!!

Today in Relief Society Sister Angela gave the lesson taken from the talk The Love of God, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf . The scriptures shared were:
John 14:15
Matthew 22:37-38
Matthew 22:39
Angela asks us Why are we commanded to love God?
If we love him, we will more likely take on his ways and want to become more like him. His glory is not diminished if we do not love him, it is for our benefit.
What we love determines what we seek, what we seek determines what we think and do, what we think and do determines who we are and who we become.
Angela asked us to remember those feelings of falling in love for the first time, you would do anything for that person.
If we do not develop our love of God we may be less likely to do what he asks... his commandments might feel inconvenient to follow, like a duty or chore, we may be reluctant to act.... all these things lead to a rebellious nature.
Love is the source of bliss and heavy burdens, to love the wrong things can bring us misery, the love of good brings us joy.
We can come to know God by reading the scriptures, as we come to know him we will love him and want to follow him.

Thank you Angela for a great lesson.

Blanche gave the five minute music today. She shared a lovely story about passing judgement and bubbles.... well worth a read.

Of Bubbles and Blame Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell
The story is told of an inquisitive widow in 17th-century England who lived next to a man she considered quite eccentric. Each day her neighbor would sit outside in the heat of the sun and, for hours at a time, blow soap bubbles through a clay pipe, staring at them until they popped.

One day, the woman received a visit from a Fellow of the Royal Society, England’s renowned academy of science. When she described this bizarre behavior, her visitor asked if he could get a better look at the man she described as a poor lunatic.

“That poor lunatic,” he said, “is none other than the great Sir Isaac Newton, who is studying the refraction of light upon thin plates—a phenomenon beautifully exhibited upon the surface of common soap bubbles.”¹

It’s easy to find fault in others. But when we do, we may be revealing more about ourselves than those we criticize. The famed psychologist Carl Jung wrote, “Everything that is unconscious in ourselves we discover in our neighbour, and we treat him accordingly.”² In other words, sometimes our hasty judgment of others stems from the worst that is in us rather than what we assume is the worst in them.

We may think we know a hundred bad things about someone. But there may be one thing about him or her that we don’t know—something that, if we truly understood it, could completely change our perspective.

The next time we are tempted to judge someone else, perhaps the story of the widow and her eccentric neighbor will remind us that the faults of others, even when they seem real, may in fact be nothing more than bubbles that disappear in the sunlight of knowledge, compassion, and understanding.

Announcements.....Priesthood meeting... if you did not go you already missed it... tonight 7pm
Activity night 7-8pm... bring books
Ward Bush walk 3-5pm this Saturday at the Reeds home, BBQ provided.
Stake Indoor Soccer 11 June... need to advise if wish to form a team or play
Strengthening Marriage course starting soon, see Bishopric member if you wish to attend, Family course soon after.

Well that is all folks!!!
(How about that gorgeous bubble picture?!)
Happy Week.
xx Fiona

Sunday Snippet

"We thank thee, O God, for a prophet 
to guide us in these latter days" 

(Hymns, no.19)

Today's lesson ( Prophets of God, chapter 9 in the Gospel Principles manual) was taught by Emi Nagasaka.
We discussed the powers and gifts a prophet has, the many ways prophets have guided God's children in the past and what we can and have learned from the lives and teachings of the prophets.
We talked about President Monson, our living prophet on the earth today and why we need him.  We looked closely at what we can do to follow and sustain the President of the Church:

• Pray for him - his burdens are heavy, and he needs to be strengthened by our prayers.
• Study his words - listen to his conference address, read the Ensign or Liahona.
• Follow his inspired teachings completely - we shouldn't follow only part of his counsel and discard that which is unpleasant or difficult.  In D&C 21:4-5 it says:

"Thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; For his word, ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith"

Do you know what President Monson has taught or emphasized recently?  If not why not have a read of the April 2010 General Conference in the May '10 Ensign or click here to read it online.  You could also check out one of President Monson's talks at the previous conference here or read it in the November '09 Ensign.
If we obey, the Lord promises:

"The gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his names glory" (D&C 21:6)

When we do as our prophet directs, blessings pour down from heaven.



Announcements

• CES Broadcast 5.30pm @ Rosny tonight
• YW General Broadcast 6.30pm @ Rosny tonight
• Saturday 22 May 10.30 Stake RS Activity @ stake centre
• Primary activity day 26th May 7-8pm 
• Primary Activity 4th June 10am @ stake centre
• Week at the Temple - if you wish to participate please book sessions with Bro Stokes (RS Presidency have schedules available)
• Family in Need - if you are able to help out the family who lost everything to a house fire please contact a member of the RS Presidency or Angela Stewart.  
• Baptism - Luke (Sharon Morrisby's son) will be baptised on Saturday at 2pm.
• Brother Ray Baldwin's Funeral is scheduled for Wednesday 1pm - please check the Mercury Newspaper for further details.

Til next time,

Blanche

Sunday

This week we welcomed Katrina Smith into Relief Society, she turned 18 last Friday!! Say Hi to Katrina when you see her.

Our lesson was given by Sister Carmen Bell, the topic Service. Elder Cooks talk 'Stewardship' and President Monsons talk 'What have I done for someone today' provided the inspiration for her lesson.

We have a stewardship not only for ourselves but for our family, friends, belongings and those other responsibilities in life.

We have all benefited from the service of others. We also can help people around us. We read in these scriptures...

Galations 5:13
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Luke 9:24
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Mosiah 2:17
And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

Often we think we are too busy to serve. We all have important duties in our lives but if we are not careful we can find ourselves immersed in the thick of thin things and neglect important causes.

It is easy to serve simple acts of kindness, a smile or a listening ear can make a difference in the lives of those around you.

Some ideas....
Cook a meal
Babysit
Dropping our own agenda to help others
Being available
Visit people on the Sabbath
Help with restless children in sacrament
Talk to people to find out their needs
Visit old age facilities
Having a steady temperament
Love your own family and neighbours

Carmen has encouraged each sister to participate or be more fully aware of the acts of service offered this week.

Thank you Carmen for a lovely lesson.

Announcements...
22 May
Stake Relief Society Service Project
need to register

15th May
Aaronic Priesthood activity

16th May
Young Women activity

Have a great week and keep an eye out for new Visiting Teaching callings assignments soon. Sister Blanche explained that she had family support and even though her family lived overseas and down the Huon she still was able to stay in contact with them and see how they were going. She asked us to keep this in mind when we receive our VT assignments, showing care and keeping in contact is not something we do with those live close by.

xx Fiona