Hello Sisters, We had an awesome lesson this week delivered by Vanessa Watson on chapter 28 in our manuals, Service. We began by singing all three verses of "Give Said the Little Stream" and then on the board we 'mindmapped' the word service. Words that were written up; fun - joy, love - sharing - caring, helpfulness, thoughtfulness, giving - notes - chocolate - biscuits, families -Mums, new babies, time, work, guilt, Christ - example -scriptures, rewards - spiritual - physical - blessings, gratitude, gives perspective, helping.
Hannah read an excerpt from President Monson's October 2009 Conference address about Jack McConnell, MD, the son of a Methodist minister. His father would ask each child every evening in turn "And what did you do for someone today?" Dr McConnell grew up and was involved in developing the tuberculosis tine test, polio vaccine, development of Tylenol (paracetamol), MRI procedure and created Volunteers in Medicine, which gives retired medical personnel opportunities to volunteer at free clinics, there are now over 70 clinics in America.
Vanessa then played a Mormon Message ( https://lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/because-of-your-faith?lang=eng&cid=email-shared ) President Jeffery Holland in the October 2010.

"I am grateful for Young Women leaders who go to girls camp and, without shampoo, showers, or mascara, turn smoky, campfire testimony meetings into some of the most riveting spiritual experiences those girls—or those leaders—will experience in their lifetime. I am grateful for all the women of the Church who in my life have been as strong as Mount Sinai and as compassionate as the Mount of Beatitudes. We smile sometimes about our sisters’ stories—you know, green Jell-O, quilts, and funeral potatoes. But my family has been the grateful recipient of each of those items at one time or another—and in one case, the quilt and the funeral potatoes on the same day. It was just a small quilt—tiny, really—to make my deceased baby brother’s journey back to his heavenly home as warm and comfortable as our Relief Society sisters wanted him to be. The food provided for our family after the service, voluntarily given without a single word from us, was gratefully received. Smile, if you will, about our traditions, but somehow the too-often unheralded women in this church are always there when hands hang down and knees are feeble. ¹ They seem to grasp instinctively the divinity in Christ’s declaration: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these … , ye have done it unto me.” ²

And no less the brethren of the priesthood. I think, for example, of the leaders of our young men who, depending on the climate and continent, either take bone-rattling 50-mile (80 km) hikes or dig—and actually try to sleep in—ice caves for what have to be the longest nights of human experience. I am grateful for memories of my own high priests group, which a few years ago took turns for weeks sleeping on a small recliner in the bedroom of a dying quorum member so that his aged and equally fragile wife could get some sleep through those final weeks of her sweetheart’s life. I am grateful for the Church’s army of teachers, officers, advisers, and clerks, to say nothing of people who are forever setting up tables and taking down chairs. I am grateful for ordained patriarchs, musicians, family historians, and osteoporotic couples who trundle off to the temple at 5:00 in the morning with little suitcases now almost bigger than they are. I am grateful for selfless parents who—perhaps for a lifetime—care for a challenged child, sometimes with more than one challenge and sometimes with more than one child. I am grateful for children who close ranks later in life to give back to ill or aging parents.

And to the near-perfect elderly sister who almost apologetically whispered recently, “I have never been a leader of anything in the Church. I guess I’ve only been a helper,” I say, “Dear sister, God bless you and all the ‘helpers’ in the kingdom.” Some of us who are leaders hope someday to have the standing before God that you have already attained."

Blanche read from the manual "There are many ways to serve. We can help others economically, socially, physically and spiritually. for example, we can share food or other articles with those who need them. We can be a friend to a newcomer. We can plant a garden for an elderly person or care for someone who is sick. we can teach the gospel to someone who needs the truth or comfort someone who grieves.

We can do small or large acts of service. We should never fail to help someone because we are unable to do great things. A widow told of two children who came to her door shortly after she had moved to a new town. The children brought a lunch basket and a note that read, 'If you want anyone to do errands, call us.' The widow was gladdened by the small kindness and never forgot it."

Service can be small like a note or chocolate in the mail (Chelsea), a foot rub (Greta), or some gardening (Lilian)

When we are prompted by the spirit we need to act quickly (Tina)

Guilt is when we feel we haven't done enough, Andy shared a conversation she had with Lindy Prebble some years ago about how they lamented they didn't have time to serve; they had ten children between them were serving always, they just didn't realise it.

Sister Beck, General Relief Society President, says with regards to service and families that if it is some thing that only you can do then that is your first priority.

Joy is the feeling we get from giving service, not just the joy of being served.

President Monson has said. "We are the Lords hands here upon the Earth. ...Do we find ourselves immersed in 'the thick of thin things?' ...We find ourselves when we do service to others."

I would like to thank Ness for the great lesson and for giving me the opportunity to develope my computer skills.

Announcements

Tuesday Night

Relief Society Anniversary

Bishop Smiths home

7-8.30 pm

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I am sorry that the blog was not updated for a couple of weeks as I was away. I would appreciate it very much if you would let me know if you have read this post. Peta