December Presidency Message

Dear Sisters:

It’s now December, and the Christian world turns its heart and mind to Jesus Christ. President David O. McKay said: “If we are to have the best Christmas ever, we must follow in the Savior’s footsteps.” This month alone will give us more opportunities to act like Christ, to love like Christ, to BE like Christ, and it also gives us the opportunity to speak to others about Christ. In our contemplation of the Christmas season and its place in our hearts, take a moment to ponder on the needs of others and the gift that so many of our sisters need and desire, a welcoming hand, a visit to the lonely, help for the busy young mother, a kind note.

An important guide to celebrating the season is making family experiences at Christmas memorable, not expensive or showy, but those that touch the heart and enrich the spirit. Give first to the Lord, directly through obedience, sacrifice, and love, and then to give to him indirectly through gifts of love and sacrifice to friends and those in need as well as to our own. Christ’s gifts had no monetary value, his gift to us was eternal life and what he asks for in return is that we love one another, not only during the Christmas season, but throughout the year. May you all have a blessed Christmas with many wonderful memories to warm your hearts as you extend yourself to others.

Love, Carol Rhodes and The Relief Society Presidency

November Presidency Message-

Presidency Message

How can four little words be so hard to say? The four little words are “thank you” and “I’m sorry.” I think it is a matter of being “in tune.”

When you are in tune everything looks so much better. A friend of mine who was a starving artist said when she was in tune her little run down apartment looked to her like a romantic little cottage where her art work came out with light and beauty, it was a wonderful place to her, but when her days became gloomy and dark she noticed the broken tiles, peeling paint and noticed the art work she created also seemed to be filled with darkness and despair. I used to say to her that I always knew where she was in her art and personal life based on her attitude and the Spirit I seemed to notice that surrounded her.

It is so much easier to be out of tune- to find fault, criticize and complain, to be ungrateful and argumentative and non apologetic; others find it hard to be around such a person; but when we are “in tune” or filled with the Spirit, life looks wonderful and we find it easier to cultivate an attitude of gratitude and it is so much easier for us to be the first one to offer “I’m sorry,” in the most heartfelt way.

I would encourage you to stay “in tune” Cultivate an attitude of gratitude and practice it daily, your whole world will change. There is someone out there who prays daily for just what you have. When things go wrong and they will, be as quick to kneel as you are to text! On the other hand when we are “in tune” and things go wrong between friends, neighbors or loved ones, be quick to offer an apology. I’m reminded of some families who spend years with no contact or extreme awkwardness when they’re together because neither of them could be the first to say “I’m sorry.”

Psalm 100:3-4. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gate with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Love, Lorraine Anderson

Sisters,

The women's broadcast was so wonderful; it filled us with such a

woderful feeling of the spirit; we wanted to be sure all those who were unable to attend had the link to listen to the broadcast in your home via LDS. org The actual link to the broadcast is listed below.

Here is the link to the rs broadcast

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2012/10?lang=eng&vid=18684

Enjoy!

The LA Relief Society Presidency.

October Presidency Message

Dear Sisters,

Change: to make or become different; to transform; to alter; to exchange.

However you say it, change is inevitable. Most people are creatures of habit that feel safe and secure by the presence of consistency and predictability, but as you know in the Church there are many changes made such as changing teachers, schedules, Bishoprics, Relief Society and other presidencies. We also change missionaries by transferring them to another area where they can touch other lives. In a way, the recent release and new call of the Relief Society Presidency is a way for those involved to touch lives of others in different ways. Even though changes are made, the Gospel of Jesus Christ remains constant.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Carolyn Boden, LeeAnna Thomsen and Janet Sims, first of all for their example. The countless hours that were spent on behalf of all the sisters and ward members are too many to count. I have learned much and love them dearly. In Mosiah2:17 we read, “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 you God.” 

We are going to prayerfully continue their work with a passion and fervor. There is much to do and there will be changes to come. One of the new things coming is a blog for sisters only where you can find parts of talks, activities and pictures of our sisterhood working together, new visiting teaching ( more to follow about that after the first of the year) welcome packets for new members and a new Relief Society Directory filled with all current phone #’s emails etc. We are excited for the future. 

On behalf of the new Presidency Lorraine Anderson, President, Carol Rhodes, 1^stCounselor, Tara Poulsen 2^nd Counselor, Shelly Ward, Secretary, and Linda Rogers, Asst Secretary, we welcome you to Relief Society. Jenny Dumas is over compassionate service and Barbara Honeyman has been called to be our visiting teaching coordinator. We ask you for your help and prayers with our new endeavors.

Love, Lorraine Anderson