This week in Relief Society

Heather Consoliver taught lesson #4 "Freedom to Choose" from the Gospel Principals book. She began by reading a story entitled "With you all the way" by Max Lucado; which I will summarize.

Three knights were offered the hand of the princess if they could prove themselves worthy. The offer came from the King, and is presented to the three by the Prince. The test is a journey to the castle, by way of the Hemlock forrest. The Hemlock Forrest is dark, deadly, and in places the trees are so thick daylight has never peeked through. But, the most significant threat is the "hope-nots" who inhabit the forrest. Some say the hope-nots are lost travelers changed by the darkness, but no one is really sure. They are not strong, but the hope-nots are clever. The knights are told that they may choose one person to travel with them. They are also told that they can find their way through the forrest by listening to the lovely tune played by the King's ivory flute. The prince has the only other flute in existence that can play the same sweet melody, which he demonstrates for the knights. The prince tells the knights that the king will play the song three times a day so that they may listen and be guided to the castle. The knights set out on their journey, and after many days, two men are seen approaching the castle. They have no weapons, no armor, and no horses. The king orders that the men be met outside the gates and brought into the castle in secret, their identities to be revealed that knight at a grand feast before the entire kingdom. That knight at the feast, all turned to see which knight would enter. The people were surprised to see that it was not the strongest knight, nor the quickest who survived, but the wisest knight. The knight explained that the hope-nots had stolen their weapons, poisoned their horses, and hidden their armor, but their worst trick was that they were great imitators. Every day when the king would play his melody, the hope-nots would all pull out imitation flutes and play similar songs, filling the forrest with so much noise it was impossible to hear the king's song. The king asked the knight how it was possible through all of that noise that the knight was able to hear and follow the king's song. The knight explained that he had chosen the right traveling companion. His companion then showed his face, it was the prince! The knight explained that the prince was the only who could play the king's song exactly. As long as the prince remained with the knight, the prince continuously played the king's perfect son. No matter how many flutes played, the knight knew the king's song perfectly and could follow.

We have all made choices in our lives, starting in the pre-mortal existence. Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve has said "There must be alternatives among which to choose." God has told us through His prophets that we are free to choose between good and evil. If we were forced to choose the right, we would not be able to show what we would have chosen for ourselves. Also, we are happier doing things when we have made our own choices. Right choices increase our power to make more right choices. We cannot choose righteousness unless the opposites of good and evil are placed before us. However, though we are free to choose our course of action, we are not free to choose the consequence of those actions.
For example, the other day on the highway, the car in front of me was going about 10 miles below the speed limit. I got frustrated and exclaimed "Come on lady!" Not an inappropriate or offensive comment. However, from the backseat my three year old piped up and asked "Momma is she an idiot?" It seems cute, but because of what my son had heard me choose to say (apparently often) the consequence of my choice was not pleasant for me. To hear my sweet little innocent child call someone an idiot is definitely NOT a choice I would have made. This is a mild example of how the consequences of our choices always catch up to us. If we always "do what is right" and "let the consequence follow" we will never have to explain to our three year olds why Momma was making a bad choice in calling people idiots.

The book ends the lesson by saying that Heavenly Father has told us how to escape the captivity of Satan. We must watch, and pray always, asking God to help us withstand the temptations of Satan. (see 3 Nephi 18:15) God's commandments direct us away from danger and toward eternal life. By choosing wisely, we will gain exaltation, progress eternally, and enjoy perfect happiness. (see 2 Nephi 2:27-28.)

What choices are you facing this week? Dede B.

Weekday Meeting

Thank you to all who attended our weekday meeting last night on stretching your dollars. It was a fun and informative activity! Janell Heintz talked about the best way to use coupons and store sales fliers. She sure knows her stuff! If you are confused about the best way to use your coupons, be sure to talk to Janell and see how you could be saving hundreds of dollars.
Steph Ferrin talked about the reasons it is important to plan meals in advance. The ones that stick out to me were; you can usually prepare healthier meals, eliminate the nightly stress of figuring out dinner, and save money by stocking up ingredients in advance.
Marianne Burton talked about the benefits of farm sharing, gardening, and eating organic, local produce. She offered veggies from her farm share box, and read from D&C 89:11-21 (The Word of Wisdom.)
After there was a delicious tasting table of dishes made from veggies, lentils, beans, and whole wheat rolls.
We missed any who were not there, and hope you will join us next time! Dede B.

This week in Relief Society

Today we talked about Jesus Christ, Our Chosen Leader and Savior. We needed to leave Heavenly Father's presence in order to be given a body, to be tested, to learn and grow, to exercise free agency. We needed a Savior in order to return to our Heavenly Father's presence after using that agency. Heavenly Father knew and loved each of us. He planned a way to help us, and that was through the atoning sacrifice of a Savior. Heavenly Father asked "Whom shall I send?" (Abraham 3:27) Jesus Christ said "Here am I, send me." (Abraham 3:27) Jesus was willing to come to earth, give his life and take upon himself our sins. He wanted us to be able to choose whether we would obey Heavenly Father's commandments. He was willing to do this out of love, without any glory. Satan also came forward and said "Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor. (Moses 4:1) It strikes me as ironic that Satan wanted to impose a plan on us that completely took away our agency, yet he was given free agency to present this plan. Heavenly Father allowed Satan to make decisions that ultimately led to his being cast from Heaven, yet Satan did not want to allow anyone else that same freedom to make decisions. After hearing both sons, Heavenly Father said "I will send the first." (Abraham 3:27) While Jesus was on the earth, He taught "I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. "(John 6:38)
We chose Jesus in the sprit world as our leader and Savior, and we again must chose Him in this life as our leader and savior. Take a moment and ask yourself what gift the Savior has given you today, right now, in this moment. It may be as simple as a beautiful sunset, or as miraculous as a healing through the power of the priesthood. Now think for a moment about this....people watch you. They know we are members of Christ's church. They see our actions and they might wonder to themselves if you represent Christ in every moment. WIth that in mind....what gift have YOU given to Jesus Christ, our Chosen Leader and Savior today? Dede B.

Missionary calendar

Sisters, the missionary calendar has lots of empty dates. PLEASE let me know if you can feed them lunch and/or dinner any of the following days and I will get you on the calendar. Can't let these boys go underfed! Dates available are; Friday 2/12 , Saturday 2/13, Monday 2/15, Friday 2/19, Saturday 2/20, Monday 2/22, Saturday 2/27, and Sunday 2/28. Thanks ! Dede B.

How do we show love?

Today in Relief Society, Sis. Brown gave a lesson on showing love. First, we got a handout that talked about the five different languages of love.
These are; #1 Words of Affirmation (saying "I love you", words of praise, etc.)
#2 Quality Time (spending time together in a meaningful way.)
#3 Gifts (doesn't have to be extravagant, can just be a note or something you've made.)
#4 Acts of service (doing things for another's benefit.)
#5 Physical Touch (hugs, kisses, etc.)
Not everyone expresses love the same way. For one person, they might need to hear the actual words "I Love you." But, if their husband/ visiting teacher/ neighbor expresses love through quality time, the first person might not understand that the other is actually expressing love.

Next, we talked about ways we can show love for our family. These ideas (from the sisters in the room) included;
Emailing/texting
Listening to each other
Saying "I love you"
Explain your words/actions if you feel you are not speaking the same "love language."
Help w/housework, homework, etc.
Give service
Compliment often and in public
Try to understand how they communicate and allow them to do so
Teach/lead by example
Brag about them to others
Allow them to "lean" on you. (This came from a story about how one sister's teenaged sons would not allow her to hug them in public, they just leaned into each other's shoulders instead. But, whether literal or metaphorical the advice still works!)
Allow Holy Ghost to guide us

Then, we talked about how we can show love for those around us. Specifically how we can fellowship non-members, inactive members, or sisters who chose not to attend RS on Sunday. These ideas included;
Offer help and support, and mean it
Make an effort to reach out; call, write, stop by
Take an interest in their family, their hobbies, their work
Notice them (especially true for new move in's or visitors)
INVITE them to RS on Sunday or weekday activities
Check up often
Be there when they need your help
Ask for help from others if you are not making the difference
Be a "friend" not an "acquaintance."

One sister brought up the idea that Visiting Teachers are "friends by assignment." Get to know the sisters you visit. If they are not interested in having a "Visiting teacher," then just offer to be a friend.

Love can make the difference, love is a verb meant to be an action. Loving our neighbor is a commandment from the Lord. Jesus explains that Loving thy neighbor is the second most important commandment surpassed only by loving God in Matthew Chapter 22:36-39:
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great acommandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt alove thy neighbour as thyself.

Love is so important that according to Wikipedia, it is mentioned in the KJV of the Bible 555 times. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf says "We are created in the image of our Heavenly parents; we are God's spirit children. Therefore, we have a vast capacity for love- it is part of our spiritual heritage. What and how we love not only defines us and individuals; it also defines us as a church. Love is the defining characteristic of a disciple of Christ." (The Love of God, Ensign Nov. 2009, 22) Dede B.