It's an Opportunity

VT Coordinator Beverly Repouille

December VT Message

Access the December VT Message by clicking here.

December Presidency Message

           One of my favorite Christmas decorations reads, “Wise Men Still Seek Him”.  The Wise Men in the Christmas story had a desire to find the Savior, to worship Him.  Although this took years they never gave up. I would imagine their journey to find the Savior was a difficult one, filled with trials and moments when they wondered if it was even worth it.  However, I would also imagine that when they saw the Savior and felt of His spirit they were thrilled that they didn’t give up!  Their humble example of true followers of Christ should inspire us and remind us that we should always be seeking to draw closer to the Savior.  As the year draws to a close, we might reflect on the year we have had.  Some of it joyous, some of it heart breaking.  In the moments when we may wonder if it is really worth it, we must continue on our quest.  For, “He is the Light of the World and the sure source of comfort, hope, peace and joy.”(Henry B. Eyring)  As we seek Him we will be filled with his Love.  “May we, as did the Wise Men, seek a bright, particular star to guide us in our celebration of the Savior’s birth.” (Thomas S. Monson)

Presidency Message: Sister Kristin Salanoa

Special Days for Special People

Congratulations to the Peterson family on their sealing this month!

We are also happy to welcome Nathan Hofmeyer and Lillie Frederick to the ward!

A Night to Shine--recap

A big thank you to our Activities Committee for hosting our November activity. It was exciting to discover the many talents of our sisters! We had a wonderful turn-out and hope to continue bonding at these activities.

Circle of Angels

You, dear Sister, are never forgotten. To ensure this you have been prayerfully assigned visiting teachers, sisters to visit, and home teachers for your family. These people make up your ‘Circle of Angels.’ Create an excuse to become best friends with them, to put aside differences, and to create meaningful relationships. When you need assistance contact your visiting teachers. They will contact the Relief Society President who will then, if needed, call upon the Compassionate Service Committee to send aid. The committee will turn to your Circle of Angels. We will first be in contact with your visiting teachers and will instruct your visiting teachers on who to contact next—your home teachers, your companion, those you visit teach. Not only do you have these literal angels to watch over you, but you are to be a watchful angel in the lives of those you are asked to visit.  When these bonds that bring us together are broken, beautiful daughters of God, even we ourselves can and do go unnoticed.

If you don’t know who the angels are that surround you, contact the Relief Society President. If you are not being visited, remember that not only are your visiting teachers your angels, but you are theirs. It is now your responsibility to reach out to them. 

--Compassionate Service Leader: Sister Bethany Riffle

5 Weird Ways to Be a Better Visiting Teacher

1. Wait until the last day of the month to report.  WHAT?  I shouldn’t report as soon as I have it done?  Forget numbers and dates.  We are visiting teachers 24/7; and just because we have made our monthly visit does not mean that we can “rest on our laurels.”  And report in person with more than just a “yes” or “no” answer.  The presidency needs to know about the needs of each and every sister!
2. Stalk the ladies you visit teach.  Friend them on Facebook and other social media.  Use what you read there about them to learn more of what they are all about.  If they aren’t on social media, then find other ways to “nudge” yourself into their lives.
3. Skip the message.  Well, maybe not always!  But pray about what your sisters need to hear.  Sometimes it’s a message and other times it might be something totally different.
4. Stop bringing cookies.  Jesus wasn’t talking literally when he said “feed my sheep.”  Cookies and goodies are OK; but don’t allow them to be a crutch (in other words, don’t “drop and run”).  Find new ways to be a visiting teacher.
5. Treat everyone differently.  Each of your sisters IS different.  Why should they get the same kind of visit?  Treat them as individuals and you’ll have a better chance at effectively meeting their needs.

VT Coordinator Beverly Repouille

November VT Message

This month we have been instructed to select from the talks given in the October General Conference to share a visiting teaching message.  Use inspiring messages from our leaders to teach and uplift. Click here to link to Conference messages. 

November Presidency Message

Sisters, the holiday season is upon us!  As we enter November, may we remember to give thanks to our Father in Heaven.  This time of year we can get caught up in what the world would have us make of these holidays by spending hours making the perfect meal or shopping for the perfect gift and losing sight of the One who made all of this possible, our Heavenly Father.  President Monson said, "Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God's love."  Regardless how thankful we have been in the past let us start now to show our thanks every day and by doing so feel God's love daily.  President Monson also taught, "My brothers and sisters, to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven."  We encourage you this holiday season to prayerfully ponder and sincerely focus on the things you have to be grateful for and to more fully feel the love of our Father in Heaven.

President Monson's full talk can be found in the October 2010 Conference entitled 'The Divine Gift of Gratitude'

--Sister Tracey Andreasen

Home Visits

We have the opportunity and responsibility to know each member of our Relief Society, and as such, we would like to briefly visit each of you at home.  We understand this will take several months, but the plan is to see everyone.  Thank you in advance for helping us get to truly know you.

Newsletters

Dear Sisters,

We are excited to begin our monthly newsletters!  We hope to keep you well-informed and able to plan ahead for the many events happening within our Relief Society, Ward and Stake.

As a newly formed presidency, we have qui kly come to feel a deep love and concern for you sisters in our ward.  We understand that these profound feelings are a miraculous extension of the perfect love felt for us by our perfect Savior.  We can feel it, and want you to know we do.  We love you!

October VT Message

Access the October VT Message by clicking here.