Visiting Teaching Idea

You can download these cute Pillow Boxes here. It would be a really cute and easy way to let your sisters know you're thinking about them, just add a note and a little treat. Sugardoodle is a great site for lesson helps, activity ideas, etc...

Sunday Happenings

Lesson: Chapter 19: Repentance
Instructor: Sister Ashby

Sister Ashby started out her lesson with an object lesson using thread. She asked Sister Stoddard try to break a single piece of thread which represented a sin, or bad habit. Of course, it was easily broken. She then proceeded to wrap the thread around Sister Stoddard"s two hands, each wrap represented another sin. In the end Sister Stoddard was not able to break the many pieces of thread which held her hands bound. Sins are very similar! If we take the time to stop the little sins before they become bad habits or big sins, they will be easier to break.

What is repentance?
Repentance is the way provided for us to become free from our sins and receive forgiveness for them. Sins slow our spiritual progression and can even stop it. Repentance makes it possible for us to grow and develop spiritually again. The privilege of repenting is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

What are the principles of Repentance?

• Recognize: We must admit to ourselves we have sinned
• Feel Sorrow: What is the difference between Godly Sorrow & Feeling Bad because you were caught?
• Forsake: STOP the sin
• Confess: to Heavenly Father or the proper Priesthood Authority
• Make Restitution: Make it right as mucha s possible
• Forgive Others/Self:
• Keep the Commandments: President Kimball said: “First, one repents. Having gained that ground he then must live the commandments of the Lord to retain his vantage point. This is necessary to secure complete forgiveness” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, 43).

What are some possible consequences of procrastinating our repentance?
The prophets have declared that “this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God” (Alma 34:32). We should repent now, every day. When we get up in the morning, we should examine ourselves to see whether the Spirit of God is with us. At night before we go to sleep, we should review our acts and words of the day and ask the Lord to help us recognize the things for which we need to repent. By repenting every day and having the Lord forgive our sins, we will experience the daily process of becoming perfect. As with Alma, our happiness and joy can be sweet and exquisite.

FHE Helps

Sharing Time: I Can Repent and Be Baptized

Sharing Time: Repentance -- Turing From Wrong to Right

Sharing Time: Clean Again

LDS Living: Atonement

LDS Living: Repentance

Prepared Not Scared Blog: FHE- Repentance great for youth!

Visiting Teaching Luncheon

We would like to thank everyone who was able to attend our Visiting Teaching Luncheon, as well as for all those who provided the delicious food. We were able to receive wonderful, uplifting messages from Sister Baumann, Sister Park, and Sister Evans. Everyone was encouraged to really get to know the sisters they visit teach! This can be done by sending them a note, or a letter, taking them out for lunch on their birthday, sharing of testimony with them, making sure they know you care by truly getting to know them and being there for them. We were able to see some beautiful videos about visiting teaching, go here to view one of them. We were also blessed to have Sister Seely share her testimony of Visiting Teaching through this beautiful poem:

"IF FOR VISITING TEACHERS"

If YOU CAN LOVE EACH woman that you visit,

Because she is the mother of a home;

If you can find in each a lovely virtue

then finding it-be sure to pass it on;

If you can distregard the littered parlor

Or dirty dishes that you are sure to fine;

But take your message to the one who lives there

And make her feel that you're friendly, wise and kind.

If you can sympathize where there is sorrow,

Can calm the troubles waters where there is strife;

If you can make her know that her tomorrows

Hold more than just the struggles of this life;

If you can drive away her fears;

If you can leave one thought or inspiration

For her to carry through the years.

If she can confide in you when there is trouble

And know that you, her confidence will keep;

If you can help a tired and weary mother

To make a bed or rock a child to sleep;

If you can do these things, and all others

That I am sure are there to do,

Yours is a mission like the Master's

And blessings will be given unto you.

By, Sister Anna Lou Seely

We would love to have you share some experiences about Visiting Teaching with us. How have visiting teachers touched your life? What have you done to make your visits special for those you visit teach? Leave a comment below if you would like to share.

I found a fun Halloween poem that you could take to your sisters this month, go here to see it!

Visiting Teaching Luncheon

Come join us for our Visiting Teaching Luncheon

Saturday October 9, 2010

11:00 a.m.

Ward Building/ Casual Dress

We will be providing lunch and a short program

Fun General Conference Treats & Activities

You can find the recipe for these yummy

Reeses No Bake Peanut Buttter Bars over at Our Best Bites

Head on over to Picky Palate to find out how to make these darling

Reeses Puffs Crunch Monster Eyeballs

Go to Inside BruCrewLife to get the recipe for these delicious looking
Pumpkin Spice Brownie Bites!

General Conference Activities for Kids of All Ages

You can find a General Conference Packet or individualized packets for Youth, Senior & Junior Primary, & Nursery at Sugardoodle.net

General Conference Activity Pages can be found at The Idea Door

Lds.org has some fun activities: The Friend Magazine site and Conference Activities

Sunday Happenings

Lesson: Watching With All Perseverance, Elder Bednar, May 2010 Ensign
Instructor: We want to thank Sister Geist for filling in this week, she did a great job!

"Recently I was driving my car as drops of rain from a thunderstorm began to fall on the windshield. On the side of the road, an electronic sign displayed a timely warning: “Standing Water Ahead.” The surface on which I was driving appeared to be quite safe. But this vital information enabled me to prepare for a potential hazard I had not expected and could not yet see. As I continued toward my destination, I slowed down and watched carefully for additional signs of danger.
Early warning signals are evident in many aspects of our lives. For example, a fever can be a first symptom of sickness or disease. Various financial and labor market indicators are used to forecast future trends in local and national economies. And depending upon the area of the world in which we live, we may receive flood, avalanche, hurricane, tsunami, tornado, or winter storm warnings."

Elder Bednar taught about "Three Components of a Spiritual Early Warning System" that will help parents strengthen the testimonies of their children and bring the closer to the Savior.

1. Reading and Talking about the Book of Mormon:

• Contains the fullness of the Gospel
• 2 Ne. 25:4- "My soul delighteth in the plainness unto my people, that they may learn"....plain means instruction that is clear and easily understood
• The Book of Mormon is the most correct book on earth because it centers on the truth
• The unique combination of the two factors-- a focus on the Savior and the plainness of the teachings -- powerfully invites the confirming witness of the third member of the Godhead, even the Holy Ghost.
• The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that by abiding by the precepts found in The Book of Mormon would help us "get nearer to God" than any other book.
• Helps us resist temptation
• Children and Youth may not fully understand all of the words and stories..."but they certainly can feel the "familiar spirit"!
• Have you had experiences with the Book of Mormon that have brought you closer to the Savior? What about your children?

2. Bearing Testimony Spontaneously:

• Be aware of opportunities where you could bear testimony to your children
• Naturally occurring family conversations at dinner
• Testimonies do not always need to begin with "I'd bear you my testimony."
• Could be as simple as, "I know I was blessed with inspiration at work today" or "The truth in this scripture always has been a powerful source of direction for me"
• Traveling in a car or bus
• While answering questions chidren my have...during discussions
• When have you been able to bear your testimony to your children?

3. Inviting Children to Act:

• James 1:22: We should be, "doers of the word, and not hearers only."
• Parents have the sacred responsibility to help children to act and to seek learning by faith.
• Giving a man a fish feeds him for one meal. Teaching a man to fish feeds him for a lifetime.
• What are some times you have been able to help your children choose to act in righteous decisions?

Elder Bednar concluded by saying, "I bear witness that parents who consistently read and talk about the Book of Mormon with their children, who share testimony spontaneously with their children, and who invite children as gospel learners to act and not merely be acted upon will be blessed with eyes that can see afar off (see Moses 6:27) and with ears that can hear the sound of the trumpet (see Ezekiel 33:2–16). The spiritual discernment and inspiration you will receive from the combination of these three holy habits will enable you to stand as watchmen on the tower for your families—”watching … with all perseverance” (Ephesians 6:18)—to the blessing of your immediate family and your future posterity. I so promise and testify in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen."

Family Home Evening Ideas:

Sharing Time: I Feel Reverent When I Read the Scriptures

Sharing Time: Study the Book of Mormon

LDS Living FHE Lesson: Choose the Right

LDS Living FHE Lesson: The Book of Mormon

Prepared not Scared Blog: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and he is a God of Miracles, P.S. she has some fun Halloween Ideas she posts during the week!

Service Auction Recap

Our Service Auction was a lot of fun. There were so many fun items donated! It was nice having time to talk, relax, eat, and bid on so many incredible things! Here are some of the things that were donated:

Thanks so much for everything you donated, and for bringing all of the delicious soups & salads. Those who won your items will give you a call!