June Spotlight

RAMONA HAMILTON RUST

   I was born in Spanish Fork, Utah, the youngest of 8.  Bill and I met in high school and married in July  of 1953. In July my Husband and I will have been married for 58 years.
   As I look back on many years. I'm like most of you moms.  I've changed many diapers, soothed many broken hearts, canned fruits, vegetables, baked bread, cookies, sewed, cooked a lot of meals, attended PTA meetings, and a million  other meetings, participated in and I'm still involved in the kids, grandchildren, great grandchildren's activities. Makes me tired!!!
 Being a secretary for 20 plus years at Nebo and Provo School Districts, and a bookkeeper for 12 or more,  I have used these tools  to the advantage of my Husband and Children as I've typed and edited university papers,and dissertations, as they have attended different universities.  My shorthand skills were in use as I took board, administrative staff and central office minutes, and in my daily journal writing. 
My 12 years as a bookkeeper at Sears and at Hamilton Electric, taught me to manage a budget.  My Husband and I being in education for many years didn't earn large sums of money, but by being thrifty were able to survive. Our motto has always been, "Money isn't worth anything, if it can't buy a memory."  Many pleasant memories our children have---not of the more expensive trips we've taken, but of tenting on the California Beaches,  at Sequoia, Hoover Dam, and boating at Lake Powell, etc.  We enjoyed traveling to pick up 5 of our 6 children, some in foreign countries, from their missions, and now we're traveling
to get our grandchildren. 
   Our mission to Florida, mission at the Senior MTC, our Ward and Stake missions have been, and are wonderful.
   We have six children--4 boys, 2 girls-- one a Lamanite.  We have 19 grandchildren, ages 2 to 32, and 10 great grandchildren, ages 1 to 5.  I like family activities, traveling, reading, attending the theater, current events, all sports, and clean cars.
   It seems one's perspective changes as one matures and grows older.  I used to wish for beautiful legs, teeth, hair, etc., now I'm just thankful for what I have.  I'm thankful Bill's life was preserved from a 1999 accident and for my renewed health.
   As we grow older, we need all the prayers we can get as we trod further down the "golden" or "rusty" path of life. I often sing this song from the "Work and the Glory," which best describes where I have been and am now in the autumn of my life.  "Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, how swiftly speed the years.  Now we see how tall grow our children, how softly fall our tears.  Life coming forth now in gladness.  Children grow like flowers in spring--running in the warm summer sunshine, how sweet the joy they bring.  Swiftly the seasons are passing.  Now deepening more each year.  Cherished are the ties that now
bind us:  how sweet the love we share.  Gray now our hair in the autumn, yet the harvest has barely begun.
Now we watch as our children's children, fill and renew our home.  Lord, how we thank thee for families, sometimes we struggled, sometimes we've rejoiced.  Dear Lord, we thank thee for granting seasons of sorrow and seasons of joy.
Thank you Ramona!  It is such a pleasure and blessing to have Sister Rust in our ward.

June Presidency Message

“Oh, that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!  Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.”   Alma 29:1,2

Repentance, as Alma says, is the most hopeful message in all the world.  He would know.  We, also, need to thoroughly understand the true doctrine of repentance and have testimonies of the joy that comes as one repents.

There is a lot of confusion regarding what repentance is.  It may be best to start a discussion on what is isn’t.  Repentance is not suffering.  Repentance is not pain.  Repentance is not shame.  President Theodore Burton wrote:

“As a General Authority, I have prepared information for the First Presidency to use in considering applications to readmit repentant transgressors into the Church and to restore priesthood and temple blessings.  Many times a bishop will write, ‘I feel he has suffered enough!’  But suffering is not repentance.  Suffering comes from lack of complete repentance.  A stake president will write, ‘I feel he has been punished enough!’  But punishment is not repentance.  Punishment follows disobedience and precedes repentance.  A husband will write, ‘My wife has confessed everything!’  But confession is not repentance.  Confession is an admission of guilt that occurs as repentance begins.  A wife will write, ‘My husband is filled with remorse!’  But remorse is not repentance.  Remorse and sorrow continue because a person has not yet fully repented.  Suffering, punishment, confession, remorse, and sorrow may sometimes accompany repentance, but they are not repentance.”

Repentance is not just for “big” sins.  We all need to access this powerful gift.  Repentance is a change of mind, heart, and spirit that comes as we turn our lives over to God.  It is a turning from evil towards that which is noble and good.  It is a process that occurs over a lifetime and beyond.

In Mosiah 3:19 we get an idea of the kind of people we must become in order to live with Heavenly Father again: submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon us.  How many of us can say that we are all of those things?  Thus, each one of us stands in need of daily repentance to help us evolve into saints through the atonement of Christ.

The blessings of repentance are many and sweet.  Through repentance we can find ourselves “more resilient and able to deny [ourselves] of ungodliness…[U]ncontrolled appetite, addiction to pornography or harmful drugs, unbridled passion, carnal desire, and unrighteous pride are diminished….Truth becomes more attractive, and things praiseworthy become more engaging.”  Russell M. Nelson

Furthermore, repentance “not only changes us, but it also blesses our families and those we love.  With our righteous repentance, in the timetable of the Lord, the lengthened-out arms of the Savior will not only encircle us but will also extend into the lives of our children and posterity.  Repentance always means that there is greater happiness ahead.”  Neil Anderson

As disciples of Christ, let us be His representatives in being examples of repentance, and crying repentance unto those around us.  Let us open our hearts and arms to those around us, no matter what stage of repentance they are in.  Let us be lights of love, tenderness, and mercy to those who have lost their way in the darkness.  Let us be kind, patient, and forgiving of our own weakness and with the faults and weakness of our brothers and sisters.

April Presidency Message

Last month on March 17^th the RS celebrated the 169^th anniversary of its organization.  The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, “The Church was never perfectly organized until the women were thus organized.”   “And I now turn the key to you in the name of God and this Society shall rejoice and knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from this time.”

Pres. Julie Beck has said, “The organization of Relief Society mobilized the collective power of the women and their specific assignments to build the Lord’s kingdom, just as the organization of priesthood quorums gave men specific responsibilities.” 

Since its organization in 1842, Relief Society has spread throughout the world and has been called the largest, and by all measures the greatest women’s organization on earth.

Pres. Joseph F. Smith taught that RS was divinely made, divinely authorized, divinely instituted, divinely ordained of God, according to the law of Heaven, to help the Lord bring to pass the eternal life of man.

Pres Faust said in his opinion that RS centers on four great concepts:

First, it is a divinely established sisterhood

Second, the society is a place of learning

Third, it is an organization whose basic charter is caring for others; its motto is “Charity never Faileth”

Fourth, the RS is a place where the needs of women to socialize can be met.

He further stated that Membership in RS, which is a privilege for every adult woman in the Church, provides a home away from your heavenly home, where you can fellowship with others who share your beliefs and values.

We as Sisters of the Relief Society were also presented in 1999 the Relief Society Declaration. Although we have been asked not repeat the Declaration every week, I felt prompted to review it with you today.

We are beloved spirit daughters of God and our lives have meaning, purpose, and direction.

We are united in our devotion to Jesus Christ, our Savior and Exemplar.

What does it mean to be a daughter of God?  To be a daughter of God means that you are the offspring of Deity, literal descendants of a divine Father, inheriting godly attributes and potential.

Being a daughter of God means that if you seek it, you can find your true identity. You will know who you are. This will make you free—not free from restraints, but free from doubts, anxieties, or peer pressure. A conviction that you are a daughter of God gives you a feeling of comfort in your self-worth. It means that you can find strength in the balm of Christ. It will help you meet the heartaches and challenges with faith and serenity.  James E Faust

Mary Ellen Smoot, “We declare to the world that it is not by chance that we have embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ. This great plan, when reflected upon puts this life in perspective. We know we have and always will exist.  We know we have been sent to earth to gain experience and prove ourselves. The decisions we make are vital if we are to gain eternal life and exaltation.  We know that this estate is important, and this understanding gives meaning, purpose, and direction in our lives. 

We have faith, virtue, vision, and charity.

FAITH

Russell Ballard states, The Lord especially loves righteous women—women who are not only faithful but filled with faith, women who are optimistic and cheerful because they know who they are and where they are going, women who are striving to live and serve as women of God.

VIRTUE

Elaine Dalton: “Virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. It encompasses chastity and moral purity. Virtue includes modesty—in thought, language, dress, and demeanor. Virtue provides an anchor on the path leading to our Heavenly Father’s presence. The paths of virtue lead to happiness in this life and in the life to come. The paths of virtue lead to strong families. The paths of virtue contain the foundation stones for the blessings of eternity.”

CHARITY

Charity is “the pure love of Christ,” or “everlasting love” . The prophet Mormon taught: “Charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things”.

Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles to those in need, or sharing our excess with those who are less fortunate. But really, true charity is much, much more. “Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. … “Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended. … Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other”

We increase our testimonies of Jesus Christ through prayer and scripture study.

Elder Russell M. Ballard states; first are fasting and prayer. When the sons of Mosiah were united with Alma the Younger, they rejoiced in their reunion and acknowledged that because “they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting,” they had been gifted with the spirit of prophecy and revelation, “and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God. 

Second is immersing yourself in the scriptures. The word of God “will tell you all things what ye should do”. The scriptures are a conduit for personal revelation. {Sisters}, you have been taught to read and study the scriptures. I urge you to intensify your study of them. I promise that your ability to hear the voice of the Lord as communicated through the Holy Ghost will increase and improve.

We seek spiritual strength by following the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

If you want to avoid the snares of Satan, if you need direction when the choices in front of you are puzzling and perplexing, learn to hear the voice of the Lord as communicated through the Holy Ghost. And then, of course, do what it tells you to do.

Nephi taught clearly that the Holy Ghost “is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him” and that “he that diligently seeketh shall find”. The stunning reality is that you control how close you are to the Lord. You determine just how clear and readily available promptings from the Holy Ghost will be. You determine this by your actions, by your attitude, by the choices you make, by the things you watch and wear and listen to and read, and by how consistently and sincerely you invite the Spirit into your life.

We dedicate ourselves to strengthening marriages, families, and homes and find nobility in motherhood and joy in womanhood.

We understand that the home is the basic unit created by God for our service and learning. Out of this understanding grows a commitment to make our time spent with family a top priority and to look inside to determine how to be a better companion. Out of these reflections flow actions that are kind and loving and forgiving toward our spouses. Spend time holding meaningful family home evenings, family scripture study, and prayer, and in regular personal temple attendance.  

We delight in service and good works.

Service is an imperative for those who worship Jesus Christ. To followers who were vying for prominent positions in his kingdom, the Savior taught, “Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.” On a later occasion, he spoke of ministering to the needs of the hungry, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned. He concluded that teaching with these words: “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

SERVICE

In latter-day revelation the Lord has commanded that we “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.” In another section of the Doctrine and Covenants, he instructed us to be “anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of [our] own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness.”.

GOOD WORKS

Mosiah 5:15 Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all.

Love life and learning

President Young repeatedly taught that “the object of our mortal existence is to learn.”  We might ask, when shall we cease to learn? I will give you my opinion about it: never, never.”

You and I are here on the earth to prepare for eternity, to learn how to learn, to learn things that are temporally important and eternally essential, and to assist others in learning wisdom and truth. Understanding who we are, where we came from, and why we are on the earth places upon each of us a great responsibility both to learn how to learn and to learn to love learning.  Elder David Bednar

Stand for truth and righteousness.

Pres Monson:

My plea is that you have the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness. Because the trend in society today is away from the values and principles the Lord has given us, you will almost certainly be called upon to defend that which you believe. Unless the roots of your testimony are firmly planted, it will be difficult for you to withstand the ridicule of those who challenge your faith. When firmly planted, your testimony of the gospel, of the Savior, and of our Heavenly Father will influence all that you do throughout your life. The adversary would like nothing better than for you to allow derisive comments and criticism of the Church to cause you to question and doubt. Your testimony, when constantly nourished, will keep you safe. May you declare with the Apostle Paul, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation.”

We sustain the priesthood as the authority of God on earth.

We see sisters in this great Church who recognize the blessings of the restored priesthood. We rejoice as each baby is blessed, each child is baptized, as we partake of the sacrament and are set apart for Church callings and watch our husbands give fathers’ blessings. We are grateful for priesthood blessings that light our way and give us direction and hope. We rejoice in and support worthy priesthood holders.

There are those who suggest that males are favored of the Lord because they are ordained to hold the priesthood. Anyone who believes this does not understand the great plan of happiness. The premortal and mortal natures of men and women were specified by God Himself, and it is simply not within His character to diminish the roles and responsibilities of any of His children.  M. Russell Ballard

We rejoice in the blessings of the temple, understand our divine destiny, and strive for exaltation.

We see sisters in this great Church who recognize the blessings of the restored priesthood. We rejoice as each baby is blessed, each child is baptized, as we partake of the sacrament and are set apart for Church callings and watch our husbands give fathers’ blessings. We are grateful for priesthood blessings that light our way and give us direction and hope. We rejoice in and support worthy priesthood holders.

There are those who suggest that males are favored of the Lord because they are ordained to hold the priesthood. Anyone who believes this does not understand the great plan of happiness. The premortal and mortal natures of men and women were specified by God Himself, and it is simply not within His character to diminish the roles and responsibilities of any of His children.  M. Russell Ballard

February Presidents Message

" In our personal lives, we are only limited by our faithfulness and desire to receive the Lord’s Spirit and to have it work in our lives. The Lord’s power can be powerful.

I have said before, “The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important ability that can be acquired in this life."  When we have that spirit, we can walk with God. We can know His Son and make proper choices.

With the Lord’s Spirit, weak and simple women can know what to do. I have been to places in the world where women aren’t able to read. They haven’t had the opportunity or have not been taught, but because of the Lord’s power that is placed upon them, the covenants they have made in the temple, and His Spirit that is poured out upon them, they are powerful women. They can discern His will, solve major problems, and feel peace, comfort, and guidance in their lives. Education is wonderful, but being able to feel the Lord’s power and Spirit upon us is the highest education we can achieve. With that, we have power and influence. Without it, we will not be able to navigate in this life. The adversary will pick us off one by one, and we will be drawn off course by the many, many voices that are out there distracting us. With the Lord’s Spirit upon us, we are strong and solid and will be able to walk with Him.

I have said lately that women are like lionesses at the gate of the home. Whatever happens in that home and family happens because she cares about it and it matters to her. She guards that gate, and things matter to that family if they matter to her. For example, if the lioness at the gate believes in the law of tithing, tithing will be paid in that family. If that family has a humble little portion of ten pesos coming in, that lioness will safeguard the one peso if tithing is important to her. If that lioness at the gate knows about renewing her baptismal covenants with God, she will be in sacrament meeting on Sunday, and she will prepare her children to be there. They will be washed, cleaned, combed, and taught about that meeting and what happens there. It isn’t a casual event, but it is serious to her, and it will be serious to them. The lioness at the gate ensures that temple worship is taken care of in the family. She encourages that participation. She cares about seeking after her ancestors. If the lioness at the gate knows about and understands missions, missionaries, and the mission of the house of Israel, she will prepare future missionaries to go out from that home. It is very difficult to get a lion cub away from a lioness who doesn’t believe in missions, but if the lioness believes in a mission, she will devote her life to preparing the cub to go out and serve the Lord. That’s how important she is. Service happens if she cares about it.

Sisters, you are each like the lioness at the gate. This means that there has to be some prioritizing. I was taught years ago that when our priorities are out of order, we lose power. If we need power and influence to carry out our mission, then our priorities have to be straight.

Years ago I began using a system that works for me, and maybe it will work for you. There was a time when I needed to prioritize, and in one of those sacred meetings between me and the Lord, He gave me three categories that I have worked from, and they have been a guide in my life. The categories are the essential things, the necessary things, and the nice-to-do things. I started writing those things down. I asked, “What has to go in the category of essential?” What things must be taken care of, and if I don’t take care of them, the blessings of eternal life won’t be mine nor will they be my family’s.

I wrote at the top of the essential list revelation. I have to be able to know the mind and will of God. Therefore, I have to do the things in my life that put me in a position to hear His voice. Reading the scriptures then became an essential for me because the scriptures contain the mind and will of God, and by reading and studying from them, I can hear His voice and receive His guidance in all aspects of my life. I came up with a simple rule that was easy for me to keep: Every day I will spend some time in the scriptures. The accumulative power and learning of that commitment has changed my life and helped me learn daily the mind and will of God.

Personal prayer took on new meaning when I knew that I needed to know the mind and will of God. I have taken a paper and pencil with me most of the time since then to my prayers. I don’t always receive an answer or instruction, but I am ready. I want to be ready to learn what the Lord would have me do in my day. Who needs my help? How can I increase my faith this day? How can I strengthen my family? What things do I need to correct in order to be worthy to receive His Spirit? He will tell me.

Taking time to ponder and fast with sincerity took on added meaning when I knew that revelation was an essential for me. Making covenants and keeping covenants is on the essential list. Going to sacrament meeting and repenting every week took on added meaning. Going to the temple and fulfilling that responsibility frequently became an essential. Sharing the gospel is something the Lord tells us is an essential, and we are charged as part of the house of Israel to share that message. I need to open my mouth and find ways to share and express my testimony. Service took on added meaning. The Lord said if you want eternal life, give all that you have and follow me.⁴ So those things went on my essentials list. The list wasn’t very long, but there were essential things that I could see to and make sure that they were taken care of.

On my necessary list, then, went some other things. I started thinking about my home and family and what was necessary to create an environment or climate where the Spirit of the Lord would be. There were some necessary things to take care of. Homemaking took on a new meaning for me. I wanted to make a home where the Spirit of the Lord was present. That meant that even mundane tasks like picking things up and cleaning, became necessary to keep a house of order. I wanted to model my house after the temple. Though that is the ideal, it has never been that perfect. We have to live there after all. A house is peopled with people. People make messes, and we can’t be little soldiers, but it made a difference to me to know that I wanted a house of order. It became a priority to make a place where the Spirit of the Lord could come.

Cooking meals for my family took on added meaning because I needed a place to teach and gather and have the Lord’s Spirit there. It was important to invest my effort in making a home.

At one time I was going through some challenges, and one of my daughters came home from school and put another item on my necessary list. I said, “I don’t feel like I’m contributing what I should or what I could,” and she said, “You could smile. Mother, you could smile.” I thought, “That is a great service.” Smiling took on added meaning for me. Being happy around my family and other people was necessary.

I learned some things from the scriptures—that it is necessary to teach my children to pray and walk uprightly before the Lord. Things like family home evening and time recreating with our family became more necessary and more important. I thought more about my husband and supporting him, and I studied Doctrine and Covenants section 25, in which the Lord tells Emma Smith to be a comfort to her husband with consoling words and a spirit of meekness.⁵ That took on more importance, and it was more necessary to me to be kind to my husband and to support him in his heavy responsibilities. I also learned from that section in verse 10 to “lay aside the things of [the] world, and seek for the things of a better,” to not ask him to provide things for me we couldn’t afford but value the things that were important for our family—to “seek for the things of a better” and not be tantalized by “the things of the world” that were glamorous. Becoming self-reliant became more important to me.

I have been reviewing Elder Hales’s words in his talk on provident living and self-reliance about debt.⁶ When we go into debt, we give away some of our precious, priceless agency and place ourselves in self-imposed servitude. As our freedom is diminished by debt, increasing hopelessness depletes us physically, depresses us mentally, burdens us spiritually. Our self-image is affected, as well as our relationships with our spouse and children, with our friends and neighbors, and ultimately with the Lord.

Becoming self-reliant temporally affects our spiritual self-reliance, and we are going to need to be more temporally self-reliant in the days to come in order to have strong spirits and help the Lord.

Loving one another goes on the necessary list and a few other things. You can make your own list of what is necessary, but there are things that are essential and things that are necessary in order for us to fulfill our responsibilities in the house of Israel and to fulfill our mission.

The third category has to do with the nice-to-do things. Those are crafts and hobbies and recreational reading and movies and travel and lunches with friends. A lot of women call this “time out.” These things won’t save us. They add variety to our lives, but they won’t save us. When our priorities are on that list, and our time is devoted to those nice-to-do things, our priorities are out of order, and we lose power.

To walk with the Lord, we have to know what is essential, what is necessary, and what is nice to do. There is a lot to do, but I find that it is amazing how much I get to do on my nice-to-do list. The Lord blesses us with those mercies, but only if the other priorities are in order."

January Presidency Message

Presidency Message

When my 4 year old granddaughter Chanelle’s bedtime rolls around, my son often lies down by her for a while until she falls asleep. Occasionally Chanelle will turn to her Dad and say to him “Dad, hug up to me”.  I believe it’s her way of saying; I need you to be closer to me so that I feel safe, included and loved. 

This summer I purchased a car.  I researched different types of cars and made a list of the vehicles I might want to buy.  I didn’t want to buy new because of the cost.  I wanted a car that would fit 7 people so I could more easily haul my grandkids.  I wanted heated seats and 4 wheel drive.  One of the big factors was fuel economy.  

Let me invite you today to compare your every day life with an automobiles fuel economy. 

I hope that you are getting fantastic gas mileage in your life when it comes to reading your scriptures, saying your prayers, holding FHE, and fulfilling your Church assignments. I hope you have found a steady pace to include these things in your life and your path seems clear and straight.  

Today however, I want us to focus on our in-town driving gas mileage.  I want to encourage you today to get the worst gas mileage you possibly can.  I want you to slow down, speed up, slam on the brakes, make U turns, drive backwards and circle the block. 

I would like to invite you to take a minute during your well planned out good gas mileage day to slow down long enough to think about your neighbors, the sisters you visit teach, those who are home bound or ill.  I want you to take your life off cruise control,  slow down and fervently ask your Father in Heaven who might need your help that day. Slow down and listen to the inspiration that comes. Who could you call that day to just say hello?  Who in our ward might be silently praying for someone to “hug up to them”? 

.

Then speed up and follow the promptings, don’t wait or put it off, the Spirit will tell you what to do.  Sometimes the prompting to act comes at a convenient time, most of the time it does not.  Those are the times when we have to slam on our brakes and redirect our efforts so that we don’t miss the opportunity to serve. 

Sometimes in our conversations with each other, words are spoken that may have been perceived as unkind or mean spirited; the Spirit will tell us to make a U turn or drive backwards and go back and correct the wrong.  The Spirit will help us repair damaged friendships and remind us that we are all daughters of our Heavenly Father and we all need love and acceptance, not alienation and judgment.

There are times when you will find that the situation you become aware of will need more support than just a friendly phone call or quick visit.  That’s the time to call President Swenson and let her know about the needs of your neighbors and friends.  She will then communicate with the Bishop who then through interviews and prayers and inspiration will ask the members of the ward, to circle the block for a time to make sure that our friends and neighbors are receiving the help they need.

Sometimes as members of the ward, we are only aware of a small part of the overall picture because of confidentiality, or people’s requests to protect their privacy.  Most matters are dealt with by the Bishop behind closed doors as the Lord directs him. The rest of us are not privy to the help and actions being put into place by a humble servant of the Lord.  We must rely on our faith knowing that our Bishop has been called by the Lord to be a judge and shepherd.  He has been given the keys and power of discernment and the right to revelation and inspiration for the guidance of his flock.  As the Lord Himself said “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (D&C 1:38)

I am so grateful to live in such an amazing ward of compassionate and loving sisters.  I know the Lord is pleased with your service and kindness shown to each other every day.  I leave you with the words of Pres. Julie Beck from our regional conference when she said “You are doing better than you think you are” and at the same time “We are not doing as well as we could.”

I pray that we will all continue to have the desire to give and receive the blessings of service so that we may all feel comfortable to say to our neighbor and friend.  “Hug up to Me”.

-Kim Olsen

Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Pot Pie

Pastry for Double Crust Pie

2 cups flour
2/3 cup shortening
6-7 T cold water

stir together flour and 1/2 tsp salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in shortning till pieces are pea size.

Sprinkle 1 T water over part of the mixture, gentle toss with a fork. Push moistened dough to side of bowl. Repeat, using 1 T water at a time, till all the dough is moistened. Set aside.

1 10 oz pkg frozen peas and carrots
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped fresh mushrooms
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sage, marjoram, or thyme
1/8 tsp pepper
2 cups chicken broth
3/4 cup milk
3 cups cooked cubed or shredded chicken or turkey
1/4 cup snipped fresh parsley
1/4 cup pimiento (optional)

In a saucepan cook onion and mushroom in butter till tender. Stir in flour, slat, sage, marjoram, or thyme, and pepper. Add chicken broth and milk all at once. Cook and stir till thickened and bubbly. Stir in drained peas and carrots, chicken or turkey, parsley, and pimiento; cook til bubbly.

pour mixture into 9x13 or 2 pie plates and cover with dough. Flute edges and make a few small cuts in top. Bake at 450 for 12-15 minutes or till pastry is golden brown.

Enchiladas

Enchiladas

1 lb hamburger
1 onion chopped

Brown meat

1 can chili beans heated and mixed with hamburger mixture
Tortillas
Shredded cheddar cheese
1 can olives (chopped if desired, I leave them whole)
Enchilada sauce

Put hamburger/bean mix in tortilla a little cheese some sauce and olives. Roll up and place them in 9x13. Pour sauce over the top, be sure to cover tortillas so they won't dry out when baking. Top with cheese and olives. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until hot.

Sauce: You can use a packet but homemade is so much better

melt 1/2 cube butter in sauce pan
Add 1-2 T flour and 1 tsp chili powder
cook for 45 seconds to cook our flour taste
Add 1 can tomato sauce and 2-3 cans water, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp brn sugar, salt and pepper to taste.

Cook until thick.

Breakfast Casserole

Breakfast Casserole

4 slices of bread
1 lb maple sausage
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 eggs
2 cup milk
1 tsp ground mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Break bread into cubes and place in a greased 9x13
Brown sausage and then sprinkle over bread, then sprinkle cheese over the sausage.
In a bowl whisk the eggs, milk mustard, salt, and pepper. Pour over the sausage and cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until puffed and golden. Yield 6-8 servings

Stew

Stew

2 T flour
1 lb beef or pork stew meat cut into 3/4" cubes
2 T cooking oil
3 cups vegetable juice
1 cup water
1 medium onion, cut into wedges
1 tsp instant beef bouillon granules
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp dried marjoram
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 bay leaf
2 1/2 cups cubed potatoes (about 3 medium)
1 cup frozen cut green beans
1 cup frozen whole kernel corn
1 cup sliced carrots (2 medium)

Coat meat with flour and brown in pan in hot oil. add veg juice, water, onion, bouillon granules, Worcestershire sauce, marjoram, oregano, and bay leaf. Bring to boil and reduce heat and cover, simmer for 1 hour. Add potatoes, green beans, corn, and carrots. Cover and simmer about 30 minutes more.

Can do this in a crock pot too.

Taco Soup

Taco Soup

1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion chopped
1 pkg taco seasoning (optional)
1 can corn undrained
1 can kidney beans, or chili beans, or what ever kind of bean you like drained if necessary
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 small can tomato sauce

Cook hamburger with onion until done, drain hamburger grease. Add the other ingredients and cook until hot.

Serve with cheese and sour cream and fritos

YUM!

Chicken Corn Soup

Chicken Corn Soup (Food Storage Recipe)

6 cup water
4 tsp chicken bouillon
1/2 cup dried diced carrots
1 T dried minced onion
1 T dried celery
1/2 tsp minced garlic

1 cup uncooked noodles, any shape
1 10 oz can chicken chunks undrained and broken up
1 15 oz can corn undrained
2 tsp dried parsley
pepper to taste

Combine first 6 ingredients, bring to boil. Simmer 15 min or until carrots are tender. Eliminate this cooking time if using puff-dried carrots. Add noodles, simmer for 10 min more. Add chicken, corn, and parsley. Stir just to combine. Heat and serve. serves 4-5


I always double this for my family of 5

Meatballs with cream sauce

Meatballs with Cream Sauce

1 egg lightly beaten
1/4 cup milk
2 T ketchup
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup quick-cooking oats
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup fresh parsley
1/4 tsp pepper
1-1/2 lbs lean ground beef
3 T all purpose flour

Cream Sauce:
2 T butter
2 T flour
1/4 tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
1 can 14 oz chicken broth
2/3 cup whipping cream
2 T minced fresh parsley (can use dry)

In a bowl, combine the first nine ingredients. Add beef and mix well.. Shape into 1-1/2" balls. Roll in flour, shaking off excess. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 400 for 25 minutes. You can turn them in between if desired.

Meanwhile, for sauce, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and thyme, salt and pepper,until smooth. Let cook about 45 seconds to cook out flour flavor. Gradually add broth and cream; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 min or until thickened and bubbly. Drain meatballs on paper towels; transfer to serving dish and top with sauce and some fresh parsley. Serve with peas if desired.

Hot filled Chicken Sandwiches

Hot filled Chicken Sandwiches (12 rolls)

1 cup cooked chicken chopped fine
3 hard boiled eggs chopped fine
4 tsp sweet pickles chopped
4 T green pepper chopped
4 T onion chopped
1/2 lb. cheddar cheese cubed 3/8"
1 cup mayo

Mix all ingredients. Cut rolls take a little of the middle out, then fill them up with filling and wrap in foil.

Cook at 325 for 25 minutes if not frozen. You can make these ahead and freeze them. If frozen cook 45 minutes.

Lasagna

Lasagna,

Cook 12 noodles. Brown hamburger with onions then add 1 or 2 jars of marinara sauce heat through. Layer in a 9x13. Noodles, sauce with hamburger and lots of mozzarella cheese. Finish with cheese on top and bake for 20 minutes at 350.

Presidency December Message

My purpose today is to inspire you to find joy in your service as a Visiting Teacher.

“And they did fellowship one with another, and did rejoice one with another, and did have great joy” (Hel. 6:3)  Nephi and Lehi the sons of Helaman found great joy in serving and converting their brothers and sisters in the gospel.   They lived in a time when those who chose evil were more numerous that those who chose good.   Nephi actually gave up the position of chief judge to devote all his time to preach the word of God with his brother Lehi.  As I have read and study their story, I have wondered why they found such great joy in their service.  I believe their example holds a great lesson for us. ( Read Helaman 5 and 6)

As sisters, we love to share recipes.  In their story we find a beautiful recipe for joy.  The first ingredient and probably the most important is Obedience.  We can learn from their example of remembering the commandments of God in their lives.  They also remembered the things their father had taught them.  They treasured the things which were eternal.  

“Because we as sisters in the gospel value the sacred assignment from our Savior to love, know , serve, understand, teach, and minister in His behalf, we can choose to be faithful in our visiting teaching.  A visiting teacher cares for her sisters and helps them prepare for the blessings of eternal life.  You can bring an influence that no one else can.  Through our regular monthly visits, we create bonds of love, friendship, and trust.” (Julie Beck)

Sift in: Service and sacrifice.  Most often service is not convenient and is hard work. Nephi had to give up a very important assignment as chief judge to do something he knew was more important.  Many times in our service opposition and challenges come.  Nephi and Lehi had many challenges but with sacrifice and great faith they over came them and had great success.  We can also have challenges with Visiting Teaching.  Most often it concerns time, making the time to do your visiting teaching, coordinating schedules with your partner, and making time for your visiting teachers to visit you.  We can be a great blessing to those in need but we have to be willing to give of our time.  The following steps will help you be successful as you serve.  1-Plan to visit early in the month. 2-Make a monthly contact and report it.  3-Prayerfully prepare the message.  4-Look, listen, strengthen, and love your sisters. 5-Listen to and follow the spirit.

Blend in well:  Testifying and teaching the gospel.  Nephi and Lehi testified and taught with the power of the Holy Ghost.  They experienced many miracles in their work.  We can also experience miracles in our lives and the lives of our sisters as we teach and testify of the gospel.    The gospel message you provide may be the only on that sister receives.  Use the monthly visiting teaching message when appropriate and be in tune to what best fits the needs of your sisters.  Let the spirit guide you.  Sometimes the most important message you can share is to do something to lift their burdens.    The “relief” we offer includes “relief of doubt, relief of ignorance, relief of all that hinders the joy and progress of women.” John Widtsoe

Bake with:  Love.  When you lose yourself in service to others,  a beautiful ,magical thing begins to happen.  Your soul begins to develop a great love for the people you serve and just like Nephi and Lehi, you will be blessed to experience that great JOY which is unspeakable.

There you have it the recipe for joy.  Obedience, Service,Testifying, Love=JOY

Something that is fun to remember: 

Jesus 

Others 

You

When you put Jesus first in your life, others next, and yourself last you find JOY.  If you try it the other way around putting you first, others next, and Jesus last, you will find misery.   If you are not experiencing joy in your life, I urge you to try this recipe.  It can bring you joy when you are at your lowest point.

Oh how I love each of you. I testify that lasting joy comes from service in God’s kingdom.  He loves us and desires that we feel joy and happiness in this life.  May you be blessed to find that great joy in the important work you do as women and sisters in the gospel.

December Spotlight

Pat Bird

   I was born in Northern California in Arcata. It’s right on the border of Oregon.

   I had two brothers and two sisters, so I was the baby.  I am the only one left now.

   School wasn’t much fun for me.  My mother was divorced, and I lived on the wrong side of the tracks. Divorced was a nasty word in the 30’s and I was ostracized by the teachers and kids in grammar school.

   My mother was an honest, hard working woman.  She took in boarders and cleaned houses to support us. When I graduated from the 8^th grade we moved to Benicia, California. The war was on and mama went to work at the Arsenal making uniforms for our soldiers.

   I went to high school in Benicia. I had just finished my junior year when the war was over and at 16 I married my first husband. Four children later it didn’t work out and I got a divorce. I had another bad marriage with two more children. After that divorce I got my head together and was alone for seven years. I had six children all together. Three girls and three boys. Judy (deceased), Billy, Wayne, Jeanne, Patty and Jim. During this time I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The best decision I ever made! I have lived in Calif., Idaho, Nevada and Utah.

   I met #3 husband at a church dance. We had a wonderful marriage. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven! He died of prostate cancer after 15 wonderful years of marriage. I had gotten my GED and became an LPN and I was so thankful I had the skills to take care of him when he was so sick. I had worked in various hospitals, but after he died I went to work for Home Health. I went all over the Salt Lake Valley to my patients, doing everything from fixing their vacuum cleaners, giving shots, baths, to getting them their meals.  I loved it.

   Two years after I was alone, I accepted a blind date with Bob; we were introduced by his niece, whom I worked with.

Things worked out great and we were married and I moved to Salem. I was going to continue working part time, but IHC in Orem didn’t have any needs at that time so I retired. I didn’t feel like going back to a hospital at my age. Bob was still working. He retired at 62. We have had a very good marriage and life is good.  We are both in good health. We’ve been on two missions. Our first mission was to Palmyra, New York for two years. It was a wonderful time. We worked very hard and we also met some wonderful friends. We still are very close and get together for great parties. Our second mission was 1 ½ years ago. We went to Cove Fort. It also was a wonderful mission, and we worked hard and met more wonderful friends that we also get together with.

   I think I have the best husband that ever lived! He helps me with the housework, laundry, and canning. He also keeps our yard looking so good.

   We enjoy fishing! (Feeding the fish) and we go as often as we can. We like going on trips, gardening etc. I love my cats and dogs and my husband. We’ve been married 19 years. I also enjoy walking at the track. I’ve run a few marathons. I love to read.

If I died tomorrow I would feel like all my experiences, bad and good have made me stronger and a better person.

   My favorite scripture is 23^rd psalm