Friday, September 10, 2010

78%!

107 sisters were contacted in the month of August. WONDERFUL!!! That means that we got 78% visiting teaching. Keep up the great work!

Our pie for the month of July (yes, we won!) will be served to the RS sisters on the evening of September 25 at the General RS broadcast. Mark your calendars! It will be a wonderful uplifting evening.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Birthdays!
3 - Teresa Bluestone
4 - Natalie Smith
6 - Cynthia Hill
7 - Ilasue Jensen
8 - Sandy Mack
10 - Rhea Bradford
12 - Deanna Fonder
13 - Kristen Long
14 - Marianne Torbensen
15 - Mary Crary
18 – Melanie Hepper
Phyllis Nelson
Barbara Gores
19 - Tammy Marchant
21 - Brooke Deem
22 - Summer Evans
23 - Janet Hunt
28 - Kirsten Scott
Happy Birthday, Sisters!


Up and Coming!
September 12th – Ward Linger Longer right after church!
September 25th - General Relief Society Meeting @ 7:00 pm (Potluck at 6:00 beforehand!) October 2nd & 3rd – General Conference


Lesson Schedule
September 5th – Presidency Message - Bree Whittle
September 12th – Lesson #17 “The Church of Jesus Christ Today” pg. 95 - Mary Kovarik September 19th – Ward Conference
September 26th – May 2010 Ensign, pg. 56 - Christy Byzewski “Continue in Patience” by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf


Book Club Meeting
We are going to meet on September 16th at 7pm at home of Katie Morse on the base to discuss the 3rd book in the Hunger Game series – Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. All are welcome! Bring a favorite snack and come enjoy an evening together!


SPOTLIGHTS!!!
Liz is originally from the Twin Cities but has lived in Utah, Kansas, and Nebraska since marrying her husband JP nearly 8 years ago. They moved to Grand Forks with their two kids, Simone (3) and Jude (2 months), to work at UND as Assistant Professors – Liz in Sociology and JP in Psychology. Liz is a self-proclaimed foodie who can’t get enough Thai, Japanese, and Mediterranean food, but also appreciates a goodcorn dog every once in a while. She loves watching documentaries and real life mysteries, and her favorite TV shows are 30 Rock and The Office. She also enjoys playing cards and board games like Settlers of Catan and Acquire. One of Liz’s favorite scriptures is D&C 98:1-3, which reads: “…let your hearts be comforted…for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord…and are recorded with this seal andtestament – the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted…he giveth this promise unto you…"


Maria moved to Grand Forks in May from Rockford, Illinois and plans to be here for about one to two years. She has two siblings, her parents, and three cats that are still in Illinois. She is a YSA and is attending UND, majoring in Elementary Ed. and Childhood Psychology. Some kind of foods she enjoys a lot are Japanese, Sushi, Chinese and Italian. Maria’s hobbies are doing anything outdoors and active. She loves camping, biking, rollerblading and four wheeling, to name a few. She also loves shopping, scrapbooking, photography and music. She plays piano, organ, soprano and alto sax, and also sings. Her favorite game is Life or Uno Attack. Her favorite scripture story is the10 Virgins. “And while [the foolish virgins] went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

Congratulations on your visiting teaching in July, Sisters! We had a very successful month and were able to contact 86% of the sisters. Thanks for all your hard work! The brethren will be serving us pie, as we were the winners of the Home Teaching/Visiting Teaching contest. Love, Sister Castle

Visiting Teaching Message: Our Responsibility to Nurture the Rising Generation
Study this material and, as appropriate, discuss it with the sisters you visit.
Use the questions to help you strengthen your sisters and to make Relief Society an active part of your own life.

From the Scriptures: Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4; Enos 1:1; Alma 53:20–21; 56:47; 57:27

“Without nurturing, our rising generation could be in danger of becoming like the one described in Mosiah 26. Many youth didn't believe the traditions of their fathers and became a separate people as to their faith, remaining so ever after. Our rising generation could likewise be led away if they don't understand their part in Heavenly Father's plan.
So what is it that will keep the rising generation safe? In the Church, we teach saving principles, and those principles are family principles, the principles that will help the rising generation to form a family, teach that family, and prepare that family for ordinances and covenants—and then the next generation will teach the next and so on.
As parents, leaders, and Church members, we are preparing this generation for the blessings of Abraham, for the temple. We have the responsibility to be very clear on key points of doctrine found in the proclamation on the family. Motherhood and fatherhood are eternal roles and responsibilities. Each of us carries the responsibility for either the male or the female half of the plan.
We can teach this doctrine in any setting. We must speak respectfully of marriage and family. And from our example, the rising generation can gain great hope and understanding—not just from the words we speak but from the way we feel and emanate the spirit of family.
Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.

From Our History
Addressing the sisters at the general Relief Society meeting on September 23, 1995, President Gordon B. Hinckley said: "The world we are in is a world of turmoil, of shifting values. Shrill voices call out for one thing or another in betrayal of time-tested standards of behavior." President Hinckley then went on to introduce to the sisters, the Church, and ultimately people everywhere "The Family: A Proclamation to the World."
In subsequent years this prophetic document has been translated into many languages and distributed to world leaders. It asks citizens and government leaders "to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."
The proclamation has become the foundation for Latter-day Saint beliefs about the family, a statement to which we can hold fast and know that by living its precepts, we are strengthening our families and homes.

What Can I Do?
How can I help my sisters use "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" to nurture the rising generation? You might consider sharing a copy of the proclamation and helping your sisters identify and mark those passages that would best teach key doctrines.
How can I nurture the rising generation? You might consider reaching out to members of your ward, branch, family, or community who could benefit from your attention and love.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Sweeter than pie!

We haven't forgotten! We are still waiting to hear the percentage of the Elders HTing for the month of July. We will be sure to let you know as soon as we find out. Keep checking the blog for an update:)

This is the last full week that we can complete our visiting teaching for the month of August. 86% was our accomplishment last month......we can do it again! There is no pie involved, but blessings from the Lord are much sweeter. Get those cars revved up, the phone ringing, the computer humming or the postal worker delivering:) Time is a wastin'!

Monday, August 2, 2010

86%!! Wonderful!! Pie?? We'll see..........

Sisters, what you have accomplished over the month of July is absolutely wonderful. You took the stake challenge and worked so hard to be obedient to our stake presidents request. Lives were blessed through your service as I'm sure your life was blessed in return. Thank you so much for all that you have done for your sisters.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

To eat or not to eat? That is the question.........

As of right now, we have 116 sisters who were contacted in the month of July, however there are a few companionships that have not yet reported. If you haven't reported to your supervisor, please do so as soon as possible. Will we be eating or serving? That is the question............:)

Friday, July 30, 2010

Doing great!

81 sisters have been contacted and we have 59 sisters who haven't been. If you have completed your visiting teaching and not yet reported please do so. Almost there!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Movin' on up!

Some numbers have come in throughout the day and we are now up to 64 contacts. This leaves 76 sisters to care for. We can do it!