111 to go!

Sisters,
Our count so far for July is 29 contacts. We have 111 sisters who need to be cared for. If you have contacted your sisters by telephone, letter, visit or email please let your supervisor know as soon as possible.

Let me know what kind of pie you like and I'll place our order:) Thanks sisters!

The Stake's Goal ~ 100%!

The stake has set a VTing goal for the month of July ~ 100%!! We can do this! Reporting will be done differently this month. Every Sunday there will be district sheets passed around with spaces for each of you to record your monthly contact. You will need to know who your supervisor is and the sisters that you visit. The visiting teachers names will be by initial only. This will help us get an idea (weekly) of how we are doing in our efforts to contact our sisters. Recognition on the blog and sweet rewards at the end of the month will be given to each sister who accomplishes their goal.

AN IMPORTANT NOTE:

In July 2010 (this month) Relief Society sisters and subscribers to the Liahona and Ensign magazines will find a change to the traditional Visiting Teaching Message format.

The new message format will help sisters understand the purpose of Relief Society, teach principles to help sisters live the purpose, provide a historical perspective, and offer suggestions on how women can more effectively watch over and strengthen other sisters.

Copy and paste the links below to get more details of how we can apply this new format to our monthly visits:

http://www.lds.org/churchmagazines/EN_2010_05_00___09205_000_000.pdf#page=139

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=6e11de009da38210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

July Charity Chatter

July Birthdays!
2 - Joan Nelson
3 - Andrena Christensen
4 - Tiffany Myers
6 - Sarah Bennett
7 - Clarise Johnstone
10 - Marleena Alkire
Chelsea Dorn
11 - Cheyanne Hewitt
15 - Jo Ann Renfrow
Julia Campbell
18 – Katelynn Peck
20 - Debra Briones
21 - Kim Judd
Kristine Wilcock
22 - Katherine Taft
Bree Whittle
23 - Lindsey Enger
Jacqueline Brisky
26 - Lorie Hanson
Alisa Bowman
Heather Thibodeaux
27 - Denise Carter
Allyson Mann
29 - Margaret Thompson
30 - Cherish Driskill

:)

Grand Forks Ward Campout!
Coming up is our ward campout, fireside and breakfast at Turtle River State Park! Keep Friday the 6th of August through Saturday the 7th reserved on your calendars. All are welcome! Stay tuned for more details as the time draws nearer.

Book Club Meeting
We are going to meet on July 29th at Darla Baugh’s home to discuss the book The Brothers
by Chris Stewart. It is the first book in the series The Great and Terrible.

“We Are Family”
Keep Saturday, August 14th from 2-4 pm free for our next RS Meeting!

Lesson Schedule

July 4 – Presidency Message - Bree Whittle
July 11 – Lesson #14 “The Priesthood Organization” pg. 73 - Summer Evans

July 18 – Lesson #13 “The Priesthood” pg. 67 - Mary Kovarik
July 25 – May 2010 Ensign, pg. 47 “Healing the Sick” by Elder Dallin H. Oaks

- Christy Byzewski

Spotlight!!!

Lillie Loesevitz and her husband, Michael, met while he served a mission in Las Vegas, where she was born and raised. She met him two days after being baptized. After his mission they got in touch, then waited and married a year later in the Louisville, KY Temple. They have two children, Wesley (5) & Sophia (2), and have a sweet dog, Rue (10). Michael got a job with a local law firm as an attorney, and they plan to settle down and make Grand Forks their permanent home! Lillie’s favorite food is Mexican food! She loves dogs and also enjoys doing crafty things with her sewing machine, painting, decorating, shopping and watching MLB. Her favorite game is Mexican Train (a domino game). A fun fact about Lillie is that she appeared in an infomercial/commercial for Proactiv. Lillie loves being with her family and she loves to laugh. She says that moving to Grand Forks is going to be a big challenge, as she has never lived away from either her family or her husband’s. She’s a bit scared, but says she knows it’s the perfect place for their little family. One of her favorite scriptures is 2 Nephi 2:27. “Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.”

Pioneer Day Thought
Today pioneer blood flows in our veins just as it did with those who walked west. It’s the essence of our courage to face modern-day mountains and our commitment to carry on. The faith of those early pioneers burns still, and nations are being blessed by latter-day pioneers who possess a clear vision of this work of the Lord. The footsteps that made such a deep impression over the heartland of America make similar impressions in countries across the world—from Belgium to Brazil and France to the Philippines. Step by faithful step, we walk together toward a glorious destiny, building the kingdom of God on earth and preparing the minds and hearts of people everywhere to come unto Christ, the Redeemer and Savior of the world.
“Faith in Every Footstep: The Epic Pioneer Journey,” Ensign, May 1997

100% VT & HT!
Our stake president has asked us to make an extra effort for the month of July to do all we can to contact the sisters we visit teach! Of course it is optimal if you visit your sisters, but a letter or call will also be great! Let us diligently try to follow the counsel and encouragement of our wonderful stake president!

July Visiting Teaching Message -

Strengthening Families and Homes
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.

Strengthening at Every Opportunity
"Each of us is in a different family situation. Some families have a mother and father with children at home. Some couples no longer have children at home. Many members of the Church are single, and some are single parents. Others are widows or widowers living alone.
"No matter what our family looks like, each of us can work to strengthen our own families or help in strengthening others.
"[Once] I stayed in the home of my niece and her family. That evening before the children went to bed, we had a short family home evening and a scripture story. Their father told about the family of Lehi and how he taught his children that they must hold fast to the iron rod, which is the word of God. Holding fast to the iron rod would keep them safe and lead them to joy and happiness. If they should let go of the iron rod, there was danger of drowning in the river of dirty water.
"To demonstrate this to the children, their mother became the 'iron rod' that they must cling to, and their father played the role of the devil, trying to pull the children away from safety and happiness. The children loved the story and learned how important it is to hold fast to the iron rod. After the scripture story it was time for family prayer. . . .
"Scriptures, family home evening, and family prayer will strengthen families. We need to take every opportunity to strengthen families and support one another to stay on the right path."
Barbara Thompson, 2nd counselor in the Relief Society general presidency.

From the Scriptures - Genesis 18:19; Mosiah 4:15; D&C 93:40; Moses 6:55–58
From Our History - From the beginning Relief Society has had a charge to strengthen families and homes. The Prophet Joseph taught sisters at an early Relief Society meeting, "When you go home, never give a cross or unkind word to your husbands, but let kindness, charity and love crown your works henceforward."
In 1914 President Joseph F. Smith told Relief Society sisters, "Wherever there is ignorance or at least a lack of understanding in regard to the family, . . . there this organization exists or is near at hand, and by the natural endowments and inspiration that belongs to the organization they are prepared and ready to impart instruction with reference to those important duties.”

June Charity Chatter

June Birthdays!

3 - Denise Holli
4 - Gloria Michaud
Caren Keyes
10 - Sheila Nelson
Cynthia Newton
12 - Ciara Mills
13 - Diana Tokar

14 - Shirley Mudler

18 – Anita Hall
19 - Ronna Schreiner
23 - Chris Nero

27 - Loretta Villanueva
Katie Musgrove
28 - Sandra Ishimoto

Happy Birthday!!!

Embrace Your "Purse"sonality!
Come join us for a fun, enjoyable activity on Saturday, June 5th from 2-4pm at the Church ~ Please bring a Fruit or Dessert to share

Book Club Meeting
The Boy on the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne is the book club read for this month. Time and place for the June meeting TBA!

Lesson Schedule
June 6 – Pres. Message: “Building Stronger Families” - Jo Ann Renfrow
June 13 – Lesson #12 “The Atonement” - Summer Evans
June 20 – Lesson #11 – “The Life of Christ” - Mary Kovarik
June 27 – “The Power of the Priesthood” – President Boyd K. Packer
“And Upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit”
- Sister Julie B. Beck , May 2010 Ensign - Christy Byzewski

Visiting Teaching Message

Renewing Covenants through the Sacrament

Teach these scriptures and quotations or, if needed, another principle that will bless the sisters you visit. Bear testimony of the doctrine. Invite those you visit to share what they have felt and learned.

Jesus Christ Instituted the Sacrament
“Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to his Apostles, saying, ‘Take, eat’ (Matt. 26:26). ‘This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me’ (Luke 22:19). In a similar manner he took the cup of wine, traditionally diluted with water, said a blessing of thanks for it, and passed it to those gathered about him, saying: ‘This cup is the new testament in my blood,’ ‘which is shed … for the remission of sins.’ ‘This do in remembrance of me.’ … “Since that upper room experience on the eve of Gethsemane and Golgotha, children of the promise have been under covenant to remember Christ’s sacrifice in this newer, higher, more holy and personal way.”
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

We Renew Our Baptismal Covenants through the Sacrament
“When we are baptized, we take upon ourselves the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Taking upon us His name is one of the most significant experiences we have in life. … “Each week in sacrament meeting we promise to remember the atoning sacrifice of our Savior as we renew our baptismal covenant. We promise to do as the Savior did—to be obedient to the Father and always keep His commandments. The blessing we receive in return is to always have His Spirit to be with us.”
Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
“I was with an eight-year-old girl on the day of her baptism. At the end of the day she said with all confidence, ‘I have been baptized for a whole day, and I haven’t sinned once!’ But her perfect day did not last forever, and I am sure she is learning by now, like we all learn, that as hard as we try, we do not always avoid every bad situation, every wrong choice. … “… It is not possible to make real change all by ourselves. Our own willpower and our own good intentions are not enough. When we make mistakes or choose poorly, we must have the help of our Savior to get back on track. We partake of the sacrament week after week to show our faith in His power to change us. We confess our sins and promise to forsake them.”
Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.

Helps for Visiting Teaching
As you come to know a sister and her family, look for ways you might help her renew her covenants through the sacrament. If she does not attend sacrament meeting, could you invite her to attend or offer help for her to do so (transportation, assistance with children, a friend to sit by, and so on)?

May Charity Chatter

May Birthdays!

4 - Amy Hanson
Shannon Wiese
10 - Christina Lambert
14 - Rachel Stewart
16 - Amy Petrick
17 – Bernadette Spotted Horse
20 - Melinda Jacobson
21 - Jennifer Fay
Danya Lopez
23 - Nancy Mitchell
24 - Dawn Bailey
25 - Jessica Brisky
26 - Jacqueline Brown
27 - Tammy Renfrow
29 - Patti Olson
Laura Mcendree
Helen Rabey
30 - Valarie Wood

Happy Birthday, Sisters!!!

Stake Conference

Stake Conference will be the 15th & 16th of May in the Fargo Stake Center. All are strongly encouraged to attend in person. However, if you cannot attend, please be aware that you can watch conference from a computer, as the Stake will webcast the following sessions:

• Priesthood Leadership - Saturday at 3:30pm
• Adult Evening Session – Saturday at 6:00pm
• Sunday Morning Session – 10:00am
• http://stream.lds.org/509299-123456
  

Book Club Meeting

This month, the book club will be reading Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. The meeting will be on May 13th at 7PM at the home of Chrissy Thomas on Grand Forks AFB. Please call or e-mail her if you need a pass onto base (618-520-4532 or cmusicd@yahoo.com). Look forward to seeing you for a great visit, book discussion and yummy food (feel free to bring a snack too!).

May Lesson Schedule

May 2 – Presidency Message – Heidi Castle

May 9 - Ch. 9 – Prophets of God, Pgs 39-43 - Mary Kovarik

May 16 – Stake Conference (See Note Above)

May 23 – “Our Perfect Example”, President Eyring, Nov 2009 Ensign - Christy Byzewski

May 30 - TBA

Two Potlucks This Month!

On the 4th of May, Kristen Long is hosting a lunch potluck at her home at 12:00. Her address is 2244 21st Ave NE Mekinock, North Dakota 58258 (she’s out near the base). Then, on the 6th of May, Heidi Castle will also have a lunch potluck at her home in Crookston at 12:00. Her address is 733 Memorial Drive, Crookston, MN 56716. You are welcome to come to one or the other, or to both if you would like to! Bring something tasty to share, and come enjoy one another’s company for an hour or two.

Upcoming Relief Society Activity

Mark your calendars for Saturday, the 5th of June from 2:00-4:00 pm. There will be a Relief Society Activity at the church, and we hope you will come join us for fun, games, and refreshment.

Visiting Teaching

Because the May issues of the Ensign and Liahona contain a report of general conference, the magazines do not contain a specific Visiting Teaching Message. Visiting teachers are encouraged to prayerfully select a conference address to share with those they teach.

Spotlights!


Cori Caro and her husband, Carlos, arrived last fall and plan to be here for 3 more years. They will have been married for 3 years in October and have 3 dogs; Nick (beagle mix – 10 yrs old), Goose (labrador – 1½ ), and Wilson (bull mastiff - 8 mos. old). Carlos is a Security Forces member in the Air Force, and Cori is a veterinary technician. She loves any type of gummy food and also loves reading, playing soccer, anything outdoors, and spending time with her dogs. Her favorite game is either Cranium or Apples to Apples. Cori just started a job at All Pets Animal Hospital. She is excited, as she actually worked with a lot of wild animals when she lived in Alaska and even had to pull a sedated bear out of a large crate once! Cori’s favorite scripture is Moroni 10:3-5. “Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the child-ren of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.”

Micaela Rubio is one of the YSAs in the ward. She moved here recently and is going to be here for a few years with the Air Force. Most of her family is in Utah still, although she is actually Peruvian and has some family living in Peru as well. As far as favorite foods go, Micaela says it is a tie between Italian, sushi, and Peruvian food. She loves playing volleyball and soccer and enjoys reading as well. Her favorite game is Monopoly. Micaela works in the Medical Clinic on base, and she is studying to become a nurse. Her favorite scripture is John 14:27. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

April Newsletter

April Birthdays!

3 - Shelamar Henderson

7 - Kay Keehr

9 - Leighanne Johnson

10 - Kathy Desjarlais

Susan Carry Moccasin

16 - Christie Carlson

Stephanie Bye

18 - Michelle Jenson

20 - Brittany Hunt

21 - Marsha Cofell

Deann Berry

22 - Meagan Derr

24 - Jennifer Teruel

Kristen Boe

30 - Christina Hutchison

Leilani Adolpho

Lesson Schedule

April 3, 4 - General Conference

April 11 - Ch. 7 - The Holy Ghost, Pgs 31-33 - Mary Kovarik

April 18 - Ch. 8 - Praying to Our Heavenly Father,

Pgs 34-38 - Summer Evans

April 25 - "The Love of God", Pres. Uchtdorf, Nov 2009 - Christy Byzewski

Fargo Stake Relief Society Women’s Conference

Saturday, April 10th from 9am – 2pm @ the Fargo Stake Center

“Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations.” Doctrine & Covenants 115:5

Book Club Meeting

This month, we will be reading

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.

We'll meet on April 15th at 7PM at Valarie Wood's house in Grand Forks.

SPOTLIGHTS!

Cambria Leventes
Cambria and her husband, Steve, have been married for six years. They have six children – her two stepdaughters, Kendra (14) and Marissa (12), live in Helena, MT. That is where Cambria and Steve are from. The other four children are here with them - Shayden (12), Jarrett (5), Alex (3), and Olivia (1). Cambria moved here with her family in September. Steve got transferred to Grand Forks, where he is employed by Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge. They may be here a while, although it’s hard to say with Steve’s job. Cambria’s favorite food is Mexican food. As far as hobbies, she likes scrapbooking, fishing, camping and golfing. Her favorite game is Cribbage. Interestingly enough, Cambria and Steve went to the same high school. He was older than her but he says he saw her walking down the hall her freshman year and knew he was going to marry her! They met eight years later, dated for six weeks, got engaged and married six weeks after that! Cambria’s favorite scripture is 1Nephi 3:7. “And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.”

Emily Robinson
Emily and her husband, Carey, plan to be here for at least four years. Emily got a degree in Exercise Science, is currently looking for a job, and will be starting a degree in Nursing in January. Her favorite food is freshly baked, still warm bread with butter on it. She enjoys cooking, reading, playing board games, volleyball, hiking, and visiting National Parks. She loves to cook and try new recipes too. Emily’s favorite game is “anything I can beat my husband at, usually Phase 10 - he always seems to win the games based on luck.” An interesting fact about Emily is that she has an extra lumbar vertebra! She also can't watch even remotely scary movies or she’s awake for a week. Emily grew up in Massachusetts with an older brother and younger sister. She first noticed Carey, who was her neighbor when he came over to fix the sink for them, and they have been married now for about 10 months. Emily’s favorite scripture is Moroni 7:45 & 48. “And 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... Wherefore my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all th energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ.”

Visiting Teaching Message -

Seeking and Receiving Personal Revelation

Teach these scriptures and quotations or, if needed, another principle that will bless the sisters you visit. Bear testimony of the doctrine. Invite those you visit to share what they have felt and learned.

How Can I Seek Personal Revelation?

"We prepare to receive personal revelation as the prophets do, by studying the scriptures, fasting, praying, and building faith. Faith is the key. Remember Joseph's preparation for the First Vision:" 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God. . . . " 'But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.'"

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

"Prayer is your personal key to heaven. The lock is on your side of the veil."But that is not all. To one who thought that revelation would flow without effort, the Lord said:" 'You have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me."'But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.'"

President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

How Can I Receive Personal Revelation?

"In its more familiar forms, revelation or inspiration comes by means of words or thoughts communicated to the mind (see Enos 1:10; D&C 8:2–3), by sudden enlightenment (see D&C 6:14–15), by positive or negative feelings about proposed courses of action, or even by inspiring performances, as in the performing arts. As President Boyd K. Packer, . . . President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has stated, 'Inspiration comes more as a feeling than as a sound.'"

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

"The temple is a house of learning. Much of the instruction imparted in the temple is symbolic and learned by the Spirit. This means we are taught from on high. . . . Our understanding of the meaning of the ordinances and covenants will increase as we return to the temple often with the attitude of learning and contemplating the eternal truths taught. . . . Let us enjoy the spiritual strength and the revelation we receive as we attend the temple regularly."

Silvia H. Allred, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency.

Helps for Visiting Teaching

As a visiting teacher, you can receive impressions of the Spirit as to the needs of your sisters and how to meet those needs. As you teach this message, share, as appropriate, any inspiration or help you have received regarding visiting teaching.

Keeping Our Baptismal Covenants

Visiting teaching is one of the ways in which we can keep our baptismal covenants of "mourning with those that mourn and comforting those who stand in need of comfort". Elder Robert D. Hales speaks of the importance of keeping our baptismal covenants in this wonderful talk that was given at the October 2000 general conference.

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=f09ea1615ac0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

Through visiting teaching we can do our part in helping to build the kingdom of God.