Love, Unity, Likeness

“The love of God and the power of the restored gospel are redemptive and saving. If you will only allow His divine love into your life, it can dress any wound, heal any hurt, and soften any sorrow.” Pres. Uchtdorf

Dave H. offered a wonderful lesson entitled “Love, Unity and Likeness” This lesson was based on the scriptures Ether 12:27, Mosiah 18:21, 2 Nephi 1:21, 3 Nephi 27:1, Mosiah14:6, as well as a recent talk from President Uchtdorf.

Brother H. placed the pictures of our Relief Society sisters in front of the class and asked us to ponder which of the sisters we should cast out, let go, or tell them that they are not good enough. He then posed the question Why then do we often times think to cast ourselves out or believe we are not good enough?”

We all feel alone sometimes, whether in our challenges m sins or otherwise. We can always remember that “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13) If Christ could lay down his life for us then we can lay down our fears, weakness, worries, doubts, inadequacies and criticisms.

President Uchtdorf admonishes “I want to tell you something that I hope you will take in the right way: God is fully aware that you and I are not perfect. Let me add: God is also fully aware that the people you think are perfect are not. And yet we spend so much time and energy comparing ourselves to others—usually comparing our weaknesses to their strengths. This drives us to create expectations for ourselves that are impossible to meet. As a result, we never celebrate our good efforts because they seem to be less than what someone else does. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. It’s wonderful that you have strengths. And it is part of your mortal experience that you do have weaknesses.”

Many sisters resonated with this thought. We are all part of the body, each having unique talents and unique roles. Together, we form a whole. We should not try to be something we are not. Our Father in Heaven wants us to grow to reach our own potential. One sister noted that we can still admire others as a way to identify areas that we might grow. Another sister noted that it is essential that we are connected with our Heavenly Father so that we can see ourselves as he sees us.

Brother H. suggested 3 constructive ‘C’s:

Covenants – Keeping our covenants we learn more, grow closer to our Savior, family and friends, especially in times of worry, stress, doubt, fear, and panic.

Comfort – Comforting others and feeling others comfort knits us together. Brother H. lost his mother at a young age, and even those calls where no words could be expressed made him feel love and comfort.

Crying – I may seem strange, but tears can bring us closer to the Spirit, the Savior and each other. Mourning together brings us closer

Brother H. suggested 3 destructive ‘C’s:

Competition – Competition that results of us wanting to be better than others drives us to action, words, or thoughts that remove oneness and drive the Spirit away.

Comparison – We are our own selves and should not compare our weaknesses to others strengths.

Criticism – Nothing will do more damage to ourselves and those around us than criticism. What are we really saying when we criticize and speak poorly of others. We are putting ourselves above another. We are saying in our heart that we know better.

Thank you very much for your heartfelt words!

November Hearts and Hands Update

Have I Done Any Good?

Have I helped anyone in need? Have I cheered up the sad or made someone feel glad? Has anyone’s burden been lighter today because I was willing to share? Have the sick and weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help, was I there?

We encourage each sister to take a moment in each month to find a way to serve one other sister (or more!) in the ward. This compassionate service activity is known as our "Hearts and Hands" program. It reflects the love and friendship we share with each other, as well as the care and concern we have for each other. In November, the theme is: GIVING THANKS. Think of all the wonderful ways we can show one another how grateful we are for them: handwritten notes, saying “thank you,” doing your genealogy, surprising someone at work, sharing a thought from your journal, baking a favorite treat, offering service, calling your friend on the telephone. The list goes on!



If you have a great experience you’d like to share with the Relief Society, please do! This can be an experience as a giver or as a receiver. Email Deanne Welch, deannekwelch@hotmail.com with details to post on the blog. All entries will be kept anonymous.

Favorite Fall and Holiday Activities under $5!

Hi Sisters,
What do you like to do this time of year that doesn't stretch your budget? Do you have a favorite Girls Night Out spot? Somewhere you like to go with your family? Favorite escape from the holiday hustle and bustle?

We want to know!

Tell us by clicking on the comment section below. Can't wait to read your responses!

Lesson by Sara G on the Post-Mortal Spirit World

Lesson #41, Gospel Principles http://lds.org/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-41-the-postmortal-spirit-world?lang=eng

An event happened this week that helped underscored why I needed to wait until today to teach this lesson: on Tuesday, Paul's father passed away. I'm so grateful I have knowledge of what happens after death. This topic is a sacred one. I have overwhelming gratitude for the plan of salvation...

In the world, especially as shown at this Halloween time, there is a great deal of interest in what happens are we die. From the gospel, what do we know about essential questions, such as:

Where do I go after death?
Where is that?
What will I do?
Who will be there?
What will it be like?

Here are some teachings from scriptures and our prophets:

Latter-day prophets have said that the spirits of those who have died are not far from us. President Ezra Taft Benson said: “Sometimes the veil between this life and the life beyond becomes very thin. Our loved ones who have passed on are not far from us” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1971, 18; or Ensign, June 1971, 33). President Brigham Young taught that the postmortal spirit world is on the earth, around us (see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 279).

Spirit beings have the same bodily form as mortals except that the spirit body is in perfect form (see Ether 3:16). Spirits carry with them from earth their attitudes of devotion or antagonism toward things of righteousness (see Alma 34:34). They have the same appetites and desires that they had when they lived on earth. All spirits are in adult form. They were adults before their mortal existence, and they are in adult form after death, even if they die as infants or children (see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith [1998], 131–32).

The spirits are classified according to the purity of their lives and their obedience to the will of the Lord while on earth. The righteous and the wicked are separated (see 1 Nephi 15:28–30), but the spirits may progress as they learn gospel principles and live in accordance with them. The spirits in paradise can teach the spirits in prison (see D&C 138).

After death, people are divided into two states and have different experiences:
1) In the state of righteousness, there is "rest", "peace", paradise, organization, priesthood, families, and teaching....

According to the prophet Alma, the righteous spirits rest from earthly care and sorrow. Nevertheless, they are occupied in doing the work of the Lord. President Joseph F. Smith saw in a vision that immediately after Jesus Christ was crucified, He visited the righteous in the spirit world. He appointed messengers, gave them power and authority, and commissioned them to “carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men” (D&C 138:30).

The Church is organized in the spirit world, and priesthood holders continue their responsibilities there (see D&C 138:30). President Wilford Woodruff taught: “The same Priesthood exists on the other side of the veil. … (Deseret News, Jan. 25, 1882, 818).

2) In the state of the wicked, there is fear, "wailing", darkness, "prison". The righteous and the wicked are separated (see 1 Nephi 15:28–30), but the spirits may progress as they learn gospel principles and live in accordance with them. The spirits in paradise can teach the spirits in prison (see D&C 138).

The spirit world is a place of waiting, working, learning, and, for the righteous, resting from care and sorrow. Our spirits will live there until we are ready for our resurrection. Then our mortal bodies will once more unite with our spirits.

Pizza Bianca Recipes

Jennifer S. and Tori G. made us the most incredible pizzas at our recent Relief Society Retreat. Flavorful and rustic, slices disappeared even faster than the chocolate brownies!

See their mouthwatering recipes below:

Jennifer S.'s Pizza Bianca with Prosciutto and Asparagus

1 (1 lb) bag refrigerated ready to bake pizza dough . Or you can make your own pizza dough

1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

1 cup Quattro Formaggio shredded cheese

4 slices prosciutto, cut into 2 or 3 inch pieces

1/2 cup fresh or froze asparagus spears, thawed, and cut diagonally into 3- inch- pieces

2 Tbsp shaved parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan) cheese

1/4 cup Dry toasted Pignolias (pine nuts)

1/4 tsp black pepper

1) preheat oven to 500 degress F preferably with a pizza stone inside

2) roll dough into a 10- inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Drizzle oil and rub evenly over dough

3) Sprikle shredded cheese onto dough. Arrange prosciutto and asparagus pieces evenly over dough. Top with Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and black pepper.
4) Transfer to pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes or until crust is golden. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Tori G.'s Bianca Pizza

1 bag Trader Joes pizza dough
1 package prosciutto
1/2 bag arugula
1/2 cup shredded parmesan (or any sharp Italian cheese)
1 large mozzarella ball, sliced thinly
2 tsp olive oil

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Roll out pizza dough on stone or cookie sheet and bake in the oven for 7 minutes before adding any toppings. This will help ensure that your crust has a nice crunch to it when you are all done. Take the crust out of the oven and drizzle with olive oil. Use the back of a spoon to spread it around to the edges of the dough. Sprinkle the entire pizza with a layer of shredded parmesan. This takes the place of the sauce, so it can be as much or as little parmesan as you want. Next, layer the entire pizza with strips of prosciutto and top with mozzarella slices. Bake again for another 7-10 minutes, until the edges of the crust and cheese are golden. When you take the pizza out, top it with the arugula and sprinkle remaining parmesan on top. Enjoy!

"The Eternal Blessings of Marriage" - Lesson by Marisa D.

Marisa D. presented a wonderful lesson on strengthening our home and family based on Elder Scott’s April 2011 Conference address entitled, The Eternal Blessings of Marriage.

In Elder Scott’s address he speaks of marriage and family being the two vital pillars of Our Father’s plan, and that Satan is relentless to undermine these pillars. No matter who we are we are all part of a family.

Sisters shared some ways that they have found to strengthen families, including:

Recognizing personally and to others the strengths in families of all types around us.

• Trusting the Lord that all will work out if we place our families first. 
• Spending time together, doing things that each family member enjoys.
• Expressing love in the way that each family member prefers, whether that be time, notes, touch, etc.
• Writing sincere and personal notes, emails, letters regularly.
• Passin on family history stories.

“Express that love and gratitude often. That will make life far richer and more pleasant and purposeful. Don’t withhold those natural expressions of love.”

Elder Scott shared a story about a busy time when he was only home for a few hours. He wanted to fix their washing machine to help Jeanene, his wife. After he began, Jeanene asked him firmly to play with the kids. He lovingly obeyed, and had a wonderful time with the children. Early the next morning, one of his children hugged, kissed and whispered, ‘Dad, I love you. You are my best

friend.’ This cemented the importance of that time he had spent with his children.

Elder Scott also said ““As I have thought back over our life together, I realize how blessed we’ve been. We have not had arguments in our home or unkind words between us. Now I realize that

blessing came because of her. It resulted from her willingness to give, to share, and to

never think of herself. In our later life together, I tried to emulate her example.”

The sisters discussed this comment, noting that it was unlikely that they never disagreed, but rather they probably 1) resolved them peacefully and with love, 2) avoided anger and 3) utilized the Atonement resulting in the retrospective view of their past to be entirely positive. Elder Scott noted that “Pure love is an incomparable, potent power for good.” We must have the ideal in our view and work daily toward that goal. 

Since we are not perfect and will fail we must remember that the Atonement allows us to repent when we come up short, and help us to heal when we are hurt. Elder Scott testified, “All things are possible to the Lord, and He keeps the promises He inspires His prophets to declare. Eternity is a long time. Have faith in those promises and live to be worthy of them so that in His time the Lord can make them come true in your life. With certainty, you will receive every promised blessing for which you are worthy.”

inspiration for your week

“Ambitious to Do Good”

President Gordon B. Hinckley

“….At the establishment of the Relief Society, when Emma H. Smith was elected president, she said that 'each member should be ambitious to do good.' That was the spirit then, and that is the spirit now. It must continue to be the guiding principle through all the generations that lie ahead—that 'each member should be ambitious to do good.'

"Who can gauge the miraculous effects upon the lives of millions of women whose knowledge has been increased, whose vision has been extended, whose lives have been broadened, and whose understanding of the things of God has been enriched by reason of countless lessons effectively taught and learned in meetings of the Relief Society?

"Who can measure the joy that has come into the lives of these women as they have mingled together, socializing in the atmosphere of the ward or branch, enriching the lives of one another through companionships that have been sweet and treasured?

"Who, even in the wildest stretch of imagination, can fathom the uncountable acts of charity that have been performed, the food that has been put on barren tables, the faith that has been nurtured in desperate hours of illness, the wounds that have been bound up, the pains that have been ameliorated by loving hands and quiet and reassuring words, the comfort that has been extended in times of death and consequent loneliness?

"Lucy Mack Smith, mother of the Prophet, in speaking to the sisters in Nauvoo, said, “We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another and gain instruction that we may all sit down in heaven together.” (Minutes, 24 Mar. 1842.)

"The history of the organization has shown that women of the Church have not had to wait to sit together in heaven to taste the sweet fruit of the kind of activities she described. They have experienced much of heaven on earth as in life they have cherished one another, comforted one another, and instructed one another….”

Lesson by Eva T on General Conference

Eva led us in a great group discussion about our favorite talks from the October 2011 General Conference. We split into small groups and discussed some of the talks that inspired and stood out to us the most.

As a larger group we then touched on several talks, including President Uchtdorf's talk, "You Matter to Him", and Elaine S. Dalton's talk, "Love Her Mother".

Themes that stood out to many sisters and were also touched on in fast and testimony meeting were:
1) Feeling the light of the Holy Spirit in our lives
2) The Lord knows each of us and loves us, no matter our life circumstance

We also discussed two scriptures:

D and C 1:38: "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my ^aword shall not pass away, but shall all be ^bfulfilled, whether by mine own ^cvoice or by the ^dvoice of my ^eservants, it is the ^fsame."

Psalms 119:130: The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth ^aunderstanding unto the simple.

Eva closed with her testimony that God knows each of us personally and loves us very much.

Teena J's Apple Cake Recipe (yum!)

Fresh Apple Coffee Cake from Sunset - Ideas and Recipes for Breakfast and Brunch

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon soda

2 cups cored, peeled, and diced or chopped sweet apple, about 2 large (golden or red delicious apples suggested)

1 egg

1/4 cup salad oil

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 cup chopped nuts, if desired (I didn't put them in)

Sift flour, salt,and soda together; set aside. Place apples in a medium-size bowl. Break egg over apples. Add oil, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and nuts;blend thoroughly. Stir dry mixture into apple mixture just until flour is moist. (The mixture may seem dry.) Spread in a greased 8-inch-square baking pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand in pan fpor 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack or serve in the pan. Cut into 9-12 squares.

Serve as coffee cake or for dessert with a scoop of ice cream. Teena also recommends drizzling some caramel sauce over the top.

Ronald McDonald House Newsletter

inShare0

Ronald McDonald House at Stanford September 30, 2011
In This Issue Nearly 6,000 Miles From Home Hey, Teens! Just Say, "Thanks!" Halloween Costume Drive Upcoming Events Quick Links Home Donate Now Wish List Event Calendar Tour Our House Upcoming Events Intro to Volunteering (TEENS) October 3, 6:30 pm First Friday Tour October 7, 11:30 am Intro to Volunteering October 17, 6:30 pm Halloween Costume Drive Donate a Halloween Costume for a House kid! We’re in need of costumes of all types, and for all ages, but our highest need is for teens and infants. Click here for instructions. Photography donated by The Family Album Project	September Newsletter Dear Palo Alto 2nd Ward Relief Society, There is even more of a reason to celebrate the 49ers on-field success in the 2011 season! With each touchdown, field goal, interception or sack, the Taube Family Foundation and Koret Foundation will donate money to Ronald McDonald House at Stanford through the Touchdowns for Kids program! We are thrilled to have the 49ers, Taube Family Foundation and Koret Foundation join us in supporting our kids and their families. Click here to read the full story. Go Niners! Honey Meir-Levi Executive Director NEARLY 6,000 MILES FROM HOME Like any parent with an ill child, Solange was prepared to travel great distances to find advanced medical treatment for her son. Pablo was born with Morquio Syndrome, a rare genetic metabolic disorder that required many corrective surgeries just so he could walk. Now thirteen, Pablo was selected for a clinical trial involving enzyme replacements that will not only help him grow, but will also increase his lung capacity. However, it meant making a nearly 6,000 mile journey, from their home in Chile to Palo Alto. Click here to read about Pablo's journey. HEY, TEENS! Are you 16 years or older, and looking for an opportunity to give back? Volunteer to work directly with kids in the Activity Room! For more information, attend an Intro to Volunteering session for Teens: October 3rd, 6:30-7:30pm November 7th, 6:30-7:30pm Here’s what Drew, a senior at Gunn High School, has to say about volunteering at the House: Dear Staff, I just want to thank you again for giving me the opportunity to help support the Ronald McDonald House by working in the Activity Center. Through this experience I have learned that everyone in that room is dealing with life-changing challenges and I've seen that not everyone handles their problems in the same way. Some kids like to sit quietly by themselves and some are so active they bounce from one game to the next. Last week I sat with a five-year-old little girl and wrote a story about a princess...that was a first for me! I am going to be traveling to Vietnam soon to give a presentation on how the effects of distraction can help ease a patient's suffering during a medical procedure. The experiences I have gathered from the Ronald McDonald House have been very useful for preparing for this. Once again thanks for letting me help. I look forward to many more Sundays working at the House. -Drew Click here to read more stories like Drew’s JUST SAY, "THANKS!" A gesture of gratitude can go a long way in motivating people to action, and as it turns out, increasing positive feelings of self-worth. Click here to read Stanford Professor Frank Flynn’s evaluation of a recent study, in which researchers tested this theory.
Ronald McDonald House at Stanford 520 Sand Hill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304 (650) 470-6000 www.ronaldhouse.net