Memorial Day

I hope on this special day set aside for the rememberance of those we have lost, we can remember their lives in such a way as to show more gratitude than grief. In my research I found a great message from President Thomas S. Monson. It comes from the Liahona April 2003 "First Presidency Message; He Is Risen". I want to share some highlights from that message.

A tour of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and other battlefields of the American Civil War marks that conflict where brother fought against brother. Some families lost farms, others possessions. One family lost all. Let me share with you that memorable letter which President Abraham Lincoln wrote to Mrs. Lydia Bixby:

“Dear Madam:

“I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

“Yours very sincerely and respectfully,“Abraham Lincoln.”

John 15:13
Greater a love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

“All that we can know about those we have loved and lost,” wrote Thornton Wilder, “is that they would wish us to remember them with a more intensified realization of their reality. … The highest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude.”

This letter came to President Monson from a family that lost 3 sons in the same tragic accident that accured in their home:

“We do have days and nights that right now seem so overwhelming. The change in our home life has been so drastic. With almost half our family gone now, the cooking, washing, and even shopping are different. We miss the noise and clutter, the teasing and playing together. Such are gone. Sunday is so quiet. We miss seeing the sacrament blessed and passed by our sons. Sunday was truly our family together day. We ponder the thought: no missions, no weddings, no grandchildren. We would not ask for their return, but we could not say we would ever have willingly given them up. We have returned to our Church duties and our family responsibilities. Our desire is to so live that the Keller family will be a forever family.”



Families can be together forever; through Heavenly Father's Plan. I always want to be with my own family; and the Lord hath shown me how I can.... The Lord hath shown me how I can!

~Temples~

(Press Pause on the music at the bottom of this page to view the video.)

New Format For Visiting Teaching

This message is available to view in the May 2010 Ensign:

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

“We want every visiting teacher to
understand that visiting teaching is a call
from the Lord and accept her assignment
to love, serve, teach, and minister to
another sister with that in mind,” said
Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general
president.

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.

“The Visiting Teaching Message is a tool

in the hands of a visiting teacher. As she studies the messages

with her sisters in mind, she will know what to share

with them and what to do for them,”
Sister Beck said.

To see a sample of the new Visiting Teaching Message, with explanations of its new features go HERE.

Self Defense

Wednesday May 19th @ 7:00pm we are going to have a combined activity with our lovely Young Women at the church. (Lets show our Young Women that we know how to have a good time!!)


We are going to be learning self defense from Mick and Angie Norton. Even if you are not into "kicking some rear" you can still come and hang out with us.


It is going to be tons of fun....you won't want to miss out!!!

Emergency Preparedness tip:

Make a family Communications plan--identify an out-of-town contact who can communicate among separated family members. Teach every family member the contacts phone # and make sure everyone has a cell phone, coins or a calling card. To learn more go here

~May Birthdays~

May 1- Doris Wilson

May 2- Sandy Cook

May 3- Cindy Bird

May 4- Jamie Fausett

May 7- Leslie Stansfield

May 12- Judy Williams

May 20- Sharon Smith

May 21- Judith Brundage

May 23- Janice Bird

Patsy Guest

May 24- Clairine Cook

May 26- Alicia Jenkins

May 29- Jerri Barney