SWAP - WOW!!!

Tuesday evening we had the first Grandview 1st Ward Swap -N- Shop. (And if I were to make a guess, I'd bet it won't be the last... WOW!!!)

I must admit, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. It seemed that many of us had the same feelings. We'd all tried to take it with a leap of faith . . . take over things that you don't wear, but in good condition, but things that you'd actually want to wear. WOW, what an amazing result. The gym was OVERFLOWING!

We had clothes for men, women, teens, kids, babies, pregnant women, shoes, jewelry, purses, household items, toys, books, etc. AND SOME OF THE ITEMS STILL HAD THE STORE TAGS ON THEM. So many wandered around saying, "I seriously wasn't going to take anything home, but . . ." And men kept coming in saying, "you promised you wouldn't bring anything home!" (But, it's such a deal!)

We also had a lot of fun. Honestly, we love red long johns and aprons! By the end of a long night, everyone was laughing, giddy and ready to go home. What an amazing evening!

I am overwhelmed at the great "deals" that I got at the RS Swap. Thanks to all of you who brought such beautiful things and donated them. What a treat! Now we have to decide when we are going to have the Swap & Shop fashion show. (I wore my swap & shop sweater to work yesterday and got tons of compliments. Thanks!!!)

We had an overabundance of things left over. We called the Gundrys who came over and took a load of things down to their inner city mission ward. By way of example, they took white shirts for their priesthood holders.

Thank you to everyone who so willingly shared at this wonderful time of year.

Presidency Message - "Changing Times" - Kathleen Walker - Dec. 6, 2009

Excerpts from a delightful and inspired lesson:

I have been at this assignment 3 months now. I came to it with some trepidation - at the completion of our Temple Assignment, I was fatigued. And that experience had been so glorious, so heavenly, that I was sure anything else would be a let down. I didn't really know you and you didn't know me. But I know I had two things going for me. 1) I loved Relief Society. 2) I love the Lord and whatever he requires of me will be mere minutia compared with what he has given me.

And 3 months later, I can say, I am finding joy in this service. I love this work. And I love you. There are mornings when I can hardly wait to get to the phone and start dialing some of you. I love to talk with you and share with you and learn and grow because of you.

As I have pondered on what I would talk about today, I thought I would just share 3 months of musings. Thoughts that have rumbled in my head.

I begin with this: We know that the principles and ordinances of the gospel will never change. they do not sway with the times, they do not follow social trends. They are constant and will remain so, because they are true. But the process by which those principles and ordinances are taught do change.

Pres. Eyring, in this last General RS Meeting, spoke of this - of the evolution of RS and its enduring legacy. When you look at the history of the church and specifically of RS we find a kind of "growing up." The Primary Organization, LDS Family Services, The Humanitarian Program, the church magazines, the hospital system in the valley, all found their beginnings in the RS.
. . . .

There was a time when temple attendance was tracked. The Handbook of Instructions used to be very thick, now it is thin. The Missionary lessons were once memorized, now we have Preach my Gospel which outlines the topics but encourages teaching by the spirit. The RS Manual for next year, the average length of lesson instruction is about 2 1/2 pages compared with 7 - 12 pages.

Why?
. . . .

The more we have to rely on the spirit for guidance, the more we bless the lives of those we serve.

We know that with Visiting Teaching, the more we practice the spirit of the law the less important the letter of the law becomes. We begin to simply love and care for the sisters and think less of rushing to their homes the last week of the month to get the visiting done.

We know that when we have an opportunity to fulfill a welfare assignment, or help at a funeral or take a meal in, that the spirit with which it is done, makes the difference between an act of charity and an imposition.

All of this brings me to the new instructions regarding the once called (Home Family and Personal Enrichment) Enrichment Program and now called Relief Society Meetings.
. . . .

This program is pushing us to live by the promptings of the spirit.

1. To offer things that will meet the spiritual, temporal, emotional and physical needs of the sisters in our ward.
2. These new RS Meetings will be held during the week (for us it will be on the 3rd Tuesday). They will generally be held monthly.
3. The bishop oversees the program, but under the direction of the RS Pres, in the same way priesthood quorums function.
4. The once Enrichment leader is now called "The RS Meeting Coordinator". In our ward it is Jenna Pratt, with 2 assistant coordinators, Coco Peterson and Jan Ingebretson. She also has a committee of helpers and has access to anyone on the RS Board (or in the RS).

We will begin this new program in January and will meet on January 19 for our first meeting. We have identified, with the Bishop's help, some of the needs that we feel the sisters of this ward have. If there is something you would like this program to cover, something that you need help in, something you are interested in, are capable of teaching or that you think would benefit others of this ward, please step forward and share with us. This program is for you. It is a supplementary program to the Sunday RS. it is not mandatory for entrance into the Celestial Kingdom, but can greatly enhance our knowledge, our skills and our interests and build a sense of camaraderie and sisterhood in this ward.
. . . .

I believe it is one more evidence that the Lord is hastening his work. We are being prepared to stand on our own feet and be accountable for our own lives! The spoon feeding is diminishing and the spirit of the law, as opposed to the letter of the law becomes the empowering principle. In the end we will each be accountable for our own salvation We will not slide in on the coattails of our parents, our husbands, our children or our best friends.

The result of this self empowerment will be that we will move UP. As you know, MOVIN UP is our theme this year . . . taken from the movie UP. We hope to have a ward movie night in Jan, in which we see that movie.
. . .

One final plea: Please connect with those you visit teach. The Christmas season can be one of loneliness. Get on your knees and pray for guidance and then get on your feet and become the Savior's hands. Reach out in love.

Swap and Shop

Holiday Traditions

What a wonderful time of the year! A time for remembering the true meaning of Christmas and to focus on the Savior. A time to be with those we love the most. A time to be extra conscious of others and to be a little bit nicer, a little bit more Christlike, and a little bit better in all we do.

As we begin the season, we've been asking around. . . what fun and special traditions do you have in your family to celebrate the season?


Laura Ralphs:

One of our kids' favorite Christmas Eve traditions is when we spend it with Luke's family is their traditional Christmas Eve pinata. Last year was funny because the pinata was Santa Claus and at first you could tell the younger cousins were being really timid about hitting Santa (after all, he is the one bringing them presents in the morning!) It didn't take long for the older cousins to get things going though and then they all realized that getting the candy and toys inside the pinata was worth it.

We also pick out a new Christmas picture book as a family each year to add to our collection. We usually try to pick something that has to do with what's been going on with our life (i.e. the year Matthew built his first snowman we bought "What Snowmen Do At Night" by Mark and Caralyn Buehner).


Liz Zundell

We have a few Christmas traditions. We put up our tree the weekend after Thanksgiving and then kick off the season by watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas." We also take a picture for the Christmas cards we send out. This totally stresses me out more than Christmas shopping. No Eric, you can't do bunny ears behind your sister's head. Ally, take your fingers out of your mouth. Kaylee, smile. Ryan, I know you hate the flash in your eyes, but you do have to look straight ahead. No, if the dog can't sit still, he can't be in the picture. No Ally, we don't want your blanket in the picture. No Eric, your guinea pig can't be in the picture either. CAN EVERYONE JUST LOOK AT ME AND SMILE????? Here Mike, you just take the picture, I'm going to Maverick. Merry Christmas!



Stephanie Pugsley
I love being home on Christmas Eve, but discovered that for some reason the kids have a lot of excess energy that night. As a result, one of our favorite traditions was born. We now decorate gingerbread houses before we settle down for the final spiritual reading of the true Christmas story out of the New Testament. We work in teams to create our houses and have contests to see who can make the longest icicles, the most colorful whatever, the best fences, etc. Working together is fun, while enjoying a pleasant evening without the hustle and bustle of the season.

I also have wonderful memories of being a child at Christmastime. I have distinct memories of helping my mother in the kitchen make all sorts of cookies, candies and fruitcakes. I was great at making almond "flowers" with maraschino cherry centers to decorate the tops of the cakes. (I must admit that I never learned to like fruitcake. I assume that once I grew up I would...they were made of all sorts of yummy things. sorry mom.) For me, it is hard to enjoy the Christmas season without all of those amazing smells in my home. I love her for teaching me to make gingerbread, spritz, sugar cookies, fudge, toffee, and biscotti. I love that my children are excited to help me make them now. MMMMmmmmmm I am excited to get started!!


Carol Theurer

The Theurer has a special tradition of planning a Christmas Eve spiritual fireside and dinner for their entire family. The entire family gathers for a lovely meal. Afterwards, they retire to the living room for a special message, which is different every year. Each year, Carol carefully considers the message and selects a gift which will remind the family of that message. At the end of the evening, every member of the family is given the gift to open. This special Christmas Eve tradition is something the family looks forward to all year long.


We'd love to hear about your traditions! Email them to us.

Sing! Sing a Song!

"For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart. . . and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads." (D&C 25:12)


The YW Singing: Sing, Sing a Song!

In our progression towards the Temple during the past three months, we have learned to SMILE, we have blessed our bodies by thinking and eating VEGGIES, and we have taught our HANDS to be more like CHRIST, and now this month we will commit ourselves to recognize and use the POWER OF MUSIC in our lives. We will SING wherever we are, in the shower, in the kitchen, in the care, and with our families.

Lex De Azevido, a well renowned, LDS musician spoke of the POWER OF MUSIC (Ensign, March 1985, 35) where he said:

"Music is so powerful that it affects even our physical beings. Who hasn't had the experience of tapping his toe to a certain song - without even realizing he was tapping until after the fact. many ancient peoples have recognized the power of music on the body, and some used music as a healing agent. In mythologies, the god of music is also the god of medicine.

In recent years, studies have substantiated these ancient ideas, demonstrating music's effect on a myriad of bodily functions: pulse rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, galvanic skin responses, brain wave impulses, muscle responses, finger coordination, and reading speed and comprehension. A force so powerful that it can influence our hearts, our glands, and our muscles is a force to be reckoned with."

President Boyd K. Packard (New Era, April 2008, 6-11) counseled us:

"The Lord has said "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads (D&C 25:12). The first Presidency of the Church commenting on the influence of music in our lives, has said: "Through music, man's ability to express himself, extends beyond the limits of the spoken language in both subtlety and power. . ."

During this wonderful month of December, we have available to us a myriad of beautiful music to celebrate the birth of the Savior. So lets, EVERY DAY, SING, SING A SONG. Don't worry if its not good enough for anyone else to hear. Just SING, SING A SONG. Sing wherever you are. In your home, in the shower, in the kitchen, as you drive to work. Allow the POWER of MUSIC to fill your hearts!

Bye Hands!

These two hands can wave hello,

Or put smudges on the wall.

They can fold in prayer,

Throw a kiss, or

Reach up and wave when you call.

They will clasp your hand for an Autumn stroll

Or shovel snow on a winter's day.

But most of all their touch will stay with you

When I am far away.

anonymous

December Events

Saturday, December 5th - - Ward Temple Day


Tuesday, December 8th - - Relief Society SWAP - - 7 pm
*Everyone is welcome! Give, take, swap or just socialize.*


Friday, December 11th - - Ward Adult Christmas Party - An Evening in Old Nauvoo


Saturday, December 12th - - Stake Conference - Priesthood Leadership Session 4-6 pm, Evening Adults Session 7-9 pm


Sunday, December 13th - - Stake Conference - Youth Session 8-9 am (youth 12-18); General Session 10 am - noon

Olympus High School Seminary Service Project

This December the Olympus seminary is doing a service project and we need your help! We are making fleece blankets, scarves and hats to donate to the Road Home and the Church Humanitarian Center. We need donations of material to make blankets and scarves (especially fleece material) and yarn to make hats. Any color or patterns are fine.

There will be boxes to collect the donations in the foyers at the stake center on Sunday, December 13th during Stake Conference. Any donations will help keep people warm this winter.

Casey White, Wilford Stake Olympus Seminary Representative (801-484-0732)

You won't want to miss RS this Sunday!

Ward Newsletter

The Winter 2009 Newsletter is now posted on the ward's web site. If you need help accessing the site, please talk to Brother Gish or Brother Baker.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing all of you many happy memories

of family, friends and festivities.

Use your hands today

to make a new memory.

In The Spirit of Thanksgiving

A Story of Two Hands

This is the story of two hands. Not just any two hands, but those of someone who has been a guide, example and teacher in my life.

These hands are strong hands and are able to do marvelous things. But unlike most hands, these hands are different. When young the hands are like any young boys hands, they played, built, worked, learned and grew. In the teenage years they excelled in sports holding school records. The hands began to explore science and yearned to be a jet propulsion engineer one day after serving a mission.

However, like most events in life, there are unexpected twists and turns. These young teenage hands found themselves in a hospital room suffering from a rare form of palsy. The stay there was long and the hands were fighting for life itself. But a miracle occurred. Other hands appointed by the powers on high gave a blessing of healing and divine love and testified of a destiny not yet fulfilled. Healing came, slowly. Though most of the body healed well, the hands bear the evidence of its fight for life and would never be the same.

Most things that should be simple, were now difficult if not impossible, such as buttoning a shirt, holding a drinking glass, picking up small objects.

Such a serious setback didn't matter, because "impossible' was not a word know. The hands gladly accepted a call to serve a mission, though most thought it impossible. the hands received a college education and later a master's degree. Marriage came and then four children. the hands taught hundreds of students to love math and science.

The hands learned the art of building and woodworking. Most called him and his hands "Archimedes" for the ability to create ways to work around roadblocks, like levy and pulley systems, a button-hook to help button dress shirts, and designing creative tools to help in the wood shop. the hands have served many willfully and gladly.

If you shook these hands, you would know they were different. But you would also know they were hands that have continued to live life to the fullest. They have worked hard, served others, loved their family and have loved the Father of us all.

These hands have taught me to never make excuses in life, but rejoice in the blessings that we have and then take those blessings and fulfill them to their greatest potential. We create our own limits on our potential, but the Father gives us the tools to exceed beyond all expectations.

I am grateful for hands, the small hands, the old and the well-used hands, the imperfect hands, but most of all the hands that have sacrificed most of all, our dear Savior.

Ann Sherratt

Clothes Swap - Start Hunting!

Tis the season...for searching through closets for boots, scarfs and jackets.

Don't you hate it when Johnny has outgrown last year's boots! Or, along the hand-me-down chain, a girl snuck in there somewhere and John won't wear the pink boots for some reason?

NEVER FEAR! The Relief Society clothes swap (and other great stuff) is coming up on December 8th at the Church.

We're encouraging everyone to go through their homes for everything from babies, to children's, to teens, to women's, to men's, to toys, to children's books, etc. What a great way to begin the holiday "shopping" and swapping season.

Watch for more information!

Spotlight on Elizabeth

This month in Relief Society one of our young women (pictured above on the left) spotlighted Elizabeth Z. (on the right).  We found out that Elizabeth loves the color purple and sugar cookies.  She is the mother of two boys and two girls.  Her oldest son says that she makes "the best" Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Elizabeth loves her family, flipflops, scrapbooking, goodreads.com, nertz, Macaroni Grill and girls night out.   Elizabeth was given an award for being the Best Neighborhood Mom as she always has a yard full of children hanging out and playing games.  Elizabeth is currently serving as a Cub Scout Den Leader and schedules activities for the Ward Building.