Plant those seeds

"Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward"
~Doctrine and Covenanta 6:33
Sunday March 29th Message

The Secret Heart

The Secret Heart
by Claire Helmers

I wonder, sometimes, if you know how much I need your love.How much I crave a compliment, how much I want a hug.I wonder if you share my fear of always falling short Of thinking I'm the only one with faults and sins.


Do you like me, put on a face that says your life is swell, But shake and tremble deep inside that fragile outer shell? Please don't be fooled by my facade, I've worn it now for years But often, just below my smile, my throat is full of tears.

Are you convinced that others here are worthier than you? They know the gospel, pay their tithes, and shine in Sunday School Their kids don't fight, their house is clean, they never raise their voice. You'd gladly trade your life for theirs, if you just had a choice.

Well, please remember, sisters dear, that life's not all it seems. The lives that other women live are only in your dreams They worry, struggle, cry and pray, and never have enough Of love from women like yourself, of gentle female stuff.

I need your love like you need mine; I need forgiveness too For falling short of my ideals, and wishing I was you So if you like me, tell me so, just tell me to my face
I need to hear that , oh so much: I need your warm embrace.

Do you like my dress, my hair, my smile, the lesson I just gave? Well, tell me every Sunday, please; I'd love it if you rave. You see, I'm not as smart or strong or good as you may think; Life gets me down; you'd be surprised how low my moods can sink.

Well, who am I? I'm everyone--I'm every woman here Who needs a friend, a confidante, a non-judgmental ear,Who wants to feel important and to know somebody cares,
Who needs to feel she's up to all the burdens that she bears.

So please don't be afraid of me; draw near to me instead,Pour out your heart and soul to me and get inside my head. Let's be a whole fraternity of inter linking hearts.That's how the Savior planned it, if we each just do our part.

March Birthday Brunch

Happy Birthday to

Deborah Kelley ~ 05
Laura Simmons ~ 05
Megahn Mills ~ 08
Lacy Galloway ~ 13
Leigh ann Loban ~ 16
Naomi Sawyer ~ 28
Deleen Stallings ~ 29
Shelley Dean ~ 30
Jennie State ~ 30

Change in Events

Dear Sisters,

The Enrichment Relief Society Birthday Celebration scheduled for this evening, March 26, 2009, at 7PM has been rescheduled due to the blizzard warning in effect for our area. We dont want to risk putting any of our sisters in danger of an accident or getting stranded. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope you can stay home, safe and warm, and enjoy your appetizers!


The Birthday Celebration has been rescheduled for *Friday, April 10, at 7PM*in the Laredo Cultural Hall. We hope you will be able to attend! If you are still willing to bring an appetizer, we would greatly appreciate it.

Please call Jennifer Johansen if you have any questions

Gospel Teaching—Our Most Important Calling

“We all have a sacred responsibility to learn some basic principles of teaching.”
1. Show Love
2. Teach from Scriptures
3. Encourage Pondering

William D. Oswald, Nov. 2008
find the full talk at the following address
http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-29,00.html

Starfish

"Strolling along the edge of the sea a man catches sight of a young woman who appears to be engaged in a ritual dance. She stoops down, then straightens to her full height, casting her arm out into the air. Drawing closer, he sees that the beach around her is littered with starfish, and she is throwing them one by one into the sea. He lightly mocks her “There are stranded starfish as far as you can see, for miles up the beach. What difference can saving a few of them possible make?” Smiling, she bends down and once more tosses a starfish out over the water,saying serenely, “ It certainly makes a difference to that one.”


We can all make a difference in the sisters lives around us. Sometime we all need a little help up and a gentle toss in the right direction

Living with Others in Peace & Harmony

"BLESSED ARE THE PAEACEMACKERS:
FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED THE CHILDREN OF GOD/"

Teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith
Lesson 29, pgs 339-345

Food Storage

Did you know that you can store cheese on your shelf for at least 5 years and it is still edible?
Did you know that you can substitute unflavored gelatin and water for eggs in your recipes?

Can you whip out a dozen homemade flour tortillas at a moments notice? (not Frisbees, tortillas

We have been asked over and over again by our prophets to be prepared. We should store some food, put away some money and be self sufficient in as many ways as possible. Are you prepared? Can you sustain yourself and your family? We can teach each other how! Here are some ideas of things we will be learning (hands on) to become more prepared.

• What to store and how
• I can’t do food storage. I have no place to put it. (Oh yes you do!)
• Gardening
• Bottling butter
• Storing cheese
• Bread making, from grinding the wheat to eating the bread
• Making flour tortillas, wheat and white
• How to store water
• Canning, vegetables to meats and everything in between
• Dehydrating food
• Are our finances in order and what can we do to help?
• Do we know where our important documents are and are they safe? Organize, organize, organize!
• What are your ideas?


This is our assignment for the month.

1. Set a goal for food storage that fits your needs and your budget.

Our church is a very goal oriented church. We are taught from the time we are tiny children that our ultimate goal is to return to live with our Heavenly Father. Along our life path, we set many goals and home food storage is just one of those. If you have not already set a goal to do food storage, the time is now. When setting your goal, be very prayerful. Our Heavenly Father knows you and the needs of your family. He knows what the current economic situation is and that times are tough and money is scarce. But above all, he knows the desires of your heart and if your sincere desire is to obey the commandment of having food storage for your family, he will provide a way for you to be able to accomplish that goal.

2. Organize and begin!

If you don’t have one, buy a notebook. You’re going to start writing things down and start making lists and making plans. This is called organizing and this notebook is going to become your best friend. It will be your brain and your guide and will keep you focused and moving in the direction of your goal. Many of us have lots of food stored, such as wheat, beans, rice and other things. But if you don’t have a plan, you may still be in trouble when it comes to taking care of your family. So you’re going to make a food storage plan.

3. Decide your meals.

Pick 7 breakfasts and 7 dinners. Pick food that your family normally eats, but keep in mind that you are going to be storing it. So if one of your favorite dishes is green salad, know that you cannot bottle, freeze or dehydrate lettuce so you may want to choose something that is a little more storage friendly. Write down your choices for 7 breakfasts and 7 dinners in your notebook and you are on your way. *** If you would like to do 14 dinners for varieties sake, feel free. Also, if you plan on having toast with a breakfast or muffins, etc make sure you account for those in your menu. Here is what I have.....

7 breakfasts
14 dinners
5 breads
5 desserts!

Also, for those of you who have done your meals (remember to write down the recipe for ingredients purposes) and are wanting to DO something now to feel like you are moving along, here is information on the 72 hour kits I touched on. Again, don't feel like you have to do this all at once! This is a constant work in progress (you saw my garage)! Remember to search your home for things for the 72 hour kit. You'd be surprised at what you already have!


Bag A & B : Big ziplock bags
Pack: Backpack
For hygiene items we have travel sized stuff.

72-Hour Kits
Adult
Bag A:
Advil
Tylenol
Wet ones
Lotion
Shampoo
Toilet paper
Matches
Soap
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Rain Poncho
Emergency Blanket
First Aid kit
Kleenex
Hand Sanitizer
Carefree pad/tampons (female only)
Sunscreen
Chap stick

Bag B:
Water purifier drops
Utensils
Trail mix
Jerky
Granola Bars
Ramen soup
Plastic bags
Cocoa mix
Peanuts

In Pack:
Water
Flashlight
Fire starter sticks
Light sticks
Metal cup
Pork & Beans
Beef sticks
Dinner (Dinte Moore stew works well)
Battery powered radio
Batteries
1 change clothes

Kids
Bag A:

Children’s pain reliever
Wet ones
Lotion
Shampoo
Toilet paper
Matches
Soap
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Rain Poncho
Emergency Blanket
First Aid kit
Kleenex
Hand Sanitizer
Diapers
Sunscreen
Chap stick

Bag B:
Water purifier drops
Utensils
*Trail mix
*Jerky
*Granola Bars
Ramen soup
Plastic bags
*Cocoa mix
*Peanuts

In Pack:
Water
Flashlight
Fire starter sticks
Light sticks
Metal cup
Pork & Beans (or baby food)
Beef sticks (or baby snacks)
*Dinner (Dinte Moore stew works well)
Sippy cup (formula and bottle if needed)
1 change of clothes

*Depending on age of child


Remember these are only suggestions! Google 72 hour kits online and get information on what you think is best! All of this is completely personal and up to you what to have and store! Please plan to attend in April when Sister Elizabeth Wright will be doing much more on emergency preparedness. We will also be continuing with our food storage plan in April. Bring your menu and lets work out the math! We will be figuring out what you will need for a 1 month, 3 month or a year supply!still edible?

Missionary Service: A Holy Calling, a Glorious Work

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith Lesson 28

March Visiting Teaching Message

Uphold, Nourish, and Protect the Family
Why Must I Defend the Doctrine of the Family?
The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Liahona, Oct. 2004, 49; Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102).

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president: “As a disciple of Jesus Christ, every woman in this Church is given the responsibility for upholding, nurturing, and protecting families. Women have distinct assignments given to them from before the foundation of the world. And as a covenant-keeping Latter-day Saint woman, you know that raising your voice in defense of the doctrine of the family is critical to the strength of families the world over” (“What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best: Stand Strong and Immovable,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 110).

How Can I Defend the Family?
D&C 88:119: “Establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.”

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985): “Home is a haven against the storms and struggles of life. Spirituality is born and nurtured by daily prayer, scripture study, home gospel discussions and related activities, home evenings, family councils, working and playing together, serving each other, and sharing the gospel with those around us. Spirituality is also nurtured in our actions of patience, kindness, and forgiveness toward each other and in our applying gospel principles in the family circle” (“Therefore I Was Taught,” Tambuli, Aug. 1982, 2; Ensign, Jan. 1982, 3).

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “I call upon members of the Church and on committed parents, grandparents, and extended family members everywhere to hold fast to [the family] proclamation, to make it a banner not unlike General Moroni’s ‘title of liberty,’ and to commit ourselves to live by its precepts. …

“In today’s world, where Satan’s aggression against the family is so prevalent, parents must do all they can to fortify and defend their families. But their efforts may not be enough. Our most basic institution of family desperately needs help and support from the extended family and the public institutions that surround us” (“What Matters Most Is What Lasts Longest,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2005, 42–43).

Elder Robert S. Wood of the Seventy: “For too many, responsibility seems to end with hand-wringing and exclamations of dismay. Yet talk without action accomplishes little. We need to be vigorously engaged in the world. If our schools are inadequate or destructive of moral values, we must work with fellow members of the community to bring about change. If our neighborhoods are unsafe or unhealthy, we must join with the civic-minded to devise solutions. If our cities and towns are polluted, not only with noxious gases but soul-destroying addictions and smut, we must labor to find legitimate ways to eliminate such filth. … We have the responsibility to be a blessing to others, to our nation, to the world” (“On the Responsible Self,” Ensign, Mar. 2002, 30–31).

March Presidency Message

“We are all in this together. We need each other. Oh, how we need each other. Those of us who are old need you who are young. And, hopefully, you who are young need some of us who are old. It is a sociological fact that women need women. We need deep and satisfying and loyal friendships with each other. These friendships are a necessary source of sustenance. We need to renew our faith every day. We need to lock arms and help build the kingdom so that it will roll forth and fill the whole earth.”
Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Visiting Teachers Minister

February Birthday Brunch

Happy Birthday to:

01 ~ Jessica Checketts

02 ~ Tai Fafita

02 ~ Nimol Uch
03 ~ Tamara Rienhart
03 ~ Erin White
03 ~ Kathleen Stiles
06 ~ Sandra Yates
07 ~ Jen Mcdowell
07 ~ Lasandra Powell
08 ~ Sandra Valenty
11 ~ Nancy Johnson
14 ~ Elaine Hopper
16 ~ Tracy Welpton
17 ~ Deborah Haynes
19 ~ Barbara Shelton
20 ~ Cassandra Nuechterlein
21 ~ Julie Wheeler
22 ~ Amanda Wilburn
24 ~ Jaelynne Palmer

25~ Jenny Leis
26 ~ Sula Givhan