March 11th Relief Society Activity

Here are a few pictures from our "Purse"onal Relief Society Birthday on March 11th. I just loved preparing for this activity. I had it visualized in my head for months and everything just kept coming to me like it was meant to be. So this was very special to me. I did have a few problems that showed up the day of. One being the weather was really bad. It rained so hard and they had Tornado Watches going on. Of course out of all the days it had to happen on this day. Oh well it all worked out and most everyone was still able to come. For my table set up I had 8 volunteers to decorate a table to represent a month of the year. So at the end we had a table represent each Birthday month and everyone who came sat at their special table. The ladies did such a fantastic job. The tables looked so good. I also had ladies volunteer to make 12 different cakes to represent each month. That ended up being my center pieces for the tables. Some of the cakes where so elaborate it was amazing! We had a potato bar along with different salads. I had two fabulous ladies sing in front of everyone "Count Your Many Purses" to the tune "Count Your Many Blessings" It was so cute and they did such a great job! I had one of my sewing teachers sew two hand made quilted purses to raffle off. They were awesome and I still wish I was one who won! I also had a lady donate a bunch of hand made jewelry for the raffles as well. I have a picture of one of the key chains she hand made. I also made some homemade magnets. They are the ones that are in the shape of flowers. I had some with clips to hold notes and such and some just cute and fancy. All the give aways where gone in no time. I had 6 ladies also give a short talk about a "purse"onal journey they have been on in there life. They represented it by showing a bag or purse. It was so insightful to hear the different journeys they have been on. I learned so much from them and I am so thankful for them being willing to speak that night.

We then played the purse game and had a lot of laughs. I drew a slip of paper out of a purse then read out load what it said. It could be anything really. One was a check written to yourself. Or the most random item in your purse. The one who won was a lady with a piece of carpet in her purse. That was for sure random. It was great and to close the meeting I showed the video called "Live Like You Believe" It was on a post below if you haven't had the chance to watch it yet. It is just beautiful! For our gift to everyone we handed out silver shaped purse mirror for your purse. You can see it in the picture below. That way when ever you take the mirror out of your purse to use you can remember this evening and what you felt. It also represented the understanding that each and everyone of us is a daughter of God. I am so thankful for my calling and have learned and grown so much in these past months. I totally look forward to the activities to come.

Time Out For Women 2010

On March 5, and 6th I was able to attend my very first "Time Out For Women." I have heard of it before but never had the opportunity to go. So this was a treat for me. I am blessed to have such wonderful friends at church. There were about 5 of us who went together. We split a resort room and had lunch together. It is so great to just get away once in awhile with good people. We got to stay up late and talk without kids running around. Thank you ladies for a wonderful weekend! Oh in the pictures above you can see the red and white tote bag we got that weekend. They are so cute!

The program started Friday night and ended Saturday late afternoon. I had no idea what to expect except some extraordinary speakers. Friday nights speakers were Wendy Watson Nelson (wife of Elder Russel M. Nelson) who was the surprise speaker. She is one amazing women. The other speaker was Sheri Dew. She is the president and CEO of Desert Book Company. Each day they had a special singer or singers. Friday night was Dallyn Vail Bayles. At first I would have not recognized him because he was growing a beard and his hair out for an upcoming acting job I think he said. He played Hyrum Smith brother of Joseph Smith in the film "Joseph Smith" That film is one of the most eye opening LDS films I have ever seen. So it was way cool to meet him. He also has a few cd's out and his voice is amazing!

Saturday's speakers were once again all amazing. It would take way too long to detail the subjects they talked on but I will at least list who they were. First was DeAnn Flynn author of the book "The Time-Starved Family" I got to talk to her for a few minutes and she was so nice. She has 7 children and we talked about big families. S. Michael Wilcox was the only male speaker of the event. I was so happy to see the CD of his for sale. I have been looking for this Book on Cd for many years now. Its called "The Fourth Watch" It is so good. So I bought it while I was there and totally forgot to have him sign it. Oh well, maybe next time. I did however get a few more pictures with some of the speakers. The singing group for Saturday was just beautiful. They are "Mercy River" I have never heard of them but they did such a good job. They were so friendly and so nice when I went to get my picture with them. They have a song they sang called "Go Climb That Mountain" I just love it and downloaded it on ITunes. Emily Freeman, and Merrilee Boyack were also amazing speakers. Like I said I could go on forever with each of them. All in all I left totally uplifted and spiritually feed. I told my friends from church that for sure I want to come next year with them. We all had a great time and I am so glad I was able to attend.

Relief Society Video "Live Like You Believe"

Slide the bar over just a little to get it to start.

I felt so strong to post this video I found on You Tube. Since I now have a calling in the Relief Society I have felt so much love and guidance from Heavenly Father. I have always had callings in church serving in primary. So to be part of Relief Society again has brought me to a higher level of love for others. I have watched this video a handful of times now. I can't help but feel so moved toward the end when you hear the prophet speaking in the background to the women. Our lives are so important, and I know that living to the fullest with love, charity, and just a smile will keep us close to the Lord. He then can always be with us to guide and direct us to accomplish all we need to. I really do try to live like I believe and I know who I am in his great plan. I am so thankful for my knowledge of the gospel. I do know this is the true church. Serving in the Relief Society has strengthened me to be more open to others and give what I can in my everyday life. I felt strongly to share this video and I hope you take 5 minutes to watch it and listen to its message. I look ahead with accuracy and assurance that I know my Heavenly Father loves me. He loves all of us more then we can ever know. Enjoy :)