Help Your Neighbor

This is just a reminder that Wednesday May 18th is our "Help Your Neighbor" Spring Swap. Please look at the post one or two down for the full details. Bring your items at 5pm to the Cultural Hall and then come back with a friend around 7pm to get the things you need. I hope and pray that we will have good participation with this. We have SO MANY NEEDS in this ward and that's not just those who have lost jobs or had hardships...we all have needs and everyone can help in some small way. We can all help each other! Thank you and see you there!

Katie Bennett's Funeral

Dear, sweet Sister Katie Bennett died last friday. We will miss her terribly!! Her funeral will be May 19 at 11am with a viewing before from 9:45am-10:45am. There will also be a viewing at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary Wednesday the 18th from 6-8pm address is 495 S State Street in Orem.

YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

Ladies, Sis. Buhler and I just did the VT reports and we discovered that we had 92% this month!!! That is freaking amazing! There were only 8 sisters who were not contacted. Keep up the good work and remember it's not about the numbers it's about making sure that each sister has a friend and is being taken care of in times of need. It's so important for us to make contact with the sisters so we can help the Bishop be aware of needs and individuals in the ward. It's a big job to keep track of that many people and one person cannot do it all. So thank you for calling, visiting, e-mailing, praying and just plain talking to your sisters. Remember that it's not about making sure they have a "message" (although that is important) but that you TALK to them and say "how's it goin?" and then listen with your heart and your ears to what they have to say and to what they are not saying. If you don't give them a message that month it's ok. They may have just only needed you to acknowledge their existence that day or just needed adult conversation or a smile and a hug that day. Focus on the individuals not on just "getting it done." You have all done wonderfully this month and I don't know about you but I can certainly feel a special spirit and a closeness with the sisters that I have not felt before. I LOVE IT!!!! Wrap your arms around yourself and give yourself a big hug from me because knowing that you care about your sisters and are working hard to get to know them and serve them helps me (and the Bishop) to sleep better at night...seriously! LOVE YA!!!!!!!!

Lesson for May 8

This week's lesson is in the manual. Lesson #32 Tithes and Offerings. This should make for a great discussion so read and be prepared!

HELP YOUR NEIGHBOR

Last year the Stake started doing a free yard sale. Without divulging to much of my feelings about this event, I will just say that it hasn't gone they way it was intended. People came and loaded up bag after bag of goods...and then sold them at their own yard sale or online. People gave things that were in such bad shape the DI wouldn't even take them and we took box upon box to the trash can. Countless hours were spent folding and sorting clothing and making the executive decision about whether or not an item was worth keeping or tossing. It was so unorganized because there was just too much to go through. On the plus side though, many families were able to go home with much needed food and clothing items. The missionary help and baptisms has gone up considerably, mostly in the spanish branch, but we are able to get to know some of our neighbors who do not attend Sunday meetings.
While, the idea is a good one, the execution leaves much to be desired. I felt very strongly that we needed to help our neighbors in our ward first and make sure we are taking care of them, and then send what we had left for the others. We talked with the Stake about it and they approved the idea and felt like it should be the way we always do things. Charity begins at home and we need to make sure that our neighbors cupboards are full and their backs are covered before we send things over for someone else to make a quick buck.
So, that having been said, we are encouraging all Visiting Teachers to talk to your sisters about donating items and also find out if they have specific needs of things they could use or are in need of. We are asking every family to donate clothing, household items, soon-to-expire-food storage, really anything you no longer need or can do without. Please encourage the sisters you visit to come to the church the night of the 18th and everyone can participate. It will be a lot of fun and a blessing to many if we all participate. This is a great opportunity for all of us to be of service and love our neighbor as ourself. It's also a wonderful opportunity to feel like you are truly being of service as a Visiting Teacher and it allows each of us the chance to get to know one another better and meet families we don't see on a weekly basis.
Thank you for your support and we welcome all comments and questions!

Lesson for May 1

This week's lesson is the Presidency message. Sis. Barbara Kemp will be teaching so you know it will be fabulous! She will be talking about our gift for the month: HOPE. Study this scripture and be prepared to feel a wonderful Spirit on Sunday- Romans 8:24

Bro. Saxton's Funeral

Sisters, our hearts and prayers go out to Sis. Kathryn Proctor and Sis. Colleen Saxton and her family as they mourn the loss of dear John Saxton. His funeral will be Monday April 25. The Funeral is at 1pm with a viewing from 11:45am-12:45pm.