Stake RS Conference 2013

What a wonderful Relief Society conference we had! We loved hearing from all of you and the many ways you strengthen your faith and left feeling so uplifted from all of your comments and testimonies. 

What were some of your favorite thoughts from the conference? 

Here's just a bit of proof of the fun that was had!

Winter Date Night Ideas

The L. Tom Perry Special Collections Library at BYU shows a free old movie once a month. It's on an olt-time movie reel and everything and really creates a neat experience. Dress up and make an evening of it! Dates and times are located here. Ticketing info is here.

Go on a theme date! Whether it be a color, food type, genre, or letter of the alphabet you can pick and choose whatever you do and it doesn't have to cost a dime!

Forget building your average snowman! Each person write down a name or two on slips of paper. Draw a name from a hat and have at it! See how creative you can get!

Cozy up together and take turns reading a book out loud. Make sure you do all the voices!

Do a sealing session; then eat dinner in the temple cafeteria. The food is quite delicious!

Get together with friends and have a hot chocolate tasting party! Each person brings different flavor. 

Play croquet in the snow! It really works and the snow makes for an awesome course.

Here is a whole site about Provo Date Ideas.


What are some date night ideas YOU have? We'd love to know! 

Thanksgiving Traditions

With Thanksgiving now less than a week away it'll be here in no time at all! What are some ways you and your family celebrate the holiday? What were some of your favorite traditions growing up or ones you've recently started?

Send your ideas to jfenn87@gmail.com

November Blog Theme: Service

The month of November is here! Can you believe it? November is usually a month of gratitude. One of the most important ways of showing our gratitude is a willingness to be more like Christ, whose life was a life of continual service and love. Creating service opportunities in our wards is the theme for this month.

If you have any ideas or suggestions for service opportunities or projects, please email them to jfenn87@gmail.com. 

Words from Sister Warnick

Dear Sisters,

Within this Church there is a constant need for unity, for if we are not one, we are not his. (See D&C 38:27.) We are truly dependent on each other, “and the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.” (1 Cor. 12:21.)

As leaders in Relief Society, how do we create more unity in our wards?

 1. Go beyond visiting teaching. Plan a time to let your children play together so you can visit.

2. Attend the Temple together. Going to the temple with girls from my ward was something we all enjoyed and helped to cement our relationships.

3. Perform service together. “Charity never faileth.” Doing service together is another great way to cement relationships.

What can we do in our Sunday meetings to promote unity?

1. Encourage your sisters to sit by someone new each week.

2. Greet and welcome new sisters. Make sure your sisters are introduced at least 3 times. This helps you and your sisters get to know them quicker.

3. Some people want to fly under the radar, it is up to you to find them! When I was a relief society president I pray to find those who were not coming to church, I found that one of these girls was a neighbor of mine. She was inactive, worked a lot, but she did tell me she cut hair. I immediately thought, what better way to get to know her than to have her cut my hair. We became friends and she is active today. I hope you will make it your mission to find each sister on your roll and make sure she feels included.

A few other tips:

1. Have sister spotlights. Each week, give a sister in your ward the responsibility to get to know another sister. Include a picture and send the spotlight out in a ward email or blog. It’s a great way to get to know the sisters better.

2. Don’t go to activities alone. Invite a friend or someone new!

3. Always refrain from gossip! Gossip is evil, divisive and will not promote unity.

Unity is a great medicine for many of the struggles ailing your sisters. May you go out of your way to unite your Relief Society sisters in love and righteousness.

“We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness…We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of use.

–Thomas S. Monson

Love,

 Sister Warnick

October Blog Theme: Developing Unity in Our Relief Societies

The theme for this month is Developing Unity in our Relief Societies. Sister Beck has said here that, " [We will] increase in sisterhood and unity as [we] teach one another and serve together."This can be done in a variety of ways, whether through a get-to-know you activity, a weekday meeting, visiting teaching or the way you welcome new sisters into your wards. 

What are some ways you feel unity has been developed in your ward? 

Also, with the beautiful and ever-changing fall weather upon us, warm and cozy soup recipes are in high demand. Please share with us your favorite fall recipes and activities!

Please email your ideas to jfenn87@gmail.com to have them posted to the blog. 

Blogging

Sister Beck on Blogging:

"The Savior emphasized the importance of keeping records. And one of the most valuable records is the one you keep of your own life". - Spencer W. Kimball

"With the blessings of modern technology, we can express gratitude and joy about God's great plan for His children in a way that can be heard not only around our workplace but around the world. Sometimes a single phrase of testimony can set events in motion that affect someone's life for eternity." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Blogging Disclaimer

• You can keep it positive while keeping it real
• Don't let the nasty comparisons/jealousies/one-upping each other bug you or get into your blog
• If it's a hobby, give it hobby time and priority in your life

Setting Goals and Purpose Of Your Blog

• Ask yourself, "what is the purpose of my blog for now and for the future?"
• What type of posts will you write?
• How often will you blog?
• Will you include photos or videos?

Tech Advice

• Free hosting is available at blogspot.com and wordpress.com.
• If you want your domain to be .com, start with wordpress
• You can turn your blog into a book at blurb.com and shutterfly.com
• You can set your blog to be private and invitation only

Your Life Now

• Story-tell! Instead of simply documenting, tell the story behind events and photos
• Write to your loved ones. Write to them on their birthdays, summing up their year, tell them how you appreciate them etc.. Or, a post of facts - some silly, some factual. You could even have a blog set up for each child and write to them throughout the year, have them write entries, take photos of their artwork etc..
• Document special events: birthdays, vacations, holidays. These are the memories you will want to remember.
• Write and post pictures of every day moments. I do a "Things I loved" post every week and they are always the small moments that brought me joy in the week.
• Sharing great ideas. Blogs are a great way to share recipes, visiting teaching helps, crafts, service projects, and books.

Family History

• Spotlight an ancestor or family member living now. Include pictures, or voice recordings. Post on their birthday, or after a funeral, or anniversary.
• Family Recipes. Document with pictures
• Memories from your past: re-create with your children, interview family members about an experience, write a memory in storytelling form and scan old pictures. Handwrite a post and scan it in so your posterity can see what your handwriting is like.
• Start your own family history - do "wrap-up" posts such as a summary of the last year or 6 months.

Using Your Blog to Strengthen Your Family

• Choose a theme, word, or scripture for the year. This can be personal to your or your family.
• Work on a goal together as a family and document it on your blog. I asked my three daughters to join me and "return to virtue" by completing the YW goals for virtue.
• Blog your testimony. Blog through trials. You can uplift people now, as well as your posterity, by being honest, real, and sharing these important things.
• Be grateful and thankful on your blog. What you record stays with you forever!

Inspirational Blogs for Great Reading and Post Ideas

cjanekendrick.com

nieniedialogues.blogspot.com

71toes.com

chellisandalex.blogspot.com

annievalentine.com

thrilledbythethought.com

theparentals.blogspot.com

theyflewthecoop.blogspot.com

beealittlebetter.com

sharon-thesavvygrandma.com

Email me at tylervanessabrown@gmail.com for any more blogging questions or recommendations.