LOTS OF NEWS!

GREAT HAPPENINGS IN THE NEW CASTLE WARD!

John and TyAnna Carson and Jessica Dupass along with her mother, Colleen Jensen, will be going through the temple this Saturday at the 1:20 session.  We are delighted with their choices to receive their endownments and continue in their gospel learning.  Josh and Jess will also be sealed to their little family as well.  What a joyful day it will surely be!

During our night Relief Society, Sister Lynn  Lindsey taught us about stocking our pantry and using those items we store.  She had flavored syrups she had made from her storage items, and we were able to taste them on the pancakes (made from storage items) that Sister Elaine Shriver cooked right before our eyes.   We so appreciate the ladies who spend so much time preparing these events for us.  Although we may have heard some of this before, we are able to constantly learn new things from each occasion, and it is always fun to share ideas with the other sisters who attend.  This is something we cannot hear too much of.  Recipes were also available with great ideas on how to put them to good use in our kitchens.

Sister Lindsey would like us to know that the new price list from the cannery in on the table in the foyer.  All items have increased in price.  Check your pantry to see which items you may be in need of.  At times, you may be able to take avantage of local sales and case lots to your advantage.  Storage buckets with lids are also available at Lynn's home for $3 a piece.  (A great price, by-the-way!)

GENEALOGY NOW!

A free, genealogy seminar is coming to St. George on January 29 from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  Former Govenor Olean Walker will be the keynote speaker with twenty different classes available for those who attend.  Classes range from the New Family Search to Photo Editing.  This seminar has met approval of Elder Randy Wilkinson.

WARD DIRECTORY

New Ward Directorties can be found on the table just outside the Relief Society Room.  Make sure you pick up your updated version!

LESSON:

A big thanks to Sister Leann Riquelme who taught our Sunday lesson, Chapter 25 on 'Fasting'.  She was a wonderful stand-in for Sister Bea Gubler who is recoving from shingles.  We were reminded of why, when, and how we should observe this great principle of fasting in our daily lives.  We learned of the spiritual power available to us as we wisely and prayerfully choose to fast.  "The Savior has said to those who fast properly, 'Thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly'".

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year everyone!  Can we believe it 2011 already?  We hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season with your loved ones and friends, and that the true spirit of Christmas radiated in your homes.

Our Relief Society has taken on a new look for Sunday mornings.  Our eyes feasted upon a wonderful new bulletin board.  So many thanks to those who helped to re-furbish it.  We will also discontinue the 'good news minute' and the 'music period' in our meetings.  Directions in our new handbooks are giving our teachers the ultimate amount of time for classroom instruction.  The bookmarks were passed out with our new theme for the year and lesson schedules.  We are hoping that each of us will take the time to read our lessons prior to coming to Relief Society and, for those of you who are involved in other organizations, it is a wonderful way for you to keep in touch with what we are learning.

"BEING STEADFAST AND IMMOVABLE" is the theme chosen by our ward presidency.  The selected goals for 2011 are:

1.  Learn of Him

2.  Reach Beyond Ourselves

3.  Use Our Time in Inspired Ways

4.  Stand Strong and Immovable

Our objective is:  "To help each of us to find strength in the Gospel and each other."  Let us all make a concentrated effort to work at building that strong, immovable foundation in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Relief Society Meeting is scheduled for January 18 at 6:30 p.m.  Sister Lynn Lindsey will give a presentation on our Home Food Storage/Pantry.  There will be samples for all to taste.  An event that will surely benefit us all.

LESSON:

After a short but wonderful introduction by Sister Marilyn Tullis on our new theme, Cindy Cluett gave some marvelous insights on '"being steadfast and immovable".  She shared some personal experiences with us that she has had with standing up for the gospel and defending our beliefs.  It will surely take great courage for us to be counted on the Lord's side as we are confronted by much of the world today.  Let us be determined to be the best that we can be.

Young Women Shine!

Thanks to our Young Women who conducted our Relief Society on Sunday.  They are surely having a learning experience as they participate with us each Fast Sunday.  We appreciate all their efforts to join us and share their spirit with us. 

We appreciate all who took time to sign the cards for our little Cole.  He is out of intensive care and doing a little better each day.  We send our love and best wishes to the Flannigan Family.

Thanks to all those who attended our Evening Relief Society Meeting last week.  A lot of work went into making it a wonderful time for everyone.  (We appreciate you Elaine and Judy).  There were so many wonderful and yummy cookies.  Thank you ladies for sharing with us.  Sorry that the stockings did not arrive in time, but you will be getting those sometime soon.  The potato bar was delicious and everyone enjoyed a wonderful bonding time together.

WELCOME Sister Deb!  We were so glad to see you back among us on Sunday.  You looked so good.  We certainly send our best wishes to you as you continue to get better.  May the Lord's healing hand be with you in your journey to recovery.

ANNOUCEMENTS:

The WARD CHRISTMAS PARTY is on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.  Everyone plan to attend and enjoy the spirit of the season with all your ward family. 

There won't be any YM/YW this week because of the ward party.

The Special Sisters Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, the 14th, in the 4th-5th Cultural Hall.  (11:30 a.m.)  It's sure to be a treat for all who attend.

The Young Women are asked to bring items for the Missionary Boxes next Wednesday, the 15th.  They will be getting them ready for the mail.  A list of suggested items was given to the girls last week.

There are some items from the Young Women's Night of Excellence in the Young Women's room for those who did not attend.

Remember that items for the Bishop's Christmas can be dropped off at the D.I. and would be much appreciated.  You may drop off until December 24.  They are need of new toys, quilts, and items for teenagers.

For those with food from the Food Storage Canning Day, please pick that up from the Cultural Hall.

LESSON:

Thanks to Sister Jill Schill for a wonderul Christmas Lesson.  It was one that we all enjoyed so very much.  The Spirit was felt by each of us in the room as sisters shared wonderful stories of special Christmas's that have touched their lives.  

"We all enjoy giving and receiving presents.  But there is a difference between presents and gifts.  The true gifts may be part of ourselves -- giving of the riches of the heart and mind -- and, therefore, more enduring and of far greater worth than presents bought at the store."  (James E. Faust)

Sister Schill encouraged us to take a page from President Hunter's thoughts about the gifts that truly come from our hearts:

"This Christmas, mend a quarrel.  Seek out a forgotten friend.  Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.  Write a letter.  Give a soft answer.  Encourage youth.  Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.  Keep a promise.  Forgo a grudge.  Forgive an enemy.  Apologize.  Try to understand.  Examine your demainds on others.  Think first of someone else.  Be kind.  Be gentle.  Laugh a little more.  Express your gratitude.  Welcome a stranger.  Gladden the heart of a child.  Take pleaseure in the beauty of wonder of the earth.  Speak your love and then speak it again."  (President Howard W. Hunter)

May we all endeavor to do so!

DON'T FORGET!

OK, Sisters, let's not forget about our Evening Relief Society Meeting this week (November 30).  The time has been changed to 7:00 p.m. so everyone please put it on your schedule and plan to attend.  Don't forget to bring three dozen of your favorite cookies (with recipe) to share with everyone.  We will also be served from a yummy potato bar.  The Christmas Stockings for Jesus will be made if the fabric arrives.  The shipment has been delayed, but we are hoping for a miracle.  If it does not arrive, another time will be arranged for.  It's sure to be a super evening.  Don't miss it!

ANNOUCEMENTS:

Sister Deb Fitzwater is at her mom's recovering from her hospital stay in Salt Lake.   She is feeling better, but unable to have visitors at this time.  Take a moment of your time to give her a jingle . . . phone calls are more than welcome.

D.I. donations are still being accepted for new items for the Bishop's Christmas.  Let's all feel the 'spirit of the season'.

Pack Meeting has been postponed until Thursday, December 14.

GOOD NEWS MINUTES:

Sister Cindy Cluett was able to meet family members that they had become acquainted with through the New Family Search program and were able to do the temple work for some of their ancestors.

Bishop and Sister Jill were able to fly to Washington D.C.  to receive an award for their son, Rob.  He was awarded a valor award but was unable to be there to receive it due to some training he was in.

Pam and her husband, Wayne, were host to nearly 40 family members for Thanksgiving Dinner.  It was a marvelous occasion for them.

LESSON:

"Because of Your Faith" by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland was the title of our lesson this week.  It was given by Sister Joan Platt and is recorded on page 6 of the November Ensign.  It was an expression of gratitude to all in the church: 

"I have struggled to find an adequate way to tell you how loved of God you are and how grateful we on this stand are for you.  I am trying to be voice for the very angels of heaven in thanking you for every good thing you have ever done, for every kind word you have ever said, for every sacrifice you have ever made in extending to someone -- to anyone -- the beauty and blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

" . . . No one of you is insignificant, in part because you make the gospel of Jesus Christ what it is -- a living reminder of His grace and mercy, a private but powerful manifestation in small villages and large cities of the good He did and the life He gave bringing peace and salvation to other people.  We are honored beyond expression to be counted one with you in such a sacred cause."

If you have not had time to read this message for yourself, we encourage you to do so.  It is a splendid message.