Daughters in My Kingdom

Dear Sisters of the River Stake;

By now, you've most likely heard of the new resource for Relief Society sisters.  It is a wonderful gift to each of us.  In case you haven't received your own copy yet (which you will be receiving from your ward leaders) - here are other ways to explore (and enjoy it) until you have it in your own hands.

Here is a segment of what you will find at the website (link) where you can take a look at this wonderful resource.

Daughters in My Kingdom website

In grateful recognition of the blessing of Relief Society in the lives of Church members, the First Presidency has directed the preparation of Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society.

The teachings, stories, and examples in this history book will guide you in establishing priorities and practices in your life that will help increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help those in need.

The history of Relief Society teaches the divine identity and infinite worth of daughters of God. It is a Spirit-filled story of strong, faithful, purposeful women who have served with little public recognition.            

As you study this history you will see that our Heavenly Father knows His daughters, that He loves them, that He trusts them with sacred responsibilities, and that He guides them as they fulfill those responsibilities.

You are encouraged to share the book with others. Church members of all ages may use the book as a reference in lessons, talks, council meetings, and at home.

Options for reading the book include:

• Audio
• PDF
• Hard copy available for purchase (store.lds.org)
• Online on this site
• 
  

2nd Ward Day of Service

Just recently, the "Current Needs" link on the Provident Living website (Humanitarian Center) link - had this message.  Quite a surprise with all the recent disasters throughout the world.  But notice, the line that says to... "consider other ways to serve, including supporting agencies in your community that serve the poor and needy".

Below you'll find a great example (thanks to the 2nd Ward for sharing!) of doing just that.  They reached out to the community to identify a way to serve here in our own South Jordan City.

They also sent pictures so we could see the happy, joyful spirit that was there as they participated.  It looks like they had a fabulous time visiting and renewing friendships as they served.

Here is a description of what went on:

We called it, "Sisters To the Rescue" and completed nearly 40 fleece blankets and 8 baby quilts with more in progress.  They will be distributed to Project Linus and to the South Jordan Fire Department.  Recently one of Shauna's (Shauna Nielsen - the 2nd Ward RS President) little granddaughters received one of these blankets when she experienced a medical emergency - so we know firsthand how much these blankets mean to the children who receive them during frightening situations in their young lives.

Some of our sisters cut the fleece blankets ahead of time, some were able to help that night -and still others are working on binding the completed quilts.  We really tried to involve some of the less active sisters and others that we just don't see as often in this project.

10th Ward Day of Service

Thanks to the 10th Ward for being the first to graciously send us a description of their Day of Service.  We are excited to see how each ward creatively (and lovingly) responds to the request from President Eyring in this past April General Conference.  

President Eyring's address

When you have completed your ward Day of Service, please have someone from your RS Presidency write a description and send it to us (to this email:  appetersen@me.com)  If you have pictures, we would be excited to include those as well.


10th Ward:
Our Day of Service was June 14th, our R.S. night activity. The sisters of the 10th ward met at 7:00 pm and we divided into groups and did the things that we don't get around to doing, in cleaning the Church. Some cleaned and disinfected the nursery toys...some donated toys, Kleenex, and hand sanitizer. Other sisters vacuumed the baseboards in all the halls and classrooms, while others wiped all the chair rails and window seals. The bishops and clerks office and library got dusted and vacuumed. (Those rooms are usually locked up tight). Some of the gals cleaned windows, wiped down the mother's room, vacuumed the cushions in the foyers, dusted the pictures, and some tended the kids in the gym so the rest could work. A few sisters repaired torn pages in the Hymn books and straightened the chapel.

You might say "No one wants a picture taken of themselves deep cleaning the bathrooms"...but we never thought of taking pictures to record the event. The picture of serving, by cleaning the Lords house, shines brightly in our minds.

 It felt, smelled, and looked good. The sisters were working together, building friendships and memories. At the end of the night we enjoyed some veggies and cookies and discussed the success of the evening. 

Preparedness Idea from the 1st Ward

Sisters - we just LOVE it when you share what has been going on in your wards.  With the Stake Theme - we were so happy to receive this idea.  Thank you to Melanie Jones of the 1st Ward for sending it in.  Here is what they did - in their own words.

We did a fun Emergency Preparedness night activity in February and I took some pictures.  Since the solar oven we featured is the stake item for the month, I thought it appropriate to send in something. 

 

 

River 1st Relief Society Emergency Preparedness Night- February 2011

 

After the fires in Herriman last fall, we wanted to share a few tips on emergency preparedness that we have learned from our friends and relatives who had to evacuate and also talk about fuel preparedness.

 

Did you know if you only use cell phones, the city can't give you a reverse 911 call to let you know of an evacuation unless you register your cell phone with them?

Do you have an emergency grab and go list?  How about a list divided into 5 minutes, 15 minutes or 60 minutes of evacuation time? 

Have you divided responsibilities for younger children or pets with older children or other adults in the home?

Does anyone outside of your home have an emergency contact list containing all your cell phone, work phone and school phone numbers and know where you would go in an emergency?

Does your 72 hour kit contain items appropriate for work or school?  In Herriman, school continued as usually and most adults still had to go to work while evacuated.

 

Fuel Storage Basics

Most of us store food, but do we have any fuel to cook it?

Consider diversifying fuels and make sure you have all the equipment necessary to use them.

Matches- waterproof or keep in waterproof container

Sterno- safe for indoor use and you can cook about 6 meals per 7 oz. can or 2 hours total burn time

White Gasoline or Coleman Fuel- burns hotter and cleaner 1 qt. burns 4 to 10 hours, use outdoors!

Kerosene- cheap and can be burned indoors, stores for a long time, kerosene heaters

Propane- use and store outdoors!

Charcoal-  cheap, store airtight to last longer (plastic bag in garbage can).  Each briquette will produce about 40 degrees of heat

Solar Ovens- homemade or store bought, just need to get food to 180 or higher to start cooking process

 

Remember that anything that produces carbon monoxide gas is not safe to use indoors (like propane).  Also remember most fuels should be stored outside.  Consider fuel stabilizers or treatments to prevent sludginess.

 

Belated Ward Birthday Celebrations

In the whirlwind of Ward Conferences and Women's Conference - we are late posting each individual ward RS Birthday Party.  Thank you so much for inviting us to attend.  Some evenings there were as many as FOUR wards celebrating - so we had to "divide & conquer".  We absolutely LOVED being to each one of them!

We've only received photos from two of the 12 wards in the stake - and hope you will still share them with us if you haven't had the opportunity to do so yet (that's a BIG HINT!)  Please send us information about your ward celebration if you don't find it here...

(Please send your photos & a description to appetersen@me.com.)

1st Ward:
This ward RS Presidency had just barely been sustained and they put together a fabulous night.  After a wonderful dinner, they had several sisters assume the role of the former General RS Presidents.  It's obvious these amazing sisters love each other and enjoy being together.


2nd Ward:  
The 2nd ward has a HUGE Relief Society - I think they have 198 sisters and there are other wards in our Stake who only have around 100. They had a great turnout.  Lots of older sisters. Just grand ladies. They had us sit at our "birthday month" table and they had different sisters decorate the tables. Our October table was set with beautiful blue china that had belonged to a sister's GRANDMOTHER so it was special. There were cakes and cupcakes as centerpieces on each table and they were to die for.  They had a slide show of all of the sisters during the year and it was fun watching everyone react to their own picture - and enjoy seeing their year in photos. The guest speaker was an expert on all things Emma Smith. He was very good. 


3rd Ward:
The ladies of the 3rd ward are friendly, inviting, and loving.  They have so much talent.  The food was delicious and the program awesome!!  They decorated with old pictures and pioneer decorations.  A delicious chicken, spinach salad, and great rice - followed by wedding cake.  The program included speakers, singers, and videos.  It was based on Jenny Phillips "Remember the Journey".   Jenny Curtis was the sister in charge and she did a phenomenal job.  Sis Curtis invited us back to come to another event on April 3rd called 100 dresses.  This is a book about a girl who always wore the same dress.  They will have models and have ladies donating old dresses.  It sounds so fun.




4th Ward:
They all had a great time with a good turnout and pizza for one and all. They had a getting to know you night where they had plastic buckets on the tables where you had to write a "bucket list" and then everyone changed tables and played another game with another group of ladies.  It was buzzing with energy. They played another game where you had to tell things about yourself to the sisters at the table while you wound up a length of string and you couldn't stop talking until you ran out of string!

6th Ward:
We received this fun "Princess" invitation to attend their night of "Princess Crowning".  Hopefully there were photos taken of "King Irving" - who personally crowned each Relief Society sister.  Several sisters shared their thoughts on Relief Society.  Julie George & her RS Meeting Coordinator/Committee put together a wonderful night.

9th Ward:

This ward had an awesome turnout - and celebrated in style.  They followed the "Purse-onality" theme that some of the wards used last year.  Delicious food, amazing decorations, and wonderful speakers who shared their testimony of Relief Society.  Charity Hawkins (2nd Counselor) & Allison Peterson (Meeting Coordinator) made it a memorable night.

10th Ward:

The 10th ward had a great celebration.  (Jennie attended this ward's celebration)  They had a good turnout, even though some of the women were at an HOA meeting for the subdivision.  There were tables decorated with items from different countries.  They served lasagna, salad and breadsticks.  They had a woman show different cake decorating techniques and then they served the cake.  We also played a game where we had to guess interesting RS facts.  One of the questions was "Who is our current Stake RS Pres?  Maria and I shot up from our chairs so fast and blurted  out -- BARBARA SWEAT!!!!!  Everyone got a chuckle out of that!  It was a great night and Evelyn was her wonderful, friendly, gracious self!


River Crest Ward:
These dear sisters are so fortunate to have such a loving Relief Society Presidency!  There were about 6 sisters who felt well enough to join in around the big table in the common area of the River Crest Care Center.  Leoma shared a beautiful story, and then each sister was given a page to keep in their RS books.    You can feel a special spirit here among these women who have spent most of their lives serving the Savior in past church callings, raising fine families, and caring for those around them.  They love having visitors - so check with the River Crest RS Presidency about offering to share your talents with them. 

"Carry On"... Stake Women's Conference 2011

This year's Women's Conference speaker was Emily Freeman.  Her uplifting message was the highlight of the night.

President Wahlquist added his remarks, ending with a blessing upon all the sisters of our stake.

Renewing friendships is a big part of this event every year.  Rubbing shoulders with those we love gives us strength to "Carry On".

Photography, poster, and flyer design by Heather Godfrey - 5th Ward.

Advertising Committee: 

Chairman: Sharon Dunn Committee members: Kathy Gordon, Gaylia Tanner, Trish Derrick, Sheri Snell, Melissa Bremser, Lona Graham, Marilee Durrant, Marti Stringham, Sharon Taufer, Lanea Zimmerman 

Carry On... in beautiful surroundings

Maxine Holt, Jackie Bjorn, and their committee transformed the Stake Center by combining "Then" and "Now" into our Women's Conference theme of "Carry On".   Many of you trusted us with your antiques, white ware, flowers, quilts, and other treasures of yesteryear - making the cultural hall and chapel places of beauty.

Relief Society has changed (in appearance only) - but the faithful women devoted to Relief Society's divine purpose still remain the same.

Decorating Committee:

Chairman: Maxine Holt Co-chair: Jackie Bjornn Committee members: Elise Carton, Linda Sandstrom, Emily Kerby, Tiffany Hilton, Rachel Morris, Sandy Fisher, Julie Johnson, Susan Strong