Opportunity for Giving

The McCoy family in our Stake (our former Stake Relief Society President Lani McCoy and her Daughters-in-Law Tara McCoy and Jessica McCoy and their families) are undertaking a wonderful quilt-making service project. They are trying to help the Sandy Hook Elementary students cope with Friday's tragedy.  As a family they are trying to accomplish this feat, but would love any help you can offer. 

In their own words . . .

"I have thought a lot about the tragic events that took place on Friday. I have wanted to help in some way. I have wanted to reach out and let these families and these children know that as a nation we are praying for them and wishing the best for them. The thought came to me that maybe I could convince my family and friends to help me make enough quilts for each of the students at Sandy Hook Elementary. Growing up, a homemade flannel quilt always made me feel safe and loved. That is the feeling I would like to give these children. I know that it will take much more than a quilt but maybe a quilt could help a little. If you are interested in helping, please let me know." 

Quilt dimensions: The quilts need to be flannel on both sides, 45 x 60 with 11 ounce batting and tied with yarn. They need to be done by January 15th. If you want to help but time is too short we welcome donations of materials or money to buy the materials as well. Thanks!"

How you can help:

1. make one or more flannel quilt(s) as described above; finished and delivered to Lani McCoy's home (10828 South 1255 West) by January 15
2. assist in tying and binding (see "When and Where" below)
3. donating for supplies as they are trying to make a quilt for every student of the elementary - not just the families of the victims  (deliver to Lani ASAP)
4. lend quilting frames (contact Lani as she's trying to route out as many as possible for this Saturday - see "When and Where" below)

When and Where:

The red church building (1249 W 10775 S, South Jordan) is reserved Saturday, December 22, from 10am - 3pm. You can drop off finished quilts, supplies, and/or your hands to help assemble, tie, and bind quilts. You can also drop off items to Lani McCoy. The deadline for finished quilts is January 15, 2013.

While they acknowledge that this is a hard time of year with stress and strain on everyone, any help you can give is deeply and graciously accepted. If you have any questions, contact Lani McCoy 801-254-6330 or Tara McCoy at 801-867-4515 or Jessica MCoy at 801-254-7757.

General Relief Society Broadcast 2012

What a great opportunity it was to gather as Relief Society sisters in the River Stake to hear messages from our newly sustained General Relief Society Presidency - as well as the First Presidency on September 29, 2012.

The new General Relief Society Presidency from left to right - Sister Carole Stephens (who lives in our own River 6th Ward), Sister Linda K. Burton, and Sister Linda S. Reeves are filled with the spirit and radiate their great love for the sisters of the church.  We loved hearing each of their inspired messages.

Following the Broadcast, we continued to bask in the warmth of the meeting as we gathered in the cultural hall for a hot chocolate bar and homemade cinnamon rolls.

Many thanks to the wonderful sisters who helped that evening.  Our chairman for the gathering after the Broadcast was Kris Stratton (left).  She had great support from Pat Wilkins (right) and JoAnn Martin.

It was a beautiful display of everything you could wish for in a cup of warm hot chocolate.  Thanks to the many sisters who brought their heavenly homemade cinnamon rolls and so many ingredients for the chocolate bar.

There is nothing more enjoyable than sharing conversation, smiles, and laughter with uplifting women.

A big thank you to our capable Priesthood brethren - Brother Mike Wilson (2nd from the right) who is our wonderful representative from the High Council to the Relief Society - as well as Dave Bennett, Ty Lombardi, and Dennis Sweat (three dedicated, supportive husbands!)   We couldn't do it without you!  Thanks also to Brother Roger Harrison for setting up the satellite feed and sound in the chapel.

Women's Conference - May 10, 2012

Sister Cindy Hilton served as our Advertising Chairman this year.
The posters and invitations were beautiful, and her committee made
certain each sister was well informed & personally invited.

Our Women's Conference this year focused on realizing that the secret to our happiness and joy lies in learning to love the Book of Mormon, and applying the eternal principles there.  Over 500 sisters joined us this year - a record!


Our speakers were our own Sister Barbara Sweat, our dear President Sohm, and Sister Sheri Winkelkotter.  Their messages centered around "being enough" and basking in gratitude for all the blessings the restored gospel provides.  Many personal stories of life experiences in good times (and not so good times) were shared, along with their testimonies of the things that matter most.  Sometimes it's when we feel like we're "dwelling in a tent" that we have some of our most significant spiritual experiences.

Barbara Sweat & Sheri Winkelkotter

We are excited to have copies of both Barbara's & Sheri's talks at the very end of the next four posts for Women's Conference...  (keep scrolling - clicking on "older posts" if necessary)  Enjoy!

Thanks to these beautiful young women who shared their talents
as part of the violin ensemble.

In case you were not able to attend, here is a copy of the program for Women's Conference 2012:

  

Nature's Colors Soften the Cultural Hall...

Sister Bonnie McDermott was our decorating chair this year... and she used her talents to show how everyday things we normally take no notice of can be arranged in beautiful new ways.  She used grasses, branches, burlap, and little spots of floral color to transform the cultural hall.  We never anticipated how such simple, inexpensive items could add such elegance to such a large room.

Bonnie McDermott - our Decorating Chairman (far left)

Food Committee... a Labor of Love

Sister Sharon Dunn headed our Food Committee this year - this calling is getting busier as the stake grows larger all the time.  Barbara Sweat described it as a "Joyful Kitchen" - busy and full of happy women serving the entire sisterhood of the stake.  The dinner was a work of art, and it was served so quickly and efficiently by the Bishoprics & High Council that we didn't even have time to take a photograph of a finished plate as it left the kitchen!

We've included the recipes at the bottom of this post...

Sister Sharon Dunn - our Food Committee Chairman (in the red checked apron)

Thank you to those who provided the beautiful Gluten-Free desserts
(we were all envious!)

RICH LEMON CAKE

Lemon Cake Mix 4 eggs

3 oz pkg. lemon Jell-O Juice and Zest of 2 lemons

¾ c oil 2 c powdered sugar

¾ c water

Mix lemon cake mix, Jell-O, oil, water, and eggs. Pour into a jelly-roll style cookie sheet sprayed with Pam. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Upon removing from oven, prick many, many, many holes into the cake with a toothpick. Mix lemon juice, zest, and powdered sugar. Pour over hot cake. Cool.

PERFECT PARSLEY POTATOES serves 6-8

2 lbs. small red potatoes

1/2 c butter

1/4 c fresh parsley chopped

1/4 tsp. dried marjoram

Boil potatoes till tender; cool slightly and cut in half; or thirds if you use larger red. In large skillet melt butter add parsley, marjoram. Add potatoes and stir gently to coat and heat through.

SUNSHINE CARROTS

3 lbs baby carrots

3 Tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon corn starch

¾ teaspoon salt

¾ teaspoon ginger

3/4 cup orange juice

6 tablespoons butter or margarine

Boil carrots in salted water until tender; drain. Combine the sugar, corn starch, salt, and ginger in a small sauce pan. Add the orange juice and cook until thickened. Boil one minute then add the butter. Pour over hot carrots to coat evenly.

SPINACH SALAD DRESSING

3/4 c white vinegar

3/4 c white sugar

1/2 c vegetable oil

1 T poppy seeds

1/2 t. salt

4 t. dijon mustard.

Mix all together in a blender (poppy seeds added last)

Served By the Lord's Army

At President Sohm's suggestion, the High Council and the Bishoprics of each ward in the stake served us dinner at this year's Women's Conference - a first for us.  Instead of standing in (very long) buffet lines - as we have in previous years - we enjoyed sitting together and visiting as we were served by our worthy Priesthood leaders.

Dressed in white shirts & red ties, they were so amazing and efficient - serving all 500 of us in less than 15 minutes.  It was touching to be served (very literally) by those who are so involved in the spiritual welfare of ourselves and our families.

That was such an example of service to us, but even better was having them take part in singing with us the medley - "As Sisters In Zion" and "The Army of Helaman".  It brought tears to our eyes.  Thank you so much!

And an even sweeter finish was yet to come...  These dear brethren were the model of efficiency - moving us into the chapel quickly so they could begin clearing the cultural hall, and then take care of the kitchen (in complete silence)  We enjoyed the entire chapel meeting - then walked into a sparkling clean kitchen to find everything clean, organized, and in it's place.