Visiting Teachers - Angels of the Lord

As a new Relief Society president I have struggled with how I was going to be able to know the needs of all the sisters in my ward and then help them. I just didn't know how I was physically and spiritually going to do this. A wise Bishop counselled that I can't be everywhere and that there are limitations on my time and my physical abilities. That is why the Lord put in place Visiting Teachers. I am so grateful for good visiting teachers who care for the sisters in our ward. I could not do the calling of Relief Society president without them. We need each other as sisters, to help and strengthen each other. I have often thought about the pioneer women in the early days of the church. When their husbands were gone on missions, or they were widowed, they were all right because they had other sisters to help them. I know that I will always have the sisters in Relief Society to help me through the hard times. They are angels doing the work of the Lord.

http://www.lds.org/service/leadership/relief-society?lang=eng#responsibilities-of-visiting-teachers

Cleaning Up For Spring

The first crocus of the year

 The first signs of Spring as just starting to show here in Glenwood and I am looking forward to getting into my flower beds, pulling out all the dead plants, trimming back perennials, turning the soil and getting everything ready for new life and a new growing season. The cleaning up and cutting back makes for a healthy and beautiful garden.

Our lives are much like a flower garden. We also need to pull out all the dead stuff that is holding us back whither it be bad relationships, grudges, sin or whatever it may be that keeps us from finding joy. Sometimes it is just a matter of cutting back on the activities that we are doing. I love Elder Dallin H. Oaks famous conference talk on “Good, Better or Best.” Most of the things that we do are good things but our time is so limited that we need to choose the best things for us. 

Everyone will have their own list of best things that need to be done, but there are some areas that as women we tend to neglect. We need to ask ourselves if we are taking care of our own spiritual, physical and emotional needs. Are we studying the scriptures and taking the time to pray and develop a personal relationship with our Father in Heaven and with our Savior Jesus Christ? Are we taking the time to eat right, exercise and to get enough rest? Are we taking the time to build relationships with others, develop talents and engage in creative activities that recharge our batteries? I have always loved the saying that an empty cup cannot give to others. Our cups (or in the case of a women) our buckets need to be full so that we can serve and help others.

At this time of Spring and renewal may we each take time to make changes in our lives to do those things that are “best” that we may find more joy in our lives and that we may become a healthy and beautiful daughter of our Heavenly Father.