Grateful in any Circumstances - Sister Sitton (7/27/2014)

1. Key doctrine. 

"Everyone’s situation is different, and the details of each life are unique. Nevertheless, I have learned that there is something that would take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, more joyful, even glorious. We can be grateful!" -Uchtdorf



This is Stephanie Nielson. She survived a plane crash in August 2008. Instead of feeling sorry for herself the rest of her life, she is choosing to accept it and be grateful for her life! She is grateful she gets to continue being a wife and mother. Grateful her husband survived the plane crash as well. She thanks God for each day.

2. Blessings: Happiness

“Life is to be enjoyed, not endured”
― Gordon B. Hinckley

3.Action: Attitude of Gratitude.

• Serve. "Not my will, but thine be done"
• Change your focus. 
• Be thankful for today. 

Psalms 118:24 "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
Live in the present. Being grateful doesn't mean you don't feel sad or angry, but you can still be grateful.

Gratitude is an action. It's proactive. Your testimony of Christ, born of the Holy Ghost, can help you look past the disappointing endings in mortality and see the bright future that the Redeemer of the world has prepared.

President Hinckley Said: "Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he's been robbed. The fact is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to just be people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old time rail journey...delays...sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling burst of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."

"Baptism" Lesson 13 - Cami B. (7/20/2014)

Matthew 3:16
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw theSpirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Why have a dove symbolize the spirit?

• Peace
• Pure, white and clean
• Gentle
• Distinct
• Guides and watches

Why did the Savior get baptized?

• It is a commandment
• He needed to be the perfect example for us

Baptism is full of symbolism: 

Death & Burial: of our sins and old self, our desires and attitudes. We shouldn't beat ourselves up for what we "should" have gotten done. We need to focus on all the things we have gotten done. 

“The trick is to enjoy life. Don't wish away your days, waiting for better ones ahead.”
― Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Resurrection: Fresh start. It's a brand new day.

Why does God teach in symbolism?

• Stories can be meaningful to each person individually. It can adapt to our current life situation.
• Symbols are a good way to learn and remember. We don't read "stop" every time we see a stop sign. We recognize the shape and color and. We've learned what it means by its symbol.

Covenants we need to be baptized:

• Desire to be there
• Bear each other's burdens
• willing to mourn together and serve
• take Christ's name upon us. be a good example 
• Stand in all times and all things and all places
• Always remember him

Promises of being baptized:

• Redemption
• He will pour out the spirit upon us
• Sins will be forgiven
• always have His spirit to be with us

Lisa's Last RS Lesson! Oath & Covenant of the Priesthood (7/13/2014)

Oath & Covenant of the Priesthood:

Magnifying our callings blesses others and can change their lives for the better. Because a brother in Lisa's ward magnified his calling and took the time to explain seminary to her mother, she was signed up and able to go to BYU when she graduated High School.

Callings are given us for one of two reasons.
1. To learn, or
2. To learn to love those we are serving. We become more like our Savior

The Parable of the Dishwasher - Sister Moss

There once was a sink full of dirty dishes. A wise mother enlisted the help of 2 children. She asked one to load the dish washer, and the other to unload. We do not need two different people completing the same task. Both Jobs are equally important. Just like in the church. We have Priesthood holders, and then we have the Relief Society Members. We are not less important than the Priesthood holders, and neither are they. We are both equally important in our different roles.

Sometimes we think of callings as a ladder. We must begin with the "low" callings. Nursery, primary teacher, etc. Then we get to the top with Presidency member or even Bishop. But really, callings are a railroad track. No calling is above another. Each calling is important and God loves all of us.

"Every person is different and has a different contribution to make. No one is destined to fail. As you seek revelation to see gifts God sees in those you lead in the priesthood—particularly the young—you will be blessed to lift their sights to the service they can perform."
~ Henry B. Eyring, Help Them Aim High, October 2012

Corn for .10 cents a piece! Come and get it! (7/12/2014)

Bro Isabell just called and reported that several sisters were out in the garden at the Centerton site (950 Seba Rd, Centerton, AR) this morning picking corn--it is delicious! Some reported to him that they were told that today was the ONLY day they could pick corn, and this is incorrect. 

 Corn can be picked any time by any unit until it is gone . 

 This first planting is about 14 rows next to Seba Road--it is short stalks! The second planting is at the opposite end of the field (by the tree lined fence line), and was planted two weeks later, but is coming on fast due to the heat we had earlier, so it will be ready in a few days. The middle rows were planted another two weeks later, so it should be ready by the end of the month. So corn will be available and ready later if you want it later--some may prefer corn that is more mature.

Cost is 10 per ear; pay with a tithing slip--on the "Other" category indicate it is payment for corn; your clerk will remit your payment to the stake. Thank you for your help--we are hoping all will get the corn they want and that we won't have wasted corn left in the field.

Thank you!
Tim (and Rita) Isabell

Hastening the work! - Bishopric (June 29th 2014)

Brother Allred:
Hasten the work through temple work! 
Bring a family name to the temple to provide their ordinances for them. What do you know about them? Learn their backgrounds and stories. 

Brother Hatch:
There is greater strength when together vs. alone. 

• Surround yourself with like-minded people. There are many great Christians all around us. 
• Defend your homes spiritually from : internet, media, etc. 
• Work & Serve. Your burdens will be lifted. Do your best, then we can all take care of the rest.

Bishop Mains:

"Now is the time for members and missionaries to work together" -President Monson

Missionaries and members are partners. Missionaries are prepared to teach. Members are asked to invite and help. Now is the time to put forth our very best efforts. Proclaim the Gospel. 

Ward goals for 2014:

1. Index 500 names individually, and 30,000 names as a ward by the end of the year.
2. Bring a family history name to the temple for our Stake fill the temple day in October
3. Refer a friend/neighbor to the missionaries by September 1st (President Keogh)
4. Invite to take another member to the temple for the first time or first time in a long time. 

"Continue in Patience" - Sarah (President UCHTDORF)

The lessons we learn from patience will cultivate our character, lift our lives, and heighten our happiness.

We always say, "Jesus take the wheel," when in reality, he always has the wheel. He is in control, and we need to rely on him.

1. Trials and Tribulation. What is the difference?

Trial: test (something) to assess its suitability or performance.
Tribulation: a cause of great trouble or suffering.

What started as a simple experiment with children and marshmallows became a landmark study suggesting that the ability to wait—to be patient—was a key character trait that might predict later success in life. Watch the video below:
http://youtu.be/654QGjYHlJY

There are 2 major things that help keep us stable during the highs and lows of life.

1) Gratitude

2) Patience

"Patience—the ability to put our desires on hold for a time—is a precious and rare virtue. We want what we want, and we want it now. Therefore, the very idea of patience may seem unpleasant and, at times, bitter."

3. Waiting can be hard. We live in a fast pace world.

"Often the deep valleys of our present will be understood only by looking back on them from the mountains of our future experience. Often we can’t see the Lord’s hand in our lives until long after trials have passed. Often the most difficult times of our lives are essential building blocks that form the foundation of our character and pave the way to future opportunity, understanding, and happiness."

4. Patience isn't merely waiting. When we are grateful, we can see all the good in our lives. 

God keeps His promises, but they are in His time and His way. Patience is a fruit of the spirit. We don't have all the fruit at the same time. We each have our own talents and gifts at certain times in our lives.

6. Patience requires faith. President Brigham Young said, "Give me patience to wait until I can understand it for myself.”

The Lord blesses us for our patience. Never give up. Keep trying.