The Way of the Disciple

Deb M. taught a wonderful lesson in Relief Society based on the April 2009 talk by Elder Uchtdorf, "The Way of the Disciple." The following are key points that we discussed that offer hope, encouragement, and perspective to us all....

• ..."the world is not bashful in offering numerous new answers to every problem we face. People run from one new idea to the next, hoping to find something that will answer the burning questions of their souls. They attend seminars and buy books, CDs, and other products. They get caught up in the excitement of looking for something new. But inevitably, the flame of each new theory fades, only to be replaced by another “new and improved” solution that promises to do what the others before could not. It’s not that these worldly options don’t contain elements of truth—many of them do. Nevertheless, they all fall short of the lasting change we seek in our lives. After the excitement wears off, the hollowness remains as we look for the next new idea to unlock the secrets of happiness.

In contrast, the gospel of Jesus Christ has the answers to all of our problems. The gospel is not a secret. It is not complicated or hidden. It can unlock the door to true happiness. It is not someone’s theory or proposition. It does not come from man at all. It springs from the pure and everlasting waters of the Creator of the universe, who knows truths we cannot even begin to comprehend. And with that knowledge, He has given us the gospel—a divine gift, the ultimate formula for happiness and success.

• How do we become a disciple of Christ? Faith, repentance, baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost, making covenants, & service. The more we are filled with the Spirit of God, the more we extend ourselves to others. We become peacemakers in our homes and families, we help our fellowmen everywhere, and we reach out in merciful acts of kindness, forgiveness, grace, and long-suffering patience. These are the first steps along the true way of life and fulfillment. This is the peaceable way of the follower of Jesus Christ.
• The first step on the path of discipleship begins, luckily enough, in the exact place where we stand! We do not have to prequalify to take that first step. It doesn’t matter if we are rich or poor. There is no requirement to be educated, eloquent, or intellectual. We do not have to be perfect or well-spoken or even well-mannered.
• Discipleship is a journey. We need the refining lessons of the journey to craft our character and purify our hearts. By patiently walking in the path of discipleship, we demonstrate to ourselves the measure of our faith and our willingness to accept God’s will rather than ours.
• Discipleship is not a spectator sport. We cannot expect to experience the blessings of faith by standing inactive on the sidelines any more than we can experience the benefits of health by sitting on a sofa watching sporting events on television and giving advice to the athletes. And yet for some, “spectator discipleship” is a preferred if not a primary way of worshipping....we need to get off the sidelines and practice what we preach.
• There are some who believe that because they have made mistakes, they can no longer fully partake of the blessings of the gospel.... One of the great blessings of living the gospel is that it refines us and helps us learn from our mistakes. We “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” yet the Atonement of Jesus Christ has the power to make us whole when we repent.
• To those who feel inadequate because they have not been members of the Church all their lives, to those who feel that they can never make up for the time they have lost, I testify that the Lord needs your specific abilities, talents, and skills. The Church needs you; we need you. It is always the right time to walk in His way. It is never too late.

Thank you Deb for your preparation and dedication as one of our wonderful Relief Society teachers. We hope that each of you find strength in the words of Pres. Uchtdorf as he invites each of us to greater discipleship beginning right now, wherever we are in our lives.

Sheryl gave a beautiful talk in Sacrament Meeting about Relief Society and her words of commitment, participation, and service tie in with Presidet Uchtdorf's message of discipleship. May we find joy in our sisterhood as we reach out and support one another in our lives, beginning with those we visit teach. As Sheryl expressed, your many acts of service are truly appreciated. Each of you sisters are vital to the worth and strength of our collective Relief Society. Each of you bring talents, life experience, and strength unique to your life, and we are a better Relief Society because of you. May we each press forward from where we stand at this very moment, and see the great blessings (individually & as a sisterhood) of active participation in Relief Society.

Love,

The RS Presidency

Sheryl, Jan, Rebecca & Tammy

General Relief Society Meeting

Did you miss the General Relief Society Meeting that was held earlier in October? You can watch an excerpt from Sister Julie Beck's talk where she explains the change from "Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment" to simply "Relief Society Meetings" by going to the following link...

http://www.lds.org/pa/rs/home/rsvideo.html?xml=rsvideo_4644a.xml

Here is follow-up information offered by Sister Beck on the change from Enrichment to RS meetings.

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58071/Relief-Society-a-serious-work.html

Watch the entire General RS meeting here (under the large screen click on General Relief Society Meeting):

http://www.lds.org/move/index.html?type=conference&event=Oct179&lang=english&articleid=037

The text transcripts for General Conference can be found here:

http://www.lds.org/broadcast/grsm/0,6220,285-1-41-1741,00.html

You can also find a link to our most recent General Conference transcripts on the right sidebar or side of this blog under "Relief Society 411."

Enjoy,

Rebecca

Abby's House

This past month we've collected 2 vans full of clothing, household goods, and items to donate to Abby's House, a local women's shelter for homeless and/or battered women. Thank you for your generous, giving hearts and helping hands.

Today we met at Abby's House for a brief tour. We learned ways that we can help in the future. There is always need for help in the kitchen, filing, and in Abby's Thrift Shop. The thrift shop has Halloween costumes for $5, some retro prom dresses, and more current items as well from Gap, LLBean, Polo, etc. Drop in to bargain hunt. All proceeds go to Abby's House. Women at Abby's House who are going through particularly difficult times are able to shop for free. Donations are always welcome and appreciated. Tax deduction forms for donations are available upon request. No appointment necessary to drop off donations, just double check that they are open. Their normal Thrift Shop hours are M-F 10-4 & Saturday 10-2. For more information, go to the Abby's House website at http://www.abbyshouse.org

If you or your auxiliary would like to volunteer at Abby's House, please see Rebecca Menzie for a volunteer form. Volunteers are always welcome. As a Relief Society, we look forward to serving at Abby's House in the near future.

Thanks again for your thoughtful donations!

All best,

Rebecca

Bridging the Past

"Learning the lessons of the past allows you to walk boldly in the light without running the risk of stumbling in the darkness." - M. Russell Ballard

We had a nice Relief Society meeting at Sheryl's home a week ago Thursday evening (sorry for being slow with my notes!). Lori Lyn Price, a member of the Arlington Ward Relief Society, and freelance genealogy speaker, shared her findings on several Colonial women whose stories provide us with a better understanding of what life was like for them and women in general back then.

We began with a True/False quiz! Allison and Lisle tied for high scores of 13... How you would have done?

1. Newly married brides had equal say with their husbands about which business should be the family business.

2. A woman was expected to carry on the family business after her husband's death.

3. Women were free to start their own business.

4. A girl's attire was very similar to the clothing her mother wore.

5. There was a distinct division of labor between men and women on farms.

6. Colonial New Englanders married early - in their teens.

7. Divorce was not recognized or legal in colonial New England.

8. Ownership of a woman's property was legally transferred to her husband upon marriage.

9. A husband was expected to consult with his wife when making decisions regarding finances and property.

10. It was legal in colonial New England for a husband to hit his wife.

11. Sex between a married woman and a man (single or married) was considered adultery and was a capital offense.

12. Sex between an unmarried woman and a man (single or married) was considered adultery and was a capital offense.

13. People immigrating to New England tended to arrive in family groups rather than as single men and women.

14. There was a high rate of illiteracy among women.

15. A woman's domain was the family dwelling and yard surrounding it.

16. Single males outnumbered single females 4 to 1.

17. Women bore about 8 children on average.

18. Women were not allowed to speak publicly.

ANSWERS...

1. F, 2. T, 3. F, 4. T, 5. F, 6. False (early 20's), 7. F, 8. T, 9. F, 10. F, 11. T, 12. F, 13. T, 14. F, 15. T, 16. T, 17. T, 18. T

The answers to the quiz, and text that Lori Lynn referred to can be found in the following books, all of which are suggested reading on the topic of Colonial Women in New England.

Good Wives, by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

Fissures in the Rock, by Richard Archer

Daily Life in Colonial New England, by Claudia Durst Johnson

American Jezebel, by Eve La Plante

The Muse of the Revolution, by Nancy Rubin Stuart

Lori Lyn profiled 5 fascinating women from Colonial times. By clicking on each women's name, you can get their brief history offered at Wikipedia...

Writer and poet, Anne Bradstreet. Anne was the first woman in Colonial New England to have her work published.

Upon the Burning of our House, July 10, 1666

And when I could no longer look,

I blest his grace that gave and took,

That laid my goods now in the dust.

Yea, so it was, and so 'twas just.

It was his own; it was not mine.

Far be it that I should repine.

Slave & poet, Phyllis Wheatley. Phyllis Wheatley was the first African American to publish a book.

"Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,

Taught my benighted soul to understand

That there's a God, that there's a Saviour too:

Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.

Some view our sable race with scornful eye,

'Their colour is a diabolic dye.'

Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain,

May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train."

A statue of Phyllis Wheatley is located on Commonwealth Ave. in Boston.

Heroine, Hannah Duston. After being kidnapped 6 days postpardum by a band of Indians who killed her newborn, Hannah escaped, along with her nurse and a young boy, by scalping the Indian captures in their sleep, and then following the Merrimack River south from Boscawen, New Hampshire back to her home in Haverhill, MA. She was rewarded for her bravery.

statue located in Haverhill, MA

"The muse of the revolution," Mercy Otis Warren. Mercy was America's first female playwright. She also was the first woman to create a Jeffersonian, or anti-Federalist, interpretation of the Revolution, titled, "The History of the Rise, Progress, and Termination of the American Revolution." She was the first woman to publish her writings with professional intent, rather than for family, friends, and/or personal hobby. She was a strong advocate for freedom of speech, freedom of press, trial by jury, and checks and balances of the executive and legislative branches of government; all of which would come to be part of our nation's Bill of Rights.

She wrote, "Our situation is truly delicate & critical. On the one hand we are in need of a strong federal government founded on principles that will support the prosperity & union of the colonies. on the other we have struggled for liberty & made costly sacrifices at her shrine and there are still many among us who revere her name to much to relinquish (beyond a certain medium) the rights of man for the dignity of government."

Statue of Mercy Otis Warren at the Barnstable County Courthouse

Midwife & theologian, Anne Hutchinson. In 1638 Anne was tried in civil court for "traducing the ministers," and in her own defense she stated,

"...you have no power over my body, neither can you do me any harme, for I am in the hands of the eternall Jehovah my Saviour, I am at his appointment, the bounds of my habitation are cast in heaven, no further doe I esteeme of any mortal man than creatures in his hand, I feare none but the great Jehovah, which hath foretold me of these things, and I doe verily beleeve that he will deliver me out of our hands, therefore take heed how you proceed against me; for I know that for this you goe about to doe to me, God will ruine you and your posterity, and this whole state."

statue located in front of the Boston State House

After discussing these colonial women, we noted a few points of common ground they all shared...these women were brave, well-educated (their fathers were very involved and supportive), and they were supported by their husbands. We discussed OUR common ground with these women. We noted the importance of partnership in marriage, and how important it is for our children to feel support and guidance in their goals from both parents.

I marvel at how far we have come as women- from having a limited, controlled voice, and a narrow role in life to today; where we can speak freely, vote, govern, compete, debate, and the list goes on...

True, our greatest, most influential work will be as a mother in our home, but the choices we have as to what we do with our lives has never been greater. Our choices for creative outlets have never been greater. Our opportunities have never been greater.

My final thought ties in with the temple. As we go to the temple and notice that we in fact are serving a woman who lived in colonial New England, perhaps we can feel a greater bond after taking the time to learn what their environment and circumstances were like. We can honor them sister-to-sister by the significant act of taking their individual name through the temple and offering eternal, exalting choices.

Thank you, again to Lori Lynn for sharing your knowledge and thoughts with us pertaining to women in Colonial New England. It was an education!

Lori Lynn has started a freelance business offering lectures on genealogy. Her website is http://bridgingthepast.com.

Eat your VEGGIES!

It's bounty time in the garden....well sort of if we're talking about my garden. It's been a slow summer since we've had lots of rain, but little sunshine. The tomatoes are finally turning. Have you been enjoying garden fresh or farm fresh veggies?

Here are some summer veggie recipes I've tried and can recommend....

Veggies & Feta (inspired by Alyson Jenkins' Summer Veggies & Feta recipe)

1 Tbls. olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 onion, chopped

1 med. zuccini, chopped

1 med yellow summer squash, chopped

A handful of grape tomatoes, halved

About 4 large fresh basil leaves, chopped

salt & pepper

Feta

Saute the onion and garlic in heated olive oil over medium-high heat. Add veggies & saute for about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add tomatoes & basil. Heat through. Transfer to plate & sprinkle with feta or serve feta as a topping.

Fresh Corn Salad (Kristiina Sorensen's recipe)

(adjust the amount of ingredients to your liking)

6 ears of corn, cut off the cob

1 large Roma tomato, diced

2 green onions, chopped (or chopped sweet onion)

1 can black beans (optional)

1 med. bell pepper, chopped

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Combine all of the above. Season with salt and pepper to taste. You may want to stop there and serve.

If you want a dressing, drizzle with a little olive oil & juice from 1/2 of 1 lime.

Potato Salad with Dill (from Sherene Ing, Arlington, MA)

3 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled

Kosher salt and black pepper

2 stalks celery

1 cup mayonnaise

1 small red onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)

1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped

1 to 2 tablespoons vinegar

1/2 lemon juiced

1 tablespoon regular Dijon mustard

Put the potatoes in a big pot with enough water to cover by 1-inch. Season with salt and bring the water to a boil. Cook just until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 25 minutes.

Drain the potatoes and return them to the uncovered pot off the heat. Let them sit until almost room temperature. (Cooling them in the warm pot will get rid of any excess water in the potatoes, and that's good.)

Meanwhile, cut the white parts off the ends of the celery stalks. Cut the stalks in half lengthwise, then across into 1/4-inch slices. Stir the celery, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and the remaining ingredients together in a serving bowl large enough to hold all the potatoes.

When they're cool, cut the potatoes into 1-inch pieces, add them to the bowl as you go. Stir gently until all the potatoes are coated with dressing. You can make the salad up to a couple of hours in advance. Keep covered at room temperature. Don't refrigerate or the potatoes will lose their rich, smooth texture.

The following recipes can be found by clicking on the recipe title....

Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan

Alyson's Broiled Asparagus with Balsamic and Parmesan

Fried Zucchini Strings

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Peas and Prosciutto

Do you have a favorite veggie recipe? I'd love to add it to the list. Either add it through commenting below, or send it to me through email & I'll add it to this blog post. rebecca@menzie.org.

There's always the pick & eat way to eat your garden veggies:)

Bon Appétit!

Rebecca

Temple Month

While we aren't gathering for an official enrichment meeting this month, we encourage each sister in our Relief Society to attend the temple this month. Ideally, try to stretch your service one stride beyond your usual plans. If you do not have a current recommend, we encourage you to take steps to renew your recommend right away, and/or make concerted effort to progress toward the temple.

From a previous RS lesson which touched on temple service....

Each temple is a house of learning. There we are taught in the Master’s way. His way differs from modes of others. His way is ancient and rich with symbolism. We can learn much by pondering the reality for which each symbol stands. Teachings of the temple are beautifully simple and simply beautiful. They are understood by the humble, yet they can excite the intellect of the brightest minds.

Spiritual preparation is enhanced by study. I like to recommend that members going to the temple for the first time read short explanatory paragraphs in the Bible Dictionary, listed under seven topics: “Anoint,” “Atonement,” “Christ,” “Covenant,” “Fall of Adam,” “Sacrifices,” and “Temple.” Doing so will provide a firm foundation. -Russell M. Nelson

Through temple service we can literally spiritually progress. Elder John A Widstoe said, “By giving myself in the spirit of true helpfulness to those that have gone before me, I develop within myself, within my heart and soul, an abounding love very near to that of God Himself. Then the selfishness of the world fades away.”

***************

Our lesson in Relief Society this Sunday will be about temple service. If you will be attending, take a moment the time to ponder lesson #36 in Teachings of Presidents of the Church- Joseph Smith. Right away, I'm struck by the verb in the title of the lesson, "RECEIVING the Ordinances and Blessings of the Temple." If you go to the lesson link, HERE did you know you can click on "listen" at the top of the lesson, click on mp3, & you can LISTEN to the lesson while folding laundry, or whatever it is you're up to?! If you have a temple related question or temple experience you would like to share (anonymously is fine), but will not be able to attend, please send me an email... rebecca@menzie.org. I'll post notes from the lesson here.

We hope that you are enjoying your summer, whether vacationing or "staycationing." We love you and hope to see you in Relief Society and in the temple this month.

All best,

Sheryl, Jan, Rebecca, & Tammy

Photography 101, by Macy Robison

Sisters,

Need a refresher on Macy's previous photography classes or a crash course on how to take better pictures? Have you heard of the Rule of Thirds? See for yourself how different vantage points effect the outcome of a photograph. Do yourself and your camera a favor and click HERE to visit Store & Style & read Macy's feature article on Photography 101. Bookmark it for future reference!

While you're at it, browse Store & Style's site. I think we need to invite our neighbor/Store & Style's co-founder, Christine Vick to our RS to give us a crash course on organization... what do you think? She's amazing!