Callings/Releases

Gaela Roberts - released from Relief Society Committee. Thank you
Kristin Jansen - Called to be the Relief Society Newsletter Specialist

Relief Society Super Saturday

What a wonderful event this was. We were given a wonderful lunch with soups and sweet treats. We sat at tables that had centerpieces made of everyday things you would find at home or that are easily accessible. Take the citrus and floral centerpiece for example. What a great idea. Smelled heavenly and looked so cheerful. Around the room there were various table set up with different gift ideas for us to purchase and put together at home. Many of them so easily done, we could pick up the items and share them as a Family Home Evening project as well. There were tables with Glass ball ornaments, Paper Sack books, Jesus or Picture clips, Cinnamon Ornaments, Scripture Jar ideas, Family Home Evening Ideas to put in books, Family History Stories and the yummiest recipes ever. Now we couldn't have a get together without yummy goodies and the best soups. Mmmmmm. A list was put together of some of the ladies in the ward that could possibly help out during your gift giving times, they each have something special that they do.

If you are interested in the Glass Ball ornaments they are .25 cents, Paper Sack Books $1.00, Jesus Picture Clips $1.00, Jars of Cinnamon for the ornaments $1.00. Please get with Sharon McLaws and she can get them to you.

If you would like copies of the Scripture Strips for the Scripture Jars, let me know and I will send those to you. What a wonderful idea to give as a Christmas gift to your family members. Along with a binder of Family Home Evening Ideas.

Here are some FHE links to look at. If you would like more, I can send those to you as well.
Lessonbook
Outline
FHE tips
FHE charts
FHE games
FHE treats
Family Service Activities
Scripture Bookmarks
Book of Mormon reading chart
FHE Quick Tips

There were many more. For a list, contact either myself or Sharon McLaws.

Once again, we would like to thank everyone who helped make this such a fun event. It helped many of us come up with ways to make our Christmas gift giving more economical with a loving touch.

Mesa Home Storage Center - Cannery

The Home Storage Center (cannery) is open Saturdays from 8:00-12:00. Walk-ins are welcome at that time to pick up bulk items and canning supplies. There is not a limit on the bulk items at this time.
Cannery: 480-967-8551
Dry Pack Canning: 480-214-9114
Wet Pack Canning: 480-967-8551

Free classes are offered every Monday from 9:30 - 11:30. They are held in the Wet Pack Training room of the Mesa Cannery. Everyone is welcome. No sign up or registrations is necessary. There is no charge for the classes. The classes are based on the church pamphlet of building a three month supply of food.

A portable canner may be borrowed from the cannery or from your stake canning specialist.

Ward Family Christmas Party

Mark your calendar for the Ward Family Christmas Party
Friday, December 11th at 6:00pm
Stake Center
We will be having a Progressive Dinner.
There will be a special guest appearance from the North Pole.

Stake Temple Day

Stake Temple Day - November 19th. Chapel Session 11:30 am

Single Adults

Stake Single Adult Christmas Dinner
December 5th, 6:00 pm

New Baby Dannenberg!!

Maisy Luell Dannenberg
Born July 8, 2009
Weighing 7 lbs. 1 oz. and 19 inches

November Lesson Schedule

8th Joseph Smith Chapter 45
15th Joseph Smith Chapter 46
22nd Ensign Nov. 2009
29th Joint Meeting

November Birthdays

1 Lynn Kellog

2 Mary Tabayoyon

9 Judith Starks

12 Cassandra Anderson

16 LoRene Woodrome

18 Irene Nelson

20 Bre Smithson

23 Nelda Borer

23 June Ray

24 Sheri Porter

26 Corene Heaps

26 Jeanette Massey

29 Norma Collins

30 Georgia Mathison

30 Celia Seavey

November Presidency Message

November is a great time to think about the things we are thankful for. Families are something to be grateful for. It is the responsibility and blessing of each of us to strengthen our families and homes. We each are in a different family situation. Some families have a mother and father with children at home. There are couples with grown children that no longer live at home. Many members of the Church are single, and some are single parents. Others are widows or widowers living alone.

No matter what kind of family we have, each of us can work to strengthen our own families or help in strengthening others. Even the one person living alone needs to take care of their physical and spiritual growth to strengthen their own home.

Every family can be strengthened in one way or another if the Spirit of the Lord is brought into our homes and we teach by example. Simple things such as scriptures, family home evening, family and personal prayer will strengthen families. We need to take every opportunity to strengthen families and support one another to stay on the right path that leads to eternal life.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Callings

Heather Morris to Home, Family, Personal Enrichment committee
Kathy Carlsen as Co-Provident Living Specialist
Karina Elliott to Primary
Lori Bottomly as Choir Director
Keith Nelson as Priesthood Chorister
Brother Cardwell and Brother Short were both called as ward missionaries
Sister Short was called as a Primary worker
Bryce Bloomfield & Chelsey Bloomfield as Nursery Workers
Jeanette Massey as Visiting Teaching Supervisor
Brother Massey as !st Counselor in Sunday School Presidency
Brother Vangelov as Priest Quorum Advisor
Shelli Gibbons released -Thank you
Tonette Olander released - Thank you
Danalee Cope as Relief Society Chorister
Fred Johnson as Librarian
Georgia Mathison as Visiting Teaching Supervisor
Norma Collins to Family History
Bre Smithson as Primary Worker

New Callings

Brother Mangum - Released, Thank You
Brother Glenn Allen - Called to be Teacher Development

August Lesson Schedule

• 9th Joseph Smith Chapter 39
• 16th Joseph Smith Chapter 40
• 23rd May 2009 Ensign Pages 19 & 97 "The Fire of the Covenant"

• 30th Joint Meeting

August Presidency Message

What more can we learn about service? We know that it's healing to our troubled souls, that we should do it and are commanded to do it and that even though it comes with a sacrifice of some sort it is always rewarding.

For a deeper look I went to the Book of Mormon index and looked up "serve". More rewards await those who serve than I have ever really thought about! As you read the following scriptures and ponder them, may the Spirit touch your heart and open your eyes to the beautiful blessings that await you as you serve one another! (This includes visiting teaching! For the program is the Lord's, and it is an opportunity He gives us to help Him with His work!)

2 Nephi 1:7, Mosiah 2:12, Mosiah 2:17-18, Mosiah 2:21, Mosiah 5:13, Mosiah 7:33, 3 Nephi 13:24, Mormon 9:28, Ether 2:8, Moroni 7:13

Christ lives and service is His work and glory! May we incorporate it more fully in our lives! We love each one of you.

Fast Sunday Lesson-Service

There is so much to write on Service and so many participated in the class. We looked up the scriptures from the Book of Mormon. You could read all of Mosiah Chapter 2 on service.

How well do you know your Heavenly Father if you do not serve. You do not realize the true love of our Heavenly Father without Service.

Mosiah 7:33 If you serve the Lord, it will help you with your other struggles. As you will have a focus on Heavenly Father. Things that control your thoughts and/or worries that you have will be redirected. As you can only serve one. Service occupies us in a good way.

Mormon 9:38 Full Heart + Work + Service = Strength

Elder Richard L. Evans once counseled, "We can't do everything for everyone everywhere, but we can do something for someone somewhere."

August Birthdays

8th Amanda Ramirez
8th Karen Vangelov
9th Petia Derosa
11th Terri Jensen
14th Shelli Gibons
17th Marcie Allen
19th Carrie Neus
21st Elaine Hill
21st Bekah Dannenberg
24th Cassie Smith
30th Kathy Thompson

Happy Birthday Ladies!!!!

Stryker Judson Kriloff

7lbs 4oz 20in

July 2nd 2009 8:14p.m.

Alma 50:22

"And those who were faithful in keeping the cammandments of the Lord were delivered at all times.."

New Callings

The following have been called:

Cassie Smith................. Laurel Advisor
Georgia Cardwell......... Primary Worker
Jay Cummings............. High Priest Group Leader
Glen Lowery................ Ward Mission Leader
Rebecca Mantanona....Primary Worker
Jim Olander................. Assistant Ward Clerk

Watermelon Smoothie

This sweet tasting,light-filling smoothie is great for the health conscious. Although watermelon is a fruit bursting with flavor, it is very low in sugar and calories and is a great antioxidant.

2 1/2 cups shopped watermelon
1 cup low-fat respberry sherbert
2 cups ice

HFPE - Surviving Sizzling Summer

We had a good turnout again this month although there are still many of you that we missed seeing. We had quite the cooking demonstration again!!! Melody and Sharon put such wonderful things together for us. While watching Melody show us how to make these marvelous "Rice Paper Salad Rolls", she had to talk over Sharon making the most refreshing Watermelon smoothies. I for one wanted to drink them so quickly that I got a "brain freeze" many times. I would have never thought to make them on my own. I just love this part of Enrichment. It is a wonderful place to try new things.

We then broke up into groups. Quite a few went to the Book group where they had an opportunity to discuss books that they had read. Sharon also had many great tips and advise on gift giving using books, gift cards, bags, etc.

There were groups that discussed playing with your children and different ideas of ways to stimulate them while not having to spend a huge amount of money to do so. How important it is to teach them hand eye coordination, size, textures. I didn't realize that playing in a bucket of colored rice could not only be so fun. bit also would help children in the future with their dexterity and learning abilities. Watching Savanah play in the rice bucket and know how to scoop and dump and keep it in the bucket just amazed me. Also her ability to whisk baby shampoo in a bowl was fun to watch, her being such a young age. Just simple things around the house can teach your little ones so much. Who needs "Playschool" when you have "Rubbermaid" and a cardboard box.

We also tied off two quilts that had been in the Relief Society closet. This was wonderful and we are thankful to the ladies that participated in this group. I am sure that they had a fun time visiting as they were tying. That is always the best part of it.

Then for those ladies that signed up we made our "Happy Birthday" signs and had a great time. We found that we didn't have enough time to get them all together and just had to get as far as we could.

Overall the whole night was a wonderful success. We want to extend a "Thank You" to Brother and Sister Ellsworth and the Beehives for tending our Nursery. The children all had a great time. This was a nice addition, as it enabled some of our mothers to attend.

Thank you Melody, Sharon and the Enrichment Committee and all those who helped make this such a nice evening for all of us.

Birthdays

3rd Jean Morreale
4th Melissa Cheesman
4th Amanda Petersen
6th Kimberly Benson
6th Barbara Smith
11th Karen Shumway
15th Heidi Murri
19th Beverly Elliott
20th Kathy Hoopes
20th Loraine Mitts
21st Shirley Davis
26th Barbara Russell
26th Rosalee West
28th Anneva McCain
29th Darnell Walker

July Presidency Message

Life and the Cataract

Cataracts build up on ones eyes slowly and over time. You don't even realize that they are happening. They just slowly cloud your vision and you don't even realize that it is happening. Life can be like this with the gospel sonetimes, slowly you don't realize that you haven't studied your scriptures or maybe or let the children play with the neighbors on the sabbath day. Layer upon layer of fuzzy decisions, blurred vision, and the light of the gospel in our life dimmed. Thankfully, clear, focused vision and the light of the gospel can all be restored. In the humn, "Choose the Right," we are told, "in the right the Holy Spirit guides, and its light is every shining o'er you." In Isaiah 60:19 we told, "but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light." As we strive to keep the light in our life, "Choose the Right.! God will bless you ever more."

Motivation

I was thinking back over the past weekend. Then I read this article which got me to thinking back even further. Motivation is often driven by something that is going to take place. Father's Day is coming. The whole family is coming over. Is the floor clean enough for crawling grandchildren? Are little things put away that are choking hazards or that I don't want eaten? Should I dust? You know the feeling, well maybe some of you do. I had never thought of motivation as a spiritual experience. I just thought I did some things out of last minute panic or lack of planning, maybe both. Then I came across this article. God Created Company so the House Would Get Clean: Musings on Motivation It made me realize that there is more to motivation that just company coming over to your house. There is a spiritual base as well. Many times I seem to overlook the spiritual side of the most obvious of things. I hope you enjoy the article. Click on the title of the article above and it will take you to it.

Square Foot Gardening

Well we are going to be up to date now. Here is the most recent in the line of articles that is being written. For # 3 Square Foot Gardening click here

Coupon

Here is a link to Goodwill's online coupon. It is a printable coupon and they do update it when this one expires. So check back for the new one.

Couponing

After our combined meeting this past Sunday. Well I thought I might check out a couple of the coupon sites that were mentioned and a few that were not. Now everyone has there own likes and dislikes, but lets face it, free is better. I called around also and the Pinching your Pennies site was free and offered quite a bit. From those I spoke to, they were able to save anywhere from 20-40% on their grocery bills if they used the system. It has u-tube videos to watch and a lot of valuable directions. Might want to give it a look to see if you like it. You have to register to use the forums, but it is free. Gives you all of the coupons and prices for Arizona. Plus many other additional things.

Square Foot Gardening

There are many different ways to garden. I ran across this article and thought of many of you that don't have the time nor space to do a large garden. Or maybe you just wanted to get started gardening and maybe this could be the beginning of the gardening bug, so to speak. I hope you enjoy his articles. He does write articles frequently, so this will be an ongoing topic. If there are others that you wish to share with the sisters, please send me an email so that I can post them.

I am a little behind on his articles, so I will list them as 1 and 2 to get us caught up.
#1 "Square Foot Gardening" click here.
#2 "Square Foot Gardening" click here.

June Birthdays

Happy Birthday Sisters!!!

3 - Heather Morris
4 - Ashley Williams
4 - Erika Menhennett
5 - Rebecca Scorse
10 - Norma Valentine
15 - Lesli Dana
17 - Rebecca Mantanona
20 - Lena Kaye
24 - Danielle Rogers
26 - Luella Stoffel
29 - Dorothy Thomas
30 - Gertie Epps
30 - Lydia Allen
30 - Melody Smith

June Presidency Message

Sisters, as a presidency we want to share our love with you. You are our minds constantly and in our prayers! We appreciate your goodness and are blessed to serve with you. We want to thank all those who have helped recently with compassionate service.

One of our focuses this year is to 'increase in faith and personal righteousness.' So how do we increase our faith? Of course...pray, read scriptures, and go to church are still the correct answers. However, to experience or gain something we never had before we must do something we've never done. Once the basics have become foundational, find a commandment or standard that you would like to improve on or a part of your testimony you would like stronger.

With faith, pray sincerely expressing desire to improve. Then live that principle more completely, proving to the Lord you are willing to do your part. Then you will see for yourself the truthfulness of that principle, you will see God's hand in your life and you will find answers, confirmation and strength to continue to live more diligently.

In James Chapter 2:17 we read that without works is dead. Occasionally I find myself just going through the motions...but I know that my faith is never at a stand still. It requires constant nourishment to grow! As we increase our faith so will our desire to improve our personal righteousness.

As we come closer to the Savior by increasing our faith we will also desire to be more like Him! May we recognize that the fruit of living the gospel is always the most delicious! May we have faith and strength to be like our Savior.
-RS Presidency

New Callings In April & May

Well I am a little behind. I will plan on doing this at least once a month. That way for those of you that either are unable to attend for any reason, you will at least be kept up to date on the happenings and not feel left out.

These are the callings, in no particular order or time frame:

Kristen Cheney----Gospel Essentials Teacher
Steve Bingham-----Sunday School Teacher
Terri Jensen------Primary Worker
Julie Ambri-------Primary Worker
Heather Morris----Activities Day Assistant
Nathan Mathison---Sunday School Teacher
Chuck Dvoracek----Primary Worker
Rick Carlsen------Stake High Council
Paul Jensen-------1st Counselor in the Bishopric

If I missed you I apologize. Please email me and I will add you onto my next list. If your calling is incorrect, also let me know so I can post a correction. I try to catch it all, but sometimes I get lost in the shuffle. :)

Spring Thing

We had a wonderful time at the "Spring Thing". Our April 2009 Enrichment activity.

We started out the evening by watching "Live" demonstrations of many easy to fix meals and desserts prepared by Sisters Smith, Allen, and Gray. It was like being on a television set while they were taping a cooking show. Rachel Ray fans eat your hearts out. Adobe Villa Relief Society has the best when it comes to food preparation!!!! We even got to sample what was prepared along with many other dishes that were brought in. I can't even name what my favorite was. I was glad that I didn't eat dinner though. Because I was stuffed when we left.

After dinner :) we broke up into groups so that we could learn many helpful tips in various areas. There was a group that went in to learn about various different ways to make your house look more beautiful using only the items that you presently have. You can tell by the pictures that it was worth every moment you spent in there. Not only was it about home decorating but also using cleansers made from things in your home. Like vinegar, borax, lemon juice and baking soda. The list of things you can do is so long I can't begin to list it all. So check with Sharon McLaws or Relief Society Presidency to get a copy of it all. Great info. I will say this, the little frig magnet that said:

1. Clean it!
2. Use what you have!
3. Follow the "tabletop" rules:
-Fresh flowers
-A tray (use the BROAD definition)!
-Great lighting and artwork!
was wonderful advice that we can all put to use and do it within our means.

Another great choice was gardening. Who better to teach than Sister Murri. Can you imagine having a full blown garden in your yard where you don't have to purchase any vegetables or fruits. Well she can definitely help with that. She brought many useful tips to get people going and to help keep their gardens producing even after the spring and summer crops. The two little plants in pots were just props on a table. Really now, did you expect her to hall a garden into the Primary Room.

We would love to post pictures of peoples gardens small and large on the blog. No matter if you are a 4 x 4 gardener like myself, have pots around your patio, or feel you can feed the ward with your garden. Send me your pics so that we can share. I think this would be great fun!!!

Lastly, but not leastly was our sewing group that had the largest space ever!!! We were sewing school bags for humanitarian. OK, so the other groups were way more exciting, interesting, fun, informational...............need I say more.

The night was a great SUCCESS. Thank you to everyone who put in such hard work to make it a wonderful night for all of us.

April Presidency Message

Dear Sisters,

The Stake "Something Extraordinary", March 12th was a lot of fun for those participating, attending the program and to see the wonderful display tables. We would like to thank Jesse Myers-Stein for putting our part of the program together and Diane Mangum for doing such a great impersonation of the “Mom Song". It was enjoyed by all and just about brought the house down with applause as so many mothers could identify with the song.

March 19th was our Visiting Teaching "Talk About", The evening was a great success with a potato bar, exchange table, and a chance to visit with individual visiting teachers to get to know each sister better and her needs, while continuing to improve visiting teaching.

We would still like to meet with visiting teachers that were unable to attend the "Talk About", on April 16th just prior to our next Enrichment activity "Spring Thing". “Spring Thing” this month will be featuring Cool Meals Demo (with sampling) and a choice of: Recap of Gardening Seminar, Fresh Home Decorating Ideas, and Indoor service Project.

We are looking forward to our Visiting Teaching Conference Sunday, May 3rd. Arrangements are being made that all Young Women and Primary sisters can attend Relief Society that day. We look forward to meeting with all of you.

Have a wonderful Easter! What a beautiful time of year to reflect on the great gift of the atonement that enables us to be resurrected and have eternal life with our Heavenly Father.

With Love,
Carolyn Gabbitas

"Mom Song"

When Relief Society sisters get together to have fun, they have fun!!
Lots of laughs went into the preparation for our RS Mom Song nite. Jesse
did such a great job and everybody pitched in with props and ideas. Laughter truly is the best medicine! - Diane Mangum

I remember running around like a crazy person while Annette Padgett chased me with a rolling pin. At least I think it was a rolling pin. I truly felt like she was my mom for moment. It was utter chaos on stage as members of our ward swapped rolls some of us acting like mischievous children while the rest of us chased after us with kitchen utensils. It was a really good bonding experience and I further recognized the fact that I love our ward and how people have no problem acting silly around each other because of the amount of love that our relief society sisters share for one another. - Alana Parker

It was great fun! And A LOT of laughs!!! When we did the final acting on the stage, I was laughing so hard, I thought I was gonna wet my pants. Everywhere I looked the women of our ward were in character and acting hilarious!!! PLEASE MENTION: After quite a few "Heck no's" Diane Mangum was a reluctant lifesaver and perfect for "The Mom." - Jesse Myers-Stein