My dear sisters...

"My dear sisters, do not pray for tasks equal to your abilities, but pray for abilities equal to our tasks. Then the performance of your tasks will be no miracle, but you will be the miracle."

– President Thomas S. Monson

Can we share?

Like many of you, I have a blog that keeps me linked to several other family members and long-time friends.  It has become interesting to me lately, as I have see a huge community of "bloggers" come together to support a family dealing with tragedy whom many of us have never actually met.  It is amazing and inspiring to me that people are willing to offer so much love, support, fasting and prayers to others they do not know-- but are compelled to do so out of their natural, genuine compassion, empathy, and charity.  As I have read messages of faith shared over thousands of miles between strangers, I have felt strengthened and have been in awe of the love and faith that are out there-- that we all have to share.  I wanted to find a way to capture some of that for us-- for the women in our branch and our community to share. Sometimes I think it is easier to share things in this less-personal world than we always feel comfortable doing in person.

Up to this point, this blog has been more informational than inspirational-- and I'd love for it to become both.  I'd love for it to be more than just a place to go when you need to get the details of a meeting or activity, but a place where you can go to be reminded of the sisterhood, support, and love you are a part of in our Relief Society.  I'd like for it to be a place you can go to get a quick boost of faith, courage, and encouragement when you need it.

I am not sure that what I personally have to say can or will always be inspirational.  That is where you come in.  I am inviting you to share with us-- let us get to know you, your testimony, and let us celebrate your success.  Please help me make this space something more beneficial for our sisters by emailing me or using the comment buttons to share with us.

What inspires you?  Did you have a missionary moment?  A good news minute?  What did you accomplish today or this week?  What is going great in your life and why?  What do you need help with?  Do you have pictures that might be appropriate to share?  While everything may not be approved to publish, I know that there is a lot of goodness, faith, and love out there in each of us and that we will benefit from sharing it with each other. Email me!

A thought for today

"Missionary work is but home [or visiting] teaching to those who are not now members of the church, and home teaching is nothing less than missionary work to Church members."

– President Harold B. Lee

Coming Soon: New VT routes

Changes have been made to Visiting teaching routes to be effective for the month of September. I will get your new routes to you as soon as possible. If you have questions or want to schedule appointments in the next week, please email or call me for your changes. I plan to have the lists ready for you on Sunday.

ALSO, we will be conducting Visiting Teaching Stewardship interviews on Wednesday evenings, September 10th and 17th. Please plan to attend with your new companion. We will be calling you to schedule a time for one of those two nights. If you have a preference or are not available either of those nights, please email me.

Walk for Kylie Simmons - September 6th

We will be meeting to walk for Kylie Simmons on Saturday, September 6th at 8:30 am at Country Mart.  We will carpool to Chaffee and participate in the benefit 5K walk.  If you are interested, please meet at Country Mart in Jackson at 8:30 am.  We will provide a button of some sort to wear that will identify us a group from the Jackson Branch.  Members of the Cape ward will also join us in our effort.  Lets continue to show this family that we care.  Charity never faileth.

KFVS12 ran a news story on Kylie Simmons this weekend. Click here to read and/or watch the story.

DON'T FORGET The Missionary Challenge for August!

Sunday is your last opportunity to complete the our missionary Challenge for August.  It is to read pages 12 and 13 of Preach My Gospel. If you do not have a copy of Preach My Gospel, you need to get one before the end of the month!

Use this link to the Distribution Center to order your copy for $6.00 or email me to let me know that you need help obtaining a copy.

Stake Relief Society Temple Trip

Thanks to all who attended the Stake RS Temple trip. It was a great day and we were pleased to do work for so many of your ancestors. Thanks to all who contributed to the day's success, to our carpool drivers, and the Stake Relief Society Presidency, including our very own Sister Nash!

Branch Website at lds.org

If you are not accessing our branch website, click here to check it out. You can view the branch/stake calendar, access the current branch and stake membership directories, check lesson schedules, and more. You do need your baptism date and membership number (which is on your temple recommend.) If you do not have either of these numbers, see Brother Gentry for help. If you have questions about accessing the site, email or call LeVa.

Nursery help needed

If you are willing to help out in the nursery over the next few weeks (2nd or 3rd hour or both), please email me to let me know. We have been assigned by the branch presidency to help find a sister to help Sister Harshaw in the nursery until the calling is filled on a more permanent basis.

Simmons Benefit 5K Walk-A-Thon

The Simmons family in Chaffee is planning a 5K walk to benefit to help cover the costs associated with their daughter Kylie's illness and care. It is scheduled to begin at the Chaffee Jr/Sr. High school at 9:00 am on Saturday, September 6th. The walk will be led by the Chaffee Cross Country Team. Registration is by donation with a donation of $15 or more also buying you a t-shirt. They are still in the planning stages. If you are interested in participating or helping out in some way, please let me know. if they choose to have a bake sale that day, it is possible that they may be looking for baked good donations for the sale.

Anyone who wants to go and walk should talk to myself or Sister Wheeler and we will gather together into an Enrichment Activity group to attend.

Missionary Zone Conference - August 12

Thanks to Sisters Betty and Victoria Smith all all who helped on Tuesday to feed the Missionaries at Zone Conference-- Great job!

Congratulations to Chris and Sarah

Congratulations to Sarah Owens and Chris Swisher who were sealed in the St. Louis temple on Saturday, August 9th. We are glad to know that they will be living in our branch for a while-- hurray for us!