General Relief Society Meeting

Tonight I was able to attend the General Relief Society Meeting and the Stake Women’s Conference before hand. We started out with the service projects. They had quilts to tie off, hats to crotchet, surgery dolls to stuff and stitch and put gowns on for the Diamond Children’s Hospital in Tucson, and Educational Activity folders for young children to help keep them reverent during Sacrament Meeting.

However, Due to my pain levels I sat in the foyer on the couch where I was more comfortable, with some old friends and chatted. We also caught up on old times. I also shared with them that the dr’s are suspecting that my cancer is back. For most this was a huge surprise as we discovered that when we were here in Ft Huachuca last time we did not tell anyone that I had cancer while pregnant with our littlest one.

After the service project portion we had dinner. Before eating I asked for a blessing to help with pain issues I was dealing with. Even though I had taken my meds I was still hurting really bad. The pain was bad enough my hands were actually trembling.

I tried eating; however it did not work well. I was only able to take 3 bites and everything tasted bad even my Greek yogurt. Totally frustrating!

Once dinner was over we moved back into the chapel for the General Relief Society Meeting which was AMAZING!

Normally I would NOT text in any church meeting however; I had this voice that kept telling me to text thoughts and main ideas to my mother. This prompting did not come once but 3 times. So I logged in and started texting. Now I am SO glad that I did because of my Dilaudid and Valium, but the time the final song was being sung I had forgotten all but the last talk. So thanks for the prompting to text my mother because I now have notes from each of the speakers. The only speaker I know the name for was the final one.

The 1^st speaker talked about visiting teaching and the importance of not only visiting our sisters but serving them and helping them to build and increase their faith.

The 2^nd speaker spoke in Charity. Charity is the greatest love of Christ and shows compassion, respect, kindness, service, and accepts weaknesses in all. She also mentioned that through small acts of kindness you find and draw closer to Christ, find and discover greater and increased blessings. Additionally, charitable acts will help us overcome our difficulties and find greater peace in our lives. These acts also offer a special healing power. Her challenge to all is to pray for increased charity in our lives.

The 3^rd speaker spoke about cleaving to our covenants made between us and the Lord. To cleave is to adhere closely and strongly. When we cleave to our covenants we will remember our baptismal covenants and follow them carefully. In order to better to do the temple is an important course to follow and to center our covenants allowing for the Spirit of the Lord to work stronger in our lives. Through this we can rejoice in all our successes. Keeping our covenants allows for greater joy regardless of our current trials. The final though she left with us was when we die and our loved ones (or others) are left to sort through our belongings, will they see we clearly kept our covenants?

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf was the final speaker. He spoke on the Glory and Marvel of God’s creations. He referred to a simple flower The Forget Me Not. This flower has 5 petals and there are 5 simple things we MUST never forget as we strive to head back to our Heavenly Father’s presence.

#1 Patience- We MUST be patience with ourselves. We are NOT perfect. NO BODY IS PERFECT! Never compare ourselves with another person. Strive to turn our weaknesses into strengths. STOP punishing ourselves! Celebrate all successes, big or small. Remember even small successes are NEVER small in the Lords eyes.

#2 Sacrifice- Learn the differences between good and foolish sacrifices. If your child is waking up with a nightmare or is sick and you stay up late or all night that is a good sacrifice however, if you stay up all night to make the perfect Sunday dress with perfect accessories that is a foolish sacrifice.  Staying up late to ensure you understand the lesson for your class on Sunday is a good sacrifice, while staying up late to play a game is a foolish sacrifice.

#3 Happiness- Do NOT forget to be happy. Find and discover the simple joys in life. Simply joys bring happiness NOT huge grand dreams, keep righteousness in mind. NEVER stop  striving to improve, but look at what is around you and rejoice in the simple pleasures.

#4 Why- Do NOT forget the Why’s! Focus on the what, how, AND WHY! Asking why gives and understanding and removes the burden while brining pleasure in the what and the how.

#5 Love- Never forget the Lord LOVES YOU! The Lord never forgets no matter how dark or little you feel. He loves you more that than you could ever imagine. We are ALL daughters of God and he wants to touch, heal, support, treasure, and help each and every one of us, and help us help others. In addition self patience leads to happiness.