Providing in the Lord's Way

Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave an excellent talk at the Priesthood session of the Oct. 2011 General Conference, entitled, "Providing in the Lord's Way".

 Here are some quotes about the importance of self reliance from his talk:

"While it is important to have our thoughts inclined toward heaven, we miss the essence of our religion if our hands are not also inclined toward our fellowman....our spiritual progress is inseparably bound together with the temporal service we give to others."

"...the Lord's way has always included self-reliance and service to our neighbor in addition to caring for the poor."

"The lesson we learn generation after generation is that rich and poor are all under the same sacred obligation to help their neighbor. It will take all of us working together to successfully apply the principles of welfare and self-reliance."

"Whether we are rich or poor, regardless of where we live on this globe, we all need each other, for it is in sacrificing our time, talents, and resources that our spirits mature and become refined."

To read the entire talk go to:

www.lds.org/ensign/2011/11/providing-in-the-lords-way 

Perpetual Education Fund (PEF)

Submitted by Christi Jardine, Stake Provident Living Leader

A few years ago when Pres. Hinckley announced the Perpetual Education Fund, I felt an overwhelming desire to give to this fund. I felt so blessed for the privilege I have had to gain an education and wanted to help others to have the same opportunity. Yesterday, this great article was published in the church news about the blessings that have come into Pablo Esteban Benitez life because he was able to be a recipient of this inspired fund. Take a minute and read this short article!

www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/62129/Education-moments-Blessed-to-work

Olympus Stake R.S. Serving Sisters

submitted by: Susan Maughan

Here are the totals from the service projects that were completed on Sat. at our Stake Women's Conference:

• 4 boxes of children's books collected for Ethiopa
• 4 baby quilts
• 40 fleece blankets
• 100 pocket hearts
• 100 I spy bottles
• 55 Journals

A heart felt thank you to all who helped!

Visiting Teaching

"There are many sisters who are living in rags-- spirtitual rags.
They are entitled to gorgeous robes, spiritual robes...
it is your privilege to go into homes and exchange robes for rags......
You are going to save souls, and who can tell but that many of the
fine active people in  the Church today are active because
you were in their homes and gave them a new outlook, a new vision.
You pulled back the curtain. You extended their horizons...
You see, you are not only saving these sisters,
but perhaps also their husbands and their homes."

-President Spencer W. Kimball, Daughters in My Kingdom, p. 117

www.lds.org/relief-society/daughters-in-my-kingdom/manual/pure-religion-watchcare-and-ministering-through-visiting-teaching

Primary Children's Service Projects

by Christi Jardine, Stake Provident Living Leader

 

Primary Children's Medical Center is always in need of service. Two of my sons have done Eagle Scout Service Projects  and my daughter did a Hope of America service project for the children. They have a great website with many service ideas with detailed information on projects. The sight has patterns and measurements for puppets, medical play dolls, stuffed animals and several kinds of blankets.  these would be great for Family Home Evening, extended family parties, Achievement Days, Cub Scouts, Relief Society, Hope of America, etc.

Here is the link to the service ideas:

primarychildrens/donations/service

FHE- Serve within Your Family

by Susan Maughan- Stake Humanitarian Leader

To promote service within your family, have family members write down their name and a meeded service that can be done during family home evening. Exchange papers and give everyone 15 minutes to perform the service. Invite family members to share their feelings.

Serving in Simple Ways

submitted by Susan Maughan- Stake Humanitarian Leader

The following is a quote from a great article, "Scatter Sunshine", Ensign, Oct. 2008. It gives great ideas from people all over the world about how to serve in your community. The following is just one idea. 

"Sometimes service can be done in quiet and simple ways. My friend purchases unstained baby blankets at yard sales, washes them, and donates them to charity. Another friend gives the extra items from her buy-one-get-one-free coupons to the sisters on her visiting teaching route or to families with children. Another sister has gorgeous rose bushes and shares a vase of them with the sisters in the ward during the summer. A young woman in high school started a knitting club with some of her friends. They made leprosy bandages to send to third-world countries. Some dads coach their children’s sporting activities; not only do they spend time with their children, but they also support the community."

You don’t have to do something big for service to count. After all, it’s “by small and simple things [that] great things [are] brought to pass” (Alma 37:6).

To read the entire article go to:

Scatter Sunshine 

Help Others

"Along your pathway of life you will observe that you are not the only traveler. 

There are others who need your help. There are feet to steady, hands to grasp,

minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save."

-Pres. Thomas S. Monson,

"How Firm a Foundation," Ensign, Nov. 2006, p. 68.

Volunteering Opportunities- Where to Start?

by Susan Maughan- Stake Humanitarian Leader

If you want to volunteer your service, but are not really sure where, herea are some links to get you on your way!

1-800-volunteer.org- is a national database of volunteer opportunities. Put in your zip code and the number of miles you're willing to travel. Narrow your search based on the programs that interest you.

http://www.goabroad.com/volunteer-abroad- Choose a country and limit your search based on the type or work and length of job. Some projects require registration fees that can range from $200 to over $2000.

http://www.seniorcorps.gov.- Offers volunteer opportunities for people 55 and over.

http://www.americorps.org/- This organization will connect you to long-term service projects, from disaster relief to homelessness. Create a user profile and apply for opportunities that interest you.

www.charityguide.org/- Charity Guide presents service projects that are entirely flexible and immediately actionable. You can volunteer whenever you want, from wherever you want, in as few as 15 minutes.

Salvation Army Bucket- Teaching Your Children to Give

Submitted by Susan Maughan, Stake Humanitarian Leader

Here is a really easy and simple idea for encouraging your 
children or grandchildren to become "Humanitarian Helpers".

During the holidays, I get a $10 roll of quarters for each of my children and keep it in my purse. When we are out running errands, my children get to put a few quarters into the Salvation Army buckets coming and going out of the store. I give them the money while we are in the car, so it feels like they are giving it all on their own. 

This is a great way to teach giving to a child. There is lots of excitement in this giving because of the bell ringing and the thank yous from the Salvation Army volunteer. It is a rewarded effort every time they give. That good feeling of giving will stick with them throughour their whole life. It did for me!

Insights from Mother Teresa:

"One thing will always secure heaven for us --

the acts of charity and kindness with which we have filled our lives."

"We can do no great things, only small things with great love."

Concern for the Poor

At this time of year as gratitude fills our hearts, here is a great article 

to help us remember to reach out to others recommended by  
Susan Maughan our Stake Relief Society Humanitarian Leader:

Church News: Concern-for-the-poor

"My brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness — 

be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. 

We are the Lord's hands here upon the earth, 

with the mandate to serve and to lift His children.

He is dependent upon each of us."

-Pres. Thomas S. Monson

(October 2009 general conference; Ensign November 2009).

Humanitarian Tidbits

by Susan Maughan, Stake Humanitarian Leader

There was an article in the Deseret News recently (Sept. 17^th) about a local church in Sandy (Sandy Ridge Community Church.).  The pastor asked himself a sobering question,

“If we closed the doors of our church tomorrow, would anybody notice?”

He said he didn’t like the answer.  “I felt compelled by the love of God for this church to be a blessing not just to its members, but to the community in which we live.” He urged his church to find ways to reach out into the community to find ways to make a difference.  The article then wrote about ways his church congregation has done this.

Our church leaders have similarly encouraged us to reach out into the community. President Monson recently said, “My brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness – be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers.  We are the Lord’s hands here on earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children.  He is dependent upon each of us.”

*Did you know, according to Family Circle Magazine (March 2011), “only 29% of parents frequently explain to their kids the importance of giving to others, according to a recent poll.”

Humanitarian Heroes

by Susan Maughan- Stake Humanitarian Leader

MariAnne Dubois of the 7^th Ward has made 150 lined dresses for little girls!  These dresses will be sent to Guatemala and countries in Africa where there is a need.  Marianne heard someone speak who said that when children come to orphanages in Africa they have often lost their hair, and the only way to distinguish girls from boys is by the dresses the girls wear.

MariAnne began this project after hearing the talk last April Conference by Elder Henry Eyring, “Opportunities to Do Good.”  She said she sat in her chair and thought about what she could do to serve.  The result is 150 beautiful dresses in six months by one amazing, loving woman!

 

Another pair of heroes are the couple along the Cottonwood Creek walking/biking trail who pick up litter as they walk. We could all take a garbage bag and a sharp stick with us as we walk to pick up litter.

Once a month three families get together and make 300 sandwiches for the homeless shelter.  They do it on a Saturday and take all their children with them to serve the lunch

Hearts Filled With Gratitude

"I pray that the Lord will bless each of us with a greater sense of mercy, charity, and compassion. 

I plead for an increase in our desire and ability to reach our and assist the less fortunate, 
the distressed, and those who suffer, that their needs may be met, 
that their faith may be strengthened,

and that their hearts may be filled with gratitude and love."

-Silvia H. Allred, "The Essence of Discipleship," Ensign, May 2011, p. 86

Reach Forth

"She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy."

Proverbs 31:20

Selfless Service

"The pure love of Christ is expressed as we give selfless service.

Helping one another is a sanctifying experience which exalts the receiver
and humbles the giver. It helps us become true disciples of Christ."

- Silvia H. Allred, "The Essence of Discipleship," Ensign, May 2011, p. 86.

The Gospel in Action

  "Self-reliance is the ability to provide the spiritual and temporal necessities of life for self and family. As we increase our own level of self-reliance, we increase our ability to help and serve others the way the Savior did. We follow the Savior's example when we minister to the needy, the sick, and the suffering. When love becomes the guiding principle in our care for others, our service to them becomes the gospel in action. It is the gospel in its finest moment. It is pure religion."

- Silvia H. Allred, "The Essence of Discipleship," Ensign, May 2011, p. 85

T-shirt Dresses

Submitted by Susan Maughan, Stake Humanitarian Leader

Here is a great service idea if you would like to use some of those summer hours helping others. It is also a great way to teach daughters or granddaughters how to sew. Check out this great link from the "Sharing Stations" from BYU Women's Conference. Pictures and examples from a Girl Scout Troop as well as detailed instructions on how to make the T-shirt dresses are included. It is inspiring! Take a look:

BYU Women's Conference Sharing Stations- T-shirt Dresses 

The Benevolent Practice of Sacrifice

"The purpose, promises, and principles that reinforce our work of caring for the poor and needy extend far beyond the bounds of mortality. This sacred work is not only to benefit and bless those who suffer or are in need. As sons and daughters of God, we cannot inherit the full measure of eternal life without being fully invested in caring for each other while we are here on earth. It is in the benevolent practice of sacrifice and giving of ourselves to other that we learn the celestial principles of sacrifice and consecration."

- Bishop H. David Burton, "The Sanctifying Work of Welfare," Ensign, May 2011, pp. 81-82