Relief Society Christmas Party

The Relief Society threw a Christmas Party at Sister Olsen's home. It was so much fun! They served an amazing dinner of soups and salads and breads brought from all the sisters. So delicious!

Martha had planned a Christmas Program with some beautiful music (sung and played by the sisters) and funny stories shared by Kristen, Lindsey and me. It was a great program.

Then we had tons of desserts to choose from. Yumminess! What a fun night to spend with my Fargo sisters!

Here's the one I found and shared. Hope it brings a smile to your face whether you are in the middle of things like this or it brings back memories of days past. Merry Christmas!:

Dear Santa,

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited my kid’s doctor's office more than mine, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground and figured out how to attach nine patches onto my son’s scout uniform with staples and a glue gun.

I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my daughter's red crayon, on the back of a bill in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:

I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache after a day of chasing kids (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't flap in the breeze but are strong enough to carry a screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store. I'd also like a waist (or boobs in my case), since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy. If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like a car with fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking daughter doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with one potty-trained toddler, a few kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools. I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting, "Don't eat in the living room" and 'Take your hands off your brother,' because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog. And please don't forget the Playdough Travel Pack, the hottest stocking stuffer this year for mothers of preschoolers. It comes in three fluorescent colors and is guaranteed to crumble on any carpet making the in-laws' house seem just like mine.

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair (cuz I do have hair now) in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container. If you don't mind I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family; or if my toddler didn't look so cute sneaking downstairs to eat contraband ice cream in her pajamas at midnight.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my daughter saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think she wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the chimney and come in and dry off by the fire so you don't catch a cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours Always...Mom.

P.S. I used the latest heating  bill statement, feel free to pay it if you think that is a better gift instead. Thank you.

OK- One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to believe in Santa.

Zumba with the Sisters

The Relief Society threw an AMAZING "Additional Relief Society Meeting" tonight at the Church.
I was bummed because I was going to have to skip my Zumba class tomorrow due to a Herceptin drip. Then the RS came to the rescue with a Zumba Night! How cool is that? Heidi P. became a Zumba instructor this year at the Wellness Center and met Erika there. Erika is another Zumba Instructor. Heidi and Erika both were in charge of the evening. They did a great job!
First, they brought us "jingle" skirts to borrow. I love them! {The Y does NOT have them for Zumba} They are so fun. I totally want to make myself one!
Next, Erika introduced herself and talked about the benefits of exercise and laughter on our physical self as well as our spiritual side. She said she wanted to start us off with a little Laughter "ice breaker" activity. I had no idea how fun it would be. She had us all stand in a very large circle. (We had a great turnout) Then, we all went for a "motorcycle" ride. You know- put your hands out in front of you, sit back a bit like in a squat and pretend you are riding a motorcycle. It was pretty silly! She totally caught us off guard when she told us to get onto our Harley-heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! She seriously said the hehe part until she was red in the face and all of us were laughing. Her laughter was completely contagious! It was so funny! Next she told us were to get on our Yamaha-haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Again, by the time she stopped the haha part, she had us all rolling with laughter. When we all caught our composure, she told us to get off our bikes cuz we were just gonna laugh our heads off. AND that's what we did. She had us lift our hands way above our heads with our feet apart and then throw our heads down between our legs while we "laugh"ed our heads off. It was a seriously good warm-up because my sides hurt by the time we were done laughing. What a fun exercise on how laughter is healthy and makes us happy!
Then it was time to do a little Zumba dancing. Heidi did several songs and then Erika did. It was a great work-out. So fun!

After we did some good sweating, Erika cooled us down to this song by Lee Ann Womack. Erika shared her testimony of God and encouraged us to share this song with those that we felt needed to hear it. It's beautiful so-- enjoy!

Here's the lyrics:

Try and put your arms around the 100 year old tree
Climb up on a horse and let him run full speed
Take a look out at the world from 30,000 feet
On your next flight
Watch a flock of birds against the morning sun
Close your eyes and listen to the river run
Catch a firefly in your hand or a raindrop on your tongue
That's right
There is a God
There is a God
There is a God
How much proof do you need?
Plant a seed and see what comes out of the ground
Find the heartbeat on your baby's ultrasound
In a few years hear him laughing
And don't it sound like a song?
Stop and think about what you don't understand
Things like life and love and how the world began
Hear the doctor say he can't explain it
But the cancer is gone
There is a God
There is a God
There is a God
How much proof do you need?
Science says it's all just circumstance
Like this whole world's just an accident
But if you want to shoot that theory down
Look around, just look around
There is a God
There is a God
There is a God
How much proof do you need?
Oh there is a God
There is a God
There is a God
How much proof do you need?

We finished the evening out with a progressive relaxation time. It was so great! At the end Erika encouraged us to take some time and pray. It was a perfect ending to the activity. Loved it! They also provided healthy snacks at the end. Yum! I am so glad I got to attend. I'm tempted to join the Wellness Center just so I can be in Erika's presence once in a while. LOL She was awesome and contagious! Thanks ladies for an amazing evening!

6 hour RS Broadcast

The Relief Society Broadcast night caught us off guard. We know that it IS every single year, the Saturday before Conference BUT our Ward/Stake decided not to do any kind of get-together which usually gets us all excited about it. Anywho- because of our lack of preparedness, KBro and I made plans this morning to get together with some girlfriends and make a night of it! After tons of phone calls, we all met early at Green Mill for dinner. We had some new people and it was a lot of fun!

Left to right: Katie, Kristen, Alana, Haylie, Teri Feilzer (she's been here 4 days), Brittney, Lisa and Shay. 

Next, we headed over to the Church for the Broadcast. So good! I always feel uplifted and spiritually fed. A few things I learned this time:
From Sister Linda K. Burton:
3 Principles that I need to have written on my heart
Principle 1: All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Principle 2: There is power in the Atonement to enable us to climb out of the pit and become true disciples of Jesus Christ.
Principle 3: The Atonement is the greatest evidence we have of the Father’s love for His children.
From Sister Carole Stephens:
Be Spiritually awake! Am I spiritually strong enough to help others along the trail? Can I be a rescuer?
From Sister Linda Reeves:
God has NOT forgotten me!
From President Henry B. Eyring:
Watch over, Cherish and Comfort each other!
I have heard the story of the good Samaritan a million times but I learned so many new insights about it this time. So many people have love and cherished my little family through the last 6 months. We ahve been so blessed!
President Eyring said, "With all your differences in personal circumstances and past experiences, I can tell you something of what lies ahead for you. As you keep the faith, you will find yourself invited by the Lord often to serve someone in need when it will not seem convenient. It may appear to be an unpleasant and perhaps even impossible task. When the call comes, it may seem you are not needed or that someone else could easily give the succor.
Remember that when the Lord lets us encounter someone in distress, we honor the good Samaritan for what he did not do as much as for what he did. He did not pass by on the other side even though the beaten traveler on the road was a stranger and perhaps an enemy. He did what he could for the beaten man and then put in place a specific plan for others to do more. He did that because he understood that helping may require more than what one person can do."
Like the traveler in the scripture story of the good Samaritan, it is likely that the help needed turned into longer-term care than you could give alone. The Samaritan needed to pass the traveler to the care of the innkeeper. The Lord’s plan for serving others in need provides teams."
Also, I absolutely love this thought that he shared, "We speak often of the strength of the circle of sisters in the Church of Jesus Christ. We must learn to recognize that the Savior is always in the circle as we invite Him."
What great messages!!!

After the Broadcast, most people headed home for the night. (Something about eating too much cake from the YW fundraiser or something! LOL ;) But KBro, Katie, Michelle and I continued the evening at Perkins for dessert. We ate and chatted late into the night. I loved it! And... according to Jared's timetable [I drove Katie tonight], we even got home 15 minutes early. Wahoo! Go us!

Thanks to all my lady friends for the fun 6-hour GNO! You're awesome!

Integrative Wellness Training

For the Relief Society Meeting Plus today, our Stake asked Sister Carrie Wrigley to come back and talk again. She basically talked about the same stuff she touched back in September 2011 but it was a great refresher! Plus she's added a couple of things and sectioned it up nicely into several easy to follow lists. I love lists!!! Here's her worksheet outline from her website.

And HERE is her Outline of the whole thing that she gave in an Eduction week.

But I was gonna share just a few things that I got out of her visit to Fargo. Here's what I learned:

Notes from March 2012- RS + Meeting with Carrie Wrigley

It's not IF but when tribulations come that I need to be fortified. God knows there would be calamities in the world (D&C 1:17) but He has made a plan for me "that ye may bear it" (1 Cor 10:13)
We all respond to challenges we face. Most people face them with the ADASA Reponse.
A- nxiety
D- epression
A- nger
S- tress
A- ddiction (can include food, shopping, workaholic, etc)
These are realistic, understandable responses but they can be destructive! But there is another way! It's what Carrie calls the Emotional Wellness Response. It includes Building Blocks that can help us survive and even thrive in challenging times! There are Physical, Mental, Social and Spiritual Blocks we must build on to be fortified!
Physical Wellness
Principle 1: Nourishment
I loved this part!! She talked a lot about the Word of Wisdom and how it really is designed to not only keep my body healthy but also my mind (like less depression)! The brain is a physical organ that needs the right kind of fuel to function properly. I never really have connected that keeping the food part of the Word of Wisdom would help my mental health as well. Dang! Got to step up my fruits, veggies and whole grains. LOL She talked about the rewards we get from keeping the Word of Wisdom like health, wisdom/knowledge, energy and protection. But that I must be willing to live the whole law to reap the whole reward!
Principle 2: Activity
I hate this one! LOL Ok- I don't but I'm not very good at it! or at least the "exercise" part of it! She talked about in order to be mentally well, I need to keep my chemical balances in check. God has created our amazing bodies and programed them to properly balance themselves IF I do my part. That part includes eating right and getting enough physical activity to create the "right" balances. My favorite quote from the Conference came from this part. She talked about turning off the TV and the Computer and actually getting out there and living. She said basically her advise is to "Get a Life!" I love it!
Principle 3: Rest
To help with my wellness I need the proper daily and weekly rest. DAILY (D&C 88:124)- "cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated."  WEEKLY- (D&C 59:10)- "For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High". So true! So hard but so true!

Mental Wellness
Principle 1: Input
I need to put the proper stuff into my mind as well as my body. I need to make a sort of "Word of Wisdom" for the mind and follow the same rules! Fill it more with the beautiful "recommended" things!
Principle 2: Creativity
I am a child of a CREATOR! That's what He designed me for! I need to create more than I consume to be happy! It's not just about crafty stuff but about adding to the world rather than always taking from it!
Principle 3: Perspective
Basically the attitude of gratitude section! Yeah! It's what I focus on that really matters. A lot of time when I am sad I choose to focus on the tiny little problem (which seems humongous in the midst of it) rather than focusing on the big picture. Which totally reminded me of a post that my friend put on her blog recently that made me cry. Not a bad cry just a thought-provoking one. Thanks Becky! You're awesome!

Social Wellness
I am a HUGE advocate for this section! I love to be social-ly well! LOL
Principle 1: Connections
From the time of Adam and Eve, we have been told that it is not good for us to be alone As human beings we need people. We need friends! Like real "I can reach out and touch you" people not the "so-and-so made a new comment" people.  Scary how that has changed so much in the world today!
Principle 2: Simplicity
Focus on the basics. I need to simplify my life in regards to my time as well as my money. We've been counseled forever to get out of debt and also to choose the best part! So simple really! LOL
Principle 3: Respect
This is the "don't compare" section. So often I become unhappy because I am too busy coveting what someone else has or is. We all have different skills, talents, and gifts. We all play a roll in making this a wonderful place. I need to respect and enjoy that!

Spiritual Wellness
Principle 1: Direction
I tend to seek after worldly direction (friends, family, doctors, medication) to my problems. But I also and more importantly need divine direction. It's like a row boat- I need to use both paddles to forge ahead. Pray to Him that has ALL the answers!
Principle 2: Meaning
I need to be willing to find meaning in my life and in my challenges. There's always a purpose for things that happen to me! "All things will work together for thy good"
Principle 3: Faith
I need to anchor my faith in Christ and come unto him! Something she pointed out was the fact that when Christ was suffering, he turned to his Father more earnestly. In Luke 22:44 it says, "And being in an ^aagony he prayed MORE earnestly."  The most important thing I can do in hard times is to open my heart to God! Praying MORE in times of agony is what Christ himself did! If that's the case then it's probably even more important for me!
These building blocks are to be a anchor for living WELL in good times and especially in challenging times! I pray that I will be willing to take what I know (and have learned or continue to learn)  to experience the best life that I possibly can! And make my Father in Heaven proud of me!
What a great day for learning and spending time with my Fargo girlfriends!

As a side-note: She quoted several time President Ezra Taft Benson's talk "Do Not Despair". Such a great resource!

Relief Society Christmas Get-Together

We had our Relief Society Christmas Party tonight. They fed us a fabulous potluck-type meal of soups and sides and desserts. So yummy! They had a great turn-out cuz when Katie & I came late [we had to run an errand for a cute craft we're doing soon- I'll get up pictures soon] we got to sit on a little round, un-tablecothed table that our friends pulled up close to them. LOL!
After dinner, they had put together a fun little Christmas Program for us.
Martha read a story of a poor little Pioneer family and their Christmas one year.
Then Kristen Brotherson read the story of a Christmas Dress for Ellen with a slide show of the illustrations.

Next, Jen West (the new Jen ;) read the poem of the Christmas Guest.

The Story of the Christmas Guest
by Helen Steiner Rice

It happened one day at December's end
Some neighbors called on an old-time friend.
And they found his shop so meager and mean,
Made gay with a thousand boughs of green.


And old Conrad was sitting with face ashine.
When he suddenly stopped as he stitched the twine.


And he said "My friends at dawn today,
When the cock was crowing the night away,
The Lord appeared in a dream to me.
And He said, 'I'm coming your guest to be"


So I've been busy with feet astir,
Strewing my shop with branches of fir.
The table is spread and the kettle is shined,
And over the rafters the holly is twined.


And now I'll wait for my Lord to appear;
And listen closely so I will hear,
His steps as he nears my humble place.
And I'll open the door and I'll look on his face."


Then his friends went home and left Conrad alone,
For this was the happiest day he had known.
For long since his family had passed away.
And Conrad had spent many a sad Christmas Day.


But he knew with the Lord as his Christmas guest,
This Christmas would be the dearest and best.
So he listened with only joy in his heart,
And with every sound he would rise with a start,


And looked for the Lord to be at his door.
Like the vision that he had had a few hours before.


So he ran to the window after hearing a sound,
But all he could see on the snow covered ground
Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn.
And all his clothes were ragged and worn.


But old Conrad was touched and he went to the door
And he said, "Your feet must be cold and sore.
I have some shoes in my shop for you.
And I have a coat to keep you warmer, too."


So with grateful heart the man went away.
But Conrad notice the time of day
And he wondered what made the dear Lord so late,
And how much longer he'd have to wait.


Then he heard another knock, and he ran to the door,
But it was only a stranger once more.
A bent old lady with a shawl of black,
And a bundle of kindling piled on her back.


But she asked only for a place to rest,
a place that was reserved, for Conrad's great guest.
But her voice seemed to plead, "Don't send me away,
Let me rest for awhile this Christmas Day."


So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup
And told her to sit at the table and sup.
After she had left, he was filled with dismay
For he saw that the hours were slipping away


The Lord had not come as He said He would
And Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood.
When out of the stillness he heard a cry.
"Please help, me and tell me - Where am I?"


So again he opened his friendly door.
And stood disappointed as twice before.
It was a child who had wandered away,
And was lost from her family on Christmas Day.


Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad,
But he knew he could make this little girl glad.
So he called her in and he wiped her tears,
And he quieted all her childish fears.


Then he led her back to her home once more.
Then as he entered his own darkened door,
He knew that the Lord was not coming today,
For the hours of Christmas, had all passed away.


So he went to his room, and he knelt down to pray.
He said, "Lord, why did you delay?
What kept You from coming to call on me?
I wanted so much Your face to see."


Then softly, in the silence, a voice he heard.
"Lift up your head - I have kept My word.
Three times my shadow crossed your floor.
Three times I came to your lowly door.


I was the beggar with bruised cold feet;
I was the woman you gave something to eat;
I was the child on the homeless street.
Three times I knocked, three times I came in,
And each time I found the warmth of a friend.
Of all the gifts, love is the best.
I was honored to be your Christmas guest.

Finally, Kelsi Conroy sang a song accompanied by Elisa Hunt. And we joined her in the last verse by singing Silent Night.
NIGHT OF SILENCE
by Daniel Kantor
1. Cold are the people, Winter of life, We tremble in shadows this cold endless night, Frozen in the snow lie roses sleeping, Flowers that will echo the sunrise, Fire of hope is our only warmth, Weary, its flame will be dying soon.
2. Voice in the distance, call in the night, On wind you enfold us you speak of the light, Gentle on the ear you whisper softly, Rumors of a dawn so embracing, Breathless love awaits darkened souls, Soon will we know of the morning.
3. Spirit among us, Shine like the star, Your light that guides shepherds and kings from afar, Shimmer in the sky so empty, lonely, Rising in the warmth of your Son's love, Star unknowing of night and day, Spirit we wait for your loving Son.
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

It was a great night of bonding with the great women in my Ward. Merry Christmas ladies!

General Relief Society Broadcast

Tonight was the annual Relief Society Broadcast & multi-ward Potluck dinner. KBro and I were going to run a few errands beforehand but due to MST (Mormon Standard Time) and the fact that there are 2 exits to the Church parking lot, we missed each other. Oops! I was waiting in the parking lot when Kristen got back. I didn't have anything to bring (since that was going to be one of our errands) but Kristen talked me into going in without anything so that we wouldn't be late. (I mean... lateRR! LOL) When we got in there, Sue and Linda were there eating at a long table all by themselves. We had a few good giggles about a miscommunication that had happened between the wards resulting in only 1 main dish and 7 sisters attending. [Marie and a couple of YSA came after we were almost done eating] But the food that was there was awesome and we had a blast hanging out together.

The yummy food including the 7 Grain Salad Main Dish (I mean the 4 grain, 2 bean, 1 legume Salad. LOL)

 

Because the group was so little (and no one had showed up to stream it into the Chapel either. LOL), we decided to watch it in the High Council room and bring all the treats with us. It was fun and different. And actually in the end, we filled the entire room and even had to get a few chairs. (Maybe 25 or 30 ladies) Such fun ladies to be with!

The messages were great as usual! Here's just a few things I learned:

Sister Beck

Relief Society is an organized discipleship of women! Christ has always organized women to be faithful, teach, inspire, strengthen homes and families, seek out those in need, provide relief and safety, make and keep covenants, engaging with others in providing the hope of Christ, ministering to others, and participating in miracles. I am so grateful for the Relief Society!

Sister Allred

Charity never Faileth! There are some things you can do to acquire the qualities and attributes of Charity. Things like: prayer, reading scriptures daily, showing patience, acceptance, looking beyond outward appearances, helping others even when it's not convenient, comforting, nurturing, teaching, listening, enduring and doing good.

Sister Thompson

"Lift up thy heart and rejoice, and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made." Doctrine and Covenants 25:13 Making covenants with God brings blessings into our lifes which is cause for rejoicing!

Elder Uchtdorf

Elder Uchtdorf is the best visual object lesson speaker! I love his stories and sense of humor. I will write down a few things that stuck out but it really is worth reading the whole thing here. He used a 5 petal Forget-me-not flower as a metaphor for things to NOT forget!

1. Forget not to be PATIENT with yourself!

God is fully aware that we are not yet perfect but He loves us anyways. Be as compassionate and loving with yourself as you are with others.

2. Forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice.

Commit time to those things that matter most. SIMPLIFY!

3. Forget not to be happy NOW!

From Willy Wonka- Don't put your happiness on hold until you find your Golden Ticket- just enjoy the chocolate along the way! ;)

4. Forget not the WHY of the Gospel!

Sometimes we see the Gospel as a To-Do List. But it's not an obligation but a pathway. The WHY sanctifies us!

5. Forget not that the Lord LOVES YOU!

Like the small forget-me-not flowers hidden below the gorgeous roses and tall trees, we may at times feel small and insignificant. But we are not forgotten. We may cry out at times, "Forget me not, Lord" and He will always answer, "I will not!" I am a daughter of God who loves me!

XTreme Makeover Classes

This year's Stake RS Women's Conference was so good it was like our very own Time Out for Women! Our theme was Extreme Makeover and all the speakers based their class around a TV Show title. It was so fabulous and exactly what I needed to hear. Here's a few of the amazing things I learned. (Heads up- I was a little long winded on my notes! LOL)
The Mentalist- Carrie Wrigley
Carrie Wrigley was our guest speaker that came from UT to be with us this weekend!
The Mentalist is a show about a young man with some extra special gifts that goes around solving mysteries and helping people. Well, two thousand years ago, another Young Man with super-natural powers provided a way to solve ALL mysteries and problems. Carrie talked about CHRIST Centered Healing. She specifically focused on healing depression.
John 16:33- These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have ^eovercome the world.
In this world, we WILL have tribulation. That is a certainty. But how we look at it, handle it and react to it is the question.
D&C 122:5- "If thou art called to pass through tribulation..." Have you ever thought of tribulation as a calling? Tribulation does have many commonalities to a calling like it is for a certain period of time, there are a set number of lessons we can learn from it, there will be growth if you do it well, and God will give you strength to do it!
There are three main ineffective approaches to dealing with the tribulations of life.
1. Assessment-only therapy
2. Medication only
3. Misguided spirituality- If I pray hard enough or serve more or have more faith, God will make everything better.
The reason these 3 approaches alone are ineffective is because they all require someone else to fix it.
God rarely takes away our problems but He will:
1. Visit us                                   Mosiah 24:14
2. Support us                              Alma 36:3, 27  
3. Lead us                                  2 Nephi 4:20
4. Nourish, strengthen us              1 Nephi 17:3
Healing is NOT a passive process!!! It requires work on our part!
Carrie taught us about IRA.
IDENTIFY- What is your problem? (We got a chuckle at this because I don't think she ever said "What is your problem?" but that's what she meant. So now a couple of us- when we see each other sad are gonna ask each other- "What's your problem?" LOL!
REPLACE- replace the problem with something else. This is not a magic wand. It requires a conscious effort.
ASSIMILATE- make the new thing apart of you!
The Diamond- represents
1. Relationships- Most TRIGGERS (things that send us in a downward spiral) have to do with some kind of relationship. Grief/Transition/Conflict/Lack of Interpersonal skills/abuse/loss/disappointment
Question is- "A Trigger for What?" Are you gonna spiral up or down?
2. Thoughts- Feeling Good Handbook by David Burns
Common Cognitive Distortions
a. All or Nothing -"On and Off Switch"
b. Self Blame "It's all my fault"
c. Should Statements- impossible expectations
d. Mental filter- focus on the negative
Replacements
a. Continuous Thinking "The Dial" 0- all bad 10- all good, Where do you fall on the dial?
b. Blame Pie- 1 part his, 1 part mine, 1 part theirs
c. Three part Reality 1. It would be nice if... 2. But the reality is... 3. Therefore my most effective response is...
d. Gratitude Awareness- Perspective Finding Joy in Life- Richard G Scott
3. Behavior- The Brain like a heart is a physical organ. Are you eating garbage or starving it? Feed it what is recommended! exercise, sleep, eat good! The Me-O-Meter Balance what you do for other with what you do for yourself. The other magic word- NO!! LOL
4. Spirituality- Jesus Christ is the key to transform us. He can and will help us relate to others (relationships), focus our thoughts, and change our behavior. He is the Ultimate Mentalist!

True Grit- Liz Legerski 
True Grit is an unfaltering courage; devotion to what is right; indomitableness; of a solid character; doing what is right regardless of the danger involved.
To me, true grit is reaching down when you’ve got nothing left and finding the way to keep going. When your body feels as if its going to explode with pain, your energy reserve are depleted and yet you still find in you a little left to give a little more and somehow keep going.
Life can throw lots at us. But we need to keep an eternal perspective while living in the here and now. How can we stick to what we know in spite of the challenges around us. Questions are answered by getting out of our ruts!
Prayer Rut

• schedule it!
• ask for help to want to pray
• count your blessings
• pray whenever you need to. Do it NOW!
• read Elder Bednar's 2008 Conference Talk on prayer
• change it up- say it out loud, only gratitude, bear your testimony, different places

Scripture Rut

• teach a class
• use a study guide
• reminders- put a scripture up everywhere
• change it up- go deep! go fast! topics, chronological, new language

Focus on what you know! Bear testimony to yourself! So I'll take a little advice from this class. Here are some things that I know:
Jesus Christ is the Savior
Families can be together forever
I was created to be JOYful
God knows me and loves me
I am a daughter of a creator and have some of his attributes
I have the ability to do great things!

Touched by an Angel- Jay Pickrel
God has provided a very real messenger (the word angel in Greek means messenger) to the earth to tell depressed and troubled people that God loves them and God hasn't forgotten them.
There are 2 forms of learning: Spiritual and Temporal. Spiritual Learning is very different from temporal learning !
Impressions- limit distractions
Patriarchal blessings- road map
Prayer journal- keep track of what God is telling you!
Other people- God answers prayers through other people sometimes
Temple Celestial Room- Close to God

Listen to the Spirit
Heed. Exercise faith
It will allow you to be able to hear the Spirit better
Strengthen faith even more.
It's a circle!

Purposes of revelation- from a talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks
1. Develop Testimony
2. Prophecy
3. Comfort
4. Uplift us
5. Inform
6. Restrain us
7. Confirm
8. Impel us to action

Minute to Win It- Brittney Sinclair

We did an exercise in small group. We were each given a puzzle to complete. Only thing was that all the pieces were messed up. We had to go searching and sharing with each other to complete it. But in the end we were all missing one piece. We learned that we can help each other for most of life's problems but Jesus Christ is the Center to the puzzle, the only way to be complete.

She used Dallin H. Oaks's talk- Focus and Priorities

Parable of the Talents- Matt 25:14-30 It isn't about how many talents you have but what you do with them that counts!
Idleness- "Because of increased life expectancies and modern time saving devices, most of us have far more discretionary time than our predecessors. We are accountable for how we use that time."
FOCUS
1. Clear Focus- There is so much info out there. Don't be like 2 Timothy 3:7 "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth". We need to have a clear focus on what's the best!
2. Avoid what is Harmful- spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally
3. Our biggest need is Jesus Christ and following the promptings of the Spirit. Each of us should be careful that the current flood of information does not occupy our time so completely that we cannot focus on and hear and heed the still, small voice that is available to guide each of us with our own challenges today.
PRIORITIES
3 Nephi 13:33- Seek God 1st then all things will be added unto you!
1. Build up the Kingdom of God- Missions & Attending the Temple
2. Understand my relationship with God
3. Understand my relationship with my family- secure those relationships in the Temple
Priorities are most visible in how we spend our time! Where is my heart? How do I use my MINUTE?

How do I get my Happily Ever After?- Carrie Wrigley

Carrie sang songs and shared some information from Elder Uchtdorf's talk- Your Happily Ever After.
"Once upon a time.... All Princesses have tough times before their ... Happily ever after!" SONG- Happily ever After
1. Vision- of who we are and why we're here!
2. Trust- in the Lord with all thine heart! No matter what! When life circumstances change we need to ask ourselves- Who do I need to be NOW? Trust God most when life is the most unfair, darkest, hardest!
3. Endurance- Life WILL try our patience and faith! I was born to be a beautiful butterfly! There is change that happens in the midst of darkness! We will be a better counselor, teacher, Mother, and daughter of God not in spite of our trials but because of them! Endure it well!
4. Hope- even in the midst of darkness. HE can get us through. Be willing to learn the lesson he is giving us! SONG- Will we love him just as well? (when life is hard)
5. Service- "Feed my Sheep"- We are healed and we are fed when we serve! Serve others when your heart is breaking, feed others when your cupboards are bare!
6. Gratitude- for HIS unending love! Do you recognize that what you need is what you've already been given! You may ask, Where are you, God? He will answer- Right here! ;)

The whole Conference was Xtremely awesome! The classes were amazing! The decorations were so fun! (Good job KBro & all those that helped!- I stunk at getting pictures of them. Dang!) And of course, eating lunch with the best ladies ever! Thanks to all those who put the Conference together. I had an Xtremely great time! See you next year!

XTreme Makeover Service Project

I had the opportunity this weekend to organize the Xtreme Makeover Service Project for the Stake Relief Society Women's Conference. We (Teri Z., the Stake RS President & me) started coming up with ideas back in June or so. We had planned on doing the entire Xtreme Makeover Project in one facility. We were going to paint an accent wall, make curtains and comforters and artwork for 7 rooms AND makeover their kid room. Because of a unfortunate turn of events which left us disheartened, we were forced to look in a different direction. The Lord works in mysterious ways! ;) Teri contacted First Link {FirstLink’s is a local group whose mission is to assist people in identifying, accessing, and making effective use of community and volunteer resources.} and had them send out an email with information of what we would like to do to all their contacts. The response was overwhelming. Teri and I spent the next several months meeting with different organizations and coming up with projects we could do for them. It has been an awesome opportunity to meet, work with and serve so many amazing people and their organizations in our community. Teri figured (not including the prep time or the extra hours people went early) we were able to complete over 300 hours of service on just Friday night ! Wowzers! That's a lot of time! And what a great opportunity to be of service to our community. "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God."- Mosiah 2:17

Thank heavens it's over LOL! but what a great way to start out our Women's Conference in the right spirit!
Check out what we got to do:
American Red Cross (http://www.minnkotaredcross.org/)
Address: 2602 12th St N · Fargo, ND

Contact: Florija Ajdari, Public Affairs & Communications Manager/Regional Volunteer Resource Manager

Adopted by: Fargo III YSA Branch (with help of Fargo II ladies)
Project Manager: Samanta Kost

Project: Paint the big Purple Barney wall a nice shade of Bolero (It's a deep Red- UL100-9)

Charism Community Center McCormick Park (http://www.charism.org/index.htm)

GROUND CREW

Address: 622 23rd St South (Family Center)

Contact: Melissa Marek-Donahue, Resource Development

Adopted by: Grand Forks 
Project Manager: Melanie Hepper & Heidi Castle
Project: Clean up the Community Park Grounds. Plant shrubs & add rocks to the front flower beds. As an added bonus all the neighborhood kids came out and joined them.

Charism Community Center (http://www.charism.org/index.htm)

LIBRARY CREW

Address: 622 23rd St South (Family Center)
Contact: Melissa Marek-Donahue, Resource Development
Adopted by: DL Branch
Project Manager: Rebecca Thomas
Project: Clean, fix and organize the community Library inside the Community Center building.

Churches United for the Homeless (http://churches-united.org/Churches_United_web_site/Contacts_%26_Member_Churches.html)

Address: 1901 1st Ave N. Moorhead, MN 56560

Contact: Steve Anderson, Volunteer & Donations Coordinator
Adopted by: Clearbrook & Jamestown
Project Manager: Jodie Osmonson
Project: Make and hang 9 panels of curtains in three of the Family rooms. Also make and hang curtains in Steve's office window.

Nokomis Child Care Center (http://www.thevillagefamily.org/nokomis)
Address:1620 16th Ave. S., Fargo, 701-232-0426
Contact: Jane Greminger, Program Director
Adopted by: Fargo II Ward
Project Manager: Sharon Finlinson, Barbara Taylor, Lindsey Zufelt
Project: Paint the infant room at the Nokomis II Center

Ronald McDonald House (http://rmhcfargo.org/)

Address: 1234 Broadway N Fargo, ND 58103

Contact: Marty Edwards, North Campus Manager

Adopted by: Bemidji
Project Manager: April Westlund
Project: Clean and put together 2 rooms that have recently been remodeled. Any other cleaning projects on their list of things to get done!

Churches United for the Homeless (http://churches-united.org/Churches_United_web_site/Contacts_%26_Member_Churches.html)

Address: 1901 1st Ave N. Moorhead, MN 56560

Contact: Steve Anderson, Volunteer & Donations Coordinator
Adopted by: Wahpeton
Project Manager: LeAnn Ulvestad, Shay Seamons (with help from Katie Gill aka Sister Serger)
Project: Convert 120 flat sheets into fitted sheets for their 60 twin beds in the Shelter

YWCA (http://ywcacassclay.org/)
Address: 3000 University Dr S · Fargo, ND
Contact: Amber Dahl, Volunteer & Donations Coordinator
Adopted by: Fargo I Ward
Project Manager: Angie Kallmeyer, Lorrie LaDuke, Shelly Carlson
Project: Paint, make artwork and make & hang valances in the Family Room. Paint the kid room & create a large chalkboard for the wall.
FAMILY ROOM PROJECT

KID ROOM  PROJECT

An Xtremely big THANK YOU to the amazing Project Managers (and their assistants ;) from each Ward/Branch! You and your ladies did an amazing job at each site! We couldn't have done it without you!

January Oasis

I know...Two words not normally associated with one another. But in this case, the definition of oasis works perfectly. :Something serving as a refuge, relief, or pleasant change from what is usual, annoying, difficult, etc. The "something" being an extra Relief Society Meeting on Nutrition, Beating the Winter Blues and Yoga. The "usual, annoying, difficult, etc." part being the freakin' COLD, some bad Winter Blues and NO energy from staying in bed all day (a bit of an oxymoron of its own, I know).

I went to the RS Meeting kicking and screaming- well not really because that would require energy but- I decided to go even though I really felt crawling back into bed sounded much nicer. Soooo glad I dragged my butt out of my PJs and went! They had a lite meal and I got to sit and visit with some of my good friends. A good laugh or two can always help a bad attitude! Then, they had 3 guest speakers.

The first talked about Nutrition and Good Mood Foods. I'd never really thought about the fact that eating certain foods could lift your spirits. Dang! Who knew?  

Next, we had someone talk about S.A.D. (Seasonal affective disorder)- commonly know as the Winter Blues- what it is, the symptoms, the treatments, etc. She had lots of great info. Some of which I feel I have really struggled with this January. Like:

* difficulty waking up in the morning

* tendency to oversleep

* a lack of energy

* difficulty concentrating on completing tasks

* withdrawal from friends, family, and social activities.

"...All of this leads to the depression, pessimistic feelings of hopelessness, and lack of pleasure."

Crap! Well, the first step is admitting it, right? She sparked my interest in finding out more about it so I finally bought a book and a SAD light for therapy. They should be in the mail soon. We'll see if it can help me.

Lastly but not the least by any means, they had a Yoga teacher come. It was so much fun!!! I love the music, the stretching, the poses, the quietness, the balance! I am going to buy me a yoga mat for sure AND I so need to find a Yoga class. Want to join me? LOL!

Well, when you think your all alone and no one understands---thank goodness for my Relief Society Sisters and the January Oasis they provide for a bahuber like me! ;) Here's hoping that I can restore a bit of balance back into my life. Thanks for the kick in the butt, ladies!