Ward Christmas Party!!!

Don't forget to come to the Ward Christmas Party tomorrow night, Wednesday, Dec. 9th at 6:30pm and please bring 2 dozen cookies to share for dessert!!!  See you all there!!!

Reminder! Relief Society Grateful Hearts Thanksgiving Dinner

Reminder to all you sisters that tomorrow night, Tuesday, November 17th is our activity!  Come and enjoy socializing with sisters in the Ward!  Remember to invite friends and offer an rides to those who need them.  There will be someone to watch young children if needed.  So no excuses!  Come, come, come!!!  See you there!

Relief Society Grateful Hearts Thanksgiving Dinner!!!

All sisters and their friends and loved ones are invited to an evening of gratitude and love as we share dinner together and visit and give thanks to our Father in Heaven for the things we have, especially our friendship with one another!

You do not need to bring any food to the event.  All will be provided!  We do ask that you spread the word and bring friends with you and any sister's that need rides and may not attend otherwise.  If you know of anyone that would like to go, but needs a ride and you are unable to give transportation, or if you would like to go and do not have transportation, please contact Audrey Kolb or Aubrey Aguilar so that we can coordinate with one another so that all may be able to attend.  

Also all you mothers of young children, there will be a nursery provided by the Young Women, so no excuses!!!  Come!!!

Tuesday, November 17th @ 6:30pm.  See all you sisters there!

Need people to help MOVE the Bartlett Family! Please come and help!

Help the Bartlett Family Move on Saturday! 

Gary and Terri Bartlett are moving.  We will miss them!  They do need help with people willing to come and help load the truck.  This will take place this Saturday morning at 8am.  Sisters, encourage your husbands to come and help.  They are organized and ready so boxes and furniture just need to be loaded.  If we could get at least 4 strong young men or your spouses to help that are not already involved in the tree cutting project that would be greatly appreciated.  Call Audrey Kolb or Chris Mathia to let them know you can help.  Audrey's phone number is 509-648-3835.  They also have a 4 year old neutered kitty that sadly cannot come with them if anyone would like to make their kitty a new home.  Thanks to all!  And let's give some service!

Pray for Naomi Hymas and the Hymas Family!!!

Beth Hymas posted that surgery went well today.  I included the two photos that she posted and a link to the blog post that she wrote explaining the reason for the surgery and what it entails.  It was so honest from a mother's perspective and heart and so very moving that I encourage all to read!  Please pray for brave Naomi and her family!!!

Address if you would be willing to send a card:
The Hymas Family
4391 Glenmoor hills Dr
South Jordan, UT 84009

Here is the link to the blog post from Beth about the surgery.  Click here.

Here is our brave warrior!  We love you Naomi!

Here are the post surgery pictures that she posted.

Special Announcement!!!

Gary & Kathy Martin are back in business with "Our Family Survival Center."  We are located at 105 S Main St in Colfax, just north of Tick Klock Drugs.  We are open Monday-Friday, from 12 noon-5pm.  Please stop by for your free sample of Wise freeze-dried food and a 10% discount on any survival puchases.  Come and see us!!! 

What is your question for General Conference this weekend?

Let this video inspire all of us to meditate on what we need an answer to this weekend from General Conference.  After General Conference we will post some of your questions and the answers you found from certain talks that inspired you and gave you the needed guidance from above.  Happy Monday!

Video Link:  Click here for Ruth's question for Conference

Reminder: Last day to order apples!!!

Don't forget, today is the last day to get your apple orders in to Denise Larsen.  She needs the orders by Thursday, Sept 24th.  Please see details listed in the announcement tab of the blog, or on the below post that was placed last week.  Create all things delicious by apples!!!  And thank you Denise for your service!

Wednesday: Beloved Apostle Richard G. Scott Dies

Yesterday brought news to the worldwide church that another witness of Jesus Christ, our beloved apostle, Richard G. Scott passed away from causes incident to age.  We will celebrate his life and continue to hold a memory for this man of God who dedicated all he was to the Lord's work.  We share with you the video posted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his passing.  We love you Elder Scott!

Testimony Tuesday: A Testimony of Hope

Today our testimony speaks for itself.  The healing power of our Savior and the healing messages of hope from the scriptures ARE REAL.  Have a blessed Tuesday full of hope!

Monday Meditations: Amazing Grace

Today's meditation focuses on Grace.  As we ponder Grace today and throughout the week, may we ponder on our lives up to this point in time.  If we really think and meditate on Grace, there is probably a million different instances in our lives that we were given Grace and didn't even know it.  We would probably fall at our Savior's feet when we come to find that he was always there with us extending his Grace and we didn't even know that it had been given us.  If we can focus this week on all the mercies that we receive through grace every minute and day, we may be able to see that the Savior is always with us even when we may not see it, feel it, or even show appreciation for it.  May we be more aware of His Grace this week as we go day to day, hour to hour, and minute to minute.  May we be touched by His Grace and then extend that Grace to those around us and even ourselves is our prayer for you this week.

Step 1:  Set your intention on what you could do this week to see the hand of Grace in your life, or extend it to someone else who needs it.  This may even be you.

Step 2:  Now with your intention in place, watch the video below and let your spirit connect to Grace through the Comforter and experience a shift in perception.

Step 3:  Read Ether 12: 26-27:

 26 And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying: Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness;

 27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

Step 4:  Listen again to the song in the video with your eyes closed while breathing in faith and breathing out grace.  End with a prayer focused on your intention that you have set and expect miracles this week as you focus on His Grace.

Beautiful job!  Sat Nam!  Have a week full of life and grace!

Apples!!!

Sister Denise Larsen is going to a vendor to get apples to make all things delicious by apples such as apple cider, apple pies, applesauce, apple cobblers and everything else.  Denise even has an apple press for making cider if anyone is interested.

Orders can be made for Galas, Fuji, Golden, and Granny Smith.  2nds' for 10 cents/lb.  She does need the orders in advance and orders need to be to her by THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH.

To place orders call or text Denise on her mobile phone at 509-316-0788.

Thank you Denise!!!

Testimony Tuesdays: President Thomas S. Monson

We thought we should highlight one of the many testimonies of our current prophet Thomas S. Monson.  When you think about the significance that President Monson talks with our Savior about what OUR SAVIOR would have us (the members of His church) know for our protection and guidance in our current lives it is something miraculous and so REAL.  Today we would like to share this video of our prophet testifying of the reality that Christ LIVES.  The prophets in the scriptures testify of this reality.  And in our dispensation Joseph Smith testified that he saw God the Father and his son Jesus Christ.  Watch President Monson's powerful testimony of the reality of the living Son of God.  Happy Tuesday!

Click on this link to watch President Monson's testimony.

MEDITATION MONDAYS: Go in Peace

We reflect today back on the presentation of "Women at the Well," that was put on at this past Stake Relief Society Conference.  There is a song that Sister Liz Nelson sang that was so moving.  Her voice coupled with the lyrics struck a chord in all of us.  We as sisters feel guilt for everything.  Yet the Savior gives us these words "Go in Peace."  We are to lay our guilt down immediately at his feet and then walk away in peace.  His atonement covers all guilt.  In today's meditation we ask that each of you lay down the guilt you are carrying whether you realize it or not and move toward the peace promised us by our Savior.

1-Repeat the mantra
PEACE COMES AS I RELEASE MY GUILT TO THE SAVIOR

2-Read 2 Nephi 19:6

3-Watch the video and meditate on the guilt you hang onto in your life whether it be great or small, and decide today to release that guilt at the Saviors feet.  Handing it to him we free ourselves to let peace wash over us.

(*Note: Wish I had Liz's presentation recorded on video to share, we will have to have her do a special number for us)

4-Pray.  Release that guilt that you find yourself carrying today by asking in prayer and feel the peace come into your heart and mind.

Sat nam.  Have a beautiful Monday.

Pray for Kristen Myler

Sister Kristen Myler (sister of Sister Denise Larsen), has recently moved to Oregon.  She is undergoing surgery tommorow and we ask that our sisterhood in Colfax unite in prayer for Kristen Wednesday, August 26th to call on the power of heaven to be with her and to guide and assist the doctors that are involved.  Also pray for her children and extended family as all are involved.  Kristen, we love you.  You are courageous and strong and we pray the angels of heaven will surround you and support you and that you will feel the Savior close.  We will be with you in spirit and love!  XOXO!

Desk, Bookshelf, and Dresser being donated for use!

We want to let all you sisters know that Sister Jackie Miller has a desk, bookshelf, and dresser that if someone can use, she would like to give away.  If you would like these items, please contact her at 509-288-1567.  She lives in Malden on 221 SE Aires.  She also has items such as clothes and toys to donate to anyone collecting for relief from the fires.  If anyone can pick these items up, it would be appreciated.  If you have any questions, you can contact Audrey Kolb at 509-288-1924.  You can also leave comments below post with who is interested in helping pick up items or who is interested in the desk, bookshelf, and dresser.  Thanks sisters!

Testimony Tuesdays: The Sabbath Day

We want to share our testimony of the importance of the Sabbath Day and keeping it as a simple day full of more worship, more family time, and more focus on the Savior.  In our world and our daily lives there are distractions of every kind and things that draw us away from what matters most.  The church website has a blog post that is running a campaign on the #bestday.  We know as you start making the Sabbath Day your #bestday by throwing out the distractions and simplifying the day by keeping the focus on what matters most that we can be blessed with increased love and happiness.  And who doesn't want a little more love and happiness!!!!!  Watch the video and spread your testimony about the importance of keeping the #bestday, the Sabbath Day, a day focused on what matters most!

To watch the video go to the following link, then read this blog post on suggestions on how to become more aware on keeping the Sabbath Day a holy day and the #bestday.
http://bcove.me/sapxnl07

Share your testimony now and leave comments in the comment field below on how you or your family make the Sabbath Day the #bestday!

Meditation Monday: I Am a Child of God

Today we would like to reflect on the most basic of truths.  Each one of us is a child of God.  Do we really understand the significance of this truth?  We were created and loved by a Heavenly Father and Mother who love us and pray for us and hope for us.  As children of God, and sisters in Zion, we should remember to always wear our crowns.  As we are queens and part of deity.

Meditation Part One:  Watch the video.

Meditation Part Two:  Now close your eyes and listen to the video meditating on the ways we should always wear our crowns knowing we are His children.

Meditation Part Three:  Write these mini-Revelations down and choose one to focus on this week.  Say a prayer in closing in gratitude for your divine nature as a child of God.

Service Need This Week!!! Please Rally and Help!!!

There is an important service need in the Ward this week sisters!  We are in need of any sisters or their daughters that would be willing  to take turns helping out with Megan Phillips' kids while she is up on the roof helping out this Fri. and Sat. to tear it off.  They live in Steptoe RIGHT to the right of the little white church behind the Wheel Inn. Her cell is 503-556-4166.  THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! 

Lets create a miracle this week!!!!!!

Testimony Tuesday: The Testimony of a Southern Gal

I absolutely loved this testimony from Judy that we came across on the series by the church entitled, "I'm a Mormon."  It really touched me how she really had to regain her faith in the Savior after a tragedy hit.  We hope all of you can learn something from her example to bring your faith back to the Savior.

Faith Promoting Fridays:

If you haven't seen this video entitled, "Lift," it will definitely propel your heart into thinking of ways to serve one another and strengthen your faith in God.  Watch, it will inspire and move you.

Hope everyone had a beautiful Friday!

Wake-up Call Wednesdays: The Refiners Fire

Taken from the church's Mormon Messages, today's wake-up call helps us remember why we go through trials, pain, and suffering.  We must remember that we chose to follow Heavenly Father's plan and come to earth to gain a body, but also to gain experience.  Trials help refine us to become what he knows we can become and ultimately become like Him.  Our prayer is that this video will inspire you to remember your role in that plan as trials are part of it.  Press onward!

Testimony Tuesday: Testimony of President Henry B. Erying

Meditation Mondays: Peace begins with me

Step 1: The mantra for this week's meditation is PEACE BEGINS WITH ME.  Read this mantra out loud to yourself.  PEACE BEGINS WITH ME.  Reflect on one thing that is not peaceful currently in your life.  Think about how you can bring more peace to the situation.  Or if there is nothing you can actively do, think of how you could respond to the situation peacefully.  We always have our agency in how we are going to react to a situation or to somebody.  Write one tiny goal of action down in your journal or on a sticky note or scrap piece of paper of what you are going to do to bring more peace or respond with more peace.  ALSO write the mantra down PEACE BEGINS WITH ME on a piece of paper and carry it with you wherever you are to remind yourself of your intention for the week.  If you have sticky notes write it down 5-10 times and put it where you can see it in the places you are most in during your day.  This will help you remember.

Step 2:  Read John 14:27.  How can we access the Savior, the Atonement, to help us bring more peace into our life, and respond with more peace in situations where our natural response may not be peace?

Step 3:  Watch and listen to this song entitled "Prince of Peace," by Hillsong United.  First watch it and read the lyrics and then if you can, replay it, but this time, close your eyes and think of the mantra PEACE BEGINS WITH ME, and think of the goal you wrote down and tune into your spirit and let the Holy Spirit direct you and reveal to you what you must do.

Step 4:  Pray.  Close your meditation with a prayer and talk it out with our Father asking for access to His Son, Jesus Christ for help in your intention this week.

Namaste.  Have a beautiful Monday.

Blog Update

You are going to have some inspiration fall into your emails as we are rolling up our sleeves and putting a little more thought and dedication into our blog!  We are going to bring you a little more inspiration and awareness and love through some specific themes as we go through our week as Sisters in Zion!  Please feel free to submit stories and topics to our R.S. Blogger, Aubrey Aguilar.  You can contact her at aubreyaguilar@gmail.com, and we will incorporate anything you would like to share with our Relief Society sisters through the blog.  All we ask is that it is submitted with love and it for the intention of inspiring all.  If any of you have poetry, art, short stories, or anything that will bring beauty, unity, and love to our Ward sister we welcome all submissions!  The following will be some of the themes that you will start seeing in your inboxes!

Meditation Mondays:  A way to silent the noise in our lives and minds and tune into Spirit.  This will include a mantra (an easy thought to say to yourself to bring you back to the spirit), a scripture (to instill the gospel doctrine taught by the Savior and prophets), and a meditation.  These meditations will help us find a stillness inside that may if you choose, bring personal revelation and joy!  Not to be missed!

Testimony Tuesdays:  A testimony from church leaders including the apostles and prophets will be shared through text or video.  Each of us benefits from both sharing and listening to testimonies!

Wake-up Call Wednesdays:  This theme will help us remember who we really are, and our divine potential, and our place in the plan of salvation and what we need to remember in those instances when we forget who we really are.  This will be a broad theme that will include many dynamics and submission of your personal wake-up calls will be part of this theme to inspire and help us each remember our divine roles as Women of God.

Thank-you Thursdays:  This will focus on gratitude.  A attitude of gratitude is one of our greatest powers to access the power of God in our lives.  And it isn't always easy depending on our phase of life.  Gratitude will help us remember from where all abundance comes, and help us to see how richly blessed each of us truly is.

Full of Faith Fridays:  Submissions in this theme will be faith promoting to inspire each woman in all her various phases of sisterhood, womanhood, motherhood, and as a woman lighting the world.  Seeing the faith of others helps each of us reach higher, dream bigger, and act with more courage.  We are going to inspire some incredible changes!

Super Soul Saturdays:  This will include not just spiritual leaders of the church, but spiritual leaders throughout the world who are doing good, teaching by light, and helping to teach all of us that we must create a spiritual practice and love with compassion.  Joseph Smith taught that all knowledge through which you can feel the spirit of God is good.  The fruits of the spirit will let you know that which is true.  There are many spiritual leaders throughout the world teaching truths.  Even though they may not have the whole restored truth, they are our brothers and sisters and we can learn so much through them.  They help elevate us and lift us to higher planes.  This will results in increased compassion for all people, kindred, and tongues.  Lets learn from all who are faith promoting and bring the Spirit!

I hope you all will help us with submissions and also comments below the submissions.  This will be a way we can connect with one another during the week when many of us do not have the opportunity to see each other.  We can unite as women and learn and help and inspire one another!  See you tomorrow for our first meditation!

*Make all submission to Aubrey Aguilar @ aubreyaguilar@gmail.com.  Include your name, the submission, and which theme you would like it to be submitted to.  Submissions will be planned for posting each Sunday for the upcoming week*

Remembering President Boyd K. Packer

Audrey Kolb shared a bit from the wisdom of one of our beloved apostles in her lesson today.  She wanted to share a video highlighting his life and service.  I am not sure if this is the video she was going to share, but it is beautiful and shows the amazing example of a man completely devoted to Christ and the building of his kingdom.  May we all strive to reach a little higher and shine a little brighter and bear testimony as President Packer exemplified.  We are so thankful for him and all he taught us.

Relief Society Enrichment! Don't Miss This One!

If you have never been to one of our Enrichment Nights, you will never, ever want to miss one after you get the chance to go!  We have THE most talented women who plan these nights and each one is as if you went to a spiritual, cleansing, rejuvenating spa for the soul, body, and mind.  If you HAVE attended you know what I am talking about and I can be sure you are anxiously awaiting this upcoming enrichment night and while you are waiting you are calling all your girlfriends, your visiting teaching sisters, and any women you can think to join your carpool to arrive ready for your personal soul spa at our event next Tuesday!  And don't forget to bring a pair of your shoes with YOUR story!!!  We can't wait to see you!  And here is a quick message from Kelsey Livington with an overview of the activity and a couple important details:

"Relief Society evening meeting has been moved to Tuesday June 30th at 6:30PM. The theme is going to be "Walk a Day in My Shoes". Sisters are asked to bring a pair of shoes that can be used to tell a great story about something in your life; about a time, an event, or a meaningful person. Also bring any **gently used** shoes that you wish to donate to charity, any size and gender accepted. There will be light food, dessert and beverage served, by way of food sign-up sheets that have been circulated at church. These meetings are always fun, entertaining and spiritually uplifting. We hope you can attend."

See you all there!

Congradulations to Liz!

All of us in the Colfax Relief Society want to shower Liz with hugs and kisses on her beautiful marriage to Joseph Nelson.  Liz has shown us all her courage and determination to continue in her progression by making the goal to get married in the temple.  We all are so proud of all her effort, patience, and her shining example of keeping her eye on what Heavenly Father wanted for her as His daughter.  She not only made her Father in Heaven proud yesterday, but also all of us in the ward and is such a beautiful example to every woman of God that if we strive to do what we know to be right, and work hard toward our goals whatever they may be, we will reach that goal if we are hand in hand with the Lord.  We are so thrilled that she is staying in the ward where we all will be able to learn from her, enjoy her talents, and continue our friendship with her and her family!  Liz we are so happy and proud of you!

Because of Him

The Relief Society is extending an invitation to all to join us in our journey this week in rediscovering what the Resurrection mean to each of us individually and as a whole.  The church has invited us to participate in an Easter Campaign that testifies of the miracles and blessing that come from the greatest gift we all have been given freely.  Go to http://www.mormon.org/easter and day by day let us renew our commitments to Him that has saved us all.  The site is set up with a daily writing of what occurred up to the Savior's Resurrection starting today (Sunday) and going to the following Easter Sunday.  The videos are beautiful and stir a desire to come unto him and partake of his love.  As I have watched the videos I feel an overwhelming desire to know him personally, that I may testify of Him and be a witness and disciple of that love.  Let's discover Christ all over again this week together.  As we go through the week if anyone is willing to send us a photo and their answer to this: "Because of Him ______________" I will post your picture and your feelings that we might all be edified together in this week of celebration that HE LIVES!  Your photo and answer can be emailed to aubreyaguilar@gmail.com.  #becauseofhim

A Clothing and Household Item Giveaway

Sisters!  Kathy Nielsen let us know that this Saturday here in Colfax there will be an event for the community at a local church.  All the information is below.  What a great opportunity to not only find some things that we might need, but also to get to know others in our community.  See ya there!

TUESDAY TIPS

SCRIPTURE JOURNALS

Our Tuesday Tip today is on scripture journals.  A fantastic way to study the standard works and more specifically the New Testament this year, is to create and use a scripture journal!  Why create a scripture journal you say?  Here are a few words from the prophets and apostles on why it can be important to have a scripture journal:

Why Scripture Journal?

Elder Richard G. Scott: “We often leave the most precious personal direction of the Spirit unheard because we do not record and respond to the first promptings that come to us when the Lord chooses to direct us.”

President Spencer W. Kimball: “Get a notebook, my young folks, a journal that will last through all time, and maybe the angels may quote from it for eternity.”

Elder Gene R. Cook: “I've found, as I’m sure you have, that when you’re trying to learn from the Lord and you feel an impression from the Spirit, it’s important to make a note so it will not be forgotten. The more you not only hear but abide by what you've been told, the more the Lord will give to you. It will come more and more rapidly and you will begin to hear and feel those impressions of the Spirit more quickly than you have previously done.” 

Elder Neal A. Maxwell: “The prompting that goes unresponded to may not be repeated. Writing down what we have been prompted with is vital. A special thought can be lost later in the day through the rough and tumble of life. God should not, and may not, choose to repeat the prompting if we assign what is given such a low priority as to put it aside.”This method of scripture study can really help the scriptures come alive and help us to understand the meaning of the scriptures as well as reveal things we may not have come across by just reading the scriptures alone. 

We absolutely love the line from President Kimball when he says that the words we may record in our journals may just be quoted by angels!!!!  Imagine that!   

There are amazing templates to help us in our quest to journal our findings in the scriptures and we would like to share a few of these for those of you ready to dive a little deeper into the scriptures this year!  These templates were found from various bloggers who shared their templates and printables through Pinterest.  The link are provided.

The first FREE printable to share is one that focuses on General Conference.  This is one that could be printed and used in your study of the General Conference Addresses, which is ALSO SCRIPTURE!  

The link to this fabulous printable is from a blog named Our Scribbled Walls and you can find the link to download here,

Another very simple FREE printable comes from the blog Rock, Paper, Scriptures. 

This we love as a way to record those promptings and inspiration that comes through studying the word of God.  Click here to download this printable.

An amazing site called The Red Headed Hostess, provides some amazing and beautiful printable resources for scripture study.  And although they are not free downloads, it might be worth a few dollars for those of you who love beauty and organization.  

The link for these amazing downloads are here.  Again, there is a fee, but these are so fantastic.

There are more resources online, these are just the tip of the iceberg, and if you want to keep it super simple like a lot of us just find yourself a notebook and start recording what you are studying and the inspiration that can come so that you one day can just maybe be QUOTED BY AN ANGEL!

Tuesday January 13th Enrichment

Hello Sisters! Join us this Tuesday evening for a fun and creative presentation by the Relief Society Presidency. We guarantee a fun time for you and your friends in Relief Society as we take a unique and uplifting approach to our annual Visiting Teaching Conference.

We are grateful to Jenny Meyer for refreshments she will be serving. Come early to get a seat as we prepare for wheels up at 6:30 PM.

Date: January 13th, Tuesday

Time: 6:30 PM

Where: Colfax Ward Cultural Hall