I can't remember if I mentioned in my last post that I was once in a Relief Society presidency before...as the first counselor...in a singles ward.
For those of you not of my faith, a singles ward is just like a regular LDS congregation except there are no married members besides the bishop and his counselors who lead the ward. It's a way for single adults to interact with like-minded people of the opposite sex and hopefully find friends and possibly even a spouse.
I'm sure being the RS president of a student ward has its own set of challenges, but I know for a fact we didn't have to deal with half of what a regular, family ward has to deal with.
Pretty much since day one, compassionate service has been on the forefront of what I do. Funerals, moms having babies, sick moms with sick kids, emergency room visits, deaths in the family...all things we didn't even think about when I was in the singles ward and yet have already dealt with in the three weeks I've been in the position. Of the 21 days I've been RS Pres, I think there has only been 7 days I haven't been called about someone who needs something. It's kind of wearing.
This past week, we had an incident that left an awful taste in my mouth and a pit in my stomach. I couldn't sleep all last night for thinking about it. I made a mistake and said yes to something and got taken advantage of...more accurately, the ladies in our ward who provided the service were taken advantage of (although I pray they never realize it and receive all the blessings they deserve for their generosity).
Yesterday, Matthew and I watched an hour of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood in the morning (he's sick so we didn't go to the gym like we usually do). One of the episodes was about making mistakes; everyone makes them and the important thing to do is to fix them if you can and to learn from them.
Well, I made a mistake and am determined to learn from it. I chatted with the bishop (the leader of our congregation) and he assigned me to come up with some guidelines for our ward's compassionate service efforts.
I believe in providing service to those in need. It's one of the three fundamental purposes of the Relief Society and it is a godsend to those who give and receive the services. I was counselled recently to never turn away from an opportunity to serve; however, I fear that there are members in my congregation who are abusing this service, and it makes me sick in my heart. Already, there are ladies in my ward who are getting burned out from all the compassionate service needs of our ward (we have at least a dozen women who are expecting babies in the next few months - we provide 2 meals for each pregnancy - plus all the elderly, sick, and others).
It's only been three weeks. What is in store for me the next year or so (hopefully not too long)??
Julie :)
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Saturday, February 06, 2016
Funeral
Today I survived my first funeral luncheon as Relief Society president.
For anyone reading this who isn't LDS, the Relief Society is an organization of women in the church whose purpose is to teach the gospel and provide relief and support to the women in the church. Each congregation, known as wards, has its own Relief Society with leaders and teachers from the ward. They are all volunteers.
Last Sunday, I was called to be the president of my ward's congregation. I have mixed feelings about it, but I believe that it will be an excellent experience with a lot of hard work. I have two counselors who have specific duties as well as overall helping the ladies in the ward. After choosing my two counselors, I had to pick a Compassionate Service Coordinator. Her job is to organize help (most often meals) for sick families, women who just had a baby, and people who just had a death in the family. The gal I chose accepted the position on Tuesday, the same night I found out about a death in the ward.
Well, actually, the lady who died isn't in my ward but her daughter and ex daughter-in-law are and they requested help with the funeral. I called JaNae, the Compassionate Service Coordinator, thanked her for accepting the position and told her about the funeral. Technically, she doesn't start until being "sustained", or approved, by the congregation on Sunday, but she jumped in without worrying about it and was such a huge help.
JaNae called several women in the ward and all agreed to provide rolls, salads, baked potatoes, and desserts for the funeral and I cooked a couple hams. Everything went well and we had a lot of help before, during, and after the funeral. It was kind of stressful but was a complete success. The family and friends were so appreciative and it felt good to serve them in their hour of sadness.
I had kind of hoped to not have a funeral for a bit so I could get used to this new position, but now that it's come and gone, I'm okay that it happened my first week. Baptism by fire.
Julie :)
For anyone reading this who isn't LDS, the Relief Society is an organization of women in the church whose purpose is to teach the gospel and provide relief and support to the women in the church. Each congregation, known as wards, has its own Relief Society with leaders and teachers from the ward. They are all volunteers.
Last Sunday, I was called to be the president of my ward's congregation. I have mixed feelings about it, but I believe that it will be an excellent experience with a lot of hard work. I have two counselors who have specific duties as well as overall helping the ladies in the ward. After choosing my two counselors, I had to pick a Compassionate Service Coordinator. Her job is to organize help (most often meals) for sick families, women who just had a baby, and people who just had a death in the family. The gal I chose accepted the position on Tuesday, the same night I found out about a death in the ward.
Well, actually, the lady who died isn't in my ward but her daughter and ex daughter-in-law are and they requested help with the funeral. I called JaNae, the Compassionate Service Coordinator, thanked her for accepting the position and told her about the funeral. Technically, she doesn't start until being "sustained", or approved, by the congregation on Sunday, but she jumped in without worrying about it and was such a huge help.
JaNae called several women in the ward and all agreed to provide rolls, salads, baked potatoes, and desserts for the funeral and I cooked a couple hams. Everything went well and we had a lot of help before, during, and after the funeral. It was kind of stressful but was a complete success. The family and friends were so appreciative and it felt good to serve them in their hour of sadness.
I had kind of hoped to not have a funeral for a bit so I could get used to this new position, but now that it's come and gone, I'm okay that it happened my first week. Baptism by fire.
Julie :)
Monday, February 01, 2016
Snow Day
Last night it snowed over a foot!
Our house faces north, which means our front yard still had several inches of snow leftover from previous storms. Our backyard snow had melted enough to see all the dog poop we hadn't picked up because of the snow. I was going to pick it up this weekend but didn't get around to it. Now it is once again covered and who knows when the snow will melt again.
School in the county, including the university, are closed for the day. That almost never happens in Utah, despite all the snow we get. I don't remember ever missing school because of snow when I was a kid. My freshman year at the U, there was a snow day, the first in over 20 years. I had gone to an early morning meeting at my church, trudging through the thick snow from my dorms, and didn't hear about classes being canceled until I was back in my room.
Steve's work texted him this morning and said he could choose whether or not to go to work today. He waffled awhile before choosing to go to work. I guess I didn't hide my disappointment well, because he came back inside a moment later announcing he was staying home! Yay! I want to do something special to commemorate the day. I don't know what yet. :)
Happy snow day!
Julie :)
Our house faces north, which means our front yard still had several inches of snow leftover from previous storms. Our backyard snow had melted enough to see all the dog poop we hadn't picked up because of the snow. I was going to pick it up this weekend but didn't get around to it. Now it is once again covered and who knows when the snow will melt again.
School in the county, including the university, are closed for the day. That almost never happens in Utah, despite all the snow we get. I don't remember ever missing school because of snow when I was a kid. My freshman year at the U, there was a snow day, the first in over 20 years. I had gone to an early morning meeting at my church, trudging through the thick snow from my dorms, and didn't hear about classes being canceled until I was back in my room.
Steve's work texted him this morning and said he could choose whether or not to go to work today. He waffled awhile before choosing to go to work. I guess I didn't hide my disappointment well, because he came back inside a moment later announcing he was staying home! Yay! I want to do something special to commemorate the day. I don't know what yet. :)
Happy snow day!
Julie :)
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Two Firsts...sort of
Good morning!
This morning we experienced a semi - momentous event; Matt went pee on the potty! Kind of. When we came home from the gym, I changed his diaper and told him that someday he'll go pee in the potty not a diaper. He then told me he wanted to go pee on the potty right then. So, I didn't put a diaper on him and put him on the little potty we got him a couple months ago. It looked like he was going to pee right away, but he didn't. He tooted quite a bit so I thought maybe he'd poop in the potty. Nope. He sat on the potty for an hour.
I know it seems a bit anti-climatic but it really is a big step. It was the first time he ever sat in the potty without pants and with the purpose of actually going pee. Usually he's obviously pretending. I think his bladder just got a little shy. Hopefully, he continues to make these little steps and we can start potty training in awhile.
The other first actually happened; we had Family Home Evening for the first time last night. I had asked Steve last week if we could start doing it weekly and he said ok. He's so supportive. After the gym yesterday morning, I went to Deseret Book and bought some things for lessons and activities with a toddler. After dinner and cleanup, we gathered in the living room. I said a prayer, told a story from the Book of Mormon with pictures, and then we played a new game while sipping on our treat - strawberry/banana/chocolate smoothies. The game was Noah's Ark Dominoes. Matt really liked it and we all had fun. We ended with a prayer then went downstairs to watch the movie Cars for the millionth time until Matt's bedtime.
As Matt gets older, there will be so many things pulling at us, so many time commitments that will interfere with family time. I really want to make FHE such an ingrained part of our lives that we'll do it even when our lives get crazier than they are right now. I believe it's important to have that family time that also focuses on the gospel. I really really appreciate Steve's willingness to go along with it.
I am always looking for potty training tips and FHE with a toddler ideas if you have any. :)
Julie :)
This morning we experienced a semi - momentous event; Matt went pee on the potty! Kind of. When we came home from the gym, I changed his diaper and told him that someday he'll go pee in the potty not a diaper. He then told me he wanted to go pee on the potty right then. So, I didn't put a diaper on him and put him on the little potty we got him a couple months ago. It looked like he was going to pee right away, but he didn't. He tooted quite a bit so I thought maybe he'd poop in the potty. Nope. He sat on the potty for an hour.
I know it seems a bit anti-climatic but it really is a big step. It was the first time he ever sat in the potty without pants and with the purpose of actually going pee. Usually he's obviously pretending. I think his bladder just got a little shy. Hopefully, he continues to make these little steps and we can start potty training in awhile.
The other first actually happened; we had Family Home Evening for the first time last night. I had asked Steve last week if we could start doing it weekly and he said ok. He's so supportive. After the gym yesterday morning, I went to Deseret Book and bought some things for lessons and activities with a toddler. After dinner and cleanup, we gathered in the living room. I said a prayer, told a story from the Book of Mormon with pictures, and then we played a new game while sipping on our treat - strawberry/banana/chocolate smoothies. The game was Noah's Ark Dominoes. Matt really liked it and we all had fun. We ended with a prayer then went downstairs to watch the movie Cars for the millionth time until Matt's bedtime.
As Matt gets older, there will be so many things pulling at us, so many time commitments that will interfere with family time. I really want to make FHE such an ingrained part of our lives that we'll do it even when our lives get crazier than they are right now. I believe it's important to have that family time that also focuses on the gospel. I really really appreciate Steve's willingness to go along with it.
I am always looking for potty training tips and FHE with a toddler ideas if you have any. :)
Julie :)
Tuesday, January 05, 2016
Sing Song Boy
I have been singing to Matthew since he was in the womb. I sing church songs, traditional kids' songs, songs I made up just for Matthew, and a couple songs my dad used to sing to us when we were little. At first, I dreamed about him singing along with me when he got older, but as he grew, he showed no interest in my songs. They helped calm him and prepare him for bed, but he didn't seem to care about the actual songs.
Goes to show how kids pick up on things without parents realizing it sometimes.
Sometime last Fall, Matthew started making noises like he was singing while I sang. Then, in November, I started singing a song and Matthew repeated a word I had just sung. My heart almost burst. He continued to repeat the last word of each phrase and sometimes he'd sing the word before I did. He actually knew the song! I sang some more songs and he did the same thing. I taught him a couple church songs that have actions, and he picked them up quickly.
Christmas time was fun. He loved the Christmas carols, especially Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer which he continues to request. He used to sing the last word of each phrase until my nephew Porter taught him the phrase "like a light bulb", so now that's all he'll say...except "ho ho ho" at the right time. It's pretty stinking cute.
I love that Matthew likes to sing. He really gets into it sometimes, too; holding out the note, singing loudly, doing actions. I hope he continues to enjoy it. Steve and I don't have the best singing voices, so Matthew may not be the best singer either, but who cares. As long as he enjoys it. And who knows, maybe he'll be pretty good.
Goes to show how kids pick up on things without parents realizing it sometimes.
Sometime last Fall, Matthew started making noises like he was singing while I sang. Then, in November, I started singing a song and Matthew repeated a word I had just sung. My heart almost burst. He continued to repeat the last word of each phrase and sometimes he'd sing the word before I did. He actually knew the song! I sang some more songs and he did the same thing. I taught him a couple church songs that have actions, and he picked them up quickly.
Christmas time was fun. He loved the Christmas carols, especially Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer which he continues to request. He used to sing the last word of each phrase until my nephew Porter taught him the phrase "like a light bulb", so now that's all he'll say...except "ho ho ho" at the right time. It's pretty stinking cute.
I love that Matthew likes to sing. He really gets into it sometimes, too; holding out the note, singing loudly, doing actions. I hope he continues to enjoy it. Steve and I don't have the best singing voices, so Matthew may not be the best singer either, but who cares. As long as he enjoys it. And who knows, maybe he'll be pretty good.
Saturday, January 02, 2016
Happy 2016!!
Happy New Year's Everyone!
Yes, I know I'm a day late. However, I'm just impressed that I'm only a day late. Writing has been lower on my to-do list lately, but I plan to do it more often now that the holidays are over and I can crochet more leisurely now.
Did you have a fun celebration for the new year? Steve and I had planned on going out to dinner New Year's Eve and then catching the new Star Wars movies, but our babysitter canceled. We had asked my mom to babysit, but she had knee replacement surgery a few weeks ago and wasn't sure she was up for watching Matt after all. After we tried my dad and he was busy, we decided to stay home and have a relaxing evening at home. We put Matt to bed, and then played games and watched Frasier on Netflix. We weren't sure we'd make it to midnight but perservered and saw the ball in time square drop (2 hours after it actually did, but who cares).
Yesterday, I took Matt to the gym and then to JoAnn's to buy yarn for the next afghan I'm making. I couldn't resist. I knew I'd be watching a lot of tv and just couldn't stand the idea of not crocheting for some of the time. When we came home, I discovered Steve cleaning the whole house. He insisted that I shower and get ready while he continued to clean. I had a date with my little sister, Macey, to watch the original Star Wars movies at our house at 11am. She had NEVER seen them before!! I couldn't believe it.
It was fun to sit with her and watch them. She knew some of the basic "secrets" of the series and several quotes but had never seen them. I have both the remastered version and the original version, and I chose to have her watch the original this time...to see them the way they were first created. She laughed at some of the silliness of them, and I didn't mind. I love the shows but am not so devoted that I couldn't see it too. We were only able to watch the first two because she had plans with friends, and I know how important friends are when you're 17. I offered to let her take Return of the Jedi with her to watch when she wants, but she declined and asked if she could come back sometime to watch it with me. I was thrilled! Macey is a great gal and I definitely want to be closer to her. It was so nice to sit with her, chat a bit, and pig out on leftover candy and popcorn. Steve kept Matt upstairs the whole time. He is such a great man.
After Macey left, we played as a family for awhile. My mom came over for dinner and played Trivial Pursuit with us after Matt went to bed.
Today, we've taken it easy. I'm still in my pjs and didn't put Matt in clothes until after lunch. Steve is at my brother's house playing games and watching football. Matt and I were invited too, but I wanted Steve to get some time to himself, too. He is always either working or playing with Matt, so he needed a break, even if he didn't realize it.
So, I'm on my own for a bit. Matt is sleeping...he was grumpy all morning so I knew he would fall asleep easily, and he did. After I finish writing, I'm going to crochet a bit and possibly read, depending on how long Matt sleeps. Aaaahhh. Relaxation.
I hope everyone has a wonderful 2016!!!
Yes, I know I'm a day late. However, I'm just impressed that I'm only a day late. Writing has been lower on my to-do list lately, but I plan to do it more often now that the holidays are over and I can crochet more leisurely now.
Did you have a fun celebration for the new year? Steve and I had planned on going out to dinner New Year's Eve and then catching the new Star Wars movies, but our babysitter canceled. We had asked my mom to babysit, but she had knee replacement surgery a few weeks ago and wasn't sure she was up for watching Matt after all. After we tried my dad and he was busy, we decided to stay home and have a relaxing evening at home. We put Matt to bed, and then played games and watched Frasier on Netflix. We weren't sure we'd make it to midnight but perservered and saw the ball in time square drop (2 hours after it actually did, but who cares).
Yesterday, I took Matt to the gym and then to JoAnn's to buy yarn for the next afghan I'm making. I couldn't resist. I knew I'd be watching a lot of tv and just couldn't stand the idea of not crocheting for some of the time. When we came home, I discovered Steve cleaning the whole house. He insisted that I shower and get ready while he continued to clean. I had a date with my little sister, Macey, to watch the original Star Wars movies at our house at 11am. She had NEVER seen them before!! I couldn't believe it.
It was fun to sit with her and watch them. She knew some of the basic "secrets" of the series and several quotes but had never seen them. I have both the remastered version and the original version, and I chose to have her watch the original this time...to see them the way they were first created. She laughed at some of the silliness of them, and I didn't mind. I love the shows but am not so devoted that I couldn't see it too. We were only able to watch the first two because she had plans with friends, and I know how important friends are when you're 17. I offered to let her take Return of the Jedi with her to watch when she wants, but she declined and asked if she could come back sometime to watch it with me. I was thrilled! Macey is a great gal and I definitely want to be closer to her. It was so nice to sit with her, chat a bit, and pig out on leftover candy and popcorn. Steve kept Matt upstairs the whole time. He is such a great man.
After Macey left, we played as a family for awhile. My mom came over for dinner and played Trivial Pursuit with us after Matt went to bed.
Today, we've taken it easy. I'm still in my pjs and didn't put Matt in clothes until after lunch. Steve is at my brother's house playing games and watching football. Matt and I were invited too, but I wanted Steve to get some time to himself, too. He is always either working or playing with Matt, so he needed a break, even if he didn't realize it.
So, I'm on my own for a bit. Matt is sleeping...he was grumpy all morning so I knew he would fall asleep easily, and he did. After I finish writing, I'm going to crochet a bit and possibly read, depending on how long Matt sleeps. Aaaahhh. Relaxation.
I hope everyone has a wonderful 2016!!!
2016 Resolutions - January
A few days ago, I was watching The Today Show while working out at the gym. Someone was on the show talking about weigh loss resolutions and somethings to do and not to do with them. One thing he said was to not try to change too many things at one, and another was to shoot for short periods of time, like a month, instead of the whole year. I liked both ideas and decided to incorporate them. Hopefully, I'll remember to set goals every month throughout the year.
One reason I like the idea of monthly goals is the flexibility in changing something that doesn't work without seeming to have failed. If a resolution isn't helping me or is too challenging, I can tell myself to just stick with it for a little while longer, to the end of the month, and then I can try something else.
I also have decided upon a Theme for 2016. The past two years my theme has been Kindness; first to those around me, even strangers, and then focusing on being kind to myself. They've been my only resolutions and I feel I've done well with them, although there is always room for improvement. This year my theme is Faith not Fear. I had a Sunday School lesson about this and I realized how much fear I have; fear that Steve or Matt will die, that I will die and leave my child without a mom, that the world is so mixed up and crazy, that I'm not doing enough to teach my child, etc. So, Faith Not Fear is a good thing for me to focus on throughout the year.
My January Resolutions:
1. Eat one apple a day and have one serving of vegetables with both lunch and dinner.
2. Eat only one sugary treat a day. This doesn't include fruits and honey.
3. One day a week, no sugar. Again, fruit and honey don't apply.
4. Remember Christ more. My Relief Society lesson next week touches on this and I'm still working out how I'm going to accomplish it.
5. If I can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.
Do you do resolutions/goals? I know it's kind of going out of fashion, but I still like it. If you do them, Good Luck!!!
Julie :)
One reason I like the idea of monthly goals is the flexibility in changing something that doesn't work without seeming to have failed. If a resolution isn't helping me or is too challenging, I can tell myself to just stick with it for a little while longer, to the end of the month, and then I can try something else.
I also have decided upon a Theme for 2016. The past two years my theme has been Kindness; first to those around me, even strangers, and then focusing on being kind to myself. They've been my only resolutions and I feel I've done well with them, although there is always room for improvement. This year my theme is Faith not Fear. I had a Sunday School lesson about this and I realized how much fear I have; fear that Steve or Matt will die, that I will die and leave my child without a mom, that the world is so mixed up and crazy, that I'm not doing enough to teach my child, etc. So, Faith Not Fear is a good thing for me to focus on throughout the year.
My January Resolutions:
1. Eat one apple a day and have one serving of vegetables with both lunch and dinner.
2. Eat only one sugary treat a day. This doesn't include fruits and honey.
3. One day a week, no sugar. Again, fruit and honey don't apply.
4. Remember Christ more. My Relief Society lesson next week touches on this and I'm still working out how I'm going to accomplish it.
5. If I can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.
Do you do resolutions/goals? I know it's kind of going out of fashion, but I still like it. If you do them, Good Luck!!!
Julie :)
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