The Thick of Thin Things

From President Thomas S. Monson

I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives.

In the October 1963 general conference—the conference at which I was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—President David O. McKay made this statement: “Man’s greatest happiness comes from losing himself for the good of others."

Often we live side by side but do not communicate heart to heart. There are those within the sphere of our own influence who, with outstretched hands, cry out, “Is there no balm in Gilead?”

I am confident it is the intention of each member of the Church to serve and to help those in need. At baptism we covenanted to “bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light.” How many times has your heart been touched as you have witnessed the need of another? How often have you intended to be the one to help? And yet how often has day-to-day living interfered and you’ve left it for others to help, feeling that “oh, surely someone will take care of that need.”

We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we’re doing, we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the “thick of thin things.” In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes.

Many years ago I heard a poem which has stayed with me, by which I have tried to guide my life. It’s one of my favorites:

I have wept in the night
For the shortness of sight
That to somebody’s need made me blind;
But I never have yet
Felt a tinge of regret
For being a little too kind.

My brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.

STRAWBERRY JAM RECIPE

3 1/4 cups strawberries (blended which is easier or smashed)
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 box of pectin(stir while adding)
Add these ingredients to a bowl and let set for 30 min.
Stir every 10 min or so to dissolve pectin. After 30 min pour in pan and add:
1 cup of Karo or corn syrup(helps prevent crystallization during freezing)
4 1/2 cups of sugar(stir in gradually)
Stir all ingredients until heated to baby bottle temp (a little warmer than luke warm). After heated, pour into the container or jar of choice.
Makes approx. 2 3/4 quarts of Jam
I like to double recipe(It goes faster)
Enjoy!

Thanks Sister Barzee (and thanks to your grandmother too!)

Strawberry Jam

At last night's RS meeting (which was fun and YUMMY!), Sister Barzee made some FANTASTIC Strawberry freezer jam for us to sample!

The recipe with specific measurements will be posted here soon!

The Church recently released a new website - http://combatingpornography.org/cp/eng/

Today's quote -
A good woman knows that she does not have enough time, energy, or opportunity to take care of all of the people or do all of the worthy things her heart yearns to do. Life is not calm for most women, and each day seems to require the accomplishment of a million things, most of which are important. A good woman must constantly resist alluring and deceptive messages from many sources telling her that she is entitled to more time away from her responsibilities and that she deserves a life of greater ease and independence. But with personal revelation, she can prioritize correctly and navigate this life confidently.

----Sister Julie B. Beck, General Relief Society President, April 2010 General Conference

Come JAM with us!

Tonight - Tuesday May 18th - we will be getting cooking tips, canning info, and making strawberry jam. WHAT FUN !!! We really hope you'll be there!
Bring a friend!

Ward Conference

The Statesville Ward Conference is this Sunday, May 16th. There will be a luncheon after church. If you have not been asked to bring a main dish, please bring a dessert.

We will be having a Relief Society meeting on Tuesday, May 18th, at 6:30 PM.

Meeting tonight!

Tuesday, February 23rd 6:30 PM -

"Change of Heart"

Reminder!

Tonight is the last night to bring your gently used items for the swap and shop that is going to be this Saturday (December 5th) from 8:30 AM to noon!