TUSCANY WARD

*RELIEF SOCIETY* NEWSLETTER

January 2013
Visiting Teaching Message
Latter-day Saints are sent forth to labor in (the Lords) vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men, which includes missionary work. We dont need a formal mission call to share the gospel. Others whose lives will be blessed by the gospel surround us, and as we prepare ourselves, the Lord will use us. Visiting teachers can embrace their spiritual responsibilities and help bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Our purpose is still the same as when the Prophet Joseph Smith organized the Relief Society in 1842; women were not only to look after the poor but also to save souls. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, The Lord entrusts a testimony of the truth to those who will share it with others. Even more, the Lord expects the members of His Church to open (their mouths) at all times, declaring (His) gospel with the sound of rejoicingSometimes a single phrase of testimony can set events in motion that affect someones life for eternity. In the 1970s Olga Kovarova of Czechoslovakia was a doctoral student and hungry for a deeper spiritual life. She noticed 75 year old Otakar Vojkuvka, a Latter-day Saint. He appeared 75 in age, but she said that his heart was nearer to eighteen and full of joy. This was unusual since Czechoslovakia was full of cynicism at that time. Olga asked him how he and his family found joy. He introduced her to the members of the Church and gave her a Book of Mormon. She read it and was soon baptized. Since that time Olga has been an influence for good in a world of political oppression and religious persecution, serving faithfully in the Relief Society and helping to bring others to Christ. Do you follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost as you share your testimony with the sisters you visit?

January Calendar
3~ Threads of Gold 11 am Stake Center for sisters 60+years; Guest is Sis. Floto speaking about "Life's Lessons Learned"; Luncheon served 5~ Women's Volleyball game 9:45 am at the Stake Center 6~ Sunday meeting schedule change to 11 am-2 pm block 12~ Womens Volleyball game 9:45 am 13~ Ward Conference 13~ Eight is Great for all children turning 8 years old in 2013; 5:30 pm in the Primary Room 13~ Priesthood Preview for boys turning 12 years old in 2013; 6:30 pm at the Stake Center 19~ Womens Volleyball game 9:45 am 25~ Stake Temple night - 8 pm Endowment session 26~ Womens Volleyball game 9:00 am (Sub)

January Lesson Schedule

6~ Presidency Message 13~ Ward Conference 20~ TP Lorenzo Snow #1 27~ TFOT Nov 2012 Ensign Pres. Uchtdorf: Of Regrets and Resolutions

Young Women Babysitters for Hire

Katelynn Chanhthala- 17 570-1653 cell Lexie Gold-17 887-1051, 559-8939 cell Liz Wagner-17 639-5908 Emma Stanley-16 345-5667, 371-6286 cell Katie Dougal-16 639-5949, 830-6251 cell Kensie Gold-15 887-1051, 401-4176 Natassja Yearsley- 15 887-9411 Natasha Larsen- 15 287-8272, 340-7929 cell Kaylee Oneida-15 571-2225 text Malisza Martin-15 854-7771 Grace Hill- 12 440-4171 Megan Clayton-12 288-4381, 571-5578 cell Kaylee Anderson-12 672-8556
Rachel Smith- 12 888-2657, 841-4341 cell

Happy Birthday
8~ Patty Hambelton 12~ Marissa Lewis 13~ Christina Martin 16~ Marci Smith 17~ Laura Neider 22~ Janica Harris 25~ Kylee Bendorf 26~ Debbie Field 29~ Marnie Kiehl 30~ Amanda Birkinbine

Please visit www.tuscanywomen.blogspot.com

*Message from the Presidency*

Now is the time for each of us to work toward our personal conversion, toward becoming what our Heavenly Father desires us to become." -Elder Dallin H. Oaks. Happy New Year, sisters. I often look forward to January for its calming effects. It is a time of reflection, a time of evaluation, a time to rededicate ourselves to who we want to become. The start of a new year is a good time to take stock of our lives. Where are we now and where do we want to be? It can be an overwhelming process. There are so many things I would like to become. More patient, more kind, more learned, more diligent, more industrious, less idle. But perhaps the most important desire I have is to become a better disciple of Christ. This, of course, is a life long pursuit. Becoming what God expects us to become can be daunting. Luckily, we just need to start where we are and go forward. Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, "The first step on the path of discipleship begins, luckily enough, in the exact place where we stand!" The past two years, my children have taken on a spring project growing butterflies in a small habitat. We purchase tiny caterpillars and watch the transformation begin. The caterpillars eat and gather sustenance as they grow. Then they begin spinning their chrysalis. The process seems like a lot of work. But that is not enough. After they are wrapped tightly in their chrysalis, a period of stillness and waiting occurs. My children watch patiently day after day for the butterflies to emerge. It is a combination of hard work and patience that finally allows the caterpillar to be transformed into what God intended it to be. It becomes more than just a caterpillar. Our own personal transformation will take effort on our part. It will also require patience. We have to leave behind what we are right now to become what we are truly meant to be. This New Year let us reflect on the journey ahead. Ponder the steps that are necessary to move closer to what God wants us to become. You sisters in this ward are magnificent, a force of good and light. Together, I believe that we can become even more. My love to you, Sister Alicia Lowry