Love and Serve Others - at Christmastime and Always

Moroni 7:47 “But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.”

Charity is defined as the pure love of Christ. The Savior loves every one of us. During this holiday season, I have tried to see other individuals the way that the Savior would see them. I have tried to have more charity towards others. I have tried to look outside of myself and to serve others. I want to be more like my Savior and I know that serving others is one way that I can do that. I try to have charity towards others throughout the year, but I'm not always the best at it. This holiday season I've tried really hard to be better at looking outside of myself and feeling charity towards others.

The “Light the World” service was a great start towards having more charity towards others. Upon first seeing the videos, I was inspired and excited to serve those around me. As I began looking for ways to serve others each day, I found that it became so much easier not only to serve others but to serve them in various ways. Not only did I find ways to serve based on the theme for the day, but I found many other ways to serve as well. Sometimes I get so bogged down with my life that I don’t look outside of myself and my trials. I’ve been reminded during this holiday season that when I look around me and serve others, God blesses me in ways that I would never have imagined! I have really reflected on the Savior and his love for ALL this month. He truly loves everyone, no matter our circumstances.

Sisters, I love each of you so much. I am so grateful to serve in the Relief Society presidency, mostly because it gives me more opportunities to get to know each of you. Each of you is a daughter of God and he loves you. He loves you so much! As I have gotten to know you wonderful sisters better, I have had a small glimpse of the love the Savior has for you. My favorite part of this calling is going on RS visits because I get to sit in your homes and learn all about you. I always leave your homes so happy to have been there and to have felt of your spirit. I feel lifted after each visit. If I feel this way, I can’t even imagine what the Savior feels for each of you, for each of us. He loves us so much that we can’t even comprehend the love that he has for us. I’m grateful that I’m able to feel even a small portion of that love that he has.

Sisters, I love you. I hope that each of you has had a wonderful Christmas today. As we continue through the holiday season and on to the new year, I hope that each of us with show a little more charity and love towards one another.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

To Give and to Receive the Gift of Love

My mom was just a couple of years younger than I am now when she found out her five year old, Brant, had cancer. It was right after Halloween, and the assumption was that his tummy ache resulted from too much candy or from "rough-housing" (as we called it) with the other boys in the basement. She sent him to kindergarten the following day because it was picture day, but the principal called even before the half day was over to let her know she should probably come pick him up. Now she sat in the doctor's office by herself (my dad was traveling for work), and got the news that they needed to get him to Primary Children's Hospital right away.

The next three months were a bit of a blur. My mom spent a good part of that time in Utah while Dad balanced work responsiblities and shuffled 6 other children, including a nursing baby, between neighbors, relatives, and friends--all while trying to make his way at any opportunity to make his own trips to Utah in support of my mom and his sick, young son.

I was four at the time and have just a few memories of that holiday season. I remember our home teachers bringing dinner each week from their restaurant, Dale E. O's. One evening they showed up with a large, black garbage bag full of stuffed animals, one for each child. I remember the quilt that the Primary children made; each had drawn a picture wishing Brant well, which had been transferred to a beautiful white quilt that looked like fluffy, white, entertaining goodness to a four year old. My parents came home from the hospital with my brother for a time, and I remember them bringing a sucker tree, made by Scouts in Utah who had delivered the gift to children in the hospital. Clay Santas and candy canes and manger boxes--along with real suckers--adorned the tree. I remember spending nights at Aunt Lynda's, Aunt Connie's, and Grandma's houses. I remember seeing the lights on Temple Square and then visiting Brant in the hospital. He had tubes coming from everywhere and though his eyes were closed, Dad assured me it was okay to say hi to him--he could hear me.

These are the few memories I have. Each year as we reminisce about that time, more details emerge from those who remember better. A bus carrying Brant's classmates from Tyhee Elementary showed up in our driveway. He stood at the door in his red, one-piece Santa pajamas and handed a candy cane to each child as they entered the house. They sang to him, as did the mutal youth another evening. Three Santas came that year. A plate (of sorts) was passed around to collect finanical support from the high priest group. Brant's school teacher visited a couple of times a week when he was home to keep him to speed with the other children. Meals arrived each day for three months, even when my mother claimed she was home and volunteered to give the ward a break. Our neighbor, Karla, is the one who piled the six of us in her car and hauled us to Salt Lake to visit our brother and see the lights. Visiting teachers, home teachers, neighbors, church leaders, classmates, friends, and strangers soon-to-be-friends helped in any way that they could.

To have been the recipients of so much love, sacrifice, and Christlike compassion warms our hearts each year at holiday time. I feel encouraged by the goodness of mankind--their selflessness and thoughtfulness. To receive love, kindness, and so many gifts--tangible and not--builds my faith in Heavenly Father, my desire to be like those who serve Him by serving others. I think of the Savior and am touched by those who follow in his footsteps. Those who served were touched as well. A couple of years ago my parents received a card in the mail. Anonymously a friend had donated to the Ronald McDonald House in memory of Brant. As I look around, there are countless opportunities to extend that love to others: a listening ear, a word of encouragement, a hug, a smile, a thoughtful note, warm blankets, food to eat, or even a bag full of toys. The very best gift is the love of the Savior that we feel as we give and as we receive.

 

Angels at Christmastime - Katrina Smith

Dear Sisters of the Oak Hills 8th Relief Society,

Oh how we love you.  We think about you and pray for you daily.  I feel it a privilege and honor to be able to write and share a brief message during this special time of year.

These past few weeks, my testimony of angels has increased immensely.  I believe they are sent to help us and are more involved in our lives than we realize.  I love the scripture in D&C 84:88 which reads, "...I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."  I love the stories told of pioneers who experienced the help of angels as they crossed the plains.  One man expressed, "I have pulled my handcart when I was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one foot ahead of the other.  I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill slope and I have said, I can go only that far and there I must give up, for I cannot pull the load through it. ... I have gone on to that sand and when I reached it, the cart began pushing me.  I have looked back many times to see who was pushing my cart, but my eyes saw no one.  I knew then that the angels of God were there."

I testify that angels are sent to help us as we push the handcarts of our day.

Speaking of angels, Elder Holland states, "Usually such beings are not seen.  Sometimes they are.  But seen or unseen they are always near.  Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world.  Sometimes the messages are more private.  Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times."

Elder Holland goes on to talk about how angles are not just limited to those who are on the other side of the veil.  We are surrounded by them and interact with them daily.  

May we ever recognize the love of the Lord through the ministering of his angels.  May we also find opportunities to provide angelic relief to those around us, not only during this holiday season, but throughout the year.

Merry Christmas, everyone!!!

P.S.  Here is the link to Elder Holland's wonderful talk, "Ministry of Angels":  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/the-ministry-of-angels?lang=eng

The Spirit of Christmas - Doralia Serrano

I have always looked forward to Christmas time. I love the music and the contagious good feelings that abound during this time of the year. I am amazed at the good influence that love and service have in our lives. Last Sunday, we had a wonderful Christmas program in Sacrament meeting. Thank you for sharing your talents with us! We truly have very talented people.


The choir did an excellent job!


I had the unusual opportunity to practice with the choir during rehearsals and then listen to them sing during the Sacrament meeting program. Every Sunday, Sharon helped us practice the songs/hymns we were going to sing. There were a couple of those songs that were particularly hard for us, but Sharon was always encouraging us. It is amazing the influence that kind words of encouragement and trust have in our lives. Sharon helped us and guided us during practice.  On Friday, before the Christmas program, I lost my voice and I was not able to speak for a few days. Melodic sounds were replaced by coughing cords, so singing was not an option. On Sunday, as part of the congregation, I was touched by the music. This specific time, while the choir was singing, I remember everyone’s preparation and effort. It is true that service comes in many different ways and this time it came as a result of time, effort, willingness to sing, and help from the spirit. It sounded so good!


Christmas time is the most wonderful time of the year because we are reminded of the love that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for us. We can make this wonderful time of the year last our entire lives. Challenges will come and go, there is no question about that, but the hope that we receive from the knowledge that a baby was born to bring peace and comfort to our lives can stay with us always. Jesus gave His time, effort, and willingness to serve as a present to each one of us.


This Christmas and always, lets light the world with our efforts of love and service.


Merry Christmas!


“As the Christmas season envelops us with all its glory, may we, as did the Wise Men, seek a bright, particular star to guide us to our Christmas opportunity in service to our fellowman.
May we all make the journey to Bethlehem in spirit, taking with us a tender, caring heart as our gift to the Savior.” President Thomas S Monson

This Christmas - What gifts are you going to give?

As a kid I wanted the original Nintendo for Christmas so badly I couldn't sleep at night. It was an obsession on the order of Ralphie's Red Ryder bb gun. Years later one of my favorite gifts was a jar of strawberry jam that one of my best friends gave me. I savored that for months and thought of her making that jam every time I spread it onto my toast.

In December 2003, President Monson said, “he who gives money gives much, he who gives time gives more, but he who gives of himself gives all.” The Nintendo was a gift of money and the jam represented a gift of time. 

As you think about the gifts you are going to give this year, please consider the categories that President Monson outlined (money, time, yourself) and find ways to make the gifts you give more meaningful. Please also consider giving to the "poor and needy" rather than just your family and friends. In the past our ward has raised quite a bit of money with a service auction for a Sub for Santa service project. We did not do that this year but I know many of you would still like to serve and give. There are many opportunities and organizations where you can give and serve in our community. One project in particular is to make and give blankets for the homeless to be distributed through the Food and Care Coalition. Laura Smith is organizing a blanket-making party this Saturday from 11AM - 4 PM in the Relief Society room at the stake center. Here is a link to a google form you can fill out to let Laura know how you can help. Right now there is a need for sewing machines and fleece. 

This opportunity gives us a chance to give of our time and money. But how can we give of ourselves to others and to our Father in Heaven?

We can give a listening ear, friendship, a smile, a hug, or forgiveness. Elder Eyring said, “As you forgive, you will feel the joy of being forgiven. At this Christmastime you can give and receive the gift of forgiveness. The feeling of happiness that will come will be a glimpse of what we can feel at home together in the eternal home for which we yearn.”

Our parents gave us the gift of life. Heavenly Father gave His son so that we could have everlasting life (John 3:16). He also gave us the gift of the Holy Ghost. We have been given many gifts of the spirit which we should continually strive to develop and share. We have also been given the gift of agency so we can decide if and how we want to receive these gifts. Christ gave us the greatest gift of all, the atonement which allows us to be resurrected and to repent of our sins and be forgiven. There is truly no greater gift. 

What can we give our Father in Heaven and His Son? We can give them our broken hearts and contrite spirits. We can give our will to them.

Merry Christmas, my dear friends. Please know that we love you and pray for you daily. May you feel the Lord's love for you abundantly in your lives during this holiday season and throughout the year.