Announcements:
We have our first RS enrichment meeting of the year THIS Wednesday evening at 7.30pm. All welcome.
Just a few days left to complete your VT - please can we have your reports as soon as possible so we can see how the sisters on your list are doing. We appreciate all that you do for your Sisters.
A reminder that we are supporting Post Pals this year (see the last blog post for details of how to take part with your family).
Sister Maureen Folley needs to go to Norwich for dental sedation on Sat 1st March (the date has changed) at 11am. If anyone can help with transport please speak to Mo.
Lesson:
What a wonderful lesson we had today from Sister Annie Green based on Elder Holland's talk from General Conference 'Like a Broken Vessel'.
To read the talk please click HERE
Within this talk Elder Holland speaks of an issue that has touched many sisters and their families, that of depression and mental illness. So often it is something we find hard to admit to for a variety of reasons. Elder Holland said
"There should be no more shame in acknowledging them than in acknowledging a battle with high blood pressure or the sudden appearance of a malignant tumour."
We discussed the various reasons this might be the case - sometimes we feel weak, or it is because of others fear of ignorance of mental illness. But Elder Holland was very firm in pointing out that we do not have to be ashamed of it and that we all have one person we can turn to, the One who can make "our own suffering first bearable, then understandable, and finally redemptive." What a blessing to have a Saviour who not only made it possible for us to have life here so we can in turn gain exaltation but who also is ever willing to assist us every step of the way, no matter what our personal struggle may be.
Elder Holland shared some wonderful advice, advice we could do with reading again and again:
"Above all never lose faith in your Father in Heaven who loves you more than you can comprehend. As President Monson said to the RS sisters so movingly last Saturday evening, 'That love never changes...it is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful, God's love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve it. it is simply always there' Never, ever doubt that and never harden your heart. Faithfully pursue the time-tested devotional practices that bring the Spirit of the Lord into your life. Seek the counsel of those who hold keys for your spiritual well-being. Ask for and cherish priesthood blessings. Take the sacrament every week and hold fast to he perfecting promises of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Believe in miracles. I have seen so many of them come when every other indication would say that hope was lost. Hope is NEVER lost. If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all, remember the Saviour's own anguished example - if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead."
What wonderful counsel.
Elder Holland also spoke of Stephanie Nielson, a sister who after a terrible accident learned to cherish every day. She became a wonderful 'Mummy Blogger' - You can watch Stephanie speak of her experiences HERE.
This wonderful talk ends with the counsel "may we live by faith, hold fast to hope and show compassion one of another."
May we ever hold on tight to our Saviour as we face the challenges we have in life.
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