RELIEF SOCIETY NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2025
PRESIDENCY MESSAGE
Dear Sisters,
Something that’s always bothered me is when people say that they “found themself” through some life experience as if they were something that was lost that was hiding somewhere, just waiting for someone to come along and be like “Oh! Here you are!”
You create who you are. You create your own meaning. You don’t just find a different version of yourself that existed all along hiding under a rock or behind a tree.
Once I went and saw a famous author, Carol Lynn Pearson, speak about her trials. She told a story about how she wrote a poem one day when she was feeling overwhelming despair in her life, and all it said was:
“I dim, I dim, I have no doubt
if someone blew, I would go out….”
I’ve always felt that on some level, I could relate to that tiny poem. Sometimes just a tiny little flame
feeling weak and tired and sad, barely flickering. I don’t think I’ve ever understood it more than I do
right now.
That isn’t the end of her story, though. I think it was about a decade later that Ms. Pearson added a second line to her poem to conclude it. It goes:
“I did not.
I must be stronger than I thought.”
I’m obviously not as eloquent as Ms. Pearson, but like her, I’m waiting for the second passage to my writing. Waiting for the conclusion that makes the beginning of the poem have even more meaning.
Turns it into a life lesson. And it isn’t about “finding myself”. It’s about being okay with how things are instead of wanting the things that I can’t have. It’s about getting through all the hard times and trying to not be too angry at all the disappointing things that may come our way.
If I truly believe you create who you are instead of finding yourself, I guess the best thing I can do is create something better for me than I’ve done so far. And maybe if I share that, someone somewhere who is struggling might read this and realize that they aren’t alone. Hopefully we’ll be able to create a happier ending to our poem, just like Carol Lynn Pearson.
To quote Osho, “When I say be creative, I don’t mean that you should all go and become great paintings and great poets. I simply mean let your life be a painting. Let your life be a poem.”
With all my love,
Shannon
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sept 13th Day of Service
Sept 20th Endowment Session 9:00 am be there by 8:30
Sept 21st Stake Conference Adult session Sept 20 at 5:30
Stake Conference choir practice Sundays at 3:00pm
Sept 27th Fall Festival
BAPTISMS
Milaya Alder Sept 6th at 10.00 am
Maycie Burgess Sept 6th 11:00 am
FAMILY HISTORY
“Understanding the eternal nature of the temple will draw you to your family. Understanding the eternal nature of the family will draw you to the temple.” Elder Gary E. Stevenson, Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples
When we choose to do the sacred work of family history and/or temple attendance, we are acting on the invitation of our prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, to “Think Celestial.” We have been promised both earthly and eternal blessings when we choose to participate in these worthy causes.
“While temple and family history work has the power to bless those beyond the veil, it has an equal power to bless the living. It has a refining influence on those who are engaged in it. They are literally helping to exalt their families.”
Russell M. Nelson
WARD CLEANING SCHEDULE
Sept 6th
Connor & Lexi Holt
Deb Hutchison
Sam & Caitlin Ingram
Gordon & Barbara Jacobsen
Sept 13th & 20th
Ken & Jakeman
Lory Jewett
Fred & Karen Johnsen
Cal & Jolene Jones
Sept 27th & Oct 4th
Isaac Kenn
Joel & Anne Kjar
Jim & Leslee Knutson
Jim & Katie Koos
Alma & Matti Smith
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Sept 4 Jean Duffey
Sept 7 Aania Lozano
Sept 9 Maria del Pilar Tronier
Sept 12 Susan Holmes
Sept 13 Marlee Allen
Sept 15 Lyne Miller
Sept 18 Lory Jewett
Sept 20 Kari Everett
Sept 21 Janice Wuckert
Sept 23 Lorraine Moreland
Kelly Taeoalii
Sept 24 Vicki Leavitt
Sept 25 Lynda Barlocker
Sept 27 Cherelle Nichols
Sept 30 Carol Merworth