Dear Sisters,
     What a blessing it is to be a Daughter of God ! The blessings that come into our lives as a daughter of royalty are many. One of the blessings that come to us in this life is that one day of  becoming a wife and then at the appointed time a mother. What a wonderful opportunity to learn through the experience of motherhood and fatherhood. I would like to share a personal experience with each of you. Growing up in a family of five children I watched my mother and did the things that she did. My sister and I would play house, pretend to be married and be mothers. When I grew up I wanted to be a wife and a mother. I assumed that would happen. I met a wonderful man and we were married in the Salt Lake Temple and life was wonderful. I assumed the next thing would be that we would have a family and I would be a mother. There were other couples that married about the same time as my husband and I  and they were having babies. Well that didn't happen for  my husband and I as soon as we thought it should. I became concerned and worried about it and wondered why we weren't being blessed in our home with a child. Each Mother's Day when mothers were presented the plant  at church in honor of being a mother I  wanted to have one in the worst way.
     After being married for a couple years I reread my patriarchical blessing and my blessing indicated that I would be a mother in Zion. Upon reading that I received comfort to know that at sometime and in some way I would be a mother. The next Mother's Day came and the young deacons were directed to pass out the plants to the mothers in the ward. On this day I was presented a red geranium plant and I reached out to receive it from the young deacon. I put my hands around the plant and started to draw it to me and I met resistance from the young deacon as he pulled the plant back towards him, and I more forcefully pulled the plant toward me. It became a wrestling match between that young deacon and myself and I am sure entertainment for those sitting around me.  He said to me, " Oh, you're not a mother." as he tugged to get possession of the plant. I continued to pull the plant toward me and through all of this exchange the poor plant was shaken loose from the dirt and there was dirt on my lap and on the floor as my response to him was, " But I am going to be a mother someday." Well, I won out and had in my possession this red shaken geranium with most of the dirt on the floor in the chapel, which I picked up and packed around the plant once again. I am sure it was a sight to behold. I am sure every Mother's Day that this young man who has since grown up remembers that young sister "a mother to be" with a chuckle.
      Eventually my husband I did become parents of three wonderful children that came to bless our lives. They each came at their appointed time with three years in between our two sons and six years after our second son our daughter was sent to us. During those years of not knowing if I would ever be a mother, I taught Junior Sunday School, the four and five year olds. I was blessed to teach someone elses children and I loved it. We all can be an influence on helping children learn and in so doing can receive blessings, even if we are not blessed in this life to be mothers. We can help mother nieces and nephews and others. Our children are grown and gone from home and have children of their own and we are grandparents. Mothering continues on as does parenting. What a wonderful plan to be in families.
     As we think of the month of May as a time we honor mothers, we can all reflect on the influence that our own mothers have had on us. When I think of my own mother I remember that she always had complete faith in me. She had a strong testimony, great faith, and was always active in Church organizations. She was always kind, gentle, thoughtful, understanding, one to whom I could always turn, and one whom I could always trust, willing to sacrifice for her children. She has set for me the perfect example of clean living. She taught me a love, appreciation,, and understanding the Gospel while very young. She always gave me encouragement, inspiration, and a desire to live life in its fullness through love and service to others. May each of us during this month reflect on the blessings that we enjoy because of mothers, from Mother Eve through all generations of time to our own mothers. May we also remember of our royalty in being daughters of a kind and loving Heavenly Father and Mother. May we live our lives in a manner to bring honor to them  as we recognize that Motherhood is an Eternal Partnership with God is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ , Amen.
Love,
Sister Sallye Johnston
Stake Relief Society President

Stake Relief Society Presidency Message for April

   If you have been inside any store or watched television in the past six weeks, you are well aware that Easter is being celebrated this month. Since Valentine's ended in February, the merchandisers have touted woven baskets, artificial grass, chocolate bunnies, marshmallow chicks, jelly beans, the proverbial Easter bonnet, and many other items they believe denotes Easter. The financial experts allege that the Easter season is a multi-million dollar merchandising event.
   Easter is equivalent to Springtime being official, new life, Church services, family dinners, even colored eggs and childhood fun. BUT, in the words of President David O. McKay: " It is a sacred day, a day of divine worship". It is a time when we commemorate the most important event ever to have occurred in human history.
   Historians agree that the greatest events are those that effect the largest number of people for the longest periods. By this standard, no event could be more important to individuals or nations than the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
   The fall of Adam brought two kinds of death into the world: spiritual death and physical death. Spiritual death is separation from God. Physical death is separation of the body and spirit. Redemption from death-that is, resurrection-is, therefore, crucial to our future happiness.
   Since Adam-and all those born after him-would now be subject to death and could not raise body from grave, there had to be "...an infinite and eternal sacrifice" (see Alma 34:10). Jesus came to Earth and voluntarily gave His life to atone for the fall of Adam. He was qualified to be the Savior because He is the only person who will ever live on the earth without sin; thus, a worthy sacrifice to pay for the sins of others.

Stake Relief Society Presidency Message for March

 

Olde Irish Saying
"Ní neart go le chéile."- Unity is strength.

When the Prophet Joseph Smith organized the first Relief Society on 17th March 1842, 18 women were present. Three were teenagers. Lucy Mack Smith, mother of the Prophet, later gave profound instructions for Relief Society sisters of any age when she admonished them to "cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another and gain instruction, that we may all sit down in heaven together" (minutes of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo, 24 Mar. 1842).
As Centralia Stake Relief Society sisters, we have an opportunity each month to strengthen and unite one another. Never underestimate how much your visit can affect someone each month. Especially never forget how much joy it brings to our Heavenly Father as he sees us "having [our] hearts knit together in unity and in love" (Mosiah 18:21).

"I'm just a visiting teacher,"
I said to my friend today.
And my Father in Heaven heard me,
And I seemed to hear him say:
"Not just a visiting teacher,
A disciple with work to do,
And wherever you carry my message
My spirit goes with you."

"Some daughters of mine with burdens
Some seem to have lost the way
Go take them my love and my gospel
To strengthen them day by day."
"Never say you're just a visiting teacher,
Have faith and you'll understand
When you enter a home with love and prayer

~I take you by the hand."

Author Unknown

It is my prayer that we be the best Visiting Teachers we can be. Don't forget...... 
"Ní neart go le chéile."
I am excited that we are celebrating 170 years of Relief Society in March. I look forward to attending as many Ward Celebrations as I can.
Love, Sister Best

Love, Love, Love....

We loved getting together with many of our sisters for our January 28th Stake Relief Society Women's Conference! We are thankful for our presenters as well as attendees. We are blessed to have a Stake Presidency who supports our efforts and plans for the sisters of our stake ! They show love to us in many ways.
The Greeks had three words for love. Eros is the form of love most of us think of during February... it encompasses everything from "twitterpaited" as Thumper calls it in the Disney movie Bambi, to butterfly stomachs and warm fuzzy feelings to fickle flirtations or deep passion. Philia is the form that describes "brotherly love". This is the love of friendship and fellowship.
The third form is AGAPE. This is the type of love that Christ taught and exemplified. It transcends environment or someone's perception. It involves proactively seeking the well-being of another person. It doesn't have to be prompted by warm fuzzy feelings from another and can even be felt toward one's enemy.

Stake Women's Conference January 28, 2012 10:00 am -3:30pm

"This the Season" by President Norman Hansen

Here it is, "This the Season" and still so much for each of us to do, before that magical day arrives. I believe that it is probably most everyone's favorite time of the year. The family traditions, Christmas cookies, lights, decorations, Christmas Parties, music, the tree and Christmas cards, not to mention "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday".

So if it is everyone's favorite time of the year, why is it the most stressful and depressing? I think the answer might be surprising to each of us. We really miss the whole meaning of this special season. I know that we sing , listen to the Christmas choir and read the Christmas story in Luke and somehow can tell everyone what the real meaning of this season is all about, but is it really in our hearts. Do we really know the Christ Child or do we just know about Him. I worry that another season will come and go without each of us finding ourselves taking the time to personally go to "Bethlehem" and worship the Christ Child with the reverence and love that he deserves. He is the Lord of Lords, and King of kings, Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.(Isaiah 9:6). He is the light of the world and he that followeth Him shall not walk in darkness, but shall have everlasting life. (John 8:12). He is the Bread of Life and he that cometh to him shall never hunger and he that believeth on Him shall never thirst. (John 6:35). He is a God of Miracles and the great Lawgiver in whom there is all mercy. His ways are perfect and He alone is Mighty to Save. (Alma 34:18). He is the Master Healer and the one to whom all things must someday give an answer. It is only in Him and through Him that we each can find that Peace that surpasses all understanding.

It would be, my most sincere desire, that in all the hustle and bustle of this Christmas Season we would stop and take time to really worship the Christ Child and let Him into our hearts, so that He might stay with us through the entire year. If we will really strive to "Come to know Him", then the peace, joy and happiness that He promises each of us, will become ours. The only way He can really come into our hearts is if we will turn our lives over to Him and trust in Him. And to do that, we must be involved in sincere prayers, daily scripture study, regular Temple Worship, and small acts of Christian service. As we do these things, we will notice that we are beginning to take upon us His countenance and attributes. We will become more forgiving, more patient, more understanding, more kind, more tolerant of others, more reverent, more pure and holy, and more Savior like Thee. (Hymn # 131)

Please take time this Christmas Season to Come unto Him who's Season this really is, even Christ the Lord. In Matthew 11:28-30, we have this promise from the Savior Himself, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

I testify that He lives and that He, not only can, but will make our burdens lite. He will expand our opportunities, bless our minds, increase our joy, lift our spirits and heal our wounds; if we will only come and worship Him with all of our hearts, might, and minds. May this be the best Christmas Season of all as you take the time to truly come to know Him and commit to always walk in His Light.

With Love,
President Norman E. Hansen

Relief Society 2011 Pre Women's Broadcast Annual Salmon Dinner

A BIG Thank You to the Priesthood Leadership for the DELICIOUS salmon dinner they provided for all of the Relief Society sisters in the Centralia Stake prior to the Relief Society General Broadcast.We were well fed and  well served by the Stake Presidency, High Councilmen Ward Bishops and Bishopric Counselors. Thanks to all of the fishermen who caught the fish  and to Bro.Steve Emrich and Bro.Dave Jarman for spending the entire day getting the fish prepared and grilled. You all did a superb job! Thanks !!!!