Dear Family,
I was asked to write a history for our ward history records for the part of the time I was RS President this year. I took a few minutes to compile the best moments of the year and tried to honor the memory of some of the sisters who served with me. I hope you find this interesting and uplifting.
One of the things I shared is an audio file of the sisters singing at the funeral. Out of all the accomplishments, I feel that uniting the sisters in expressing their faith and love for the Lord while honoring Julie's memory, is one of the finest moments of my experience as RS President. I hope this lifts you and brings you a little bit of peace.
The Lord is greater than our weakness and increases our strength far beyond our abilities. He knows how to do His work. Miracles are all around us!
Much love,
Mom (Lindy)
https://photos.app.goo.gl/FreCNPnEM6XZotQQA (Click here to see photos)
I was the Relief Society President for the past (nearly) 2 years, and was just released in late July. My first counselor was Deanna Jensen, and my second counselor was Andrea Davis. My Secretary was Alisa Long.
Deanna was a wonderful counselor to me, and always a step ahead of me in knowing who needed what and why. She was able to help me in countless ways, including the majority of the work involved in making the Ministering assignments. Even when she had health issues of her own, she was dedicated and consecrated her time and talents 100 percent to the service of those around her. Andrea was such a blessing to our presidency! She thought of many unique ways to bless others, including arranging for a backyard "party" to help Susie Curtis with her yard following her husband's death this spring. (Sadly, he passed away from the effects of Covid.) She made beautiful baskets of sunshine to bless the lives of those who had particularly difficult trials, including one for Nicole Camp when her husband, Brad, passed away from the effects of cancer. She also thought of unique activities to bring us together and help us be prepared for the future. Alisa Long was so gifted in organizing things and making darling handouts and helping us be clear in our objectives. In spite of multiple difficult health issues with her family, she remained valiant in attending her meetings and counseling with us to make wise decisions. Her efforts towards organizing the funeral efforts and providing that as a flowchart will continue to bless many sisters in the future! She also has a delightful sense of humor that (during many a meeting) helped all of us laugh and enjoy our time together.
I have to include several other sisters that were in the front lines with us. Christen Cooper made countless darling gift bags for us to take on visits and cheer up those having a difficult day. They were perfect for us to make our visits feel that much more personal and uplifting. She also helped oversee meals (along with Lindy Skinrood). We were happy to have Georgia Palmer help oversee funerals, and Lori Jarvis was an immense support in that endeavor also. We had called Christy Brooks and Amy Knight to be our newest teachers, and they have been stellar in that calling (and still are!) Nicole Camp and Kaylee Fox were wonderful activities directors, but were released. After they were released, Sisters Colleen Kirby and Tacy MacDonald worked tirelessly to help create thoughtful activities for all of us to enjoy. This was difficult, because of Covid--- but it was miraculously accomplished as we "tiptoed through the tulips" many a time!
This calling actually changed my life forever. There were several times after we made a visit when I felt the love of God for them flood upon me and overwhelm me. I know the Lord's love is real and I was blessed to have the opportunity to love and bless and to be lifted and blessed myself! I was able to appreciate the many burdens that so many sisters are bearing, and see their beautiful hearts and be blessed by their abundant talents. I know that I was inadequate on my own, but I also know the Lord went with us on our visits and many sisters partook of the light and love He sent through our meager efforts. I know that the power of the priesthood is real, and that we were blessed to understand better how women can act appropriately in their callings by virtue of that priesthood. We saw principles of revelation and ministries that went beyond our capacity.
One of our first activities for the year 2022 was to have a triple activity. One of the events that evening was the chance to paint. Brother Robert Kirby shared his incredible talents with us and guided us through painting sunflowers. They all turned out great, and so much variety! Colleen and Robert made it so fun for us! We even had Mary Malone join us, who is a member of our community and also of another faith.
Another activity we had at the same time was learning to cook Thai food dishes. Those that attended at Tacy MacDonald's home raved about the delicious food and excellent recipes! The 3rd activity was emergency preparedness-- learning to use short wave radios. This was taught by Julie Ferry, and sadly, no one took photos of that event. They learned that you must have the same brand for the radios to work well together, even if they are on the same frequency.
The next activity we had was a "Sit and Knit" crafting night at Julie Shoaee's home. We invited women and girls of all ages to join us in learning to crochet, knit, or just work on projects together. We loved being together, and it was a wonderful way to connect the old with the young and all in between. Plus, valuable skills were being fostered.
The next event was a "send-off" Congratulatory evening for the YW Seniors, welcoming them into the ranks of Relief Society. Those that attended enjoyed delicious food and were happy to welcome in the YW into our Society.
Next, there are few photos of Sisters at Ministering interviews and on walks together, fostering friendships and making ministering an important priority in our lives!
Finally, a tragedy overtook our ward and stake when dearly beloved Julie Ferry was struck by a blow to the head while walking with her friends and those she ministered to on a hike up to Timpanogos Cave. After being kept alive for a few weeks, she was allowed to peacefully return to Heavenly Father. In the wake of this, sisters gathered together to show their love for her and trust and faith in Heavenly Father's care. They showed this in countless ways- food, laundry, yard care, notes, money, neighborhood sack lights, and last of all, by participating in a special Relief Society Choir where all sang "Amazing Grace; My Chains Are Gone".
I had felt for the entire time in the presidency that I should get a RS Choir together to sing, but with Covid, it seemed impossible. However, Julie's funeral came about the time that covid restrictions were no longer so stringent, and we were able to accomplish uniting the sisters in this beautiful way to give tribute to Julie and also to show their faith in the Lord's ability to overcome all that would hold us back or strive to keep us down.
I hope that this is helpful for the Ward History of this year, and I appreciate Brother Kirby inviting me to write down my thoughts and feelings and memories.
If I have left out anything or need to be corrected, please let me know and I will do my best to correct it.
Warmly,
Lindy Taylor
file:///C:/Users/Owner/Desktop/Lindy's%20Songs/Amazing%20Grace%20(My%20chains%20are%20gone)%20RS%20choir%20-%20Soprano.pdf
P.S. This is a pdf copy of the music the sisters sang: Amazing Grace; My Chains Are Gone. I added a little bit at the end and accompanied the choir.
In addition, I previously failed to mention that Kate Plewe was a WONDERFUL RS teacher for quite some time, and she was someone we relied on during Zoom meetings to help keep us in the right way. Previous to Kate, we were blessed with Nicole Wadley as our Technology specialist-- but because she was so good at this, she was eventually nabbed by the Stake RS Presidency, so we then asked Kate to take that position, which of course she did in a stellar fashion.
