Fear not I bring you Good Tidings of Great Joy!

Christmas isn't about the gifts, decorations, movies, or even the baby Jesus. It is about what Jesus Christ did for each of us, he atoned for our sins, sorrows, illnesses and the mistreatment that has been heaped upon us. He made it possible for us to be with our families eternally. So this Christmas don't worry about having everything perfect, just do what is important-spend time with your family and be thankful for the opportunity to have them with you forever in our Heavenly Father's kingdom.

Merry Christmas to you all!

"And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld"

• Don't forget to share your holiday traditions.
• Pixie Week, December 17-21. Don't forget to visit that family you were given. Have fun!
• The Las Vegas Temple will be closing for 2 weeks beginning December 30th. It will reopen on January 15th. 
• When was the last you wrote one of the missionaries? Send them a card or letter, it's a great Sunday activity and they love hearing from us, especially during the holidays. See the back of the Ward program on Sunday for addresses.
• Playgroup is meeting every Thursday at Hollywood Park.  This will be a weekly Playgroup from 10:45 a.m. until 12 noon.
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

Traditions

I am always interested in family traditions. Our family has some that came from my side of the family, some from his and some we made up together. Some we may have "borrowed" from friends because they were so fun. And sadly some our family may have outgrown, given up, or forgotten about through the years.

What are some of the traditions you have with your family during the Holiday Season (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years)? If you'd like to share some of them, email me, halfadozen2000@embarqmail.com, and next week I'll post some of them on the blog for others to see and possibly "borrow".

I'll start it off: This is one of my kids' favorites, but we only started it a few years ago. On Christmas Eve we have Panda Express. It began because by Christmas Eve I was too tired from baking, wrapping and shopping to make dinner. Who knew it would become something they would look forward to?

Now it's your turn. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

• Our Relief Society Christmas Dinner is Tuesday, December 11th at 6:30 pm. Childcare will be provided. Please come join us for fun and good food and bring the sisters you visit teach.
• The Vegas Valley Ward Christmas Breakfast is this coming Saturday, December 15th, breakfast is being served from 9:00-10:00 am at the TEMPLEVIEW Chapel (next to the Temple). There's a rumor that Santa will be visiting so the kids will want to be there.
• Why is Tithing Settlement important? Here's the answer. If you haven't had your stewardship accounting with Bishop he has openings on Wednesday, December 12th or call Brother Longo to set up an appointment. 
• This coming Sunday, December 16th is the final day to donate to the Angel Tree. Sunday there were still several ornaments on the tree, if you did not have a chance to get one email Korina M. at gkkamaynor@yahoo.com. Check out this post for details about the Angel Tree. 
• Pixie Week, December 17-21. If you signed up, Naomi will be sending out the pixie families this week. Have fun and be safe as you pixie your family. Details.
• The Las Vegas Temple will be closing for 2 weeks beginning December 30th. It will reopen on January 15th. 
• Write the Missionaries. It's a great Sunday activity and they love hearing from us, especially during the holidays. See the back of the Ward program on Sunday for addresses.
• Playgroup is meeting every Thursday at Hollywood Park.  This will be a weekly Playgroup from 10:45 a.m. until 12 noon.
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

Pixie Week

Christmas Pixie Week - Monday, December 17 through Friday, December 21st. If you sign up you will be committing you and your family to deliver an inexpensive gift or treat to another family in the ward each night during the week. Be sneaky and  don't get caught, the children get really excited and will spy to catch you in the act! On Friday you can reveal yourself or not as the Christmas Spirit moves you. Pixie Week is always a lot of fun for the family leaving the gifts/treats and for the family receiving. 

If you would like to sign up email Naomi at neioma@yahoo.com by Sunday, December 9th. She will match you up with a family that you will pixie and one to pixie you. She will send you the name of your family during the following week. Then the fun begins!

It's December!

• Sign up for your Tithing Settlement appointment NOW. Bishop has set aside December 5th, 9th and 12th for this purpose. Sign ups are on the Bishop's door. Click here for more information on why we have Tithing Settlement.
• Come join us on Tuesday, December 11th at 6:30 pm for our Relief Society Meeting. We will be meeting in the Treeline Building Cultural Hall for a delicious dinner and relaxing evening.
• Mark your calendars for the Annual Vegas Valley Ward Christmas Breakfast. The Breakfast will be served from 9:00-10:00 am at the TEMPLEVIEW Chapel (next to the Temple). Following breakfast we will have a special visitor that the kids won't want to miss! 
• If any of you would like to participate in the Christmas Pixie exchange please email Naomi S. at Neioma@yahoo.com by Sunday, December 9th. She will match you up with another participating family and then send you the name of the family you will pixie. Pixie week is December 17th thru the 21st. If you're not sure how the Pixie week works click here for an overview. Please do not sign up to Pixie if you will not be able to participate.
• The Vegas Valley Ward Angel Tree is now in the foyer. Check out this post for details.
• The Las Vegas Temple will be closing for 2 weeks beginning December 30th. It will reopen on January 15th. 
• Write the Missionaries. It's a great Sunday activity and they love hearing from us, especially during the holidays. See the back of the Ward program on Sunday for addresses.
• Playgroup is meeting every Thursday at Hollywood Park.  This will be a weekly Playgroup from 10:45 a.m. until 12 noon.
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

End of November

You may think I'm late with this but it is never too late to be 
THANKFUL!

• Don't miss the First Presidency's Annual Christmas Devotional. Sunday, December 2nd at 5:00 p.m. our time at the Stake Center, on BYU TV or on www.lds.org. Can you think of a better way to kick off the Christmas season than with the words of our Prophets?
• Sign up for your Tithing Settlement appointment NOW. Bishop has set aside December 5th, 9th and 12th for this purpose. Sign ups are on the Bishop's door. Click here for more information on why we have Tithing Settlement.
• Come join us on Tuesday, December 11th at 6:30 pm for our Relief Society Meeting. We will be meeting in the Treeline Building Cultural Hall for a delicious dinner and relaxing evening.
• Mark your calendars for the Annual Vegas Valley Ward Christmas Breakfast. The Breakfast will be served from 9:00-10:00 am at the TEMPLEVIEW Chapel (next to the Temple). Following breakfast we will have a special visitor that the kids won't want to miss! 
• The Vegas Valley Ward Angel Tree is now in the foyer. Check out this post for details.
• The Las Vegas Temple will be closing for 2 weeks beginning December 30th. It will reopen on January 15th. 
• Write the Missionaries. It's a great Sunday activity and they love hearing from us, especially during the holidays. See the back of the Ward program on Sunday for addresses.
• Playgroup is meeting every Thursday at Hollywood Park.  This will be a weekly Playgroup from 10:45 a.m. until 12 noon.
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

Pre-Thanksgiving Update

• Whether you're staying in town or traveling to visit family and/or friends, we hope you have a great Thanksgiving. 
• The Vegas Valley Ward Angel Tree is now in the foyer. Check out this post for details.
• Playgroup is meeting every Thursday at Hollywood Park.  This will be a weekly Playgroup from 10:45 a.m. until 12 noon.
• This week's Relief Society lesson is from Elder Larry Echo Hawk's October General Conference address, "Come unto Me, O Ye House of Israel"
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

Vegas Valley Ward Angel Tree

The Vegas Valley Ward Angel Tree will be in the north foyer every Sunday until December 16^th. If you'd like to anonymously help a family in need this Christmas, check it out.  Helping is as easy as removing an ornament from the tree, purchasing a Wal-Mart gift card in the denomination listed on the ornament, placing the gift card and the ornament you removed from the tree in a tithing envelope, and lastly giving the envelope to a member of the Bishopric. The gift cards will be used to purchase specifics for a few families in the ward. 

There are a few ornaments on the tree designated for cash (if that is easier for your family), but the preferred method of donation is a Wal-Mart gift card. The deadline to turn in the gift cards is December 16th.

Thank you for your generosity.

Highlights: Can Ye Feel So Now?

November updates...

• Tonight is our Relief Society Night of Service . There will be two groups providing service, one going to the Bishops' Storehouse and the other going to Deseret Industries. Meet at the Bishops' Storehouse/Deseret Industries on Craig & Allen at 5:45-7:00 pm. Dress code is long pants, closed toe shoes and no sleeveless shirts. Come join us!
• The Visiting Teaching Interviews scheduled for 11/15 have been postponed for a few weeks. We will let you know when they have been rescheduled.
• Playgroup is meeting every Thursday at Hollywood Park.  This will be a weekly Playgroup from 10:45 a.m. until 12 noon.
• This will be the final Sunday to add to the Christmas care packages for our stateside missionaries. Packages will be sent out Thanksgiving Weekend. Please see here for suggestions and guidelines about our missionary packages this year. Don't forget to add a short note or card. They just love hearing from us!
• This week's Relief Society lesson is on Chapter 22, Bringing Up Children in Light and Truth. 
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

November announcements...

• The Visiting Teaching Interviews scheduled for 11/11 and 11/15 have been postponed for a few weeks.  More information to follow.
• Tuesday, 11/13 is our next Relief Society Meeting.  Please come participate in a service project with us.  There will be two groups providing service, one going to the Bishops' Storehouse and the other going to Deseret Industries.  Please look for sign ups in the binders this week.  Dress code is long pants and closed toe shoes.  We will be meeting together for refreshments following our night of service, location to be announced. Come join us!
• Playgroup is meeting every Thursday at Hollywood Park.  This will be a weekly Playgroup from 10:45 a.m. until 12 noon.
• The Christmas boxes for our stateside missionaries are in the foyer.  It isn't too late - packages will be mailed Thanskgiving weekend.  Please see here for suggestions and guidelines about our missionary packages this year.  They just love hearing from us!
• This week's Relief Society lesson is on Chapter 21, The Power of Kindness. 
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

Autumn Announcements...

• Tuesday, November 13th is our next Relief Society Meeting.  What better time to participate in a service project than during the holidays?  We will have two groups providing service, one going to the Bishops' Storehouse and the other going to Deseret Industries.  Please look for sign-ups in the binders on Sunday.  We will meet together following our night of service for refreshments.
• We will be having Visiting Teaching Interviews on Sunday, November 11th and Thursday, November 15th beginning at 6:00 p.m.  Please look for your slip of paper letting you know what date and time.  Thanks for meeting with us - we promise to be brief!
• Playgroup is happening every Thursday at Hollywood Park.  This will be a weekly Playgroup from 10:45 a.m. until 12 noon.
• The Christmas boxes for our stateside missionaries are in the foyer.  It isn't too late - packages will be mailed Thanskgiving weekend.  Please see here for suggestions and guidelines about our missionary packages this year.  They just love hearing from us!
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

Daughters of God

I'm a Mormon and Mother to 154 Orphaned Children

October announcements...

• Tuesday, November 13th is our next Relief Society Meeting.  What better time to participate in a service project than during the holidays?  We will have two groups providing service, one going to the Bishops' Storehouse and the other going to Deseret Industries.  Please look for sign-ups in the binders on Sunday.  We will meet together following our night of service for refreshments.
• We will be having Visiting Teaching Interviews on Sunday, November 11th and Thursday, November 15th beginning at 6:00 p.m.  Please look for your slip of paper letting you know what date and time.  Thanks for meeting with us - we promise to be brief!
• Playgroup is starting up on Thursday, October 18th at Hollywood Park.  This will be a weekly Playgroup from 10:45 a.m. until 12 noon.
• Jenny Oaks Baker will be performing in concert with the North Las Vegas Stake Center Choir and Orchestra on Saturday, October 20th at 7 p.m. at Artemus Hamm Concert Hall on the Campus of UNLV.  She is a Grammy-nominated violinist who studied at Julliard and has released 10 best selling albums.  For tickets and more information visit here:  http://jobinlv.com/
• The Stake Young Women Recognition Evening will be Sunday, October 21st at 7 p.m. at the Stake Center.  All those who love the Young Women in our Stake are invited to attend this special evening.
• Our Ward Trunk or Treat will be Saturday, October 27th at 6 p.m.  It will be a joint effort again with the Desert Inn Ward.  Come enjoy the festivities.
• The Christmas boxes for our missionaries are in the foyer.  Those packages going overseas will need to be mailed on November 1st, domestic mission packages mailed on Thanksgiving weekend.  Please see here for suggestions and guidelines about our missionary packages this year.  They just love hearing from us!
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

What's new...

• Tuesday, November 13th is our next Relief Society Meeting.  What better time to participate in a service project than during the holidays?  We will have two groups providing service, one going to the Bishops' Storehouse and the other going to Deseret Industries.  Please look for sign-ups in the binders on Sunday.  We will meet together following our night of service for refreshments.
• Playgroup is starting up on Thursday, October 18th at Hollywood Park.  This will be a weekly Playgroup from 10:45 a.m. until 12 noon.
• Jenny Oaks Baker will be performing in concert with the North Las Vegas Stake Center Choir and Orchestra on Saturday, October 20th at 7 p.m. at Artemus Hamm Concert Hall on the Campus of UNLV.  She is a Grammy-nominated violinist who studied at Julliard and has released 10 best selling albums.  For tickets and more information visit here:  http://jobinlv.com/
• The Stake Young Women Recognition Evening will be Sunday, October 21st at 7 p.m. at the Stake Center.  All those who love the Young Women in our Stake are invited to attend this special evening.
• Our Ward Trunk or Treat will be Saturday, October 27th at 6 p.m.  It will be a joint effort again with the Desert Inn Ward.  Come enjoy the festivities.
• The Christmas boxes for our missionaries are in the foyer.  Those packages going overseas will need to be mailed on November 1st, domestic mission packages mailed on Thanksgiving weekend.  Please see here for suggestions and guidelines about our missionary packages this year.  They just love hearing from us!
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

East Stake Young Women Recognition Evening

Our Stake Young Women Recognition Night will be Sunday, October 21st at 7 p.m. at the Stake Center. 
All who love the young women in our Stake are invited to attend this special evening.

Christmas Missionary Boxes

 Yes it’s that time again. The boxes will be in the foyer every Sunday until their mailing dates. Packages to our overseas missionaries will be mailed November 1^st, hopefully giving them plenty of time to arrive in their missions before the holiday. The packages for our stateside missionaries will be mailed during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Since all of the items need to fit into one box we are asking that the items donated for the boxes be small. Following is a list of suggestions:

Food: (items should be individually packaged) Drink flavoring packets for water bottles Premade mixes (in envelopes not boxes) Gum Candy rolls (Lifesavers, Mentos) Cookies, chips, crackers (packaged for          lunches Fruit snacks Cocoa mixes Instant oatmeal Jerky (except for Brazil) Individually wrapped candies/chocolates Peanut Butter (the small to go packages) Notes, Letters & Cards- the missionaries love to hear from those at home and this is a perfect time to send them a note of love and support.

 

Office supplies:

Postage Stamps

Pens/mechanical pencils

Paper

Envelopes

Thank you cards

Post-it notes

Stickers (to hand out to children)

Small notebooks

Hygiene supplies:

Non-aerosol deodorant

Toothpaste

Toothbrushes

Comb/brush

Bar soap

Disposable razors

Chapstick

Hand warmers

Clothing:

Dark Socks (Elders)

Neck Ties (Elders)

Scarves

Mittens/gloves

Shoe insoles

Black shoe laces (Elders)

***PLEASE DO NOT DONATE: anything liquid or glass (these items cannot be sent through the USPS system), large packages or boxes (take up too much space in the box). The above items  will not be included in this year’s packages.

Announcements

• Did you know that the Temple View Family History Center is now open!  It is sponsored by the Sunrise, Central and East Stakes and is located in the building that was previously the Distribution Center on the Temple grounds.  The hours are 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.  Premium websites for research such as Ancestry.com are available free of charge.  Bring your membership number if you have not previously registered on the church's websites.  Bring your nonmember friends!  We can find our ancestors.  The Center's phone number is 438-6914.
• Tuesday, October 9th at 6:30 p.m. will be our Relief Society Meeting.  Making Family Mealtime a Daily Event is the theme of the evening.  We will have a Mexican "roundtable" complete with food how-to demonstrations.  Please join us for a fun evening.  A nursery will be provided.
• Jenny Oaks Baker will be performing in concert with the North Las Vegas Stake Center Choir and Orchestra on Saturday, October 20th at 7 p.m. at Artemus Hamm Concert Hall on the Campus of UNLV.  She is a Grammy-nominated violinist who studied at Julliard and has released 10 best selling albums.  For tickets and more information visit here:  http://jobinlv.com/
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

The Will of God

Reclaimed

Time Out for Women 2012

FRI SEPT 21, 2012 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
SAT SEPT 22, 2012 9:00 AM - 3:45 PM

Cashman Center
Hall A 850 N. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89101

ONE TIME LABOR DAY SPECIAL on Monday, September 3rd only - buy a full weekend registration - 2 TOFW for $72.  This event is 78% SOLD OUT.  See here for more information.

Sharing Your Beliefs

Are you ready?

• Join us tomorrow night, August 14th, for our Vegas Valley Ward Relief Society Temple Night, the 6:30 p.m. session.  Our goal is to do work for family names provided to us by sisters in our Ward.  Do you have some?  Do you need some help getting names ready for our Temple night?  If so, let a member of the Relief Society Presidency know.  Please join us . . .
• Friday, September 7th at 6 p.m. is the Stake High Priest Social at our Stake Center.  All High Priests, spouses and all single sisters are invited.  Come to the Country Fair!
• The Temple View Family History Center is now open!  It is sponsored by the Sunrise, Central and East Stakes and is located in the building that was previously the Distribution Center on the Temple grounds.  The hours are 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.  Premium websites for research such as Ancestry.com are available free of charge.  Bring your membership number if you have not previously registered on the church's websites.  Bring your nonmember friends!  We can find our ancestors.  The Center's phone number is 438-6914.
• Seminary Registration Fireside is Sunday, August 19th.  Look for more information on Sunday.
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

What's new...

• Mark your calendar for our Vegas Valley Ward Relief Society Temple Night on Tuesday, August 14th, the 6:30 p.m. session.  Our goal is to do work for family names provided to us by sisters in our Ward.  Do you have some?  Do you need some help getting names ready for our Temple night?  If so, let a member of the Relief Society Presidency know.  Join us . . .
• Friday, September 7th at 6 p.m. is the Stake High Priest Social at our Stake Center.  All High Priests, spouses and all single sisters are invited.  Come to the Country Fair!
• The Temple View Family History Center is now open!  It is sponsored by the Sunrise, Central and East Stakes and is located in the building that was previously the Distribution Center on the Temple grounds.  The hours are 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.  Premium websites for research such as Ancestry.com are available free of charge.  Bring your membership number if you have not previously registered on the church's websites.  Bring your nonmember friends!  We can find our ancestors.  The Center's phone number is 438-6914
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

August Visiting Teaching Message

Taking Action in Time of Need

---

Prayerfully study this material and, as appropriate, discuss it with the sisters you visit. Use the questions to help you strengthen your sisters and to make Relief Society an active part of your own life.

Taking Action in Time of Need

As visiting teachers, one of our purposes is to help strengthen families and homes. The sisters we visit should be able to say, “If I have problems, I know my visiting teachers will help without waiting to be asked.” In order to serve, we have a responsibility to be conscious of the needs of the sisters we visit. When we seek inspiration, we will know how to respond to the spiritual and temporal needs of each sister we are assigned to visit. Then, using our time, skills, talents, prayers of faith, and spiritual and emotional support, we can help give compassionate service during times of illness, death, and other special circumstances.¹

Through the help of reports from visiting teachers, the Relief Society presidency identifies those who have special needs because of physical or emotional illness, emergencies, births, deaths, disability, loneliness, or other challenges. The Relief Society president then reports her findings to the bishop. Under his direction, she coordinates assistance.²

As visiting teachers we can have “great reason … to rejoice” because of “the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work” (Alma 26:1, 3).

From the Scriptures

Matthew 22:37–40; Luke 10:29–37; Alma 26:1–4; Doctrine and Covenants 82:18–19

From Our History

In the early years of the Church, membership was small and centralized. Members could respond quickly when someone was in need. Today our membership is over 14 million and is spread throughout the world. Visiting teaching is part of the Lord’s plan to provide help for all His children.

“The only system which could provide succor and comfort across a church so large in a world so varied would be through individual servants near the people in need,” said President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency.

“… Every bishop and every branch president has a Relief Society president to depend upon,” he continued. “She has visiting teachers, who know the trials and the needs of every sister. She can, through them, know the hearts of individuals and families. She can meet needs and help the bishop in his call to nurture individuals and families.”³

For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

What Can I Do?

1. Am I using my gifts and talents to bless others?
2. Do the sisters I watch over know that I am willing to help them when they have a need?

End of July announcements...

• Mark your calendar for our Vegas Valley Ward Relief Society Temple Night on Tuesday, August 14th, the 6:30 p.m. session.  Our goal is to do work for family names provided to us by sisters in our Ward.  Do you have some?  Do you need some help getting names ready for our Temple night?  If so, let a member of the Relief Society Presidency know.  Join us . . .
• There will be a Missionary Fireside on Sunday, August 5th at 7 p.m. in the Treeline Chapel.  Invite your non-member friends!
• Friday, September 7th at 6 p.m. is the Stake High Priest Social at our Stake Center.  All High Priests, spouses and all single sisters are invited.  Come to the Country Fair!
• The Publishing Services Department of the Church is currently filming additional New Testament segments at the Jerusalem movie set in Goshen, Utah.  They are still in need of additional background players.  There will be a screening day in Las Vegas on August 1st from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. at 877 Temple View Drive. If you are eligible to work in the United States you will be paid for background work, but will need to provide your own transportation to the set in the Goshen area.  If you are interested you may book an appointment by visiting http://ldscasting.schedulething.com/
• The Temple View Family History Center is now open!  It is sponsored by the Sunrise, Central and East Stakes and is located in the building that was previously the Distribution Center on the Temple grounds.  The hours are 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.  Premium websites for research such as Ancestry.com are available free of charge.  Bring your membership number if you have not previously registered on the church's websites.  Bring your nonmember friends!  We can find our ancestors.  The Center's phone number is 438-6914
• There is still time to get your visiting teaching done this month!  Please report to your Visiting Teaching Supervisor by Wednesday of this week.  If you don't know who your Supervisor is please contact a member of the Relief Society Presidency.
• Remember the missionary clothing donation?
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

Announcements, announcements...

• Sunday is Fifth Sunday . . . we will have a combined third hour.
• The Temple View Family History Center is now open!  It is sponsored by the Sunrise, Central and East Stakes and is located in the building that was previously the Distribution Center on the Temple grounds.  The hours are 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.  Premium websites for research such as Ancestry.com are available free of charge.  Bring your membership number if you have not previously registered on the church's websites.  Bring your nonmember friends!  We can find our ancestors.  The Center's phone number is 438-6914.
• Mark your calendar for our Vegas Valley Ward Relief Society Temple Night on Tuesday, August 14th, the 6:30 p.m. session.  Our goal is to do work for family names provided to us by sisters in our Ward.  Do you have some?  Do you need some help getting names ready for our Temple night?  If so, let a member of the Relief Society Presidency know.  Join us . . .
• Friday, September 7th at 6 p.m. is the Stake High Priest Social at our Stake Center.  All High Priests, spouses and all single sisters are invited.  Come to the Country Fair!
• The Publishing Services Department of the Church is currently filming additional New Testament segments at the Jerusalem movie set in Goshen, Utah.  They are still in need of additional background players.  There will be a screening day in Las Vegas on August 1st from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. at 877 Temple View Drive. If you are eligible to work in the United States you will be paid for background work, but will need to provide your own transportation to the set in the Goshen area.  If you are interested you may book an appointment by visiting http://ldscasting.schedulething.com/
• Remember the missionary clothing donation?
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

Save the date...

There will be a Stake High Priest Social at the Stake Center on Friday, September 7th at 6 p.m.  High Priests, Spouses and all single sisters are invited.  There will be a Country Fair with food, fun, games, music and displays. 

Missionary service...

We have an exciting opportunity coming up to donate gently used items to our local missionaries.  We can help support them in their endeavors to be here serving the Lord in Las Vegas.  On Thursday, August 2nd our Stake is responsible for the Missionary Zone Conference Luncheon and Sewing Center to be held at the Gateway and Wyoming building.  We need your help with clothing donations.

The items the Mission Office has requested for donation are as follows:

Ties
Suits
Shirts
Skirts
Blouses

The donations need to be brought to the Stake Center on August 2nd between 10 a.m. and 12 noon.  We have made arrangements for a drop-off the night before (at a Ward member's home) if you are unable to be at the Stake Center on August 2nd.  We would love to see the East Stake really pull through for our beloved missionaries.

Some announcements...

• Sunday's lesson in Relief Society is based on the talk given by Elder Ronald A. Rasband entitled, Special Lessons.
• The Temple View Family History Center is opening July 17th.  It is sponsored by the Sunrise, Central and East Stakes and is located in the building that was previously the Distribution Center on the Temple grounds.  The hours are 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.  Premium websites for research such as Ancestry.com are available free of charge.  Bring your membership number if you have not previously registered on the church's websites.  Bring your nonmember friends!  We can find our ancestors.  The Center's phone number is 438-6914.
• Destress is at Monta's house on Tuesday night (7/17) at 7.  Please bring a candy bar!
• Mark your calendar for our Vegas Valley Ward Relief Society Temple Night on Tuesday, August 14th, the 6:30 p.m. session.  Our goal is to do work for family names provided to us by sisters in our Ward.  Do you have some?  Do you need some help getting names ready for our Temple night?  If so, let a member of the Relief Society Presidency know.  Join us . . .
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

• Please read here for information about an invitation to the sisters in the East Stake for 2012 Girls' Camp.
• July 7th through the 10th is the National Council of LaRaza Conference in Las Vegas.  Estimated attendance is 40,000.  There will also be a National Latino Family Expo.  The International Group of the Salt Lake City Family History Library is sending Brother Arturo Cuellar to speak on Family History at the Conference.  Brother Cuellar will be at our Family History Center on Saturday, July 7th and will present three classes in Spanish - one beginner class, one intermediate class and one advanced class.  The first class is at 9 a.m.  Brother Cuellar will be available at the Family History Center the remainder of the day to assist you with your family research.
• Sunday's lesson in Relief Society is Chapter 13, Doing Our Part to Share the Gospel.
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

Announcements, announcements, announcements...

• Please read here for information about an invitation to the sisters in the East Stake for 2012 Girls' Camp.
• July 7th through the 10th is the National Council of LaRaza Conference in Las Vegas.  Estimated attendance is 40,000.  There will also be a National Latino Family Expo.  The International Group of the Salt Lake City Family History Library is sending Brother Arturo Cuellar to speak on Family History at the Conference.  Brother Cuellar will be at our Family History Center on Saturday, July 7th and will present three classes in Spanish - one beginner class, one intermediate class and one advanced class.  The first class is at 9 a.m.  Brother Cuellar will be available at the Family History Center the remainder of the day to assist you with your family research.
• Our Stake Patriotic Breakfast is Saturday, June 30th at 7:30 a.m. at the Stake Center.
• Sunday's lesson in Relief Society is based on President Uchtdorf's talk entitled, The Merciful Obtain Mercy.
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

June happenings...

• Please read here for information about an invitation to the sisters in the East Stake for 2012 Girls' Camp.
• Our Stake Patriotic Breakfast is Saturday, June 30th at 7:30 a.m. at the Stake Center.
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

• This week's Relief Society lesson is on Chapter 12, An Enthusiastic Desire to Share the Gospel.
• Mark your calendar for our Relief Society Meeting this Tuesday, June 12th at 6:30.  We will be having a fitness themed evening.  Wear workout clothes (or not).  Come join us and learn all about nutrition and ZUMBA!
• Please read here for information about an invitation to the sisters in the East Stake for 2012 Girls' Camp.
• Our Stake Patriotic Breakfast is Saturday, June 30th at 7:30 a.m. at the Stake Center.
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

June Announcements

• This week's Relief Society lesson is on Chapter 11, Revelation from God to His Children.
• Mark your calendar for our next Relief Society Meeting on Tuesday, June 12th at 6:30.  We will be having a fitness themed evening.  Wear workout clothes (or not).  Come join us! 
• There is a job fair on Tuesday, June 5th from 12 noon until 4 p.m. at the Orleans.  There will be a free resume critique and a Speaker Series from 1 until 2 p.m. 
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

Points of Light

The Relief Society Sisters of the East Stake are invited to become “a point of light” to one of the Young Women in our Stake.  If you choose to participate we would like you to create something special with one of the Young Women in our Stake in mind.  If you crochet you could make them a scarf or a hat. If you sew you could make them a scripture tote or handbag.  If you embroider you might make them a pair of pillowcases.  If you read you might include a book that has meant something to you in your life.  If you love music you might include a CD of your favorite kind of music. Most important we would like you to include a note to a Young Woman in our Stake telling them how special they are and how you have thought of them as you prepared this gift.  In the note please include your name and address.  The Young Women will have an opportunity at Camp to write a thank you note.

We would ask that you wrap your gift and get it to the person who is helping us in your Ward (Christy L.) by July 18^th .   Each Young Woman will have the opportunity to come to the kitchen at Camp and do some service by helping prepare or clean up a meal.  As a part of their service they will be given a gift from the Sisters in the East Stake with a note telling them how wonderful they are.  If you have any questions please send an email to lizchidester@cox.net

• Because the May Ensign contains a report of the April General Conference, there is not a specifically designated Visiting Teaching Message for May. Visiting teachers are encouraged to prayerfully select their message from the addresses given during General Conference.
• This week's Relief Society lesson will be based on the talk by Joseph B. Wirthlin entitled Spiritually Strong Home and Families.
• Mark your calendar for our next Relief Society Meeting on Tuesday, June 12th at 6:30.  We will be having a fitness themed evening.  Come join us!  Details to follow.
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

Mormon Messages: Words with Friends

May Announcements...

• Because the May Ensign contains a report of the April General Conference, there is not a specifically designated Visiting Teaching Message for May. Visiting teachers are encouraged to prayerfully select their message from the addresses given during General Conference.
• This week's Relief Society lesson will be based on the talk by Jeffrey R. Holland entitled, The Laborers in the Vineyard.
• Mark your calendar for our next Relief Society Meeting on Tuesday, June 12th at 6:30.  We will be having a fitness themed evening.  Come join us!  Details to follow.
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

Dare to Stand Alone

More May...

• Because the May Ensign contains a report of the April General Conference, there is not a specifically designated Visiting Teaching Message for May. Visiting teachers are encouraged to prayerfully select their message from the addresses given during General Conference.
• This week's Relief Society lesson will be on Chapter 10, The Scriptures, the Most Valuable Library in the World.
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

May announcements...

• Please join us for our next Relief Society Meeting on Tuesday, May 8th at 6:30 p.m. We will have a light dinner followed by some remarks by Bishop Mangum.  At the conclusion of the evening we will have a short hands-on demonstration on how to make your own laundry detergent.  You will go home with a sample bag to try for yourself - it's very inexpensive and it works great!  Come join us, won't you?  Childcare will be provided.
• Because the May Ensign contains a report of the April General Conference, there is not a specifically designated Visiting Teaching Message for May. Visiting teachers are encouraged to prayerfully select their message from the addresses given during General Conference.
• This week's Relief Society lesson will be Chapter 9, Open Your Soul to the Lord in Prayer
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

Places to be, things to do...

• While Visiting Teaching Messages have always focused on the teachings of the Savior Jesus Christ, beginning in April they began to teach about ministering as He would. April’s message, “Love, Watch Over, and Strengthen,” is the first such message to teach these principles.  See this link for more information:  Added Focus on Ministering...
• This week's Relief Society lesson will be based on a talk given by Russell M. Nelson entitled, Thanks Be to God.
• Please join us for our next Relief Society Meeting on Tuesday, May 8th at 6:30 p.m. We will have a light dinner followed by some remarks by Bishop Mangum.  At the conclusion of the evening we will have a short hands-on demonstration on how to make your own laundry detergent.  You will go home with a sample bag to try for yourself - it's very inexpensive and it works great!  Come join us, won't you?  Childcare will be provided.
• Because the May Ensign contains a report of the April General Conference, there is not a specifically designated Visiting Teaching Message for May. Visiting teachers are encouraged to prayerfully select their message from the addresses given during General Conference.
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

God Will Lift Us Up

April announcements...

• The April Visiting Teaching message may be found here, Love, Watch Over, and Strengthen.
• Please join us for our May Relief Society "Spring Cleaning Event" on Tuesday, May 8th at 6:30 p.m.  We will have dinner and a special speaker . . . our evening will end with hands on instruction on how to make your own laundry detergent.  Come join us for calzones and conversation...
• Stake Conference is Saturday, April 28th at 7 p.m. (Adult Session) and Sunday, April 29th at 10 a.m. (General Session).  Elder Michael D. Pickerd of the Seventy will be joining us.  In addition to these regular meetings, there will be a meeting at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday for all new members and investigators to meet with the Stake Presidency and Elder Pickerd. See here for a special invitation from our Stake leaders. 
• Sunday's Relief Society lesson is based on the article by Robert D. Hales entitled, Waiting Upon the Lord:  Thy Will be Done.
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

Vegas Valley Relief Society "Spring Cleaning Evening"

Please mark your calendar for Tuesday, May 8th at 6:30 p.m. for our Relief Society "Spring Cleaning Evening".  We will start with a light supper and a special speaker ... and we will end our evening by making our own laundry detergent.  Come join in the fun.  Calzones and conversation...

April Announcements...

• The Vegas Valley Ward Family Dance is this Friday, April 13th at 6:30 p.m.  Bring the entire familiy along with a finger food - any finger food that doesn't need utensils.  Come join us - it's going to be FUN.
• The April Visiting Teaching message may be found here, Love, Watch Over, and Strengthen.
• Please join us for our April Relief Society activity on Tuesday, April 10th - we will be meeting at the Temple for the 6:30 p.m. session.  This will be another Family History Evening . . . if you are interested in doing family file work for members of our Ward, please contact a member of the Relief Society Presidency for names.  Come join us, won't you?
• Stake Conference is Saturday, April 28th at 7 p.m. (Adult Session) and Sunday, April 29th at 10 a.m. (General Session).  Elder Michael D. Pickerd of the Seventy will be joining us.  In addition to these regular meetings, there will be a meeting at 9:20 a.m. on Sunday for all new members and investigators to meet with the Stake Presidency and Elder Pickerd. See here for a special invitation from our Stake leaders. 
• Sunday's Relief Society lesson is Chapter 8, Temple Blessings for Ourselves and Our Ancestors.
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

An Apostle's Easter Thoughts on Christ

Welcome April...

• The April Visiting Teaching message may be found here, Love, Watch Over, and Strengthen.
• Please join us for our April Relief Society activity on Tuesday, April 10th - we will be meeting at the Temple for the 6:30 p.m. session.  This will be another Family History Evening . . . if you are interested in doing family file work for members of our Ward, please see a member of the Relief Society Presidency for names.  Come join us, won't you?
• Stake Conference is Saturday, April 28th at 7 p.m. (Adult Session) and Sunday, April 29th at 10 a.m. (General Session).  Elder Michael D. Pickerd of the Seventy will be joining us.  In addition to these regular meetings, there will be a meeting at 9:20 a.m. on Sunday for all new members and investigators to meet with the Stake Presidency and Elder Pickerd. See here for a special invitation from our Stake leaders. 
• Mark your calendars for The Vegas Valley Ward Family Dance on Friday, April 13th at 6:30 p.m.  Look for sign ups for snacks for that night . . . bring the entire family!
• Sunday's Relief Society lesson is Chapter 7, The Immortality of the Soul.
• See our "Calendar of Events (to the right) for other important dates to remember.  Also see http://www.lds.org

Conference weekend...

The 182nd Annual General Conference will be held this weekend, March 31st and April 1st.  See here for more information.

Stake Conference Invitation

Elder Michael D. Pickerd, of the Seventy,
and the Las Vegas Nevada East Stake Presidency
invite you to attend Stake Conference
 on April 28 and 29, 2012 at the East Stake Center.

Saturday evening session from 7:00-9:00 p.m. for adults 18 and older
Sunday morning General session from 10:00 a.m.-12 noon

In preparation for both Stake Conference
and for the Youth Conference Book of Mormon Experience on May 18-20,
Stake members are being asked to commit
to read, study, and learn from the Book of Mormon daily. 

Families and individuals, including youth,
are encouraged to prayerfully set a Book of Mormon reading goal
 that will stretch them spiritually during this preparation period.