A Vote of Thanks

Last week the were a lot of changes in our ward, 34 releases and new callings... that a lot for just one day! One of those major changes was the relief society Presidency, in which I had been a part of for over a year. I can honestly say that the experience was life changing, just as this change will be.

Sisterhood-After our ward split in Feb 2007, I could count the number of people that I knew in my ward, one one hand. I am so thankful to have been called as the 2ND counselor in the RS presidency because it forced me to not only step out of my comfort zone, but to expand it. I chose to believe that if I felt lost and lonely in the ward, the chances were that others did as well. So Lynda(Pres.), Natalie( 1st counselor), Lara (Sec.) and I decided that we would do anything we could (including taping off sections of chairs in the RS room) to help the sisters in our ward feel just that,.. sisterhood. We held weekly meetings to discuss the needs of our sisters and ways to help everyone feel need and included. We planned a terrific training retreat and I for one feel extremely blesses to have the opportunity to get to know so my amazing sisters on such a personal level. We also wanted to get to know many sisters who we had never meet, and we did! I am proud to say that we were able to find and hopefully fellowship several sisters who may have felt as though they had fallen off the radar and been forgotten, some sister how hadn't had someone drop by to say hello in years. Every week the four of us would meet together with birthday treat and trek out and visit those we saw every week at church or to try to extend a bit of kindness to those in need, I want to tell everyone what an amazing opportunity that was, and I will truly miss it.

Enrichment- Under the direction of the Stake RS presidency as well as our bishopric, we planned monthly activities or programs meant to teach, uplift, inspire, and entertain. I want to clarify for the record, that it does in fact in the "handbook" say that it is up to each RS presidency to decided how many enrichment meetings to hold as well as how frequently they meet. The four quarterly meetings are the least that are required and anything that the stake holds is specified as being separate and not one of the ward enrichment nights. There had been a lot of confusion about this particular subject and now with the new presidency, I wanted to let everyone know that whether they hold just those four a year, or four a month, they have, as we did, the best interest of the sisters at heart. Please give your support to them by attending, or at the very least, do not discourage others from joining in; because even if you do not need enrichment in your life, there are others who do. The topic that is discusses at the meetings has been prayerful considered and inspired, for the needs of the families in our ward. Lastly, concerning the monthly enrichment nights, I want to give a BIG thank you to everyone who participated in helping set up, take down, or simply showing up; but mostly to my Enrichment Leader, Kelly and her assistant, Ashley. These are two very talented women who gave so much to ensure the success of the evening, they gave, time, energy, money, talent, and a whole lot of listening to me and my complaining; I am so thankful for the chance to get to know both of you, I will forever love Enrichment for introducing me to two of my best friends and I'm sure many more close friends in the future.

Teaching & Conducting- I know you've all heard it before, but I feel that the teacher often learns more from a lesson than anyone else could ever hope to. Every third Fast Sunday, I was responsible for teaching, which doesn't sound too bad, except, there's no topic, no manual, no guide book, nothing!.. Just prayer! I both dreaded and loved the responsibility of preparing on the topic of my choice. Also, there was a responsibility to know the lesson that any of the other teachers was giving, based on the very likely chance that if no one was participating in the lesson, the presidency was called upon to answer questions and give opinions. One of my favorite perks, was conducting; not because I like making a fool of myself by telling everyone wrong dates, mistakenly introducing sisters as new (sorry Taren) or simply becoming tongue-tied. I loved conducting because I was lucky enough to get to bear my testimony after each lesson, change songs on a whim, and receiving the occasional courtesy laugh from the few sisters who pretended to appreciate my jokes. Thanks girls!

Unexpected Friendships- Lynda, Natalie, Lara, and I, an unlikely bunch for sure. I will never forget while visiting one sister in particular, after visiting for a few minutes, her husband walked in the room , and gave a seriously puzzled look, he couldn't figure out why we would all be hanging out together. It's true, why the four of us would connect with each other, is beyond me....except I know without a doubt that it was the Lord's plan. I have learned so much just from spending time with these four amazing women. Lynda. I love you. You know I think you are long winded and can out talk any one I know, but I love that about you. You always know what to say and you have a story for every occasion, you have given countless words of wisdom to me any many others; nothing frightens you and you never loose your cool. Natalie, so talented, I truly think there isn't anything you can't do when you decide to do it. Your so smart and always willing to learn and teach others, great listener and problem solver, thanks for always humoring me. Lara, you are so kindhearted. You are always willing to give people the benefit of the doubt and and find the good in everyone, you make people feel comfortable and loved. While serving in a calling that requires so much time spent with a few sisters, it is inevitable that lasting friendships will be formed. I am so grateful for that, and all that I have learned about myself and being a better Rachel from serving with this presidency and in this capacity.

Out with the Old and on with the New- With every release comes new opportunity to serve and while I do feel like this is the end of an era (defined as a significant period of time), I am so looking forward to being able to spend more time at home with my family. Also my new calling, or our new callings, I guess I should say, is Activities Chair. Tom is thrilled and I know that this is going to be a great opportunity to take the many friendships that I have acquired and transform them into friendships that my family can share with other families in the ward.

Thank you all again for all the support that was definitely needed in the last year or so, as I tried to serve in this calling, and for the kind words of encouragement as we start our new calling.