In Loving Memory

Sisters,
Donna Zuniga, who has been struggling with a smile through Lou Gehrig's Disease for over a decade, passed away early yesterday morning. The viewing will be held at the Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home Sunday night from 5-7 pm. The address is 110 South 7th St, Oregon, IL 61061. Funeral Services will commence at 10:30 am at the Byron Meetinghouse Monday, June 28. Please come and share your sympathies with her family, and keep prayers of comfort for her loved ones in your heart.

I've been informed that Donna's favorite color is red; her favorite flower, the rose.

How Goes Your Visiting Teaching?

Sisters, I know we are kind of in a mess right now with visiting teaching, what with all the changes in membership recently, and we are working hard to correct that, but in the meantime, please keep visiting where you can and how you can. Thank you so much for your service!

RS Lesson, Sunday, June 27

We'll have the privelege of our fourth Sunday lesson, Teaching for Our Times, given by Sister Rina Rothermal.

Sunday's Lesson

The lesson for Sunday, June 6, will be taught by Sister Carolyn Ashley.

The following week will be stake conference.

Upcoming RSM

Let Your Light So Shine

We are very excited about our next RSM, coming up June 8th. We will commence at 6:30 pm at the meetinghouse.

Sister Laurie Preece is coming to speak to us. We will enjoy a lovely dinner and each other's company, and have the opportunity to share our testimonies with one another at the evening's end.

Come be fed physically and spiritually.

Our Own Little Melting Pot :)

Okay, Girlies! Let the party begin! Have I told you how proud I am of you for accepting your visiting teaching challenge?

Thursday, May 20, get ready to come get your fondue on! My place (I'll e-mail you the address), 6:30. RSVP if you plan on coming! It's chocolate and fruit! What could be better? You all better be there!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Hope you each get treated like the queen you are today!!
Our lesson will be presented by Annette Ellis, Gospel Principles #9.

LDS.org - Ensign Article - Are We Not All Mothers?

LDS.org - Ensign Article - Are We Not All Mothers?

Relief Society Lesson

FAST SUNDAY!
Our RS lesson for Sunday, May 2, will be taught by Sister Marisa Schwegler. There will be time following the lesson for testimony bearing. We would love to hear from you.

Bring on the Party

WE DID IT!!!!

Sisters, you were given a challenge and you accepted!! I am SO proud! Our visiting teaching numbers were in the




for April! So, you know what that means! PARTY AT THE SCHWEGLER HOUSE!!! Give me your ideas and suggestions on what you want us to do to celebrate, and keep up the fantastic work!!!

Jordan Family Scriptures

In case you haven't yet heard, this need was met, and very quickly! Thank you to all of you who jumped at the chance to serve. You are wonderful!

Needed: A Donation of Scriptures

The Jordan family of the Sterling Ward lost their home to a fire. Thankfully, no one was injured and they are insured. However, this is a tragic blow to anyone. We have been asked by the stake if we can help get the family some scripture sets. If you have an old set, even a partial that you no longer use, please let a member of the presidency know. Thank you so much, sisters.

Sharing the Wealth

If anyone is getting rid of older but still usable furniture, please pass that information along. We would love to be able to bless others within our branch family.

Update on Sister Frank

Sister Frank is home and will be receiving in-home IVs. We need lots of help, ladies!! Let me know who can offer her services! Thanks!

Lesson for Sunday, March 7th

FAST SUNDAY! :)
Sister Rhonda Pace will be giving the presidency lesson this Sunday. If you would like to be prepared for the discussion, please read the visiting teaching lesson for March.

Branch Baptism

We are so excited to announce that Brother Jared Ashley is getting baptized this Saturday, March 6, at 1:00 pm. Come join in this joyous event!!

RSM!

The Relief Society Meeting has been rescheduled for March 13th! This Saturday event will be a great time, and we look forward to seeing all of you. Block off your morning, making yourself available from 9-12 am. Find your Breakfast Buddy! We want you each to come with one other active sister. Not two others, not three...just one. :)

Also, if you signed up to bring something to the breakfast, please leave a comment below with your name and what you signed up for. Thanks so much!!

Please note: This is a casual-dress event.

Sisters in Need

Sister Utahna Denton entered the hospital this week with a bowel disturbance, and was later life-flighted to Madison, Wisconsin to undergo surgery. Thankfully, her condition was not as serious as first thought, but she's still been in the hospital all week. She will be returning home Friday and it would be very helpful if she could have a few meals brought in. If you can do a meal, or even part of one, comment here, or e-mail Marisa Schwegler at marisaschwegler@yahoo.com or call 815.315.7058.

Also, Sister Liz Frank's condition is very serious. She had to go to the ER to receive an IV on Tuesday, and again today at her OB-GYN's office. They think she may possibly need IVs every day to keep her hydrated, and must remain down at all times. With two active little boys, you can imagine how stressful this condition is on the entire family. We are trying to coordinate efforts to ease things for their family. If there is anything you can do: spend a few hours in a morning or afternoon cleaning or entertaining the boys, bring a meal in, anything, please, please let us know. We would like this to be a coordinated effort, to make it as consistent and efficient as possible. Please contact Marisa Schwegler at the above contact information if you can contribute.

On behalf of these sisters and their families, thank you so much!

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Follow our blog! (See the link on the side) :)

Event Date Change

Take note! Our RSM that was scheduled for the 6th has been moved! We're still going to have it, but there is a Stake Primary Girl's Activity Day and the Pinewood Derby on the 6th, so we are waiting for confirmation on our new date. A big thank you to all of you who have signed up to bring something for the breakfast! Oh, and keep in mind we want you coming together in pairs. So, think about who you want as your breakfast buddy! We'll keep you posted!!

Sister Zunniga

Ladies, Sister Donna Zunniga's health is declining. If you would like to send her a note or stop by to see her, now is the time.

Sunday's Lesson

Sunday's lesson will be the Teachings for Our Times, by Sister Rina Rothermal.

Sunday's Lesson

Sunday's Gospel Principles lesson #3 "Jesus Christ, Our Chosen Leader and Savior" will be taught by Annette Ellis. Please read and come prepared with your scriptures to participate!

Questions and Principles to Ponder:

• Why did we need to leave Heavenly Father's presence?
• Why do we need a Savior?
• Think about your feelings for your Savior.
• In what ways does the war in heaven continue today?
• Think about how the Savior's teachings have influenced you.

Upcoming Events!

February 12th: Branch Temple Day
February 13th: Branch Valentine's Party
February 14th: Branch Conference
February 19th: RS Board Teacher Inservice, 6:30 pm at Sister Ashley's home
February 21st: Regional Single Adult Fireside (31+), 7:00 pm at the Stake Center

If you have any announcements you would like me to add, please pass them along: marisaschwegler@yahoo.com

Also, as something fun, if you'd like, leave your Valentine's gift ideas for him in the comments!

Sister Oltmanns Update

I was fortunate enough to catch both Sister and Brother Oltmanns yesterday, and they both are in great spirits and say they are doing great! Sister Oltmanns looks amazing and is coming along like a champ. She says she plans to be home by February 15th, which is just phenomenal. She passes along her "hello" to everyone, and thanks all of you who have taken the time to visit, send cards, and in general show your love.

SAVE THE DATE!

Clear your calendar for the morning of Saturday, March 6th! Our first big RSM (Relief Society Meeting, formerly Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment, formerly Homemaking) will be taking place this day, and you won't want to miss it!!

Relief Society Teacher Inservice

Teacher Inservice will be held on Friday, February 19th, at 6:30 pm. This meeting, which teaches teachers how to teach, will be led by Sister Carolyn Ashley. Potluck dinner at her home will precede the instruction. You will be contacted for assignments. Join us for an evening of good food, good company, and good instruction.

Fifth Sunday Lesson

The fifth Sunday lesson on January 31st will be a combined lesson for the Relief Society and Priesthood, held in the chapel. This lesson with by taught by Brother Ellis on the topic of the Sabbath Day.

Visiting Teaching!!!

The month is drawing closer to its end, sisters. Have you done your visiting teaching? If not, get busy; if yes, please REPORT! Call your district supervisors or call or e-mail a member of the presidency.

Marisa Schwegler: 815.315.7058, marisaschwegler@yahoo.com

Carolyn Ashley: 815.234.2652, lyn67ash@comcast.net

Rhonda Pace: 815.980.7191, rhondalpace@yahoo.com

Cheryl Hart: 815.298.4719, scrampinlvnit@yahoo.com

For a copy of the visiting teaching message, click here.

Update on Sister Oltmanns

Well, she's just doing great! She's in amazing spirits and says she is getting great care, which of course, is a relief. It sounds like she will be there for a while, and would love to have some company. She is at Oregon Healthcare Center Nursing Home. The address there is 811 S 10th St, Oregon, IL 61061. If you'd like to give her a call to see how she is coming along and to let her know you are thinking of her, the phone number there is 815.732.7994. I'm sure she would appreciate it.

As for those of you who have already made the effort, she would like to thank you and tell you how much she has enjoyed your visits. Thank you for taking the time to show your love to this sweet sister.

Call to Service

As you may or may not know, Sister Jan Oltmanns had knee surgery and is currently recovering, leaving her husband unattended. :) If I were in her place, I know my main concern would be making sure my husband was fed, so we are asking that anyone take a bit of time to drop something by for Brother Oltmanns. This could be as simple as making an extra serving as you cook for your family, and dropping by a plate.
Their address is 504 S 2nd St, Oregon, IL 61061, and their phone number 815.732.2909.
Thank you so much for your willingness to serve!

A Message from the Presidency

Dear Sisters,

We are so grateful for this new opportunity. Thank you for your sustaining votes, and your prayers and words of encouragement offered on our behalf. We know these new callings will provide us many, many blessings. Each of you have so much to give and teach us, and we are so grateful to have the chance to serve you, know you, and love you better than before.

Receiving a new calling is always a humbling experience. Often, we may find ourselves called into a capacity that we don't really "see" ourselves in. Often, we may feel overwhelmed, underqualified, and just plain reluctant to step outside of our comfort zones. But, the beauty and obligation we have as part of being members of this church is we step forward and do when called.

Frankly, I doubt very much Nephi wanted to trudge back into Jerusalem, from where his family had fled to keep their lives, into the lions' den that was Laban's home, to grovel before a man for whom he could have no respect. And then the heart-rending story of Abraham, walking the hill of sacrifice, knowing the Lord asked for the blood of his one, cherished son. His thoughts, could they be known...we can only imagine the grief and heartache, but he pressed forward, for the Lord called. And then, the greatest example of all, our dear Lord and Savior, who drank the bitterest of cups on our behalf. He soaked up and knew every pain, every sin, every filth...He, the only One who didn't deserve it.

I remember these examples when I feel bogged down. In this light? My responsibilities are small, my burden easy to bear. In my case, as in all others, our Father in Heaven will give "no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." (Nephi 3:7) I have an endless supply of misgivings about my own abilities, but this calling is a partnership, a partnership in which, thankfully, an all-knowing Creator is pulling almost all the weight. And as far as my human frailties will allow it, you all are in good hands, for we are each of us, in our Father's hands.

What a blessing to serve, sisters. Let us eagerly accept these opportunities to show the Lord our devotion to Him, as we grow together in this gospel of truth.

January's Visiting Teaching Message

Becoming Self-Reliant

Next Week's Lesson

Read and study "Our Heavenly Family" for January 17, 2010. Bring your spirit and inspiration prepared to enlighten your sisters.