July mag

n g i I te

Sunset Ward Relief Society Newsletter

JULY 2018

Welcome Hi Sisters!

Welcome to our July magazine, I hope that you are all keeping warm and well during winter.

I know that Butterflies aren’t the normal things you think of during winter however I thought I would share an experience that I have had this week. I have been fascinated with butterflies for a long time now and I have been breeding butterflies for the past couple of years. We had an explosion of caterpillars in May and recently these caterpillars have hatched into beautiful butterflies. It has worried me as it is getting cold and these butterflies need the sun to dry their wings so they can fly off. This week one of the chrysalis hatched and his beautiful butterfly emerged. It was raining and this butterfly sat there with it’s droppy wings in a puddle of water. I don’t like to interfer with nature and I watched this butterfly to see what it would do and it didn’t move for a whole day, only part of it’s wings were open. I was starting to get worried so I got a long twig, picked up the butterfly and put it on a different swan plant in the sun and watched it flick it’s wings open. It was brilliant to watch. That butterfly sat there flicking its’ wings for 2 days and on the 2nd day I watched this delicate butterfly flick its wings and let go of the stalk and fly away. It circled several times then caught the breeze and then flew off. This butterfly reminded me how sometimes we are delicate, we may be in a bad situation and things look bleak but if we don’t give up, sometimes we need a helping hand from each other or a change to help us overcome the situation we are in. I know that having faith in Jesus Christ gives me this strength. He cares, he loves us so much. He gives me strength to go on. I hope we can be like butterflies and be strong so we can fly. Keep warm sisters. Heavenly Father loves all of us dearly.

Love from the Relief Society Presidency Jenie, Sonia and Alvina Page 2

In this issue Welcome

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Reach out in Compassion

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Getting to know: Dolly Ren

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Birthdays

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Welcome to RS Corinne Montesclaros

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Laurels Page

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Exercise Winter Fitess

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Recipes - Casserole

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Do you need Help?

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Are you Prepared?

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Book Club - Weekly Activities Service Project - Primary Pillows

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Ministering - lds.org

Reach Out in Compassion As you follow the Savior’s example of compassion, you will find that you can make a difference in others’ lives.

Compassion is having an awareness of others’ distress along with a desire to lighten or relieve it. A covenant to follow the Savior is a covenant of compassion to “bear one another’s burdens” (Mosiah 18:8).

An assignment to watch over others is an opportunity to minister as the Lord would: with “compassion, making a difference” (Jude 1:22). The Lord commanded, “Shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother” (Zechariah 7:9).

The Savior’s Compassion Compassion was a driving force in the Savior’s ministry (see sidebar: “A Compassionate Savior”). His compassion for His fellow man caused Him to reach out to those around Him on countless occasions. Discerning people’s needs and desires, He could bless them and teach them in ways that mattered most to them. The Savior’s desire to lift us above our distress led to the ultimate act of compassion: His Atonement for the sins and suffering of humankind.

His capacity to respond to the needs of the people is something that we can strive for as we serve. As we live righteously and listen to the promptings of the Spirit, we will be inspired to reach out in meaningful ways.

Our Covenant of Compassion

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Heavenly Father wants His children to be compassionate (see 1 Corinthians 12:25–27).

To become true disciples, we must develop and show compassion to others, especially to those need (D&C 52:40).

Taking upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ through our baptismal covenant, we witness that we are willing to exercise compassion. President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, taught that the gift of the Holy Ghost helps us do so: “You are a covenant member of the Church of Jesus Christ. …

“That is why you have a feeling to want to help a person struggling to move forward under a load of grief and difficulty. You promised that you would help the Lord make their burdens light and be comforted. You were given the power to help lighten those loads when you received the gift of the Holy Ghost.”1 For example, a sister in Russia had a difficult family situation that prevented her from attending church for more than a year.

Another sister in the branch reached out in compassion every Sunday by calling her to tell her about the talks, lessons, mission calls, babies born, and other news of the branch.

When the housebound sister’s family situation was resolved, she felt like she was still a part of the branch because of her friend’s weekly calls.

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Ministering

Four Suggestions for Developing Compassion

continued

While compassion is often increased after we experience our own trials, there are some things we can do today to develop compassion. Consider ways you could apply these four principles.

Pray for it. As you appeal to Heavenly Father, He will open your heart, and “you will come to feel a sincere concern for the eternal welfare and happiness of other people” (Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service [2004], 118; see also Moroni 7:48).

Practice it. You can show compassion by listening and understanding. Put yourself in their situation and consider how they might feel. If appropriate to the situation and timing, you could offer to help alleviate their pain, suffering, or distress.

Follow promptings. The Lord can reveal to us ways to show compassion that we might not have noticed on our own. When you feel a nudge from the Spirit to help others, don’t hesitate to act on it.

Be a personal friend. Showing compassion can be as simple as showing genuine interest in peoples’ lives. Learn to listen well (see “Ministering Principles: Five Things Good Listeners Do,” Liahona, June 2018, 6–9). Your love for them will increase, and it will be easier to recognize ways to show that love.

Compassion 1. Prayer 2. Practice 3. Promptings 4. Friendship A Compassionate Savior Consider studying some of these scriptures to see how Jesus Christ’s compassion moved Him to heal, bless, and teach those around Him during His ministry: Matthew 9:35–38; 14:14; 18:27, 33; 20:30–34; Mark 1:40–42; 5:19; 6:30–42; 9:22; Luke 7:13; 10:33; 15:20.

Ministering principles are intended to help us learn to care for one another—not to be shared as a message. As we come to know those we serve, the Holy Ghost will prompt us to know what message they might need in addition to our care and compassion.

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Getting to know

Dolly Ren My name is Dolly Ren. You may not know my Chinese name. My Chinese name is HongHong Ren. I was born in the North of China. We have five in my family. My parents are both retired now. I have two sisters and I’m the middle one.

On 2004 I moved to New Zealand for studying. Two years later I met the missionaries while they are knocking on the door. They invited me to have a lesson with them. On the first lesson one of missionaries

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asked me what is my belief. I told them I believed in science. They answered the science can only tell you what it is but cannot tell you why. Their answer really got me to think. As I learned more about the gospel, I started to realise that Heavenly farther had prepared me for many years to accept the gospel. When I was sixteen years old, I was eager to know the purpose and meaning of my life. I remembered I asked my parents and my teacher about it. They didn’t give me a satisfying answer. So I turned to the

books. I read all of the books I could find.

I kept searching for many years. Before I graduated from the university I wrote in my diary “so what! Stop thinking about this purpose meaning thing! Many people don’t know the answer, they still live a happy life.

Why is it so important to you?” At the point of giving up searching for the answer, my dad asked me to study abroad. I hesitated. I was going to graduate from school and have a job.

Why I needed more education? But he was so determined. So I ended up studying in New Zealand. I got the opportunity to meet the missionaries.

On 28th Jan 2007, I was baptised in Hamilton east ward. I was so happy that day. I still remember the feeling while I came out the water. Everything is so clean in this world. Half a year later I moved to Auckland to find a job. I didn’t find a job but a husband. We got married on 8th August 2008. He joined the church after we got married. Two years later we were sealed in the temple while I was having my first baby.

I’m so grateful that the gospel has changed my life and my little family. It helps me know the purpose and the meaning of my life. I know Heavenly Father loves me and knows me individually. I know Jesus Christ died for our sins so that we can be saved. I share this testimony in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

July Birthdays!

Happy birthday to the following sisters this month. We hope you have a wonderful day on your birthday.

5 July - Corinne Montesclaros 10 July - Anne Lui 13 July - Taryn Keyes 16 July - Rachel Keyes 22 July - Jillian Hogan 29 July - Ludene Halford

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W E L C O M E Welcome to Relief Society

Corinne Montesclaros A BIG welcome to Relief Society Corinne who turns 18 on the 5 July. We are so excited

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to have you in Relief Society and look forward to seeing your smiling face!

Young Womans

Laurels

Young Womans say good bye to Hannah as she moves into YSA/RS, hope you had a great birthday Hannah.

Young Womans Presidency

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Internet sourced

Winter

Fitness 5 tips for exercising in winter

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Eyes on the Prize

One of the most difficult things about exercising in winter is getting yourself motivated. Yes, it can be really hard to get out of bed to run because it is early, it’s cold, and the blankets are snuggly. But the fact of the matter is, you are never going to achieve your fitness goals from your bed.

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Keep Up Your Nutrition

Keep your eyes on the prize and push forward to keep your goal.

Did you know that weight loss is 80% nutrition?

So if you are looking to maintain your bikini bod over winter, it is important to keep up with your nutrition. It can be tempting to reach for the comfort foods, or the naughties. But with very little effort, you can make your own winter warming comfort food. If you want to know more, then you can check out our meal plans here

2 Take Up a Winter Sport

5 Try New Ways To Get Active

Playing a team sport can be really great motivation to get out and stay active. You can’t miss practices or games, as it will let your team down. You get to maintain your fitness as you dash about the court or field, and you get the opportunity to make some new friends too.

If pounding the frozen pavement is not getting you motivated, then look for some new and interesting ways to get active. Take a family hike, go on a scavenger hunt, do a deck of cards workout, play a sport, or try different group fitness classes at the gym. Step outside of your comfort zone and get creative on how you stay active – there are far more options than just running! - Come to our Line Dancing class on Thursday mornings!! You’ll love it.

3

Wear Layers

When you first head out the door, it is going to be cold! But, as you warm your blood, you are going to feel warmer too. If you have a couple of thin layers on, you can shed one or Page 13

Cooking

Beef Casserole

Pear Crumble

600g chuck or gravy beef

5 Pears

1 onion, halved and sliced

1/4 cup sugar

2 medium carrots, sliced thickly

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 Tbsp plain flour

1 cup flour

3 cups beef stock

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

70 g butter

1 Tbsp soy sauce

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1 Tbsp fresh thyme

1/2 cup rolled oats

2 bay leaves

Method

Method Preheat the oven to 180°C. Cut beef into 5cm cubes. Season with salt and pepper, add about 2 tablespoons of oil and mix well. Heat a large fry pan over a mediumhigh heat. Brown the beef in batches then place in a casserole dish.

Reduce heat in pan, and sauté the onion and carrot in oil. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Sprinkle in flour and stir until the vegetables are coated.

Gradually pour in stock, stirring well. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to the boil.

Pour into a casserole dish, cover then place in oven and cook until the beef is tender.

Stir every 40 minutes or so, adding water if needed to keep the ingredients just covered.

Serve with potatoes or rice. is tender. Depending on size and cut this can take up to 8 hours.

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To stew pears, peel and cut into thick slices. Place in a pot and add ¼ cup of sugar, cup of water, cover and cook gently for 15 minutes.

Place stewed pears in the bottom of a dish and sprinkle with 2-3 Tbls brown sugar.

Sieve flour and baking powder into a bowl, then slice in the butter in small pieces at a time. Rub the butter into the dry ingredients with fingers until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add coconut and rolled oats. Mix well then sprinkle mixture over fruit and bake for around 30 minutes at 180-190ºC or until golden.

Do you need help ?

Mental health, Food, child care Physical health, spiritual help

Sisters do you need help with the following? Do you know where to go if you need help? If you need help with anything please contact anyone in the Relief Society presidency, we are here to help and have several resources available to help you. We also have our compassionate service team who are ready to help. We are available during church and we are also available by phone or via fb messenger. Please don’t be afraid to ask for help.

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Enrichment weekday meeting

Are you

Prepared?

Our recent weekly enrichment evening our fantastic team (Nikki and Naomi) put together an emergency preparedness Games and Quiz Survivor night.

We had alot of fun that evening and it was the Battle of the Coloured tables. Four tables in total were battling it out for the best surivor (I had great hopes for purple table), Orange table eventually won with Merediths epic race to the end in Battle of the fire alarm.

(Videos available on our facebook page). We also enjoyed some yummy soup and scones (recipes for the soup were in last months magazine).

So what did we learn in the end??? We learn’t that Fire Alarms have a 10 year warranty, Nancy is a nurse with some mean as bandage skills, Meredith is fast at getting out of a sleeping bag and racing thru the fire to set the alarm off and last but not least don’t forget to pack garments into hour 72hr kit. Talking about kits here is an example of thigns you can put in your emergency kit. (see getthru.govt.nz).

In some emergencies you may need to evacuate in a hurry. Everyone should have a packed getaway kit in an easily accessible place at home and at work which includes:

• Torch and radio with spare batteries • Any special needs such as hearing aids and spare batteries, glasses or mobility aids • Emergency water and easy-to-carry food rations such as energy bars and dried foods in case there are delays in reaching a welfare centre or a place where you might find support. If you have any special dietary requirements, ensure you have extra supplies • First aid kit and essential medicines • Essential items for infants or young children such as formula and food, nappies and a favourite toy • Change of clothes (wind/waterproof clothing and strong outdoor shoes) • Toiletries – towel, soap, toothbrush, sanitary items, toilet paper • Blankets or sleeping bags • Face and dust masks • Pet supplies Include important documents in your getaway kit: identification (birth and marriage certificates, driver’s licences and passports), financial documents (e.g. insurance policies and mortgage information), and precious family photos.

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Book Club RS weekly activities

The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society

We had our Book Club meeting about The Guernsey, Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society.

Here are some thoughts from some members of our book club.

Naomi Mera - “Love book club we had good old laughs getting to know each other. It got me inspired to read the book.”

Sonia Hotere - To be honest, I’ve only seen the trailer of the movie, read the back cover of the book, flipped couple of pages but didn’t really feel any connection or inspired to read it.

I attended the book club anyway as I’ve never been part of one before and also because I wanted to hear what everyone else had to say about the book.

After listening to some of Charlene’s comments, I somehow got hooked when she talked about to the way the author describes details of the worries of the characters living during the time of war...

I then found myself wanting to read and feel the emotions of each character as they described their circomstances... detailes of people’s reality is very revealing of one’s state of mind and personality to me. So thanks to Charlene for inspiring me.

Anyways, I would recommend any sisters to attend the next gathering, even if you haven’t read the book... you never know, inpiration might be just around the corner and you don’t want to miss it! ;) Thanks Charlene for taking the time to share your love of reading. I enjoyed it a lot!

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Line Dancing with Huia

Thursday 9:30am - 10:30am Sunset Chapel

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Service Primary Project

Primary Pillows A huge big thank you to our wonderful RS Sisters who came along to teach our kids how to sew. They were so patient and kind in teaching our kids, some of the kids finished their pillow case, the rest will finish next activity.

Thanks again for sharing your talents with us, super blessed to have such talented ladies in our ward. - Anna Osborne Faith in God Leader

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