Dear Sisters,

          I agree with Elder Gene R. Cook.  The perfect Christmas would be putting more of Christ into our Christmas.  What would Jesus Christ give if he were with us today?  Do you enjoy giving more than receiving?

         I remember when my children were little we would prepare cookies and candies.  Then we would climb into the car and go caroling to homes and deliver our goodies.  I love those wonderful memories of sharing at Christmas time.  We have also been the recipients of gifts at a difficult time in our lives and how thankful we have felt. 
        I wish that the kind acts that are so abundant at this time of year would continue throughout the year.  Don’t you love the music, smells, lights, the feelings at Christmas time.  People just seem to love a little more.  Gathering turkeys and the trimmings to leave at someone’s home,  then knocking and running as fast as one can so no one knows who the gift bearers are.

Elder Cook suggests a few things we might do to have a great Christmas.
1.  I will do acts of charity for others.
2.  I will seek to give of myself spiritually to others.
3.  I will find someone to help and to pray for.
4.  I will secretly fast for someone who has a problem.
5.  I will extend my love to all.
6.  I will comfort the sick.
7.  I will visit widows and the homeless and share with them the scriptures.
8.  I will sing with someone who needs to sing.

       The list of Christ like activities could go on and on throughout the year so that everyday would feel like Christmas.  May your home be blessed this Christmas and throughout the coming year.

Merry Christmas!

Love,
Bannah Hanover
1st Counselor, Stake Relief Society

November Blog

Dear Sisters,

Happy Fall!  I hope you have been able to enjoy the beautiful fall that we have had so far.  It’s one of my favorite times of the year.  It reminds me of the love our Heavenly Father has for us and the bounty which he shares with us. 

Another great event which happens in the fall is Stake Conference.  I heard so many great things at conference this year that lifted me up, inspired me, and encouraged me.  In particular, I appreciate the goals which our Stake leaders have given us.  It’s always good to have goals to motivate and help us to better ourselves. The New Albany Stake Goals for 2012 are first, to attend the Temple at least once a month and secondly, to invite someone into your home each month to meet with the missionaries or to join you for Family Home Evening.   What worthy goals for all of us to strive to meet.  I know that the blessings we will receive by meeting these goals will be amazing not only for us as individuals, but as families and as a Stake.

President Lunt, our new Temple President, spoke to us about attending the Temple with an attitude of worship.  He encouraged us to come to the Temple not just for the sake of attending, but for the purpose of worship.  What a significant difference.  President Hinckley promised that if every worthy member would go to the house of the Lord and renew his covenants in solemnity before God and witnesses, we would be a better people. “I make you a promise that if you will go to the house of the Lord, you will be blessed, life will be better for you. … Avail yourselves of the great opportunity to go to the Lord’s house and thereby partake of all of the marvelous blessings that are yours to be received there”

He also promised that:

      ·         There would be little or no infidelity among us.

·         Divorce would almost entirely disappear.

·         So much of heartache and heartbreak would be avoided.

·         There would be a greater measure of peace and love and happiness in our homes.

·         There would be a greater measure of appreciation and of mutual respect among us.

As President Porter was discussing the Stake goals, I felt like the second point would be a great opportunity for our family.  Family Home evening is so different now with three of our five children out of the house.  Inviting someone to join us will be a great encouragement for us and I’m sure will be a lot of fun as well.  We need to get out of our shells a bit.

Sisters, I am so honored and excited to be able to serve you in this new calling.  I look forward to these next few years as we learn and grow together.  I would encourage you to pray about the goals we have been given and see how they can be incorporated into your lives.  I know you will be blessed for your efforts.

Love,

Christie KastelerStake Relief Society President