Hello all my wonderful young women!
I miss you. I miss seeing your smiling faces on Sundays and hearing about your week. I miss having Tuesday activities and trying new things together. As I have tried to connect with you over these strange past few months, I have laughed at your wittiness, smiled at your positivity and ached with you in your trials. I am so proud of all of you for the way you have taken things in stride. I have loved being with my little family on Sundays (it is easier to keep five and four year-olds reverent for short Sacrament meetings at home than for an hour at church), however, the longer my family tries to do it’s part to try and slow the spread of Covid-19, the more I miss the beauty and power that comes from meeting together. There is a strength that fills me on Sundays when I hear your simple and honest testimonies. There is a spirit that warms me when you teach your young women lessons. For now, please know that your Young Women leaders are trying to be aware of your needs. We pray for you. We root for you. We love you.
One thing that has been on my mind and concerns me is the intolerance I see all over social media lately. Opinions about the virus and protocols vary greatly. Opinions about this year’s upcoming presidential elections vary greatly. Opinions about marches and riots in the last month or so vary greatly. Yes, differing opinions are part of life, but on social media, I see strangers attacking strangers, neighbors attacking neighbors, and even family attacking family over these differing opinions. I cannot believe this is how Christ would like to see us react to others’ opinions, no matter how confident we are in our own views.
Remember the New Testament story about the woman taken in adultery? The Law of Moses clearly stated that adultery was a sin. The scribes and Pharisees brought this woman to Christ. She had been caught in the very act of adultery. Testing Christ, they said according to the law of Moses she should be stoned and asked Him, “What sayest Thou?” Christ’s impactful words to them were, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” Those accusing the woman left the scene and Christ tells the woman that He does not condemn her.
One could argue that Christ of all people would have had the right to judge and stone the woman. However, he showed us by example how we should treat each other. In a general conference address entitled “Our Good Shepherd” Elder Dale G. Renlund said, “Persecution comes in many forms: ridicule, harassment, bullying, exclusion and isolation, or hatred toward another. We must guard against bigotry that raises its ugly voice toward those who hold different opinions. Bigotry manifests itself, in part, in unwillingness to grant equal freedom of expression. Everyone, including people of religion, has the right to express his or her opinions in the public square. But no one has a license to be hateful toward others as those opinions are expressed.” If Christ treats a sinner like the woman caught in adultery with compassion and love how should we treat those who simply have different opinions than we do? Should we stone them with harsh words? Should we shame them with finger pointing? Should we bully or isolate them? Should we persecute them? No. Elder Renlund also said, “We, who are sinners, must, like the Savior, reach out to others with compassion and love. Our role is also to help and bless, lift and edify, and replace fear and despair with hope and joy.”
In the April 1994 General Conference, Russel M. Nelson said, “Together we live on this earth, which is to be tended, subdued, and shared with gratitude. Each of us can help to make life in this world a more pleasant experience.” Your grace and tolerance towards others will make a big difference, especially these days. Do you also remember President Nelson’s call for the youth to join the Lord’s Battalion? That charge has not stopped due to a virus. He gave a list of five invitations to join the battalion. This is the fifth: “My fifth invitation is for you to stand out; be different from the world. You and I know that you are to be a light to the world. Therefore, the Lord needs you to look like, sound like, act like, and dress like a true disciple of Jesus Christ.” I see, now more than ever, the need for you young women to be a light in this world.
In one of my favorite hymns (In Humility, our Savior, Hymn 172), we sing a plea for the Savior “to fill our hearts with sweet forgiving, teach us tolerance and love.” Are these the things we strive to do? Elder Renlund’s invitation was, “As His disciples, let us fully mirror His love and love one another so openly and completely that no one feels abandoned, alone, or hopeless.” My prayer is that we all try to follow Christ. Let’s not condemn others. Let us be quick to forgive. Let us be tolerant. Let us love as He loved and how He loves us now. Pray for love, pray for forgiveness, pray for Christ-like tolerance. I promise you, that you can receive His love for others. You can feel the “sweet forgiveness.” It will brighten your life. It will lighten your load.
I love you all,
Sister Valentine
Kylie Betts
She loves school other than P.E. and health.
Recent Hobbies include clay figurines, sewing, and scooter rides.
She’s our “Smiley Kylie,” almost always happy!
One special memory we have of Kylie was the time we went to the city’s Easter Egg Hunt. She had collected the allotted amount of eggs and saw a little boy sad that he’d not gotten any. Without hesitation she gave the boy half of her own eggs. Not caring what might be inside. He ended up winning a gift basket, and she was so happy for him. We were so proud of her generosity and caring attitude. That’s exactly who she is!
Thank you Sister Betts for sharing that story about Kylie! What an inspiring story of selflessness.
Eden Merrill
Her favorite school subjects are English and Lunch!
During the quarantine Eden has been practicing tumbling and loves to workout! She goes on bike rides and walks on the trail. She has loved hanging out with her sisters, watching movies, swimming, practicing hymns, baking goodies and learning how to embroider.
Eden has always loved to dance and do gymnastics. Even as a little girl she would bust out her dance moves when we were at the grocery store, mall, church…really everywhere we went! When Eden was in 3rd grade she fell from the school monkey bars and fractured every bone in her arm. Her elbow had to be reconstructed with several surgeries and the Dr said she wouldn’t be able to do any kind of tumbling at all because her arm would never be strong enough. Eden was determined to regain her strength and worked hard to reach her goal. She has been back in tumbling and gymnastics for several years and is excited to tryout for the high school cheer team.
Wow! Eden, you are tough! Thank you, Sister Merrill, for sharing some fun facts about Eden with us!
Sara Chandler
Fun fact: Sara and I look so much alike that Facebook will try to tag me in any picture of her and I never have to take her to Parent/Teacher Conferences because all the teachers figure I must be Sara’s mom just by my face.
Thank you, Sister Chandler, for sharing more with us about Sara. You two do look alike!
Saturday, July 4th: Independence Day
Friday, July 24th: Pioneer Day