June Message

Dearest Sisters,
While the reorganization was due to come, it still brings its fair share of challenges. President Monson said, “One of the most inevitable aspects of our lives here upon the earth is change. At one time or another we‟ve all heard some form of the familiar adage: „Nothing is as constant as change.‟ Throughout our lives, we must deal with change. Some changes are welcome; some are not. There are changes in our lives which are sudden, but most of the changes take place subtly and slowly.”

2010 hasn‟t been the best year for our family. As most of you know, my husband was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer in January. His treatment plan has been broken down into two regimens. The first consisted of twenty chemo infusions given M-F for one month. We got through that, although the side effects have taken a toll on my sweet husband. We are now in the second regimen of treatment, 48 weeks of injections administered three times a week. 48 weeks x 3 injections per week = 144 injections. Each injection is two needle pokes, that 288 shots, for the next year. Even with all the terrible side effects, we are thankful for the opportunity to have a treatment plan in place, no matter how he will feel during treatment. We have just lowered our expectation of what a good day is. We now just say, “This is the new good.”

Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important. Sisters, you are important. You are an important part of the Lord‟s plan and the purpose of Relief Society.

Visiting Teaching is a work of encouragement and love; where you build caring relationships with each sister and offer support, comfort, and friendship. It is amazing how many people we can convert with love and inspire with love. We are “to warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite … to come unto Christ.” (D&C 20:59.)

Change has personally come into our lives. We didn‟t intentionally choose this as the path to walk, it chose us. However, we have been able to find strength in this journey. We have been blessed with wonderful gestures of service from family, ward members, visiting teachers as well as from friends in the community.

As we adjust to the changes that will continue in third ward, I hope we will all do so with a positive attitude. We are all members of Relief Society, and the sacred work of visiting teaching is very core of it. I hope that all of you will embrace these changes, and refer to them as „the new good.‟

Sincerely, Cheryl Fowler