One Last Post of Gratitude

Sorry all my pictures got lost in that last post. They were really nice, but that doesn't matter now. Jackson's Mill is over for another two years, and we will meet back there in 2014. Wow,that seems a long way off now, but time does fly.
Anyway I will get the the point and that is to say just how grateful I am to everyone who took part in Jackson's Mill. From the presenters to the party goers, all played a valuable part in just being there in the throng. We had a wonderful turn out and the workshops were far beyond expectation. Wasn't it a treat to be there?
I want to acknowledge every person at Jackson's Mill and commend them for the virtue of their lives. When we all get together there is such spiritual strength among us and a lot of plain good fun into the bargain. It was worth every sacrifice and effort to be there. Thanks also to all the men that made it possible for us to break free on go on a much needed and satisfying retreat !!!

Until next time!

BTW All the food from the food drive was delivered to Beverly in Elkins today, by our dear Nancy. Thank you all again for giving of your substance to feed those in need.

What to Bring

Towel and washcloth

Toiletries

 Extra Blanket

Clothing suitable for changing temperatures

Scriptures

Water Bottle

Snacks

Cushion, if desired

Food item for Food Drive

Happy Packing!

Directions to Jackson's Mill

Traveling South on I-79

Taking Exit 105, turn right toward Jane Lew, and travel approximately 1/2 mile to the intersection of Route 19. Turn left and follow Route 19 South for approximately 7 miles to Jackson’s Mill Road. (The Hickory House Restaurant is a landmark.) Turn right onto Jackson’s Mill Road and go approximately 2.5 miles. After you cross the bridge, the WVU Jackson’s Mill grounds are on your right.

Traveling North on I-79

Using Exit 99, turn left toward Weston onto Route 33 West and travel approximately 2 miles. At the fourth traffic light, turn right onto Route 19 North. Follow Route 19 North for approximately 4 miles to Jackson’s Mill Road. (The Hickory House Restaurant is a landmark.) Turn left onto Jackson’s Mill Road and travel approximately 2.5 miles. After you cross the bridge, the WVU Jackson’s Mill grounds are on your right.

Traveling West on Route 33

Continue straight on Route 33 through the Interstate 79 interchange. At the fourth traffic light (approximately 2 miles), turn right onto Route 19 North. Follow Route 19 North for approximately 4 miles to Jackson’s Mill Road. (The Hickory House Restaurant is a landmark.) Turn left onto Jackson’s Mill Road and travel approximately 2.5 miles. After you cross the bridge, the WVU Jackson’s Mill grounds are on your right.

Traveling East on Route 33

Take Route 33 into Weston, then follow signs for Route 19 North. After approximately 4 miles, (the Hickory House Restaurant is a landmark), turn left onto Jackson’s Mill Road and travel approximately 2.5 miles. After you cross the bridge, the WVUJackson’s Mill grounds are on your right.

N 39 05.838, W 80 28.117 -GPS Coordinates 

A Message from Nancy

Precious stones are precious and costly because they are rare. A virtuous woman is rare and very hard to find. Therefore she is more valuable than that rare gem.







I love this theme for this conference because it is exactly what we need to focus on.

Sister Barbara Thompson said: "Sisters, now more than ever we need women to step up, and be strong. We need women who declare that truth with strength, faith and boldness.... We need to live so that our lives bear witness that we love Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ and that we will do what They have asked us to do."



Come and hear more from our Stake Relief Society President on Saturday morning at the Women of Virtue Retreat.

Come Sing with Us

We are singing My Sister's Hands as our final congregational song. You can come to the front and sing and be part of an instant choir. All are invited! This is a beautiful song. Enjoy!

      Lyrics to My Sister’s Hands by Sally DeFord

My sister's hands are fair and white; my sister's hands are dark
My sister's hands are touched with age, or by the years unmarked
And often when I pray for strength to live as He commands
The Father sends me sustenance in my sister's hands

My sister's hands are lined and worn with burdens of their own
And yet I know that should I mourn, I need not weep alone
For often as I seek His grace to lighten life's demands
The Father sends me solace borne in my sister's hands

My sister's hands: compassion's tools that teach my own their art
Witnesses of charity within the human heart
Bearers of the Savior's love and mercy unto man
I have felt the Master's touch in my sister's hands

Time Changes

Breakfast will now start at the earlier time of 7:30am. This will give us more time in the morning before our 9am program, for which we want to be on time.
Lunch will be from 12pm to 1pm. We won't have to go downstairs for our lunch anymore. Now we can all eat in the main dining hall together. No need for staggered lunch times or jewel lunch tickets! I feel great about this. Thanks Jackson's Mill!

Our Very Own Bathsheba Smith

 Sister Bathsheba W. Smith served as the fourth Relief Society general president [from 1901 to 1910], and was born May 3, 1822, in Shinnston, WV.



She wanted to help women with their roles at home as wives and mothers. There were classes on prenatal care, marriage and child rearing.



Let us remember our very own West Virginian Woman of Virtue!

Women (and Men) of Virtue

“It is as obligatory upon a woman to draw into her life the virtues that are fostered by the Relief Society as it is an obligation for the men to build into their lives the patterns of character fostered by the priesthood.”

Boyd K Packer

Did you Know?

In the very early days of Relief Society you were accepted in as a member based on your goodness and virtue. I am sure there was a very good reason for this, but I am relieved that it is not so today!

Everyone is invited to Jackson's Mill!

Emma Smith, a Virtuous Woman

I recently read Doctrine and Covenants  25, which is a revelation for Emma Smith. We are promised the same blessings as Latter Day Saint women! This is a beautiful chapter to read and ponder upon.


And if thou art faithful and walk in the paths of virtue before me, I will preserve thy life, and thou shalt receive an inheritance in Zion.
Doctrine and Covenants 25:2

Oh and I found this quote amusing:

Emma Smith taught that “it was high time for mothers to watch over their daughters and exhort them to keep the path of virtue.”

Quote of the Day by the Prophet Joseph Smith

The Prophet Joseph Smith counseled: “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God” (History of the Church, 5:134–35).

How Our Theme Came to Be

Our theme for the Conference is Women of Virtue. A famous scripture which goes along with the theme is Proverbs 31:10 ¶Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

I will soon have three daughters in Young Women's. Over the past few years the YW themes have made an impact on my girls and my whole family. Last year their theme was the Thirteenth Article of Faith:

“We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things” (Articles of Faith 1:13).

You can read more about the theme here

I looked up Virtue in the Guide to the Scriptures. Being virtuous is being pure, and having integrity and strength.

Becoming a virtuous woman may start in Young Women's but isn't it a lifelong quest to develop all these things within us? We are striving to become perfect. It is a lot to live up to. We will fall down, but that is why we need the Savior to lift us back up.

This quote by President Uchtdorf is so reassuring:

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.

It’s wonderful that you have strengths.

And it is part of your mortal experience that you do have weaknesses.

God wants to help us to eventually turn all of our weaknesses into strengths, but He knows that this is a long-term goal. He wants us to become perfect, and if we stay on the path of discipleship, one day we will. It’s OK that you’re not quite there yet. Keep working on it, but stop punishing yourself.

Dear sisters, many of you are endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others. Please remember also to be compassionate and patient with yourself.

More from Forget Me Not talk 

Some wonderful links to scriptures that go along with our theme:

Proverbs 31

Let Virtue Garish Thy Thoughts Unceasingly

Remember Faith, Knowledge, Virtue

Quote of the Day by the Prophet Joseph Smith

Speaking to the sisters, the Prophet Joseph said: “Don’t be limited in your views with regard to your neighbors’ virtues. … You must enlarge your souls toward others if you [would] do like Jesus. … As you increase in innocence and virtue, as you increase in goodness, let your hearts expand—let them be enlarged towards others—you must be longsuffering and bear with the faults and errors of mankind. How precious are the souls of men!” 

^{More form this talk:   Charity Never Faileth by}

Silvia H. Allred

^{General Relief Society Broadcast is Saturday Oct 29 2012. Watch live on lds.org}

Food Drive Items to Bring

Here are the details from the Beverly Food Pantry: Please bring one (or more) of the following items:

• canned vegetables and canned fruit
• canned soups (vegetable, tomato, noodle)
• dry beans
• instant mashed potatoes
• canned ravioli and canned spaghetti
• Spam
• tuna
• Pork 'n beans
• cereal
• jelly
• lots of Peanut Butter
• boxed mac 'n cheese
• oatmeal
• jello
• koolaid

Service and Crafts at Jackson's Mill

• We are having a Food Drive at Jackson's Mill. The Stake Relief Society Presidency has selected a food pantry in Beverly WV. All donations of non-perishable food items will be taken there. Our cause is to help the people of Elkins who were hit by the storm during the summer. Please ask the sisters to bring canned items for those in need.

• Another act of service that will be available act Jackson's Mill is making crocheted jersey lap quilts. Sister Wilson has asked for donations of yarn for this project. There will be instructions on how to make the quilt. You can take it away to finish. When it is done, give away this gift of the heart. Your service of love and time will make this quilt dear to someone you care for.
• The craft will primarily be putting together some FHE binders. Some cutting and sticking may be required, at a level all can easily achieve. What a fantastic product to come away with.
• Also for those crafty, creative people, how about making your own bath salts? This will be an activity available at the Spa Party! Come and pamper yourself!

Jackson's Mill 2012 Schedule

Sisters, I am excited to publish this. All of the wonderful workshop presenters and sharing station presenters are on here. This is a must read! Get to know who is doing what! There are so many wonderful sisters and also brethren preparing for this event. We want to thank them for their dedication and willingness to serve at the retreat. Women of Virtue Schedule

Women of Virtue Logo

You've seen the football logo around everywhere. Well we have our own WV logo for the retreat.
WV stands for West Virginia and Women of Virtue. Do you like that?
WV logo

Jackson's Mill Cheer

I never was a cheerleader, were you? How about being a cheerleader for our stake? Would you like that?

So here's our little cheer to boost our spirits at the retreat.



Jackson's Mill 2012 Cheer

Our heartfelt thanks to Sharleen Curtis for being the head cheerleader at the retreat!

Clarksburg Sisters Standing Together

Surely there is a way for people of goodwill who love God and have taken upon themselves the name of Christ to stand together for the cause of Christ and against the forces of sin. In this we have every right to be bold and believing, for “if God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). 

Quote by Elder Jeffrey R Holland

Sisters, we would like to do a cheer at Jackson's Mill. We will say it three times during the conference. Once on Friday night,once on Saturday morning and finally on Saturday afternoon.

You can practice it at home and have fun with it!

What does the word "virtue" mean?

Having virtue means that you are modest and that you keep your body and mind clean and pure. Having virtue helps you feel the Holy Ghost and be a good example to others. It also helps you be strong and healthy. The word virtue also means “strength.”

Definition from here

Quote of the Day by President Quentin L Cook

God placed within women divine qualities of strength, virtue, and love.

Look at this picture from the Friend

Quote of the Day by President Uchtdorf

Sisters, please embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ! Learn to love your Heavenly Father with all your heart, might, and mind. Fill your souls with virtue, and love goodness. Always strive to bring out the best in yourself and others.Read more

Quote of the Day by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

May I invite you to rise to the great potential within you. But don’t reach beyond your capacity. Don’t set goals beyond your capacity to achieve. Don’t feel guilty or dwell on thoughts of failure. Don’t compare yourself with others. Do the best you can, and the Lord will provide the rest. Have faith and confidence in Him, and you will see miracles happen in your life and the lives of your loved ones. The virtue of your own life will be a light to those who sit in darkness, because you are a living witness of the fulness of the gospel (see D&C 45:28). Wherever you have been planted on this beautiful but often troubled earth of ours, you can be the one to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees” (D&C 81:5).  

Read more

I was at the Morgantown 1st ward conference today. All the talks and songs were about sharing the gospel. I really felt more committed to living the gospel in the final song, "I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord." I know that I want to know God's plan for me and what I can do to follow it. 

Workshop Schedule

Workshop times are not set in stone at this stage of the planning. We hope you will enjoy reading through the packet, and understand that scheduling details are subject to change. Women of Virtue Registration Packet

Registration Forms

Hot off the Press! I will be going to the printers tomorrow to print 500 copies of the registration forms. I am sending them as hard copies out to the wards and branches in the Clarksburg Stake. You get to download one here of your very own. Actually there are two sheets to fill in. One is to select your workshops. The other is for your contact details and fancy signature. Print these off and hand them in to your sweet Relief Society President. Easy!

Sharing Stations!

We want to set up Sharing Stations at lunch time. To see what a Sharing Station is look here. Lynette Wright has agreed to transform the Assembly Hall into display booths for us to walk around at lunch time. Handouts can be emailed to me and I can post them here, saving trees, and coming direct to your living room with no clutter.

Welcome to Our Blog!

 Hi Lovely Ladies of the Clarksburg Stake. Details of our Women of Virtue Retreat Coming Soon. Check Back often