Encouraging Family Unity and Enjoyable Family Activities - 13 March 2011

"By small and simple things are great things brought to pass."

Alma 37:6

We have a responsibility to support unity in our families and are promised increased love and harmony in our homes if we do.  Our lives can be very busy with school, work, sports, and other activities that it may feel challenging to "fit in" time for family togetherness.  Let us refocus and put first things first.  When we look at the bigger picture through the lens of eternal perspective, how important does family unity become?

What have I done for someone today?

Our Purpose in Life - 13 February 2011

Isn't it such a blessing to know who we are, where we're from, our purpose in life and what we are striving for?  Can you imagine how lost we would be without these truths?  Taking advantage of missionary opportunities in our daily lives just becomes so much more important!  

I love you 

Sister Hines

P.S. - 

Personal Progress: 

Divine Nature value experience 1

Divine Nature value project, bullet 3

Individual Worth value experience 4

A Woman's Responsibility to Teach - 06 February 2011

Our Savior is the perfect example in so many ways.  Can you think of ways you follow his example in your daily lives as you teach those around you?  Can you think of more ways in which you can?

I bear witness to you that women do have an enormous responsibility to teach; since becoming a mother I have felt it stronger and I try to fulfill it  every day with my own little ones.  Our family is blessed with strengthened relationships, deeper understanding, more faith and so many happy, precious moments!  I pray that yours will be  too, in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Love you,

Sister Hines

P.S. - Personal Progress! 

 Faith value experience 2

Knowledge value experience 1

Good Works value experience 4

Creating a Spiritual Environment in the Home - 30 January 2011

My Beloved Young Women:

There is a feeling I get every time I turn that neighborhood corner and the temple comes into view.  When I walk across the grounds and through those doors, my heart is so full and I feel the strongest urge to have my children near me, at my side, sealed to me-- I look forward to that day so very much!  When I go there I feel calm inside, yet ready to take on any work the Lord would have me do.  Hope is renewed, comfort is found, and my testimony of gospel truths is strengthened.  I understand better the perfect love of our Savior and what it can do for all of us.  Eternal perspective erases the negative feelings brought on by the world.  What feelings does the temple evoke for you?  How can you make your home a place that your guests will have similar feelings about?  How can you continue to do so when a home of your own is ready to be made? 

Lots of Love,

Sister Hines

Preparing to Become an Eternal Companion - 23 January 2011

To Our Dear Beehives, Mia Maids and Laurels:

You know who you are, where you come from and your potential.  I pray that the choices you make every day reflect that knowledge and a desire to be with Our Father in Heaven again, at the side of your eternal companion.  Here's to temple worthiness.  Here's to the journey.  Here's to time and all eternity.  Here's to being the woman you were destined to become.

Prepare yourselves.  Don't wait to start.  Temple worthiness is one of the most important things we strive for; it is part of putting the kingdom of God first.  You and your eternal companion will make and keep sacred covenants, and I hope to be there with you, You and your husband will start with four walls, a roof, a door and some windows.  Will you, in your very own way, turn it into a place of spiritual strength for you and your family?  Will you turn it into the place your missionary sons and daughters lovingly recall to the people they meet?

I love you so much

Sister Hines

Live Like You Believe

Live Like You Believe

Words and Music by Tyler Castleton and Jenny Phillips

You have felt the warmth of the fire

You have seen a glimmer of light

It’s something that you have been missing inside

something that you have been longing to  find

Hold on to the yearning

and wherever you are on the journey

Live like you believe

Live like you know

It’s one sure way your faith will grow

Listen to your heart

Search in your soul and you’ll find

the strength that you need

His light the gift of His peace when you live like you believe

There are things you’ll have to let go

You might feel you’re just hanging on

When you find yourself alone and afraid

Questioning all the choices you’ve made

Hold on to the burning

He’s leading you on through the journey

Live like you believe

Live like you know

It’s one sure way your faith will grow

Listen to your heart

Search in your soul and you’ll find

the strength that you need

His light the gift of His peace when you live like you believe

[...]

Hold on to the yearning

and wherever you are on the journey

Live like you believe

Live like you know

It’s one sure way your faith will grow

Listen to your heart

Search in your soul and you’ll find

the strength that you need

His light the gift of His peace when you live like you believe

For next Sunday, 23 January 2011: Preparing to Become an Eternal Companion

Dear Young Women,

This one's going to be a very special lesson.  Please prepare by prayerfully reading over and pondering the following:

Genesis 2:18, 24; 1 Corinthians 11:11; Moses 3:18, 21–24

Lots of love always,

Sister Hines

Building the Kingdom of God: 16 January 2011

We had a lovely conversation about the difference in perspective between the world and our faith regarding sacrifice.  Do you remember the promise made to those who sacrifice time, talents, and efforts in building the kingdom of God?  When you think of all we make available by serving Heavenly Father in Jesus' name, is it really much of a sacrifice?

I love you!

Communication Skills in Leadership: 12 December 2010

The lesson manual called for the introductory activity.  Do you remember Sister Stevens and I tied up Kayla's hands and made Maddy stand on a chair and Micaela skip around the room?  And you all complied so cheerfully?  You young women are so wonderful.  I think maybe the manual's preparers were counting on complaining and backtalk instead.  How blessed we leaders are!

Gratitude and Appreciation: 28 November 2010

Optimism: 21 November 2010

Self-Mastery: 14 November 2010

Maintaining Chastity through Righteous Living: The Camel in the Sandstorm

“[A] camel and his owner … were traveling across the desert sand dunes when a wind storm came up. The traveler quickly set up his tent and moved in, closing the flaps to protect himself from the cutting, grinding sands of the raging storm. The camel was of course left outside, and as the violent wind hurled the sand against his body and into his eyes and nostrils he found it unbearable and finally begged for entrance into the tent.

“ ‘There is room only for myself,’ said the traveler.

“ ‘But may I just get my nose in so I can breathe air not filled with sand?’ asked the camel.

“ ‘Well, perhaps you could do that,’ replied the traveler, and he opened the flap ever so little and the long nose of the camel entered. How comfortable the camel was now! But soon the camel became weary of the smarting sand on his eyes and ears, and he was tempted to ask again:

“ ‘The wind-driven sand is like a rasp on my head. Could I put just my head in?’

“Again, the traveler rationalized that to acquiesce would do him no damage, for the camel’s head could occupy the space at the top of the tent which he himself was not using. So the camel put his head inside and the beast was satisfied again—but for a short while only.

“ ‘Just the front quarters,’ he begged, and again the traveler relented and soon the camel’s front shoulders and legs were in the tent. Finally, by the same processes of pleading and of yielding, the camel’s torso, his hind quarters and all were in the tent. But now it was too crowded for the two, and the camel kicked the traveler out into the wind and storm” 

--Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1969], pp. 215–16.

Gospel principles can be likened to the tent of the traveler. 

When we surround ourselves with gospel principles and abide by their protection, we are safe from the destructive forces of Satan. 

If we choose to share part of our lives with evil influences, we will eventually lose our personal purity. 

This process of giving in gradually to Satan’s temptations is one of the most common ways in which young people lose their chastity.

Maintaining Chastity through Righteous Living

Please take some time to prayerfully read and think on the following scriptures for Sunday.  How can the principles taught in these scriptures help a young woman maintain chastity?

D&C 121:45-46

D&C 58:2

D&C 93:49

D&C 59:9

We must always be obedient to gospel principles. Straying from the protection of gospel principles, little by little, eventually results in unhappiness.  We must develop habits of obeying them every day. Inconsistent efforts will not help to keep us pure and clean.  You can maintain chastity and personal purity with obedience and by developing righteous daily habits and activities. As you do, you will find the JOY that the Lord promises to all the faithful.

We are daughters of our Heavenly Father.  Remembering our divine nature, we should remain fearless and show that we truly are queens. And you should know that you are loved-- so very, very much.

See you this weekend!

Honesty - 24 October 2010

Do you remember the story of the empty pot? Surely honesty can come easier with authority figures. But what about your friends? Acquaintances? Family?

Yourself?

"This above all: to thine own self be true

And it must follow, as the night the day

Thou canst not be false to any man."

-- William Shakespeare's Hamlet

As spirit children of our completely honest Heavenly Father, we hurt ourselves when we deny who we truthfully are.  Your honesty-- especially in facing those who would seek to provoke anger-- takes courage, love and optimism. Not a small feat, considering our circumstances!  Thank you for being good examples.

Love you so much!

P.S. - I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Exaltation - 15 August 2010

Exaltation is worth all our efforts.

Wise Choices - 17 October 2010

What a blessing.  Able to witness such a beautiful and moving baptism as well as see my Young Women again in the same evening.    

Did you run into any forks in the road today?  Are some forks predictable?  

It's almost never easy.  Almost never glamorous.  So why is it portrayed so in the movies and on TV? Remember your divine nature and your Heavenly Father who wants you to come back.

Be safe, be well, I love you, and I'll see you Tuesday!

Sister Hines

The Law of the Land - 12 September 2010

Hello again my dear and lovely young women :-)

Do you remember starting this lesson with our memories of 9/11?  How have you applied the gospel to your life in a new or different way because of what happened?

"In order to exercise the right to freedom of speech conferred by the Constitution, one should fulfill the social responsibility of a Chinese citizen. There is nothing criminal in anything I have done. [But] if charges are brought against me because of this, I have no complaints."

Liu Xiaobo has been awarded the Nobel Prize.  From his last statement before beginning an 11-year sentence, he also recognizes no one as an enemy and tenderly thanks his wife for loving him.  We are taught to uphold the laws of the land.  We must be thankful for the inspiration Heavenly Father has given to our nation's founders.

Love,

Sister Hines

The Importance of Life - 19 September 2010

You are one of God's greatest creations and you have a divine role in the creation process.  The adversary's influence in the world will encourage doubts or feelings that are counter to this.  If you ever feel discouraged or troubled, call on me or any of the other sisters.  That's what we are here for!  

Lots of Love,

Sister Hines