Happy Easter!

President Thomas S. Monson shares the story of a mother who lost her son at war but learned he would live again because of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Prophet Words

Let us ponder the words of our late President Gordon B. Hinckley:

"'The teacher's duty is to watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen them' (D&C 20:53).  This is the mandate of the Lord.  I hope that home teachers and visiting teachers will experience two things:  first, the challenge of the responsibility that is in their great calling, and second, the sweetness of results from their work, particularly with those among us who are less active.  I hope that these teachers will get on their knees and pray for direction, and then go to work to bring these wandering prodigals back into the fold of the Church.  If home and visiting teachers respond to this challenge, I honestly believe that they will taste the sweet and wonderful feeling which comes of being an instrument in the hands of the Lord in leading someone back into activity in His church and kingdom."  (Instruments of the Lord, Ensign, March 1997)

Saving Ronan

Three year old Ronan has aplastic anemia caused by a rare genetic disorder called dyskeratosis congenita. With a successful bone marrow transplant, Ronan has a 50% chance of being cured. He has no family match so needs our help. Because of the nature of DKC, each time Ronan receives a blood transfusion, which he is receiving often, it makes it more likely that his body will reject the bone marrow transplant. So time is of the essence.

City of Hope will be conducting a bone marrow (cheek swabbing) drive as part of our Women of Faith Humanitarian Workday on Thursday, April 14th from 12:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Stake Center. The R. Interfaith Council and the R. Service Club Council are co-sponsors of the drive.

The registration process will take roughly 10 minutes during which you will be asked to fill out paperwork and give a cheek swab sample. You will be registered until you are 61 years old and will only be asked to donate marrow or stem cells if you are identified as a match for a particular patient in need.

To join the registry, you need only to be between the ages of 18 and 60, be willing to donate to any patient in need, and meet the health guidelines. If you are not able to participate, won’t you spread to word to someone who can!

**See WOF's blog for further details.

Mormon Helping Hands

Bring a friend and your family and join us at Mormon Helping Hands for a fun day of service on Saturday, April 30th from 8am to noon.  There will be a job for everyone and kids are encouraged.  Lunch will follow at 12pm at S. Park.

Our ward will be working on the ____ median.  The police department will have R. Blvd closed for our safety while we are working.  Please park in the R. High School parking lot.  Check-in at the corner of F. Ave. and R. Blvd. (Youth Conference has a different check-in site).

Prepare to wear gloves and bring a shovel or heavy metal rake.  We will be planting (holes will already be pre dug) and distributing mulch and river rock.  Please wear your Mormon Helping Hands shirts, if you have them.

Reporting Form

Speaking of works, the Reporting Form (see above, Pages column) works as well and I'm glad that a couple of you have tried it out. 

As the form title states, it is a form that you may fill out to report your visiting teaching activities.  This of course is just another way to communicate.  You may certainly continue to report directly to your supervisor.  Keep in mind that should you decide to fill out the form, your supervisor will be aware of your declarations.

Thank you and have a great weekend!

Follow by Email works!

Yeay, subscribing through "Follow by Email" (see sidebar) works!  It just took a long while to get the notice of recent posts.  I'm hoping it's just an initial thing.  It'd be nice to actually get an instant email once a new post has been published.  Oh well.

So, feel free to submit your email to get updates from VT Rocks in R5.  You can try it out and should it not be for you, then you may certainly unsubscribe.

Do come by here from time to time and see what we're up to.

Thank you!  :)

P.S.  If you're a Blogger, I think the better way to follow is through Google Friend Connect.

Follow by Email

Huh, I just found out about the new feature on Blogger, Follow by Email (which you will now find on the sidebar).  Perfect!  Now, you can plug in your email address, submit, and then you'll get alerted with new posts via email. Cool.

Just to let you know, this feature doesn't allow the blogger (me) to find out whose following by email.  It is strictly between you and Blogger's subscription feed.

Hmmm, my test post last night didn't go through my email.  I'll see if this one works and if not, then I'll let you know.  *crossing fingers*

This Week in Primary

Hello Parents and Teachers!

The following are the Primary activities this week & assignments for next Sunday…

Wednesday (April 6th):
11 Yr. Old Scouts: 7 pm at the church.
Cub Scouts: 4 pm at the church.
FIG Girls: 4 pm, “Grateful for the Grove”

Sunday: (April 10th):
*Opening Exercises:
Junior/ Senior Primary

*Prayer:
Sunbeam & Valiant 11 Teachers

*Article of Faith: #7
Sunbeam & Valiant 11 Teachers

*Scripture: A of F #3
Sunbeam & Valiant 11 Teachers

*Talk: Jesus was chosen to be our Savior and is the perfect example for me.
Bro. M.

*Links to Lesson #14
Jr. Primary: The Word of Wisdom
Sr. Primary: Jesus Christ and the Sabbath Day

and Happy Birthday to:
Sis. B. (4th), Eli (7th), and Sis. P. (9th)!

Relief Society News

Hello Sisters, 

Hope everyone had a nice relaxing weekend and enjoyed Conference.   We wanted to send out an email letting you know about some upcoming events since our time together in church is so limited this month. 

FYI the Temple is closed for the next two weeks, so those of you who were motivated by President Monson's talk, as I was, about attending the Temple regularly will have to wait:)  It is closed for maintenance from Apr. 4th- Apr. 18th.

This Sat. Apr. 9th, 11am @Brookside Park- Elder's Quorum Activity- BBQ, Kickball, & Ultimate Frisbee.  Hot Dogs and Hamburgers supplied.  Please bring your family and a side dish or desert.

Thur. Apr. 14th 10am-8pm - Women of Faith , Humanitarian Workday- @ the Stake Center

Sat & Sun Apr. 16th & 17th- Stake Conference-  Sat. is for adults @ 7pm.  Sun. is @10am-12pm.  Elder L. Tom Perry will be presiding and speaking.  A new Stake Presidency will be announced.  Our ward is attending at the Stake Center.

{Walk With Christ}

Tuesday, April 19th @ 7:00 p.m. at the church

Child Class will be provided.

We will introduce the 10 Day Walk With Christ Tuesday evening, which will finish before Easter Sunday. 

{The only way that we really know another person is to walk in their shoes: Think what they think, learn what they know, and what they would say, do what they would do.}

We will also learn how to make Cake Pops and Personalized Charms. Nickel key chains & charms will be provided and everyone can make one for free. If you would like to do an additional charm in Sterling Silver it will be $5. Reply to this email by Wednesday, April 6th so that we have a count and can order them.  (See following photos.) Contact Amber T.