The Stars of Sisterhood

I stood alone in a star-less night,
And wondered how I’d ever cope,
Without a light to see my path,
Without a single ray of hope.
I froze in time, afraid to move,
Because I couldn't see,
That out there in that darkened night
Were people reaching out to me.
But suddenly a tiny star
Twinkled in the night;
And one by one they filled the sky,
And showered me with muted light.
You are the stars that fill the sky,
As you light up the way
For someone who might need your help,
Or some stardust scattered through their day.
As I reach out to touch your hands,
I, too, become a part,
Of this vast array of sisterhood
That touches every heart.
It's comforting for me to know
That I need have no fear
Of whatever problems come my way,
Because, my sisters, you are here.
Geraldine M. Stephey
 

***

Only a Visiting Teacher

"I am only a ward visiting teacher," she said,
and her head hung low,
"I'm really not very important;
I guess I'll not even go."
"I'm sure that no one will miss me,
No one will even care.
I'll see to my own work this evening
instead of going there."
So she hurried around all evening,
her chores all done at last;
Then stopping to rest for a moment,
she sat in her chair and napped.
And scarce had her eyelids fluttered
Before a vision came to her sight.
And standing there before her
was a personage clothed in white.
She saw in his hands the nail prints,
His brow where thorns had lain,
His side where the sword had pierced it,
His face with its look of pain.
"I gave you some work to do,"
It seemed she heard him say,
"You thought it of no importance.
You stayed at home today."
"You did not deliver my message,
"You did not feed my sheep,
"The barn you swept and polished
"And stayed at home to sleep."
"Oh, Master," she cried, "Forgive I pray,
That I should fail to see
That had I done it unto the least of these,
I would have done it unto thee."
Mildred W. Burton

***
 

"Teaching with Terror"

Shanne always takes her children
When she goes out on her beat
'Cause her kids are so darling
Just to see them is such a treat!!

She dresses them with loving care
She wants them to look their best
They look like angels when they leave the house
But soon will come the real test!

As they arrive at Barbara's house
The baby is beginning to fuss
Shanne tries to tend him while she talks
But she feels like she wants to cuss.

She asks "Well, How are you Barbara?"
Is there anything we can do?"
But before she cam hear the answer
Mandy takes off her socks and shoes.

By now, Shanne's getting a little annoyed
She's beginning to raise her voice
She wonders "Why did I bring them?"
I should have left them at home with Royce.

She bravely tries to go on with the lesson
But it's hard with two kids in tow
She wants to read a quote in the Ensign -
But now "Just where did that book go?"

Barbara is trying to be polite
She says "Oh, there's nothing they can hurt"
But as soon as the words are out of her mouth
She sees her plant and Nate's mouth full of dirt.

They continue on with the visit
But both sisters will be glad when it's through
And as Shanne finally leaves with her children
She calls back, "it was nice to see you."

She left the house wondering where she's been
And if she got the point across
She feels like she's a human ant bed
But she did her visiting teaching, by gosh!

Now, we know this is a slight exaggeration
And your children really are quite fun-
But if you leave them home when you're teaching
You will feel like the battle's halk won!

LeAnn Orton
 
 

 I CAN'T GO TODAY
 

Visiting Teacher's song written to the music of "Que Sera"
(Whatever Will Be, Will Be)

We've had an awful time this year
We haven't done any teaching at all.
We've all been willing, ready to go
Until our partners call:
"I can't go today - I just got some company
I can't leave them now you see - they're
from far away - Try another day."

When i was January first
We vowed together we wouldn't miss,
Then on the last day of the first month
I got a call like this:
"I can't go today - my hubby is taking me
to town with him so you see - I can't get
away - Try another day."

When February came I called - "Better go
teaching, don't you agree?"
"What's all the hurry - we've got all month."
Then came her call to me:
"I can't go today, My washing's piled up on em.
I've nothing to wear you see - Breaks my heart to say -
I can't go today."

March came in softly like a lamb - My partner
mellowed, I was the same,
She called me early, we made a date
Then complications came:
"I can't go today - I have such an aching head
I really should be in bed - I'll see you around
See you down in town."

April and May were both alike,
She had her daughter home for a while.
I thought we'd make it but those last days,
Her calls just made me smile:
"I can't go today - I've been so involved somehow,
I'm tending my grandkids now - I feel bad to say,
I can't go today."

June and July were just too hot -
August we spent getting ready for school.
Then in September, we just forgot,
October brought a jewel:
"I just can't go today - I just got a job you see.
I think they're releasing me - I just hate to shirk
But I need the work."

We hate to break our record now,
We will just let this year pass us by -
We're getting ready to end this year
NEXT YEAR WE'LL REALLY TRY!!
Won't you join us dear - and make this
a banner year. We'll all
have so much more fun - WHEN our
teaching's done. - When our teaching's done.
 

***
 

HOMEMAKING NIGHT
Your Ward
 

We know you're very busy,
so we devised a plan for you.
Here are eleven little stickers,
now here is what you do.

Take out your yearly calendar
and each month, the first Tuesday find.
Now, place the little sticker there,
so when you look, it will remind.....

....you, that homemaking is on that special
night - we'd like to share with you,
thoughts and feelings and talents,
for that is what sisters do.

So take time, make time to
fill your cup and share.
We love you and we hope to
see your smiling faces there.
 
 

***
 

In the simplest person we can find greatness.
 

***

 TIES OF LOVE

When you are but a young girl
You cling to Mom's apron strings
And count on her to guide you
Through whatever life may bring.

But as you mature, you begin to cut those ties
You've become independent as you have grown
Through Sunday School, Primary and Young Women
You have learned to stand on your own.

As you plan to join us in Relief Society
Here's your own apron, complete with strings
We'll teach you to be a homemaker and mother
To see the happiness these blessings bring.

The weeks and years will quickly fly by
And then -- sooner than you know,
You'll have your own children who count on you
And your love for them will continue to grow.
 

***

As Sisters in Zion

Text: Emily H. Woodmansee
Music: Janice Kapp Perry
 

As sisters in Zion, we'll all work together;
The blessings of God on our labors we'll seek.
We'll build up his kingdom with earnest endeavor;
We'll comfort the weary and strengthen the weak.

The errand of angels is given to women;
And this is a gift that, as sisters, we claim:
To do whatsoever is gentle and human,
To cheer and to bless in humanity's name.

How vast is our purpose, how broad is our mission,
If we but fulfill it in spirit and deed.
Oh, naught but the spirit's divinest tuition
Can give us the wisdom to truly succeed.

Scriptures: Galatians 6:2, 9-10; Doctrine and Covenants 11:12-14