As I read my previous posts, I realized that, when I talked about the Relief Society organization, I left out that I was also called to serve as a teacher to the sisters. That was a fun time as well, and I may talk about it at a later time.

Today, instead, I would like to talk about something I started doing on my own and I have been doing for a few years. I was really never called to it but I have enjoyed and still enjoy doing it: family history consultant!

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we believe that families can be together forever. When married by the proper Priesthood authority in the Temple, the bond is sealed on earth and in heaven, thus making families eternal units.

Because of that, we eagerly try to find our ancestors so that connections can be made through all generations and families can be sealed for all eternity.
We find our ancestors by doing Family History. Most church buildings have a Family History Center staffed with knowledgeable volunteers. Through the Family History Center, all members and non members alike have access to researching tools and websites that might not be otherwise available outside of the center, or might require a subscription fee.

I really love working in the Family History Center. When I am not helping a patron researching his/her family, I research my own.

I will always remember when I requested microfilms from my area and was able to locate my great grand father on my mother's side. I ran out of the center and to the gym where my son was playing basketball. I was so excited that everyone who saw me running in the hallway just stopped and looked at me wondering what was going on as I loudly started saying in Italian to my son, "ho trovato il tuo trisnonno, ho trovato il tuo trisnonno!" (I found your great great grandfather, I found your great great grandfather!)... that was a fabulous experience!

I do love doing genealogy. Although it is hard to find names, the farther back you go, it is always a great joy finding out someone who belongs to your family! And the knowledge I have that I will see them again one day and will be able to be together forever with them makes all the work worth while.

If you are interested in researching your ancestors, find a family history center near you and contact them. They will be more than happy to assist you!

It is time to talk about the Young Women organization.
The Young Women organization includes girls ages 12 to 18.

The following is what the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints says to the Young Women:

"You are a beloved daughter of Heavenly Father, prepared to come to the earth at this particular time for a sacred and glorious purpose. You have a noble responsibility to use your strength and influence for good. Your loving Heavenly Father has blessed you with talents and abilities that will help you fulfill your divine mission. As you learn to accept and act upon the Young Women values in your life, you will form personal habits of prayer, scripture study, obedience to the commandments, and service to others. These daily personal habits will strengthen your faith in and testimony of Jesus Christ. They will also allow you to recognize and develop your unique gifts."

Through my 30+ years in the Church, I have had the privilege of serving the Young Women multiple times. As I taught them Gospel principles, I learned right along with them. I was able to learn from their example, their faith, their love for one another. I learned life's lessons as well as those same Gospel principles I shared with them.

As we participated in service projects, I was privileged to see them grow and glow with the light of Christ. 

It was not always perfect. There were struggles; there were times that we did not see eye to eye; however, we never lost track of what we knew to be true: we were all daughters of a Father in Heaven who loved us very much and through Jesus Christ our Savior we could become better individuals and make a difference by following His example.

And this is my testimony today: ALL of us are children of a loving God who sent His only begotten Son to be our Savior, Redeemer, and Example. By accepting Him and following in His footsteps, we can return to our celestial home.

Last time I wrote, it was 6 months ago and I talked about one of the callings I was given in Relief Society.

I am going to pick up right from where I left off. Today, I will talk about another one of those assignments I was given: teacher in the Primary organization.

As I did for the Relief Society, let me use the definition of Primary (its purpose and theme) from the Church's handbook:

Primary is for children ages 18 months through 11 years. The Primary theme is “All thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children” (3 Nephi 22:13). The purposes of Primary are to help children:

1. Feel Heavenly Father’s love for them.

1. 2. Learn and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. 
   
3. 3. Feel and recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost.
4. 
   
5. 4. Prepare to make and keep sacred covenants.
6. 
   

Parents have the first responsibility for the spiritual and physical welfare of their children (see D&C 68:25–28). The bishopric, Primary leaders, and Primary teachers support but do not replace parents in this responsibility.

There are several jobs in the Primary, but I was assigned that of teacher.

I taught pretty much all age groups included in the organization.

• When I worked in the nursery (18 months to 2 years), I taught music. I had the pleasure to work along side a wonderful woman who never uttered a mean word about or to someone. She was a shining example of how to be like our Savior.
• When I was in Italy, I taught the Sunbeams (3 years old). It was fun, but I was also young so I had a lot of patience back then :)
• I have taught the Valiant class (8 to 11 years) for almost two years. This year we are studying the Old Testament.

And now, I have just been moved to the 4 to 5 class, the CTR - Choose the Right. Today, actually, was my first lesson with them. We talked about the Good Shepherd and how each of us is His sheep. I had fun but I had the hardest time understanding what they were saying. I am so not used to work with children that young!

However, I feel blessed to be working with them as they are still so innocent and so close to our Father in Heaven. They can be a handful, just like all 4 and 5 years old can be, but they are also very sweet.

I am looking forward to many Sundays together learning about our Savior, His love for us, and how we can be more like Him.