Fulfilling the Purpose of Relief Society

My thoughts on Sister Beck's talk Fulfilling the Purpose of Relief Society.

I've felt kind of distant from Relief Society as well as from the other sisters in the ward because of my calling: primary pianist. It is hard to have that interaction that one gets from contact with others. I sit behind a piano for two hours every Sunday and have very little interaction with the sisters. But this isn't a pity party and I know the importance of Relief Society even to those who sit behind a piano every Sunday.

Sister Beck gives a little history lesson and that is good-we need it every now and then. Why was this organization put together? It is one of the oldest ones in the church's history (oldest if you don't count priesthood quorums). Our purpose "is to organize, teach and inspire His daughters to prepare them for the blessings of eternal life." What a cool purpose! I wish I remembered that every time I grumbled about going to a meeting.

How do you keep that purpose in your fore mind?

Our responsibilities:

Increase in faith and personal righteousness
What do you do to accomplish this?
I do a lot with my family, but what do I do personally? I do attend a weekly Women's Study Group, but I'm not always prepared for the discussion. My personal scripture study is very lacking-maybe 4 out of the 7 days. My prayers-well my goal is to NOT fall asleep while on my knees. Trying to get to the temple-even though it is only 18 miles away is even more difficult because I homeschool, have a job, serve on non-profits, coach soccer and have SIX KIDS! I'm thankful if I can get there once a quarter. I do tell myself at least I'm doing better now that I'm done being pregnant and nursing babies ~smile~.

Strengthen Families and homes
It seems as if EVERYONE is against this even those who live inside our own homes. At least that is how it is at my house. I feel like for everything that moves us forward there are 10 that pull us backwards. I often feel like giving up. Sometimes I have to settle for the "good" because the"better" and the "best" just won't happen. I'm just banking on intent of the programs we have in place not the execution. We have family scriptures and prayers and hold FHE and let the Home Teachers come, but there is so much missing. I just hope that is enough and that the Lord will look upon my desires and understand what I had to deal with in the execution of those desires.
What are you doing?

Serve the Lord and His children
Now there is a loaded responsibility for a mom, woman and wife. Isn't that what we do all day? There is a song from the movie "Robin Hood" that is sung by Bryan Adams called "Everything I do I do it for you." That is my song to my children. Going to the gym isn't for me-oh, no! I would rather sleep in that hour. I go because I want to play with them, have a healthy heart and eventually play with their children and stay away from the operating table! In fact I cook only because I have a responsibility to feed those children! I HATE COOKING!!! So why would I do it unless I had to. If it was just me, I could live on apples, carrot sticks, toast and milk and be just fine. (I'd throw in some chocolate and ice cream, but those are ready made at thes tore.) Outside my home I serve as well. I don't want to sound like a braggart so Iwill stop with just my family.
What do you do?