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As the 1st counselor in Relief Society I was assigned to be over all Relief Society meetings (during the week).  With the new direction from the top, there was a lot of leeway for each ward to determine how often, when, and what these meetings would be about.  As a presidency we decided that in 2010 we would have a RS meeting every month, with some being BIG and some being small/minor.    I prayed about and orchestrated (with the help of the RS Mtg Coordinator, Anne) the following meetings (sidenote – I was called to this responsibility in January but was exempt from putting together meetings until AFTER trek in March!):

April – RS b'day celebration about "Women in the Scriptures"
May - a daytime and evening class in Julie Sivley's home – bread making
June – a "Summer Survival Guide" – classes on home organization, scripture study with kids of all ages, and fun things to do around town
July – a Relief Society temple day
August – a homemade jam class at the Risdon's (taught by Quinn!)
September – a daytime "date night" class suggesting ideas and emphasis on date nights with spouses; the General RS meeting
October – an evening entitled "Genuine Pearls" – it was all about the temple and the parable of the pearl - we used a video of a talk by Elder Scott and a song called "Faith" to illustrate the need for seeking inspiration, truth and self-worth in the temple (dinner and cake served) – each sister was given a pearl to take home
November – a service project for Hope's Door, a women's shelter – sisters volunteered to make homemade/special desserts for their yearly auction/bake sale (the response was amazing!) and also brought personal hygiene items to donate
December – a Christmas program using the "3 Levels of Christmas" program – the Activity Girls helped serve dinner and sang and their leaders made ornaments for everyone (I made 120 oreo/peppermint cheesecakes for the dessert)

This calling is a LOT of work but it is one of my very favorites ever.  I have such a testimony of the work of Relief Society – the women's organization of the Church.  It is not a place to go on Sundays – it is a living, breathing entity that we belong to.  When united, our influence can be and should be immeasurable.  I loved providing meaningful meetings and learning opportunities for the sisters.  With Derek as the bishop, he has felt it best to release me from this calling.  I will dearly miss working with Kim Enlow (president) and Linda Smith (2nd counselor) – they are dear friends and beloved sisters to me.