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4th Annual Relief Society Retreat

On Friday, September 19th, we met at Julie Marriott's home for our retreat. We began with a delicious variety of soups, salads, and rolls. There was sparkling conversation and a chance to relax and unwind. There were tables decorated with heirloom photographs and other momentos to help turn our hearts to our ancestors and begin thinking about our family stories. 

We enjoyed a wonderful presentation by Jen Thomas about a variety of topics but largely they all related to why telling our family stories can help our children be more strong and resilient. 

We learned that the more children know about their family background, the better they are able to navigate the world around them. This has been scientifically proven, and we got a handout with a list of pertinent questions. 

Jen presented the internet/technology as a new "country" with us as the immigrants and our children as the ones born into this new land.  We need to be informed and involved in our children's internet lives, but we also need to make sure they have some time to unplug and learn the art of conversation. 

The most surprising (and fascinating) lesson I learned was about the kinds of stories that are the best ones to tell for the maximum value to our children. There are positive arcs (stories with good content and happy endings), negative arcs (bad content, unhappy endings) and oscillating stories. The oscillating ones (good and bad, some adversity that is overcome, not always a happy ending) are the best stories to share. Most of us would pick the positive arc and think it would give  confidence to our children, but it turns out that the oscillating stories have the most significance and value. Bottom line/take-home message: make sure you are sharing the stories (good and bad) that make up your heritage with your children. 


After Jen's presentation, we participated in a fun and easy service project: making baby blankets out of fleece for a hospital in Rhode Island.  All that was involved was cutting the fleece and tying it. We chatted and snipped and tied until we made a LOT of blankets! 

A good time was had by all. Good food, good friends, and a good message that will help us and our families. This retreat was a welcome and much-needed chance to make new connections in our lives.

Special thanks to Julie Marriott, who hosted us in her beautiful home. We would also like to thank the Relief Society presidency for making this the relaxing and rejuvinating occassion that it was. Thanks to all who brought the delicious food as well.

Lastly, a thank-you to all those who attended. We are so busy in our lives, but when we take the time to get to know each other better, we all benefit. Thanks for coming!