Happy Birthday Relief Society!

If you are a member of the LDS Church you know that every March we celebrate the anniversary of the creation of Relief Society.  I've been to many RS birthday parties over the years but this one in Solo, Indonesia tops them all for fun and sisterhood!  It was attended by about 150 sisters from central Java.  There was a spiritual opening with motivational talks from the stake RS leaders and the Stake President followed by a cooking class, a craft class, lunch and a talent show.

The Stake RS Pres., Sister Ima, taught us how to make Rainbow Cake.

 We sat outside under a covered entry area.  The Banjarsari Ward all had matching batik outfits.  Dewi, the woman in the glasses, designed the batik and all the dresses and blouses for the sisters.

 This is Ani, a lovely woman I've had the pleasure to help with  family history.

 

I was so grateful to Erica for being my friend and translating for me! The young sister missionaries are sitting right behind us, Sis. Suryanti and Sis. Canty.

The finished product!  It was yummy.  We had chicken and rice for lunch and Rainbow cake for dessert.

 There were lots of cute skits including this one about the age old problem of how to get 18 yr. old girls excited about going to RS!  The LP on the back drop stands for Lembaga Pertolongan, Relief Society in Indonesian, of course!

A little RS history skit.

 Several of the wards did dancing for their talent.  Everyone really got into the music with clapping and laughing and just having a good time.

 Banjarsari was more mild mannered with some hymns for the closing number.

 We went souvenir shopping with Widap and Frisca in Jogja.  Check out the cool wind chimes.  We bought one with a cute dragon on top.  Widap is our Family History Center Director in Solo and Frisca is her friend  and soon to be missionary to Australia.

In Jogja we worked with these wonderful young adults!  Rhesa has been called from Jogja to serve in the Canadian Mission.  He leaves as soon as he can get his visa to the USA so he can attend the MTC  in Provo.  The girls are Sari from Malang, Frisca and Widap, and Omni from Jogja.  These young people are the future for Family History here in Indonesia.  As Elder Bednar says, "...the time is now..." for youth and young adults to get involved in Family History.