You won't want to miss RS this Sunday!

Ward Newsletter

The Winter 2009 Newsletter is now posted on the ward's web site. If you need help accessing the site, please talk to Brother Gish or Brother Baker.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing all of you many happy memories

of family, friends and festivities.

Use your hands today

to make a new memory.

In The Spirit of Thanksgiving

A Story of Two Hands

This is the story of two hands. Not just any two hands, but those of someone who has been a guide, example and teacher in my life.

These hands are strong hands and are able to do marvelous things. But unlike most hands, these hands are different. When young the hands are like any young boys hands, they played, built, worked, learned and grew. In the teenage years they excelled in sports holding school records. The hands began to explore science and yearned to be a jet propulsion engineer one day after serving a mission.

However, like most events in life, there are unexpected twists and turns. These young teenage hands found themselves in a hospital room suffering from a rare form of palsy. The stay there was long and the hands were fighting for life itself. But a miracle occurred. Other hands appointed by the powers on high gave a blessing of healing and divine love and testified of a destiny not yet fulfilled. Healing came, slowly. Though most of the body healed well, the hands bear the evidence of its fight for life and would never be the same.

Most things that should be simple, were now difficult if not impossible, such as buttoning a shirt, holding a drinking glass, picking up small objects.

Such a serious setback didn't matter, because "impossible' was not a word know. The hands gladly accepted a call to serve a mission, though most thought it impossible. the hands received a college education and later a master's degree. Marriage came and then four children. the hands taught hundreds of students to love math and science.

The hands learned the art of building and woodworking. Most called him and his hands "Archimedes" for the ability to create ways to work around roadblocks, like levy and pulley systems, a button-hook to help button dress shirts, and designing creative tools to help in the wood shop. the hands have served many willfully and gladly.

If you shook these hands, you would know they were different. But you would also know they were hands that have continued to live life to the fullest. They have worked hard, served others, loved their family and have loved the Father of us all.

These hands have taught me to never make excuses in life, but rejoice in the blessings that we have and then take those blessings and fulfill them to their greatest potential. We create our own limits on our potential, but the Father gives us the tools to exceed beyond all expectations.

I am grateful for hands, the small hands, the old and the well-used hands, the imperfect hands, but most of all the hands that have sacrificed most of all, our dear Savior.

Ann Sherratt

Clothes Swap - Start Hunting!

Tis the season...for searching through closets for boots, scarfs and jackets.

Don't you hate it when Johnny has outgrown last year's boots! Or, along the hand-me-down chain, a girl snuck in there somewhere and John won't wear the pink boots for some reason?

NEVER FEAR! The Relief Society clothes swap (and other great stuff) is coming up on December 8th at the Church.

We're encouraging everyone to go through their homes for everything from babies, to children's, to teens, to women's, to men's, to toys, to children's books, etc. What a great way to begin the holiday "shopping" and swapping season.

Watch for more information!

Spotlight on Elizabeth

This month in Relief Society one of our young women (pictured above on the left) spotlighted Elizabeth Z. (on the right).  We found out that Elizabeth loves the color purple and sugar cookies.  She is the mother of two boys and two girls.  Her oldest son says that she makes "the best" Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Elizabeth loves her family, flipflops, scrapbooking, goodreads.com, nertz, Macaroni Grill and girls night out.   Elizabeth was given an award for being the Best Neighborhood Mom as she always has a yard full of children hanging out and playing games.  Elizabeth is currently serving as a Cub Scout Den Leader and schedules activities for the Ward Building.

Thanks Squanto

Squanto, c. 1580-1622, a Pawtuxet Indian later associated with the Wampanoag after his tribe was decimated by plague, was seized (1614) by a ship's captain and taken to Spain as a slave.  He went from there to England and finally back (1619) to North America, where he was employed by the governor of Newfoundland.  Squanto was later brought to Plymouth, where he taught the colonists to improve their crops by using fish fertilizer, but it has been questionsed whether this was an Indian method or something Squanto had learned abroad.  He served as interpreter at the 1621 treaty between the colonists and Massasoit.

Due to education and helping hands of this man being in the right place at the right time the whole pilgrim colony was saved from disease and starvation.  May we also have the courage to serve those in need. 

A big High Five for Squanto!

by Jamie Anderson and family

What Matters Most

Where Did Everyone Go?

The transition from summer to fall feels gentle - but from fall to winter feels harsh. It seems as if most folks just go inside and wait it out until the warmth of spring comes again. As I drove down my street today, the rain falling steadily, I saw a few brave souls out trying to rake up the leaves that just didn't get cleaned up before the weather turned sour. Otherwise, my street has been deserted lately. No walkers, no moms with strollers, no skateboarders, no neighbors just talking on their front lawns. Although I love the change in the seasons, I miss my friends and neighbors during these colder months. I think I'm going to be better this season about reaching out despite the chilly weather. We need our neighbors and friends year-round!

(Even our R.S. Blog knows its winter. . . everyone has gone away. Friends, come back and play!)

A Letter from Elder Cameron Nance

(Pres. and Sister Dodge and Elder Nance)

Hello from the other side of the world. Things are great here. It's starting to finally cool down a little bit. I'm on what should be my last two weeks here in Mahasarakham. I could stay another moves (transfer) but it would be very very suprising. So, all signs point that I should be out; we'll see what the Lord says?

We've had a really good week. It's been one of those clean out weeks. We dropped about fifteen to twenty people. It was really hard because I really liked some of them. A lot of people didn't show up for their lessons this week, so that means we did a lot of street contacting. Right now we've still got about twenty investigators we are working with, only six of which are actually progressing. If these other investigators don't start getting the idea we might need to let them go before I'm out of here. So yeah, the work goes on.

As for Oo and Dang our potential baptism couple, we had the opportunity to go way out to their rice fields and harvest some rice. There is a reason why these people are short. I was way hunched over. My back only hurt for a couple of days. Not gonna lie, it was a lot of fun serving them. Not to mention harvesting rice by hand which is something that most people in America will never get to do. We only see it in Asian movies or Mulan haha. Thank you for praying for them, I really think it is helping; please continue to pray for them personally. I'm doing great. Pretty tired, but I'm still happy. When I heard of Griffin being home I realized how fast time is going by. It's nuts!

The church is true!
Love,
Elder Nance

Elder Nance and his companion with Oo and Dang.

Elder Nance harvesting rice.

Chieko Okazaki

Just a reminder that Chieko Okazaki, former member of the General Relief Society Presidency, will be speaking tonight at the Ward building. Arrive at 6:15 to socialize and enjoy appetizers. Sister Okazaki's talk will start promptly at 7 p.m.

Choose this Day

Volunteers Needed

I recently learned that there is a great need for volunteers to teach English at the Church Humanitarian Center. The workers will begetting four hours of English help a day. That means they need lots of volunteers and there would be a lot of different time slots available. Volunteers would be working with very small groups or one on one. The English Skills Learning Center is setting up training for those who want to be involved. It is a fabulous opportunity for service and cultural enrichment. Just call Denise at 801-328-5608.

My own experience with the ESLC [English Skills Learning Center] has been a very positive experience for about ten years. This new opportunity makes me consider adding more tutoring time to my schedule. It is so rewarding to work with people who are desperately in need of basic help. Meet Rosalba I love Rosalba. She tries so hard and cares so much and is so faithful. Rosalba and I have been friends for about four years, but we are just now learning how to have really good conversations together. I meet with her every Monday and Wednesday for an hour to an hour and a half unless one of us cancels. Sometimes she has to go in to work on Wednesdays. She stays after I leave and works on the computer using Rosetta Stone. Rosa is from Mexico and didn't learn to read and write in Spanish. She said her teachers scolded her and she would go outside and play. We started with the alphabet. She is still dyslexic, but can now read and write. We work mostly on English, but sometimes I have her read in Spanish. Because she has been in the United States for more than ten years, she knows lots of words, but it is often difficult to understand her because of her pronunciation. She doesn't pay much attention to end consanants. Rosa is shy. She has little opportunity to speak to anyone in English. She has never spoken with her neighbors. She often teaches me Spanish words and explains things to me. She has helped me not be afraid to talk with non-English speakers. She has given me courage to try to speak Spanish (at least in emergency situations). Because of Rosa I try to talk with non-English speaking people I see at NPS. I know they can understand me if I keep it simple and talk slowly and clearly.
--Jane Babcock

Are You Remembering to Smile?

We hope you are still remembering to smile. Jamie Anderson sent these photos from when the Young Women brought us our "smile sticks" and we hope they are still reminding you to "Be of Good Cheer, for I am in your midst." D&C 61:26.

The following has come to us from President Fuhriman:

A number of complimentary tickets have been set aside for members of this stake who are interested in attending the Church's musical drama, SAVIOR OF THE WORLD at the Conference Center Theater.

Tickets may be requested through the bishop beginning Tuesday, Nov. 10. These tickets are available to take less active members or friends and neighbors of other faiths. When requesting tickets, names of hosts and names of guests should be given.

If you are interested, please give your information to Bishop Hansen.

Tickets are available for purchase at www.lds.org/events.

Helping Hands

The following notice has come to us from the First Presidency:

"The Alliance for Unity "Help Your Neighbor Day' Food Drive will be conducted Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009. Members of the Church in Utah are encouraged to join with those of many other faiths in donating non-perishable food items to Utah Food Bank Services for this years "Help your Neighbor Day." Paper sacks will be sent out in local and daily newspapers, although any plastic or paper bag may be used. High protein items such as canned meats, fish, or peanut butter are especially needed."

We encourage you to support this effort.

MMMMM! Being Thankful!

Every year seems to mosey along until Halloween. And then, for some reason, everything jumps into high gear, as if we're in a race to finish out the year. Why this always surprises me, I have no idea.

Well, I am thrilled to have the Thanksgiving season upon us. I love it. I love all of the wonderful things associated with it. (Even though the stores pass right over this most wonderful holiday and have been selling Christmas things for several weeks.) I love to pull out cozy clothes. I drank my first hot chocolate for breakfast this morning while up the canyon with my mother for a retreat. Looking around at the majesty of the mountains, with a little bit of snow hiding beneath the trees reminded me that in just a few weeks fall will be over. Our seasons are fleeting, so we need to love them for the few moments we can. I am grateful for little moments where I am reminded of all of the things I have been blessed with. I hope we can slow down for a moment and remember what we've been blessed with.

I also wanted to share one of my FAVORITE Thanksgiving recipes.

Sweet Potato Soufle

3 cups cooked and mashed yams
1/4 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs beaten
1 t. vanilla
1 stick butter (1/2 cup) (softened)
Mix these ingredients with an electric beater until fluffy. Pour into a buttered 9 1/2 x 11 pan. Top with:
1 cup brown sugar, well packed
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup butter - softened
1 cup pecans
Combine ingredients and sprinkle over sweet potato mixture. This recipe works well doubled or tripled for large groups (but don't double or triple the topping). Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes.

What are you thankful for?

Create

". . .we have been made instuments in the Hands of God to bring about this great work." Alma 26:3

His Hands

Thank you to Claudia Siesmore, Nancy Hansen and Kathy Walker for coordinating and making this beautiful video presentation to remind us that we are all to act as His Hands.

Crushed By Love

We know that the power of the adversary can be crushing. His influence can bind us and bring us to a place where we are nearly immobilized. But have we noticed that love can be so powerful that it, too, can almost crush us. This beautiful spiritual influence can bring us to a place where we feel so much love that we are nearly immobilized.

I have felt the crushing power of love many times in my life:

Each time I held a new baby in my arms, it was as if I was holding a new bundle of love. My instant love for this new life was so great I could hardly contain it.

I felt this love yesterday in Sacrament meeting when I witnessed the blessing of Tylee Baldenado. Two rows of family sat in support of this new little one. Their love filled the chapel and the spirit again stirred in and reminded me that love can bind and it can heal. It is a power that can change lives.

I have felt this love on a beautiful summer day while hiking among the wild flowers and smelling the raw dirt of the earth.

I have felt it as I have watched the snow blanket the earth and brighten the night.

I have felt it in the temple while witnessing a family kneeling at the altar, being sealed together forever. Or as I have watched a grieving woman seek peace as she puts on her white clothing to worship.

I have felt it as I have read a missionary letter.

I have felt it as I have placed my hand on my heart and sung the national anthem.

The spirit of love is a beautiful gift and in every case, it countermands the adversary! He simply loses his power in the presence of crushing love.

This past week-end I again felt the crushing power of love. I stood at the side of my sister as she buried her husband. The genuine expressions of love that poured from the many friends and family members who shared her grief were overwhelming. This great love built a wall of protection and engulfed us in a protective covering that could not be penetrated. It is at times like this that I feel I will simply implode. The love is so great I cannot contain it! I simply do not have the capacity to contain it all!

So grateful am I to know the Crushing Power of Love.

Don't Forget to Vote

Don't forget your Photo ID when you go to vote this Tuesday.

You will need a Photo ID even if the election officials personally know you.  An ID is now required by Law.

Click HERE to find out where you can vote.