Sunday, August 26, 2012

Monday Minutes

HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST WEEKS LESSON:
Sister Ho gave a beautiful lesson using highlights from Elder Neil L.
Andersen's conference address entitled "What Thinks Christ of Me?".
Sisters shared how they answer the question, "Are you really a
Christian?" We discussed how our actions more than anything else show
others our devotion to Christ. Elder Andersen said, "Wherever you now
find yourself on the road of discipleship, you are on the right road,
the road toward eternal life. Together we can lift and strengthen one
another in the great and important days ahead."


UPCOMING EVENTS:
September 8: Day of Service Blood Drive at James St. Bldg. (Don't give
blood before this date)
September 15: Ward BBQ
September 22: Primary Program Practice 10-11:30am at James St. Bldg.
September 29: General Women's Broadcast at Stake Center

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK
:
August 27: Nancy Farmer & Jane Redfern
August 28: Marylynn Hughes
August 30: Julie Clapper
August 31: Retalinnette Parham
September 1: Lois Pedersen

NEXT WEEKS LESSON:
R.S. Presidency Lesson taught by Sister Rudd

Monday, August 20, 2012

Eat Your Veggies!

We had a very fun veggie night at our August RS Activity.

We learned how to fry green tomatoes. Aren't they pretty?
We sampled roasted vegetable lasagne (it was delicious!)
We sauteed zucchinnis.
 
We learned how to properly prepare artichokes.


I forced my watermelon-feta salad on everyone, and they liked it--even a certain someone who's name will remain anonymous--Tiffany.
We were honored with some special visitors (Leticia's mom and mom in law-beautiful women)
What a great group of women! I love Dorothy's smile! Hopefully some of us walked away resolved to eat more vegetables--they are very good for you! I know I was filled!

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Monday Minutes

HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST WEEKS LESSON:
"Remember, we all have responsibilities. We may not be called to some
definite duty, but in every neighborhood there is opportunity for each
of us to radiate a spirit of peace and love and happiness to the end
that people may understand the gospel and be gathered into the fold."
-George Albert Smith

UPCOMING EVENTS:

September 8: Day of Service Blood Drive at James St. Bldg. (Don't give
blood before this date)
September 15: Ward BBQ (Tentative date)
September 22: Primary Program Practice 10-11:30am at James St. Bldg.
September 29: General Women's Broadcast at Stake Center

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK:

August 20: Elizabeth Hay
August 21: Kristin Read
August 22: Julie Regidor
August 23: Lara Williams
August 24: Ginger Headland & Debra Killmer
August 25: Sariah McKee

NEXT WEEKS LESSON:
TFOT from the April 2012 Conference, p.111, Elder Anderson

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Our Third Amiga...

(I love this picture of Deborah and her husband Bill! Such a fun couple!)

Deborah Royal was born and raised in Edmonds, WA. She was an only child and grew up around lots of cousins and relatives. She lived with her mom and grandmother. She graduated from Edmonds High School and went on to Western Washington University (and has been here in Bellingham ever since!). Deborah has a Bachelors in Education with Early Childhood Education and Special Education Endorsements.

In 1977, Deborah joined the church through some sister missionaries who tracked her out. About the same time, she moved into the very house that she lives in right now! She met the love of her life, Bill in 1997 and between them, they have eight children and eleven grandchildren. She loves book club, reading, writing (she is published!), music, dancing, walks, and sewing and crafts.  She is a lover of root beer floats, ice cream and fruit. Some of her most favorite places have been Austria, Hawaii, and Boulevard Park--right here in Bellingham.

A fun story about Deborah--she claims she is a member of the church because of Daylight Savings Time. When her grandma died, she was searching for a church, and she decided to go to the Methodist Church, except when she got there, no one was there (she had forgotten to set her clock back). So her friend told her to come to church with her instead. Her favorite calling in the church is what she is doing right now--Stake Relief Society President! What I love about Deborah is her compassion and love towards others.  She loves and serves as Christ would. I asked her to give a short testimony:

"I joined the Church because I felt the Spirit testifying of the truth, Since then, I have felt the loving arms of the Savior wrapped around me on more than one occasion--both sad and joyful. I bear testimony that my Savior and my Father in Heaven love me, and each person on earth, individually. They are waiting to bless us--with guidance, love, and security."

Now, aren't we blessed to have these three amigas amongst us? I know I am!

Monday, August 13, 2012

Monday Minutes


HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST WEEK'S LESSON:

Sister Masterson taught our lesson about sharing the gospel  with our
families and friends. Many sisters shared how it has been the small
and simple acts of kindness that have most touched either their hearts
or the hearts of family members. These acts of service "plant the
seeds" of the gospel.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
August 14: Daytime R.S. Activity, 11am, followed by a potluck lunch
August 16: Evening R.S. Activity, 7pm--Veggie dish potluck!
September 8: Day of Service Blood Drive at the James St. Bldg. (Don't
give blood before this date)
September 22: Primary Program Practice, 10-11:30am

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK:

13th: Kathlene Favro & Claira McKechnie
14th: Christie Fowler
15th: Kathryn Hale
16th: Katie Oslapas & Amy Redfern
17th: Myrna Parker

LESSON FOR NEXT WEEK:
Chapter 14 "How to Share the Gospel Effectively"

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Three Amigas...Part Two!


(Click on picture for better viewing---someone will have to help me figure out blogger)

Tiffany Smith was born in Fort Walten Beach, Florida. She also has four brothers and one sister. She graduated from Fayetteville High in Arkansas. She met her prince Mike at the University of Utah and their fairy tale began 15 years ago.  Tiffany graduated from the University of Missouri with an Elementary Education degree. She went on to receive her Masters in Early Intervention and Deaf Education. She has been in retail, a telemarketer, a bank teller, a waitress, a substitute teacher, and a Dippin' Dots girl, but her very favorite was her work as an early education teacher. She and Mike have two adorable girls, Eva (5) and Cora (4). She loves being a mom. Her interests include exercise: long walks, running, hiking, biking, most outdoor things, and maybe even yoga. She loves to eat, her favorite is filet mignon. She also loves to bake cookies and pies. I hear she makes a mean peach pie. Out of all the places in which she has served in the church, her favorite is her current calling as Stake Young Women's President. Growing up, Tiff wanted to be a news anchorwoman, and Elder Bednar was her bishop! Two of her most favorite places she has been are Italy (jealous!) and Turks and Caicos. I love how giving and thoughtful Tiffany is, she is always ready and waiting to serve those around her.

Stay tuned for the last link to the three Amigas, coming soon!

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Our Three Amigas...Part One!

We have amazing women in our ward, I know I have told you this time and time again. Just to prove my point, I would like to introduce you to our three Amigas I call them. Three super women. Dawn Hatch is our Stake Primary President, Tiffany Smith is our Stake Young Women's President, and Deborah Royal is our Stake Relief Society President. Besides being incredible human beings and friends, they are serving and touching the lives of our littlest ones, to our youth, to our golden girls. They are AMAZING and we are blessed to have them in our own ward! We claim them!

 (Dawn and husband Greg at Mount Baker)

Dawn was born in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is where she claims is HOME. She graduated from high school there and went to BYU Provo where she met her knight in shining armour in baseball gear, Greg, and they have been in Bellingham ever since. Dawn has FOUR brothers and one adopted sister who is 11 days apart from her. She has two beautiful children, Micah and Kai, who are both married. They used to enjoy camping in Winthrop every year as a family. Her kids were very involved in school and sports and she was always there to cheer them on. Did you know Dawn was a PTA President? Dawn used to teach preschool with her friend Doreen and she has been working as a substitute secretary for the Bellingham School District for seventeen years, she really enjoys her job. Her favorite church calling is primary chorister, and she is very good at it! In her spare time, she loves to read and go for brisk (she's very fast) walks along the boulevard. She is a lover of chocolate--mainly milk chocolate, especially brownies. I love Dawn and her stories, she is very easy to talk to and is so fun and full of love and life.

Stay tuned tomorrow to learn about our second Amiga...Tiffany Smith!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Monday Minutes


HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST WEEKS LESSON:
Sister Saunders taught the lesson today. We talked about how the small
and simple things done over a period of time make a huge difference in
our lives. We may  not see this difference until we look back at who
we use to be or what we were able to endure. A number of sisters
shared that prayer and scripture study had a positive impact on their
lives. At the end of her lesson Sister Saunders shared a quote by
President Monson, "Seek heavenly guidance one day at a time. Life by the yard is hard; by the inch it's a cinch. Each of us can be true for just one day--and then one more and then one more after that--until we've lived a lifetime guided by the Spirit, a lifetime close to the Lord, a lifetime of good deeds and righteousness." 

UPCOMING EVENTS:


August 14: Daytime R.S. Activity, 11am, followed by a potluck lunch
August 16: Evening R.S. Activity, 7pm
August 18: Ward BBQ at Cornwall Park, 5-7pm, the Ward will provide the
meat, If you are able, people with a last name beginning with A - L
please bring either a salad or side dish to share. M - L please bring
a dessert to share. We'll have water gun fight after dinner so if you
want to participate please bring either a water gun or squirt bottle.

September 8: Day of Service Blood Drive at the James St. Bldg. (Don't
give blood before this date)
September 22: Primary Program Practice, 10-11:30am

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK:
6th: Cheryl Carampot, Mary Clemons & Melanie Masterson
8th: Darla Chamberlain & April Sorensen
9th: Leticia Crawford & Faye Lindquist

NEXT WEEKS LESSON:
Chapter 13, "Doing Our Part to Share the Gospel Effectively"