Getting to Know...

Hannah Thomas, a newlywed, was born in Creston, Canada. After graduating, she went to University at Lethbridge before following her mom down to the States. Hannah is now attending Western Washington University majoring in Marine Biology.

Hannah in her element!

 Did you know that Hannah played volleyball for Skagit Valley College? She is also a very talented musician, definitely a talent passed down from her mom. Hannah has been playing piano since she was three. She also played the violin for a while. She currently plays for Relief Society and is also very involved with the Savior of the World Production. She is playing Mary,the Mother of James, and also plays piano for the Cherub Choir. Come out and see her!

Hannah and her husband John met in the Young Single Adult ward here in Bellingham, had a "fast" engagement and were sealed in the Seattle Temple. When Hannah is not busy with music and school, she enjoys reading light novels (mainly romances--with happy endings) and knitting. There is a lot more to Hannah than meets the eye! If you have not introduced yourself to her, please do, you won't regret it! Welcome Hannah, to the ward!

Getting to Know...

Have you seen a beautiful blonde angel running around? That would be Rachelle Jones! She is new in our ward. Rachelle is married to Carson and has two lovely daughters, Eva (5) and Fiona (6 months). She is also very proud of their pug, Ginger.

Rachelle and fam--before baby Fiona!

Rachelle grew up in Montana, but moved to the Mill Creek area when she was older. Rachelle is one of five children. She graduated from Jackson High School and went on to BYU-Idaho where she received her Associates. Next stop on her adventure was BYU-Hawaii where she majored in Business and met her eternal companion. They were sealed in the Seattle Temple. They loved their time on the island. Rachelle continued her education with a Master's in Teaching from City University.
Rachelle currently serves as our Compassionate Service Assistant, but she has taught primary, Relief Society, and has been in Young Women's as well. When she is not loving and spending time with her family, she likes to go jogging or to ZUMBA and loves to be creative. She currently has an Etsy store where she sells beautiful jewelry and frames.  Most Sundays, you can find Rachelle in the hall holding her cute baby. Please get to know her, you will be so glad you did!

Monday Minutes

HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST WEEKS LESSON:

We had a combined Relief Society and Priesthood meeting taught by Bishop Knutson. The Bishop spoke about missionary work and the Bellingham 2nd Ward Mission plan for 2013.  The goals for this year are;

 1. Baptize 6 individuals

 2. Retain 100% of members converted this year

 3. Temple attendance for new members within 3 months

 4. Reactivate 5 families

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK:

5- Francys Tobler & Angela Dowdle

6- Jo'elen Hagler, Kaylee Johnson & Marites Rosete

8- Bonnie Andrews

9- Amy Tyler

10- Amanda Bonilla

NEXT WEEKS LESSON:

Lorenzo Snow Chapter 4, "Strengthened by the Power of the Holy Ghost"

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES:

 March 12- Daytime R.S. Activity, 11am

 March 17- Ward Conference, combined R.S./Priesthood meeting

SAVE THE DATE *** May 11- Stake Relief Society Mini Conference, 9:30 - 2:00 at the Stake Center

Monday Minutes

HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST WEEKS LESSON:

We discussed the difference between a testimony and conversion. We also discussed some things that can get in the way of Latter Day Saints reaching the point where it becomes natural for us to do the things required by our Heavenly Father.

"We talk of walking in the light of the Spirit and of feeling it upon us, but do we do these things? We ought to dig deep into the things of God, lay our foundation upon the rock, until we come to that water which shall be in us an everlasting fountain of eternal life."-Pres. Lorenzo Snow

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK:

19- Tabitha Deike & Sharon Kleinknecht

20- Kenra O'Halloran

23- Judy Capp

24- Jessica Norman

NEXT WEEKS LESSON:

TFOT- Sis. Burton, p.78 (Nov. 2012 Ensign), "First Observe, Then Serve"

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES:

21- Evening R.S. Activity- 7pm- Creative Connections! Come learn how to make special memories with the Ones you Love~ with little or no money! Nursery provided and "Give Away/Take Away" tables set up!

23- Saturday R.S. Activity- 9am at James St. Bldg., Cooking class with Geri Chumley and Christie Madsen

24- Pres. and Sister Youngberg are back from their mission to Jordan (in the Middle East) and will be giving a fireside at 7:00 PM at the James Street Bldg.

Happy Valentine's Day!

 
Please click on link below for a short video message on LOVE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUuexH-3dBo&list=PL4E784EC0770935C0&index=78

"May I share with you a formula that in my judgment will help you and help me to journey well through mortality... First, fill your mind with truth; second, fill your life with service; and third, fill your heart with love."
--Thomas S. Monson, "Formula for Success," Ensign, Mar. 1996, 2

"Every person who comes to earth is a spirit son or daughter of God. Since all love emanates from God, we are born with the capacity and the desire to love and to be loved. One of the strongest connections we have with our premortal life is how much our Father and Jesus loved us and how much we loved Them. Even though a veil was drawn over our memory, whenever we sense true love, it awakens a longing that cannot be denied."
--John H. Groberg, "The Power of God's Love," Ensign, Nov. 2004, 9

"If you ponder the scriptures and begin to do what you covenanted with God to do, I can promise you that you will feel more love for God and more of His love for you."
--Elder Henry B. Eyring, Ensign, Nov. 2001, 17

Monday Minutes

HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST WEEKS LESSON:

Lorenzo Snow said, "When we received this Gospel, we covenanted before God that we would be led, that we would be governed, and would follow the suggestions of the Holy Spirit, that we would follow the suggestions of the principle that gives life, that gives knowledge, that gives understanding of the things of God, that communicates the mind of God; and that we would labor for the accomplishment of the purposes of God in the salvation of the human family, adopting as a motto of life, 'The Kingdom of God, or nothing'."

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK:

11- Kay Surber

15- Amanda Benson

NEXT WEEKS LESSON:

Chapter 3, "Lifelong Conversion: Continuing to Advance in the Principles of Truth"

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES:

12- Daytime R.S. Activity- 11am, Valerie Fife is speaking about Art and it's influence in our lives

21- Evening R.S. Activity- 7pm Creative Connections, Making Memories with the ones you love.

23- Saturday R.S. Activity- 9am at James St. Bldg., Cooking class with Geri Chumley and Christie Madsen

Blanket Project Compete!

We did it! We completed about 50 blankets. Dave Reid took a third of them with him on his way back to Afghanistan. Jennifer McCleve shipped the rest to her military friends who are making sure they arrive safely. The first shipment went to families dwelling in caves who have nothing, and the rest will go to refugee camps in Afghanistan. Thank you to all you wonderful sisters for doing your part and touching the lives of these people in their hardships.