Monday Minutes

HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST WEEKS LESSON:
Sister Rudd taught our lesson today. She spoke about having faith in
the Lord even during our trials. The Lord knows each of us
individually and He can see the bigger picture. When we have faith in
Him we can find peace and joy even while we are in the midst of the
storms of life. Sister Rudd shared a moving video narrated by Jeffery
R. Holland entitled "Good Things To Come." The video can be found on
LDS.org under Teachings and then Daily Messages. Here is a quote from
that talk, "Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There
is help and happiness ahead. Some blessings come soon, some come late,
and some don’t come until heaven. But for those who embrace the gospel
of Jesus Christ, they come. It will be all right in the end. Trust God
and believe in good things to come."

UPCOMING EVENTS:
September 8: Day of Service Blood Drive at James St. Bldg. Sign up for slots between 12-1pm, contact Brother Todd McCleve
September 11: Daytime RS Activity, 11am
September 15: Ward BBQ, 5-7pm--Cornwall Park. A-L side dish, M-Z dessert
September 20: Evening RS Activity, 7pm
September 22: Primary Program Practice 10-11:30am at James St. Bldg.
September 29: General Women's Broadcast at Stake Center

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK:
September 3: Dorothy Shiley & Keri Portillo
September 4: Terrie Kruse
September 5: Jessica Hiler
September 7: Theresa Taylor

NEXT WEEKS LESSON:
Chapter 15, "Advancing the Work of the Lord"

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

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!

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

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 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"

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!