Around the Lake Ward

Hi All,

Hope you are all enjoying the Memorial Day weekend!!!

Today we had a real youth speaker.  Emily M spoke to us about her favorite scripture story, the 2,000 Stripling Warriors.  Then she told us a story from her life where she was having trouble with her friends and she asked her mom what to do.  Sister Moon told Emily to pray about it and she got the impression to find new friends and now all is well.  Emily pointed out that we, like the 2,000 Striping Warriors, need to listen to our moms :-).  

Thom Z started his talk by asking, "Why are you here in the Lake Ward?"  A few of his possible answers were; a quiet sacrament meeting, less questions about being single, free food...  But he suggested that people attended the Lake Ward because they were looking for friendship.  He went on to speak about friendship and charity - we need to love each other AS Christ loved.  Thom stressed that we should strive to be kind to each other and make new friends within the ward.  

Around the Lake Ward

Hi All,

Sorry I haven't been on top of doing an Around the Lake Ward for the past couple of weeks.  We've been traveling and had LOTS of company.  

On Sunday there were a few changes;  Beth B was released from the Activities Committee and Mariann C was released from the Relief Society Weekday Committee.  Barb L was called to the Relief Society Weekday Committee and as a Visiting Teaching Supervisor and Leanne A was called as a Website Editor.

We had 2 great talks given by the Bishop and his wonderful wife.  I spoke on impressions I'd received in the temple; man is to be happy and have joy and it isn't good for man to be alone.  I gave 3 personal stories of people; my sister who was always happy, a teacher who was never happy and my daughter who was unhappy and when it was pointed out to her, she changed.  A sign that I have at work says, "Attitude is everything, pick a good one." I then spoke briefly about dating - that everyone should date frequently and date many people.  Dating doesn't have to be expensive; be creative.  Go for a walk on the beach, a picnic in the park, the dollar movies, play games, watch the sunset and talk....  I challenged the men to ask someone out during the month of June.  Margot N favored us with a beautiful piano solo!!!

The Bishop spoke on the priesthood and how important it is that the brethren in the ward honor their priesthood and make use of the awesome power that Heavenly Father has given us. He encouraged the men to remember his advice from 6 months ago to become more healthy, take care of their appearance, and improve their temporal situation. He then encouraged all those who don't have a current temple recommend to work to obtain one and those who have one but haven't attended lately to be more diligent. He ended his talk by reminding the brethren that the priesthood power that they hold is the very power by which God created the heavens and the earth, so clearly it has the power to change lives.

Family Home Evening on Monday, May 31st will be a BBQ at our home.  We will be eating at 4:00 p.m.  All are welcome, but please RSVP so we know how many to cook for.  Please bring a salad, dessert or drink to share.

With much love,

Debbie

Around the Lake Ward

Happy Sabbath!!!

The Moons are back in town with their newly adopted son, Gavin Thomas - who is the newest hit in the ward :-).  Gavin was 9 lbs 2 oz, happy and healthy and Kristin is delighted to share him with others.

We had a few releases and sustainings.  Releases were:  Yadira C as the 3rd counselor in the RS presidency and Mariann C from the RS weekday committee.  Lauren S was sustained to the fellowshipping committee.

Martine J spoke on motherhood and mentioned mothers from each of the scriptures;  the Old Testament says to honor your father and mother, Mary from the New Testament, the 2,000 Stripling Warriors and their mothers from the Book of Mormon, Emma from the Doctrine and Covenants and Eve from the Pearl of Great Price.  Lauren S, new to our ward, spoke on mothers and service and said that public service is our rent for our place here on this earth.  Lauren also retold the story of the statue of Christ that was damaged during WWII and was left with no hands and now bears a plaque that says, "We are His hands."  Randy S and Marcia R did a flute/piano duet of Love at Home that was beautiful!!!  Bob B spoke and told 2 stories; one about a quadriplegic who didn't let his disabilities stop him or get him down.  The story was of a friend who has been dealing with depression and tried to end her life, but a friend happened to stop by and get her help.  He said that he gave her a jar and a bunch of marbles and told her that she was to think of the good in her life and put a marble in the jar for everything good thing she could think of.  Bob pointed out that we each have lives with the jar half empty and the jar half full and it all depends on what we choose to think about and focus on as to whether we see the good or see the bad.  

Around the Lake Ward

Hi All,

Sunday was Fast Sunday and we enjoyed hearing the testimonies that were borne.  The Bishop started by sharing about his experiences about being stuck in Ireland, because of the ash cloud, and trying to get home to speak in church (which he missed) and then attend our son's college graduation (which he made).  The Bishop shared 3 ways in which he has received revelation and the different ways they come and how different they feel.   Br. Pinto ended the meeting by speaking about his opportunity to attend a special training on Saturday (for 5 hours) for Stake Presidencies and Bishops from 9 stakes, led by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, one of the Twelve Apostles.  Steve O bore his testimony and bid us farewell, as he is moving back to Utah.  

We had three new members welcomed into our ward.  We even had enough people filled in on 2 rows that the sacrament was able to to be passed along the entire row!!!

Priesthood was taught by Marcia C.  She spoke to the men about personal appearance and manners and the impact that they have on women.