Happy Sabbath to all,
It has been quite some time since I've done a wrap-up of our meetings. Between summer vacations, grandchildren, General and Stake Conference - life has been anything but normal! But things are settling down and I'm ready to get back into the groove. So here we go....
The Bishop started the meeting by explaining that the change in the Irvine and Orange Stakes single's programs, which combined the Orange Stake's Single Adult program with the Lake Ward, came through those who hold apostolic keys. We had lots of visitors today and hopefully all felt welcomed!
Donna H, the Relief Society president, was the first speaker. She started by saying that she hoped the visitors feel the love and acceptance of the ward.
Donna told the story of her youngest son who had lots of freckles. She had always told him that freckles are what angels leave behind when they kiss you at night. But once he got to school, he realized that not everyone liked freckles. He asked Donna, "How come the angels love me more?" Donna thought for a moment and then replied, "It isn't that they loved us more, but that we needed the absolute proof that they were there."
In D&C 6:20, Oliver Cowdery was told, "Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love." Donna pointed out that we need to believe, seek, cling to and make friends with Christ. We need to KNOW Him. In John 17:3 it says, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." We need to utilize prayer; praying, then listening, and to study His life to get to know Him.
Donna then talked about Charity - Charity never faileth. The opposite of charity is criticizing. We should show charity to those who go un-noticed. Charity is love in action, it is non-judgmental. Donna loved the example of Christ in 3rd Nephi where He spent one on one time with the people. She ended by asking, "Have you received His image in your countenance?"
Marcia C favored us with a harp solo, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." Marcia is leaving the ward, but came one last time. Thank you, Marcia, for all your wonderful work with the music in the ward. We wish you the best, but you will be missed!
Glenn F, the Elders' Quorum president, was the last speaker. He spoke about Christ's example in our lives. Glenn told the story of an older man who stopped some missionaries and wanted to compliment them on their church. The Elders asked why and the older man told the story of when he had been stuck on the side of the road when his car had broken down. A stranger stopped, took him into town, helped him to get the help needed and took the mechanic out to his car to get the job done. When the older man offered to pay the stranger, he declined the money saying, "Just compliment the Mormon Church to others." Years later he saw a newspaper of a Mormon meeting happening in his town and saw the picture of the stranger who had helped him - Pres. Spencer W. Kimball!
Glenn then told a story of Linda J, who was getting her masters in accounting and working for a company with a bunch of young guys who were making lots of money. She wasn't interested in any of the guys, but one guy in particular asked her to lunch and she said yes. During lunch the topic turned to the church. They agreed to attend sacrament meeting together on Sunday. There were 4 people at the sacrament meeting who are still in the Irvine Stake and the guy who went to lunch and sacrament meeting was Glenn.
Glenn pointed out that he has seen many good things happening in our ward. The members are so good; home teachers, fellowshipping others, all those who serve so diligently in their callings. He mentioned the stories from the New Testament about the adulteress and the prodigal son, saying that our ward does not judge others, that we are accepting of everyone and there is not grumbling.
Glenn then told a very personal story of a time when he had made some poor choices. He had gone to talk with the Bishop, who he felt had been rather harsh and judgmental of him and he used it as an excuse to not be really active in the church. He attended church, did his home teaching, but his heart wasn't really in it. He was carrying around a grudge.
When 2 dear friends got married in the temple and he wasn't able to attend the sealing, Glenn realized that the only person being hurt by his carrying around the grudge was himself. He quoted D&C 64:9, "Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another, for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin." Glenn said that he was in the wrong and that he should have forgiven the Bishop at that time instead of carrying the grudge for years. Glenn said that sometimes the hardest person to forgive is ourselves.
We had a delicious Bishopric Wives Dinner made by Sister Moon!!! We loved being back together after 2 weeks of General and Stake Conference!!! We enjoying seeing all that were there, especially the visitors, and missed those who weren't able to make it.
With much love,
Debbie
