I grew up in a blended family--his, hers, ours, and who knows whose (4 of us are adopted). There was a lot of bickering and fighting as people adjusted to being all together. I remember a family home evening lesson my step-mother gave on speaking kindly. She shared the scripture from Proverbs, 'A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger.' Then she showed us a long piece of fabric that she had made to have a pocket for each member of our family. There was one extra pocket that held slips of paper and pencils. We each wrote an 'appreciation note' to every member of the family. We were supposed to write at least one note each day for some period of time (can't remember how long). In my memory that was a real turning point for our family. I'm sure we still bickered and argued, but I have the greatest regard for each of my siblings and I cherish my childhood memories. I think that is partly because of the blessing it was to me to recognize the good in my siblings and to have them point out good qualities in me.
Dana
Friday, September 21, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Come on down. You're the next contestant on the Price is Right!
Dear Sisters,
We had a fun time Tuesday night at the monthly Relief Society meeting playing Price is Right, eating yummy food and enjoying each others company. Here are some pictures to highlight the evening. Thank you to everyone for coming and to all those who helped organize this event. We hope to see everyone at the next event.
We had a fun time Tuesday night at the monthly Relief Society meeting playing Price is Right, eating yummy food and enjoying each others company. Here are some pictures to highlight the evening. Thank you to everyone for coming and to all those who helped organize this event. We hope to see everyone at the next event.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Bob Barker is coming to town...
When: September 11th
Time: 6:30 pm
Yummy nacho bar for dinner.
Child care provided.
Come and enjoy a night of fun with the sisters in our ward!
Meet Marni Cochran
Thanks so much for sharing with us Marni. We are excited to get to know you!
1. Tell us about you and your family.
My husband Scott and I have been blissfully married for just over 2 years. He finished his undergraduate degree at BYU in April and is attending Midwestern University in the DO program. I was studying business at Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR before we were married and have been working for State Farm Insurance for the last 4+ years. We also both got called as Primary teachers, so you won't see too much of me in Relief Society
2. If you had an hour free time, what might we find you doing?
In my free time I enjoy spending time with friends and family, reading tons of books, and watching drama shows like the Bachelor/Bachelorette and Grey's Anatomy. My husband and I also enjoy camping, hiking, and traveling together.
3. Share an experience that has strengthened your testimony or why the gospel is important to you?
When I was 17, my older sister passed away unexpectedly. As I was searching for comfort that day, I read in 2 Nephi 9:4- "... our flesh must waste away and die; nevertheless in our bodies we shall see God." The whole point of the Gospel for me, from that moment on, has been to return home to be with my family forever, and to see my sister in a perfect body like she did not have here on Earth. Every other principle in the Gospel points to that wonderful plan of happiness that leads us back to our Father.
4. What are your following favorites:
Desserts: I like just about anything sweet. I'd have to say that my favorite dessert right now is plain ol' Oreos and milk-- I just can't get enough! Or chocolate banana smoothies- Yum!
Hobbies: Reading, sewing quilts...
Scripture: 2 Nephi 9 or 3 Nephi 17 (whole chapters)
Hymn: probably How Firm a Foundation or I Stand All Amazed, or Jesus, Lover of my Soul
Sunday, September 2, 2012
A lesson about Friendship
Thank you Krista Stone for the amazing lesson you taught today.
Here is a brief summary:
By: Elder Monte J. Brough of the Seventy
Friendship is a wonderful gift. The more often we give it, the more often we receive it. I hope we are all grateful for quality friends. And may we all seek to be truly good friends-to bring out the best in each other and help each other live righteous lives.
What are some qualities that you look for in a good friend?
Loyalty, kindness, thoughtfulness, humor, ability to listen, strong testimony
Latter-day Saint women, strong in faith and testimony, have truly been given the "errand of angels." Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught: "Every sister in this church who has made covenants with the Lord has a divine mandate to help save souls, to lead the women of the world, to strengthen the homes of Zion, and to build the kingdom of God."
What are some of the trials we go through where we could use the support of a good friend"
Cancer, death of spouse or family member, infertility, depression, loneliness, health problems, divorce, suicide, financial responsibilities, out of work, drug abuse
The fellowship of true friends who can hear you out, share your joys, help carry your burdens, and correctly counsel you is priceless. For one who has been in the prison of depression, the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith have special meaning when he said, "How sweet the voice of a friend is; one token of friendship from any source whatever awakens and calls into action every sympathetic feeling." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 134.)
President Ezra Taft Benson said, "To lose yourself in righteous service to others can lift your sights and get your mind off personal problems, or at least put them in proper focus. "When you find yourselves a little gloomy, said President Lorenzo Snow, "look around you and find somebody that is in a worse plight than yourself; go to him and find out what the trouble is, then try to remove it with the wisdom which the lord bestows upon you; and the first thing you know, your gloom is gone, you feel light, the Spirit of the Lord is upon you, and everything seems illuminated."
Here is a brief summary:
By: Elder Monte J. Brough of the Seventy
Friendship is a wonderful gift. The more often we give it, the more often we receive it. I hope we are all grateful for quality friends. And may we all seek to be truly good friends-to bring out the best in each other and help each other live righteous lives.
What are some qualities that you look for in a good friend?
Loyalty, kindness, thoughtfulness, humor, ability to listen, strong testimony
Latter-day Saint women, strong in faith and testimony, have truly been given the "errand of angels." Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught: "Every sister in this church who has made covenants with the Lord has a divine mandate to help save souls, to lead the women of the world, to strengthen the homes of Zion, and to build the kingdom of God."
What are some of the trials we go through where we could use the support of a good friend"
Cancer, death of spouse or family member, infertility, depression, loneliness, health problems, divorce, suicide, financial responsibilities, out of work, drug abuse
The fellowship of true friends who can hear you out, share your joys, help carry your burdens, and correctly counsel you is priceless. For one who has been in the prison of depression, the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith have special meaning when he said, "How sweet the voice of a friend is; one token of friendship from any source whatever awakens and calls into action every sympathetic feeling." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 134.)
President Ezra Taft Benson said, "To lose yourself in righteous service to others can lift your sights and get your mind off personal problems, or at least put them in proper focus. "When you find yourselves a little gloomy, said President Lorenzo Snow, "look around you and find somebody that is in a worse plight than yourself; go to him and find out what the trouble is, then try to remove it with the wisdom which the lord bestows upon you; and the first thing you know, your gloom is gone, you feel light, the Spirit of the Lord is upon you, and everything seems illuminated."
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Meet Jess Larsen
Thanks so much for sharing with us Jess! We are excited to get to know you.
1. Tell us about you and your family. (for example...where are you from? What is your career? Where did you go to school/major? Are you married? What does your husband do? Do you have any children? What are their ages? etc.)
I'm from Orange County, CA. I recently graduated from BYU in English and editing. Before moving to Arizona, I worked as an editor at the Friend (the Church magazine), and I still freelance for them--writing stories and activities, editing articles, and working with their website. I'm also starting a business editing college admission essays. I'm married to David Larsen, the MOST AMAZING guy in the world! He's from Dallas, Texas, and we dated in our freshman ward at BYU. After 3 years of letters (we both served missions--I served in Palmyra, New York), we started dating again and got engaged 2 months later! He just started the DO program at Midwestern.
2. If you had an hour free time, what might we find you doing?
If I had an hour of free time, I would definitely be reading! I go to the library more than I go to the grocery store!
3. Share an experience that has strengthened your testimony or why the gospel is important to you?
This might sound weird, but my unorthodox courthship with David strengthened my testimony! I really liked him, and we had written steadily for over a year when I received a very strong impression that I needed to serve a mission. It didn't make sense at all--I was sure I would never see David again! (Our missions overlapped by three months.) But I felt I should go, so I put in my papers. My mission changed my life, and then I came home and David was still here, so I got to marry him anyway. It taught me that the Lord has a plan, and even if it doesn't make sense to me, I can have complete faith and trust in Him. Things will work out as they should--and when they should.
If I had an hour of free time, I would definitely be reading! I go to the library more than I go to the grocery store!
3. Share an experience that has strengthened your testimony or why the gospel is important to you?
This might sound weird, but my unorthodox courthship with David strengthened my testimony! I really liked him, and we had written steadily for over a year when I received a very strong impression that I needed to serve a mission. It didn't make sense at all--I was sure I would never see David again! (Our missions overlapped by three months.) But I felt I should go, so I put in my papers. My mission changed my life, and then I came home and David was still here, so I got to marry him anyway. It taught me that the Lord has a plan, and even if it doesn't make sense to me, I can have complete faith and trust in Him. Things will work out as they should--and when they should.
4. What are your following favorites:
Desserts: fudge brownies or chocolate chip cookies. Actually, I've never met a dessert I haven't liked!
Desserts: fudge brownies or chocolate chip cookies. Actually, I've never met a dessert I haven't liked!
Hobbies: reading, watching movies with David, working out, traveling
Scripture: 2 Nephi 31:20
Hymn: "How Firm a Foundation"
Scripture: 2 Nephi 31:20
Hymn: "How Firm a Foundation"
Favorite quote: "Dismiss the destructive, and keep dismissing it until the beauty of the Atonement of Christ has revealed to you your bright future" --Jeffrey R. Holland
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Happy Happy Birthday to.....
2- Jessica Christensen
6- Vickey Lynne Dotson
6- Barbara Toomer
12- Melissa McAffe
12- Erin Dame
14- Julie Chrisman
14- Lillie Brower
14- Faith Burger
14- Shelly Lucas
15- Roberta Bradley
17- Sandy Johnson
26- Judy Farley
28- Becky Chesley
29- Kristy Budge
We hope you all have an amazing birthday this month!
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