Winter

Winter is the season in which people try to keep the house as warm as it was in the summer, when they complained about the heat.  Author Unknown

Reminders

Next Sunday, January 1st, our new meeting schedule goes into effect.  Sacrament meeting will be at 9:00 a.m.

Fast Sunday will be held Sunday, January 8th.

Elder Hollands Testimony of Jesus Christ

Merry Christmas!  Remember the Reason for the Season.

Reminders

Don't forget the Ward Christmas Party.  It is Thursday, December 22nd at 6:30 p.m.  Dinner and good company will be provided!

Fast Sunday will be January 8th instead of January 1st.

Our new meeting schedule for January is 9:00 a.m to 12 Noon.

Relief Society News

A big thanks to all those who helped with the Relief Society dinner and to all who came.  It was a wonderful night full of good food and good company!

Cherie Seward will need to have chemo.  We need everyone to send positive thoughts and prayers her way.

Sister Peterson was in the hospital but is home now.

Sharon Jones is home and doing well and sporting some pretty amazing clothing accessories.

Lesson Recap - Final Judgement

Sister Heather Olsen taught Sundays lesson on the Final Judgement.  We learned that today is the time to prepare to meet God because we never know when our time to go will come.  We need to be on the right path now.  Christ will be our judge and the 12 apostles will aid him in this.  We will be judged for our words, works, and our thoughts.  We discussed different ways to help us improve these things.  We need to overcome the world by our faith to gain the Celestial Kingdom.  This lesson would definitely be worth pulling out the manual and rereading it.

Poppy Seed Dressing & Salad

This salad was served at the Relief Society dinner and was delicious.  It comes from the web site "Our Best Bites".
Poppy Seed Dressing
1/3 c. white vinegar
1 tsp. Kosher salt
a few turns of freshly ground black pepper
3/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. mustard
1 green onion, ends removed (both the "hairy" end and where the green part starts to get floppy
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 tsp. poppy seeds

In a blender, combine vinegar, salt, pepper, sugar, and mustard.  While the blender is running, add the green onion.  continue running the blender and add the oil in a steady stream and is fully incorporated into the dressing.

Pour the dressing into a serving or a storage container and whisk in poppy seeds.  Serve over leafy greens. 

Mandarin Poppy Seed Salad

8 oz. (1/2 bag) of baby spinach
1/2 - 1 head Romaine lettuce, chopped
1/2 thinly sliced red onion
1 large avocado, chopped
8 oz. mozzarella or swiss cheese, shredded
1 12 oz. package bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 large can Mandarin oranges, drained
Poppy Seed Dressing to taste

Combine all ingredients except dressing in a large bowl.  When ready to serve, toss with desired amount of salad dressing and serve immediately.  If you anticipate leftovers, just let your eaters dress their own salad as the dressing will make the greens wilt.

Hurts, Habits, and Hangups

On Sunday, January 15^th, 2012, a new series of “Hurts, Habits, & Hang-ups” meetings will begin at 3:00 PM in the home of Shirley & Ron Lundquist.  There are 10 meetings in a series.  Each is one hour long. This wonderful program helps us to understand that this life is full of difficulties and that the Savior has provided wise council on how to avoid  problems and that through His Eternal Atonement we have a way to overcome the problems that beset us.  Please come and join us.  Those that have been through it before are welcome to repeat.

Sisters, I took this class and it was well worth my time.  I learned so much more about the Atonement and how to bring it fully into my life.  Karen Nelson

Christmas Help Needed

Sisters,

I am servicing a family who is very much in need, especially during this time of year.  They have four children in the home, and two have special needs.  The parents struggle to meet their families needs of basic living, and have many challenges that prevent them from changing their situation.  They just recently moved out of an apartment, and before they could return to retrieve many of their personal belongings, the landlord threw them away.  Clothes, beds, and other valuables were tossed into the garbage.  They were also unable to get on the christmas charity lists available through the Salvation Army and St. Vincent DePaul (The two main Christmas Charities in the community).  Their 4 children range in ages between 11 and 18 , with the 11 and 18 year old having special needs.  Toys For Tots will be donating a few "fun" items to the 11 yr old only.  The other children do not qualify for assistance because of age limits.  The need for essential items for all the children, still remains.  If you would like to donate, your donation will be going toward an outfit, socks, underwear, and shoes for these kids.  If there are remaining funds, I am aware of other families in need, and the remaining donations will go toward making sure their needs are met during this Christmas Season.  Thank You for your thoughtfulness and charity toward anyone in need at this special time of year.  Whether it be this family or any family you choose to help, may you be blessed for your efforts! 

Thanks!  Becky Hone

Please feel free to call me if you have any questions!  357-5336

Sister, this sounds like a great opportunity.  If you would like to donate,  just place your donation in an envelope (cash would be best) and give it to Becky Hone by December 19th. 

Lesson Recap

For those of you who missed Sunday's Relief Society Lesson, Sunni Lee taught a lesson titled "Draw Near Unto Me".  It was a totally silent lesson.  We watched and listened to music and learned scripture relating to Christ's Life.  We learned that in Gethsemane he not only suffered for our sins, but he suffered every pain and sorrow that we have or will have.  He knows us perfectly and it is how we can know him perfectly.  He will come again.  He loves us.  He was born for us.  He suffered for us.  He lives for us. 

Remember the Reason for the Season.

President's Message

Karl and I discussed some of the things I have been reading and studying on faith in conjunction with Presidents Searle's challenge.  In lectures on faith, Joseph Smith says that having an actual knowledge that the course of life which one is pursuing is according to God's will.  It is necessary in order for any intelligent being to exercise faith.  In Alma 32, Alma speaks of desire.  Desire is the real moving force behind our faith.  We desire to learn of God and his ways, therefore our faith has grown.  If you do not desire to be part of God's kingdom, you don't keep the commandments and then your life takes a different course that isn't in accordance with God's will, then your faith isn't exercised.  The world grabs so many people's desire (or what your heart really wants) and turns them away from his wonderful plan of happiness.  Grateful is hardly adequate for the expression I, we, feel for the faith we have.  Sister Strupp

Happy Birthday!

December 5th - Pam Dooley
December 6th - Leatha Neilson
December 10th - Mariann Davidson and Rehle Higham
December 15th - Mistri Russell
December 16th - Lori Moad
December 19th - Gloria Russell
December 25th - Christa Ball

Visiting Teaching Message

Every Sister who stands for truth and righteousness diminishes the influence of evil.  Every sister who strengthens and protects her family is doing the work of God.  Every sister who lives as a woman of God becomes a beacon for others to follow and plants seeds of righteous influence that will be harvested for decades to come. 
Elder Ballard

With the holidays here, please try to get your visiting teaching done early and check on their needs.  Please report any to the Bishop or Sister Strupp.

Sister News

Sister Cherie Seward had surgery Friday.  It went great and the cancer didn't spread.  Please keep her in your prayers.

Sister Beth Allred will be moving to Lincoln Court on Thursday.  We wish them well.  They will be missed by all of us.