Upcoming activities:
VT interviews - see schedule on RHS of this blog - email me if there is an open slot that works for you.

Sept 14th Temple re-opens

Sept 15th Book club- The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino 7:30 at Jamie's, kids welcome, if you have not read it, just scan the cliff notes posted on http://jamiesjourneyjournal.blogspot.com//, bring suggestions for next month!

Sept 18th : Ward Temple night (3rd Friday of each month)

Sept 26th RS Broadcast Dinner/Service project

Tuesday, 29 September Stake Canning Night 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM - Canning Night for Kingwood Stake @ Houston Cannery (North Stake)

From Lara :
iHola, Ladies!Our next Cooking Group Gathering will be Tuesday, September 29th at 7 p.m. Erin will be hosting a Mexican Food Potluck and Recipe Exchange at her home . Please bring one of your favorite Mexican dishes to share. You can bring copies of your recipe, or just email me with the recipe and I will get it out to everyone after the event. If you can't make a dish for that night, you are still welcome to come and enjoy.Please email me with any questions: All are welcome!iGracias!Lara

Oct 23 - 24 Ward Exchange Start putting aside things to bring now!

Choir practice 5:00 every week after church

Sept 13th RS lesson taught by Paula: JS #40
How Glorious Are Faithful, Just, and True Friends


Paula started by handing out a piece of paper to each of us. She gave us just a couple of minutes to list 5 talks/lessons that we have heard on one side of the paper. After the couple of minutes were up, she asked how many we were able to list. Most people were unable to list more than two or three, wanted more time. Then she asked us to turn the paper over, and write the names of 5 people who had influenced our lives. The difference was immediately noticed. While it was hard and took a long time to think of talks, we could quickly and easily list 5 people, and had a hard time limiting it to 5.

She then said that friends are what make a real difference in our lives.

From the manual:
In August of 1842, civil authorities from Missouri were making repeated efforts to capture the Prophet Joseph Smith. Fearing he would be killed if he were arrested and taken to Missouri, the Prophet went into hiding. On August 11, he sent word to several loyal family members and friends to meet him on an island in the Mississippi River, not far from Nauvoo. That night, Emma Smith, Hyrum Smith, Newel K. Whitney, and others gathered near the edge of the river and traveled in a small boat to the appointed meeting place. Joyfully, the Prophet took each one by the hand, grateful for the aid and comfort of true friendship. He later wrote at length in his journal about his feelings of gratitude for his family members and friends. Some of these journal entries:

Emma: …what transports of joy swelled my bosom, when I took by the hand, on that night, my beloved Emma—she that was my wife, even the wife of my youth, and the choice of my heart. Many were the reverberations of my mind when I contemplated for a moment the many scenes we had been called to pass through, the fatigues and the toils, the sorrows and sufferings, and the joys and consolations, from time to time, which had strewed our paths and crowned our board. Oh, what a commingling of thought filled my mind for the moment, again she is here, … undaunted, firm, and unwavering—unchangeable, affectionate Emma!

Hyrum: “There was Brother Hyrum who next took me by the hand—a natural brother. Thought I to myself, Brother Hyrum, what a faithful heart you have got! Oh, may the Eternal Jehovah crown eternal blessings upon your head, as a reward for the care you have had for my soul! Oh, how many are the sorrows we have shared together; and again we find ourselves shackled with the unrelenting hand of oppression. Hyrum, thy name shall be written in the Book of the Law of the Lord, for those who come after thee to look upon, that they may pattern after thy works.

Newel K. Whitney: “Said I to myself, Here is Brother Newel K. Whitney also. How many scenes of sorrows have strewed our paths together; and yet we meet once more to share again. Thou art a faithful friend in whom the afflicted sons of men can confide, with the most perfect safety. Let the blessings of the Eternal also be crowned upon his head. How warm that heart! how anxious that soul! for the welfare of one who has been cast out, and hated of almost all men. Brother Whitney, thou knowest not how strong those ties are that bind my soul and heart to thee. …

Some Topics:
- True friends ease one another’s sorrows and remain faithful even in times of adversity.
- Friendship unites the human family, dispelling hatred and misunderstanding.
- Saints of God are true friends to one another.

Some of the comments that were shared:
Addie said Jennifer sent her a 40th B-day card with thoughts on joys of growing older that she keeps in her sock drawer.
Elizabeth talked about a sister from her old ward who had a baby while being very sick, how the entire ward, not just one or two people, cared for this sister.
We remembered how a stranger in the temple had come and given Pam a hug when she needed one.
Nicole talked about friends there to cry on their shoulders, not to give advice, but just to be there.
Oliver vs. Hyrum – those who split during the hard times, vs. those who are there to the very end.
Denise shared about how sisters in her ward came to visit her mom, taught her the RS lesson, and then called to check up on them after her mom passed away.

May we all cherish the friends that we have, seek to deepen our current relationships, and be ever on the watch to welcome others into our circle of acquaintance!

Thanks for the great lesson Paula!

Have a great week everyone!