Sisters in Zion: A Special Thanks

I wanted to take a moment to thank all the sisters in the ward who provided service to the Johnson family in this difficult time for them. As we prepared for the luncheon, there were so many sisters wanting to help, it was difficult coming up with things for them to do.

I can't tell you what a relief it was to me to know everything was 'under control' because of the fabulous sisters of the Olde Oaks Ward. Every one of you came through for me. So, whether you brought in dinners to the Johnson home, helped with the luncheon, participated in the memorial service, provided childcare for others so they could attend, or provided some thoughtful service known only to a few, thank you. Your kindness is deeply felt.

Eve Lechaminant keeps the wee bits entertained.


These are probably the best disciplined children I've ever seen. I never knew five children could be so still.


They also serve who sit and wait: (l-r) Marjorie Ricker, Lorraine Ricker, and Verlayn Keller wait for the guests to arrive.


At the last minute, I looked at the bleak gym and said, 'Can you make that look—better?" The ladies were up to the challenge. Using spare wicker baskets and residual flowers, they whipped the place into shape in nothing flat.



April bullied us into standing still for a picture. She wanted something more than the empty gym and table settings. Go figure.

My peeps (at least, those who couldn't escape April's camera): (l-r)Jeanette Schadler, Donna Corbin, Penny Freeman, Rosalyn Davies, Lucy Stern.


The lady behind the camera, April Lewis. She really is as charming as she looks. (Yep, April. I grabbed this from your FB album.)

Food for Thought: Tribute to Carissa

As personal as are these next two videos (Carissa is my niece, her mom my sister), they testify so strongly of our Savior, Jesus Christ, they need to be shared.

Of nearly equal importance, they show the lives one person can affect through their example during the short tenure of their life.

I hope you take the time to watch them, and that they strengthen your testimony of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, as it has done mine.

Food for Thought: Tribute to Carissa Part 2

The Olde Oaks Country Fair

From Sister April Lewis:

We are hoping to call all the sisters, but I thought I would email, too. So please pass this info on to any Visiting Teachees, Visiting Teachers, friends, and/or neighbors just in case we don't get to call everyone.

Our postponed Enrichment meeting, "The Olde Oaks Country Fair", is this Thursday at 7 pm @ the Hafer road building (16331 Hafer Rd, HOUSTON,TEXAS ). We will be starting with a lesson in the Relief Society Room attached to the kitchen, then move into the Gym/Cultural hall for Dinner (baked Potatoes, salad, and toppings) and our "talent/stuff about you" tables and karaoke. If you feel so inclined, wear something suitable for an old time Country fair. We will have a lot of fun, and it will be more fun with you! Yes, you!

We will have homemade treats for those of you who make the effort to be on time. We will also have a children's class in the nursery, so please bring them if no one is available to watch them.

PLEASE BRING something that tells your sisters about you. I know you are all extremely talented and interesting women, so let us know some details about who you are and what you like to do by bringing something to show off (e.g. a book you love, your favorite shoes, a DVD/CD favorite, something you have sewn/cut/glued/hammered/scrapbooked/created in any way, and if none of those strike your fancy then -as President Uchtdorf suggested-, come and see how many smiles you can create!)

I apologize for any of you getting this twice as I am sending it to all of you in my address book, as well as the Olde Oaks Group.

Have a great day (and to help you on the way to that here is a quote from Pres. Uchtdorf's talk at Women's Conference last week)!

"Today I would like to speak to those who have ever felt inadequate, discouraged, or weary—in short, I would like to speak to all of us.

I also pray that the Holy Ghost will amplify my words and bestow upon them additional meaning, insight, and inspiration.

We know that sometimes it can be difficult to keep our heads above water. In fact, in our world of change, challenges, and checklists, sometimes it can seem nearly impossible to avoid feeling overwhelmed by emotions of suffering and sorrow.

I am not suggesting that we can simply flip a switch and stop the negative feelings that distress us. This isn’t a pep talk or an attempt to encourage those sinking in quicksand to imagine instead they are relaxing on a beach. I recognize that in all of our lives there are real concerns. I know there are hearts here today that harbor deep sorrows. Others wrestle with fears that trouble the soul. For some, loneliness is their secret trial.

These things are not insignificant.

However, I would like to speak about two principles that may help you find a path to peace, hope, and joy—even during times of trial and distress. I want to speak about God’s happiness and how each one of us can taste of it in spite of the burdens that beset us.

Let me first pose a question: What do you suppose is the greatest kind of happiness possible? For me, the answer to this question is, God’s happiness.

This leads to another question: What is our Heavenly Father’s happiness?

This may be impossible to answer because His ways are not our ways. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are [God’s] ways higher than [our] ways, and [His] thoughts [higher] than [our] thoughts.”¹

Though we cannot understand “the meaning of all things,” we do “know that [God] loveth his children”² because He has said, “Behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”³

Heavenly Father is able to accomplish these two great goals—the immortality and eternal life of man—because He is a God of creation and compassion. Creating and being compassionate are two objectives that contribute to our Heavenly Father’s perfect happiness. Creating and being compassionate are two activities that we as His spirit children can and should emulate."

I love this talk; if you were unfortunate enough to miss it, please watch it or read it online ASAP. Nothing beats Pres. Uchtdorf's delivery of it, but reading it brings new insights and inspiration also.