Steadfast Faith in Christ: Change, Change, Change

Smooth as Silk?

We seem to take for granted the coming and going of the missionaries in our ward, and look at each new transferee as an opportunity for a new subject of conversation at the dinner table. "How long have you been out?" "What area were you in before you came here?" "Where are you from? Oh, really! My second cousin one removed is from there."

But, have you ever wondered how that all comes about? It seems smooth enough to us from the outside, simply because the next time we see 'our' elders, it has been out with the old and in with the new. But, it's not always that simple for the missionaries themselves, especially when one factors in the leadership positions which may require filling and changing with each new transfer. (Never mind what has to happen in the mission office!)

This week, Elder Freeman gives us a blow-by-blow of a particularly complicated transfer which came just as he was starting to see some progress in the people he was teaching in his new area. But, he was destined for just six weeks in that ward and is now off to new horizons and more demanding climes. However, he manages to survive it all and end up with his characteristic upbeat attitude.

Here's a quote from the end of his letter:

Nevertheless, we've got a lot to look forward to. Last night we met a guy named Ryan Freeman, of Irish decent, no relation though. He looked like he could use our help and he invited us back. We weren't sure how sober he was but we hope to go back before next week. Then, last night we called an investigator they'd been working with and got an appointment for tonight.

So, we're being taken care of and it's not quite as hard as I feared, yet. We've got good roommates and a real nice apartment. I'll keep you updated.

Of note, in missionary-speak, 'whitewash' means to transfer both missionaries at the same time, which makes coming into a new area a challenge. Neither missionary knows the area, the ward, their contacts, etc., having only the records of the previous missionaries to go by. I believe this is the first double whitewash Elder Freeman has experienced.

Recipe of the Week: Super Easy Tomato, Garlic & Basil Pizza

From Debbie Tingey:

YOU WILL NEED:

• Your favorite Pizza crust (I use the Boboli Brand that you can buy at the store.....the pre-made stuff. Sometimes I make it home made, and that is good to. It is just easier to use Boboli if you can)
• 2-3 tomatoes (depending on the size)
  
• 1 clove garlic or substitute ~1 Tbls to taste
• 1/4 C fresh chopped basil or 2-3 Tbls dried basil to taste
• 3 Tbls olive oil
• 1 1/2 C Mozzarella cheese
  

1. Press the clove of garlic into the olive oil and set aside.
   
2. Slice the tomatoes, chop the basil and grate the cheese.
3. Brush the olive oil and garlic over the pizza crust
4. Add remaining ingredients.
   

If you use the Boboli crust: Bake at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes. (Watch for the cheese to turn golden.) If you make the pizza crust, bake it according you your recipe.

Cool, and enjoy.

Preach My Gospel: Mormons in Texas

The Church Seeks to Address Confusion over Texas Polygamy Groups

Perhaps you may have noticed among your non-LDS friends, that some confusion has arisen between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the FLDS, a small polygamist sect with property in western Texas. The Church has taken several steps to dispel the misconceptions, and to that end has posted this page in the public affairs section of lds.org. The videos below can also be found on YouTube. These interviews with Texas Mormons (primarily of the greater Beaumont area), as well as Gifford Nielsen and other notables shine a bit of light on who we are and what we believe, and could prove very useful as you discuss the FLDS situation with your interested friends.



Following is an excerpt from a study cited on the site which demonstrates some of the confusion among the public regarding the Mormon Church.

The effort to more clearly distinguish Mormons from the Texas polygamist group follows a survey commissioned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that found a high level of public awareness of stories about the polygamous compound near San Angelo, Texas. Allegations of child abuse led to a raid by the state's Child Protective Services earlier this year. Some 91 percent of respondents had heard or read stories surrounding the religious compound.

However, the survey also found that:

• More than a third of those surveyed (36 percent) erroneously thought that the Texas compound was part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or "Mormon Church" based in Salt Lake City
• 6 percent said the two groups were partly related.
• 29 percent correctly said the two groups were not connected at all
• 29 percent were not sure.

In addition, when asked specifically which religious organization members of the polygamous group belonged to:

• 30 percent said "Mormon," "LDS" or "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints"
• 14 percent said "FLDS"
• 6 percent said "Mormon fundamentalists"
• Nearly half (44 percent) were unsure
  

RS Weekly Update: Monday, July 21st through Sunday, July 27th

This Week:

• Tuesday, July 22nd, 12pm: Sister Michelle Wolf (the future Sister Brad Erickson) is taking out her endowments tomorrow, Tuesday, in the 12:00 pm session.  We are making this our Relief Society temple day, so please come and share this very special day with Michelle and her family.
• Tuesday, July 22nd, 7pm:  Also tomorrow, Sister Tami Erickson and Sister Barbara Pont wish to invite all to the bridal shower for Michelle they are hostessing.  7pm, at the home of Sister Jan Ingram, 1607 Corral Drive, Houston, Texas 77090
• Friday, July 25th, 9am:  BGDC:  Children's Museum field trip.  Meet at the Hafer Road building at 9:00 am to drive down together.  Bring along a lunch for you and the kids to picnic in Hermann Park, or, a cafe is on the premises.  For more information, contact Sister Jeanette Schadler. 
  

Sunday's Lesson:

Teachings for Our Times:  Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin: Concern for the One  (Whom, who has seen Elder Wirthlin's address can forget the incredible lessons delivered during this discourse?)

Upcoming Ward Events:

• Monday, August 25th:  School starts for both Klein and Spring ISD's.

Visiting Teaching:

• July Message:  All Human Beings Are Created in the Image of God

Preparedness:

BE AWARE of Tropical Storm Dolly, now brewing in the Gulf.  She is projected to make landfall somewhere around Brownsville, but be advised.  Here are some tracking links:

ABC KTRK Hurricane Central
CBS KHOU Hurricane Central
NBC KPRC Hurricanes
Fox KRIV Hurricane Toolbox
The Houston Chronicle Hurricane Central

Enrichment:

• Tuesday, July 22nd, 12pm session: Relief Society Temple Day (note change)
  
• Thursday, July 24th, 7pm session:  Ward Temple Day.
  
• Friday, July 25th, 10am:  BGDC:  Field trip to the Children's Museum of Houston.
• Tuesday, August 29th, 7 pm:  Cooking Club:  Chinese Cooking with Mandy Davies.
• Friday, August 1st, 8:30 pm: SUGGESTED FAMILY ACTIVITY:  Shakespearean Festival at Miller Outdoor Theater.

Our intent is to edify rather than harry the sisters of the Olde Oaks Ward.  Enrichment activities are developed to foster socialization and address the needs of specific interest groups.  No one should feel obligated to attend.  If you have ideas for low- or no-cost activities, if you would like to learn a skill we have not addressed, or if you have a talent you would like to share, please, let us know.  Enrichment Committee:  Jeanette Schadler, Claudia Del Papa, Marilyn Bullock.

Recurring Events:

• 2nd Thursday of every month:  Gardening Club
• 3rd Tuesday of every month:  Relief Society Temple Day
  
• 3rd Thursday of every month:  Temple Recommend Interviews
  
• 4th Tuesday of every month:  Cooking Club
• 4th Thursday of every month:  Ward Temple Day

Meet at the church at 9am to travel down together.  Children's: admission $5/person, under two free, bring a lunch for you and the kids, or you can eat at the cafe in the museum; for more information, contact Jeanette Schadler.

Blog of the Week: Lucy's Frugal Living

"Free Advice 5 cents"

If you don't know our own dear Lucy Stern very well, her blog is a great place to start. Lucy never wearies in well-doing, and extends her exertions onto the Internet . Her recipe for blog success:

• Mix together equal parts:
• Homemaking skills
• Emergency preparedness
• Food storage
• Frugal living
• Season with:
• A dash of politics
• A pinch of homily
• A healthy dollop of hard-won wisdom
• Mix well, then top with
  
• A generous layer of wide-ranging recipes.
• Enjoy!
  

Things to know:

URl: http://lucysfrugalliving.blogspot.com
Author: Lucy Stern
Emphasis: homemaking skills, emergency preparedness, food storage & frugal living
Rating: 5/5
Comment: With a two o'clock Sunday meeting time, her crockpot collection is a must!