Weekly Update December 21st - December 27th

Faith

Lesson Review:

"Preparing for the Coming of Our Lord" 

Joseph Fielding Smith - Lesson 26

Doctrine:

We are rapidly approaching the great day of the Lord, that time of “refreshing,” when he will come in the clouds of heaven to take vengeance upon the ungodly and prepare the earth for the reign of peace for all those who are willing to abide in his law [see Acts 3:19–20].

Many things have taken place … to impress faithful members of the Church with the fact that the coming of the Lord is near. The gospel has been restored. The Church has been fully organized. The priesthood has been conferred upon man. The various dispensations from the beginning have been revealed and their keys and authorities given to the Church. Israel has been and is being gathered to the land of Zion. The Jews are returning to Jerusalem. The gospel is being preached in all the world as a witness to every nation. Temples are being built, and ordinance work for the dead, as well as for the living, is performed in them. The hearts of the children have turned to their fathers, and the children are seeking after their dead. The covenants which the Lord promised to make with Israel in the latter days have been revealed, and thousands of gathered Israel have entered into them. Thus the work of the Lord is advancing, and all these things are signs of the near approach of our Lord. …

The words of the prophets are rapidly being fulfilled, but it is done on such natural principles that most of us fail to see it.

Invitation to Action: 

I plead with the Latter-day Saints to stand firm and faithful in the discharge of every duty, keeping the commandments of the Lord, honoring the priesthood, that we may stand when the Lord comes—Whether we be living or dead, it matters not,—to be partakers of this glory.

There are many events in the world today which indicate that the great day of the Lord is drawing near when the Redeemer will again appear to set up his kingdom in righteousness preparatory to the millennial reign. In the meantime it is the duty of members of the Church to seek for knowledge and to prepare themselves by study and by faith for the ushering in of that great and glorious day.

We do not need to be worrying about the times and the seasons when Christ shall come, but we do need to watch and pray and be ready.

Promised Blessings:

The righteous will rejoice when he comes, because then peace will come to the earth, righteousness to the people, and that same spirit of peace and joy and happiness which prevailed upon this continent for two hundred years [see 4 Nephi 1:1–22] shall again be established among the people and eventually shall become universal, and Christ shall reign as Lord of lords and King of kings for a thousand years. We are looking forward to that time.

For one thousand years shall this happy time of peace prevail and in due time all the inhabitants of the earth shall be brought into the fold of the Church.

 Read or Listen to the entire lesson here:  

https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-joseph-fielding-smith/chapter-26-preparing-for-the-coming-of-our-lord?lang=eng

FAMILY

With the new year it seems like the perfect time we all reflect on the past year and set goals and resolutions for the new year.  I found a great article from the 2002 Ensign on setting and tracking goals with our family.

Tracking New Years Goals:

Setting goals and striving to achieve them at times can seem to be an insurmountable task. Often we procrastinate setting goals until we feel we are more committed or “the time is right.” But it doesn’t have to be that way. Our family has discovered an easier way to set and achieve goals. We record our progress on a New Year’s goal poster.

1. 1. 
   We reserve the first family home evening of the year for setting goals. It helps to teach the importance of prayer in selecting goals. By taking time to pray and ponder about our goals, we are able to focus on what will most benefit our family. Then we have a short lesson on the importance of goals, types of goals, how to choose a goal by focusing on what is realistic and most important, and how to achieve goals.
2. 2. 
   We list our goals on a poster. To establish the goals we want to achieve, we list them on posters made of construction paper. Posterboard, cardstock, and other materials work well too. Then we spread magazines that we have saved, including Church magazines, on the table. With scissors and glue handy, we cut out pictures and words that represent the goals we are planning to work on throughout the year and paste them on the poster. Each poster is labeled with a family member’s name and the year. Then we help our children understand the importance of choosing goals in four different categories: spiritual, educational, physical, and temporal.
3. 3. 
   We display our posters in a prominent area. After we finish the posters, we take turns showing them to each other. Then we hang the posters in a prominent place in our rooms. The posted goals are a daily visual reminder of what we plan to achieve. As we reach our goals, we cross them off. The first year we made goal posters, we were surprised when we reached all our goals.

Each December we review the goals we have accomplished for that year and save the posters in our books of remembrance. My husband and I began this goal-setting tradition during our first year of marriage. When we saw the successful results of our efforts, we decided to continue the tradition, especially when children came into our home.

Listing our goals on a poster allows us to review our commitment on a daily or weekly basis. Making goal posters at the beginning of every new year is an eagerly anticipated event for our family that has helped us successfully set and achieve worthwhile goals.—Janalee Merrell Watkins, Maeser First Ward, Vernal Utah Maeser Stake

Another great article is found in the January 2014 Ensign by President Uchtdorf, 

 "The Best Time to Plant a Tree."

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/01/the-best-time-to-plant-a-tree?lang=eng

RELIEF

It seems like there are so many opportunities around us to serve others.  Sometimes it feels overwhelming or we may feel inadequate.  I loved this talk by President Uchtdorf, "Happiness is your Heritage."  

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/happiness-your-heritage?lang=eng

"I believe that the women of the Church, regardless of age or family status, understand and apply best the words of James Barrie, the author of Peter Pan: “Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.” ¹¹ Often I have witnessed quiet acts of kindness and compassion by noble women who extended themselves in unselfish charity. My heart swells when I hear stories of the sisters of the Church and how they rush to the aid of those in need.

My dear sisters, I have a simple faith. I believe that as you are faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, as you draw closer to Him in faith, hope, and charity, things will work together for your good. ¹⁴ I believe that as you immerse yourselves in the work of our Father—as you create beauty and as you are compassionate to others—God will encircle you in the arms of His love. ¹⁵ Discouragement, inadequacy, and weariness will give way to a life of meaning, grace, and fulfillment.

As spirit daughters of our Heavenly Father, happiness is your heritage.

You are choice daughters of our Heavenly Father, and through the things you create and by your compassionate service, you are a great power for good. You will make the world a better place. Lift up your chin; walk tall. God loves you. We love and admire you."

I

***Please also remember those that are lonely this year.  I recently visited a couple of the widows in our ward.  They loved every minute I could spend with them.  They would enjoy getting to know you and your family.  A visit is the best gift you could ever give them and it doesn't cost you a thing!

 

Sweeping the Earth As If a Flood:

This was found on LDS.org

Sharing the Gospel - Center Your Relationships on Jesus Christ

As you share online, focus on relationships and messages that bring you closer to Jesus Christ. Use the Spirit as you find ways to share the gospel online. Have courage to share your testimony of the Savior when you feel prompted by the Spirit. Try to help those you associate with online realize the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

“As you participate in this conversation and utilize the tools of new media, remember who you are—Latter-day Saints. . . . There is no need to argue or contend with others regarding our beliefs. There is no need to become defensive or belligerent. Our position is solid; the Church is true. We simply need to have a conversation, as friends in the same room would have, always guided by the prompting of the Spirit and constantly remembering the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, which reminds us of how precious are the children of our Father in Heaven.” — Elder M. Russell Ballard (“Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet,” Ensign, July 2008).

“I offer two questions for consideration in your personal pondering and prayerful studying: 1. Does the use of various technologies and media invite or impede the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost in your life? 2. Does the time you spend using various technologies and media enlarge or restrict your capacity to live, to love, and to serve in meaningful ways?” — Elder David A. Bednar (“Things as They Really Are,” Ensign, June 2010).

Relief Society Announcements:

Lesson Schedule for January:
January 4th - President's Instruction

January 11th - Ezra Taft Benson #1 - "The Great Commandment" -  Love the Lord

January 18th - Ezra Taft Benson #2 - "Pray Always"

January 25th - Teachings For Our Time - "Joseph Smith" by Elder Neil L. Anderson - November General Conference

2015 Relief Society Curriculum:

Teachings of President's of the Church - Ezra Taft Benson

https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-ezra-taft-benson?lang=eng

  

Recipes on the blog:

If you have a recipe you would like to share send them to:  drbennett1@hotmail.com or call or text them to 208-351-7083. We would love to have your favorite holiday recipes!

Visit the ward recipe blog:  www.burton4threcipes.blogspot.com

Weekly Update December 14th - December 20th

Faith

Lesson Review:

"The Birth of Jesus Christ - Good Tidings of Great Joy" 

Joseph Fielding Smith - Lesson 25

Doctrine:

Jesus came here to fulfill a definite mission which was assigned to him before the foundation of this earth was laid. He is spoken of in the scriptures as “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” [Revelation 13:8.] He volunteered to come, in the Meridian of Time, to redeem men from the fall which would come upon them through the transgression of Adam.

… Jesus is the only person born into this world who did not have an earthly father. The Father of his body is also the Father of his Spirit, and the Father of the spirits of all men. From his Father he obtained eternal life; from his mother he obtained the power to die, for his mother was a mortal woman. From her he got his blood, and from his Father he got his immortality. Thus having the power to lay down his life and take it again, he was able to pay the price of Adam’s transgression, and redeem all creatures from the grave.⁷

                 

The true reason for the coming of Jesus Christ into the world … was, first, to redeem all men from the physical or mortal death, which Adam brought into the world, and second, to redeem all men from spiritual death or banishment from the presence of the Lord on conditions of their repentance and remission of sins and endurance to the end of the mortal probation.⁸

Invitation to Action: 

When [Christmas morning] comes some will bow their heads in humble supplication to the Father of Lights for the blessings they have received through the sufferings of his beloved Son, and will read the wondrous story with grateful praise. Others, unfortunately, who know little, if anything at all, of the debt they owe to the Son of God, will celebrate, not in praise and humble prayer, but in blasphemous drunken revelry, without the least thought of the significance of the birth of the Man of Galilee. …

How can anyone read this touching story of the birth of Jesus Christ without wishing to forsake his sins? At this season of the year it is well for one and all—the king in his palace, if there are kings in palaces now, the peasant in his humble cottage, the rich and the poor alike—to bow the knee and pay honor to him who was without sin, whose life was spent in sacrifice and sorrow for the benefits of his fellow man; whose blood was shed as a sacrifice for sin. …

Promised Blessings:

… What of this wonderful story? Have we permitted it to permeate and influence our lives? Have we accepted it in its full meaning without reservations? Do we believe that this babe was in very deed the only begotten Son of God in the flesh? Do we have abiding faith in his mission and are we willing to obediently follow him? If the world had so believed and had sincerely heeded his teachings, then it would not have been torn asunder by strife and wickedness all down through the ages. … There has been too much lip-service among the professed followers of the Son of God and too little real worship based upon the integrity of his teachings.

The angel declared to the shepherds on that glorious night, that he brought tidings of great joy which were for all people [see Luke 2:8–10], but quite generally the people everywhere on the face of the earth, have refused to receive the blessings of those tidings. They have not been willing to forsake their sins, to humble themselves and place their lives in harmony with the Master’s teachings. …

Once again I plead to all men everywhere: Turn from your evil ways to the true worship of the Son of God, that your souls may be saved in his kingdom.¹⁰

Read or Listen to the entire lesson here:  

https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-joseph-fielding-smith/chapter-25-the-birth-of-jesus-christ-good-tidings-of-great-joy?lang=eng

 A couple of articles that go great with this lesson are:

The Reality of Christmas:

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/12/the-reality-of-christmas

A Broken Sheep and a Contrite Spirit:
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/12/fill-the-world-with-christs-love?lang=eng

FAMILY

The Country Kids 4-H Club, other cast member, and the Johnson and Ritchie families invite you to attend a live Nativity performance at 1200 South 6000 West in Rexburg at any of the following times:

Sunday, December 21st - 6:15 and 7:00 p.m.
Monday, December 22nd - 6:15 and 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 24th - 5:30 and 6:15 p.m. 

Please arrive 10-15 minutes early, dress warmly for the outdoor performance, and remember to stay for homemade donuts and hot chocolate after.  Everyone is welcome.  

Christmas Ideas

Here's some practical advice to help you find your ideal Christmas. Simplify the season and you may find that for every minute you spend here, you'll get 10 minutes back to enjoy this holiday more fully.

---

Top 15 Ideas for Christmas

• Give someone an eCard this Christmas.
• Replace some holiday decorations in your home with reminders of Christ.
• Play more Christmas music. Find Christmas music here, the Tabernacle Choir YouTube page and on the Mormon Channel. 
• Donate gently used items to a thrift store.
• Go Christmas caroling.
• Avoid “mad rush” shopping times.
• Say thank you as often as possible.
• Schedule a night to help another person or family.
• Call someone you normally wouldn't to wish him or her a Merry Christmas.
• Delegate some holiday preparations to children or other family members.
• Simplify a traditional activity.
• Find quiet time to pray.
• Write down great memories as they happen.
• Set and stick to a holiday budget.
• Forgive a grudge.

Last Sunday, our lesson was on the birth of the Savior.  We talked about ways we are sharing the message of the Gospel with our families and with others.  There were some wonderful thoughts shared about Christ centered Christmas traditions.  When we meet on Sunday, we hope you will continue to share your thoughts about the Savior, and the ways you are sharing your testimony of Him.  As a follow-up, there is a great link on lds.org entitled "10 Ways to Add More Christ to Your Christmas."

https://www.lds.org/church/news/10-ways-to-add-more-christ-to-your-christmas?cid=HPTH121814573&lang=eng

Some Family Traditions Shared by Sisters in our Ward:

*Make a Mary's Treasure Box.  Discuss the treasures related to Christmas that are stored in the box.
*Attend the Messiah production as a family.
*Act out the Nativity.
*Attend the live Nativity at the Ritchies.
*Have a birthday cake on Christmas to celebrate the Savior.
*Do the 12 days of Christmas to another family or families.
*Pick a gift to give to the Savior.  -Example:  doing temple work
*Make an advent calendar showing the life of the Savior.
*Celebrate with a Spanish heritage and have a piñata for the children to enjoy.

RELIEF

Have you done your visiting teaching?  Please make sure every sister is visited this month.  She needs to know of your love for her and feel of the spirit you will bring by sharing the message of Christ's birth and life with her. 

***Please also remember those that are lonely this year.  I recently visited a couple of the widows in our ward.  They loved every minute I could spend with them.  They would enjoy getting to know you and your family.  A visit is the best gift you could ever give them and it doesn't cost you a thing!

 

Sweeping the Earth As If a Flood:

If you haven't shared the, "He is the Gift" video on your social media sites or by email - This is the week!  You can also visit LDS.org to print pass along cards if you don't participate in social media.  It is a beautiful and short video that really spreads the Christmas message and spirit.

 Without doubt, the greatest gift of love we could give this holiday season—these holy days—is to share God’s gift with others. To help us do that, the Church launched a media initiative on November 28 titled “He Is the Gift.”

About this initiative, Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “Christmas is a time of reflection on what we can become because of God’s sacred gift. As we discover the gift, we learn of the immeasurable love of God and our absolute need for a Savior. As we embrace the gift, we strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ and our desire to become more like Him. As we share the gift, we follow in the Master’s footsteps, who invited all to hear His message.”¹

The initiative includes a new Church website, christmas.mormon.org. Among the information on the website is a powerful video titled He Is the Gift. Also on the site is content helping visitors to:

• • Understand why the Savior is God’s greatest gift to mankind.
  
• • Embrace that gift by following the teachings of Jesus Christ.
  
• • Read inspirational stories of modern-day followers of the Son of God.
  
• • Share the video and website with others.
  

The hashtag #ShareTheGift can be used to send people to the website. The video and website are available in 20 languages.

To help members share the message of God’s love this Christmas, the “He Is the Gift” initiative includes images and messages on social media that members can share (including a YouTube campaign on December 7 in the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Brazil) and displays in most Church visitors’ centers to which members can invite interested friends. A major display will be on view at Times Square in New York City, USA. Sharing our beliefs about Jesus Christ in these simple ways will likely result in natural invitations to meet with the missionaries.

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles encourages every member to “visit christmas.mormon.org to find inspiring content to help discover, embrace, and share the gift of God’s love for us, made manifest in His Only Begotten Son. By using the hashtag #ShareTheGift, we can sweep the earth with timeless—and timely—messages of the Savior Jesus Christ.”²

Relief Society Announcements:

Lesson Schedule for January:January 4th - President's Instruction

January 11th - Ezra Taft Benson #1 - "The Great Commandment" -  Love the Lord

January 18th - Ezra Taft Benson #2 - "Pray Always"

January 25th - Teachings For Our Time - "Joseph Smith" by Elder Neil L. Anderson - November General Conference

2015 Relief Society Curriculum:

Teachings of President's of the Church - Ezra Taft Benson

https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-ezra-taft-benson?lang=eng

  

*The Bishop has encouraged us to practice more reverence as we come to Sacrament Meeting and prepare for the Sacrament.  At October General Conference, Elder James J. Hamula shared the following about the Savior and partaking of the Sacrament:

Brothers and sisters, the most important event in time and eternity is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He who accomplished the Atonement has given us the ordinance of the sacrament to help us not only remember but also claim the blessings of this supreme act of grace. Regular and earnest participation in this sacred ordinance helps us continue to embrace and live the doctrine of Christ after baptism and thereby pursue and complete the process of sanctification. Indeed, the ordinance of the sacrament helps us faithfully endure to the end and receive the fulness of the Father in the same way Jesus did, grace for grace.

Recipes on the blog:

If you have a recipe you would like to share send them to:  drbennett1@hotmail.com or call or text them to 208-351-7083. We would love to have your favorite holiday recipes!

Visit the ward recipe blog:  www.burton4threcipes.blogspot.com

Weekly update- September 28th - October 4th

Faith

Lesson Review:

"A Priceless Heritage of Hope"
April 2014 Conference Talk Henry B Eyring



 

Whoever you are and wherever you may be, you hold in your hands the happiness of more people than you can now imagine. Every day and every hour you can choose to make or keep a covenant with God.

Wherever you are on the path to inherit the gift of eternal life, you have the opportunity to show many people the way to greater happiness. When you choose whether to make or keep a covenant with God, you choose whether you will leave an inheritance of hope to those who might follow your example.

 
Doctrine:

 The Lord has given to man a code of laws that we call the gospel of Jesus Christ. Due to lack of inspiration and spiritual guidance, men may differ in relation to these laws and their application, but there can hardly be a dispute in regard to the fact that such laws do exist, and that all who seek entrance into that kingdom are subject to them.

We have every truth, every doctrine, every law and requirement, every performance and ordinance needed to save and exalt us in the highest heaven of the celestial world.

 “Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion.” (D&C 132:8.)


Invitation to Action:

The Lord has given us all the source of hope as we struggle to help those we love accept their eternal inheritance. He has made promises to us as we keep trying to gather people to Him, even when they resist His invitation to do so. Their resistance saddens Him, but He does not quit, nor should we. He sets the perfect example for us with His persistent love: “And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, who have fallen; yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell at Jerusalem, as ye that have fallen; yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not.”

We can depend on that unfailing desire of the Savior to bring all of Heavenly Father’s spirit children back to their home with Him. Every faithful parent, grandparent, and great-grandparent shares in that desire. Heavenly Father and the Savior are our perfect examples of what we can and must do. They never force righteousness because righteousness must be chosen. They make righteousness discernible to us, and They let us see that its fruits are delicious.

Promised Blessings:
 

"After all we can do in faith, the Lord will justify our hopes for greater blessings for our families than we can imagine. He wants the best for them and for us, as His children."

"We are all children of a living God. Jesus of Nazareth is His Beloved Son and our resurrected Savior. This is His Church. In it are the keys of the priesthood, and so families can be forever. This is our priceless heritage of hope. I testify that it is true in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen."

Read or Listen to the entire lesson here:  

 https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/a-priceless-heritage-of-hope?lang=eng

As we ponder our opportunities to leave a “priceless heritage of hope” to our posterity, consider the following quote from Sister Julie B. Beck:

“I spent quite a few months this last winter studying about Rebekah from the Old Testament. I have been taken by her mission and what she had to do. I love Rebekah and I have learned so much from her. I feel that she is one of the women at the head of the house of Israel. . . . I have loved studying her characteristics, her circumstances, her blessings, her journeys, her family, her experiences, and her challenges. She had a very full mortal experience. It had its highs and its lows. I have learned that she was one of the most pivotal and important people in the history of mankind, certainly in the house of Israel. Without a Rebekah, the house of Israel would not have been brought forth. Without a Rebekah who knew who she was, the house of Israel would not have been brought forth. Without a Rebekah who knew her responsibilities in the house of Israel, that house would not have come to pass. Without a Rebekah who knew how to receive revelation, the house of Israel would not have been brought forth. Without a Rebekah who understood the blessings of the priesthood, the house of Israel would not have been brought forth.

 The lesson for me in all the hours and months of studying Rebekah and her family is that each of us in our day is as important to our generation and to our time as Rebekah was in her time. We each are pivotal in our families, and the success of the house of Israel is now dependent on millions of Rebekah’s who understand what their place and mission is on the earth. Each of us is a daughter of heavenly parents, and as part of the house of Israel, we come from royal blood.  When we choose our mission, we have power and influence in that royal house and in the Lord’s work. He is depending on us.”

 http://ce.byu.edu/cw/womensconference/pdf/archive/2009/Julie_B._Beck.pdf

FAMILY

 

Is your family prepared to listen to conference this weekend?  

General conference is intended to be a revelatory experience as participants learn from living prophets and apostles through the power and influence of the Holy Ghost. Proper preparation will help ensure that you get the most out of your conference experience.

Resources to Help You Prepare

Strengthening Faith and Testimony

By Elder Robert D. Hales
Oh, how we need general conference! Through conferences our faith is fortified and our testimonies deepened.... (watch or read more)

Activities for Children

Print activities for children like a general conference notebook or conference coloring pages. Play online games like the prophets and apostles matching game. (download or play here)

Three Basic Steps of Preparation

By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
In preparation for general conference, let me suggest three basic concepts that may help us to better receive, remember, and apply the words spoken by the Lord’s servants. (read more)

Individual Impact of Conference

“If we teach by the Spirit and you listen by the Spirit, some one of us will touch on your circumstance, sending a personal prophetic epistle just to you.” –Jeffrey R. Holland (watch video & read more)

Why We Need Prophets Today?

By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Today is not different from ages past. The Lord does not love the people of our day any less than in past times. One of the glorious messages... (read more)

Highlights from Last Conference

Read, watch, listen, download, or share highlights from April’s general conference messages. (read more)

Preparing Children for Conference

Several members share how they have helped their children prepare for, participate in, and learn from general conference. (read more)

General Conference Blessings

By Paul V. Johnson
Decide now to make general conference priority in your life. Decide to listen carefully and follow the teachings that are given. (read more)
Official Web site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

RELIEF

Missionary Spotlight:  Elder and Sister Wade

We are serving in the Edmonton, Alberta, Canada mission working with the YSA wards.  There are six wards in Edmonton that meet in two different locations.  We attend three wards one Sunday in the historical Whyte Ave Chapel, which was dedicated by President Nathan Eldon Tanner who was serving as branch president at the time.  Dedicated in 1951, it was the first LDS church building in Edmonton and is located in a unique, busy part of old town Strastcona.  The missionaries will often set up booths outside the building on the sidewalk and hand out pamphlets and talk about the church.  

 The next Sunday we attend the three wards that meet in the Institute Building located across the street from the University of Alberta campus.  This building is busy all week as it is used for classes, institute and ward gatherings, and just a refuge from busy campus life.  Our assignment is to make member, missionaries, and investigators feel welcome in this building.    We bake cookies, make and serve waffles with all the trimming, help with a weekly dinner sponsored by one of the six YSA wards, and provide a meal and speaker for Friday Forum.     We often joke, “If you feed them, they will come.”  Elder Wade also comments, “We knew we were called to serve, but we didn’t realize it would be serving cookies, dinner, lunch.” 

 We so enjoy working with the YSA.  They are intelligent, capable, giving, loving, into missionary work and fellowshipping, and they have such strong testimonies.  We have learned from them as they share the stories of their lives.  We are excited when they share news of mission calls, engagements, graduations, new job, and weddings. 

 We also invite the young missionaries to our apartment for dinner so we can get to know them better.  They will often call us to go with them to teach lessons, which is always a great experience to watch them teach the gospel.  The young missionaries are so great.  We love each one of them.  We are also assigned to check six missionary apartments once a month scattered all over the city.  We are lucky enough to check the missionaries that are serving in Edmonton finding investigators that speak Mandarin, Tagalog, and Spanish.  They have an extra challenge as they serve and we love to visit them once a month, check their apartment for cleanliness, and visit with them about their missionary service. I can’t stress enough how we enjoy our association with these outstanding Sisters and Elders that are working so hard, are so obedient, and have such strong testimonies. 

 We miss home, family, grandchildren, the Burton Ward, and the small town living of Rexburg, but enjoy our service with the Young Single Adults in Edmonton, Canada and meeting the wonderful members of the church in Canada. 

  Sweeping the Earth As If a Flood:

Invite your friends and family to watch conference using Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google, or your blog!  See Lds.org for several images you can share and use to invite.   

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/invite-others?lang=eng

Relief Society Announcements:

Many of you have met Cheyenne Peterson in Relief Society.  Her family just moved into the Ranova's home.  She will be getting baptized on October 11^th @ 2:00 p.m. in the Stake Center.  We would like to invite you to attend her baptism.

Recipes on the blog

Fall is in the air!  It's time to collect recipes for soups and casseroles.  If you have a recipe you would like to share send them to:  drbennett1@hotmail.com or call or text them to 208-351-7083.
Visit the ward recipe blog:  www.burton4threcipes.blogspot.com

The recipes shared at the last Relief Society Activity will also be printed there.


October Lesson Schedule:

4^th and 5^th – General Conference

12^th – Joseph Fielding Smith #20 – Love and Concern for All Our Father’s Children

19^th – Joseph Fielding Smith #22 – Prayer – a Commandment and a Blessing

26^th – Teachings For Our Time

Did you miss the General Women's Broadcast last Saturday?  Read, listen, or share the talks here:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/?cid=HP14GC&lang=eng