It's summertime and that means family road trips for the Roark household. Recently we had a fantastic vacation to see the Mississippi cousins at the lake house while boating and skiing. Of course, no trip to see the Mississippi cousins is complete without fried catfish, fried oysters, boiled shrimp and long heated games of Trivial Pursuit. However, something was different on this vacation. I realized exactly how much I had changed since the last time we gathered. There was important information to share regarding the fullness of the gospel. Intentionally, I prepared ahead of time to keep the Sabbath. It was necessary to keep my covenant even when no one was looking. What a blessing it was to visit the Hazlehurst, Mississippi Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The same Holy Spirit was present and pervasive at their smaller meeting composed of faithful Saints. How different must be their experience as Latter Day Saints in an area where other faiths abound in great numbers. In a sense, they are pioneers bringing forth the fullness of the gospel o those around them. They gave me hope to share the message of Christ with my own family. It is important to keep the Sabbath on family vacations even when no one but the Lord is watching. He is always waiting to bless us with knowledge and inspiration wherever we may find ourselves.
Rachel Roark
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Pioneer Day
I spoke with my son in Utah and it is a state holiday today - July 24th - the day they celebrate the entry of the pioneers into Utah.
I am not from Utah and do not have any "pioneers" in the sense of individuals who crossed the plains to religious freedom around 1847 through 1870.
However I do celebrate another kind of pioneer - Sarah Minnie Melissa Imogene Honeycutt Zimmerman. She is my grandmother and she is the first person in both of my family lines to read the Book of Mormon and conclude - this is the true church.
She too made many sacrifices as her husband was adamantly opposed to her joining the church. She had to wait two years till his heart softened enough for her and my mother to be baptized. Even then, he would not take them to the small branch six miles from their home and they had to walk to church each Sunday.
When I would visit her she would show me all the genealogy she was doing for her family lines. Her own family that lived in North Carolina had also distanced themselves from her over this "new religion" and she thrived on the knowledge that she could do the work for those who had passed on - like her mother and father. She would save her "pin money" and ride the bus to the Los Angeles Temple and do a full day of temple work and come home.
On this Pioneer Day, I celebrate all the pioneers (such as Rachel Roark, Mary Reid, Wendie Ke, Rainey Martin, and so many others) who are forging a path of their own for generations to follow.
My Grandmother Zimmerman (she has been gone for 41 years) has posterity into the hundreds who call The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - the true church.
BLESSED, HONORED PIONEERS!
I am not from Utah and do not have any "pioneers" in the sense of individuals who crossed the plains to religious freedom around 1847 through 1870.
However I do celebrate another kind of pioneer - Sarah Minnie Melissa Imogene Honeycutt Zimmerman. She is my grandmother and she is the first person in both of my family lines to read the Book of Mormon and conclude - this is the true church.
She too made many sacrifices as her husband was adamantly opposed to her joining the church. She had to wait two years till his heart softened enough for her and my mother to be baptized. Even then, he would not take them to the small branch six miles from their home and they had to walk to church each Sunday.
When I would visit her she would show me all the genealogy she was doing for her family lines. Her own family that lived in North Carolina had also distanced themselves from her over this "new religion" and she thrived on the knowledge that she could do the work for those who had passed on - like her mother and father. She would save her "pin money" and ride the bus to the Los Angeles Temple and do a full day of temple work and come home.
On this Pioneer Day, I celebrate all the pioneers (such as Rachel Roark, Mary Reid, Wendie Ke, Rainey Martin, and so many others) who are forging a path of their own for generations to follow.
My Grandmother Zimmerman (she has been gone for 41 years) has posterity into the hundreds who call The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - the true church.
BLESSED, HONORED PIONEERS!
Friday, July 20, 2012
MY 15 MINUTES WORTH!
It is summer in Dallas, and my lawn and I are in a War! The lawn wants to shrivel up it's little roots and die, and I, ever the optimist, want to ration out "just exactly" enough water to help it hang on and resemble the green color of my neighbors. As I have "matured" I seem less able to multi-task. Unless I put a little digital timer in my pocket, I put cookies in the oven, and that the last time I think of them, until I smell them burning. The same with the grass, it seems to expect my undying attention every 15 minutes or it just give ups the moisture it so badly needs, and runs all over the sidewalk.
In order to not totally give in to the lawn's demands, yesterday and today, I have been reading an old quote book my husband and I assembled when we first got married, and had added to over the years. (Well I am reading in 15 minute segments actually.)
I have to admit sometimes we, like our July lawns, need something to perk us up during this long dry spell. I love words, poetry and quotes, they seem as nourishing to my soul as that water is to my thirsty grass. With no rain on the horizon, I thought I would share of few of my favorites:
YOUR FUTURE IS AS BRIGHT AS YOUR FAITH. Thomas Monson.
IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHERE YOU ARE - CHANGE IT! YOU ARE NOT A TREE.
NO ONE CAN MAKE YOU FEEL INFERIOR WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT.
Eleanor Roosevelt
WHEN WE PUT GOD FIRST, ALL OTHER THINGS FALL INTO THEIR PLACE.
Ezra Taft Benson
EACH OF US IS AN "INKEEPER" DECIDING FOR OURSELVES IF THERE IS ROOM FOR JESUS. Neal Maxwell
YOU DON'T HAVE A SOUL, YOU ARE A SOUL, YOU HAVE A BODY. C.S. Lewis
WHEN YOU GO THROUGH SOMETHING HARD, AND WONDER WHERE GOD IS, REMEMBER THE TEACHER IS ALWAYS QUIET DURING THE TEST.
ARE YOU PART OF THE "INN" CROWD, OR ONE OF THE "STABLE" FEW?
WHAT IF YOU WOKE UP TODAY, WITH ONLY THE THINGS YOU THANKED GOD FOR YESTERDAY?
HAPPY GIRLS ARE THE PRETTIEST! Audrey Hepburn
BE CHEERFUL - IT'S CONTAGIOUS! A.L. Wells
THERE IS NO TESTIMONY, WITHOUT THE TEST.
DREAMS DON'T WORK, UNLESS YOU DO. etsy. com
FAITH IN GOD, INCLUDES FAITH IN HIS TIMING. Neal Maxwell
Oh...my timer is going off - Hope you enjoyed a few of my favorites!
In order to not totally give in to the lawn's demands, yesterday and today, I have been reading an old quote book my husband and I assembled when we first got married, and had added to over the years. (Well I am reading in 15 minute segments actually.)
I have to admit sometimes we, like our July lawns, need something to perk us up during this long dry spell. I love words, poetry and quotes, they seem as nourishing to my soul as that water is to my thirsty grass. With no rain on the horizon, I thought I would share of few of my favorites:
YOUR FUTURE IS AS BRIGHT AS YOUR FAITH. Thomas Monson.
IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHERE YOU ARE - CHANGE IT! YOU ARE NOT A TREE.
NO ONE CAN MAKE YOU FEEL INFERIOR WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT.
Eleanor Roosevelt
WHEN WE PUT GOD FIRST, ALL OTHER THINGS FALL INTO THEIR PLACE.
Ezra Taft Benson
EACH OF US IS AN "INKEEPER" DECIDING FOR OURSELVES IF THERE IS ROOM FOR JESUS. Neal Maxwell
YOU DON'T HAVE A SOUL, YOU ARE A SOUL, YOU HAVE A BODY. C.S. Lewis
WHEN YOU GO THROUGH SOMETHING HARD, AND WONDER WHERE GOD IS, REMEMBER THE TEACHER IS ALWAYS QUIET DURING THE TEST.
ARE YOU PART OF THE "INN" CROWD, OR ONE OF THE "STABLE" FEW?
WHAT IF YOU WOKE UP TODAY, WITH ONLY THE THINGS YOU THANKED GOD FOR YESTERDAY?
HAPPY GIRLS ARE THE PRETTIEST! Audrey Hepburn
BE CHEERFUL - IT'S CONTAGIOUS! A.L. Wells
THERE IS NO TESTIMONY, WITHOUT THE TEST.
DREAMS DON'T WORK, UNLESS YOU DO. etsy. com
FAITH IN GOD, INCLUDES FAITH IN HIS TIMING. Neal Maxwell
Oh...my timer is going off - Hope you enjoyed a few of my favorites!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
"STORE UP SOME FUN!"
Tonight at our Preparedness Class, Kim Adair, served some delicious recipes right from food storage items. Some of the ingredients we have already placed orders on and other items we will be giving you an opportunity to buy in the near future. There were 18 sisters tasting everything from Peach Cobbler, to Vanilla Ice Cream, Chocolate Ice Cream, Peanut Butter shakes. plus Peach and Pineapple Sorbets.
When times get tough, or you need to stretch your dollars, Family Night Treats straight from your storage is a fun diversion for all our families. Many of the recipes tonight require a heavy duty blender like a Blendtec or Vitamix Mix to truly blend the ice cubes. These blenders are available during Roadshows at Costo, and are also available at Bed, Bath and Beyond - watch for sales and the 20% off coupons for the best price. You can research them online and decide which might work the best for your family, if you are interested.
Sisters, why not try living on your food storage for a week, and see what areas you need to "beef up"
in your family storage plan. The most recent directions from the First Presidency is to start with a three month's supply. of both food and water. We have made huge strides in our water storage goals this past year in the Dallas 4th Ward. As always Sister Kim Adair is a great resource for all storage questions, please feel free to call her. One of my favorite quotes is: "Don't just wait for the storm to pass - Learn to Dance in the Rain!" Store up some fun - and you can dance in the rain!
VANILLA ICE CREAM
1 CUP WATER
1/2 CUP SUGAR
1/2 CUP POWDERED MILK
1 tsp. VANILLA EXTRACT
4 CUPS ICE CUBES
Place all ingredients in blender except ice. Blend to Mix ingredients.
Add ice and blend to desired consistency
Tip: You can use powdered milk or powdered soy milk in any smoothie you make.
PINEAPPLE SORBET ( or any freeze dried fruit of your choice)
(this recipe was the favorite of the night!)
1 CUP WATER
3/4 CUP SUGOR (OR TO TASTE)
1 CUP FREEZE DRIED PINEAPPLE
4 CUPS OF ICE
Blend all ingredients except ice. Blend to mix, then add ice and blend to desired onsistency.
CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM OR MILK SHAKE
I 1/2 CUP WATER
1 1/4 CUP DUTCH CHOCOLATE DRINK MIX
1/2 CUP SUGAR
1-2 tsp VANILLA
6 CUPS OF ICE CUBES
Place all ingrecdients in blender except Ice. Blend to mix ingredients. Add ice and blend to desired Consistency. Optional: add malt flavoring. Recipe may be reduced by half.
When times get tough, or you need to stretch your dollars, Family Night Treats straight from your storage is a fun diversion for all our families. Many of the recipes tonight require a heavy duty blender like a Blendtec or Vitamix Mix to truly blend the ice cubes. These blenders are available during Roadshows at Costo, and are also available at Bed, Bath and Beyond - watch for sales and the 20% off coupons for the best price. You can research them online and decide which might work the best for your family, if you are interested.
Sisters, why not try living on your food storage for a week, and see what areas you need to "beef up"
in your family storage plan. The most recent directions from the First Presidency is to start with a three month's supply. of both food and water. We have made huge strides in our water storage goals this past year in the Dallas 4th Ward. As always Sister Kim Adair is a great resource for all storage questions, please feel free to call her. One of my favorite quotes is: "Don't just wait for the storm to pass - Learn to Dance in the Rain!" Store up some fun - and you can dance in the rain!
VANILLA ICE CREAM
1 CUP WATER
1/2 CUP SUGAR
1/2 CUP POWDERED MILK
1 tsp. VANILLA EXTRACT
4 CUPS ICE CUBES
Place all ingredients in blender except ice. Blend to Mix ingredients.
Add ice and blend to desired consistency
Tip: You can use powdered milk or powdered soy milk in any smoothie you make.
PINEAPPLE SORBET ( or any freeze dried fruit of your choice)
(this recipe was the favorite of the night!)
1 CUP WATER
3/4 CUP SUGOR (OR TO TASTE)
1 CUP FREEZE DRIED PINEAPPLE
4 CUPS OF ICE
Blend all ingredients except ice. Blend to mix, then add ice and blend to desired onsistency.
CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM OR MILK SHAKE
I 1/2 CUP WATER
1 1/4 CUP DUTCH CHOCOLATE DRINK MIX
1/2 CUP SUGAR
1-2 tsp VANILLA
6 CUPS OF ICE CUBES
Place all ingrecdients in blender except Ice. Blend to mix ingredients. Add ice and blend to desired Consistency. Optional: add malt flavoring. Recipe may be reduced by half.
Sacrifice
Dear Sisters,
This Sunday we have an opportunity to discuss the Law of Sacrifice. Elder Dallin H. Oaks states " Our lives of service and sacrifice are the most appropriate expressions of our commitment to serve the Master and our fellowmen" He teaches in his talk "Sacrifice" given at the last general conference, about the kinds of sacrifices we are asked to make as latter-day-saints. I think that sacrifice allows us to learn something about ourselves--what are we willing to offer the Lord through our obedience? Please take time to read his remarks and consider how you personally are keeping the law of sacrifice in your day-to-day personal life. I look forward to meeting with you!
Love, Sister Stoddard
To read the talk, click HERE.
This Sunday we have an opportunity to discuss the Law of Sacrifice. Elder Dallin H. Oaks states " Our lives of service and sacrifice are the most appropriate expressions of our commitment to serve the Master and our fellowmen" He teaches in his talk "Sacrifice" given at the last general conference, about the kinds of sacrifices we are asked to make as latter-day-saints. I think that sacrifice allows us to learn something about ourselves--what are we willing to offer the Lord through our obedience? Please take time to read his remarks and consider how you personally are keeping the law of sacrifice in your day-to-day personal life. I look forward to meeting with you!
Love, Sister Stoddard
To read the talk, click HERE.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
A true missionary - Karen Armstrong!
In considering the lesson this week on doing our part to share the gospel, I had an occasion to be speaking with Karen Armstrong. I was asking a question about someone she knows and she was sharing with me her week. She is helping an elderly neighbor who had fallen and hurt herself - taking her to doctor appointments etc. She was going out with the missionaries and helping me find women whose names are on the roster but we do not know who they are. She also was contacting another less active for me and finding a way to spend time with her.
She is a "light upon the hill" (Matthew 5:14-15) that the Savior speaks of as the BEST way of doing missionary work!
What an example she has been for me this week! I could use many of you as "lights" in our relief Society, but this week I have been receiving my "vitamin D" from Karen Armstong.
She is a "light upon the hill" (Matthew 5:14-15) that the Savior speaks of as the BEST way of doing missionary work!
What an example she has been for me this week! I could use many of you as "lights" in our relief Society, but this week I have been receiving my "vitamin D" from Karen Armstong.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Sharing the Gospel
Sisters, we will continue our discussion on missionary work this next Sunday by discussing lesson #13 entitled The Importance of Sharing the Gospel. Building on Shirlee's great lesson we will talk about four main areas:
1. The responsibility we all have to share the Gospel.
2. The examples we are to those around us.
3. How we can help prepare young people to serve missions.
4. Senior missionary service.
I hope that each of you will take some time to read through this lesson (it's pretty short) and come prepared to share your experiences as they relate to these four areas of missionary work. If you can't think of any experiences you might have had then maybe this week we can work toward having some! Let's open our mouths sisters!
Angie
1. The responsibility we all have to share the Gospel.
2. The examples we are to those around us.
3. How we can help prepare young people to serve missions.
4. Senior missionary service.
I hope that each of you will take some time to read through this lesson (it's pretty short) and come prepared to share your experiences as they relate to these four areas of missionary work. If you can't think of any experiences you might have had then maybe this week we can work toward having some! Let's open our mouths sisters!
Angie
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Fruits of Our Labor
As I woke up early to chop up fruit for our Fourth of July celebration, I was again reminded of the way our miraculous church functions.Today we were asked to bring cut fruit to the party. Each of us brought our small portion of fruit to be combined into a big batch of fruit to be enjoyed by all. Our callings are very similar to this. We must each perform our callings to our utmost ability. Only then can we enjoy good spiritual fruit. May you each enjoy the sweet blessings that God has in store for you today!
By Rachel Roark
By Rachel Roark
Desire to Share the Gospel
Dear Sisters,
Please, please read chapter 12, "An Enthusiastic Desire to Share the Gospel," from our RS manual. To me this lesson is all about loving ourselves and loving our neighbor. When we love someone else we want to share our knowledge with them as well as our joy. As we live the gospel we feel joy and that ought to be contagious. As I studied missionary work I was very moved by "We Are All Enlisted" an October 2011 talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in the Priesthood Session of General Conference. This talk inspired me and I felt a lot of happiness. For the first time I felt I desired to serve a mission myself. I wonder if you will feel this way too.
Love,
Shirlee
Click HERE to read Chapter 12 of the George Albert Smith manual.
Click HERE to read the above talk by Elder Holland.
Please, please read chapter 12, "An Enthusiastic Desire to Share the Gospel," from our RS manual. To me this lesson is all about loving ourselves and loving our neighbor. When we love someone else we want to share our knowledge with them as well as our joy. As we live the gospel we feel joy and that ought to be contagious. As I studied missionary work I was very moved by "We Are All Enlisted" an October 2011 talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in the Priesthood Session of General Conference. This talk inspired me and I felt a lot of happiness. For the first time I felt I desired to serve a mission myself. I wonder if you will feel this way too.
Love,
Shirlee
Click HERE to read Chapter 12 of the George Albert Smith manual.
Click HERE to read the above talk by Elder Holland.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
GOD'S PLAN FOR HAPPINESS!
Isn't life great? It is summer in Texas, and time for the Birthday of America. Holidays are times to spend with friends and family, and tomorrow, we get to spend time with friends that compose our Ward Family.
Thanks to several sisters who came and talked with me after, called me on the phone, and even two who took the time Sunday evening to send me a note about our R.S. lesson Sunday. Thanks for your kind words. I know that when you study and pray about a lesson, that you beome passionate, and so I am grateful for the feedback. I hope that I am not "preachy". I so appreciate those sisters who mentioned that it touched them and gave them a desire to change. Boyd K Packer said that "the object of teaching is to change behavior". I know personally the humility and hard work that any kind of real change requires.
When I was working on the little bookmarks, and found those fabulous butterflies, I immediately thought of what a change a butterfly goes through from that little green/gray worm, to it's chrysalis stage, and finally becoming a magnificent butterfly.
We come to earth a helpless baby, with a forgetting veil drawn over our minds so that our homesickness from our Heavenly Father, doesn't prevent or distract us from using this "privilege" of mortality to it's fullest measure. We learn and grow and make mistakes and repent, and keep working to become what our Heavenly Father wants us to become. Then one day, we will stand to be judged for our earthly efforts. I pray we will all have BECOME Celestial Candidates radiating a Celestial light. That Christ, our ultimate judge, will welcome us back home again. Then - we will remember all things - - and we will be so happy!
Thanks to several sisters who came and talked with me after, called me on the phone, and even two who took the time Sunday evening to send me a note about our R.S. lesson Sunday. Thanks for your kind words. I know that when you study and pray about a lesson, that you beome passionate, and so I am grateful for the feedback. I hope that I am not "preachy". I so appreciate those sisters who mentioned that it touched them and gave them a desire to change. Boyd K Packer said that "the object of teaching is to change behavior". I know personally the humility and hard work that any kind of real change requires.
When I was working on the little bookmarks, and found those fabulous butterflies, I immediately thought of what a change a butterfly goes through from that little green/gray worm, to it's chrysalis stage, and finally becoming a magnificent butterfly.
We come to earth a helpless baby, with a forgetting veil drawn over our minds so that our homesickness from our Heavenly Father, doesn't prevent or distract us from using this "privilege" of mortality to it's fullest measure. We learn and grow and make mistakes and repent, and keep working to become what our Heavenly Father wants us to become. Then one day, we will stand to be judged for our earthly efforts. I pray we will all have BECOME Celestial Candidates radiating a Celestial light. That Christ, our ultimate judge, will welcome us back home again. Then - we will remember all things - - and we will be so happy!
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