Sings of the Times

Today's lesson was on the signs of the Second Coming. This afternoon I was looking through my seminary folder from high school and found a handout with a list of 51 signs of the times that Elder R. McConkie had written in the book Mormon Doctrine. Numbers 1-43 have already happened or are currently happening. This is yet another example to me of how close we are to the Second Coming, and how important it is for us to prepare ourselves by actively participating in spreading the gospel to those around us.
"If you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there."
--Unknown

Working Together--Providently

Here's an experience we had lately, illustrating how we can work together for the good of all. We recently did some major construction at our house and in the process, emptied our 55-gallon water storage barrels in order to move them out of the way. Now that the construction is basically done, we had the project of getting those barrels filled back up and put in place, looming over our heads for a long time -- too long for my comfort.

Meanwhile, Neil and Mary Reid also moved from one home to another and had to empty and fill their barrels, too. (Yes, this project can be a pain...and that's the cold, hard, truth...) Brother Reid was inspired to fill his barrels (before we got around to doing ours), and then offered to bring his family over and help us get ours filled. They came over for family home evening a few weeks ago, and together, our two families made great progress cleaning, filling, and organizing the barrels at our home. Now, it is finished, and their family was just what we needed to get ourselves going on this project!!

We can find so many opportunities to help each other in valuable ways. When it comes to provident living, we can give valuable service and encouragement to others. We can often see what people need, and we can simply offer to help. Our family was blessed with what we needed, and they experienced/taught their children service. How much better than that can it get?

On another note, on October 18th, we will be having a class on emergency fuel sources. You will have the opportunity to learn about, make, and/or order these fuel sources. I will provide more information for you in the very near future! Be on the lookout this Sunday for sign-up sheets and samples of what we're doing!

2nd Coming

This Sunday our lesson is taken from chapter 43 from the Gospel Principles manual. The lesson is called "Signs of the Second Coming" (to read it, click here). I enjoyed reading this lesson because so many times we focus on the destruction that comes with the second coming, but this lesson reminds us of all the wonderful blessings we will also receive before the second coming. Please come prepared this Sunday to make comments and bare testimony of the Savior's coming.

Flower Necklace Instructions

Many Sisters expressed an interest in seeing the flower necklace tutorial for the craft we had at the RS/YW Activity this past Wednesday. Please see the link below:

http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2010/12/pom-pom-bib-necklace-tutorial-lmm.html

Every Monday in October- Dallas 4th Ward Service Project

Family to Family Food Drive

Dallas 4^th Ward Community Service Project

October 2011 

Carolyn Bukhair Elementary School is an RISD elementary school slightly outside of the physical boundaries of our ward.  Virtually all (99%) of the students who attend the school qualify for free or reduced price lunch.  Among these students there are many who suffer from insecurity that there will be any food available at home for weekends.  In an effort to help out those students and their families the Dallas 4^th Ward will conduct a food drive to collect simple to prepare food items.  We will collect the food items every Monday night during the month of October.  We realize that this is family night.  We are hoping that the ward families will consider incorporating this opportunity to focus on the spirit of giving to the less fortunate as part of their family night activities.    

Oct 3^rd                  Peanut Butter and Jelly

Oct 10^th                Macaroni and Cheese

Oct 17^th                Ramen noodles

Oct 24^th                Spaghettios or chili

Oct 31^st                last chance-did you forget to bring something?

Bonnie Muir, Jeanne Grant, or another representative from the ward  will be at the church from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM on those evenings to accept donations.  We will not need to open the church, but will put the donations directly into our cars and take them to the school the next day.

The items will be delivered to the counselor at Carolyn Bukhair Elementary and she will distribute our contributions on a weekly basis so there will be no need to find storage space.  We have been asked to bring grocery bags so that the students can carry the donated food home.