Branded

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to complete a Half Ironman distance triathlon. For this reason, I travelled to Key West, Florida to compete in the Bone Island Triathlon. This race consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride, and a 13.1 mile run along a breathtaking section of beach. Usually I receive divine inspiration during these events and I expected to bring you a message of endurance through trials, etc. However, the biggest lesson I learned from this experience was definitely an odd one. Before a triathlon, the skin on your upper arms and above your knees is marked with your race number with a thick black sharpie marker. My number for this race was 524. Normally, the number is not that significant and I forget the number immediately after the race is finished. The radiant Key West sunlight combined with my lack of sunscreen plus 9 hours and 18 minutes of race time left me with the numbers suntanned into some very conspicuous places...think branded cow. Thank God that our Heavenly Father doesn't think of us as a number and that He knows each one of us so dearly. We are not a number to Him. This experience also has me thinking about how cautious we must be in labeling others with false labels. Some labels can bring a permanent sting with them. Remember how our beloved President Monson recently reminded us to envision people as they can become and not as they currently exist. Although we may have mentally branded people with a label, this is not how the Lord works. He has the ability to view the potential of every person. Fortunately, this ridiculous suntan of mine will eventually fade, but hopefully the lessons it teaches will always remain.

By Rachel Roark

Sunday's Ward Conference

Sisters, we wanted to remind you that this coming Sunday, January 20, is our Ward Conference. During Relief Society, we will have the privilege of hearing a lesson from our Stake Relief Society Leaders. See you Sunday!

Learning by Faith

Dear Sisters,

This year we are privileged to study the words of the Prophet Lorenzo Snow.  I hope you will take some time before Sunday and read  about the life and ministry of President Snow in addition to lesson #1 "Learning by Faith".  This will give you a feel for this wonderful man and how the Lord worked with him throughout his life. I loved his enthusiasm for learning, especially spiritual education.  He stated,"For our information and spiritual knowledge we are entirely dependent upon the Lord.  And in proportion to the exercise of our faith do we receive information..." This kind of education that comes through the Spirit is an eternal endeavor.  What a great blessing to be able to exercise our faith and receive instruction through the Spirit!  Come meet with us as we learn together!

Sunday's Combined Lesson

Sisters, we just wanted to let you know that this Sunday's lesson will be a combined Relief Society/Elders' Quorum lesson. The Bishop will be giving the lesson and we will meet in the Institute Room. See you Sunday!

December Sister Spotlights!

Name:

Brittany Tuttle

What color do you like: blue

Favorite food:

Thanksgiving food! (mashed potatoes and gravy, turkey and pie)

Favorite scripture and why:

 Alma 7:11. I love the Atonement and how it covers EVERYTHING, our pain, weaknesses and our mistakes.

Favorite hymn:

 "I Know My Redeemer Lives"

Favorite place to visit:

 I love trying new things, so I like visiting places I've never been before. I love places with lakes and mountains and trees :)

Favorite thing about living in Dallas:

 Playing tennis in November in 70 degree weather.

Favorite Ice cream flavor:

Pistachio

Favorite time of the year:

 I used to like fall when I lived in Washington and Utah, but now living in Dallas I bet spring will be my favorite season!

Something interesting about yourself:

 I qualified for the Boston Marathon two years ago. For non-runners that probably doesn't mean anything, but it was a really big deal for me and I was excited about it.

 

Brittany & Ted
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Name:
Brenda Singh 

What color do you like: 
I like them all.
 Favorite food:

If you ask my husband he'll say anything with cheese, but I think it depends on my mood. It's true sometimes I want cheesey Tex-mex or Italian, but sometimes I want Indian dosa or veggies and dip. My tastes are varied.

 Favorite scripture and why:
 It changes, but one that sticks with me is Mosiah 4:9

"Believe in ^aGod; believe that he is, and that he ^bcreated all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all ^cwisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not ^dcomprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend."

I first discovered it as a teenager and felt inspired to post it on my wall to look at everyday. Not long after that we got some difficult news that my dad was very sick and would most likely not live beyond a year. It was a difficult year, but those words posted on my wall carried me through it. A few years later this same scripture inspired me to serve a mission, I wanted to share the strength I had gotten from them with others. Even today I feel encouraged to remember that God is all powerful and all knowing, that when I trust Him then everything will work out for my good.
Favorite hymn:
 I love Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. It was in the old hymn book, and I first learned it when I spent a semester in Nauvoo. So maybe it's the connections that I have with Nauvoo that make my happy, but I also love the words.

Favorite place to visit:

 The mountains. I grew up in Denver so I'm very picky about what I catagorize as actual mountains, but after a few years near the Appalachian Mountains I'm willing to admit they definately have their own beauty.

 Favorite thing about living in Dallas:
 All the good friends we've made here!
  Favorite Ice cream flavor:
 Rocky Road mixed with Mint Chocolate Chip and some milk. 
Favorite time of the year:
 Winter, I love the holidays, decorations, family, snow and cold weather. Texas doesn't have snow, but I would take the colder weather over the Texas heat anyday of the year.
Something interesting about yourself: (that we might not know)
Since I just moved into the ward there is probably a lot that no one knows about me. I'm not sure what's interesting about me, but something that is perhaps unique is that I like to collect mediocre talents. I like to paint, draw, sew, cook, play the violin and piano, sing, read classic literature, go to musuems, study everything from history to nutrition, garden, crochet ... I'm willing to try almost anything just for fun, but I wouldn't say I'm very good at anything. Since I'm not very good at anything most of my talents are share just among my close family and friends. So you'll have to get to know me to see the crazy things I put together :)