Jacob Meyers Returns from Florida Mission

Elder Meyers, right, with Elder White as they
return from their Florida missions.

    Elder Jacob Meyers just returned from his mission in Orlando Florida and said he was glad to serve.  He likes to help other people.

    Using an iPad on his mission, Elder Meyers found an effective way to teach investigators, access church videos and other helpful information, communicate with ward members, and have effective personal study.  (Note: each missionary had an iPad.  They were not confined to one per companionship.) The missionaries in Orlando encouraged ward members to use Facebook to get to know investigators and have contact with them during the week.  Jacob said that learning to use technology was invaluable.  Just as he was leaving, all the missionaries were also given smart phones to help them in their work.

   The most challenging part of the mission was being away from home for the first time.  He realized he had to “step up and do it.” One of the big challenges in Florida is that it’s a Bible Belt and everyone thinks they know the bible.  They also mistakenly “know” that all Mormons are polygamists.  “It’s hard to get them to read The Book of Mormon,” Jacob said.

    One of the most memorable experiences in his mission was when he taught a lady from El Salvador who had three children, and her husband was in the military.  English was hard for her, but she wanted to learn.  Elder Meyers got a Spanish Book of Mormon for her and that helped, but she still wanted to learn it in English.  She grew little by little and saw that it was true.  She wanted to be baptized, and her husband was not opposed to it.

     When asked what he learned from his companions, Jacob said he learned patience. “I learned to be flexible, less critical, and less judgmental.”  What is his method of getting along with companions?  “I washed the dishes,” he answered.  He had an attitude of serving throughout his mission.  He was taught by his father (Nolan Meyers) during his growing up years as they served together on many projects.

    Jacob said he was also taught by his father to “Buy to your needs, not to your wants.”  Missionaries were allotted $148 a month for supplies.  Elder Meyers was always frugal, and able to live on less than that.  If companions came up short, he helped them. He was always mindful of other people’s needs.

       Question to Jacob:  How has a mission changed your life?  Answer: “I have a better head on my shoulders.”  He learned to be more sensitive to others, and learned to forget self.  He learned the importance of converting himself in his studies.  General Authority Seventy Elder George Donaldson told the missionaries, “We are most interested in YOUR conversion.”

   Jacob advises young people to prepare for their missions by going out with missionaries, going to the temple, and reading Preach My Gospel.  “Take the time to read, study, and ponder the Gospel. Experience is invaluable.”

    Next on Jacob’s agenda is to continue his education.  He is thinking about becoming a teacher.  (Note: Elder Meyers left on his mission from the Lodi Third Ward.)

Missionaries give "Temple Tour" to investigators at Orlando, Florida Temple.

Elder Meyers (in brown shirt) gave service after Hurricane Irma.

Aubrey Orchestrates a Big Project

     Aubrey Anderson is in the 6^th grade and just turned 12, but already she has organized and completed a major community service project. As part of a school assignment she decided to raise $200 to buy art supplies for Lodi House, a non-profit agency that was established to provide shelter for homeless women and children.

    After succeeding in collecting the money, Aubrey purchased enough supplies for two major art kits: such things as colored markers, pencils, paper, erasers, paper plates, coloring books, etc. The goal was to provide children in the shelter something creative and interesting to do instead of just spending hours watching T.V.

   The project was a success and there was even money left over which Aubrey donated to Lodi House to use in any way they saw fit.  Good job Aubrey!

Aubrey had fun shopping for all the art supplies.

The children had fun painting dough ornaments that Aubrey had made for them.

Toys Collected for Children with Cancer

    Jim and Korina Self lost their daughter Ayiana Margaret Rose to Leukemia when she was just eight-years-old. During this trying time at Sutter Memorial Hospital and UC Davis, donated toys brought some joy and love to Ayiana and all the other children who were suffering from cancer.  “It takes them away from what they’re dealing with,” Korina says.

    The next year, Jim and Korina decided to give back.  They organized a toy collection at Christmas and it was a huge success. The toys have to be new. Last year it took a truck to get all the toys to the hospitals.  This year was the eighth toy drive and they collected over 1400 toys.  The toys are given throughout the year, not just at Christmas time, to children fighting cancer.

Loading up the truck for a trip to Sacramento hospitals with the Christmas toy collection.  Korina Self is second from the right on the top row.

Some of the toys collected at the Lodi Stake Center.

Gift to the Community: Anderson Family Creates Amazing Christmas Light Show

    Hundreds of people have stopped by Neil and Ruth Anderson's home during the Christmas season to view their marvelous light show. They have been doing it for 12 years and it was been dubbed the "Big white Mormon Christmas house," as people tell their friends about it.
    Below are three views of this year's production taken during the short Mormon video (O Holy Night) that was shown as part of the program. Two other Christmas songs with moving and twinkling lights completed the show. People watch the program from their cars as they are tuned into radio FM 98.7 to listen as they watch. The Anderson's home is located on Lower Sacramento Rd. near Elm St.

Did you ever wonder how the Andersons pull this off? First there's Neil, the engineer who dreams it all up and figures out how to make it work.  Then there's Ruth who chooses the music and programs the computer.  She uses three programs, each handling a different segment of the show, then puts the three together.  It takes her around 100 hours to do this. She said it can be an "arduous, frustrating, and taxing process."

    All of the lights have to go with the music being played.  It has become easier through the years as Ruth has fine-tuned it, and sometimes uses music more than once. Below left shows a control system that is complicated, but had to be used in past performances.  Now everything is "hot wired" top-right.  Below, Ruth is checking out the movie screen that lies on the ground until time for the video to run, then it stands up. (Another of Neil's inventions.)

  This is an amazing gift to the community and is something we can be proud to share with our friends. A big thanks to the Andersons for the time, money, and devotion they have given Lodi for 12 years!

Old Timer Guy Conder Dies

   At the age of 85, Guy Conder passed away peacefully in his home December 5, 2017.  He was originally in the Lodi Ward, then Lodi Second, Lodi Third, and finally Mokelumne River Ward--all without moving. Below are a few pictures of his life and funeral service.

Some things Guy enjoyed: scouting, travel, gardening, and fishing.

Participants in the program were L to R: James Sorenson, step-son; Lloyd Conder, brother; Shawn Kirkley, home teacher;  Liz Kirkley (flute,) friend; Loren Perry, friend; Cliff Kerr, friend; and Bishop Eric Holden who conducted.  Ann Kerr showed a highlight video of Guy's life, and Caden Webb sang "O Holy Night."  Everyone enjoyed doughnuts, one of Guy's favorites, after the service. 

Cub Scouts Write to President Monson

Part of the group from both Lodi wards who wrote letters to President Monson. 

The activity was planned by den mother Judy Bogren.  At a previous den meeting she took pictures of each boy, which were then used on the front of their cards.  Ken Adamska and Julia Gonzalez helped the boys put the cards together.

Sister Bogren had prepared scout clip art to help decorate the cards, then each boy wrote a message to President Monson. We are sure President Monson will love the cards.

Ward Christmas Breakfast? It Rocked!!

The ward High Priests were in charge of food, and they know how it's done.  Travis Leonard and Mark Stoltenberg help Bruce Jonson fry potatoes to go in egg burritos.  Brother Jonson lives in Vineyard Ward and is in charge of the grills.  He not only helped clean them and get them ready to use early Saturday morning, but he stayed and helped throughout the event.

Cliff Kerr knows how to cook pancakes to perfection.

Cathy Leonard has a big job keeping the pancake batter coming.

Returned missionary Colin Anderson (right) helps serve breakfast.  Besides pancakes (with special toppings) and burritos, there were sausages, milk, orange juice and a variety of hot chocolate drinks topped with marshmallows.

Even Santa came to join the fun.

Relief Society Christmas Social

    The Mokelumne River Ward Relief Society started off the Christmas season early with a delightful gathering at Vickie Kidd's beautiful home.  It was an important get-together because we're still a new ward and aren't yet acquainted with everyone.  Below are a few pictures to give you an idea of the wonderful time sisters had--talking, eating delicious food, and having a good time.

These are just a few of the many sisters who attended the social.

The "dessert room" was filled with a large variety of goodies.  Other rooms in the home served as a place for quiet conversations, or joyful reunions.

Service abounded, even at this grand party. Left: Chantal Judd helps Kathy Angel eat.  Kathy suffered a stroke five years ago and has limited movement and speech ability. She really enjoyed seeing friends that she hadn't seen for a long time.

Above Right: Little mangers were given to each sister as she left that evening.  They were made by Laurie and Rocky Shore and included a sweet story about a three-year-old boy who placed a tissue over the baby Jesus in his family's nativity set because he didn't want the Christ Child to be cold.  Below Right:  Jackie Perry used a walker to get around, but enjoyed sitting in a chair and talking to sisters who came to greet her.  

Colin Anderson Returns from Mission

The Anderson family went to SLC to welcome Elder Anderson and bring him home.   L to R: Talin and Noelle Schick, Neil, Aubrey, and Ruth Anderson, Elder Colin Anderson, and Mission President and Sister Lansing

   Colin Anderson, son of Neil and Ruth Anderson, is back in Lodi after being released from the SLC South  Mission, and we’re so glad to see him.  He left from Lodi Third Ward and returned to the Mokelumne River Ward. This is what he said about his mission: “As I finish my mission I think back over what these two years have meant for me and I wouldn’t trade them for all the treasure in the world!  What I have gained over these two years is a truly personal relationship with Christ.  Before my mission I lived the Gospel because I had a testimony of its truthfulness, but now I live it out of a love for my Savior and a desire to serve Him. “My life changed as I strove to serve those around me and I came to know my Savior through that experience.  That opportunity is available to everyone and I invite us all to serve a little more, especially as we get into this holiday season.”

An Opportunity to Try New Things in the Mission

    Near the end of his mission Elder Anderson had the blessing and opportunity to be one of four elders from his mission to participate in a test of a new way to do missionary work.  They were assigned by their mission president, President Lansing, to be trained at the MTC in the use technology to find those who were seeking the Gospel.
   Colin made it clear in this interview that this was NOT a pilot program, but the development of a “finding and teaching” method that could possibly be used in missions throughout the church.  The goal is to be more productive and increase the effectiveness of teaching.   
   This is how it works: Non-members who are searching for answers often go to Mormon.org to see what the Mormon Church has to say about a subject.  Until now, only sister missionaries in visitor centers or physically disabled missionaries in the MTC, could field their calls. If this test works, missionaries throughout the world could be a part of "Digital Proselyting Centers,” or as they are now called, “Online Teaching Centers.” (OTC)  They are already in place around the world.  
   The missionaries in the test are trying to find out what works best, so things change from day to day.  When Elder Anderson was there they worked online from 8 am to noon in a Family History Center in South Jordan, fielding calls by talking on the phone or doing an Internet chat, depending on how the investigator contacted them.  The goal is to “teach,” not “find.”  Even though they were finding, it was not by not going out to search, but having those who were interested come to them. Elder Anderson could receive calls from throughout the world, then when the caller wanted to be taught more, his/her info would be transferred to the missionaries in their home area for teaching and baptizing
   The website Mormon.org is no longer a place to “meet a Mormon,” but a place to teach what we believe.  “People who come here are already seeking,” Colin said.  They may want to know: What are prophets?  What happens after I die?  What is the purpose of life? etc.  The calls of interested people will be automatically directed by the computer to a missionary who speaks their language.  When asked how he thought the test program was working, Colin answered, “Fantastic!”  He said that at the end of a chat people would say that they really felt different now, or they felt great, or were happy.
   Colin pointed out a talk Elder Bednar gave to mission presidents in 2016 in which he said that the use of technology isn’t a decision we have to make.  The decision has already been made by the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve.  “Don’t be afraid to use technology.  The Lord is hastening the work in the last days,” Elder Bednar said.
   Other interesting uses of technology in the Church are the use of Skype for missionaries to teach lessons to those in their areas who live a long distance away, or who, for other reasons, cannot personally be present for every lesson.  Also, select Family History Centers are being transformed into teaching stations.  This requires dual screens and other hardware needed for Online Teaching Centers, thus making the FHC even more valuable for family history work.  It’s a win/win!
   Colin attended BYU Provo before his mission.  In January he will head for a semester at the Jerusalem Center in Israel. He has always been interested in learning about Jewish and Islamic faiths and is excited about this time to understand more about them.

Colin Featured in New Era Article

   After just a few months in the mission field, Elder Anderson found himself being interviewed by Drew Quinn of the New Era magazine staff for an article queried by Ann Kerr and already in the pipeline.  Many of you readers may not have seen it, so here is a picture of the story. Click on it for the magazine view, or read on the Internet:  Wrestling with a New Approach

Editor’s Note: This is the entire quote from Elder Bednar’s speech as referenced by Colin.

   “Presidents and sisters, please do not fear technology. Please do not take counsel from your fears. Embrace these inspired tools. Learn to use them to proclaim the gospel. Help your missionaries develop safe and appropriate lifelong technology habits that will enable them to chase away darkness. . . .Some abuses always will occur, but we should not allow a fear of mistakes to hold us back from receiving the great blessings these tools can provide.

   Together we will continue to learn about the effective uses of technology in proselyting. We will be blessed and prosper as we implement this important development in the work of proclaiming the gospel.”  Elder David A. Bednar

Young Men and Young Women Do Temple Baptisms for the Dead

Bishop Eric Holden poses with youth from the Mokelumne River Ward who attended the Sacramento Temple.

New converts, JD and Melissa Ramirez, attended the temple for the first time.

Jackson VerSteeg Receives Eagle Scout Award

Jackson at his Eagle Court of Honor

 Jackson VerSteeg from Troop 398 was awarded the highest honor a young scout can achieve--the Eagle--during a Court of Honor held November 9.
   Conducting the ceremony was Don Parsons, District Scout Chairman of the Gold Country District.  He commented on the excellent flag ceremony which kicked off the meeting, as well as a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem by Caden Webb. He also mentioned how earning an Eagle Award has developed leadership qualities in Jackson.
  Don Daley followed with a comment that leadership in scouting leads only toward the best, and that is service to God and to our fellowmen.
  Remarks by YM President Adam Sroufe included stories that exemplified Jackson's bravery and obedience.  A scout learns to be "sober," which in this case means patient and long suffering, he said.  He mentioned that Jackson is interested in genealogy and that led to his Eagle project. (See pictures below.)

  Garth Johnson's comments included a note that Jackson excelled in everything he did. One of the requirements for the Eagle award is to earn 21 merit badges.  Jackson earned 32!

Jackson repeats the Scout Oath while his proud parents Eric and Marie VerSteeg look on. The men behind them are part of the "Eagles' Nest," those who have previously received the award. Don Daley is at the pulpit.

Woodbridge Cemetery Revitalization and Documentation was the theme of Jackson's Eagle Project, part of which involved cleaning the dirty and overgrown cemetery and exposing headstones so they could be read.  The other part was photographing and documenting headstones so they could become a part of the "Find a Grave" project which posts pictures of headstones on the Internet to help people find deceased relatives. Over 60 people of all ages came to help with the project. Jackson put in hours of work before the event mapping the cemetery, preparing packets for those who would be photographing, and giving them a jump drive on which to save the images.  He recently received an email from a man thanking him for helping find an ancestor for whom he had been searching 20 years!  (Click on the above Eagle Project collage to see it full size.)

Olivia Brown Baptized by Her Father

   Eight-year-old Olivia Brown was baptized by her father Ben Brown November 4, 2017. Welcoming her as an official member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was her primary teacher Ardell Gillingwater and primary president Jennifer Haynes.

Olivia with her family: Parents Ben and Katie Brown, little sister Katelyn, and brother Benjamin.

Addison Burton Honored with Young Womanhood Recognition Award

Addison is wearing her YW medallion and displaying the award.

   During sacrament meeting October 29, Bishop Holden presented Addison Burton with the Young Women Recognition Award.  He mentioned that earning the award involves as much work as it takes for a young man to become an Eagle Scout.
   In order to receive this honor Addison did the following as outlined by the church:  Attend sacrament meeting regularly, live the standards in For the Strength of Youth booklet, complete the value experiences and value project for each of the eight values, keep a personal journal, attend seminary, read the Book of Mormon regularly, and record her testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ.
  Value projects require at least 10 hours of work each. Addison's favorite was making a cookbook that she can hand down through the generations and be used by her children and grandchildren. She chose favorite recipes and wrote the entire book by hand.
  Addison is the daughter of Tyler and Jennell Burton.  Congratulations Addison!

Addison loves to cook and made a beautiful cookbook that will bring joy for generations.

Fall Festival a Smash Hit!

                                                       

    The Mokelumne River Ward Fall Festival was a smash hit in every way.  As the cultural hall filled, all kinds of amazing costumed characters enjoyed a dinner of homemade chili, cornbread, and hotdogs. Food was under the direction of the Relief Society, Elders' Quorum, and Bishopric. Tables and centerpieces carried out the festival theme.
   Recent convert Juan Felix was busy taking pictures and video the entire evening and his photography was “funny and joyful,” as he put it. After the event he commented that it looked like the parents were having as much fun as the kids! To quote his mom:  “Juan, one day you will know that the body ages, but the spirit remains very young.”  There were definitely lots of young spirits in attendance at this joyful event.
   After dinner, the party goers headed to the pavilion for fun games each hosted by a Young Men's or Young Women's class.  A big attraction was set up by Sherrill and Ken Adamska and involved trying to eat donuts dangling from the ends of ribbons.  (See video on this post.)
   The “Trunk or Treat” cars were a big hit as the children collected candy while visiting each decorated car trunk in the parking lot.
    Kudos to Don Daley for coordinating the event with excitement and enthusiasm. The comment was often heard, “This is the best fall/Halloween party I’ve ever attended.”   

Here are a few pictures from the fun evening. Click on the collage to view it in a larger size. Clicking the big X in the upper right will allow you to come back to the blog.

This short video will give you a feel for the event, and especially the fun games on the pavilion. After starting the video be sure and click the icon on the bottom right to view the video full screen.  Esc. will take you back to the blog.

Charlene Evans: Lodi's Top Indexer

   Charlene Evans has been researching ancestors for many years, but just began indexing four years ago when the church provided a program to do it.  She has indexed 102,020 names on that program.  She says, “Indexing is a vital step in finding and connecting to ancestors. It gives you valid information and sources.”
    Several months ago a new indexing program was introduced on FamilySearch and so far Charlene has indexed an additional 845 names on that program. In her patriarchal blessing it says that she was put here on earth for a specific purpose to search out family and do work for them in the temple.  She has been researching since she was a little girl.  Once she copied information about her great-grandmother from a family bible by hand because her aunt and uncle wouldn’t let her take it from their house.
    Charlene is a member of the Mokelumne River Ward and recently participated in a church-wide weekend indexing event.  She says she will continue to do it as long as her health permits. Charlene isn’t always able to attend meetings because of a weak immune system. She is the mother of Paulette McGhie.

PHOTO ESSAY: Root Beer Floats & Family History Tutoring

There was lots of help, encouragement, and tutorials at a successful event October 20 sponsored by the Mokelumne River Ward High Priests and the stake family history staff. Following are some pictures from the evening. 

The event planners: Standing are Cathy and Travis Leonard with Earl and Betty McOmber, directors of the Lodi Family History Center.

Brother McOmber started off the evening with a lesson on “Relative Finder,” a feature of Family Search that can show your relationship to anyone else in the group. Next Cathy and Travis served up delicious root beer floats.

Then the work began.  There was help available for anyone, any question was  answered.  It was an amazing evening.

Can Sister Cindy Franks teach Cliff Kerr how to index in French?  She advises: “Start simple. The more you do, the better you get with it.”

Ardell Gillingwater, left, and Glenn Franks, right, look on as expert Kathy Marshall helps Liz Sprowls learn how to locate information about her Quaker ancestors through FamilySearch Wiki.

Sister Edith Johnson (visiting) enjoys an evening with her son Garth who was recently called to serve on the High Council. Garth and his wife Janel are both indexers. 

Realigning the Three Lodi Wards

    Stake President Joseph Anderson called the three Lodi wards together for a meeting at the stake center on August 20, 2017. The ward boundaries in Lodi were to be adjusted to better meet the current needs of the wards.  The three wards are now two wards.  One will be the South side of Lodi and will be called Vineyard Ward. It includes all of the former Lodi First Ward and a few members from Lodi Second Ward. Their bishop is Scott Means.

   Eric Holden is the new bishop of Mokelumne River Ward, formed from Lodi Third Ward and a large portion of Lodi Second Ward.  His counselors are Tyler Burton and Don Daley. Both wards will meet in the Stake Center at 1510 W. Century Blvd. Our ward will begin the block at 1 p.m. each Sunday.  The Spanish Branch will continue to meet in the chapel at 731 N. Ham Lane.

Introducing Our New Bishopric

First Counselor Tyler Burton, Bishop Eric Holden, Second Counselor Don Daley.

This is the entire bishopric L to R: Tyler Burton, Nolan Meyers,
Bishop Eric Holden, David Cundari and Don Daley.

The bishopric enjoys a humorous moment together.

Cliff Kerr has Ann's back (literally) during the bishopric
photo shoot.  We had fun.  Hope you like the pictures.