Relief Society Sisters Learn About Nutrition

   Cyndie Parker gave a Monday morning virtual class on how to lose weight and have a nutritious diet.  Here are some of the tips she gave during the presentation.

•  Measure food for a short period of time, then in the future you will know what that amount looks like.
• Instead of counting what you should eat less of, count what you should eat  more of.  Positive thoughts!
• Count macros, protein, carbohydrates, and fat.  These are in every  food you eat.
• Tips when eating:  Use smaller dinnerware, including serving spoon. Drink water first, then you will likely eat smaller portions throughout the meal.  Eat slowly.  It takes 20 minutes for the brain to catch up with eating.
• At restaurants ask for only half a portion, and put the other half in a container to take home.
• Don't eat straight from the bag with such things as popcorn and chips.  Take out and put in a smaller bowl.  Don't keep open bags near you.
• Keep a picture diary of food intake.  Those who keep track, tend to eat less.

Awesome Sister Missionaries Give Service

   Our new sister missionaries are delightful!  Sister Peapealalo is from Wellsville, Utah, although she looks like she came straight from Hawaii.  Sister Brandley is from Ogden, Utah.  While practicing social distancing, they helped non-member Karen Sorenson prepare her peppers for canning.  Sister Kerr was helping too.  There was a lot of good conversation and friendship.

     After dinner the missionaries played a fun game, read some scriptures and bore their testimonies.

Bishopric Answers Questions from Primary Children

 

     Primary children had a fun virtual experience on Sunday evening with the bishopric who answered questions that children had submitted ahead of time.  Some questions were also submitted by members of the presidency. Primary president Ginny Shull emceed it, with her counselors helping with the questions.  The first question was for the bishop:  What does a snowman eat for dinner?  The bishop had not only one answer, but three!  After that things turned more serious.

     Here is the virtual bishopric that day and a sample question and answer from each.

Bishop Holden:  Why did God make us?  So we can come to earth and learn to like Him.

Brother Burton:  If you could have one super hero, who would it be?  Superman

Brother Stringer:  What is your favorite way to find peace?  To go out in nature and feel Heavenly Father's presence and love.  Say a prayer of thanks.

One boy asked the question: I love you.  Hey, that's not a question, but it was sweet.

Full Time Missionaries Begin Their Return to Service

   Full time  missionaries from the ward who were sent home due to the worldwide pandemic of the COVID-19 virus are gradually being sent out to complete their missions in other locations.
    Sister Alysabeth Webb who was in the Chile Rancagua Mission and has been home for a couple of months has left for her new mission in Pocatello, Idaho. 

     This is a picture of Alysabeth and her mother Bronwyn Webb at the airport when she left for her new location.  Her mother said, "I'm so proud of this girls of mine and know she will touch many hearts!"           
    

  Elder Jackson VerSteeg began work in the Brazil Belem Mission, and was really enjoying his work.  He has now been assigned to the Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Mission speaking Portuguese, and says "I can't wait to see what Pennsylvania holds in store for me!"  A new mission president has just arrived there and Elder VerSteeg found out that his MTC companion who also served in Belem with him has also been reassigned to the Pittsburgh mission.  It sounds like he is getting a good start to his new mission. 

             This is a picture of Elder VerSteeg just before he left for Pennsylvania.

A Beautiful Gospel Doctrine Lesson during Pandemic

   
     These are the first two slides of a beautiful lesson presented by Vickie Anderson to all of us through the Internet.  A link was provided through email and then we could use it in our families as we see fit.  We are blessed to have wonderful teachers to help us get through this difficult time of not being able to meet together.

July Helps for Primary Children

Ward Bulletin and Information for July 19 Week.

Relief Society Presidency Communicates with Sisters

Top: Relief Society President Lisa Clegg welcoming sisters to the
Zoom meeting.  Below ward missionaries
Sister Peapealalo and Sister Brandley participate in meeting.

    On July 16, our Relief Society presidency held a special meeting via Zoom to let their sisters know they were loved.  BriAnn Congrave and Bronwyn Webb offered prayers.  President Lisa Clegg welcomed the group and told them she knows the Lord aligns with us and cares for us.  "We need to "Hear Him," she said, "as we prepare for His return- at the 2nd coming."  As an exercise she asked sisters to close their eyes and remember a time when they  really felt His love.  "Then remember," she said, "that His love for us is 10 times more than that."
    Suzanne Fairbanks referenced D&C 112:24 on the importance of the Gathering of Israel even in difficult times.  She told the story of how her mother was sitting in a park when a young woman approached her and started talking about the church, which lead to her joining the Church. Then  an aunt joined, then her father, etc. She pointed out that "there are people who are waiting to hear about the church and the love Christ has for us."
    Our sister missionaries, Sister Peapealalo and Sister Brandley related how they have found much success while serving, even in a time of quarantine.  They receive huge blessings by praying and preparing themselves for the day.  They are so happy and have so much joy.  People are approaching them wanting to know why they are so happy and that opens up a discussion of them knowing that the Lord loves them.
    The missionaries referenced a talk by President Russell Nelson last April.  He said, "We are to seek in every way we can to hear Jesus Christ, who speaks to us through the power and ministering of the Holy Ghost."
   Bishop Eric Holden concluded the meeting by saying we're in a difficult time for reaching others.  We need to be in touch not only with those we are assigned to minister to, but anyone who comes to mind that we haven't been in touch with lately.  He asked us to make sure we are preparing for our own family's needs with spirituality in the home. "Read and discuss the Come Follow Me lessons; keep connected with Heavenly Father.
   The bishop loves us and hopes everyone is doing well.

Dave Gillingwater Goes Extra Mile to Share

     Mokelumne Ward member Dave Gillingwater is the go-to authority in our stake for emergency preparedness.  In the mist of the pandemic he used the popular Zoom program to teach sisters in Ripon Ward all about it.  He discussed why we should be prepared and gave some examples of how to do it. One of his tips for saving water was to use empty canning jars people have sitting on their shelves to fill with water and seal.  It's a good source of pure water if the need arises.

Stake RS to Our Sisters: "May You Feel Our Love."

Primary Newsletter--Helps for Children During Pandemic

July Information for Relief Society Sisters

Joaquin Russell Cook Blessed by His Father

Janet Cook (Russ's mother) Russ and Joaquin, Shaunee Cook (Joaquin's Mother) and Silvia Gonzalez (Shaunee's mother.)

   Russell Cook blessed his four month son Joaquin on June 28.  Both of his grandmothers were there for the special occasion. Janet Cook said, "I love him.  What a beautiful day for blessing this sweet baby. I'm thankful for technology that allowed more family to 'be there.'"  Several other family members were there, but those who couldn't watched the blessing on Zoom. Bishop Holden participated in the blessing.

Braxton Brown Baptized

The Brown Family poses for a picture before Braxton's baptism. With him and his father are his mother Katie, and his sisters Olivia and Katelyn Mae.

    

      Braxton Brown was baptized a member of the church on July 3 by his father Ben Brown, who also confirmed him a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Due to the virus only a few people were allowed to attend.  Several relatives came from Chico. 
    Winston Burke and Don Daley represented the Priesthood from the ward, and Ginny Shull, Primary President was there to say a few words.  They all wore masks.

Stake Presidency Offers Love and Counsel During Pandemic

Lodi CA Stake Presidency:  R to L Dan Sroufe, Scott Means, Jared Chritchfield

   Our stake presidency is concerned for all of us during a very trying time dealing with the long months of a virus pandemic.  This is their love and counsel.

  Brothers and Sisters of the Lodi Stake,

   The scriptures exhort us to remember. To ponder in our hearts “how merciful the Lord hath been to the children of men”, from the beginning until now. To not forget “what great things that the Lord hath done for us”. To “always remember Him”.

  When we remember, when we ponder, when we turn our hearts to God, we prepare ourselves to listen. We prepare to “Hear Him”.

    Consider how the Lord has blessed, counseled and prepared His Church for these times, and times to come. Consider how he has blessed and sustained you, now and throughout your life. We have much to be grateful for. 

    As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints we believe in personal revelation. We believe that Heavenly Father can and will speak to us through the Holy Ghost when we seek Him.

   “Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, at it shall be opened unto you” Matthew 7:7

   When we ask questions we open our hearts and minds to receive. Questions like: 

-       What am I being directed to do by the Spirit at this time?

-       What can I do to “Hear Him” more frequently?

-       How can I continue to be part of the building of the Kingdom of God and the work of salvation, today?

-       What would the Lord have me learn during these adjustments?

-       What adjustments would he have me personally make moving forward?

-       How can I emulate the Saviors example?

-       Who can I strive to serve and assist today?

    These and similar questions prepare us to receive revelation. If we are striving to “Hear Him” we may need to consider, "what am I asking to receive?"

    In preparation to meet together again we are monitoring local and state updates related to health conditions and guidelines. There are many factors that impact a plan to resume some type of meeting schedule. Due to the recent increase in cases of Covid-19 in our state and region, we are not planning on holding meetings in July. We are hopeful to be able to return soon but will continue to be cautious and prudent in deciding to meet. 

     When a date to resume in person Sacrament meetings is announced it will be important for each individual and family to rely on personal revelation, as the decision to attend will be up to each individual and family.  

In order to reopen, we will need to follow all state and local public health directives.  All members who attend will need to comply with these state and Church guidelines. Members who are not completely comfortable attending or that are in a category of higher risk for Covid-19 (including age) should feel no obligation to attend. The Sacrament will continue to be administered in the home per the Bishop’s authorization.

     We are grateful for the strength of the Lodi Stake! The strength of the Stake lies in the spiritual strength of the members of the Stake. We know that the last few months have been difficult and trying for everyone to one extent or another; and for some more so than others. Each of us has a unique set of circumstances. The challenges we each face during this time can be the catalyst for increased spiritual strength. As we strive together to follow the Savior we will strengthen one another.

Lodi CA Stake Presidency

Scott Means

Dan Sroufe

Jared Critchfield

Sharing Testimonies During the Pandemic

Evan Webb who recently returned from a mission.

    For several months now we haven't been able to go to a meeting at the church, so some have gone to social media to share their testimonies.
EVAN WEBB: How grateful I am for the freedoms I enjoy in this beautiful country! In fact, if it wasn’t for those ambitious activists who founded this country, the restoration of the COMPLETE Gospel of Jesus Christ would have never happened. Joseph Smith never would have had the freedom to start the Lord’s work again here on the earth. The Book of Mormon never would have been translated! That tiny book in my hands has helped me so much in my life, and I stand with the Nephites when they say that “we owe all our happiness” to “the sacred word of God” (Alma 44:5). That book can help anyone, and I know this world could use some peace right now, so let me know if you want to learn more! Christ has His arms wide open for you, and all you have to do is decide whether or not to enter into His embrace.

Joseph Stringer, Second Counselor in the bishopric

   JOSEPH STRINGER:  Happy sabbath everyone. During our home centered church today AnneMarie taught us about the two great commandments and how to love one another through service. She opened her lesson with this beautiful song (one I’ve never heard before) that resonated with me the importance of listening and slowing down so that the spirit can teach us, comfort us, and guide us through these times of uncertainty. God bless you all and know that we love you all. [The song "Slow Down" was by Sissel singing in the 2019 Pioneer Concert with the Tabernacle Choir.}