We Are Blessed With Two New Sister Missionaries

   On the right is Sister Smith who has been with us for a few months.  Recently we got a wonderful new missionary, Sister Finch on the  left. She is from Oklahoma and put in a year at Southern Utah University on a scholarship. She has been on her mission for five and a half months.  She is lively and has a good relationship with people.  Coming one week later is Sister Richens in the middle, who came from a small town near Vernal Utah. This is her first assignment. She has a brother on a mission in South Carolina and his experiences made her want to serve a mission. After her mission she plans to attend college and major in nursing.  She has a positive outlook and says she only hears good things, and experiences good things. We are so fortunate to have these three wonderful missionaries with us.
 

Relief Society Has A "Giving" Auction

      The Relief Society held a giving auction under the skillful leadership of auctioneer Fred Fairbanks.  Starting with an envelope of paper cash, sisters raised their paddles to bid against each other to take home the item or service they really wanted in their life.  Donations ranged from meals, to cleaning, to organizing, to photo shoots, to gift wrapping.  It was a lively evening of bidding and laughter.

      Andrea Mogler and Breanne Congrave  had successful bids for a "Seasonal Produce Box." They had to wait a week until the Kerrs got back from a trip to Branson so the boxes could be put together from garden fruits and vegetables.  

Synceres Vonlamont Baptized

   Synceres Vonlamont was baptized November 4 by Brother Trent Simmons and confirmed by Bishop Adam Sroufe. He is pictured here with his mom, Sister Neisha Jackson and his little sister Ryin. 

   When his mother was baptized September 14, Synceres expressed to the Sister missionaries that he was interested in baptism. They were happy to hear that.  They were able to give him a baptismal date on his first lesson.  They said, "He was very repetitive to all we had to say and he was very eager to be baptized!"  Welcome Synceres!

Primary Children Bring Joy to Care Facility Patients

   On October 26 a group of the primary children visited Arbor Care Facility.  The children dressed in their Halloween costumes and paraded through the facility, saying "Hi" to all the patients there.  Then they gathered in the activity room where the children said their names and what their costume was.  All of the residents there were very excited to see the little children.  They had little bags of trick-or-treat candy, and the children were more than able to trick-or-treat each room.  A lot of smiles were seen.

Young Men Work to Create Two "Little Free Libraries"

     The Young Men above show off the two Little Free Libraries created by all of the Young Men--from Deacons and Teachers to Priests.  A Little Free Library is a "take a book, share a book" exchange.  Anyone may take a book or bring a book to share. Both libraries were installed in areas of the ward that didn't previously have a Little Free Library. These book exchanges have a unique personal touch. There is an understanding that real people are sharing their favorite books with their community, and thus they have been called "mini-town squares."

    How did the little houses get filled with books when first finished?  Sherrill and Ken Adamska have one by their house. They and their daughters and friends put in the first books. Then neighbors began to take books, and put books in.  Sherrill said that in the first two weeks there was a great turnover. Bike riders stopped by to see what was going on. People were commenting on what a wonderful thing it was.

   Now about the building of the libraries. Through the year over 100 service hours went into the planning, construction, and installation of these two libraries.  In addition to the young men leaders, Arnell Clegg (Elders Quorum Activity Coordinator) played an instrumental part in the development of the libraries.  They had no kits, but built everything from scratch.  First they had to make a design, and then work with raw materials. Brother Clegg  taught them skills that once learned will help them for the rest of their lives. Brother Clegg did the harder tasks, but the boys learned to use tools safely without being hurt. Some of the things they learned were how to use measuring tapes, levels, power staplers, and drills. They learned how to put a roof on and seal it. Then the houses had to be painted. During the several months of this project the young men enjoyed working together and were excited and proud of the finished project.

Yearly Halloween Party Never Fails to Delight!

   We wanted the children and families to have a safe Halloween, but also filled with the the traditional things that kids like to do.  "Trunk or Treat" was created to have the Halloween goodies in the back of  decorated car trunks, so children could go from car to car to have an amazing experience, as well as get some goodies for their bags.  All of the trunks were made by volunteers who wanted to participate.  Candy was supplied by collections made before the event. There was no thing left undone.

   There was also music and food.  Brother Clegg helped his daughter Leanna learn to play music for all to hear.  She was doing a good job. (upper right pix)  Mark and Vickie Kidd (upper left) were preparing the hot dogs and they were certainly enjoyed as you can see from the pictures.   Cori Daley made the popular popcorn.  She was very busy, but the photographer caught her husband giving her a kiss on her forehead to show his appreciation.. (lower right)

       All of the children, teenagers, and adults had a great time, and the joy of working and socializing with one another was meaningful to all.