Sister Gonzalez is New Missionary in Mokelumne River Ward

   Sister Gonzalez (left) who has recently served in Manteca and Elk Grove, was transferred to Lodi and will be companions with Sister Bolschweiler who was previously a part of a threesome in our ward.  They are a delightful pair, full of excitement and personality. Coincidentally both of them are from Boise, Idaho and were even in the same ward for a short period of time.

    "Going on a mission was the best decision of my entire life up to this point," she said.  "I like to see how people's eyes light up when they hear about the gospel of Jesus Christ." Sister Gonzalez attended BYU Idaho before her mission and hopes to continue at BYU Provo majoring in anthropology. 

   Sister Gonzalez has a restricted diet due some health issues.  She must avoid all milk products, sugar, all grains, and meat from any animal fed with grain. Wow, how does she do it? Members who have her for dinner are advised of these restrictions.  She is willing to bring her own food if necessary. She was glad when she learned that the Kerr's have grass fed beef, and lots of fruit.  She was so excited she wanted to see the cows and feed them some apples. Both girls had fun visiting the animals and collecting lots of fruit to take home. 

Young Men and Young Women Enjoy Special Camps

Mokelumne Ward Young Men  and their leaders participated in a stake Duty to God Camp  It was a great experience for all.  They spent a week n San Juan Bautista at a church youth camp.  The week was full of fun activities, talks by leaders, great food, and sacred personal time for each young man to study and search their scriptures, pray, and ponder.  Everything about this camp was ran by the youth, and youth led.  It was a powerful experience and testimony building event.

  Below are pictures of some of their activities.

   Around the same time the young women attended Girls' Camp. One of the young women wrote this about their camp.  We have no pictures.

  By Aubrey Anderson, daughter of Neil and Ruth Anderson 

     Because of COVID  we did not get to have girls camp at all last year and this year we had a modified version where we had different activities for each of the 3 days of girls camp. The activities included a ropes course in Tahoe, boating at Lake Hogan, and a ward day with games here at the stake center. I was a 4th year this year which meant that I would have done my 4th year hike, a 4 day backpacking hike, and then returned to camp to sleep on a rock. I’m not extremely sad about having to skip the hike but I know that it would’ve been a good experience for me. 

   This years girls camp was fun and different from the traditional camp we have. The first activity of girls camp that I did was the ropes course in Tahoe. Now I’ve done many different ropes courses in my life so to me this wasn’t a big deal. I am afraid of heights but knowing that I have a harness that will catch me when I fall completely masks that fear and I was able to do every course with no hesitation.      But it wasn’t the same story for everyone. When we had Young Women’s the following Sunday some girls described how they were so scared of falling and were struggling to complete some of the courses, despite being strapped in. We can relate this experience to the gospel and Jesus Christ. He is the harness, and the ropes courses are trials in our lives. When we are faced with trials and challenges in life we are scared and feel as if we are going to fall, but if we root ourselves in the gospel and keep that harness on He won’t let us fall. 

   The harness can also be seen as the atonement. Just like how every girl at the course was given a harness to keep them from falling we were given the atonement when we came to earth. In order to use the harness we needed to clip it onto the wires that were connected to the courses just like how in order to used the atonement we need to turn towards Christ, follow his commandments hear him, follow him, and repent. And we do this so that when we sin or fall off the path we won’t fall and get hurt, but instead the harness will keep us strapped in and safe.

 

Spencer Mecham is Off to His Mission in Honduras

His mother Christy reports:

    "When I think about Spencer serving a mission in Honduras all I see are smiles and laughter. I see smiles and laughter because that is what he brought to us at home. Spencer's quick wit and sense of humor will be missed (especially by his mom) but I know his humor and laughter will be contagious and bring joy to the people of Honduras. 

      "last six weeks of home MTC brought new challenges and a beautiful Spirit to our home. Watching Spencer spend hours studying the gospel and learning Spanish has been faith-building. He has the greatest understanding of the Lord's love and the tender mercies He offers to His servants. I watched him pray in faith when he needed the Typhoid vaccine and we couldn't find it anywhere, and again offer a prayer of gratitude when shortly after he was receiving the vaccine. Spencer's confidence in the fact that his very last Taco Bell five-dollar pack was his favorite brought back just a few days before he left for two years being the Lord's love for His missionaries at work, trumped coincidence and opened my eyes to all the tender mercies that perhaps we overlook. The Lord really does love his missionaries and that confidence gives us peace and calm as Spencer enters Honduras to teach about the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

 

 

July 24: Primary Celebrates Pioneers

   Mokelumne River Ward Primary celebrated the Mormon pioneers traveling to the Salt Lake valley by hosting an amazing event that included lots of participation, fun, friendship, and learning about what it was like to be a pioneer.  Children and their families were greeted by a welcome sign, and a beautiful map showing the trip made by the pioneers.  Sister Liz Carlston, Primary 2nd Counselor,  greeted everyone as they arrived at the stake center pavilion.  Girls were presented with a gift bag containing a pioneer bonnet to wear.  Bonnets were sewn by Relief Society sisters, Judy Wilcox, Sherrill Adamska, Lori Shore, Tena Peters, and Liz Carlston.

Children enjoyed creative activities such as painting pictures of pioneer wagons, making dolls, and carving from soap.  (See next picture.)  Adults were at every station to help and encourage.

    As well as soap carving, children and their families enjoyed pioneer strength games, testing out freezing water, and gunny sack races , as well as other fun activities.  And of course, everyone had to try  traveling with a handcart.

    The event ended with refreshing drinks and pioneer lessons by Sister Ardell Gillingwater who told stories about her pioneer ancestors, and Sister Tami Woods who explained how some pioneers came to America on the ship Brooklyn.  Primary President Ginny Shull was instrumental in producing this event and was there the whole time overseeing the fun.  Below is a picture of the group as they posed before leaving.

Rex Barnes Served and Blessed by Ward Members

    Ward member Rex Barnes lives on a ranch in Clements.  In  the last part of April he contacted COVID-19 and became very sick.  He was in a coma and ventilator until June 10. He has a daughter Alaina Dahl who lives on the property, and another daughter Danielle Mellot who is from Montana and came to help. At this point, the doctors asked the daughters to allow them to "pull the plug" on him. Unless he had mental damage they wanted to hold out.  His lungs didn't look good but all other vitals were excellent.

   Bishop Holden asked the ward to fast and pray for Rex on May 16.  That was the first day that the doctors were able to lower the pressure and the pure oxygen.  Relief Society service leader Ardell Gillingwater said, "Truly this was a miracle because he improved the next two weeks enough to be moved out of urgent care and to a hospital in Modesto."  He was given blessings by Dave Cundari and Dave Gillingwater.  The next day the hospital was able to take the tracheotomy tube out, and four days later, the feeding tube.  "Another set of miracles!" sister Gillingwater reported.

   While all this was going on it was noticed that the house and property needed a lot of attention. The Relief Society came and helped clean out the house so it would be wheel chair and hospital bed accessible. This job took over two months. Meanwhile the Elders Quorum came and did some work on the ranch and Casey Haynes and Bishop Holden helped get a gate to secure the property.

Sister missionaries also came to help.  Left to right: Sisters Otto, Benton, Ashcraft and Flores.  The little girl in front is Rex's granddaughter Andilyn.  The missionaries also taught her a few lessons.

Robert (Bob) Tyler Passes Away

   Bob Tyler died June 29, after suffering a long bout of cancer in his spine, all bones, and blood.  In this picture taken in April 2021 Bob stands with his wife Joanne holding a picture of themselves when they were younger.

                           Sister Missionaries Come to the Rescue

    Joanne was extremely tired after all the arrangements had been taken care of, and really appreciated the Sister Missionaries offer to help her straighten up her house, and help her with cleaning that was difficult for her to do.  Here Sis. Smith (green shirt) and Sis. Otto, blue shirt  pack things away, clean up the clutter, and shampoo the living room carpet.

      Meantime Sis. Bollschweiler takes control of the kitchen and washes every dish in sight

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    Joanne expressed her thankfulness for the sisters' help.  This picture was taken at the beginning of the project or this room would be nice and clean.  We have wonderful missionaries who not only teach the gospel, but serve at every opportunity.  We are blessed to have them.

 

Threesome of Sister Missionaries Bless Our Ward

     We have three amazing, delightful sister missionaries in our ward.  On the left is Sister Bollschweiler from Kuna, Idaho.  She says, "My time spent serving as a missionary has helped me in striving to become the kind of person I want to be for the rest of my life.  I am forever grateful for the opportunity to serve God and my neighbors !"

    In the center is Sister Otto from Riverton, Utah who gives a favorite scripture: "These things I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world  ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer.  I have overcome the world."  John 16:33

   On the right is Sister Smith from Eagle Mountain, Utah who says:  "Words cannot describe how grateful I am for the time the Lord has given me to serve Him.  I have loved every single person that I've met here and the experiences I've had here have truly changed me forever.  I know that God really does live and knows His children."  Alma 26:16

Beautiful Young Woman in Major Musical

 Samantha McGhie is performing as a dancer and singer in the Lodi Musical Theater for Performing Arts production of "West Side Story." She has been a dancer for over eight years and has performed with San Joaquin Ballet.  She has also studied piano and guitar. After each show she and other performers meet in the foyer and visit with members of the audience.  Samantha is  delightful girl who just graduated from seminary and high school and has been accepted to BYU-Provo.  She is the daughter of Skip and Julie McGhie.

Two Recent Baptisms

 Two boys were recently baptized members of the church.  They are:

Landon Sean Corbin, June 19, 2021

Ephraim Leon Gonzalez, June 19 2021

Spring is Seminary Graduation Time

    Another seminary graduation!  Our ward has two graduates--Bryce Farlee and Samatha McGhie.  This year in seminary has been different and difficult at times.  The senior class was online most of the year, with a few zoom lessons once a week.  After the March break they transitioned to three days in person and two days online.  It required them to be very diligent and not get behind.

     Seminary teacher Teresa Sroufe said, "I love the teenagers and here are the great ones that persevered when their world crashed.  It's been an honor.  They teach me more than I taught them.  They are going to do great things!"

In the picture are Sister Sroufe on the left and Brother Scott Malm (in back with a mask) teacher their freshman year.  Students (L to R) are Bryce Farlee, Isabella Brando, Samantha McGhie, Aidelyn Cortez-Ojeda, and Bianca Simmons.  Isabella and Bianca are from Vineyard Ward.

How Does One Propagate a Succulent?

 

   To answer that question we couldn't resist these cute pictures of Megan Blackwell explaining it to the sisters of Relief Society in their monthly evening activity.  Most sisters knew what a succulent was (a plant that needs a small amount of water,) but the question was asked--What does if mean to propagate? She had to answer a lot of other questions too, but Megan explained everything and it was a delightful presentation. Propagate means to create another plant from a leaf or cutting.

 

    Christy Mecham who is the RS Activity Coordinator, set up the event and came up with a good selection of succulents for the sisters to plant in little containers to take home.  In this picture you see the sister missionaries dipping into the soil to prepare for planting their cute little green succulents.  Above them are some "succulent cupcakes" made by Jill Disch for everyone to enjoy.

Young Men Help Needy Pomegranate Farm

   It was hard work, but six Young Men and their leaders spent several hours picking up brush and hauling it out of a pomegranate orchard in the foothills. The brush was there as the result of  pruning the small trees by Cliff Kerr, Mark Wilcox and Mike Lewis. There is hope for harvesting some pomegranates this year from an orchard that has been neglected.

      After the work was finished, the young men  enjoyed donuts brought by youth leader Riley Broughten.  Other adult leaders working with the boys were Eric Fairbanks, Colby Holden, and Chene Mogler. Brother Kerr said he much appreciated their help and enjoyed getting to know them better, as well as having a great out-of-doors experience.