Happy New Year!

I hope everyone experienced blessings of His special season these past few weeks.  I know I did.  I also know I would not have made it through without my family, friends and the ever present Spirit bringing peace to my heart.

One of our favorite family traditions is the signing of the table cloth.  We have a very large white table cloth for our dining room table that we bring out in December.  Each family member is asked to trace their hand on the cloth and then write something they are grateful for from the current year, and include their name and date.  We have a multitude of Sharpie pens in a variety of colors to choose from.  We send it to our extended family in southern Utah but we usually have the time to take a quick trip sometime between Thanksgiving and New Years Day.  Combine that with those that attend our various holiday parties, and we have a very colorful table cloth.  This year we wrapped up three year's worth of hands as I included friends that stopped by check in on us; one of Carly's best friends that just returned from his mission; our 4-year old granddaughter that not only drew her hand, but a bracelet, a ring and a flower.  But the sweetest part is when I placed my real hand over Nick's traced hand from last year, reiterating his gratitude for life, laughter, friends and family.  I'm so thankful for this tradition...

May 2012 bring you all closer to His Grace in all you do.

Lori

Ward Christmas Party

The Ward Family Christmas Party is coming up on December 2nd at 6:30 pm.  Each organization is taking part in the program and the Relief Society is doing a Choral Reading.  Also remember there is a Service Project in conjunction with the Christmas Party.  It will be ongoing from 6:30 to 8:30 on Tuesday, November 29th at the Church.

Shelly Howard & Kerry Collett

Our ward not only has musicians, but artists!  Not only good artists, but award winning artists!  


Kerry won the Award of Excellence for her Memory Bracelet at the 9th Annual "Glass in the Garden" at Red Butte Gardens.

Also this month, Shelly Howard won Best of Show for her "Wet Fall" oil painting and 2nd Place for "Barefoot Bella".

Congratulations, Kerry & Shelly!  Truly beautiful work!

Feast Week and The Mo-Tabs

A gigantic thank you to all those that worked so hard in presenting a wonderful, inspiring, thought-provoking, insightful and educational Feast Week for our stake this past weekend.  The speakers were eloquent and well prepared.  The Spirit was everywhere!

For me, the most touching moments came when music and song were involved.  Not my singing, mind you, but the voice of Sara Larsen and the musical numbers presented at the opening and closing presentations.  Truly, I cannot carry a tune in my pocket so I am entirely and completely mesmerized when one shares their musical gift.  Sigh...  Do any of you have anything to share about Feast Week?

Lee and I often attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performances, especially if we have a guest visiting from out-of-town.  We were inspired to go there this morning, inviting a friend of ours to join us.   We were not disappointed.  The choir was joined by the orchestra and the song selection was based upon Thanksgiving.  The last song, "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing" was breathtaking.  Just as tears were threatening to spill, we noticed a young couple in front of us, sitting with their entire family - each acknowledging it was their first visit to the Tabernacle.  It was the young man, interestingly enough, that could barely contain his emotions; his nose turned red, his lips quivered and his tears ran down 'til they dripped from his chin.  His cute little girlfriend kept turning to look at him, but he would gently push her face in the other direction.  We couldn't help but smile.

After the thunderous applause, the choir began to sign their signature closing song, "God Be With You...", which prompted me to wipe the tears from under my chin, just as the young man had done (this song was included at Nick's funeral).  We left feeling very blessed, very spiritual, very fulfilled.  It was a wonderful way to introduce our friend to our culture in a gesture of sharing the pure gift of music.

Have a great week!
Lori Brower

Winter is coming!!!!!

We are excited to finally be bringing our daughter, Winter, home.  She is in an orphanage in Tainan, Taiwan and James and I leave the 16th of December to pick her up and we fly home Christmas Eve. She will be 14 months old when she comes home. It's been a long roller coaster of a journey with lots of bumps in the road. The timing wasn't what we had planned on but we believe Heavenly Father knew she was supposed to be with us and although it wasn't easy being patient over the years, we know now why we had to wait.  We appreciate all of the support over the years we have received from the ward and neighborhood. It will be crazy with five kids, but everyone knows our house is a crazy anyway.  

The Skinner family

Crockpot Chicken Chili

1 can (15 oz) each/drained
     Pinto beans
     White beans
     Kidney beans
     Black beans
1 can corn, drained
1 can tomatoes with chiles
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles
1 envelope chili seasoning
1 envelope ranch powder
1 can broth
3-4 cooked/shredded chicken breasts


Put all ingredients in crock pot.  Cook on low for at least 4 hours.


by:  Chris Hall

Take a minute...

The Holiday Season is upon us.  For me it is easy to tell.  I spent all of last week making candy and we always listen to Christmas Music and watch our favorite Christmas Movies while we do it.  Another sign of the season is there is at least one something extra scheduled each week between now and the end of the year.  I am sure each of your lives are just as busy if not busier.  I encourage you to remember Christ this holiday season by making time to remember the sisters He has entrusted to your care.   Take a minute to find out how they are.  Share one of your traditions with them and let them share with you.  The holidays are a happy time but they can also be a stress filled and emotional time.  A caring visit can go a long way to easing some of the burdens our sisters are carrying and may be just the thing you need to keep the Christmas Spirit in your hearts.  
 
Have a Happy Holiday Season,


Susan