JUMPED FROM THE FARM RIGHT INTO THE RIVER...!

Got an email notice last week that our Windsor Colorado Stake was going to meet together in a ZOOM meeting today at 11 am for the purpose of reorganizing the three wards that meet in the Johnstown Chapel which is in our Carlson Farm neighborhood. 

So, dutifully at 11 am following our family Sacrament meeting this morning, we tuned in to the ZOOM meeting and found out that instead of three wards meeting in our building, we are now only going to be two wards attending Church meetings there. 

Boundaries run east and west with Highway 60 which has the main road (which borders our neighborhood on the south) as the dividing line between the Big Thompson River Ward and the South Platte River Ward. 

That means we are going to be in the Big Thompson River Ward and have the same bishop and the 2nd counselor who moved up to 1st counselor with a new second counselor. We're going to have a lot a people in the ward that I don't know. But then that's because they will be from the area north of us which extends into the annexed area of Johnstown all the way up to Hiway 34 in Loveland. 

Burgandy in her new house in Milliken will be in the South Platte River Ward. New bishop and counselors, also all unfamiliar to me. 

It should be interesting as each ward is now at the 500+ mark. Coincidentally, both have 80 children in Primary. There are going to be lots of new ward positions as the Primary president, among others, are in the other ward. The ward organist is also in the other ward. 

Maybe, just maybe I might be able to play the piano for Primary or the organ for Sacrament meeting. I have soooo missed having a calling where I PLAY music. Then again....maybe nothing at all close to that for a calling. Time will tell. 

Also, following recent talks between Elder Anderson and Carl B. Cook of the Area Presidency, it looks like we will be returning to "Church at the Chapel" in the near future. Change at Church is always exciting! And this is a BIG change from the way things have been for the past several years. 

I, for one, am looking forward to it....

WELCOME TO THE RELIEF SOCIETY MYSTERY BAG NIGHT!

Boy have things changed.  And they've gotten pretty creative, too, in light of the restrictions and limitations required for social distancing during COVID-19.  Case in point was the email I received a few weeks ago from our Carlson Farm Ward Relief Society with this message:

Please come to the west side church parking lot (drive-thru style) between 6:15-6:45 pm Thursday, June 11, 2020, where you will be given a small mystery bag and yummy dessert.  You will stay in your car, and exit through the east side church entrance. We don't want to give away the surprise, but you will then drive back home and use your mystery bag to participate in a short 7pm RS Zoom activity.     

As it turned out, I had a STANDBY assignment that day with United to sit at the airport for several hours in case I was needed to take the place of an absent flight attendant.  When my required time was finished, I drove home and still had enough time to change my clothes, eat a bite of supper, and drive down to the church parking lot for this out of the ordinary activity.  

It was fun to be greeted by real people as the Relief Society presidency and Activity leader  were there in a line to pass each sister a goodie bag full of yummy desserts as promised and a mystery bag as we slowly drove by and exited on the other side of the chapel. 

When I got home, I read the instructions on what to do to prepare for the short ZOOM activity.

There were three random objects which I was supposed to share how I would use one or all of them to teach a gospel principle/life lesson to family members or a friend.   We were also invited to use anything else we had at home to help out with this mini lesson.

We were assured there was NO pressure, just something meant to be fun, or funny, but not stressful.  "Just join the RS ZOOM link to chat and have fun sharing your ideas from the contents of your bag."

Though I failed at ZOOM technology ONCE AGAIN, I loved the clever idea of the mystery bag.  So, while I didn't get to share with all of the sisters that night, this is what I came up with for my "homework".

I got the Mystery bag with a box of Jello, a paperclip, and a birthday candle.  It immediately put in mind that there is literally a parade of principles throughout the scriptures.  The principles themselves never change, but there are a myriad number of ways we can live them.  

For example let's just say that the Jello, the paperclip, and the birthday candle represent the principles of faith, ministering, and remaining steadfast.

Jello can be made according to the package directions with the end result of a bowlful of jiggly dessert.  Or while liquid, it can be poured over a newly baked cake with holes punched in it.  Voila!  Poke Cake--one of my family's favorites.   Likewise, we can exhibit faith in a variety of ways including just the basics of reading the scriptures, trusting in the Lord's timing, praying.....etc.

Not only can a paperclip fasten a pile of papers, but it can pick a lock, or keep the drapes in a hotel room closed so the parking lot lights are shut out.  Ministering can also take on many different guises.  Doesn't always have to be a formal "helping out" assignment or a lesson, but a smile, a listening ear, and a friendly hello all count as ministering, too.

A birthday candle would normally be used on a birthday cake.  But in a pinch, it could light the way for a brief moment or make a celebration out of a normal day.  Remaining steadfast might include a simple task like feeding the missionaries, going to the temple, or standing up for what is right.  There are lots of different ways to remain steadfast.

When Nephi and his brothers were commanded to return for the Brass plates, that task required three different approaches before it was successful.  Correspondingly, there isn't just one way to accomplish what the Lord has asked us to take care of in our journey through life.  The "HOW" of living the principles might be different for each one of us, but the goal is the same.  

And...it all counts as long as we are moving forward on the covenant path.

MYSTERY SOLVED....