Getting To Know You-Getting To Know All About You

Keep an eye on this spot for a new and upcoming STAR! Really, we are going to begin featuring some of the sisters in our Relief Society. Some will be sisters "born and raised here" and some will be very loved "transplants". Hopefully, it will give us a chance to get to know each other better and learn some interesting things about our fellow sisters. We may have more in common than we think! And, we may get a few surprises!

A Wish For You

On this day, I wish you a night of restful sleep and dreams

that hold sweet anticipation of the magical year which lies ahead.

I wish you answers to your most precious prayers.

I wish you a new year full of energy and health

so that you may play and laugh with friends, family and loved ones.

And also, that you may work at the things you love

making our world a better place.

I wish you endless cozy nights in front of warm, crackling fires.

An imagination to fill boxes full of fantasies

that only elves and fairies can watch over and protect.

I wish you musical brilliance that will send your

soul soaring

with all the melodies of all the songs ever sung;

songs which can take you places you have never been

but have always wanted to go.

I wish you a 2009 full of new friends

that will add to your growth and expansion

because of their new ideas and talents.

But I also wish you the continuing love of old friends

to enrich your life.

I wish you the reward of pure truth

which stays forever constant

just as the tree of this season stays forever green.

I wish you a year of security

knowing that angels encircle you with watchful care

to lift you from any despair and make your dreams come true.

I wish you the talent to decorate your life

with brilliant ornaments of tolerance, love and patience

and a determination to lay worry aside.

I wish you a year where you will have the opportunity

to acquire the possessions you desire

and that they will shine as you share lovingly with others.

I wish you a year that will sharpen your ability

to appreciate the beauty on the outside of people,

always knowing that the real treasures lie within.

I wish for you a knowledge of your own divine worth,

that you may recognize

your physical, spiritual, emotional, and professional greatness.

That you will allow yourself to be placed openly in view of all people

and let your influence shine

because of the love that comes from our Savior.

Merry Christmas!

From Elmo's One-armed Chior Director

the chior this sunday is going to be terrific. "we have some wonderful solos by delena, jeanetta, calleen, jackie and evan. hope to see you all there to celebrate the christmas spirit." phyllis.

(For those of you unaware, Phyllis has been battling the Grinch (see posts below) herself and can only use one arm! Thus the absense of capitalization in her post. Get better really quick, Phyllis!)

Countdown to Christmas!

Anyone who missed the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional last week, it can still be viewed on the Church web site. And, if you don't already have your FHE planned this week, this would be a great one to view or review! Brother Uchtdorf shared his memories of childhood Christmases spent in East Germany. The traditions he experienced and loved are much different from most of us here in Elmo but very interesting and heart warming. He also told us how "cutting back" in these difficult economic times may turn out to be a blessing in our lives. AND, reminded us that "Though Jesus Christ was a king he cared neither for the honor nor for the riches of man." Bro Uchtdorf also quoted elder Worthlin, "Love is the beginning and the middle and the end of the pathway of discipleship."

President Henry B. Eyring made us chuckle, and chuckle again ,with his memories of their family Christmas Pageant, beginning with only he and his wife and a doll, and continuing on every year until they have come full circle. His testimony is beautiful and you don't want to miss it.

Dear President Monson, told of the Inn Keeper and how, perhaps many years after turning the parents of the Christ child away, may have said, "If only I had known who they were---I would have made room for them." He reminded us that in our modern homes we have playrooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, sewing rooms, and playrooms. We need to make sure we make room for the Savior in our lives and in our homes. President Monson also gave many simple and sweet examples of service and admonished us, "There is yet time this year to extend a helping hand, a loving heart and a willing spirit and follow the example of out loving Savior."
If you can watch his talk without tears, you have no heart! (and I worry about your soul!) I am kidding but it is very touching and heart warming.

A little thoughtful poetry

Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart.

Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakens

Carl Jung

Sunday Update (Including Larna's run in with the Grinch!)

OK, you may think this is easy but this is my third time trying to post this! I keep deleting by accident! Someone with some computer sense needs to be doing this!

First, Larna's encounter with The Grinch: The way I heard it, Larna came home one evening, walking in on none other but The Grinch! He was making off with her Christmas tree, all the lights, and even the glass ornaments! Startled, "My sweet Larna," the ol' Grinch lied, "There's a light on this tree that won't light on one side. So I'm taking it home to my workshop, my dear. I'll fix it up there. Then I'll bring it back here."
Larna said, "Mr. Grinch, I'm NOT Cindy-Lou Who! Now, put those things back, and see that you do!" But, there broke out a tussle, a fight you might say, and that Grinch wears the scars to this very day! Now rumors are flying, Larna fell at her house. But, I got the truth from an old Christmas mouse.

Church Magazines: If your subscription is getting close to expiring, you can log on to http://www.ldscatalog.com/ and renew before you miss any issues.

Tithing Settlement: Please make an appointment soon. Bishop Curtis is waiting!

Sister Vicki Martineau gave a terrific lesson today. She gave us a quote from the L.A. Temple matron which was stated because of the recent problems there. However, Vicki urged us to use it for our own lives. "Inside the house of the Lord all was well and peace was abundant." Even when the world is crazy, peace is offered at he Lord's house.
Also, Vicki asked us to "Invite the Saviour into our homes and Christmas season by serving others."

And, three of our RS sisters received new calling and were sustained today. I can only remember two of them. So, someone log on and tell us who they were!

Make sure you are reading the sidebars. We'd LOVE some input there.

Staying in touch

Since our last post we've added some new Family Blogs to our list. Deanna Hansen, Dottie Grimes and Sue Copinga have invited all of us to join them. Visiting their blog sites will help you see what is going on in their lives, pictures of their families and activities, get to know them better! Their blogs are listed on the left on a side bar and you can click there to connect with them. I haven't figured out how to comment on Deanna's blog yet but we'll figure that out. If you have a blog and would like to share who you are with the rest of us, please "comment" with your blog address and we'll add it quickly!

Christmas Cantata

The ward choir will be performing a Christmas Cantata for us on Dec 21st.