Getting To Know Me!

My name is Erica H.  We’ve only been the ward for 4 short months so many of you don’t know me.  I grew up in Salt Lake City.  I am the third of four children, two older sisters and a younger brother.  While working in college, I met a friend who insisted that I needed to marry her brother in law.  The problem was, he was on a mission.  I sent him a casual letter and we quickly became friends.  Over the course of a year, while writing often we got to know each other well and 6 weeks after his return home, we were engaged.  Quick yes, but it worked for us!

We’ve been married 6 ½ years and he has been in school the entire time.  He is currently finishing his last semester and I couldn’t be more thrilled!  We have three girls, Megan (5), Allison (4) and Rebecca (2).  Megan just started kindergarten this fall and surprisingly, all of my worries and fears of my oldest being gone all day long have been replaced with a quiet home and a happy child.  I’m learning that children adapt and are capable of much more than I anticipated for such a young age.  Allison started preschool and is learning to not live in her sister’s shadow.  And Rebecca is two.  There isn’t much more that needs to be said.  She has a lot of attitude and as much as it drives me crazy at moments, I love it all the same! 

We have been in the Katy area for 3 years.  While Matt was finishing his undergraduate degree we felt a need to leave Utah.  Houston seemed like the perfect place (why I am still not sure.)  We found a job and we moved.  It has been a roller-coaster ride for sure, but one we have enjoyed.  We have learned that the only way to function is to ask for help, which is still difficult to do.  Matt is the youngest of 7 children and we are the only ones who have left Utah.  We miss being around all of our family, especially as the girls grow and they are missing out on the relationships with cousins but the growth and opportunities we have had here have all been worth it.  I sure wish I had spent more time in those mountains while we were there!

When we moved to Katy, we rented our home unsure of what the future would hold.  We just bought our first home and although I love it, the “settled” feeling is not normal for us.  It is hard to imagine that this will be my home for longer than a 12 month lease.  I’m trying to get used to the idea that settled is a good thing for us all.

Things I love include: homemade bread and jam, an early morning run right as the sun is coming up, a good book that captures my mind and emotions, watching my children play in the back yard and date nights!

I currently serve in the Young Women’s organization and I love it!  I’ve served in Primary for years so was unsure about this change but I have quickly developed a love for the girls and the purpose YW’s serves. 

Greased Lightbox

→←+-↻

Loading image

Click anywhere to cancel

Image unavailable

Greased Lightbox

→←+-↻

Loading image

Click anywhere to cancel

Image unavailable

Greased Lightbox

→←+-↻

Loading image

Click anywhere to cancel

Image unavailable

General Conference Packets

General Conference

October 2-3, 2010

11:00-1:00, 3:00-5:00

Sisters,

Below are some links to help you and your families get the most out of General Conference. Happy listening!

Youth, Senior Primary, Junior Primary, and Nursery Conference Activity Packets

http://scriptures4kids.com/activities-downloads/general-conference.html

Adult Conference Packet

http://www.ldsresources.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/October_2010_General_Conference_Activity_Packet_Notebook.pdf

Getting To Know Me!

My name is Masako P. I was born in a tiny town of Japan not so long after World War II. It seems like WWII happened a long time ago, but I was brought up with the talk of war from my grandmother and my mother. They often told us (I have two brothers) how scared they were whenever they heard the sound of the B-29 flying over, and they couldn’t do anything but hide. They might have been shot. My grandmother was 60 years older than I was and carried the way of very old-fashioned, traditional Japanese woman. My parents were divorced when I was young and I grew up with very few memories of my father. My mother worked to support the family, so we were raised by my very strict grandmother. If we complained about the meals we had, we were not allowed to eat anything and she told us of how during the war there was no food, no place to stay. Growing up during the Japanese Economic bubble after WWII, all I heard and saw was the influence of America and western countries. My mother, who was so grateful of having a job then, truly emphasized getting a higher education. Without her education, she realized she could not get the job she had in a men’s world. Thus, she paid for anything we asked if it was related to education even though our budget was tighter than most families.
I took piano lessons, played volleyball through high school, went to college, and received a dietitian license. Then, I went to sewing technical college which only accepts college graduates. This school has a very intense program. Most nights, I only slept 4 hours doing homework. Before I finished school, I came home to take care of grandmother. She was almost blind then and needed someone with her constantly. My mother did not want to put her in a nursing home, so until my mother retired, my brother and I took turns to care for her.
This was the time I met 2 Japanese Mormon missionaries who were doing door to door proslyting. Since my mother raised her children with her faith, I had believed God in my heart and as a result, I joined the church in 1978. In Japan, Christianity is not that big of a religion, especially because LDS church members don’t drink tea or coffee, and don’t smoke tobacco like many Japanese people. It also makes it very difficult to live in the Buddhist culture. Therefore, the church is seen in a more curious way than an ordinary religion. Many of them don’t really understand the concept of young men and women leaving their homes to serve 2 years for their religion. It’s very expensive to go to church every Sunday because Japanese transportation system is very expensive. So, being a member in Japan is not an easy thing.
Learning English was my dream and I wanted to work using language, so I came to Utah State University to learn English. I had money to go to school for a year. I thought one year could teach me some English. I loved American college system and wanted to graduate, but I did not have money to finish. For foreign students, our tuition is triple of regular students. I tried out for the VB team and made it. I played as a setter at USU and graduated in 1984. I then left for a mission to Georgia in 1985 and upon completion, returned to Japan where I met my husband who was just visiting his friends. We got married in 1987. Our first child, Ty, was born 1988 and Maiya, was born in 1990. From then, my life was completely focused on raising Ty and Maiya. During their elementary years, we woke up at 6 and started practicing Japanese and music. We had a very structured life. We rarely had time to sleep in until Maiya graduated from high school.
I have 3 life- long quilting projects going on. My motto is NEVER GIVE UP. I want a healthy happy life and I’m working on it. I spend quite a bit of time doing SUDOKU, which takes my time and sometimes I really have to put it away. My favorite poem is INVICTUS. I love the last two lines. I understand having faith does not mean we are protected from any troubles and adversaries of the world, but faith will guide me to go through any difficulties we face. I am very grateful to be able to count our blessings.

Greased Lightbox

→←+-↻

Loading image

Click anywhere to cancel

Image unavailable

Getting To Know Me!

My name is Carolyn (Kelley) P…I was born (literally) in a farmhouse in Whitney, Idaho (bet you have never heard of it) that is close to Preston and just over the border from Logan, Utah. I’m the middle child of three. I have two brothers. When I was nine we moved to Rosemead in Southern California. It was so exciting to move from the snow and cold in Cache Valley to the sunny and palm tree lined streets of California. We all loved it. After High school I attended BYU but didn’t graduate. Instead, I married my high school sweetheart and we will celebrate our 55th wedding anniversary this July.
I have three children, Mike (who passed away in 2001), Kelley Anne (whom most of you know) and Kirk who lives in Park City, Utah. Nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. We were a military family and I have lived in Idaho, California, Hawaii, Tennessee, Georgia, Athens Greece, Virginia, Florida, Utah, Colorado and now Texas. I really enjoyed meeting wonderful people, both in the church and out, all over our great country. We are so blessed to live in the USA.

I am definitely a morning person…I get up very early and love the quiet time for myself. When we lived in Florida, I would watch the sun come up over the ocean…beautiful. Here I look at our pool and watch the birds, not quite the same but I’m happy.

My hobbies and favorite things are: family, things that are old, cats, books, sports, raspberry (anything), lots of color (paintings, walls, pillows, clothes and shoes) Food (everything but fish), Sweets (especially chocolate), games, puzzles, our country, our flag (I’m very patriotic) and most of all.. I love people.

I have always been a physically active person. The most exciting physical thing I have done was climbing Mount Elbert, the highest mountain in Colorado, what a view! When I was younger, I ran 5 miles every weekday, but now I enjoy walking.

I have held many callings in the church. My most challenging was camp director, primitive camping in the Uintas in Utah, icy cold, no bathroom facilities (you get the picture). My most rewarding, working with the YW as an advisor for all ages and as President. I, also, have always loved Relief Society and have held every calling except Secretary (this is definitely not a hint).

I am your Visiting Teacher Coordinator and enjoy my contact with all of you. Your dedication to Visiting Teaching is an inspiration to me. I’m, also, a temple worker and love being in the temple and feeling the spirit of the wonderful workers and patrons there.

I would like to be remembered as a kind non-judgmental person, who did her best at what ever she was asked to do.

I am so grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ, the restored Gospel, a living prophet, my husband and family and all of you wonderful Sisters.

Greased Lightbox

→←+-↻

Loading image

Click anywhere to cancel

Image unavailable

Getting To Know Me

My name is Karen Gillett.  We’ve been in this ward for 12 years and absolutely love it.  I stay at home with my 5 kids.  They are Kayli (15), Jason (13), Beth (10), Audrey (3) and Chase (1).   I was born and raised in Fontana, CA.  I was the 7^th of 8 kids.  My dad was an elementary school principal.  Because of that, he had the summers off so we would spend them camping and traveling the country.  I was very disappointed to find out that most jobs only start with 2 weeks of vacation a year.   I still love to travel as much as I get a chance and love to visit historical sites.  My favorite vacations have been to Nauvoo, NYC, Spain/London.  I hope to one day make it to Italy and Australia. 
Growing up my grandparents lived in the house directly behind ours and we had a gate connecting our back yards.  I loved it and always wanted that for my kids.  Unfortunately that just didn’t work out but  to compensate I try to spend a few weeks in Utah each year staying with my parents.  (They don’t seem to mind too much  ) 
I went to BYU-HI my freshman year so I would be there for my brother’s senior year. I transferred to BYU-Provo the next year.   Good thing I did since I met Shane that year.  I had a friend who was dating Shane’s friend.  She was telling me all about what a great guy Shane was and that I should go out with him—and just as she’s telling me this she sees him in line to get his ID in the Wilkinson center.  She immediately took me over to meet him, we had lunch together at the Cougareat, a date set for the next Friday and we were married that summer.  It was meant to be  I graduated with a BS in Human Development (if anyone knows something that can be done with this degree please let me know) Shane graduated with his degree in Chemical Engineering the next year and then we moved to Houston and have been here ever since. 
In 2006 I ran my first half marathon.  After I had Audrey I thought I could attempt a full and ran the full marathon with Julie Caron in 2008.  I have loved running ever since and have run several half marathons and have a goal to run another full marathon soon.  I also love to read (My one and only trophy was achieved by reading the most books in our elementary school’s book club in 4^th grade).  I don’t find the time to read like I’d like to anymore though, I always feel like there is something else I should be doing.  Some of my favorite things are: chocolate anything, but especially chocolate cake.  Ghirardelli 60% chocolate chips are the best, sweet cream and raspberry ice cream in a chocolate dipped waffle cone, movies/lunch dates with friends, blueberry picking in June up at Moorehead blueberry farm,  going to Galveston to go crabbing, running the Bluebell fun run in April, blogging—it’s a fun way to do my family history/journaling and a way to keep in touch with my family-- when my babies get a little older I have lots of digital scrapbooks I plan to put together.  My most favorite thing is being a wife to Shane and mom to my 5 amazing kids.  I’m trying to soak up and enjoy every minute as they pass all too quickly.

"Preparedness" Relief Society Quarterly Meeting

Thanks to the RS Activities committee for the wonderful meeting we had on Thursday! The evening focused on various aspects of being prepared both temporally and spiritually. Thanks to Patrice and Christy P. for organizing supplies so that we could compile 72-hour food kits and to all of the sisters who brought delicious dishes made from food storage items! We had such a delectible variety of treats to taste.

Temporal Preparedness

Our ward Provident Living Specialist, Sharon E., taught a workshop on how to build a 3-month supply of food. She had a wonderful handout that included the following links to help us as we get started:

http://1stopfoodstorage.com/

http://storingfood101.blogspot.com/

http://www.providentliving.org/

http://www.examiner.com/

http://www.hashworks.com/

http://www.mormontimes.com/

http://www.dinnerisinthejar.com/

kneadfulthingsnow.com

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/

http://home-organization.suite101.com/

http://mormonism.suite101.com/

http://homemanagement.suite101.com/

http://www.backwoodshome.com/

http://preparedbinder.blogspot.com/

Spiritual Preparedness

Barbara S. taught our workshop on spiritual preparedness and below are her tips for Surviving the Trials of Life.

1. Be Quick to Obey: "One glance at the newspaper or at the television tells us that we live in stormy times . . .So there are few questions as important as this one: 'How does a person build a life founded on truth?' . . . Obedience to commandments is the way we build a foundation of truth." -- Henry B. Eyring, devotional address at BYU on 15 August 2000.

2. Give Heed to Prophets: "There are those who criticize when we issue a statement of counsel or warning. Please know that our pleadings are not motivated by any selfish desire. Please know that our warnings are not without substance and reason. Please know that the decisions to speak out on various matters are not reached without deilberation, discussion, and prayer. Please know that our only ambition is to help each of you with your problems, your struggles, your families, your lives." -- Gordon B. Hinkley, Ensign, Nov. 1992, 53.

3. Feast Upon the Word of God: "When you memorize something, it becomes a part of you and can be called upon at will to give you strength when there seems to be no strength left." -- Vaughn J. Featherstone, New Era, Sept. 1975

4. Pray Always

5. Be a Full Tithe Payer

6. Escape from Sin

7. Learn Gratitude: Make a habit of grateful prayers. Don't ask for anything. Record the blessings you see in your life and the lessons learned.


Thank you to all who contributed to make the evening a success!

Getting To Know Me!

I am Galadriel H. Which is quite a mouthful, so most people just call me Galad (pronounced Glad, He, He!). I currently teach Gospel Doctrine. I absolutely love it especially because we are studying the Old Testament which has the best stories. One of my great passions is reading especially murder mysteries and fantasies. The murder, the mayhem, great spiritual feats, the Old Testament has it all plus a great moral to each story. What more could I ask for except a box of chocolates.

I grew up as the oldest of six in a small town called Hurricane, Utah. I married another oldest of six boys from the same small town in 1994. You may know him as Wade. We graduated from BYU a little later. I received a Bachelors in Science with an emphasis in Marine Biology. Which brings me to my other great passion, the water. I love any beach and I will take a lake or river. But it needs to be swimable. There is nothing like riding the waves. My parents were both from South California so I got to spend a lot of time on the beach when I visited my grandparents. I was blessed to be able to study all sorts of marine creatures in Monterey, CA and count insects in a lab to assist in determining the health of rivers before becoming a mom! Now I study the bacteria which grows in my fridge!!


Wade and I have four children. Dylan (11), Sadie (10), Brooklyn (6), and Cole (3). Dylan came to us a few weeks before we moved to Austin, Tx. Sadie arrived in Austin. Brooklyn and Cole were both born in Katy. We have been in Texas almost 12 years and Katy 7 years. As a family we do enjoy the holidays. Especially Christmas and Halloween. Hence the family pictures at Christmas and Halloween. BEWARE, THE HUTHCHINGS' HOUSE ON THE DAY OF THE SPIRITS!!


All people great and small should have at least three passions if more you can die a satisfied soul. My third passion I will share has changed through the years. As a kid it was dancing, as mom it became yoga. Which has taken our family to paths previously unknown. Not all of which my children would claim or rejoice in. One path lead to green juice!! You may understand their plight.

Greased Lightbox

→←+-↻

Loading image

Click anywhere to cancel

Image unavailable

April Temple Trip

Several sisters (and a couple mother/daughters) enjoyed a beautiful Spring day at the Houston Temple. Left to Right, Front Row: Cheryl & Samantha Flower, Julie Anderson, Catherine Craner, Becky Schultz and Amy McLaughlin. Back Row: Alice Beckstrom, Ellen Camp, Kelley Partridge, KelleyAnne Miner & Lesley Hagen

Family Home Evening Lesson -- Love at Home

Opening Song: Kindness Begins with Me

Opening Prayer:

Lesson:

Scripture: A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you (John 13:34).

Can you guess the answer to this riddle? What is as invisible as the wind and as warm as the sun, can be given away without losing any, grows when it is shared, comes from your heart, and shows on your face?
The answer to the riddle is love. Love is a powerful feeling of affection, concern, and tenderness for another.


Your home in heaven was filled with love. Your Heavenly Father prepared a plan of happiness for you because He loves you. That plan makes it possible for you to become like Him and return to live with Him forever. Your Savior and Elder Brother, Jesus Christ, suffered and gave His life to free you from sin and death. Heavenly Father and Jesus love you. Jesus gave us a commandment to love one another as He loves us. When you love others and show that love by your actions, you are following Him. When you love others, you show that you are a child of Heavenly Father and a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ (see John 13:34–35). You become more like Them.


Your home here on earth is the first and most important place to show love. You can do it in very simple but powerful ways—a smile, a thank you, a hug, a kind word or deed. You can say, “I love you.” Everyone enjoys hearing those words again and again. As you show love for your family, that love will grow, and you will help to make your home a heavenly place.


A home filled with love is a heavenly place.


A person filled with love is following Jesus.

Activity Ideas:

1. Explain to the children that the Savior gave us a commandment to “love one another” (John 13:34). Let them suggest ways that they can show love for the members of their families. Then give each child the name of a family member—Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, Grandma, or Grandpa. Have each class create a new verse, with words and actions, to the song “Oh, How We Love to Stand” (Children’s Songbook, p. 279) by substituting the name given to them for the words to stand in the first line, and creating new words and actions for the rest of that line and the second line of the song. (Example: “Oh, how we love Mother and show her every day—Wash the dishes, sweep the floor, and put the toys away.”) You may need to play the song several times so that the children will feel the rhythm of the phrases. Have each class sing its verse with actions, then teach it to the others.


2. Clear a space in the room and let the younger children sit in a circle. Tell them that there are many ways to love and serve the members of their families. Select one child to stand in the center of the circle. As everyone sings “When We’re Helping” (Children’s Songbook, p. 198), have the child in the center do an action that goes with the song. Explain that even a smile can be an expression of love. Sing “Smiles” (Children’s Songbook, p. 267), and let the children show their biggest frowns and biggest smiles.


3. Bring six hats representing Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, Grandma, and Grandpa. Have the children sit in a circle and pass the hats from head to head while they sing “Here We Are Together” (Children’s Songbook, p. 261). Use the names in the song.


4. Ask an adult member of the ward to share with the children a note or letter they have received from a loved one and tell the children why it was important to them. Explain to the children how nice it is to receive a note of love and appreciation. Have the children create a card from construction paper to give to someone special.


5. Explain that just saying you love someone is not always enough. You must show him that you love him through your actions. Tell the children that there are many opportunities to serve family members every day. Have the children play Family Service Charades. In one bowl, have slips of paper with ideas for service. Have the child whose name you draw from the first bowl pull a slip from the second bowl and act out the service for the other children to guess. Possible service ideas: washing dishes, giving a hug, writing a letter, making a bed, playing a game with a younger child, making cookies, saying a prayer for someone, drawing a picture, smiling, picking up toys, getting the mail, setting the table, reading to a younger child, and washing the car.

Closing Prayer:

Treat: Heart-shaped Rice Krispie Treats

(from "The Friend" magazine)

Getting To Know Me

I am Roshella B. and am the leader for the meeting formerly known as Enrichment (We are now calling it the "Quarterly RS meeting). My husband, Arnie, and I have been in the ward for almost 5 years (when we built our first home). We have been married 6 years; we met online, which I never thought I would do!

I am the oldest of seven children and have 10 nieces and nephews that I have worked hard to spoil rotten (see family picture). When I married Arnie, I got even more (and 9 great-nephews & nieces!). I grew up in the Alief area; many people know my parents (Don & Theresa Hoyt) or siblings (Nathan, Dean, Nolan, Diana, and Dora - and they married into families that have also lived here forever. Their spouses are Jackie Rose, Bonnie Silva, and Steve Roosa, who grew up in Nottingham Country). They all live here in Houston, except for my youngest sister who lives in Washington D.C. My parents moved here from Louisiana when I was 4 years old, so Houston is home for me.

I have been a graphic designer for almost 20 years, but am currently unemployed (and still haven't cleaned all my closets like I thought I would!). I like to read and sew, but both are so time-consuming that I don't do them as often as I would like. My husband and I love to travel - even if it's just a short road trip on a Saturday. We also enjoy festivals, movies, and historical sites. We love to entertain (which usually means dinner and games). And, even though my husband is a professional chef, I do most of the cooking!

FYI - people in the ward I have known forever: Anne Skye and her family were in my ward when I was a child, and I remember that I loved to go to her house when she would babysit us (she was fun then, too!). Also, I've known Trudy Sarlls and Leigh Townsend for over 20 years - their dad went to the same high school as my dad. And Bill Hagen has been a friend of my parents since he was a very young man! I hope to continue to make many more long-lasting friendships in the Nottingham Country ward!

Greased Lightbox

→←+-↻

Loading image

Click anywhere to cancel

Image unavailable