Deaf Branch Conference

Our Branch Conference began Friday night, September 17. We had about 75 people register for this year's conference. Participants started arriving around 4:30 and checked in to receive their T-shirts.  We all enjoyed socializing and then ate a wonderful meal catered by Staheli catering.  Joyanne Burdette was our keynote speaker and delivered a powerful message and testimony followed by a game directed by Ron Burdette.  Everyone was laughing and joking and learning at the same time as we tried putting church history events in their proper chronological order.

Our conference continued on Saturday September 18 bright and early at 7:30 a.m. for those who wanted to participate in the hike on the Temple Quarry Trail.  Danny Radford led the way and stopped us along the path to explain how the pioneers used the lava rock for the foundation of the St. George temple.  You can see holes in the rocks from the dynamite the settlers used to blast the rocks apart and then they had to drag the enormous rocks with a wagon down to the temple site.  The trail is a unique hike with incredible views and a fascinating history.  The pioneers sacrificed so much to build a temple here.

For the rest of the pictures go to our Deaf Branch Blog.

After the hike we were treated to a presentation given by Brett and Ericka Hymas.  Dressed in pioneer attire, they shared poignant stories about the sacrifices the pioneers endured and the faith they had to follow a prophet of God.  They had faith to consecrate all they had in order to build the temple, starting with the foundation.  Do we have the same determination, faith, and foundation in Jesus Christ today?

 After the temple quarry we headed over to the visitor's center annex where the group was taught by various members of our branch both inside and outside.   Group leaders that taught the lessons included John Lampe, Jackie Brown, Steve Christensen, and Chad Bonny.

 

After the Visitor's Center we all went back to the Seminary building for lunch that was provided by the Relief Society (thank you Bonnie Christensen for all your hard work!).  Then the group toured the Brigham Young home.  Our deaf branch tour directors were Pat Lein and Stephen Peterson (for the inside of the home) and Von and Betty Jones for the outside of the home.

Saturday night we enjoyed a yummy turkey dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, salad, and rolls, and apple crisp and vanilla ice-cream for dessert.  Then Danelle Lampe gave out some humorous awards to different members of the group.  We all had a big laugh guessing which people that she was mimicking!  Then President Jensen expressed appreciation for everyone who helped make the Branch Conference a success.  He also called up Liz Perkins to give her a special "thank you" since she put in many many hours keeping track of the entire registration process for the conference.  She was awarded a giant picture of the St. George temple and she and Dave received two participant T-shirts that were decorated by some of the youth in our branch.  We ended the evening with an inspirational ASL temple session.

We ended our Deaf Branch Conference with our regular church meetings on Sunday.  It was so neat to see so many people attend church!  It gave us all a vision of what this little branch could become.  The lessons were wonderful.  For Sacrament meeting the Branch Presidency called different members and visitors to come share their testimonies.  The spirit was strong and it was an amazing meeting.  We finished off with a potluck after church where everyone could gather and eat and socialize to their hearts (and hands) content!  THANK YOU so much to everyone who helped make this year's branch conference a success!  Also, a big thank you to those of you who traveled to attend.  We will see you in two years! 

Scout 100 Year Celebration

Jase and Jared both went to the Scout 100 Year Celebration that was held in the Washington Fair Grounds.  From what I heard there were about 10,000 scouts there!  They went to different classes and workshops all day long and ended the evening with a broadcast from President Monson and fireworks. 

Cowboy Day!

Doesn't Josh look cute in his little cowboy outfit?  I was just looking at my blog book from last year and noticed his little cowboy picture.  He looks so much more grown up this year!   

Reflections

Jared, Janelle, and Jaiden all entered the Reflections contest in their elementary school.  This year's theme  theme is "Together We Can."  Jared (fifth grade) put for his title, "Together We Can Make The World a Better Place."  He did a 3D construction out of clay of a clean lake and a dirty lake. Janelle (second grade) had for her title, "Together We Can Read."  She wrote and illustrated a really cute story about a panda bear on his first day of school and how he was so nervous but then ended up loving it. She also entered a drawing under Visual Arts of a teacher with several pupils (all cute animals)!

Jaiden (first grade) drew and colored a picture of Thing One and Thing Two from "The Cat in the Hat."  I am proud of all of them for entering.  Tonight was the Award's night where we got to see everyone's projects.  All of the participants got a bag of candy and prizes.  Both of Janelle's entries won in the top three and so she proudly walked away with two big medals.  Her entries will continue on in the district level.  Way to go kids! 

Jaiden wrote: "I like reading The Cat and the Hat" because Thing One and Thing Two are wild and crazy! 

Toads

We have toads living under our in-ground tramp.  Let's see, there is Cutie, Crazy, Heidi (actually Jaiden told me it is spelled "Hide-ee" because she always hides), Pogo, Walter, (I'll have to ask Jaiden the rest of the names when she gets back from school).  Jaiden and Josh go underneath the tramp and play with the toads everyday.  Jenna has wanted to join the fun and so I have put her under there several times too.  Yesterday she was sitting in the wet dirt with a bucket of water between her legs and a toad in each hand.  I hope she doesn't squish them!  I found some pictures of Madison and Janika with the frogs on my camera today (Apparently they are trying to get their handsome princes to appear by kissing one of them...)

Actors wanted for LDS Motion Picture

Rick noticed this little blurb on the LDS website: "A film project re-creating important stories from the New Testament is now in production, and the LDS Motion Picture Studio is looking for actors." Learn More

Of course he was really excited about this opportunity. So he pulled out the camera and took head-shots of the four oldest and sent them in along with resumes (including one for himself of course). He asked me if I wanted to apply (not really thanks -- I still have a toddler and pre-schooler to care for). But nobody in our family has the dark hair, eyes, and skin color that they are looking for, to portray realistic biblical people. But he is applying anyway. Perhaps they can do their magic with make-up, hair dye, and colored contacts. Regardless of whether or not they get in, at least we have some cute spontaneous head shots!