Sunday, January 23, 2011

Troop 817 Champions!

Klondike Derby came and went this past weekend with our own Boy Scout Troop 817 reigning victorious in their competitions as well as surviving the cold night in their toasty, handmade snow caves.
 
Of the 6 events the boys competed in, they won first place in:
Fire-starting
Rope Rescue
and the Granddaddy....the Klondike Sled Race, where they beat the 2nd place team by 25 seconds!

Because they finished high in all events, they won as Overall Champions for the entire district, which includes dozens of troops!

The young men built snow caves to sleep in by night....



And competed in events by day....



Troop 817 showed that with tenacity, unity and team work, they can accomplish great and fun things.




Many thanks to leaders, Jake Green, Ty Bangerter, Steve Forsyth and Boyd Kanenwisher for helping the young men achieve success as well as keeping them warm and well fed.
Thank you also to Bishop Goldhardt for attending the Saturday competitions.

Congratulations Troop 817 of the Bloomington 7th Ward!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Southgate gets a Meetinghouse

An Open House for the new Southgate LDS Chapel for the Bloomington Stake, was held last Saturday, January 15th.  Our ward choir performed musical numbers for visitors taking tours from 1:00 - 1:30.






There was a lovely art display inside and the meetinghouse turned out beautifully.

Thank you to all those who participated.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Meet the Harbertsons

Robert (nicknamed "Bob") and Rene (with one "e") Harbertson are relative newlyweds, married just 11 years ago after both lost their spouse. Their blended families include a total of 10 sons and daughters (6 for her, 4 for him), 53 grandchildren and 41 greats! Snowbirds, who found their way to St. George "for the sunshine and to get away from the snow" divide their time between the northern Utah community of Farmington and their home in Bloomington.

In his college days, Bob had an outstanding basketball career and played at Utah State where he achieved Little All American honors. Perhaps that explains why, with what limited leisure time they have, the couple still seeks opportunities to enjoy sporting events, as well as plays, musicals and travel.

Although most of his life has been devoted to service to the Lord and the Church, Bob found time to establish THB, Inc., a manufacturer of wholesale industrial fasteners (i.e., nuts, bolts, screws, book rings and various other gidgets and gadgets) in north Salt Lake City. Rene was hired by Jeffrey R. Holland and worked 17 years for the deans of religion at BYU.

The Harbertsons, both born in Ogden in the same year, have extensive experience in Church leadership. He has served as a bishop, a member of the General Aaronic Priesthood Committee, a regional representative; and, with his first wife Norma (Rene’s close friend since 2nd grade), served as president of the California Fresno Mission and later as president of the Temple Square mission. He was also called to serve in the First and Second Quorum of the Seventy.

Sister Harbertson served more than 20 years in the Young Women program in four states, helping young women in Utah, Arizona, California . . . "and back to Utah again" in their efforts to "come unto Christ." In addition she served in various ward and stake Relief Society assignments. Together Bob and Rene also shared responsibilities as president and temple matron of the Winter Quarters Temple in Omaha, Nebraska; and were among the first missionaries called to serve during the public open house and for several months after the dedication of the Nauvoo Temple.

They are excited to begin spending more time in St. George. They have already made many new friendships and look forward to becoming an active part of the Ward.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

What They've Learned

While the Sappington's are preparing to leave the MTC for their mission in the West Indies, they've learned a few things or two.

Sappington's pictured in the center.  At the MTC in Provo, Utah

*Becoming fluent in a new language in a matter of a few short weeks is a common, ordinary miracle repeated hundreds of times every month.

*The teachers who have instructed us in our classwork were amazing!

*Dozens of acronyms (CES, PEF, ITEP, S&I, DTA, SMS or PMG) make up the language of the MTC.

*Being together 24/7 as companions is challenging...for both of us.

*Everyone smiles and says hello.

*All the young sisters and young elders are beautiful, courteous, enthusiastic, and friendly to the senior missionaries and are happy to be here.

*The food is usually delicious and abundant and served hot when it's supposed to be hot...and cold when it's supposed to be cold...three times a day / seven days a week (including ice cream on Wednesday and Friday).

*The bed in our teensy, tiny apartment is really, really small - after sleeping in a kingsized bed for most of our married life.

*We have quickly become friends with dozens of amazing "total strangers" in our class.

*We miss our kids and grandkids and pray for them every day.

*The campus seems very large especially when it is freeeeeezing cold outside.

*It really is possible to live without a big screen TV and Diet Coke at every meal.

*We will never assimilate into the population of the West Indies.

*A limited wardrobe becomes boring very quickly, even if it is "mix and match".

*Not having any "bling" (i.e., my diamond wedding ring, loop earrings and nail polish which we have been warned against bringing with us because of the high crime rate in our mission) is harder than I thought.

*Sunday shoes worn daily quickly become uncomfortable, but flat shoes are rarely cute or stylish.

*The organization of this worldwide church is amazing!!

*Regular and humble prayer strengthens me in many interesting ways.

*Giving up--even simple--bad habits is HARD to do!

*Being cold all the time is miserable.

*The scriptures - particularly the Book of Mormon - now speak to my heart in an entirely new way.

*The new Book of Mormon Seminary and Institute student teacher manuals are WONDERFUL!

*To my surprise, I believe I really could be a full-time proselyting missionary.

*With all the classes, devotionals, firesides and other activities...time is going very quickly.

*6 a.m. comes a lot sooner than it used to.

*When we GET it, FEEL it, LOVE it, and LIVE it...we are about our Father's business!

*We still have lots of questions, but I wish EVERYONE could have the MTC experience...because the gospel is true.  IT IS ALL TRUE!

To see more of the Sappington's exciting adventure in the West Indies, go to:
www.sappingtonmission.blogspot.com

Sunday, January 9, 2011

In Memory of Norman Winfred Lee

As taken from the St. George Spectrum, the words of Bro. Lees' wife, Sis Merilee Lee:

"Precious companion, Norman Winfred Lee, of 32 years, the time came for you to return home, at the age of 83 years, and I've finally accepted that I can't go with you.  I can just imagine the welcome you received there in heaven, by your parents:  Vernon Otho and Alice Thomas Lee.

Being their only child, they were so delighted when you were born 2/16/27 in Terra Bella, CA.  I have so enjoyed having you home with me, with the help of Southern Utah Hospice.  What an example you were as you laid in that bed for a year and allowed me to keep you close.  Your marriage to Vyondelle Byrd, which ended in divorce, gave you your wonderful children:  Ron (Sara) Lee and Laurie (Jim) Ross.  In January 1978 we, Merilee Bunce Hash, & Cassandra Hash, were sealed in the Oakland, CA temple.  You then became the Stepfather to Martin (Gwynne) Hash; Marshall (Liza) Hash; and helped raise Cassandra (Steven) Sappington.  From these five children, you have a posterity of 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.  

We moved to St. George in 1979, which was a wonderful move for us.  You were always a highly energetic man, newspaper distributor of newspapers in California and was able to take over the distributorship of the Salt Lake newspapers in the St. George area.  You've been in the produce business since you were in high school and once again got into the fruit and vegetable business here as "Norman Lee Produce."

Joining the LDS Church as an adult, changed your life.  The high moral standard that you set for yourself was such an example you became known as "Preacher Lee" on the produce docks. Filling all priesthood positions with true devotion brought you much joy.

With your determination to be here for me, knowing how much I needed you, you patiently endured many health trials being victorious over pancreatic cancer in 2001.  At 10:52 pm, New Year's Eve, at our home in St. George, the angels came for you.

How you appreciated all the love you received from Dr. Douglas Callahan, SU Hospice and loving family, friends and neighbors."

The funeral services were held Saturday, 8th January 2011 at 2 pm at the Mulberry Chapel, 3381 Mulberry Dr., St. George, UT.

Our hearts and prayers go out to Sis. Lee and her family at this time.  We mourn the loss with them, of their beloved Husband, Father and Friend.  We admire Sis. Lee's strength as she lovingly attended to her husband's needs this past year.

'Till We Meet Again, 'Preacher Lee'.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

The Youth...Iceskating through 2011...

The first joint activity for the YM/YW of 2011 was an evening at the Dixie Sun Bowl, where the youth laced up their skates and demonstrated their skills on the ice.




Activities like these can help strengthen the relationship between the Young Men and Young Women and gives them wholesome recreational experiences.

One young woman was quoted as saying, "It was the funnest activity I've been to!"

Thanks to those who planned and made this activity happen.