Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Farewell to Elder Adam Clarke




Elder Adam Clarke, son of Lee and Denise Clarke, left today for "the best two years" of his life.  After two weeks in the MTC - where today he no doubt enjoyed the traditional pizza and ice cream served in honor of incoming missionaries . . . and all the chocolate milk he can drink - he will travel to his field of service in the Arizona Mesa Mission.  He had hoped for a mission to an exotic location somewhere in the wide world, but knows the Lord has prepared those who will accept the message of the gospel from this outstanding young man.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Elder Clarke!

Elder Adam Clarke, son of                                 , entered the MTC in Provo today . . . just in time for pizza, ice cream (served traditionally each Wednesday when all the incoming missionaries arrive) and all the hot cocoa he can drink.  He will spend about two weeks in final preparations for his service to the Lord’s children in the Arizona Mesa Mission. 

Elder Adam Clarke, son of                                 , entered the MTC in Provo today . . . just in time for pizza, ice cream (served traditionally each Wednesday when all the incoming missionaries arrive) and all the hot cocoa he can drink.  He will spend about two weeks in final preparations for his service to the Lord’s children in the Arizona Mesa Mission. 

Elder Adam Clarke, son of                                 , entered the MTC in Provo today . . . just in time for pizza, ice cream (served traditionally each Wednesday when all the incoming missionaries arrive) and all the hot cocoa he can drink.  He will spend about two weeks in final preparations for his service to the Lord’s children in the Arizona Mesa Mission. 

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Ivie is the Ward's Newest Member

Ivie Noelle Forsyth was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church by her father Steven on Saturday, December 29, 2012.  At the Bloomington Stake Center, where this important ordinance was performed, she was surrounded by loving family members, friends, and ward members. Ivie wishes to thank all who came to support her. It was made really special to have her two oldest brothers act as witnesses and stand in the confirmation circle.

Ivie is the 8th of 10 children of Steve and Tina Forsyth, and the 3rd and last daughter to be baptized. Ivie loves being a girl and doing girly things, but can definitely hold her own with the boys. Some of her favorite activities are helping take care of her baby brother, Ronan, cooking anything (and everything) in the kitchen and performing on stage. She has been playing in her mother's flour bucket since she was old enough to pull herself up to stand, and has been playing in her mother's musicals since she could talk... and, boy, can she talk!

Ivie was recently seen onstage this Christmas in the Dickens Festival, performing as a pickpocket; orphan in "Oliver" and as a town's person in "Scrooged". She also had a principal role in "Samantha: A Christmas For All", a one-act play written by her mother just for her and her book club friends. Ivie is homeschooled and participates in an American Girls book club with many of her home school friends. She just finished reading the Samantha series and is looking forward to reading the Felicity and Caroline books which she received for Christmas, focusing on the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.

Ivie is very excited to attend Activity Days with other Primary girls her age. 

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Catching Up: Meet the Deavers

James and Heidi Deaver, one of the newest families in the Bloomington 7th Ward, have lived in St. George for awhile but are new to Bloomington. “We actually just moved from one side of St. George to the other” and both say they really love this neighborhood.

James, a diesel mechanic with Southwest Diesel Service, enjoys fixing things and watching cartoons with his little girls – 3-year-old Violet and 13-month-old Gemma – when he has time to do so. Heidi, a stay-at-home mom and Pinterest addict, loves reading and crafts but would like to find employment as a Special Education or English teacher in the summer.
Violet loves make-up, books, and princess stuff (her current favorite is Princess Jasmine). Baby Gemma loves exploring and terrorizing her big sister!
When Heidi first met James, he was not a member and Heidi had not been active in the Church for several years. Thinking back on it, Heidi notes, “I never imagined dating him would bring both of us to the church. While visiting out-of-town family members I noticed a stark difference in the way I felt in their homes. One family, who is not LDS, was in chaos and disorder, but the other family was peaceful and harmonious. I joined in their Family Home evening one night and I couldn’t help but wonder if the church had anything to do with the feelings I had in their home. I wanted our soon-to-be-family to have that same feeling in our home so I contacted an LDS neighbor and asked her to contact the missionaries for us. Soon after, James and I were married and he was baptized. Our lives are forever changed knowing our family will now be raised with the spirit of the Lord in our home. “
The Deavers “would like to thank everyone who has been so helpful through our recent trials. So much hit us when we moved here it was overwhelming, but this ward has wrapped their arms around us and made us not only feel welcomed, but loved. We can’t wait to get to know each and every one of you and appreciate all you have done for us!”
Welcome to the Bloomington 7th Ward, Deavers. We love you, too!