Central 1st Ward Newsletter Feb 2015

When you can see the Temple you are Never lost!

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My dear Brothers and Sisters,! I am always excited for General Conference. It is an opportunity to hear from those who have been called as the general leadership of the Church. I am always impressed with their spiritual insight and wisdom as they speak to us, directed by the Spirit. In looking at the last General Conference report I turned to the topic index to see what was taught. The number one topic was Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. This was by far the most referred to topic, showing 19 references from the messages that were delivered. The second was the Atonement, with testimony, discipleship and agency being tied for third.! Often in President Monson’s final remarks, as did President Hinckley, he tells us the messages delivered were what the Lord desired for us to hear and

encourage us to read them again and again for our benefit. ! These topics caused me to think about our recently returned missionaries who shared their experiences of inviting people to “Come unto Christ” and how this all fits. I think of those currently serving who are doing the same, testifying of Jesus Chris and His Atonement. They are doing it because they love Him and His children. Because of this, I am not surprised that the message of our leaders this last October was first of Jesus Christ, second of His mission and Atonement and third discipleship and the gift of agency. ! I am so grateful for our inspired leaders, from President Monson, our Stake leaders, to our beloved Bishop, who loves us. All of them continually share their testimony that this is the Lord’s work, His Atonement is for all who will follow Him. I too express my love for each of you and my testimony that this is His work and He desires nothing but the best for each of us, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love, Brother McCormies

Central NewsC e n t r a l 1st W a r d C e n t r a l 1st W a r d

A place where friends and family meet to uplift one another in the Central 1st Ward of the Pima Stake of the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints

A Monthly Newsletter Issue #46--February 2015

Our Amazing YouthCave Exploringand hockey game

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Message from the Bishopric

Brother Jeff McCormies 1st Councilor

Ward CouncilWe are always thankful to those people who serve so willingly

Upcoming EventsFebruary 10- Stake Relief Society @6:30

February 14 - Valentines Day

February 17- Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet 6:30

February 20 Stake Girls Activity Day

Missionary Corner

Hermana Jessica Greer

Welcome to the Ward

Davis Family

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Primary ChildrenBaptism Pinewood Derby Activity Days

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Announcements:C e n t r a l 1st W a r d

Welcome home Sister Tyleah Windsor!

Sister Windsor will be returning home from the Guatemala Quetzaltenango Mission on February 19th, just a few short days away! We look forward to seeing her and hearing her homecoming talk.

! Every year the cubs get out the wood, wheels and graphite to make a derby car that they race on the tried and true race track of years gone by. Each boy prepares for weeks by sanding and decorating their own version of a wooden race car. This year’s race was an exciting event with the boys all having a great time. Scout leader, Sister Renee Layton said, “The theme was positive attitude and

the boys demonstrated that all evening by supporting and cheering each other on. The funnest race was when the two Rileys, Riley Alder and Riley Flowers, raced each other. We all yelled ‘Go Riley!’ and ‘We want Riley to win!!” It was a great evening with lots of fun and great competition!! our boys and dads showed lots of talent and skills with their cars!”! Jacob Flowers took 1st place overall, Benjamin Knight took 2nd, and Riley Alder took 3rd.

Primary Children

Story submitted by - Mom Clarisse Mulleneaux

Gavin Mulleneaux is Baptized

! Gavin Scott Mulleneaux was baptized on January 4, 2015. It was such a special day for Gavin, he was so excited he couldn't even eat dinner beforehand. Gavin picked the whole program right down to singing "Joy To The World." Gavin says it was such a blessing to be baptized and he really loved it. He said he felt really clean afterwards. A highlight for the family was seeing him burst through the doors after changing his clothes from his baptism, he had the biggest smile on his face! Gavin said he wants people to know that he knows that God lives, that he likes to read the Book of Mormon with his family, and that  he loves his family and friends, and that he knows the church is true. Gavin with his family

Scott and Clarisse - Cole, Gavin, and Sam

Support our ScoutsFlag Posting Fundraiser

Our scouts are preparing for a fantastic fund raiser to help pay for scout camp and gear. They are offering a flag posting service for your home. They will come to your home and place a 12” PVC sleeve in the front yard. On eight holidays throughout the year, they will come in the morning and post a 3’x5’ flag. They will also come in the evening, remove and store the flag for the next holiday!

How great is that?! Our community is sure to look so patriotic! ! The cost will be an annual charge of only $40.00. Please take advantage of this great service. not only will you get the ease of display and storage of the flag, but you will be helping all of the boys to go to scout camp. Contact Brother Bill Windsor @ 965-or Brother Bill Allred @319-for further information. The boys will be coming around to homes with fliers as well.

Central 1st Ward Relief Society has a facebook page--

Sister Carol Parris keeps us all up to date with upcoming events and fun recipes and thoughts. if you have a facebook page, just ask to join and you will get all of the info!

--Sister Amber Richards posted about a Temple Nursery that is available for those in the area that might be interested in joining in babysitting and attending the temple. The page is: facebook.com/events/318902514976274. Check out the Temple Nursery page if you are interested

Courtney Cook and Jeremy Gillette

Jacob Flowers with his trophy

Congratulations to Courtney Cook! She will be getting married to Jeremy Gillette from St. David on February 21st in the Gila Valley Temple. Courtney is the daughter of Chris and Julie Cook.Courtney and Jeremy met at the EAC institute. He went on a mission to the Phillipines then came

home and met our cute Courtney.! Congratulations and we send our best wishes to them!

Hello from the Davis Family. We are so excited to be in this ward and in this wonderful Gila Valley, specifically Central, AZ. We have moved A LOT of times and are really hopeful that this is our landing spot! We just moved from Flagstaff, AZ and this is the perfect time of the year to do it! We just missed the cold and came to beautiful weather, minus the scorpions!Dallas (the Dad) is a PT by day and an entrepreneur by night. He has a mind that is always three steps ahead. He buys and sells, he fixes up homes, he redoes old things. He says he is a jack of all trades a master of none, but we think he’s pretty great at just about anything he tries. He likes to play basketball and is excited about the church ball here but beware he’s definitely a defensive player.Jaymi (the mom) is a stay at home mom. I enjoy playing with the kiddos a lot more than doing the house chores so beware when you make an appearance at our house. I enjoy crafty things and an

occasional run. --Sydney (10). Is a sweetheart. Lots of people have told us she has an old spirit. She is thoughtful, kind and helpful, great for being the first child. She LOVES to sing and is “all girl” but she loves sports and being with her Dad. She is usually willing to try anything. --Kenady (8) is our loving child, no smashing spiders around our house you have to take them outside (she decided scorpions smashings okay). She loves animals and is just plain happy with life. --Kaden (5) is our social butterfly. He constantly asks to play with someone, really like every five minutes. And has no fear, you may find him in your house one day sitting on the couch with a cookie patiently waiting for your return. (He’s been in trouble multiple times for doing something like this, but to no avail). But he has a heart of gold, he is very smart and uber cute to make up for it. --Garrett (2) Is our little joy. He is always smiling, he parrots everything we say and he potty trained himself right at 2. ! Together we love to play games, watch our traditional Friday night movie, and have the occasional quarreling, only occasional though. We cant wait to get to know all of you!

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Food Drive

Happy cub scouts with their collected cans of food

Article submitted by Sister Stephanie Johnson

The cub scouts and their leaders have been very busy these past few months. In November, the cub scouts went door-to-door and collected 198 cans of food to donate! We are thankful for our scouts and their leaders!!! The boys felt the joy of helping those in need. It was a great experience.

Cub Scouts and Families, Mark your Calendar--

“Abracadabra”Blue and Gold Banquet

February 17th

Magic is in the air, with a live magician scheduled for attendance. This is one activity you wont want to miss!

-Be sure to take a few pictures for the newsletter......

Activity DaysLove Bugs!--

The Activity Day girls are always having a good time and this month is no exception. On Tuesday the 27th, the girls made cute little “Love Bugs” and decorated cookies and themselves with frosting!

Aren’t they just the cutest girls ever?

Hermana Jessica Greer daughter of Vinson and Sherrie Greer is serving in the Quito Ecuador Mission. She loves the people, she loves her companions, she loves the beautiful green landscape, she loves serving the Lord. She also loves the Ecuadorian pastries but isn't too fond of eating things like chicken feet and cow stomach:) Here are a few excerpts from recent letters.! "So let's start with the very best part of my day first. I saw an elder from my old ward who let me in on all the gossip..and guess what??? Okay I`ll tell you. Remember the Familia Arias? If not, they`re this great family that we found knocking doors , and I love them, but only the wife and the daughter came to church a couple of times. Well this family, who is wonderful, THEY GOT BAPTIZED!!! whoo!! All four of them.They super strong in the church. And are excited to get callings.! Wow. It's the best. ! ! The time I felt the spirit the most was probably when we were teaching two less active members, Luisa and Paulina. Luisa used to be relief society president, and her husband the bishop, but she hasn´t been back to church since she and her husband got divorced. (a long, long time ago). We were teaching and my mind was racing to think of what we could teach her. We were going to teach 3rd Nephi 18, but I don´t know, I felt like she needed something else but I didn´t know what it was. When it was our turn to talk I was about to start talking about the sacrament when all of the sudden I started talking about the judgement and the celestial kingdom and how we need to follow Christ and we need to keep his commandments in order to live with God again. Then I knew we needed to share 2nd Nephi 9 with them about the atonement and faith and repentance. The spirit was so strong, and Luisa and Paulina felt something. I know it. I am thankful for the Holy Ghost in missionary work. ! I love this gospel. I really do. I´m not just saying that because I´m a missionary and that's what missionaries are supposed to say. When days are rough, always remember the love that God has for you. The small things in our testimonies make the biggest difference. Be strong and of Good courage. Be not afraid and stand firm in the faith. I know that God is with you where ever you go. Because he loves you. I love you all so much.

Missionary CornerHermana Jessica Greer

Welcome to the WardThe Dallas Davis Family

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Priest and Laurel Activity

Cave Exploring and Ice Cats

Dallin McCormies, Gavin Windsor, and Travis Skinner are

muddy after climbing in the Cave

Shelbey Hughes, Dallin, Travis and Gavin in the cave

Jared Layton, Jaycie Brimhall, Hayley

Greer, Beth Pursley Brother Pursley in the

Background

C e n t r a l 1st W a r d

February 4-D&P- Cody Larson Eagle ProjectT-EAC B-Ball GameAll YW- Movie Night

February 11--Tri-Stake Valentine Dance @ Pima 12-13 Pima Chapel- 14-18 PSC February 14 ---Baptisms

February 18--Combined Activity- Big Volleyball- Laurels Host February 24 -- D-Prep for Campout- on 27-28thT&M-Archery with Mia MaidsB- Fitness NightP/L- Speed Dating- combined with P2 & C2 

Up Coming Activities

Brother Parker Merrill in the cave

Last week the Priests and Laurels had their annual cave exploring and ice hockey activity in Tucson. The youth look forward to this event all year long. They left in the morning and drove to the thriving metropolis of Oracle, AZ and went to Peppersauce cave. The cave does not require rope climbing, but being able to crawl on your stomach through tight spaces is a necessity at some points. There is a small lake inside that many people swim in, but our youth did not take the plunge this year.! The hockey game was also exciting. Ice hockey is not a sport that many people in Arizona get to watch or participate in, so it was fun to introduce the youth to what many people around the North really enjoy. But that being said, the sunny, warm Ar izona Wildcats stomped the University of Utah. Go CATS!!

Our AmazingYouth

Tristie-Shelby-Sarah-Chrsitiana-Hailey-Jaycie-BethMichelle-Sherrie

Snow Camp outThere wasn’t a lot of snow, but there was enough for a good time up on the mountain. The Deacons braved the cold weather and headed up to the mountain for a camp out and morning of sledding on the small patch of snow that they could find. They are CRAZY!!

Yummy Treats

The Beehives had a fun cake/cupcake decorating activity this past month. Brynlee Norton and Marissa Launer brought the cake and Eliana Windsor brought the super yummy frosting. The girls added color to the frosting and made some really cool creations!

Article by Sister Amy Allred