Thanksgiving Decorations: 2013

Sheri and Miranda make the switch from Halloween to Thanksgiving decorations very simple.  She removes the scary Halloween stuff, Jack o'lanterns, witches, ghosts, etc., but leaves the pumpkins and autumn leaves.  She then adds some turkeys, and this year other birds, and there you have our Thanksgiving decor.

Primary Presentation: Angel Singers

Tony was my little singer in church today.  I always love the primary (children's) presentation which is an annual event.  The primary did an excellent job, and the songs were well presented.  They combined smaller groups with the entire group on a couple songs, such as the baptism song, they used ASL on a couple songs, such as "I Am a Child of God."  This was very effective.  I don't know who taught them, but it appeared they learned well.  They reading parts were also well done.  One of the highlights was Maddie telling the story of her own baptism and then the baptism of her father the following day.  This was a special event in our ward, and reciting it with the primary program helped us all remember the emotions.  Maddie related how her father had felt the spirit at her own baptism, and decided the next day he should also be baptized.  She remembered how happy she was when he told her.  Kudos to the Northland Ward Primary.  They are about thirty children, but sounded like angels today.

Member Missionary 6: Our Responsibility

http://billywardlegen.blogspot.com/2013/10/three-missionary-letters-to-isaac-from.html

As I transcribed some correspondence between a member and my great-great grandfather when he was serving a mission in England, the member reporting on his efforts, it got me thinking about the history of member missionary efforts.  From the earliest days of the church, growth came by introducing friends and family to the missionaries. Here are a couple quotes from today's Sunday school lesson:
President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “My brethren and sisters, we can let the missionaries try to do it alone, or we can help them. If they do it alone, they will knock on doors day after day and the harvest will be meager. Or as members we can assist them in finding and teaching investigators” (“Find the Lambs, Feed the Sheep,” Ensign, May 1999, 107).
http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-07-074-those-warned-must-warn-others?category=doctrine-and-covenants/section-85-section-119&&lang=eng
President Kimball also said: “Our great need, and our great calling, is to bring to the people of this world the candle of understanding to light their way out of obscurity and darkness and into the joy, peace, and truths of the gospel. I believe we must not weary in our well-doing. I believe it is time again to ask ourselves the question, what can I do to help take the gospel to others and to the inhabitants of the world?” (“Are We Doing All We Can?” Ensign, Feb. 1983, 5).
There is great joy in sharing the gospel, true there is a little fear, but if we step out with faith, God will send angels to assist, and He will be on our right hand and our left hand.
I wish you great peace and joy in touching the hearts of others.

Life in Manteca 81: Sister Thomas' Husband Passes Away and Criminal Behavior

Sister Thomas' husband is younger than I, yet he passed away suddenly from a heart attack.  Sister Thomas often substitutes as chorister and is in the ward choir where she sings tenor.
Bishop asked me to sing "Amazing Grace."  I always like to sing, and I did better with this song than I did for the stake Broadway review.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.


Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

I really liked the last verse, and sang it softer for effect.

Now for a different topic.  I am bringing this up so we can all be aware and on the lookout.  Sheri and April walk together, and have noticed holes by the light posts.  Yesterday they saw a city crew repairing the damage and asked them what was up.  Turns out people have been trying to break into the control center for the street lamps and steal the copper.  They rarely actually get to the copper, and cause expensive damage.  If they actually do get anything it is maybe $100 worth, causing $2000 damage in the meantime.  All of us pay for the damage the inflict, so we should be on the look out.  They also put the community in danger from dark street lamps.

They usually don't get through, just cause damage

$2000 damage

Last topic, our neighborhood is changing.  The residential area is filling in with houses.  Use to be you could walk cross country, but not any more.  Too many houses.  We also have a new subdivision going in behind us.  Fortunately there are plenty of parks as well.

All new houses in the last couple months

Mal Educado #2 (Bad Manners)

http://billywardlefamily.blogspot.com/2011/11/mal-educado-bad-manners.html

I previously wrote a blog on this topic a couple years ago, but something that happened on the bus this week brings back the topic.  I was on the bus, standing because I only go a couple stops, and because it was crowded.  A mother carrying an infant boards the bus, and no one stands.  There was a man, probably about thirty sitting comfortable.  I must admit I stared at him wondering why he didn't offer his seat.  A young lady stood up and the lady was able to sit down.  Maybe I kept looking at him, because he got my attention and pointed to sort of a half seat that was available.  I indicated I was fine, but I wonder about people sometimes.  Maybe we need the rule written down, but so let me state clearly, if a woman boards the bus with a child in tow, in her arms or is pregnant, and the bus is crowded, please give your seat, don't make her ask.  
I went for a walk today, going past Tony's school.  There were at least four dog piles on the sidewalk, I wonder about people sometimes.
That's enough for my complaining.