OPERATION COMPASSION

On Saturday morning you should have received a list of items that can be donated to a group of soldiers in Iraq. This is what the letter said:

Dear Friends,
There is a small group of soldiers in Iraq that could use a little ehlp. Their living conditions are repulsive (think plywood, decay, and rodent/snakes everywhere) and their supply of food leaves MUCH to be desired. Yet through it all, this group of 50 of our country's sons and daughters has been an example to those around them. After a recent visit to their camp, one of their fellow soldiers, Dru Lemke, had this to say, "Despite all the bad amenities the Soldiers were in good spirits. They work hard, have success in their missions, and were upbeat. This is a profound example to me about the power of choosing a good attitude despite your situation."

While we can't do anything about their living conditions, we CAN help them have a taste of home. Here are a few things their fellow soldiers have suggested:

Dried soup mixes
canned vegetable and fruits
dried fruits
cans of chicken
gravy mixes
pancake mix add water
instant potatoes
canned chips
jerky
No bake cheesecakes
########, Ho Ho's and Ding Dongs

These are just suggestions, feel free to add any appropriate, nonperishable items you think would provide a taste of home. Please no homemade baked goods that will perish in the three weeks it may take the packages to arrive.

In addition to food items, we could also use monetary donations to get the packages to the soldiers...

Donation instructions:

If you could leave your donation outside your door on Tuesday November 30th, the Boyscouts and Youth of the American fork Fifth Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will be picking up the donations between the times of 5:00 and 7:00 pm.

If you cannot donate this time, prayers are always appreciated also.

Thank you in advance for your kindness,

Sincerely,
The Lemke Family and
The McQuivey Family

If you have any questions regarding the donations, please call Craig or Deann Lemke or Travis and Sherry McQuivey

HUMANITARIAN FOR ZIMBABWE

Our Stake has been given a unique opportunity to provide some special humanitarian aide to the people of Zimbabwe. In a letter that was given to me it states, "Once one of the wealthiest nations in sub-Saharan Africa, Zimbabwe has experienced a profound political, social, and economic crisis since the late 1990's, which has led to rising levels of peverty, the fastest shrinking economy in the world, and a critical humanitarian situation. In 2008, problems in Zimbabwe reached crisis proportions in the areas of living standards, public health and various public considerations. They experienced a major cholera outbreak in December of 2008. The amount of time a Zimbabwean citizen is expected to live healthily at birth is 34 years old for males and 33 years old for females. The infant mortality rate is 81 deaths per 1000 live births. Yet there is hope for this country. We can do so much to improve their lives by sharing what we have."
Each auxillary in the ward has been given a few "suggested" items. You can contact the leaders of the auxilliaries if you need to know what your children or youth are supposed to donate.
Each sister in the ward has been asked to donate 2 specific things if you can:

Sisters under the age of 50- laundry soap (I'm thinking this is like felsnaptha or a bar of laundry soap and not liquid or powder.) and a can of tuna in OIL.

Sisters age 50 and over-hand soap/bar soap and a pair of reading glasses-any strength.

Here is a list of other items that you can donate:

Books, bibles especially as the African people have a great reverence and respect for the Lords word.
Water Purification tablets and purification bottles
Baby formula, for mom's with HIV to feed their babies and bottles
New Born kits
School kits
Hygiene kits
Notebooks to write in
Pens
Clothing, babies, children/teen etc.
Primary children's church clothing
Missionary clothing for elders: white shirts, ties, suits, shoes, backpacks, belts, sweaters.
Missionary clothing for Sister Missionaries: dresses, skirts, tops, sweaters, shoes.
Antiseptic soap/bar soap
First aid kits (however, NO MEDICINES) bandages/band-aids, splints, gauze, tape, etc.
Seeds, non-hybrid
Towels
Blankets, flat sheets
Underwear
Sweaters
Socks
Shoes
Hats, any type
Toys/balls

**They prefer Cotton clothing as they do live in a warmer climate**
Please take your donations to Barbara Kemp's house 365 Orchard Ave (across from the back of the church) before Monday Nov. 22. She will have a box or bag at her front entrance if she is not home. Make sure you sign your name in the notebook or put a picture of yourself or family. This notebook will be sent to Zimbabwe.

If you have any questions please call a member of the Relief Society Presidency. Thank you for your service Sisters!!

VETERANS DAY

Many thanks to those who have served our country and continue to serve our country in the many various ways that it needs to be protected. Not only fighting in wars but also standing for what's right. Especially during these perilous times when not only are we fighting the temporal terrorists but also the spiritual ones. Satan is in full force with his minions and we are all at war! As you think about all of the freedoms you enjoy today and how some of those freedoms are being threatened, think also of the men and women who died to give us a better life and make this country the promised land that it is. Not only soldiers but Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith and countless other Saints. And of course our Savior who died that we all may have our free agency and be able to repent when we did not use that agency wisely.
Stay "true to the faith that our parents have cherished, true to the truth for which martyrs have perished, to God's command, soul, heart, and hand, Faithful and true we will ever stand!"
(Hymn #254 True to the Faith)

Being a Disciple of Christ

Sis. Jan Chamberlin gave the Presidency Message this month. She started out by asking what we thought it meant to be a disciple of Christ. Some of the answers included being an example, sharing the gospel, standing as a witness for Him. The Bible Dictionary defines it as being a pupil or learner. So in that context we can say that we are pupils of Jesus Christ.
Jan recalled the lesson that Sis. Kemp gave last month about judging others and she asked why it's so hard to not judge others. The consensus among the sisters was that it's human nature to judge others and sometimes we do it without realizing it. We also discussed the difference being judgmental and making a judgment. We must assess every situation with some judgements for our own safety and well being, but being rude to others or dismissing them or classifying them as a particular thing is being judgmental. We need to see others as the Savior sees them.
Jan had us look up a fantastic scripture about the Spirit and how we should live our lives. Galatian 5:22-26 "But the fruit of the Spirit is lovem joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another." I loved this scripture and need to put it on my wall to remind me how I need to treat others and the feelings I want to have in my home.
Jan concluded her lesson by sharing another great scripture and bearing her testimony through a wonderful song. I'll try to get the words from her so I can post them because it had a great message and really brought the lesson together. The scripture is found in John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
This was a great lesson to remind us that we are pupils of the Savior constantly learning and following his example. Think of the many ways that you can be a disciple of Christ this week and act upon those thoughts!