Presidency Message

November 2016

As each day passes, we witness untold conflicts and perils all around us.   These distracting and offensive things are a prophesied part of the times we live in.  We have been warned about these times through the scriptures and our prophets, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that terrible things are happening, but it is still very disconcerting to live through so much evil all around us.  And to top it off, we have also been warned that in the last days even the “very elect … according to the covenant” will be deceived. Those of the covenant include the sisters of this Church who have been baptized and made covenants with their Heavenly Father. Even we are at risk of being deceived by false teachings.

The good news is that even though there is so much evil, there is also increased light and truth.  It also encircles us, and it is there for the choosing and grasping.

It is becoming a necessity that we live in such a way to have the Holy Ghost as our constant companion.  The Sacrament becomes ever more important, as we recommit each week to DO certain things, so that we can HAVE certain things, i.e., keep the commandments so we can have His spirit always.  We need to be praying for the gift of discernment so we can navigate the upside down world of good being called evil, and evil, good.  We need to stand in holy places so we can tell the difference when we’re not.  We need to acknowledge that we will not always, every single day, be strong.  We need to lean on others we trust during those times, and then when we are strong, lift those around us who weakened.  We need to find joy each day, because it is there!  But if we don’t look for it we can get overwhelmed by negativity and not realize the joyful moments.  We also need to realize that we need to set examples for those coming behind us.  They need us to teach by our actions, not just our words.  They need to know we have struggled, but we have also found our answers.

I know that we can overcome anything when we put our trust in God.  We are the elect, according to the covenant, and with that comes great promises!  We can be armed with God’s power, and His name can be upon us, His glory round about us, and His angels can have charge over us. Draw upon those promises!  Ask for them in your life. 

With love, and trust and faith in each one of you,

Tracy

The Art of Bread Making Activity

October 20, 2016

Kayla Jones has an amazing talent of making artisan bread. She not only taught us how to make the bread, but also the science of making bread. Some people took some dough home to bake in their own oven. The follow are pictures of people "folding" the bread, not "kneading" the bread.  Mikell Murray shared some thoughts on the importance of baking, "Psychologists say cooking and baking are pursuits that fit a type of therapy known as behavioral activation. The goal is to alleviate depression by boosting positive activity, increasing goal-oriented behavior and curbing procrastination and passivity.

“If the activity is defined as personally rewarding or giving a sense of accomplishment or pleasure, or even seeing the pleasure of that pumpkin bread with chocolate chips making someone else happy, then it could improve a sense of well-being,” says Jacqueline Gollan, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

Ms. Tafoya, a clinical counselor, says preparing and sharing food with others is therapeutic because it’s central to who we are as human beings. “The ability to eat and share food is very, very primal,” she says. “Eating or breaking bread with someone has healing capacities beyond anything that we can really quantify."

General Conference October 2016

Did you get to enjoy all the sessions of General Conference this month? 

Here are some one sentence summaries of each of the talks.

Women’s Session

Sister Jean B. Bingham, first counselor in the Primary general presidency

Understand that as we embrace and encourage improvement in others, we do not belittle our own progress or the progress of others.

Sister Carole M. Stephens, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency

As we invite the Savior into our lives, we do not have to be alone as he helps carry our burdens and heal us.

Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women General President

Women need to be steadfast in their testimonies of the gospel and they can be strengthened through: (1) acknowledging the centrality of the Godhead; (2) understanding the need of the restoration; and understanding temple ordinances and covenants.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency

Strengthen your faith and learn to act on God’s will.

Saturday Morning Session

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency

Don’t take for granted the gospel of Jesus Christ in your lives, and allow our love of God to motivate us to share these great truths with others.

Elder Robert D. Hales, Quorum of the Twelve

We can endure this life and our sufferings by leaning on the Holy Ghost, accepting Christ’s help as well as accepting the service of others.

Carol F. McConkie, first counselor in the Young Women General Presidency

Prayer is a gift from God, who will answer the prayers of those who ask, seek and knock.

Craig C. Christensen, Presidency of the Seventy

Gain a testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith through considering his fruits, recognizing the blessings we have because of his service and the study of the Book of Mormon.

Elder Juan A. Uceda of the Seventy

Just as God doesn’t ignore our voice when we pray, we should not ignore His voice when he answers our prayers.

J. Devn Cornish of the Seventy

Stop comparing yourself to others and instead allow the atonement into your life to show you progress from your old self to your current self and to who you want to become.

Elder Neil L. Andersen, Quorum of the Twelve

You are an important puzzle piece in God’s grand puzzle; he needs you to not get discouraged in sharing the gospel with others so that puzzle can be completed.

Saturday Afternoon Session

Elder Quentin L. Cook, Quorum of the Twelve

Be cautious of the stumbling blocks keeping you from living the gospel and instead look for the stepping stones to Christ.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson, Quorum of the Twelve

Since the Book of Mormon is the keystone of testimony, “as you look to the (Book of Mormon), you look to the Lord.”

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Quorum of the Twelve

God loves you and you can return the love by keeping the commandments.

Elder Mark Bassett of the Seventy

Trust in the Lord, have patience and use faith in obtaining knowledge from God.

Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita of the Seventy

“Be ambitious for Christ” as we endure our trials with patience and faith.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Quorum of the Twelve

Elder Oaks said members of the Church have a duty to share the gospel with others and then provided seven ways members can sincerely participate in missionary work.

Priesthood Session

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Quorum of the Twelve

Home teaching isn’t a checklist item, but a calling to be “God’s emissaries to his children.”

Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr. of the Seventy

Choose to “discover the power of the Book of Mormon” and be patient in receiving your answer of its truthfulness.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency

Evaluate your discipleship (using the example of Alma the Younger and Amulek) and choose to follow Christ.

President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency

We must reach down to lift up our brethren, especially the younger priesthood brethren.

President Thomas S. Monson, President of LDS Church

As we follow the guidance in the Word of Wisdom and take care of our bodies, we will be blessed.

Sunday Morning Session

President Thomas S. Monson, President of LDS Church

Since we have the truth of the gospel, we have an obligation to share it and live it.

Elder Russell M. Nelson, Quorum of the Twelve

As the Savior focused on joy through the atonement, we too should focus on and feel joy through our trials.

Elder Peter F. Meurs of the Seventy

We need to improve our sacrament observance, which is an ordinance that helps us “more fully turn our hearts and souls to God.”

Sister Linda S. Reeves, second counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

The atonement is a miracle that allows us to be clean from our sins through repentance.

Elder M. Russell Ballard, Quorum of the Twelve

If you are contemplating leaving the Church, don’t leave; and if you see fellow members considering leaving the Church, help them to stay.

Dean M. Davies, first counselor in Presiding Bishopric

Worshipping through the Spirit blesses us with light and knowledge.

Lynn G. Robbins, Presidency of the Seventy

Righteous judgement, discipline and sacrifice play an important role in our development.

President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency

What we do on the Sabbath matters.

Sunday Afternoon Session

Elder David A. Bednar, Quorum of the Twelve

We need to strive not only to know about the Savior, but to know Him personally.

Brother Brian K. Ashton, second Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency

Repentance plays a vital role in Heavenly Father’s plan and is a tool that Heavenly Father expects us to use.

Carl B. Cook of the Seventy

We need to be willing to serve in callings where the Lord needs us.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Quorum of the Twelve

Remember your divine heritage and remain steadfast in the gospel through your trials.

Elder Evan A. Schmutz of the Seventy

Trials can be signposts on our personal path of discipleship, and we should apply eternal principles in dealing with our own tribulations.

Elder K. Brett Nattress of the Seventy

The gospel is about the one, and parents can apply simple principles to help teach their children.

Elder Dale G. Renlund, Quorum of the Twelve

Repentance is a choice — don’t make excuses, but instead take action.

  Sister Jenessa Vincent  

Our Relief Society Sister, Jenessa Vincent flew directly to the Sao Paulo Brazil MTC.   She had her farewell this past week and spoke on charity and brotherly kindness and how those qualities can help us as we try to be more Christ-like.  She sends her thanks for all the cards, letters, gifts, and prayers. She is anxious to get going and learn Portuguese.  

Upcoming Activities

The Art of Making Bread

with Kayla Jones

Come learn how to make Artisan Bread

At the Fischvogt’s home

3217 Grove Parkway, Columbus

 October 20^th at 7 o’clock

Temple Trip

October 29^th 10am Session

Please call the temple to reserve a spot

317-993-3800

Meet at 7K at 8am for carpool

Self Defense

With Sister Watson

November 3^rd 6:30-8:30pm

In the Relief Society Room

“Self Defense is not just a set of techniques;

 it is a state of mind, and it begins

 with the belief that you are worth defending.”

 –Rorian Gracie

Nell Hill

      Nell Hill and her husband Reinhold have just moved to our ward from Chicago.  Their youngest daughter Kira (14) is here with them and attends Columbus East High School.  Their oldest daughter, Zaida, is married and works for a senator in Washington DC and her husband works for the Department of Agriculture. Their second daughter, Anja, is a sophomore at BYU.  

     Nell is an educator in English and is finishing her PhD where she is focusing her dissertation on English as a second language. She plans to be done next summer. Reinhold Hill is the Vice Chancellor and Dean at IUPUC. Nell is enjoying being back in the classroom teaching at Ivy Tech, as she spent the last few years in an administrative role.

       Nell grew up in Lancaster County Pennsylvania which is known for being Amish Country and is  near Philadelphia. She studied at BYU-Hawaii and BYU where she met her husband.  She had a desire to serve a mission, so he waited for her while she served in the Brussels Belgium mission. She still speaks French fluently and has taught it at the high school and college level. 

      Nell has lived in a Branch for the past 15 years; five in Chicago and ten before that in Big Rapids, Michigan (North of Grand Rapids). Before she took time to work on her PhD, she spent some leisure time singing and acting in local theatre. She was cast as Helen Keller's mother in The Miracle Worker.  Another favorite role was to be part of their community Labor Day weekend music revues. Her favorite was when she performed and sang the music to Phantom of the Opera.

       Welcome to the ward Nell! We look forward to getting to know you better.  

Fall is Here!

Sometimes when I finally get to Apple Works, they are out of my favorite apple. This year I went early and found out that my favorite tart apple actually gets picked in early September. It's the  SWISS GOURMET.

 I tried a recipe that Jennifer Denison posted on Facebook last fall. You will love the brown sugar glaze.

Glazed Apple Bundt Cake
yield: SERVES 10-12 total time: 1 HOUR, 30 MINUTES PLUS COOLING
Tender and moist homemade apple bundt cake smothered in a buttery brown sugar glaze. My favorite cake for the crisp fall weather.
Ingredients:
APPLE BUNDT CAKE
3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour (measured correctly) 1 teaspoon baking soda
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 and 1/4 cups (300ml) canola or vegetable oil
1/2 cup (120g) plain Greek yogurt1
1 and 1/4 cups (250g) packed light or dark brown sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract (yes, 1 full Tablespoon)
3 medium apples, peeled and chopped into small chunks2
BROWN SUGAR GLAZE
1 cup (190g) light or dark brown sugar (I prefer dark here) 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter
1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
1/2 cup (62g) confectioners sugar, sifted
Directions:

1               Preheat oven to 325F degrees. Spray a 10-12 cup bundt pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.

2              In a large bowl, toss the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together until combined. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk the oil, yogurt, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla together until combined and creamy. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and slowly whisk until no large lumps remain. Try to avoid overmixing. Using a rubber spatula, carefully fold in the apple chunks. If you feel 3 large apples is too much, feel free to cut down to 2 apples. I like a lot of apple chunks in my cake.

3              Spoon/pour the thick batter into the prepared bundt pan. Bake for 55-75 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean. The baking times may vary depending on your oven, if you used a 10 cup bundt pan or 12 cup, or if you used less apple chunks. Keep your eye on the cake after 55 minutes. Feel free to cover the cake loosely with aluminum foil about halfway through to prevent heavy browning on top.

4              Allow the cake to cool in the pan set on a wire rack, then invert onto a serving plate once cooled and ready to serve. As it cools, however, you may prepare the brown sugar glaze. Combine the brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring the mixture often. Allow to boil for 1 minute (without stirring), then turn the heat down to low and allow to simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat and whisk in the confectioners' sugar. Allow glaze to cool and slightly thicken for at least 5 minutes. Spoon glaze over the cake right before serving. If your glaze thickens up too much before serving the cake, warm in the microwave for 15 seconds and stir until smooth.

5              I like this cake warm, at room temperature, and even cold. In fact, I love it cold. Cover leftovers and store at room temperature for 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Make ahead tip: Cake freezes well up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature before serving.