Lakeview January 2010 Newsleter

Lakeview 8th Ward News
January 2010

"New Beginnings"

In my reading of the Book of Mormon the last few weeks I've completed the book of Helaman and moved on to 3rd Nephi. It always amazes me how quickly the people move through the pride cycle....from righteousness to wickedness. Because it's not talking about me it's easy to judge and to question how they could go astray so easily and quickly over and over again. Then I stop and wonder what those in the future reading our history will think of us. After this revolving cycle the Savior comes in 3rd Nephi and the people have another "new beginning".

I know the youth in the ward will think I'm crazy but I always loved school because there are regular "new beginnings"! (The new school year, the new semester or new term) You can be done with the past and start fresh with new determination and hope to do better.

We now stand at the threshold of a new beginning as we move into the year 2010. What will this new year bring? What do I bring to it? What do I have to look forward to? How am I going to make it a better year? More importantly, how will I make it my best year yet?

When the Savior came in 3rd Nephi it was different because the people managed to avoid starting the pride cycle for almost 170 years. Obviously, the impact of the Savior's visit had a long lasting effect. As the Savior taught at that time He asked the question "what manner of men ought ye to be?" Answering His own question the Savior said "even as I am." He also taught that we were to become perfect even as He and His Father in Heaven were perfect. Perhaps if we were to take on this challenge in specific ways our new beginning this year could have a more lasting effect. We only have one verse of scripture that talks about the Savior's growth and development in his early life. In Luke 2:52 we read: "Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." This verse speaks of four areas we could work on to become more like the Savior. They are intellectual (in wisdom), physical (in stature), social (in favor with man) and spiritual (in favor with God). I think if we were to look at each of these areas on a regular basis and set specific goals in each of these areas we would find happiness and growth that would make this new beginning last a lifetime.

It is my prayer that this new beginning of 2010 will be a positive, 3rd Nephi kind of new beginning for each of us.

Forging onward,

Brother Matthew Wright



Primary Happenings— December

Remembering Christ Blesses Our Family
This is the final monthly theme of our year of the family. What a wonderful year this has been in primary as we have talked about families, their importance in our lives, how the gospel strengthens our families, and what we can do to help our families. We are so blessed to have the gospel and the primary to teach us these important truths in this world of confusion! We hope that as you talk of Christ and sing of Christ during this Christmas season, you will feel His blessings and love in your home.

A New Theme for 2010
In the coming year, we will be talking about our new theme for 2010: “I Know That My Redeemer Lives.” Isn’t that a wonderful theme for a new year and a new decade? We look forward to a year of wonderful spiritual feelings and testimony-building as we learn of our Savior.

We have a change or two with the new year. The classes are being adjusted in their numbering. The class will be like the Sunday School in that a child will be in the class of his age on January 1st. For instance, if a child is 7, he/she will be in the CTR 7 class this year. This means that most of our children will be in the same numerical class as this past year. There will no longer be a Valiant 12 class and we will now have a CTR 4 class. The Sunbeams through CTR 7 classes will be in the JR. Primary and the SR. Primary will be the Valiant 8 through the Valiant 11. The Valiant classes will be studying the Old Testament and the CTR classes will be using the Primary Manual #3. We will go through the class changes with the children on December 27th. Hopefully, they will know right where to go on January 3rd.

Primary Milestones
We are saying good-bye to our final Valiant 12 student, Ari Johnson. Ari has been the final member of her class in our Sr. Primary time since we said good bye to Shoshana Weaver clear back in September. But Ari has been undaunted and positive in her primary participation clear to the end. She has also completed the requirements for her Faith in God award. We will miss you, Ari, but we wish you well in the Young Women’s program. We know they will love and enjoy you as much as we have.

FUN GANG SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY :
JANUARY 6, WED. TEMPLE EXCURSION TO THE MT. TIMPANOGOS TEMPLE.
Meet at the Church at 9:30 a.m. Please schedule your first Wednesdays so you can attend the Temple with us. It is such an important opportunity. Such a Blessing to live so close to the Lord's Temple. Please join with us.

JANUARY 13, WED. MOVIE NIGHT AT LEILA'S
The movie will be "A Place for Annie" and will begin at 7:00 p.m.

JANUARY 20. WED. This is our usual LUNCH BUNCH day. Since the Lunch Bunch can no longer be sponsored by the Relief Society, it will be up to you to let LeIla know if you want to continue having lunch together on this day. We can still meet and enjoy each other's company as we eat lunch. It will not be announced in R.S. or on the R.S. Bulletin. I would still like to go to lunch as a group if you are interested. Just let me know. Anyone and everyone can come. LeIla