Church Helps Starving in Ethiopia

The Church plans to send to Ethiopia more than 1.4 million pounds (540 tons) of Atmit, special food for the severely malnourished, over a span of three months, with the final shipment scheduled to arrive in the drought-stricken country by November 2008.

What is Atmit you ask....okay: Atmit is a mixture of oat flour, powdered milk, sugar, salt, vitamins, and minerals that is mixed with water and cooking oil to reach the consistency of cream soup. It has been proven a successful resource for feeding the severely malnourished.

I'm so happy to be able to pay my tithes and offerings and know what good it does.

Go here for the rest of the story.

Missionaires Leave Bolivia

Some 102 North American missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in Bolivia have been transferred to missions outside the country. The transfer was taken in consultation with U.S. government representatives in Bolivia and with the cooperation of Bolivian immigration authorities as a precautionary measure during the present unsettled conditions there.

Well the missionaries are out but our member sisters and brothers still live there. Prayers are always good.

Converting Power of the Book of Mormon

Elder F. Burton Howard of the Seventy acquaints us with a strong testimony of the converting power of the Book of Mormon:

Sister Celia Cruz Ayala of the Puerto Rico San Juan Mission decided to give the Book of Mormon to a friend. She wrapped it in attractive paper and set out to deliver her present.
On the way, she was attacked by a bandit who stole her purse and with it the wrapped copy of the Book of Mormon. A few days later she received this letter:

Mrs. Cruz:
Forgive me, forgive me. You will never know how sorry I am for attacking you. But because of it, my life has changed and will continue to change. That book [the Book of Mormon] has helped me in my life. The dream of that man of God has shaken me …. I am returning your five pesos for I can’t spend them. I want you to know that you seemed to have a radiance about you. That light seemed to stop me [from harming you, so] I ran away instead.

I want you to know that you will see me again, but when you do, you won’t recognize me, for I will be your brother …. Here, where I live, I have to find the Lord and go to the church you belong to.

The message you wrote in that book brought tears to my eyes. Since Wednesday night I have not been able to stop reading it. I have prayed and asked God to forgive me, [and] I ask you to forgive me …. I thought your wrapped gift was something I could sell. [Instead,] it has made me want to make my life over. Forgive me, forgive me, I beg you.
--Your absent friend.

(“What I Want My Son to Know Before He Leaves on His Mission:” Pres. James E. Faust; C.R., p. 58, April 1996. See also F. Burton Howard, “My Life Has Changed,” Church News, Jan, 1996, p. 16)

My New Building Project

I'm having a small struggle trying to keep up with two blogs. I'm thinking I may want to combine them. Until a final decision is made I may just refer you to the other for the post of the day. I love the talk President Monson gave yesterday to the North SLC stakes via satellite from the Conference Center. Please take just 5 minutes and read it at Snickerdoodles. Thanks.

And would you mind commenting and letting me know if you also visit Snickerdoodles. Do you think one blog would due or should I save this one also for those VT messages, FHE lessons and other church related posts.

Now don't be shy, if you've never commented before, just jump in and do it. Thanks.

The Divine Institution of Marriage

Click here to read something we must not pass by. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is joining with many other churches to help pass legislation defining marriage as being between 1 man and 1 woman. This lengthy statement clarifies much and is so worth your time to read. Thanks.

Finances

"The Secret of Living on Less"

Many are facing tough financial times, so here are some tips for that challenging task: living on less than you make. By Lyle and Tracy Shamo

Click here to read this really good article.

Grateful Heart

My darling ward sister's made my Sunday such a surprise and "love fest". Your gifts and notes of kindness made me speechless and that's not easy to do. I came home from church, sat down and read each one. I felt underserving of such comments but very grateful and more determined to be MORE. I so appreciate the opportunity to continually grow, progress, develope and get better. That's what I'm still trying to do - daily. May these dear, dear sister's be blessed in return for all the kindness they have displayed to me. I love you.