Monday, January 27, 2014

Missionary Monday: Elder Hamilton Serving In London, England

Here is a recent blog post from Elder Hamilton:

    So this week I wanted to talk about Christ, I find it interesting with this that there are a ton of types and symbols of Christ.  You can draw parallels in many places where they may not have been even intended.        The first ones that come to my mind are: Aslan from the Chronicles of Narnia, Moses holding up a brass serpent, Gandalf from Lord of the Rings (especially in the movies),  Superman, Harry Potter, the list goes on and on.  The reason for this I feel is because what Christ did was the most heroic act of all time.

     By following his example and trying to develop more Christlike characteristics we show our love for God.  While in London I have seen many good examples of Christlike people.  As a mormon missionary I was once teaching a man who was in very humble circumstances just outside of London, his name is Paul.  His wife had left him and he was in a difficult place for money.  He received help from the government and one month pulled out his money for the next 4 weeks and headed home on his bike.

     What he didn't know was that his wallet fell out of his pocket.  So when he arrived home the money that was meant to feed him, and keep his gas and electric going for the month, was all missing.  About 200 pounds which is around 400 dollars.  With no heating, food, or gas to cook food, he felt very hopeless.
     We stopped by with a man who is a local member of the church.  As we stepped inside the member asked about Paul's problems, recognizing that it was very cold in the humble home.  Within 20 seconds he had figured out what the problem was, and asked for the gas and electric key for the home.  (a gas and electric key is basically a card that gives you pay as you go gas and electric, you top it up at a shop and then stick it into a machine back at your house to use the credit.)

     He returned in about 10 minutes and turned the heating on with around 18 pounds on the card and a bag full of groceries.  Paul asked if he wanted to him to repay his selfless act when he had the money.  The member said that he didn't want to be re-payed,  and at this point Paul lost control of his emotions and repeatedly thanked him.

     The nice thing about Christ is that his love, like this members love, is selfless.  He came and payed for our sins so that all that is unfair about life can be made right.  His atonement, or his suffering in Gethsemane, death on the cross, and resurrection, make it possible so that all of us can one day return to live with God despite our many short comings. Christ did many things during his mortal ministry, always demonstrating that love.  He also set up a church and established his doctrines, he called 12 men as apostles and gave them authority to preach his message.  I'd like to just leave also my favorite quote about this subject; "Live in such a way that people who know you but don't know Christ will want to know Christ because they know you."


Elder Hamilton is serving in the London South, England mission from the Westridge Ward in Highlands Ranch. You can Facebook him at: https://www.facebook.com/elderchadhamilton. For more information about his mission, you can visit his blog at: http://chadhamiltonmormon.blogspot.co.uk/

Friday, January 24, 2014

Westridge Ward Pinewood Derby

The Westridge Ward produced a stellar Pinewood Derby this year! Congratulations to all the young men (and their parents) for their hard work, and thank you to all of the wonderful leaders who helped to organize and make the event such a special one for all to remember!












 And here one of our friends shows off the excitement felt by most this evening:

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Pinewood Derby 2014!

If you are a fan of Pinewood Derbies, then you were in PineWood Derby Heaven this week! Every ward completed their Derbies, and had a fantastic time doing it!

The HR Stake has 10 Packs, and all 10 participated in a Derby this year. Congratulations to all involved!

If you would like to submit photos of your favorite Pinewood Derby moments, please e-mail your pictures and approval for use of the picture by everyone in the photo, to highlandsranchmormons@gmail.com.





Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Come Unto Christ


Youth from around the world share what this year's theme means to them and what they are doing to "Come unto Christ."

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Jeffco Action Center

In December, the Westridge Ward had the opportunity to team up with The Jeffco Action Center and JustServe.org to give service to the Jeffco community.

The Jeffco Action Center provides a hand up to low-income families and those struggling through difficult times. They accept donations of food and clothes and distribute those items to families in need. Volunteers are constantly needed to sort the donated items. In order to find out more, visit their website HERE.