Serving The Spanish Branch In Lakewood

Recently an e-mail was sent out to members of the Bargain Blast seeking donations of used clothes, toys, and household items for the Spanish Branch in Lakewood. This is a branch with many needs, and members of the Highlands Ranch Stake came through- helping to provide a very Merry Christmas to those in our area!

Here are the collections in the garage getting ready to go:

Members of the Westridge Ward met together, loaded up their cars, and headed to Lakewood to deliver the items to the Lakewood church where the Spanish ward meets. They unloaded their car and set up the items. There were about 15 tables, and every table was full of donated items about 3 feet high, with more items under each table.

 Even small children were able to help. The items were set up in the cultural hall. The  next day, members from the Spanish Branch came and "shopped."

This is just one of many ways that members of our stake can get involved in serving others. This turned out to be a wonderful evening for all who participated. Thank you to all the members of the stake who donated used clothes and household items. It was a huge success!

Westridge Ward Christmas Party

Recently the Westridge Ward held their annual Christmas breakfast and service project. The ward met to eat a fine fare of ham, breakfast casserole, and yogurt parfaits. The children enjoyed watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," putting together reindeer food in anticipation of Santa, playing some reindeer games, and writing letters to missionaires.

After breakfast, members of the ward headed to Windcrest to sing carols to those living there. The residents thoroughly enjoyed listening- and joining in on the carols! A wonderful time was had by all.

Stepping Up To Serve!

Rachel B. from the Westridge Ward found a serious problem and decided to do something to fix it.

The problem: A school full of impoverished children. Her solution: Step up to help them.

Here are her words:

Lately I have felt overwhelmed by the amount of sad things happening to children.  I have come to the conclusion that instead of being a helpless bystander, it is time to add joy to the lives of children. 

Here’s what I’m going to do:  give every child at Crawford Elementary School in Aurora, Colorado, a book for Christmas.

Why Crawford?
Through her church, one of my co-workers has helped establish a food pantry that works exclusively with the school. Crawford has 699 students, 89.7% of which are on the free/reduced lunch program. Many of these kids don’t get enough to eat. Some are homeless.

Why books for Christmas?
Every child should get a book for Christmas.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Rachel got to work. She raised close to $1400 and then went bargain shopping at the Scholastic Book Warehouse Sale. She also collected food items so that the children would not go hungry over Christmas break.

She organized a wrapping party to get the presents wrapped. Then yesterday she took everything to Crawford- along with Santa!- and brought Christmas to almost 700 children who deserved a Christmas miracle.

 Buying 700 books at the Scholastic Warehouse Sale

Santa with the volunteers who went to Crawford to distribute the books:

Food items donated for the children:

Thank you, Rachel, for reminding us that we don't need to wait for a program or a person to serve those around us! We all have the power to step up and change the world in our own sphere of influence.

Westridge Ward Trunk or Treat

The Westridge Ward held their annual trunk-or-treat. A great time was had by all!

Missionary Monday: Elder Armstrong Serving In Puerto Rico

Here are two recent letters from Elder Armstrong:

 

Hello everyone!

I'm happy to report that my companion and I are feelin much better but we did spend some time in bed this week.  Fortunately the members treated us well and brought us soup and vitamin C.  By the way sisters don't ever doubt your contribution.  You might not be able to give priesthood blessings but you sure can make soups that will raise the dead haha. 

 

Had a nice lesson this week with P. and luckily his wife came home from work early and also participated.  Couldn't get a commitment out of her, but she also didn't reject us.  So we will keep working on her and hopefully bring a couple from the ward over.  Quick question: Do you have ward missionaries right now?  Because it's probably a sweet calling.

Also taught M. and her daughter M.  We taught the Plan of Salvation.  They showed a lot of interest and were understanding and asking questions.  Biggest challenge with them is to get them to come to church.

I can definitely attest to the fact that the missionaries depend heavily on members to aid in the work.  We need your help in finding and teaching and fellowshipping.  You can make a huge difference in people's lives.  Your service is extremely valuable and the Lord will bless you immensely for it!  Investigators change when they interact with members, because they see the blessings of the gospel working first-hand in people's lives.  And they desire those blessings.  The lesson we had with Pablo just last week gave him a renewed desire to make the gospel part of his life.  The secret? A member was there to testify to him of the blessings he had received.  So please invite your friends into your homes and invite the missionaries into your homes.  You will be so blessed.

I testify that this is the Lord's work and that we have a lot to do. So get your head in the game!

Thanks for everything you are and stand for.  Keeping working to build strong families and relationships with others!  Continue to love and serve those around you.  It makes a difference!

 

______________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

Heya!

Thanks again for the package and especially loved the Honeydukes sweets!  My sweet tooth is going to get me into trouble someday.  Especially since all the puerto ricans think we would rather drink soda than water.  Our conversations go something like this: "Elders would you like something to drink?"  Then we say something like, "Yes please that would be excellent."  And then they respond, "Do you want water or... WE HAVE SODA FOR YOU!"  And then we are supposed to respond, "Oh wow hermanita you are so nice and thoughtful and considerate and we absolutely would love soda!!!"  Ok thats a little bit of an exaggeration but puerto ricans do love soda.  But it's all good, BRING ON THE PACKAGES and after the mission I will start worrying about diabetes.

 

This week we had great lessons with both P. and M. and some of M.'s family, and several less actives.  Also have had success asking members for references which we need to follow up on. Most of them come from identifying and visiting part-member families and getting to know their non-LDS family members.  As you know I am training again.  No worries, I get along great with Elder N. who is from South Jordan, Utah.  So far President Boucher has been having gringos train gringos and latinos train latinos.  That didn't happen for me and trust me I think it is better this way.  People with similar backgrounds can help each other better make the transition into the mission.  P. and M. didn't come to church unfortunately but several less actives did.  Also randomly happened to run into members this week that identified themselves as inactives but would like us to visit.  Oh yeah!

Overall am pleased to say the work is gaining speed in the Carolina Ward.  Largely it is due to the help of the members and is all in the Lord's time of course.  I can definitely say I'm loving the members and the people.  I feel like November and December will fly by since it is the Christmas season (Christmas music yay!).

November is a good time to remember just how much God has done for us and just how privileged we are to be among those few in the world who have the gospel:

"10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

 11 For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.

 12 And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.

 13 And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!

 14 Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.

 15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

 16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!" (D&C 18:10-16)

 

There is incredible joy that comes from serving the Lord!  Catch the wave!

Love you all,

-Elder Armstrong

P.S. Here are a few photos of us in the Yunque Rainforest.  Reminded me a bit of the Rocky Mountains, and was really enjoyable but it just didn't have the same snow or mountain breeze that I love.  Nevertheless, extremely beautiful.  The day we went it was overcast and foggy.  Also I was thinking I don't want to give you the wrong idea about mission life, so I think I need to take photos of us proselyting.

I love you!

-Elder Armstrong

 

Elder Armstrong is serving from the Westridge Ward.

Westridge Relief Society Halloween Crafting

Recently the women of the Westridge Ward made beautiful Halloween crafts. And who doesn't love a great Halloween craft???