Sunday, December 28, 2014
Tithing Settlement
Austin survived his first tithing settlement. He really enjoyed visiting with all of the families and getting to know people better. He gave each family a new Book of Mormon and asked them to read and mark it next year as a family.
Christmas Message
On December's Fast Sunday, Bishop Nunn was the last one to bear his testimony, and he stood up and challenged us to avoid anything negative and to be positive and post positive things. Share the goodness.
For our Christmas Sacrament Meeting, we opened with the organ and piano playing an awesome arrangement of Joy to the World with the congregation standing to sing. Then the choir sang a couple songs and there were a couple other musical numbers, and Brother Olsen and Brother Zemp were the speakers. Bishop Nunn gave the closing remarks. He told about a Christmas when he was young when his family was living in the bunkhouse - 24 feet by 24 feet. His Dad was working at a logging camp as a buckerman (and that's not how he got his name) and had an accident and broken his ribs. That Christmas, their gifts were wooden horses and wooden trains and wooden guns that his parents had cut out. A few years later they received real bebe guns. He said that every Christmas is not perfect and happy for everyone. Some years will be a wooden horse Christmas, and some years will be a store-bought, just what you wished for, with all of your family around you - Christmas. No matter what kind it is, serve others, enjoy what you do have, and remember the reason we celebrate Christmas - the birth and life of Jesus Christ.
We closed with the organ and piano and all of the congregation singing O Holy Night. I wish every person in the world could experience the Spirit of a powerful Christmas Sacrament Meeting.
For our Christmas Sacrament Meeting, we opened with the organ and piano playing an awesome arrangement of Joy to the World with the congregation standing to sing. Then the choir sang a couple songs and there were a couple other musical numbers, and Brother Olsen and Brother Zemp were the speakers. Bishop Nunn gave the closing remarks. He told about a Christmas when he was young when his family was living in the bunkhouse - 24 feet by 24 feet. His Dad was working at a logging camp as a buckerman (and that's not how he got his name) and had an accident and broken his ribs. That Christmas, their gifts were wooden horses and wooden trains and wooden guns that his parents had cut out. A few years later they received real bebe guns. He said that every Christmas is not perfect and happy for everyone. Some years will be a wooden horse Christmas, and some years will be a store-bought, just what you wished for, with all of your family around you - Christmas. No matter what kind it is, serve others, enjoy what you do have, and remember the reason we celebrate Christmas - the birth and life of Jesus Christ.
We closed with the organ and piano and all of the congregation singing O Holy Night. I wish every person in the world could experience the Spirit of a powerful Christmas Sacrament Meeting.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Baptisms, Missionaries, Funerals
Baptisms:
Hallee Pilling - a cool fall morning at the creek
Taylor Blackmore
Bailey Wood
Jaguar Hallock
Shayde Primrose
Grace Mandwe
Bailey Wood
Jaguar Hallock
Shayde Primrose
Grace Mandwe
Brinley Bevans
Barton Bevans
Griffin Forsyth
Missionaries:
Bishop Nunn started a tradition where the congregation stands and sings Called to Serve as the closing hymn of our missionary farewells.
Bishop Nunn started a tradition where the congregation stands and sings Called to Serve as the closing hymn of our missionary farewells.
Jordan Wood
Clayton Leavitt
Devonie Quinton
Aubrey Zemp
David Burton
Devonie Quinton
Aubrey Zemp
David Burton
Brother & Sister Carnell
Lindy Bevans
Lindy Bevans
Funerals:
Shirley Bevans - Dixie's aunt
Lawrence Cahoon
Lawrence Cahoon
Dale Still
Matthew Seeley
Blaine Leavitt
Karyn Forsyth
Audrey Walburger
Berdene Farren
Wedding:
Lloyd Retzer & LJ Potter
Matthew Seeley
Blaine Leavitt
Karyn Forsyth
Audrey Walburger
Berdene Farren
Wedding:
Lloyd Retzer & LJ Potter
Lloyd Retzer's son - Matt
Sunday, September 28, 2014
We Must....
Austin did great conducting his first Sacrament Meeting as Bishop Nunn. It was Fast Sunday since next Sunday is General Conference.
As he bore his testimony, he told us that there are 4 things we MUST do.
First, we must study the scriptures every day.
Second, we must pray.
Third, we must go to the temple.
Fourth, we must love each other.
As he bore his testimony, he told us that there are 4 things we MUST do.
First, we must study the scriptures every day.
Second, we must pray.
Third, we must go to the temple.
Fourth, we must love each other.
Small Blessings
Jill had a high school rodeo this weekend in Cardston. On Saturday during the rodeo, Austin went to the temple with Jordan Wood, a young woman from our ward who is leaving on a mission to Peru soon. He knew he needed to go to the temple, but he felt bad for missing Jill's rodeo. While he was at the temple, he felt like he was doing the right thing and Jill would be blessed.
Jill missed in breakaway. But then she won the team roping (8.4 seconds) with Wyatt Olsen. She was third in goat tying (8.2 seconds). She also had a successful barrel racing run (14.9 seconds) even though she didn't place.
She was blessed while her dad was fulfilling his role as the Bishop.
Sunday Sustaining
Sunday finally came.
My parents drove up from Idaho Falls to be here. They got here on Saturday afternoon, and we spent the afternoon in Waterton. It was beautiful weather with the leaves changing colors. We had a picnic and hiked to Bertha Falls.
The first hour of church was the Primary Program. Lucy and Carly did great.
Then Sacrament Meeting. They released the bishopric and called the new bishopric.
Bishop Austin Nunn
1st Counselor: Logan Zemp
2nd Counselor: Ryan Olsen
Executive Secretary: Mark Cahoon
Ward Clerk: Mike Parker
The released bishopric bore their testimonies and then the new bishopric. Sister Marina Leavitt bore her testimony. I also got the chance to bare my testimony right before Austin.
I talked about how exciting and overwhelming it is to think of all that will happen in the next 5 years (baptisms, missionaries, funerals, etc).
My two stories about Bishop Leavitt were about the time I got stuck visiting teaching and he came by and pulled me out. The second one was when we were at girls camp this summer, we were on our hike and I noticed one of our young women was at the back by herself. I turned around after a couple minutes to go and walk with her and Bishop and Sister Leavitt were hiking with her already.
I told about one time I was the activity day leader and had made extra cookies to take a Sunday night meeting. Jill was sick so Austin offered to frost them. I got to the activity and went to eat them and he hadn't scraped them off the pan before he frosted them. My point was that he has good intentions and a desire to serve even if it is not perfect or not the way you would do it.
Second story: Austin can't stand any fog on the windshield, just like we should avoid the fog of temptation or doubt. It doesn't bother him to let the windshield wipers go for 5 minutes after the rain stops, but he always has the heat on defrost to keep away the fog.
Austin bore his testimony and told about a time he was sorting cows in a corral and fell in and was getting stepped on. Someone grabbed him and pulled him out and saved his life. He told that he felt that the Savior had been reaching in and pulling him this week. He told a basketball story about when he was coaching and called a play and the team lost the game. He will make mistakes sometimes.
He had all of the youth age 14-18 stand up and told us to look around and see the future missionary force, and he committed to the youth to help them and serve them the very best way he could. He bore his testimony.
The Spirit was strong, and I felt grateful for so many blessings.
After church, the new bishopric was set apart. Another spiritual blessing outpouring.
My parents drove up from Idaho Falls to be here. They got here on Saturday afternoon, and we spent the afternoon in Waterton. It was beautiful weather with the leaves changing colors. We had a picnic and hiked to Bertha Falls.
The first hour of church was the Primary Program. Lucy and Carly did great.
Then Sacrament Meeting. They released the bishopric and called the new bishopric.
Bishop Austin Nunn
1st Counselor: Logan Zemp
2nd Counselor: Ryan Olsen
Executive Secretary: Mark Cahoon
Ward Clerk: Mike Parker
The released bishopric bore their testimonies and then the new bishopric. Sister Marina Leavitt bore her testimony. I also got the chance to bare my testimony right before Austin.
I talked about how exciting and overwhelming it is to think of all that will happen in the next 5 years (baptisms, missionaries, funerals, etc).
My two stories about Bishop Leavitt were about the time I got stuck visiting teaching and he came by and pulled me out. The second one was when we were at girls camp this summer, we were on our hike and I noticed one of our young women was at the back by herself. I turned around after a couple minutes to go and walk with her and Bishop and Sister Leavitt were hiking with her already.
I told about one time I was the activity day leader and had made extra cookies to take a Sunday night meeting. Jill was sick so Austin offered to frost them. I got to the activity and went to eat them and he hadn't scraped them off the pan before he frosted them. My point was that he has good intentions and a desire to serve even if it is not perfect or not the way you would do it.
Second story: Austin can't stand any fog on the windshield, just like we should avoid the fog of temptation or doubt. It doesn't bother him to let the windshield wipers go for 5 minutes after the rain stops, but he always has the heat on defrost to keep away the fog.
Austin bore his testimony and told about a time he was sorting cows in a corral and fell in and was getting stepped on. Someone grabbed him and pulled him out and saved his life. He told that he felt that the Savior had been reaching in and pulling him this week. He told a basketball story about when he was coaching and called a play and the team lost the game. He will make mistakes sometimes.
He had all of the youth age 14-18 stand up and told us to look around and see the future missionary force, and he committed to the youth to help them and serve them the very best way he could. He bore his testimony.
The Spirit was strong, and I felt grateful for so many blessings.
After church, the new bishopric was set apart. Another spiritual blessing outpouring.
The Call
Austin got a call from Joe Paulson, Stake Executive Secretary, on Saturday night that he had an interview with the stake president after church on Sunday. Austin was assigned to 2nd Ward to speak for High Council that Sunday. We got there, and the whole stake presidency was there to change the 2nd Ward bishopric. They told Austin he wouldn't be speaking that day, but we stayed and watched Randy Jensen called to be the new bishop.
After our church, we went to meet with the Stake Presidency and they called Austin to be the new bishop of the Leavitt Ward. Austin accepted the calling and each member of the stake presidency shared a few thoughts.
As we drove home, we talked about two things: Austin's patriarchal blessing talks about serving in holy callings that require daily service. We also talked about how where much is given, much is required. We have so many blessings that we have been given: healthy minds and bodies, great family, good jobs, our dream house and land, and the gospel.
Austin needed to turn in names for counselors and ward clerk and executive secretary by Tuesday night. We went to the temple right after school on Tuesday. He got his answers.
On Monday night, we told our kids. Jill and Hanna already had figured out. Lucy was excited. Carly giggled and said, that gives me the heebie jeebies. The next morning Carly came to the breakfast table and said, "Good morning, Bishop."
After our church, we went to meet with the Stake Presidency and they called Austin to be the new bishop of the Leavitt Ward. Austin accepted the calling and each member of the stake presidency shared a few thoughts.
As we drove home, we talked about two things: Austin's patriarchal blessing talks about serving in holy callings that require daily service. We also talked about how where much is given, much is required. We have so many blessings that we have been given: healthy minds and bodies, great family, good jobs, our dream house and land, and the gospel.
Austin needed to turn in names for counselors and ward clerk and executive secretary by Tuesday night. We went to the temple right after school on Tuesday. He got his answers.
On Monday night, we told our kids. Jill and Hanna already had figured out. Lucy was excited. Carly giggled and said, that gives me the heebie jeebies. The next morning Carly came to the breakfast table and said, "Good morning, Bishop."
New Bishop Chatter
Over the last year or so, we have heard lots of comments about Austin being called to be the next bishop of the Leavitt Ward. Bishop Royce Leavitt's five years was coming to an end in September 2014.
Here are a few comments we have heard:
-Todd Wolsey to our kids: We have money placed that your Dad will be the next bishop.
-Kelsey Pankhurst: As soon as everyone heard you bought a house in Leavitt Ward, they think your husband will be the next bishop.
-Alonna Leavitt: That is a great idea for a ward activity (descendants of Leavitt talent show). As soon as your husband gets called to be the bishop, you can tell him the idea.
-Dry cleaner deliverer: Are you getting Austin's suits cleaned so they will be ready when he is called to be the bishop?
-Rod Olsen to Kaylynn's family as he is giving them a wagon ride around Leavitt: Are you guys coming back in August? Austin is going to be called as Bishop, you know.
-Visiting teaching: Austin is the obvious choice. There are some other good men, but not all of them have wives that could handle their husband as the bishop.
Lexie McMurray: That is great that your husband got called to the high council. They call bishops from the high council and your husband would be a good bishop because he is nice to look at.
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