Fun Loving Trio

Brianna, Fred, & Debbie

Two Beautiful Smiles

Charlotte and Tamara

Look and Lift

Carmichael Family Evening invited President Greer of the Sacramento temple presidency to speak Monday night. The Spirit was strong and the personal relationship between many of those present went back many years. Story after story of uplifting personal experiences gave a strong message that our Father in Heaven knows each one of us and our talents and missions. He had a tender heart for the sisters and their giving spirit. His expressions of love for his wife are tender. Their combined faith in Jesus Christ led to a healing miracle. Without notes, filled with the Spirit, he lifted our lives. His comment “I am only a heart beat away from being in the same place as you are” referring to being a single adult, gave each member a reassurance he understood. President's over riding message was to look around and lift others spirits. He practices what he preaches. We will all look forward to his return speaking engagement in April.

Happy Saint Patty's Day

Carmichael Family Home Evening had a touch of the blarney stone whimsy with Irish green tablecloths and St Patrick’s Day decor. Corn beef and cabbage, cornbread with other green food groups made the festivities lively. Charlette's wispy green ears brought a smile & Dave shared magic tricks faster than the eye could follow. Barry had the luck of the Irish as his wore a red lit lip pin with the words, “kiss me I’m Irish”. You’ll have to ask the Irishman himself how it worked. A wonderful end to the evening as Patty sharing her lucky but truly divinely directed trip to Japan. A rough journey with a happy ending led to a golden investigator, which was baptized before she came home. She truly strengthened our testimony that the Lord provides a way for his children’s eternal joy. We take our Irish derby hat off to Patty for a great evening. We all enjoyed an Irish blessing.

On A Spiritual Note

Sunday’s Fireside lifted us with music and lyrics from the Church hymnbook. Performances vocally and on the piano touched chapel members as each song was presented with a story of a personal connection to the hymn.

Lovin Latin

Kicking off a new Latin Friday night dance tradition with dance lessons and spicy treats. A full cultural hall stepped to a new Latin rhythm. Still flavored with regular favorite dance music but with a generous sprinkle of South of the border beat. The word is out and singles will Salsa the night away the second Friday of the month. Great job Don and Tiffany.

Family Home Geography

Carmichael Family Home Evening group got to know each members roots Monday night. An enlightening get to know you activity, sharing birthplaces and geographical locations where each attendee lived, proved to be connecting and enjoyable. Many had been born and raised in Sacramento but some born far across the ocean as England and Hawaii. Many missionaries traveled to Japan. England, Germany and Finland. It was agreed that being a member of the church has a closer connection than the general population. Several stories of introductions abroad revealed mutual friends, family and neighbors right next door in the States. It is a small world.

Turning Weakness into Strengths

Carmichael Family Home Evening members evaluate their personal Christlike attributes. Lana distributed a survey activity from Preach my Gospel helping individuals assess strengths and weaknesses. A mixer game similar to “upset the fruit basket” helped inspire childlike fun to remember the attributes.

After a poll of strengths the group divided into four small teams (charity, patience, diligence and obedience). Each team stood and delivered a scripture, picture, object lesson , food, movie and song representing a particular Christ like attribute. All participants were great sports as each group member gave thoughtful, funny, inspirational, and spiritual representations of their attribute. Cheerful spontaneous music from Arne wound up the evening and we all left with a smile and a song in our heart.

Great Gomm

No words can describe the rare privilege of listening to Brother Gomm’s incredible life experiences. His unique calling as one of the first missionaries in Israel showed great courage opening a new territory. Brother Gomm’s unshakable faith and straight talk made him an instant favorite. Perfect love casteth out fear was a reoccurring example and message for the evening.
A full-length table of artifacts, memorabilia and a replica of Christ’s tomb gave onlookers a reverence for the country in which Jesus walked 200 years before. The enthusiasm and power of Brother Gomm’s testimony as he showed pictures of a stone manger, Golgotha, shepherds field, lilies etc. gave the audience another witness to Jesus Christ reality. Passing objects of a stoning rock, (widow’s) mites among the crowd gave us a hand held taste of the Holy land. Brother Gomm lifted a curled animal horn and blew a loud trump sounding like the army of Jews at the walls of Jericho. The beautiful harp accompanied musical numbers sounded and felt like angel bookends to the faith filled presentation.