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.

Danville Delivers

Rumors Are True! Dancers drive from miles around to attend one of the hottest singles dances in the northwest. Disco mirrored lights twirl on every ballroom, rocker and country performer. Everyone novas or professional feels right at home on the ballroom floor in a multi-age circle showcase dance or kicking couples dancing to a country cha cha. Smiles all over the room are plentiful and laughter common. The post Valentine dance goodies displayed on a beautiful hotel catered table held healthy veggies and dip to pink, red and most important Chocolate sweets. The delightful ice filled punchbowls with floating strawberries and sliced apples were an attractive and refreshing thirst quencher. You were in the right place at the right time Friday night if you were dancing in Danville.

It's About Time

Carmichael Family Home Evening is about Time. Bob presented a trivial pursuit with an Oatmeal twist. Cute empty packets of Oatmeal held the answers to timely questions. He then shared a tender poem and quotes from February's Ensign about lessons from Adam’s time to ours. Tom Perry's article “The Great Plan of Our God” gave lessons from Gospel Dispensations. Great participation from everyone attending gave a true family feel to the evening. Plans are coming together to meet at the church to carpool to the Friday night dance in Danville.

Heroes

We all have heroes. Some of my heroes are Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Joan of Arch, Helen Keller, Lance Armstrong, Napoleon Hill, Joseph Smith and my ultimate hero is Jesus Christ. I found a new hero Nick Vujicic from Australia. He was born with no arms and no legs and he is an intensely valiant and noble faith filled man. Check it out and tell me what you think. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DxlJWJ_WfA&NR=1

We can be a hero. We can be heroes to our children, spouse, family, friends and everyone around us. Most importantly we need to be our own heroes. We need to inspire ourselves to be better than we thought we could be. We need to see ourselves over come obstacles again and again. We all have strength and potential that only opposition can bring to the surface. Why do we see trials as sorrow filled? These trials are the very thing that springs the greatest joy and strength? I was taught; every growing thing needs a little manure. Yes, it stinks to struggle, but up blooms amazing beautiful experiences we would not have other wise. I believe “bloom where you are planted.” It is always amazing to me to see a full-grown tree growing in what appears to be a solid rock ledge. Lone trees are much stronger than those in a forest. Stand up and be counted as a hero. Look in your heart and rise to the greatness that is within you.
YOU ARE A HERO

My list of favorite movies with inspiring real people heroes:

Remember the Titans
We are Marshall
Rudy
Radio
October Sky
Sea Biscuit
Sound of Music
The Nativity
Patch Adams
The Rookie
Invincible
Miracle