What (or who) will you Trek for?

The Bloomington Stake Youth Trek for 2011 will be held June 1-4.  A website has been established for more information including the forms for downloading at:  www.bloomingtonstaketrek.blogspot.com

You can also go there by clicking here.

A fireside for the youth and their parents was held tonight at the Stake Center to pass along information and begin the registration process.

Those who attended were reminded that the trek is held for a purpose.  "A Trek without a purpose is a glorified hike."

In preparation for Trek, those who are participating have been challenged to learn all the words to five great hymns of the Church.
1.  Come, Come Ye Saints pg. 30
2.  Praise to the Man pg. 27
3.  The Spirit of God pg. 2
4.  How Firm a Foundation pg. 85
5.  I Know that My Redeemer Lives pg. 136

We are also advised to implement walking into our schedules so that we will be used to the hike that will take 4 days to complete.

The Theme for the hike is:  "Latter-Day Trail Blazers"
By learning from the past, youth will gain a clear understanding of the principles of obedience, diligence, sacrifice, covenants, strength, trust, testimony and eternal identity and how as they apply those principles in their lives they can accomplish "hard things" and learn to draw closer to Heavenly Father and the Savior to help them become stronger as they continue on their own trek as a Latter Day Trailblazer.

"You are the pioneers of today and will blaze a trail into a wilderness unlike and perhaps even more challenging than that of the pioneers of earlier days."
-Ardeth Kapp

All youth who are 14-18 years old by are invited to attend and we are asked to seek out and "rescue" all those we can and invite them.

The Stake is also encouraging the youth to participate in a program called the "Trail of Faith Award", where every participant will have the opportunity to earn an award that prepares them spiritually and physically for the trek.

Information is available on the website as well as from the Young Men and Young Womens leaders.

A Blue and Gold Fiesta

Wednesday night, the 23rd, was the annual Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet.

A Fiesta themed night....that turned out to be great fun for all involved.

Carol Hollowell - Cub Master

Doug and Barbara Schaerrer - Webelos Den Leaders

Roma Goldhardt - Wolf Den Leader

Sunnie Adams - Bear Den Leader

Many thanks to those who made this activity possible and enjoyable!  

February Bishopric Message - The Still Small Voice

The gospel teaches us that every person when born on this earth is given the spirit of truth.  Children are very sensitive to this spirit and respond very quickly to its promptings and it seems as we get older we desensitize ourselves to its promptings.  The children have a song in Primary which goes as follows:

Through a still small voice, the Spirit speaks to me
To guide me, to save me from the evil I may see.
If I try to do what's right, he will lead me thru the night,
Direct me, protect me, and give my soul his light.
Listen, listen.  The Holy Ghost will whisper.
Listen, listen to the still small voice.

However, it is imperative that each of us come to a point in our lives where the spirit is again awakened and we become sensitive to this still small voice.  The process is not difficult but requires in us a willing heart.  As we tune ourselves to this spirit, things begin to happen in our lives and in the lives of our friends and neighbors.  Whether we are young or old the steps are faith, repentance, and then baptism which lead to the marvelous gift which is given to us of the Holy Ghost.

Although the Apostles had not yet received the Holy Ghost while they were yet with Christ, he told them that they would receive another Comforter.  "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."  John 14:26

As we become more and more attuned to the Still Small Voice, we can have great things take place in our lives as Elder Richard Edgley of the Presiding Bishopric suggested, "It is a still small voice and a throbbing heart that motivates millions of members to emulate the life of Jesus in word, deed and service.  It is a still small voice and a throbbing heart that motivates thousands of retired couples to serve missions, usually for 18 months or longer.  They put aside the comforts of life to go into the world, serving others at their own expense and at what some would consider substantial sacrifice, often serving in remote parts of the world where a hot shower and a comfortable bed are luxuries that linger only in their memories."  Ensign May 2005

May our lives be so blessed that we have the promptings of the still small voice to help us in all that we do so that we can enjoy the full fellowship of the saints and the household of God.

Bro. Roy Stephen, 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric

Thumbs Up for Etiquette

Last night the Young Men and Young Women met together in a combined activity to learn proper etiquette on an "un-date".  They were fed well and served by their leaders.  The youth had a great experience and went home excited from the opportunity to spend time together.  

From  the LDS.org Guidebook for Parents and Leaders of Youth:
"The monthly combined Aaronic Priesthood-Young Women activity is an opportunity for all the youth in a ward, ages 12-18, to participate together in a wholesome, nondating situation, where they can work and learn together and support each other in living gospel principles."

Our Bloomington 7th Ward youth spent the evening learning skills they will need as they grow and mature and progress in life.  Thank you to the Green Family for hosting the event in their home and to the other leaders and youth who planned and carried out this, "thumbs up" activity!