Sunday, February 14, 2016

Welcome Home, Rex and Kathy Tobler


Rex and Kathy Tobler arrived home to St. George and into the waiting arms of their five children and fifteen "grands" on February 2, 2016 after 18-months of service as fulltime missionaries in the Mexico Mexico City West Mission, one of 7 missions in the world’s 5th largest city with more than 20 million residents and one of 34 missions in Mexico. 

Elder Rex, who served a Spanish-speaking mission as a young missionary in Texas, had to “brush up on his language skills” before entering the MTC on August 4, 2014  with his eternal companion.  In Mexico City, he served as mission secretary with responsibilities for ordering supplies (Books of Mormon, pamphlets, replacement missionary badges) and fellowshipped less active members at night with the missionaries.  

Sister Kathy Tobler was responsible for new member paperwork including entering information on baptisms and confirmations – about 150-200 per month – into the Church website.  She also enjoyed the opportunity to “feed the missionaries” on a regular basis and exploring Mexico City with its many sites and wonders, traveling by bus or taxi, metro train or walking. 

Together they enjoyed the company of 9 other missionary couples serving in the mission office – including Mission President George and Sister Dixie Whitehead from St. George - with whom they regularly socialized for game nights, movie nights and sightseeing.  “We had so much fun I often wondered if it counted toward our exaltation,” she said in her Sacrament meeting talk.  They dined at familiar places such as Chili’s, Olive Garden or the Cheesecake Factory, walked 5 minutes from their apartment on the top floor of a 5-story hotel and 15 minutes to Church to attend a Spanish-speaking ward.

Their assigned temple was the Mexico City Temple, but it was closed for remodeling for most of their mission.  However, they did get to participate in the temple rededication on September 13, 2015, an event Sister Tobler calls “a big deal.”   In the meantime, they took the opportunity to attend the Vera Cruz Temple – 6 hours from their apartment – and the temple in Guadalajara – 6 hours in the other direction. 

Both are happy to be home but call this an experience they will never forget and are both grateful for this opportunity to serve together.  

Aaron Larson Recognized with Snow Canyon District's Award of Merit

Aaron Larson was recently named the St. George Southgate Stake recipient of the prestigious Snow Canyon Scouting District’s Award of Merit. 

The District’s highest annual award is a special recognition honoring those volunteer Scouters who have rendered noteworthy service to youth in and outside of Scouting, making it possible to follow Baden Powell’s example and find the true sport in scouting by focusing on “the one.”

Aaron has been a very significant member of the Scouting team while in the Bloomington Stake and continues supporting Scouts and Scouting as a member of the St. George – Southgate Stake.  He has served in every unit in Scouting from Cubs to Venturing.  He currently serves as the Varsity Coach where both he and the young men he serves are loving the interaction.  While serving as a Unit Commissioner, he was involved in all Stake Scouting activities from Merit Badge Pow Wows to Camping and Chartering.

Also recognized at the Snow Canyon District’s annual meeting and awards banquet on February 11, 2016 are former B7 Ward Scouters Matthew Chappell and Steve Gwilliam, who were both recognized with the Second Miler Award. 

The Second Miler Award is given to registered Scouters for outstanding service to boyhood and to those who have gone the extra mile in serving youth either in the District or Unit level programs of Scouting. An individual can earn this district award multiple times in recognition of continuous service. 

Congratulations to Brothers Aaron Larson, Matt Chappell and Steve Gwilliam for well-deserved recognition of their dedication to Scouting.


Saturday, February 13, 2016

Lucy Christensen is Baptized



Lucy Christensen, second daughter of Eric and Kimberly Christensen, entered into the waters of baptism on Saturday, January 23, 2016 to become the newest member of the Bloomington 7th Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The 8-year-old Bloomington Elementary School 2nd grader was baptized and confirmed by her father on a beautifully memorable day for which this lovely little girl "was so prepared and had been looking forward to since her older sister Gracie was baptized," said her mother.  "We have all noticed a difference in Lucy because she knows the importance of the gift she was given on her special day."




Friday, February 12, 2016

Scouts Celebrate Blue and Gold



The combined Bloomington 3rd and 7th Ward Blue and Gold Banquet on February 11, 2016 was a great evening celebrating the birthday of the Scouting program.  Our Cubs, their families and leaders enjoyed a spaghetti dinner with garlic bread, salad, and fabulous desserts provided by the families of our Scouts.

B7 Ward 1st Counselor Boyd Kanenwisher gave an outstanding and informative talk regarding the boys’ individual duties to God and their Country, delivered in a way the boys were able to connect with the message.

Congratulations for your hard work and achievement, to our very own Noah Wilkes who received his Wolf Badge, and Paris Lamb of the 3rd ward who received several achievement pins.

At the end of the evening, the excited boys received their Pinewood Derby kits in preparation for next month’s pack meeting.

Thanks to everyone for their work and efforts to organize a great Blue and Gold, the highlight of the year bringing Scouting families together for an evening of fun.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Young Women Celebrate "New Beginnings"

On Wednesday, February 10, the Young Women of the B7 Ward, their leaders and parents gathered to welcome four new Beehives – Ivy Adams, Shyann Sadler, Traci Clem and Brynlee Olsen - who will be joining their ranks in 2016.  The Young Women’s theme – “Press Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ” – was also the theme of the evening with talks and music, including a beautiful rendition of “Press Forward” sung by Sally Fraser, more fully understand the message of Nephi and how these words apply to each of them individually and collectively.  The girls also shared their understanding and testimonies of the Young Women’s Personal Progress Values of Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice and Accountability, Good Works, Integrity and Virtue.

Thanks to the dedication and guidance of Young Women leaders:  Jill Fraser, President; Kim Christensen, 1st Counselor; 2nd Counselor, Vanda Lawson; Secretary, Katie Christensen; Laurel Advisor, Joy Alldredge; Mia Maid Advisor Trudy Oviatt; Beehive Advisor Susan Foley and Personal Progress Advisor Debb Johnson. 

B7 Jetettes Members of a "First Ever" State Championship

                                                                                                   Photo credit:  Jordan Allred (The Spectrum and Daily News)
Tiana Schall and Hannah Kerr, Laurels in the B7 Ward Young Women’s Program and members of the Jetettes Drill Team, call Dixie High School’s “first ever” state championship win over dozens of 3A drill teams around the Beehive State “totally awesome,” “amazing,” and an event - which has never happened before in Jetette history - they will remember for the rest of their lives.

On Saturday, February 6 at Utah Valley University in Orem, the 24-member Jetettes drill team, who had already competed and won their regional competition, performed three 3-minute routines to beat out 16 other teams from around the state. 

Tiana, a senior and Hannah, a junior, both giddy with excitement, agree their grueling rehearsal schedule for the past two years has “all been worth it.”  Five days a week, the team assembles at 6 a.m. for 1 ½ - 2 1/2 hours of practice before the beginning of their school day.  During the summer months, Jetettes work out every day in preparation for their regularly scheduled performances as well as this 9-minutes of competition - an average of 15 hours a week for the entire year.

See their trophy winning performance on YouTube (Jetettes State Drill Competition 2016) and congratulations for this amazing accomplishment.

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Not a Klondike, but Almost as Fun


Not exactly a Klondike campout, but fun just the same, said many of the 11-15 year old scouts who spent a cold winter night of Friday, February 5 enjoying comradery, night games, Smores and the warmth of the campfire in Moe’s Valley (between Tonaquint Intermediate School and Green Valley).  Scoutmaster Skylar Hansen, other ward leaders Steve Fraser, Michael Anderson and "a dad" Jerry Gardner rode herd on Shane Simkins, Ashton Gardner, Ben Owen, Jarett Thomas, Asher Milner, Isaac Anderson, Thomas Larson, Scott Stokes and Brandon Schnabelt, most who it is reported “were up all night!” This fun adventure is certain to be the first of many campouts in 2016 for these enthusiastic scouts.