COME YE, COME YE TO THE CLOVIS 7th WARD'S "A NIGHT IN BETHLEHEM"

DATE: Saturday Dec. 13
TIME: 6PM

Come dressed in biblical attire (sheets with a sash, bathrobes and sandals will do just fine). In the city while paying your taxes you will meet Mary and Joseph ( Matt and Connie Campbell), the 3 Wisemen (Sam Singley, Scott Tobler and Clint Moffitt), but beware of the tax collector (Louis Duran ) or your bag of gold will soon be depleted.

Please tie your donkey in the rear and bring a blanket so your entire family can sit down and eat. (Tables will be available for those of us not quite so limber.) Food booths will be set up to purchase your dinner with your bag of gold coins. Other booths will be set up for children's games. Learn to play the dreidel. We will then experience together the Nativity Scene with all characters present.

Please join us for a very spiritual experience for all ward members and their families.

If you have any questions, call Sam Singley 875-8899 or 333-7806 or Libby Clark-292 8149 A sign-up sheet will be circulated again on Sunday for those of you who would like to contribute food items to the booths or work at a booth. You may also call Sam or Libby to volunteer.

Britten's Christmas Decorating Website

As many of you know, Britten did a wonderful decorating lesson at enrichment last night. She is a professional, holiday decorator and has a wonderful website where she displays examples of her work. Here's the link if you would like to check it out to get great ideas for how to make your home more festive. http://www.thechristmasfaerie.blogspot.com/

Openings for Piano Students

Susie Bessinger has openings for piano students beginning January 2009. If you are interested, please telephone her at: 294-7457. Or write: susiebessinger@yahoo.com

New Italian Recipe Book by Local Restaurant Owner

Piero Manno, founder of the Bella Pasta restaurants in California has written an extraordinarily heartwarming story about his childhood as a shepherd boy and how he came to America. He has included several of his fabulous (and surprisingly simple) prize-winning recipes within the pages of his book. If you would like a copy, please contact Susie Bessinger by email: susiebessinger@yahoo.com or call her at: 294-7457. Mr. Manno's manuscript sells for $12.00. It would make a wonderful Christmas gift for anyone who loves a delightful story and great Italian food!

Good News Minute

We want to welcome Megan, a new member of our Relief Society.
Congratulations to Elizabeth Minnick, she's having a baby girl!
Carol Wright's daughter is having an article published in the New Era and her son and daughter-in-law are going to be in an upcoming church video
Sis Voight got to go see Phantom of the Opera in Las Vegas.
Caroline Marshall celebrated her 92nd birthday.
Kristin Wright's parents are coming home from their mission.

Enrichment Tomorrow (Wednesday)

Just a reminder that Enrichment is tomorrow night. We will be starting at Renee Hart's home at 6:30 for appetizers and then we will go to Carol Wright's home at 7:30 for dessert. If you are unable to make it at 6:30 please join us at Sister Wright's home at 7:30. It is going to be a great night and we hope you all can make it.

Roommate Wanted

Stacy Clarke is looking for a roomate to share her house with. It's located in the area east of Fowler and south of Shields. If you know anyone who is interested have them contact her at 999-1404.

Playgroup Without the Kids!

When: Wednesday, Nov. 26th (8:30)
Where: Sierra Vista Cinemas
What: TWILIGHT!!

Come join us for a girl's night out at the movie. You don't want to miss it!! Call me if you have any questions (292-9220).

-Candice

House Sitters Available for Missionary Couple

IF ANYONE HAPPENS TO BE LOOKING...OR KNOWS SOMEONE LOOKING...FOR A VERY RESPONSIBLE YOUNG COUPLE TO HOUSE SIT THEIR HOME FOR A YEAR OR TWO (WHILE THEY LEAVE AND SERVE A MISSION!!!), MY SON AND HIS ADORABLE WIFE AND BABY DAUGHTER WOULD BE HONORED...AND ESPECIALLY GRATEFUL...FOR A PLACE TO LIVE AND TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF...WHILE HE FINISHES HIS BACHELOR'S DEGREE AT FRESNO STATE. IF INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT: SUSIE BESSINGER @ 294-7457.

Come get in the spirit of Christmas and help a sister.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas which means the annual Santa's Gift Shoppe boutique at Barbara Salin's house will be happening in a few weeks! She says that Santa's elves have been busy making preparations, decking halls, and creating gifts for all ages. However, she is in need of some helpers: to bag, serve cookies, or greet people....If you could spare an hour, or a couple of hours or whatever you could do to help in the boutique your support would be greatly appreciated... She'd love to have you join them. It's a fun way to get into the spirit of the season and enjoy some of the "magic" of Christmas.

The boutique runs from Thursday, Dec. 4th (10am-7pm), Friday, Dec. 5th (10am-7pm), and Saturday, Dec. 6th (10am-4pm).

IF YOU ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP OUT DURING THE BOUTIQUE,DURING ANY OF THESE TIMES, PLEASE email ASAP (santasgiftshoppe1@hotmail.com)

Barbara and her family look forward to seeing each of you! And, if you're not able to come help, she hopes you just stop by and enjoy the spirit of Christmas.

Fun at the Fall Festival!

The Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat was so much fun this year. Here are just a few pictures I snapped of our costumed and non-costumed ward family. I have to say I was impressed by the creative ideas so many of our RS. Sisters came up with for their families and themselves.

A Big Congratulations to Barbara Salin!

We want to send a big congratulations out to Barbara Salin, who won 14 ribbons and a sweepstakes at the Fresno County Fair this year. Amazingly, seven of those ribbons were for first place. For any of you who have tasted Barbara's jam, this will not come as a surprise. I'm sure that I am just one of many who has recognized in the past just how delicious and unique they are. Barbara also won ribbons for her decorative Christmas trees and other Christmas floral, and recieved letters of congratulations from Ball and Kerr jar companies as well as free jars. Great job Barbara, we're so proud of you!

The Youth Musical

I had the opportunity to attend the youth musical this weekend, and I have to take a minute to say what an inspiring experience it was. Suzanne Marshall was in charge of the entire production, and she did a fabulous job! I can only imagine the time, effort, and prayers that must have gone into making it such a success, and I would like to express my appreciation. There were also many others from our Relief Society who were involved in the production. I noted that Elizabeth Duran and Susan Nef assisted in directing, Janine Medeiros painted the amazing backdrop (that sword was awesome!), and Melissa Stokes was the pianist. I was also impressed to see our youth participating. Emily Blackhurst and Devin Wright sang beautiful solos (my favorites of the night, but then I'm biased ;), and Abbey Roberts shared a personal experience. All in all, I left with a feeling of wanting to do better and be better in my own life.

If you have any thoughts or congratulations you would like to share, please feel free to click on the comment link under this post, and tell us what you thought. Also, I'm sure that I may have left someone out in my congratulations, so please let me know so I can add them!

The Fruits of our Labors

Thanks to Kim Price for these great pictures from the Grape Harvest.

Good News and Announcements from the Relief Society

-Daniel and Lydia Seamons and Breann and Jared Seamons have moved into our ward.
-The temple is now open again
-Connie was able to visit Temple Square for the first time in her life
-Sis Bigler said that Barbara Salin was able to help take her genealogy back before 1000 AD to the battle of Hastings and then from there back to almost 0AD
-Sis Larsen visited with Lois Poole who sends her greetings to everyone
-Sis Marshal was able to attend her great grandson's baptism and found out she is about to become a great-great grandmother
-Katie Bishop said her grandparents are going to be sealed

Don't give up on me!

I would like to say sorry for not posting the good news minute over the past three weeks. I have been out of town, sick, and substituting for Young Women's, so I haven't been in Relief Society to get the information, but don't give up on me yet. I plan on continuing to post the good news here along with the calendar and other events.

-Candice

Good News Minute

-Sharon Holden's whole family surprised she and her husband and came to visit for the weekend.
-Evan Roach came to visit and we found out that he will be recieving advanced training in data systems in the military. Also all of the Roach's children were visiting.
-Jane Moffit got a new job and will start teaching at Fresno State.
-Vonnie Henrichsen's daughter recieved a prestiguous military award. She was also able to meet a four start general who was a member of the church.
-Don't forget the vineyard this week. Wed-Sat. Everyone's help is needed for what is expected to be one of the largest harvests ever.

Good News Minute

There was a general sense of relief that children are married and receptions are over.
Kim found a new job.
We had a great enrichment night that was well attended and we recieved lots of positive feedback.

Upcoming Book Club Schedule

Here is what is happening the rest of the year.

September 4rh - Review by Chris DeWoody at Charlene Papin's home
Book: "Princess Academy" by Shannon Hale (can get at Borders)

October 2nd - Hosted by Linda Nimer
Book: "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch

November 6th - Hosted by Nancy Mueller
Book: "Ladies of Liberty" by Cokie Roberts

December 4th- Movie Night - to be announced but maybe Twilight
( just checked -Twilight not released until December 12th)

January 8th - Hosted by Shirley Kirk
Book: "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

Boy, it sure sounds like we have lots of fun ahead. Hope to see you at some of these or all of these if you can make it. Happy reading.

Emma Smith My Story at Sierra Vista

"Emma Smith My Story" will be playing at at the Sierra Vista 16 Theater on Monday, August 18 and Monday August 25. Show times both dates are 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm.
See emmasmithmovie.com
and
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/church-collaborates-on-emma-smith-movie

Check Out the New Clovis 7th Quilter's Blog!

Marva has put together a blog for the quilting group, and it's very exciting to be able to see pictures of the beautiful quilts they're making. I've added a link to their blog on the sidebar, so take a look and make sure and leave lots of comments because the work they're doing is amazing!

http://marvaandfriends.blogspot.com

News from the Relief Society

JoAnne Singley says there will be a Motown review at Hot August Nights, so contact her if you have afro wigs or feather boas, or if you would like to put together an act.
Lori Stokes and her family will be moving out of the ward in the next few weeks. We'll miss you!
Kelly Max and her family are getting a house in Fresno 7th ward. We'll miss you too!
Brian Bitters is getting married on Friday.
Eric Larsen recieved his mission call to Uruguay.
Connie Campbell's Brother-in-law is coming home from Iraq.

Good News from the Relief Society

Today we found out the following good news...

Carolyn Roach's daughter is moving into the ward.
Nancy Mueller just got a new job.
Branson Stokes is on a billboard at Cedar and Millbrook as child of the year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Robin Wright was able to go through the temple with her family yesterday for the first time.
Sharlene Trinagali had a beautiful baby boy.

We would also like to welcome Kimberly Price to the ward.

Thanks for sharing the positive things that are happening in your lives!

New Cooking Class

This month starts our first monthly cooking class. We're so excited!! Cooking class will be held in the morning at 10am, and then again in the evening at 6:30. This month the morning class will be held at Elizabeth Minnick's home and the evening class will be at Kari Christopherson's home (remember we combine with Fresno 7th for this activity). Check the blog calendar for themes and addresses. I'll update it each month with the location and recipe information.

Let's Really Get Started

I'm so glad to see that so many of you are using the blog already. I've recieved so many good ideas from you all. Thanks for the help. Soon I hope we'll have pictures, stories, recipes, and other fun tidbits to post.

I just wanted to encourage you to leave comments here as we begin to post. Also, feel free to send me your blog address if you would like me to add a link on the ward blogs list.