Taking on Names!

Recently our Alaskan friends, Darrel and Linda, now Oregonians, dropped by and we had such a great visit! We were telling them that our Stake boundaries had changed and Grandview Ward had been renamed....Rattlesnake Mountain Ward! Darrel shared that Oregon has a Boring Ward and the new Stake was going to be the Boring Stake but that didn't fly! That reminded me of when we visited our son and his family in Kansas, and I asked about a family, I'd met on our last visit, that weren't at Church. Our Daughter-in-law said--They go to the normal ward.-- I wondered- so are they in a Ward with psycho's or abnormal or what? Turns out there is a Normal Ward in Kansas! What names can you add that are unusual as far as Wards or Stakes? Rattlesnake Mountain Ward wins with me!!  Someone said...they know what the Ward mascot is!!


I do lots of emailing in RS and these are 3 of my favorite email names.....

                    WarriorMommy.....BarracudaMom...Baroness

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 I was named Nancy Lee and then given my Father's last name.  
Nancy~ after a friend of my Mother's. The local Dr.s wife.   
Lee~ after the middle name of my Mother's favored, one and only, brother. 
Yes, as a girl and teen, I was teased by those who knew the song below. All I had to do was laugh in the presence of my Mother's peers and they would bring up the song!!

Nancy ------Frank Sinatra
Writer(s): Silvers/van Heusen

If I don't see her each day, I miss her
Oh what a thrill, it is to kiss her
Believe me, I've got a case
On Nancy, with the laughing face

She takes the winter and makes it summer
And summer could take some lessons from her
Picture a tomboy in lace
That's Nancy with the laughing face

Have you ever heard mission bells ringing
Well she'll give you the very same glow
When she speaks you would think it was singing
Just to hear her say hello

I swear to goodness, you can't resist her
Sorry for you, she has no sister!
No angel could replace
Nancy, with the laughing face!

Keep Audrey Hepburn, and keep Liz Taylor
Nancy's the feature, they're just the trailer.
No angel could replace,
My Nancy with the laughing face!

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Our Ward is blessed with a variety of membership ages spanning from the cradle to the grave.  Recently, 3 new babies were born....Gabriella, Marshall and Eli.  Gabriella, was all dressed in a beautiful white dress, gifted to her by her Aunties and looking every bit an angel, as her Daddy brought her forward.  She was going to receive her name and a blessing, to be given by her Father. Standing in that circle of love, last Sunday, as this ordinance took place, were 4 Uncles, 1 cousin and both of her Grandfathers .  She was given the name she will be known by, in her sojourn on earth and the Church records.... Gabriella Paige and then her Father's last name. 

Her recently baptized brother, Zak, was confirmed on the same day.  The same Priesthood authority was used by the same men.  It was a beautiful day to be there and see all of this unfold, in such order and great spirituality. 

In joining the Church I was baptized, by immersion, by one authorized with the power of the Priesthood.  Then I was blessed with the gift of the Holy Ghost at my confirmation.  This significant life-altering decision, to take upon myself the Name of Jesus Christ, through baptism and confirmation by one with Priesthood authority, is the best decision I ever made!! 

Each week, as I partake of the Sacrament, I am reminded that I freely partake and am, along with the other congregants....willing to take upon myself the name of the Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given me;  that I may always have his Spirit to be with me.   Weekly I am able to review my life, repent and renew those covenants so willingly made at baptism.  Although I had been previously baptized by immersion in my former Baptist Church, there was no Priesthood authority, so it was not valid.  Embracing the Gospel is a gift of choice and I'm so glad I chose this way.