November Gratitude Journal: Day 3

I am grateful for:

five adorable nephews
friends who let me dote on their babies like they are my own
a job that requires me to drive by the outlet mall at least twice each week
parents who taught me to love the gospel & work hard
a husband who encourages me to be my best self
a testimony that Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ love and know me on an individual basis

{Larkin Reeves}

November Gratitude Journal: Day 2

I’m grateful for:

A wonderful husband, who loves me, supports me, and without whom I would be lost.
Parents that have supported me and taught me to believe in myself and created a family that is
close-knit and always has a lot of fun together.
The opportunity that I had to move to Iowa. This has not only resulted in the great blessing of
continuing my education, but also the sweet blessing of meeting so many wonderful people that
have truly enriched my life.
My dog’s sweet face. I know that everyone else only sees the mean face and hears the barks,
but she really is sweet!
Chick peas. Let’s face it – they are just good.

There are so many more things that I could put on to this list. At the end of the day, I’m very blessed and have so much to be grateful for. 

{Melanie Jordan}

November Gratitude Journal: Day 1

One of the monthly goals in November is to record 2 things you are grateful for in your journal each day.  In the spirit of this goal, we are turning our Lengthening Your Stride blog into a ward gratitude journal!!  Get excited -- we hope that everybody will contribute (otherwise you will be hearing about a lot of my grateful things)!! 

Each day, we will post a list of things that people are grateful for.  So, without further ado, here is Day 1 of our gratitude journal:

I am thankful for: a strong body, my warm and comfy bed, my heritage, the peace of the gospel, beautiful art, kind people, those who quietly serve, prayer, The Savior's Love, testimonies, temples, sunshine, good water, my family, those who have sacrificed for freedom, those with courage to act, blueberries, scriptures, memories, the ability to love, timeless music, laughter and America.  {Hilary Dye}

 

November Theme: Love & Service

Happy November!

Welcome to month three of the Lengthening Your Stride program.  We hope that you each found meaningful ways to lengthen your stride in the area of citizenship during October.  This month's theme is love & service.  Be sure to check out the goal suggestions tab for goals that fit this theme.     

President Thomas S. Monson shared the following thought about loving and serving those around us:

'We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we’re doing, we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the “thick of thin things.” In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes.

Many years ago I heard a poem which has stayed with me, by which I have tried to guide my life. It’s one of my favorites:

 

I have wept in the night

For the shortness of sight

That to somebody’s need made me blind;

But I never have yet

Felt a tinge of regret

For being a little too kind.

  

My brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.'

We hope that this month you can gain a deeper understanding of the blessings that come through lengthening your stride in the area of love & service.

Please feel free to share your insights and thoughts with us throughout the month.

With Love,

The Literacy Committee

Iowa Activity: Mormon Handcart Park

Remember this activity that Regan organized?  We have pictures!

The Mormon Handcart park is just off Mormon Trek -- click here for a map.  Thanks to Regan for organizing and to all who attended.

With love,

The Literacy Committee  

October -- Citizenship: Voting

Several of our monthly goals in October center around voting as a way to demonstrate citizenship.

Here are some helpful websites that might be helpful as you consider voting in the November election:

Johnson County Voter Registration information -- click here.
Election Day Voter Registration information --  click here. 
Find your polling place in Johnson County -- click here.  
List of candidates & ballot issues -- click here.
Information about absentee ballots -- click here.
Places & dates for early voting -- click here.  

Love,
The Literacy Committee

October Theme -- Citizenship: Presidential Debates

We know that becoming informed about the views and stances of presidential candidates is essential in voting responsibly.  Presidential debates provide one way for us to learn more about how each presidential candidate plans to act if elected to office.

Here are the dates & times for the remaining presidential debates:

October 11, 8:00 - 9:30 pm:  Vice-Presidential Debate, foreign & domestic policy
October 16, 8:00 - 9:30 pm:  Presidential Debate, town meeting style
October 22, 8:00 - 9:30 pm:  Presidential Debate, foreign policy

For more information about the debates and a live stream via internet, click here.  If you choose to watch any (or all!) of the debates, be sure to report each one as a completed goal.

As we enter this election season, it is important to remember that the church is politically neutral.  From lds.org:

The Church’s mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, not to elect politicians. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is neutral in matters of party politics. This applies in all of the many nations in which it is established.
The Church does not:

• Endorse, promote or oppose political parties, candidates or platforms.
• Allow its church buildings, membership lists or other resources to be used for partisan political purposes.
• Attempt to direct its members as to which candidate or party they should give their votes to. This policy applies whether or not a candidate for office is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• Attempt to direct or dictate to a government leader.

The Church does:

• Encourage its members to play a role as responsible citizens in their communities, including becoming informed about issues and voting in elections.
• Expect its members to engage in the political process in an informed and civil manner, respecting the fact that members of the Church come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and may have differences of opinion in partisan political matters.
• Request candidates for office not to imply that their candidacy or platforms are endorsed by the Church.
• Reserve the right as an institution to address, in a nonpartisan way, issues that it believes have significant community or moral consequences or that directly affect the interests of the Church.

Sending our love,

The Literacy Committee