Sunday Scribble

Sunday was a spiritual feast for all who attended.  Bishop Oviatt was released, as his wonderful family prepares to head to Ohio and new adventures.  Bishop Tyler Howell was called to lead Mt. Norway ward, along with Bros. Chaston and Dinnell as his counselors.  The Oviatt and Tanner families will be sorely missed!

Amber Molina taught a beautiful lesson about discerning our talents, and using them to bless the lives of others.  "Our talents may only be small at first.  But with hard work they can grow.  Improving one talent often helps us develop other talents.  Special training or formal education helps us build many skills.  Overcoming special challenges or handicaps can also help us develop new talents.  As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have many chances to find and develop new talents when we accept calls to serve.  Many of us are called not for what we can do but for what we can be."  (Lesson 27, The Latter-day Saint Woman; Basic Manual for Women, Part A)

Many of these talents are 'hidden' talents - unlike more obvious talents in the arts, music, etc.  These talents are great treasures such as charity, patience, a listening ear, wisdom, and kindness.  Julie Dayley shared an experience from her Beehive years.  Her YW lesson was on talents, and she was uncomfortable because she did not feel that she had any real talents that she could share.  Her very wise YW leader told her that she had a talent to make people smile - that people felt good when they were around her.  This is so true!

Amber talked about the wonderful sister who was a few years older than her mother when her mother first joined the church as a teen.  The love and friendship of that woman helped her so much as she struggled to grow her tender new testimony. 

Suzi Hines mentioned that when someone takes the time to teach us how to do something, no matter what that is, we feel loved.  Our ward is full of spiritually talented women - we are greatly blessed!

STEPS TO DEVELOPING TALENTS (OF ANY KIND):

1.  DISCOVER:  On our own, or with the help of others
2.  TIME AND EFFORT:  Any good skill takes time and patience
3.  FAITH:  Heavenly Father can help us to develop any gift if we have faith
4.  LEARN:  Take a class, ask a friend, read a book, pray for guidance
5.  PRACTICE:   Practice, practice...
6.  SHARE your talent with others!