Book Bunch - Book Change

(Click image to go to amazon.com website)

We have decided to change the book for our Book Bunch to The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It is really easy and fun read. This book comes recommended by Stephenie Meyer (of the Twilight series). Here is a summary of the book:

Could YOU survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone fighting against you?

Twenty- four are forced to enter. Only the winner survives.

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year, the districts are forced by the Capitol to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal and terrifying fight to the death – televised for all of Panem to see.

Survival is second nature for sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who struggles to feed her mother and younger sister by secretly hunting and gathering beyond the fences of District 12. When Katniss steps in to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, she knows it may be her death sentence. If she is to survive, she must weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Our first Book Bunch will still meet on Thursday, January 22nd at 7 pm. Location will be announced. Let us know if you have any questions. Hope to see you there.

Temple Lights and Scheduled Closures

The 29th Season of the Mesa Arizona Temple Gardens Christmas Light Celebration starts Friday, November 28 at 7 PM. American Idol finalist and Mesa native Brooke White will have the honor of flipping the switch bringing the stunning display of hundreds of thousands of sparking lights and wonderful outdoor exhibits to life. Concerts begin each evening promptly at 7 PM, and last approximately 30 minutes. For all the details, please go to: www.christmastemplelights.com. The display will be open nightly through New Year's Eve.

Please also note the following scheduled closings at the Temple in November and December:
* Thursday, November 27
* Wednesday, December 24
* Thursday, December 25
* Wednesday, December 31 (after the 10 AM Session)

Voices Need for Ward Choir

The Ward Choir is preparing for the Sacrament Christmas Program on Dec. 21. Choir rehearsals are being conducted on Sundays in the Chapel at 10:15 a.m. Please lend us your voices (men especially needed) so that we may ensure having a wonderful program. Rehearsals are planned for 11/30, 12/7, 12/14, at 10:15 AM, in the Chapel. We will have a final run-through on Sunday, 12/21, at 10:15, prior to the program.

Stake Service Project

The Fourth Quarter Stake Service project, bringing clothing and other essentials to more than 1,000 people living in need in the deserts near Rocky Point, Mexico, is in full swing. Collection boxes were placed in the halls last Sunday. Thank you to the YW and YM for their help in decorating the boxes, they look great. (Please note that the other wards have their boxes out as well.) Over the next four Sundays, through Dec. 21, we are collecting blankets, warm clothing (clean and in good condition all sizes), jackets (all sizes) and humanitarian aid kids. These include tooth brushes, wash cloths, small combs, soap bars and toothpaste. Additionally, cash donations and gas cards are being accepted to support this effort. Please give cash or gift card donations to a member of the EQ Presidency or Bishopric. You can also bring items to the Ward Christmas Party on Saturday.

Finally, we will need assistance delivering the collected items to the Cave Creek Building on Monday, Dec. 22. More details will be forthcoming on that.

First Presidency Christmas Devotional

The First Presidency Christmas Devotional will be held on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 6 PM. The devotional will feature the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square. Members of the First Presidency will be the speakers. For information on worldwide broadcast times and options, see the broadcast schedule

Ward Christmas Party - Dec 6th

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No Institute Tomorrow

Sisters,

There will be no Institute this Tuesday.

We hope you have a great Thanksgiving week enjoying your family.

Thank you!

Gift Card Sign Up

Hi Sisters, a couple weeks ago we sent around a sign-up sheet for people to donate gift cards for 12 gift baskets the Relief Society is putting together. If you signed up to donate a gift card, please try to bring it to church this Sunday. If you have not signed up and would like to contribute, here is what we still need:

Target gift card - $5 - $20

Gas Gift Cards - $5 - $20

Blockbuster Gift Cards - $5 - $20

Walmart Gift Cards - $5 - $20

You can also donate cash on Sunday.

Let me know if you have any questions. Thank you and Happy Holidays!

Tania
tania.knutson@cox.net

Christmas Enrichment Night

Hi Sisters, Enrichment is coming up. I hope you have marked your calendars. Come and enjoy a night where you can visit with wonderful friends, enjoy great food and hear some Christmas cheer.

When: Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 7:00pm

Where: Marcia Lyons Club House

Directions:

Go north on Pima Rd.

Go past Pinnacle Peak Rd.

Turn right on Happy Valley Rd. (a stop light) Go about 1 to 1 1/2 miles.

On the left our development is called "Eagles Glen"

Go to center island and put in * # 1202

The gate will open

The clubhouse is immediately on your left.

Turn left on lst street and park on the street.

Food: If you would be willing to bring any of the following, please let me know.

Chicken Enchilada – let me know if you need a recipe

I need 6 more people

Salsa – we need 2 more people

Desserts – we need 3 more people

Please contact Tania Knutson at 480-515-3667 if you have any questions.

Tania
tania.knutson@cox.net

Tot Lot - 11/19

Some girls will be going to the Police Park at 9am located on 56th st and Paradise (one light south of Bell). It is literally located adjacent to the police station (bonus no creepsters)!!! Come one. Come all.

For all you northerners go west on Frank Lloyd Right to 56th street. Go south (left) until first light. Go through light and turn into police station.

Any questions call Bobbi at 480-634-3118.

Introducing the Book Bunch!

Every other month (starting in January) we are going to meeting for our Book Bunch. The book we have chosen for January is The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. It is described as "modern take on Hamlet set in rural Wisconsin".

Here is the book description from Amazon.com:

Born mute, speaking only in sign, Edgar Sawtelle leads an idyllic life with his parents on their farm in remote northern Wisconsin. For generations, the Sawtelles have raised and trained a fictional breed of dog whose thoughtful companionship is epitomized by Almondine, Edgar's lifelong friend and ally. But with the unexpected return of Claude, Edgar's paternal uncle, turmoil consumes the Sawtelles' once peaceful home. When Edgar's father dies suddenly, Claude insinuates himself into the life of the farm--and into Edgar's mother's affections.

Grief-stricken and bewildered, Edgar tries to prove Claude played a role in his father's death, but his plan backfires--spectacularly. Forced to flee into the vast wilderness lying beyond the farm, Edgar comes of age in the wild, fighting for his survival and that of the three yearling dogs who follow him. But his need to face his father's murderer and his devotion to the Sawtelle dogs turn Edgar ever homeward.

David Wroblewski is a master storyteller, and his breathtaking scenes--the elemental north woods, the sweep of seasons, an iconic American barn, a fateful vision rendered in the falling rain--create a riveting family saga, a brilliant exploration of the limits of language, and a compulsively readable modern classic.

More information on the book can be viewed at Amazon.com or at the author's website here.

Our first Book Bunch meeting will be Thursday, January 22nd at 7 p.m. at Alex Albert's House. We know it seems very far away but we wanted to give everyone plenty of time to read the book before then, especially with all the holidays coming up. So mark your calendars and start reading!!

Twilight Movie

(Click to go to movie website)

I know we have a lot of Twilight fans out there and as many of you may know, the Twilight the movie comes out on November 21 at 12:01 am. The tickets are now on sale! Buy your tickets now to make sure you get one. A group of girls will be going and are purchasing tickets at the Harkins Scottsdale 101. I think that you have to buy your tickets there, not online. Contact Hillary Hall with any questions. Her email address is: hillaryhall21@yahoo.com

Tot Lot - 10/5

Tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. we will be meeting at the park on Williams. It is the park where we had our ward 4th of July breakfast. I don't have the exact address but it is right next to Pinnacle Peak Elementary School and the address for that is 7690 E Williams Dr. Head north on Hayden and turn right on Williams (before Pinnacle Peak). The park will be on your left. Hope to see you there!

Choir Voices Needed

The choir is looking for more people.
They will be singing at Ward Conference.

Choir Practice:

November 9th in the Chapel at 10:15

Voices Needed!

Tot Lot - 10/29

This Wednesday the Tot Lot will be going to the Phoenix Zoo.

There will be a group that is going in the morning at 10 a.m. and another group going in the afternoon around 1:30.

If you are interestd in going in the morning, contact Dani Wilde

danijwilde@gmail.com to let her know you are coming and/or if you want to carpool.

If you are interested in going in the afternoon, email Erin Nielson so she knows who to look for and let her know if you are interested in carpooling. Her email address is: ehnielson@hotmail.com.

You can also contact me at deserthillssisters@gmail.com and I'll pass to the info along to either of them.

Single Adult Family Home Evening Reminder

Single Adult Family Home Evening is moving to Sunday night, just for October 26th. Nancy Lowery will be sharing a lesson on Healthy Living, titled "You can Die from a Broken Heart!"

7:00 p.m. at the home of Sherida Hatch, 7592 E Phantom Way, Scottsdale 85255 . Questions or RSVP sbhatch@hotmail.com.

We will also be making plans to attend the Area Single Adult Conference November 6 - 9th. For more information: http://www.phxldssingleadults.info/

Wanted: Recipes

We are ready to start compiling recipes for The Desert Hills Relief Society Cookbook. The cookbook theme is Pure and Simple. The due date for the recipes is November 15, 2008. Please send us one or more recipes for the cookbook. We are looking for your favorite recipes, the tried and true recipes and the recipes that everyone asks you for. It doesn't have to be a recipe that you invented yourself. If your favorite recipe is from Food Network send us that one! (Just try to cite the source of your recipe if possible.) If you have a picture of your recipe please send that as well. We will be getting at least one recipe from everyone so start thinking.

The sooner you can send us your recipes, the better!

Please email your recipes or any questions to: deserthillssisters@gmail.com

Reminder: Trunk or Treat is on Saturday

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Reminder: Spicy Sisters Tonight

Click here for the post just in case you missed it. Hope to see you there!

Welcoming Azure Starling Mahoney

Azure Starling Mahoney

8 lbs. 8 oz.
21 1/4 inches long
DOB: September 20th

Mother: Christina Mahoney

Stake Temple Day - 10/29

Stake Temple Day is Wednesday, October 29. There is a chapel session planned at 4:00 pm. The Desert Hills Ward has been asked (to the extent possible) to attend the temple before 4:00. Members are encouraged to attend multiple sessions that day and/or do multiple ordinances (i.e., initiatory, sealings and endowments).

Tot Lot - 10/15

It's park weather! Let's meet at the McDowell Mountain Park at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Take Bell east toward Thompson Peak. Take 1st left on Paradise. (If you hit the light you've gone too far.) Paradise winds around and ends at the park. There is a park and a splash area.

Hope to see you there!

Spicy Sisters - 10/21

Get ready for the next meeting of the Spicy Sisters on Tuesday, October 21st at 7 p.m.
We will be meeting at Prickly Pear Mexican Restaurant located at 14740 N Northsight Blvd (Raintree & Northsight)

Bring a copy of your favorite Mexican recipe.

Anyone is welcome to come. Hope to see you there!

New Member Social - 10/12 at 6:30 p.m.

Brethren and Sisters:

We've had 17 new families move into the Desert Hills Ward in the last 15 weeks! Another family, the Evans, arrive this week with four young children ages 3-7 years old.

Please get the word out to any new members in your quorum or auxiliary that we've rescheduled the New Member Social for Sunday, October 12 at 6:30pm at Ed and Elliott's home. All family members are encouraged to attend. Dress is casual.

Ward Council members are asked to please bring your favorite dessert for 5-7 persons.

Thank you!

Bishop Duke

General Conference Times

Ladies, there seems to be some confusion regarding the broadcast times for October General Conference, that appear to be resulting from the extension of Daylight Savings Time, which now begins in March and ends in November, so to help eliminate any confusion (at least that is my goal) here's what to plan on:

The times currently shown on the Stake Calendar, "10:00 AM MT", are Mountain Daylight Time, which is one hour ahead of Arizona time (Mountain Standard Time). The 5:00pm time for the priesthood meeting is Arizona time, which is when the broadcast will be aired at both the Stake Center and Cave Creek buildings.

The Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions will be at 2:00pm Utah time and 1:00pm Arizona time.

To recap:
. .Arizona Time Utah Time
Morning sessions 9:00am 10:00 am
Afternoon Sessions 1:00pm 2:00 pm
Priesthood Session 5:00pm 6:00 pm

Thanks!

Tot Lot - 10/1

This week we will be meeting at the pool at DC Ranch at 10 am. It is off of Desert Camp and Thompson Peak. They have a really great kid pool. If you have any questions, contact Erin Nielson. Or you can send an email to deserthillssisters@gmail.com.

Hope to see you there!

Special Interest Groups (SIGs) - List and Information

Hello Ladies,

The following are the Special Interest Groups (SIGs) that we have established for our ward. We will be posting information about each group separately. This is just a list to let you see what SIGs we have and to help to you think of any ideas that we may have missed.

--Temple Trotters
--Granola Girls: Looking forward to more hiking and outdoor adventures as the weather gets a little cooler (which is hopefully soon!)
--Spicy Sisters: Delicious food...need we say more?? (Tentatively plan to meet the 2nd Thursday of each month)
--Tot Lot: Every Wednesday morning around 9:30 a.m. - Location to be posted each week
--Liz's Ladies...You know who you are! (Organized by Liz Bolster)
--Sisters with Skills: Once a month learn a new skill. If you have any talents you would like to share, please let us know.
--Book Club: Info TBA
--Institute: Tuesday Mornings from 9-10:30 at the Larkspur Building

Let us know if there is anything we've missed. To view information for a specific group, look in the "Labels" section on the right side of the blog and click on the title that you would like specific information about.

Institute

We are starting to post all the information for our Special Interest Groups (SIGs) for Relief Society. One of our groups that has been going on is Institute. Here is a review of the Institute information:

--It meets every Tuesday from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m at the Larkspur Building.
--Eileen Allred is our outstanding instructor - the ladies are great!
--There is also child care available - Sister Golay will take care of the kiddos for $5 per child each week.

We are finishing up the Old Testament by Christmas - the schedule is below:

September 30 - Isaiah 55-66, pages 927-941
October 7 - 2nd Kings 21-25, Nahum, Zephaniah and Habakkuk, pages 540-548 & 1156-1165
October 14 - Jeremiah 1-19, pages 942-968
October 21 - Jeremiah 20-22; 24-29; 32; 34-45; 52 & Lamentations, pages 968-1026
October 28 - Jeremiah 23; 30-31; 33; 46-51; & Obediah, pages 972-1018 & 1146-1147
November 4 - Ezekiel 1-24, pages 1027-1061
November 11 - Ezekiel 25-48, pages 1061-1099
November 18 - Daniel, pages 1099-1121
December 2 - Ezra, Haggai and Esther, pages 634-638, 1166-1168 & 668-678
December 9 - Nehemiah, pages 648-668
December 16 - Zachariah and Malachi, pages 1168-1184

Each week we will post an Institute reminder on this blog as well as the reading for that week. We hope to see you there!

Don't Forget to Vote!

The following is the Maricopa County Elections Office information page that allows a person to register to vote and request an early ballot on-line. The site even allows a person to check whether or not they are registered to vote if they are not sure. The web address is:

http://recorder.maricopa.gov/web/elections.aspx

The deadline for registering to vote in the November 4, 2008 general election is October 6, 2008 at midnight. A person may request an early ballot at any time. Early ballots are sent out starting on October 2, 2008.

Welcome

"Relief Society stands for love. What a remarkable thing it is to witness the love of good women one for another. They mingle together in the bonds of love with friendship and respect for each other. This organization is actually the only resource that many women have for friendly association.
It is the natural instinct of women to reach out in love to those in distress and need."
--President Gordon B. Hinckley

This blog is for us to let everyone know about all the different groups, activities, events, announcements, etc. for the sisters in our ward so that we can "mingle together in the bonds of love with friendship and respect for each other.

As we start to set up the Focus Groups on here, we hope that you can find time to participate in any or all of the activities. If there is a group or activity that you are interested in and we don't have it set up, please let us know. We are always so excited to hear your ideas and suggestions.