First Sunday as a New Branch

No this is not what our Branch Building looks like but who knows maybe some day it could grow to this....... :) This is Winter Quarters Temple.

Today was our first Sunday as a new Branch in Winterset. Thought I would share my feelings. It was nice not having to leave an hour before church just so you could sit in the chapel. Today would have been a longer drive because we woke up to the snow coming down in big humougus flakes and blowing around. The roads were snow covered again. During the week I debated whether I would enjoy being in a small branch or not. I kind of like blending in with the other members. I am nervous about getting to know the members. In a bigger ward I get to choose rather I want to be involved and to what degree my involvement is. Our new missionaries stopped by yesterday to let me know about the new branch. Of course they stood at the door because they won't come in. I was impressed with the building. I thought it would be small but it didnt feel that small. As you walked in the front door you could see the chapel towards the back. There was a few classrooms on the right side with the Branch Presidents office. The building was bright and cheery. I think after they maybe put up some pictures on the walls it will really feel like home. The branch presidency were the speakers today. Our theme was about missionary service. But the approach they took was not your usual missionary talks. Brother Chapman spoke from a ensign magazine talk in 1988 the one point that was made is 2 reasons that maybe we are not comfortable doing missionary work is because we are afraid that if we talk to our friends about our beliefs they might not be our friends anymore. Or we might offend one of them. I know that I am not usually one to share what relegion I am because I don't want to debate the church and what others feel is wrong with the doctrine. President Price gave an analogy of being member is alot like being a team member in a extreme sport. If one member becomes tired or weak the others will take their rope and hook it onto the weak members and give of their strength until that member becomes strong again. Kind of like being members of the church we give our testimonies and build up the member who is struggling. One thing I was impressed with is that he admitted that he usually kept his spiritually to himself. I have always been impressed with his testimony even though it wasnt spoken you could feel it. Bro. Turner spoke about missionary work also. He has a son who is on a mission right now. He wasnt a member until he met his wife she lived by example. She didnt like it when his language was colorful as he put it. She didnt attend parties with him. On sundays she attended church and he didnt believe she would attend for 3 hours so he told her to prove it. She did. He was baptized and a year later they were married they have 5 children their two youngest are adopted from China. He said that he had the hopes of being a missionary when him and his wife were older. He feels that his calling in the branch is his chance to be a missionary now. After Sacarment meeting we had a meet and greet type social. Members brought some refreshments. We only had Sacarment meeting today. The only calling that was filled today was Relief Society President. And NO it wasn't me. Boy am I glad of that.