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The following poem was sent to us by Linda Garner. We wish you a great summer weekend.

Summer Witness 

Ah,summer. Backyard barbecues. Fresh veggies from the garden. Colorful days and starlit nights. Children's laughter. Tangy lemonade. Rhubarb pie.

We spent a summer in Arkansas, where forest was everywhere. Even in the city we were surrounded by gracious trees. We walked daily near a friendly stream where fireflies and locusts entertained us and shy forest creatures sometimes said hello. It was a magic place, and one magic summer day I created this poem.

Summer Witness

What could be so pleasant as a peaceful summer day,
When life slows down a little bit and troubles melt away.
The sun’s a ball of butter and the earth is dressed in green,
While overhead the sky’s the bluest sea you’ve ever seen.
Now and then a puffy cloud floats across the sky,
And all around are buzzing things and things that flutter by.
The stream is just a trickle as it gurgles in its play.
The sleepy river lazily meanders on its way.
The heady smell of blossoms comes softly on the breeze
And all the woodland creatures take refuge in the trees.
Surrounded by this beauty and the joy that’s in the air,
Why do some folks wonder if God is really there?

What could be so pleasant as a starlit summer night,
Watching fireflies dance and flicker underneath the moon so bright,
Stepping in and out of shadows made by giants dressed in green,
Watching for the bashful creatures which by day are seldom seen,
Listening to the chicka chicka of the locust’s rhythmic song,
And the chirping of the crickets, as night birds sing along.
Though the earth is far from quiet, there’s a stillness in the air.
My heart is filled with gratitude. I bow my head in prayer.
I listen for the answer. It comes soft as summer rain.
It warms me and it softens me and fills my heart again.
As summer’s warmth enfolds me, I’m surrounded by His love,
And I know that He cares for me from His heavenly home above.

Linda Garner

To go to Linda's website, click here.

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Green Delight

Welcome to the Neighborhood News

We cannot afford to neglect this heaven-inspired program. It can bring spiritual growth to each member of the family, helping him or her to withstand the temptations which are everywhere. The lessons learned in the home are those that last the longest.”

President Monson

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has just updated their Family Home Evening site.

There you can find the Resource book, quick tips and ideas, lessons by topic, activities, videos, music, art work and tips for teaching a lesson.

There are also inspired accounts from people who’ve been doing their family night, and how it’s affected their lives.

The link is here. Make good use of it.

We hope you enjoy your weekend, and start shopping for garden bargains.

Remember to take advantage of our Free Download Friday.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Friday 18 March, click here.

Serve Others

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“And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.” (Luke 1:28)

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Of the many pictures of Mary and baby Jesus I’ve seen through the years, this one is my favorite.

Her whole face is not shown, but those eyes are so expressive, you can almost see into her soul, and yet there still is that air of mystery about her.

Mary was defined as a virgin (one who has not been with a man yet) and fair. The word fair has many meanings –just is one of them—however, let’s share this one from the Merriam-Webster Online dictionary: 1: pleasing to the eye or mind especially because of FRESH, charming, or flawless quality. Another meaning is: not dark. Origin of FAIR: Middle English fager, fair, from Old English fæger; akin to Old High German fagar: beautiful. So, we can assume then that she was not only nice to look at, but light of skin and beautiful. (Source: here)

The prophecies regarding the most important woman in Mankind call her thus. We also learn a lot about Mary by reading the account of the Annunciation from the book of Luke. We learn about her obedience and humility, and of her desire to serve the Lord, no matter what might happen to her. We know that she was pure and innocent, since she was chosen by the Lord to carry His Son.

“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”         (Luke 1:38)

When I look at this picture I see a young mother, holding the most precious Baby in all of history. Does she wonder, as so many of us first mothers do, if she’s up for the job of raising a baby? Or does she worry about how will she protect and teach this little Son of God?

Since she kept all the things about the Lord to herself, we don’t know much about how He was raised, or many special events of His childhood. We can only conjecture and wonder. But we know that she was, like Joseph, of royal lineage. That’s how Jesus through His mortal mother was heir to the throne of David.

She was 'highly favoured' among all the women that had lived until her time, and all the ones that came after that. She was set apart to be His mother, a wonderful blessing!

I hope I can meet this remarkable woman some day, and have the chance to thank her for being my Savior’s mother, nurturer, friend and possibly confidant.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Wednesday, 22 December, please click here.