Young Women Broadcast

Right after the branch homecoming fireside for Sister Jessica Tsai on Saturday, March 26, the Young Women of our branch went downstairs to the basement to watch  the Young Women broadcast from Salt Lake City.  With cake and punch in hand, they enjoyed being together and listening to the words of church leaders.

Read More

Homecoming Fireside for Sister Tsai

Eighteen months after her departure to the Missionary Training Center on September 2, 2009, Sister Jessica Tsai returned home on March 23, 2011, having completed a successful mission in the Colorado Denver South Mission.  She labored diligently in four areas in Colorado with much success.  At the Tsai home on March 26, the branch welcomed Sister Tsai with a branch fireside, conducted by President Patrick Shen.  Accompanied by Joshua Tsai on the piano, Sister Tsai played a medley of "Amazing Grace," "As Now We Take the Sacrament," and "How Great Thou Art" on the violin.  President Shen welcomed her back to the branch by presenting to her a missionary plaque with her favorite scripture engraved on it.  Then she shared a slideshow, created by Brother Da Zhao, and discussed her mission experiences as everyone enjoyed the photos.  At the conclusion, the youth sang "Sisters of Zion/Army of Helaman" while Sister Tsai played the piano.  Afterwards, everyone had a chance to talk to Sister Tsai and enjoy cake, brownies, almond tofu dessert, punch, and red bean soup.  It was wonderful to see so many members, friends, and former members of the branch come to this fireside.  Congratulations on a mission well-done, and welcome home, Sister Tsai.

Read More

Farewell Fireside

The last year and a half have passed by very quickly.  It seems as if they just arrived from Shanghai.  Memories of their darling daughters singing a Chinese song in traditional costume during the Chinese New Year celebration still linger in our minds.  A few weeks ago, Tim and Morgan delivered impressive talks on maintaining strong families.  Their daughters again treated us with all three verses of "Love at Home" in Chinese.  It was amazing that they memorized the whole hymn in Chinese, but the Spirit and love they shared with us that day was most memorable.  Then on the first of spring this year, March 20, right after church, our branch paid tribute to their family with a fireside conducted by Brother Da Zhao.  Tim and Morgan then shared with us their thoughts and feelings as they prepare to move on to the next part of their lives.  President Shen thanked them for their participation in and their contributions to our branch.  After the fireside, we enjoyed some delicious food together.  Although your time in our branch thus far has been brief, we are grateful that you have chosen to be part of our branch.  May the Lord bless your family.  'Til we meet!

Read More

Where Are They Now? ---> Carol Ramsay Scott

I am Carol Scott, formerly Carol Serrano, aka Luan Jiemei. I was in the branch 1994-1995. I served a mission to Taiwan in 1983-85 after studying Mandarin for two years at the University of Maryland. I taught Gospel Principles in the branch, and my two daughters attended with me. They're now 19 and 22 (Liana-22 y/o-is attending ASU studying Interior Design, Ali (19) is studying at BYU-Idaho preparing for a degree in Nutrition). 

I have worked at LDS Family Services for 15 years, but am just leaving there to open a private practice in individual and couples therapy here in Gilbert Arizona (my new office will be down the street from the new Gilbert Temple when it's completed). My business website is www.chandlergilbertcounseling.com. 

We went to China (my girls, my husband and I) in 2008 for Bob's sabbatical trip. We spent 8 weeks, 1 in Taiwan, 4 in Mainland China and 1 in Thailand. It was amazing.

I loved the branch, seeing the faithfulness of the new Chinese members. How welcoming they were to my little family, and how eager they were to attend the temple. I appreciated my bridal shower when I married my husband Bob in the DC temple. The branch was so generous in helping us clean up and serve! We loved our time there.

Gongxi facai!

Carol Ramsay Scott (formerly Carol Serrano)

Read More

New Baby Girl for King's

On March 11 at 3:50pm in Provo, Utah, Po Tim King, formerly Sister Kwun, had her first child, born 6.4 pounds and 19 inches long.  Her name is Evelynn Etsuko King (Etsuko means joy in Chinese), and her Chinese name is 本鄉悅.  Congratulations to Po Tim and Brenden on their firstborn!

Read More

Baptism of Alex Garzon

Alex Garzon was baptized by David Chang on Sunday, March 6, 2011.  After he was welcomed into the Young Men's program by our Young Men's President, Jess Theodore, President Patrick Shen welcomed him into our branch as our newest member.  The youth sang a beautiful and united rendition of "Be Strong."  Sister Alexis Chang shared a message about baptism, while Elder Kerby delivered a talk on the Holy Ghost.  Congratulations, Alex!

Read More

Primary Scripture Olympics

On March 5 from 11am to 2pm at the Kentlands Chapel, ten lucky participants engaged in fun, exciting contests featuring stories from the scriptures at the Primary Scripture Olympics.  For the Parable of the Ten Virgins with water representing oil and a cup symbolizing the lamp, the children competed in a relay to fill a cup with water using a spoon.  Again using a spoon, they transport boiled eggs representing the fruit from the tree of life.  Everyone had fun taking turns to be David trying to hit Goliath by flipping cranberries with a spoon.  Searchers matched animals scattered all over the gym floor and delivered them to Noah's Ark.  They attempted to build the Tower of Babel by piling up potatoes.  Afterwards, they enjoyed delicious cookies.  Thanks to the Primary leaders for organizing such a fun activity.



Click here for larger images

Read More

Where Are They Now? ---> Nick Rodgers

I am Nick Rodgers, also known as Luo Zhang Lao or Luo Jie.  I served as a missionary in the branch from January 2003 to December 2004.  On my mission, my companions were Elders Logan Hale, Benjamin Li, Chad Muir, Alan Sheffield, Dylan Landeen, Mitch Howe, Joe Heaton, and Kyle Melling.  My mission presidents were President Madsen and President Price.

Two days stand out to me.  On my first day visiting the branch, I was feeling very welcomed but out of place. I couldn't understand anything anyone was saying, and I'm sure they couldn't understand me either. During my last day as a member of the branch, I was feeling like I was leaving home all over again. I could understand them, and they could understand me. In two years we had become family. I still think of my time in the branch frequently and fondly.

I graduated from the BYU Marriott School of Business with a degree in Information Systems in 2009.  Now I am working for a small consulting company called Metric-X located in Perrysburg, OH.  I am married to Brittany Viola Rodgers with 4 children: Madisen Rayanne (girl age 4), Nicholas "Cole" Jeffrey (boy age 3), Ethan David (boy age 2), and Bennett Daniel (boy age 6 weeks).

Our blog page is by invitation only.  Send your email address to brittanydrodgers@yahoo.com if you would like an invitation.

Read More

Newsletter March 2011

Read More