Author: Kristen

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Fiesta in the Texas Hill Country

by Ken Jarvis, Area Media Specialist

As anyone who lives in or around San Antonio knows, late April is Fiesta time. For the
members of the San Antonio Texas Hill Country Stake (a group of congregations) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the spirit of Fiesta is very much alive and well. That’s because each year they sponsor their own Fiesta, only this year it was a little different and a lot bigger.

A bird’s eye view of Fiesta, San Antonio Texas Hill Country Stake style!

Planning and organizing this year’s fiesta was the responsibility of Randall Wright of the Texas Hill Country Stake Stake High Council (leadership council). “We moved to San Antonio last year and I got the assignment last fall. Unfortunately I had never even heard of Fiesta and had no idea what it was all about.”

Not knowing what to do he took his problem to the Lord. He knew the Doctrine and Covenants (a collection of modern scripture) was written by asking questions of the Lord. For example, Wright said, “Joseph Smith went into the grove with a question and came out with the first vision.”

An estimated 1200 individuals attended the 2023 Fiesta.

Wright didn’t know anybody in the stake so he put his fellow High Counselors to work. “My
Fiesta committee WAS the High Council. Every High Councilor has a unit so I told them it was their responsibility to share this information with their unit.”

Fiesta medals are created each year by various organizations to celebrate Fiesta San Antonio. The Texas Hill Country Stake created their own version for participants to wear.

He thought they should have a midway with booths on either side. “Every unit was to have a
booth the size of three parking spaces.” To that he added booths for the Stake Relief Society (women’s ministry), Primary (children’s organization), Just Serve and Family History. The rest of the space was taken up with booths for face painting, games, crafts, displays and especially food. “My parents passed on to me a catering background. Where that came to play here was that it’s a terrible thing to run out of food.”

Quesadillas, Frito Pies and Smoked Pork Sandwiches were just some of the food served at Fiesta!

In addition to that he wanted an activity for different age groups. For example there was a
petting zoo for the little kids. The large multi-acre field owned by the Stake behind the chapel provided room for soccer, wiffle ball and many other games for the older kids. To all that an obstacle course and bounce house was added.

Children enjoyed different types of animals at the petting zoo.

The next challenge was how to get the word out. Wright put a lot of emphasis on a flyer that
listed “Five Reasons You Don’t Want to Miss This”. Then he made sure each family got several emails from the Stake reminding them that Fiesta was coming with the last email sent the night before from the Stake President.

Missionaries help serve food to Fiesta participants.

Well, apparently a lot of people “didn’t want to miss this” since approximately 1200 members and friends showed up. That’s an increase of 700 over last year. In addition to having a large crowd, the crowd stayed late. Wright said it was scheduled to close at 7p.m. “But we had music and a DJ and the dancing went on until much later!”

A young boy participates in making Fiesta flowers out of tissue paper.

Next year’s Fiesta may very well be larger since many members who attended left with only one regret…they hadn’t invited their friends. Well, there’s always next year.

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Hill Country Handbags for Hope

By Ken Jarvis, San Antonio Area Media Specialist

The San Antonio Texas Hill Country Stake Relief Society Presidency, recognized a need in San Antonio to help the temporary residents of the Battered Women’s/Children’s Shelter. They found out from the director of the shelter that one of the many items needed at the shelter were purses filled with personal items that will help support them as they begin this new transition. Almost immediately, a request for assistance in this effort was sent to all women’s ministry leaders (Relief Society Presidents) in each congregation within the Stake boundaries to help collect “Handbags of Hope”.

“Handbags for Hope” are collected at the San Antonio Texas Hill Country Stake Fiesta celebration.

In the request that was issued the San Antonio Texas Hill Country Stake Relief Society Presidency, stated that, “Along with ministering and loving the sisters in our wards, we have been given the opportunity to tend and care for the sheep of another fold, those being temporary residents of the Battered Women’s/Children’s Shelter.” The message went on to say that these women were in “…very desperate situations that have made them suddenly homeless and consequently sharing quarters with up to 100 other women who are trying to get a fresh start on life.”

More handbags are collected as Fiesta attendees drop off purses and supplies.

Each congregation’s Relief Society, or women’s ministry, was asked to provide as many gently used or new purses as they could. In addition they were asked to fill each purse with the following items: a wallet, small mirror, hair ties, lip balm, feminine hygiene products, hand sanitizer, small notebook with pen, hand moisturizer, and socks.

The number of purses to be delivered to the Battered Women/Children’s Shelter grow.

The goal was to deliver them prior to Mother’s Day, a day that mothers are celebrated worldwide! The hope was “…to help make these ladies’ Mother’s Day be a little bit more special,” according to Cynthia Y. Miller, Stake Relief Society first Counselor.

Cindy Beattie, Stake Relief Society President, said that the goal was to have 100 filled purses delivered to Stake’s meetinghouse for the Fiesta celebration on April 22, 2023. “I’m delighted to announce that we were able to deliver over 200 filled purses to the shelter the following Monday,” Beattie said.

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Pumpkin Patch Service Party

by Leisa Parsons, Area Media Specialist

It’s one of the first signs that the fall season really is here and it’s more predictable than the weather. Despite retailer’s attempts since late July, when folks start to see pumpkin patches popping up around the area they know that autumn and the holiday season have truly arrived.

Costen Yost of the Seguin Ward pulls a pallet full of pumpkins

Unloading 48 pallets of pumpkins from a semi truck, 60 members and missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Seguin helped to set up a pumpkin patch.

Abby Burns of the Seguin Ward
Henry Schacht of the Seguin Ward

The pumpkin patch is part of the Seguin’s First United Methodist Church’s annual landscape. School children will make their yearly pilgrimage to the pumpkin patch, along with other groups and families. There is a reading area for story time, and of course, a place to get those great family pictures! Continue reading “Pumpkin Patch Service Party”

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Women from Warsaw and San Antonio Join Together in a Conference

By Ken Jarvis, Area Media Specialist

Last month women of the Texas Hill Country Stake came together for their annual Relief Society Conference.  In and of itself that’s pretty normal.  But what wasn’t normal was that it was also seen by women over 5,700 miles away in the Warsaw, Poland Branch.  In addition to that, their Relief Society President, Agnieszka Mazurowska, was the concluding speaker of the conference.  

Warsaw, Poland Banch Relief Society President Agnieszka Mazurowska addresses women in the Texas Hill Country Stake Center and in Warsaw Poland

Why on earth would that happen?  

Because last spring the members of the Church of Jesus Christ’s Hill Country Stake joined in a collaborative effort with Polish Church members by sending new suitcases to Warsaw to be distributed to the refugees from Ukraine. Texas families partnered with Warsaw families to help Ukrainian families.  

Suitcases and food are loaded and ready to be sent to aid the refugees

According to Cindy Beattie, Hill Country Relief Society President, approximately 400 new suitcases were purchased by members from around San Antonio and shipped from a warehouse in Poland to the Warsaw congregation. (Read more about the suitcase donations.)

Women attending the conference in Texas

From that time on, a special bond formed between Beattie and Mazurowska.  When the time came for the Hill Country Stake Relief Society’s conference to take place, Beattie invited the Warsaw women to join them via Zoom.  “They had done so much for others,” Beattie said, “I thought our Stake Relief Society could do something for them to bring light into their lives.” Continue reading “Women from Warsaw and San Antonio Join Together in a Conference”

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The Parable of the Invisible Bike Coach

By Neal B. Jeppson, San Antonio Center for Young Adults

Lessons Learned

I just finished teaching my last child to ride a bike.  It’s been something that I’ve looked forward to and dreaded all at the same time.  Not only does learning how to ride a bike test the relationship between the learner and the teacher; it also magnifies human weakness on both the part of the rider, as well as the one doing the teaching.  So why do we insist on inflicting these types of experiences on ourselves and others? We do it because after all of the tear filled moments, the scrapes have healed and fears are overcome, a reward that can rarely be found in other experiences awaits for both teacher and the learner.

So many lessons are gained on a little bike, rolling on hard concrete, with a young parent and a semi-trusting child.  For me, it has been a classroom of why human weakness is so critical for me and my family’s development in life. It has become what I call, The Parable of the Invisible Bike Coach.

parent-child-bike

The Invisible Bike Coach

Imagine what it would be like if we didn’t experience weakness in this life.  It would be like learning to ride a bike with the help of an invisible bike coach. In this scenario, the rider would simply mount up and never sense any imbalance. The coach, of course, would still be there, holding the bike steady but the rider would have no idea that any one else was helping them along.

“This is easy!” the rider exclaims as they begin peddling. As they continue, the invisible bike coach walks silently behind the bike, fingertips pressing into the seat, steadying the rider. Sometimes the invisible bike coach may even run behind the bike, gently pushing it to make it go faster.

Gradually the rider starts to get the hang of it and the invisible bike coach notices moments when he is able to lessen his grip on the bike seat. The rider, unaware of any additional support or even the need for help, acknowledges the ease of the challenge and recognizes that they are just “really good at this bike-riding thing.” Soon the invisible bike coach lets go completely and the rider heads off into the sunset.

In this scenario, there’s no falling, no scrapes and no frustration. Only the joy of riding. Sounds good, right?

dad-daughter-bike

Strength Found in Weakness

When learning to ride a bike, there are lessons that can only be learned if the rider understands this principle: Weakness presents an opportunity for growth. This lesson is more important than just how to properly bandage a scraped knee after falling off a bike. It’s perhaps even more important than developing grit from having to pick oneself up after a fall. Recognizing weakness allows the rider to determine need. A need for help that they are unable to provide for themselves. Let’s consider what other opportunities for growth the rider could have if they were aware of the coach’s presence and his assistance. Continue reading “The Parable of the Invisible Bike Coach”

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A Miracle to be Seen

wheeler-family-miracle

Written by Shanna Glover Wheeler

Traditionally this time of year is a time of reflection for so many people around the world. As my family and I have thought a lot about what the next year will bring, it’s looked a little bit different than it has in the past. You see, something happens when you’re told that you’ve got three to six months left to live. This is not the news I expected to hear at forty-five years old, after a three-year battle with breast cancer. It’s the kind of news that really makes you look long and hard in the mirror. It makes you contemplate your life, the choices you’ve made, and whether or not you’ve used the time you’ve had in ways that will leave a lasting impact on those you love the most.

Time is a funny thing when it’s something you’re running a little short of and it’s a masterful teacher.  It’s taught me a unique perspective. Consequently, my family and I have learned a few lessons over the past few months. I’d love to share some of these with you.

wheeler-family-miracle

“Why me?”

As I think back over the past number of years I can see how the Lord has been preparing me to come back home.  Interestingly enough, I’ve seen His hand mostly in helping me prepare my children. My husband and I have ten kids. We’ve adopted eight of them and fostered another forty-two throughout our marriage. All of this has been especially challenging for them as most of my kids have already lost a parent and experienced so much trauma in their lives. Again and again I’ve asked, “Why wouldn’t God want me to be here to help them?Why me? I have more work left to do!” Daily I wrestled with these questions and the concept of needing to give my will to God. 

wheeler-wedding

Finding Peace

During this period I’d also been spending time at the temple. It was there that I was able to receive peace and was finally able to reconcile my will to His. The Spirit spoke to me and reminded me that I don’t stop being their mother when I’m not here on earth any longer. That fact doesn’t change regardless of which side of the veil I’m on. It was a beautiful reminder that being a wife and mother is what knits together my eternal identity. It’s who I am. Furthermore, my understanding deepened of why God made it possible for families to be eternal. It’s because He loves us! He doesn’t want us to be separated from those we love the most. I’ve felt so grateful for this perspective! I have received so much peace because of it. Continue reading “A Miracle to be Seen”

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Culturalingua First Annual Welcome Walk

by Leisa Parsons, Area Media Specialist

Culturalingua held its first annual Welcome Walk in San Antonio. The “welcome” was extended to the many refugees and immigrants recently arriving in San Antonio. Latter-day Saint Charities was one of the event sponsors. Members and missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ could be seen everywhere helping to man various stations. Also, very prominent was our Texas Giving Machine built by the @churchofjesuschristsat youth group in the Seguin congregation (@SeguinStableProject). It even caught the attention of San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and many in our community!

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Faith & Cookies

“Starting something new is never easy but this has been a very memorable experience for our family. We love the words of Christ in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you…Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

When Jared was laid off from his job in 2019, we were grateful that the fear and uncertainty that would normally accompany such a transition was replaced by divine peace. We felt like everything would be all right even though we weren’t sure what it would look like. Shortly after, we ignored all the rational reasons to avoid starting a new risky venture and we simply dove into starting a cookie business. We felt peaceful that this would be good for our family. We wanted to create a place that would make everything from scratch and use only the highest quality ingredients. We wanted it to taste “homemade” in the best sense.

Our kitchen became a never-ending procession of new cookies. We enlisted the help of friends and neighbors to help us compare different iterations of cookies to help us improve the recipes. For instance, in creating our Texas Ranger cookie, we experimented with nearly a dozen different mix-ins before settling on the optimal mix of 3 types of chocolate chips, oats, coconut, pecans and toffee bits for a truly unique cookie. Taste testing with neighbors was always an important and fun part of the process.

We really value family time and perhaps the best part of starting this new business is the extra family time that resulted. Creating this shop together has given our family a common goal to work on together. One son created an iOS app while another designed the website. Yet another son helped us refine recipes and have helped out at the shop. We now have a wonderful team who also works in the shop day in and day out. We strive to create a friendly and relaxed environment so that our customers know we are grateful for their support and hopefully feel the friendliness. We have really appreciated all the enthusiasm we have received from our customers.

Starting something new is never easy but this has been a very memorable experience for our family. We love the words of Christ in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you…Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Jared & Anne Marie Sorenson, owners of Texas Cookie Shop, San Antonio, Texas

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Getting Hearts Mobile

James Stevens modifying a part for the mobility cart.

On July 13th 2019, members of the Helotes and North stakes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met at the San Antonio build location for Mobility Worldwide. They gathered to assemble hand-operated three-wheeled all-terrain vehicles, specifically following plans to add seats to these carts.

Loren Baxter drilling holes in a cart seat part

Working alongside service coordinator John Butler and President of Mobility Worldwide, Tom Martin, these 5 men and 1 woman weren’t afraid of getting their hands dirty and using the workshop’s machinery to get the job done right. The San Antonio build workshop is the smallest and the farthest west of all the Mobility Worldwide Affiliate Workshops, so that is about the limit on personnel. Despite this a lot can be done in such a limited work space. Continue reading “Getting Hearts Mobile”

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A Prayer of Support

“The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When any part of the body suffers, the whole body feels pain.”

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

This past Saturday, March 23rd, 2019 a Vigil of Love and Solidarity was held in front of San Fernando Cathedral. After the mass shootings in two New Zealand Christchurch mosques, a group of leaders from the religious community in San Antonio gathered together to support those suffering with this idea in mind.

Imam Beytullah Colak from the Raindrop Foundation started the vigil with a prayer. Sakib Shaikh, the public outreach for the Muslim Children Education and Civic Center, shared his thoughts on why it was so important that everyone gather today.

Other prayers and support were shared by these community leaders: Waheeda Kara, the Chairman SoL Interfaith Center, Rev. Ann Helmke, the Community Faith-based Liason for the CoSA, Rev. Beth Knowlton from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Rev. Gavin Rogers from Travis Park United Methodist Church and Gina Ortiz Jones, an Air Force Veteran Fellow.

Member of the Santa Nino Church Choir

The Santa Nino Church Choir also gathered to perform two songs to draw those at the vigil together through music. These were followed by the supportive words of: Monica Ramirez Alcantara, Chairman of the Bexar County DP, Rabbi Sam Stahl, Rabbi Emeritus Temple Beth-El, Imam Omar Shakir, Masjid Bilal Ibn Rabah, Congressman Joaquin Castro, Texas’s 20th Congressional District, Mayor of San Antonio, Ron Nirenberg and Archbishop of Sam Antonio Azaan, Gustavo Garcia-Siller.

Bishop Bruce Baillio saying his prayer

Bishop Bruce Baillio from a local congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave his own prayer in love and support as well. He prayed for continued religious freedom and he echoed the sentiments expressed the day after the shootings by the Pacific Area Presidency of The Church:

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of so many lives as a result of yesterday’s senseless attacks in two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Our prayers are with the families of the deceased, the injured, and all others impacted by this tragedy. We also pray for all New Zealanders and our Muslim brothers and sisters throughout the world.”

Elder O. Vincent Haleck
Elder Ian S. Ardern
Elder K. Brett Nattress