Benjamin’s Arrow of Light

Benjamin earned his Arrow of Light award, the highest award given in Cub Scouting.

Ben and Cub Master Jason Lecike
Presented with a ceremonial arrow by dad (David) with mom (LaReita) looking on
Benjamin walks across the bridge from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts (and is properly carrying his arrow for safety)
Benjamin receives his Boy Scout neckerchief from his (demon) Scoutmaster

Relief Society Spotlight

In our ward the Relief Society has a new presidency that are trying to get to know the sisters more. They have started doing a “spotlight” each Sunday on a sister who fills out a paper. They pick one to read after the announcements and before the lesson starts. They also send out a weekly email of announcements, including the typed up spotlighted sister. This week my spotlight was chosen. I figured this was a good history item to save.

LaReita first indicated that she goes by ‘Mom’. (Cute!)
She was born in Phoenix, Arizona
She has one brother and two sisters
She has lived in Phoenix, Tempe, Daly City (next to San Francisco)
She was baptized when she was eight years old by her father
She did not served a full-time mission but states that her mission is to raise her five sons to be wonderful missionaries
Her first job was working in her father’s office reading off numbers from microfilm to him
Her favorite church calling is working with the scouts, she enjoys helping boys grow.
Her favorite books are Kitchen Table Wisdom, My Grandfather’s Blessings, and The Book of Mormon
Her favorite movies are Fried Green Tomatoes and Count of Monte Cristo
Her favorite treats are Raw Coconut Macaroons by Raw Melissa and Mejool Dates with Peanut Butter
Her best vacation is every vacation, because there is always something great with each of them
Her favorite holiday is Pioneer Day because she enjoys being with her family and teaching them or learning about her ancestors
In her spare time she like to . . . oh wait, what spare time???? However, she does enjoy bicycling, preserving family history, and watching her garden grow
Her most precious possessions are her boys, including her husband, her non-working ’63 Chevy Impala from her grandma, her cello, her marked-up scriptures, her testimony, and her Patriarchal Blessing 🙂

We hope you know LaReita that you are a VERY IMPORTANT sister in our ward. Our lives are enriched because of you and your sweet giving, caring, and loving spirit.

Love and blessings,
Lil, Kelly, Melissa, and Adrienne

James TimeLine Biography for Genealogy MB

I was born on General Conference Easter Sunday, April 4, 1999. My mom remembers President Gordon B. Hinckley making an announcement that the Nauvoo temple was going to be rebuilt. In fact, she didn’t hear this information herself. She had fallen asleep, but when she woke up and asked family members what she missed, they told her about the Nauvoo temple. She didn’t believe them because this had been a long awaited 2nd coming prophecy to be fulfilled. She thought her joking husband (my dad) was pulling her leg. She asked the nurses, and they confirmed it. I was blessed on June 13, 1999.

When I was 2 1/2 years old my parents, little baby brother and I traveled to the east coast for the baptism of my cousin Jessica. We happened to be in New York City on the 6 month anniversary of 9/11. (We were there 3/11/2002.) My mom and dad remembered seeing a giant stream of light shoot up past the hotel windows. Also on that trip we went to Washington DC. A year later (August 2003) we returned for a fun trip to visit my Aunt Jenny and Uncle Dan in New Jersey. My cousins and I also went to Six Flags on that trip.

I was baptized and confirmed into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 2007. I also remember walking into the girls bathroom on accident and running out when I realized I was in the wrong place. I remember the water being cold. My mom remembers me telling her, “I feel like a new person.” I would say that over and over again. When I was confirmed I did feel warm and fuzzy inside. All my family and cousin came, including my best friend Carlos and his family.

The start of my Scouting career got a jump start with my Arrow of Light on March 10, 2010. By August 2010 I received my Scouter rank. The next few months was a montage of “Get your Scout stuff done” and Pow Wows and Camps. By December of 2010 I had received my Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, and 1st class. I would have also received my Star rank, but my scout leader didn’t count my 6 months of leadership properly. The neat thing about all these ranks is that they have the 100 year celebration on them. I finally earned my Star rank in March 2011. It’s one year later I’m still a Star. I need to do more work.

The highlight of my life thus far was being ordained to the office of a deacon and gaining the Aaronic Priesthood on April 10, 2011. Shortly thereafter I became the secretary in the deacon’s quorum. (Just like my dad is usually secretary.) I once again felt warm and fuzzy inside. This was the Holy Ghost telling me that this is The Church of Jesus Christ.

I am hungry