SunRiver 4th Ward: May 2025

Roots to Grow, Wings to Fly

May 13, 2025

Lunch Bunch will be held Tuesday, May 27th at 11:30 at Sakura!

Hot Air balloon themed tables and centerpieces gave the cultural hall a festive glow.

We were welcomed with smiles!

Always great to connect as sisters.

Reading material before getting started with our program.

A special Epcot Flower Garden booklet was given out.

Yolie conducted our activity.

Ardis Jensen presented on My Deep Roots.

One of Ardis' favorite trees in our region is the Joshua Tree.

The name Joshua tree was given by Mormon settlers in the mid 19th century, who were crossing the Mojave Desert. They found the tree's unique shape, with its outstretched branches, reminiscent of the biblical figure Joshua, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land and was depicted with his hands raises in prayer.

Joshua trees have a root system that consists of both deep and shallow roots, helping them thrive in the desert. A deep taproot system allows them to access water from underground, while a shallow, wide-spreading system captures moisture after rain. The shallow roots also enable the tree to produce new sprouts, facilitating its spread and survival.

Our assignment as a table/team was to discuss what our firm root in the gospel is.

We shared our ideas and discussed as a group.

There were many great thoughts as to what keeps each of us firmly rooted in the gospel.

As a team per table we came up with one word to write on a piece of paper to be attached to the tree as our root.

Our roots were attached to the tree.

Aspen trees have a unique root system that spreads through underground stems that can sprout new shoots and roots. This allows them to form interconnected groves where all trees in a stand share the same root system, essentially acting as a single, large organism.

Joseph B. Wirthlin said in October 1994:

Faithful members of the Church should be like oak trees and should extend deep roots into fertile soil of the fundamental principles of the gospel. We should understand and live by the simple, basic truths and not complicate them. Our foundations should be solid and deep-rooted so we can withstand the winds of temptation, false doctrine, adversity, and the onslaught of the adversary without being swayed or uprooted. Members whose roots are only at the surface of the gospel need to sink them deeper until they reach the bedrock below the soft topsoil.

Stephanie Smith was delighted to be our guest speaker and share her experiences on gardening.

Grow boxes work well in our soil in Southern Utah. The grow boxes need to be between 12" and 18" deep because the roots need to be kept cool.

Tomatoes, melons, eggplant, squash love the heat.

The wind and the bugs do more damage than the heat.

Great soil is the key. Get good soil with peat moss and compost. Water and 'boom' and things will start to grow once planted.

Stephanie has had great success with smaller fruits. Start with Roma tomatoes or cherry tomatoes.

Stephanie recommends Ballard's Nursery in Hurricane for unique items.

Sandia Greenhouse is also a favorite.

Star Nursery has the best vegetable 6 pack leafy green starts.

Nola Sanford was our first Be The Light T-shirt winner.

Marlene Simes was winner number two!

And the delightful Jill Baker was our final t-shirt winner of the day.

Our luncheon was a delicious salad bar with all the trimmings and dressings.

Homemade rolls were a real treat.

Guess who made the strawberry shortcake?

That's right...

Shirley Erickson Baker Extraordinaire!

Thank you, Shirley for sharing your baking skills with us each month and to our Relief Society Activity Committee Members for always making our event so special!