Getting to know President Harju
My conversion to the Church actually started in 10th grade.
I had a very close friend that was killed in a tragic bike /car crash. It
enhanced my desire to know of life after death and that we could be resurrected
someday and that maybe I could see him again. Flash forward to my junior year
at Ohio State University, and my enrolling in an Educational Psychology class.
I had a very large "afro" head of hair. One weekend my roommate and I
decided to get our hair cut to a much shorter style. When I went to class a
cute gal by the name of Kim Parr noticed there was a cute guy under all that
hair... We both ended class at the same
time and began to spend time walking together and talking together while she
waited for her ride home. A couple of weeks after we met she started to ask me
the golden questions, "If there was a Prophet on the earth today, wouldn't
you want to know? Wouldn't you like to
know that you have a loving Savior that died and was resurrected for you?” and so forth. I was a little slow on the
uptake but did want to know more. I wanted to know where I was going to go when
I died. We started dating more steadily and I was invited to her home to share
a meal with her family, it was great. Good home style food for any college
student is great.
I started to attend Church in the fall and when the single adult activities were held I would go and sit around waiting for Kim to fulfill her callings. I learned early on that Kim was only getting married in the Temple so I needed to know that I was joining the Church for me and not just to be able to marry her. I went to Ft Lauderdale during spring break in 1976 and did not have much fun. I missed Kim and decided I no longer wanted the college lifestyle I had seen there.
I came home and got serious about taking the discussions, and attended a Family Conference at the old Richfield Coliseum. I was happy that the Conference talked about families, I had a great family life growing up and knew I wanted to be part of an eternal family. I started attending the Ashtabula Branch when home and Church in Columbus while at school. I was baptized on 5 June 1976 in Columbus at the old 2nd Ward building. After graduation from OSU I accepted a teaching position at Tri Rivers Career Center in Marion OH and served in various callings there. We moved to Ashtabula about the time it was made a Ward in 1979. I was called as EQ Pres fairly soon after arrival and then into the Bishopric as a Counselor to Bishop John VanAkin, our first Ashtabula Bishop.
I have been honored to serve in many callings over the years in Ashtabula, most recently as Bishop. I would not change or want to have missed anything I have witnessed here in this area. Many blessings have come to pass and I know the hand of the Lord has helped me be where I was supposed to be. Serving in the Church has been a real blessing to my family and friends. I know we are here on earth to work and serve. I want you to know that Jesus lives, He is the Christ! President Monson is the Lord’s mouthpiece here on the earth at this time. Listen to the Church leaders. They will not lead you astray. I feel blessed to be serving with Pres Connor, Pres Wagley, Bro Warner, and Bro Busch in the Stake Presidency.
Thank you for your prayers and your sustaining vote.
We love you all, In His Service, President Dana W. Harju
I started to attend Church in the fall and when the single adult activities were held I would go and sit around waiting for Kim to fulfill her callings. I learned early on that Kim was only getting married in the Temple so I needed to know that I was joining the Church for me and not just to be able to marry her. I went to Ft Lauderdale during spring break in 1976 and did not have much fun. I missed Kim and decided I no longer wanted the college lifestyle I had seen there.
I came home and got serious about taking the discussions, and attended a Family Conference at the old Richfield Coliseum. I was happy that the Conference talked about families, I had a great family life growing up and knew I wanted to be part of an eternal family. I started attending the Ashtabula Branch when home and Church in Columbus while at school. I was baptized on 5 June 1976 in Columbus at the old 2nd Ward building. After graduation from OSU I accepted a teaching position at Tri Rivers Career Center in Marion OH and served in various callings there. We moved to Ashtabula about the time it was made a Ward in 1979. I was called as EQ Pres fairly soon after arrival and then into the Bishopric as a Counselor to Bishop John VanAkin, our first Ashtabula Bishop.
I have been honored to serve in many callings over the years in Ashtabula, most recently as Bishop. I would not change or want to have missed anything I have witnessed here in this area. Many blessings have come to pass and I know the hand of the Lord has helped me be where I was supposed to be. Serving in the Church has been a real blessing to my family and friends. I know we are here on earth to work and serve. I want you to know that Jesus lives, He is the Christ! President Monson is the Lord’s mouthpiece here on the earth at this time. Listen to the Church leaders. They will not lead you astray. I feel blessed to be serving with Pres Connor, Pres Wagley, Bro Warner, and Bro Busch in the Stake Presidency.
Thank you for your prayers and your sustaining vote.
We love you all, In His Service, President Dana W. Harju
Are you a Lighthouse Keeper
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven". (Matthew 5: 14-16). After reading these verses again and associating them with one of Stake Relief Society symbols for this year’s theme, the lighthouse, I was struck with four areas in which the Lord is challenging us to step out and become the Lighthouse Keeper, 1. Be visible, 2. Be bold, 3. Be active and 4. Be influential.
YW Camp: June 22nd – June 27th at Pioneer Trail Camp in Hiram, Ohio. Our theme this year is: “This Girl is on Fire”. We hope that each YW will come home from camp “on fire” with the love of the gospel in their hearts to share with others. Sister Becca Lowrance, Stake Camp Director, has big plans for our YW. Registration has already happened but if any YW missed it, please talk to your ward YW president to get a form.
Youth Conference: July 9th-11th at the Youngstown Stake Center. Registration forms are due May 11th. Theme: “Embarking in the Service of God” with a nautical slant. Our Stake Youth Committee continues to meet monthly to plan for our youth conference, which we are very excited about!
I am grateful for the privilege of serving and working with these great youth! I love to see the ways that they are truly “embarking in the service of our God”. As each youth chooses to follow the Savior in this way, He will give them the help they need to meet their trials and challenges.
The purpose of a lighthouse is to be a guiding beacon that
draws ships from treacherous shores. It was the job of the keeper it make sure
the glass and lenses were cleaned and the lamps were lit, for if not the
sailors would come too close to danger and would perish. Think of the Statue of Liberty, her light still
shines as brightly today as she did when she welcomed the many thousands of
immigrants as they sought freedom. Lady Liberty is a beacon to those seeking
freedom from the chains that bound them in their countries of birth. Similarly, Jesus Christ can be likened to the
idea of a lighthouse. He shines as a
beacon to those who seek liberty from the chains of sin and despair that bind
us and keep us unsettled. His light’s
warm glow keeps us safe from the dangers that lurk in shadows and leads us to
the safety of the harbor.
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven". (Matthew 5: 14-16). After reading these verses again and associating them with one of Stake Relief Society symbols for this year’s theme, the lighthouse, I was struck with four areas in which the Lord is challenging us to step out and become the Lighthouse Keeper, 1. Be visible, 2. Be bold, 3. Be active and 4. Be influential.
In Matthew 5:14 we are told that we are "the light of
the world". Our faith ought to be visible to everyone with whom we come in
contact. We don’t need to advertise our faith, we just need to live
it. What is it that others see in you
that reminds them of Jesus Christ? What character traits do you have that
are similar to His? What level of compassion do you show to those in need? Does your light shine in everything you do?
The Savior said, that our faith should be so evident that it will be like,
"a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see".
Secondly, we are called to be bold! If we really believe in what the Savior
taught, what the restored gospel has blessed us with, then why wouldn't we want
to share this "Good News" with the world?! By living in such a
way as to shine the gospel light boldly, clearly, brightly, we are letting
others know that they too can experience the “Light of Christ.” (Acts
13:47) Perhaps we can take the example
of Jabez and in our prayers ask
Heavenly Father to increase our testimony and our sphere of influence; that He
may give you the "sweet boldness" you will need to open your mouth
and share the Gopal and what you hold dear in your heart. Share some
'Sunshine'!
Thirdly, we are called to be active "that they may see your good works and glorify your Father ", letting your actions be like the actions of Jesus Christ. This matter of sharing our light isn't only having a visible faith; or having a bold faith - it is a matter of truly living the authentic life of a follower of Jesus Christ. It is being a servant. I have come to learn over the years that when I serve, I begin to love more freely and then, I begin to love those whom I serve. I love these two scriptures on this subject, James 11:27 and Ephesians 5:8-9!
Finally, we are to be influential. We are being watched closely, are we setting an example by our actions? Are we are the Lighthouse Keeper in our homes, our neighborhood, and to everyone we meet? Our influence is immeasurable because we are not always aware of who is taking notice of us. But this we know, before we are baptized we are striving to 'come unto Christ' and after our baptism we are striving to become like Christ. His light and influence is still reaching us today. Be a beacon and share the light of Christ you hold in your heart with those around us.
Brothers and Sisters, remember, “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that growth brighter and brighter until the perfect day” Doctrine & Covenants 50: 4
Thirdly, we are called to be active "that they may see your good works and glorify your Father ", letting your actions be like the actions of Jesus Christ. This matter of sharing our light isn't only having a visible faith; or having a bold faith - it is a matter of truly living the authentic life of a follower of Jesus Christ. It is being a servant. I have come to learn over the years that when I serve, I begin to love more freely and then, I begin to love those whom I serve. I love these two scriptures on this subject, James 11:27 and Ephesians 5:8-9!
Finally, we are to be influential. We are being watched closely, are we setting an example by our actions? Are we are the Lighthouse Keeper in our homes, our neighborhood, and to everyone we meet? Our influence is immeasurable because we are not always aware of who is taking notice of us. But this we know, before we are baptized we are striving to 'come unto Christ' and after our baptism we are striving to become like Christ. His light and influence is still reaching us today. Be a beacon and share the light of Christ you hold in your heart with those around us.
Brothers and Sisters, remember, “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that growth brighter and brighter until the perfect day” Doctrine & Covenants 50: 4
Sister Bobbie Juntilla
Stake YW Presidency Message
Within our stake boundaries are some of the best youth in the
church! In April we spent a lot of time
with our YW and YM at Super Saturday and Modest Prom. Many youth attended and
we loved being with them; but most importantly we all had FUN!
This month we have Seminary Graduation to look forward to. Any
YW that have earned their Young Womanhood Medallion or Honor Bee this year will
be recognized at the graduation. All youth ages 12-18
are welcome to come support the graduates and recipients of awards.YW Camp: June 22nd – June 27th at Pioneer Trail Camp in Hiram, Ohio. Our theme this year is: “This Girl is on Fire”. We hope that each YW will come home from camp “on fire” with the love of the gospel in their hearts to share with others. Sister Becca Lowrance, Stake Camp Director, has big plans for our YW. Registration has already happened but if any YW missed it, please talk to your ward YW president to get a form.
Youth Conference: July 9th-11th at the Youngstown Stake Center. Registration forms are due May 11th. Theme: “Embarking in the Service of God” with a nautical slant. Our Stake Youth Committee continues to meet monthly to plan for our youth conference, which we are very excited about!
I am grateful for the privilege of serving and working with these great youth! I love to see the ways that they are truly “embarking in the service of our God”. As each youth chooses to follow the Savior in this way, He will give them the help they need to meet their trials and challenges.
I testify that the Savior loves each and every one of us and
we are here to help each other return to Father’s presence!
Debbie Headrick
YW Presidency, 1st
Counselor
No comments:
Post a Comment