I am in the Relief Society Presidency with these amazing women, I am the Secretary.
(And on a side note I haven't worn that gray thing since this picture.)
Bonnie Venema - President; Lori Searcy - 1st Counselor; Mary Galbraith - 2nd Counselor
Here are our write ups from the ward newsletter so you can see just how amazing they are:
Bonnie Venema – President
Bonnie was born with the cows on a small family dairy farm in Meridian, Idaho. At age 7, her father completed schooling and moved the family to Seattle, Washington and then Salem, Oregon. Although it was a big change from the simple life she knew, she grew to enjoy the beautiful Pacific Northwest. During her junior year in high school, she learned about Ricks College – and after a visit to campus, determined it was where she was meant to be. She met the “man of her dreams”, also a native of Oregon, in her Family Home Evening group. They were married, and shortly after Bonnie graduated from the Nursing Program. The next several years were spent having children, putting Greg through graduate school, managing student housing, and teaching seminary at Sugar City, Terreton, Rigby, and Madison schools. After 12 years of comfortable living in Menan, Idaho, Greg was asked to coordinate early morning seminary programs at the Institute in Orlando, Florida. A true growing experience was had there, but all the family longed for the mountains of home. Greg was hired to teach in the Religion Department at BYU-I in 2012. Since that time, the Venema’s have moved from Orlando to Boise for 6 months, then to Salem, Idaho for 2 years, Rexburg for 2 years, and FINALLY to the home they intend to be in for the rest of their lives in lovely Sugar City. They have 5 girls (Alex, Amanda, Sophie, Addie & Rachel), 2 boys(Hyrum and Dallin), 1 son-in-law(Curt Remington), and 1 perfect grandson (Greyson).
Bonnie was born with the cows on a small family dairy farm in Meridian, Idaho. At age 7, her father completed schooling and moved the family to Seattle, Washington and then Salem, Oregon. Although it was a big change from the simple life she knew, she grew to enjoy the beautiful Pacific Northwest. During her junior year in high school, she learned about Ricks College – and after a visit to campus, determined it was where she was meant to be. She met the “man of her dreams”, also a native of Oregon, in her Family Home Evening group. They were married, and shortly after Bonnie graduated from the Nursing Program. The next several years were spent having children, putting Greg through graduate school, managing student housing, and teaching seminary at Sugar City, Terreton, Rigby, and Madison schools. After 12 years of comfortable living in Menan, Idaho, Greg was asked to coordinate early morning seminary programs at the Institute in Orlando, Florida. A true growing experience was had there, but all the family longed for the mountains of home. Greg was hired to teach in the Religion Department at BYU-I in 2012. Since that time, the Venema’s have moved from Orlando to Boise for 6 months, then to Salem, Idaho for 2 years, Rexburg for 2 years, and FINALLY to the home they intend to be in for the rest of their lives in lovely Sugar City. They have 5 girls (Alex, Amanda, Sophie, Addie & Rachel), 2 boys(Hyrum and Dallin), 1 son-in-law(Curt Remington), and 1 perfect grandson (Greyson).
Lori Jo Searcy – 1st Counselor
I’m a farm girl who grew up in Wilford Idaho, a farming community between Sugar City and St. Anthony. My parents are Grant and Maxine Stewart. I have 3 sisters and 2 brothers. My grandparents, Bert & Bessie Stewart lived on a small farm here in Sugar City. My grandfather ran the old flour mill here. A lot of my summers were spent swimming in the canal and helping my Dad haul hay. My Dad baled his hay, but my grandfather hauled his loose, storing it in his large barn. One of my favorite memories is swinging off the loft of the barn into his fresh hauled hay. Both our home in Wilford and my grandparents’ home in Sugar City were destroyed by the Teton Dam Flood. We rebuilt our home in Wilford, but my grandparents sold their little farm to the Church, so that our Sugar City Stake Center could be built where there home once stood. My grandparents lived with my family until they passed away, an experience I will always treasure.
I’m a farm girl who grew up in Wilford Idaho, a farming community between Sugar City and St. Anthony. My parents are Grant and Maxine Stewart. I have 3 sisters and 2 brothers. My grandparents, Bert & Bessie Stewart lived on a small farm here in Sugar City. My grandfather ran the old flour mill here. A lot of my summers were spent swimming in the canal and helping my Dad haul hay. My Dad baled his hay, but my grandfather hauled his loose, storing it in his large barn. One of my favorite memories is swinging off the loft of the barn into his fresh hauled hay. Both our home in Wilford and my grandparents’ home in Sugar City were destroyed by the Teton Dam Flood. We rebuilt our home in Wilford, but my grandparents sold their little farm to the Church, so that our Sugar City Stake Center could be built where there home once stood. My grandparents lived with my family until they passed away, an experience I will always treasure.
I worked as a travel agent until I married my sweetheart, Robert Searcy. After he graduated from BYUI Provo, we had the opportunity to return to this area where we settled in Salem, on our own little farm, where we lived for almost 25 years. It was a wonderful place to raise our six children, 4 boys and 2 girls. We moved into Sugar City about 5 years ago. It is a special experience to live across the street from where my grandparents lived and raised my father.
Four of our children are grown with families of their own. We are proud grandparents of 10 grandchildren with one on the way. Our youngest daughter, Kaitlyn, is 13 years old and will be in the 8th grade this fall. Our youngest son, Daniel, will be completing his mission and returning home August 9th this month. He plans to attend BYUI this fall.
We feel very blessed to be able to live in this area, and to be part of this amazing ward.
Mary Galbraith – 2nd Counselor
Mary was born in Burley, Idaho, the second of eight children. She grew up on the family farm where her grandpa, dad and his four brothers still farm together. She learned at a young age the value of hard work and perseverance. After graduating as valedictorian from Burley High School, she attended Ricks College and graduated from the nursing program at the age of 20. She has worked as a registered nurse in various clinical settings over the last 16 years. In 2004 she moved from Rexburg to Ashton where she lived until marrying and moving here in June of this year.
Mary was born in Burley, Idaho, the second of eight children. She grew up on the family farm where her grandpa, dad and his four brothers still farm together. She learned at a young age the value of hard work and perseverance. After graduating as valedictorian from Burley High School, she attended Ricks College and graduated from the nursing program at the age of 20. She has worked as a registered nurse in various clinical settings over the last 16 years. In 2004 she moved from Rexburg to Ashton where she lived until marrying and moving here in June of this year.
Her husband, Shawn, grew up in Sugar City and together they have six wonderful children, collectively (think Brady Bunch—three boys, three girls). She is loving being a full-time mom now to Olivia (19), Scott (15), Shay (14), Brent (12), Ashlon (11), and Mason (4). She enjoys running, camping, four wheeling, hiking, shopping and traveling. However, her favorite pastime would be spending time with her family and supporting their kids in various activities.
Although public speaking terrifies her, she is excited to serve in this new calling and feels extremely blessed getting to know the sisters in the ward.
Janel Young - Secretary
I grew up in the big city of St. Anthony. I was born the 3rd child of Blaine and Janice Sharp, however I was raised the 2ndchild and I am now the 4th child. Long story short there are 7 of us total.
After graduating from high school I attended Ricks College for two years, during which I worked for attorneys as a legal secretary. After college I moved to Salt Lake City for less than a year and decided I was truly a small town girl and Utah was entirely too far away from my mom so I moved back and lived in Rexburg.
I met Ray and his son Tyler in February of 1993 and we were married in June and bought a house in Idaho Falls. While living in Idaho Falls our cute Jerika was born in 1995 and she recently got married and moved away to Twin Falls, which made for a very sad mom.
When Ray started driving truck I decided Idaho Falls was still too far away from my mom and moved back to Rexburg.
Our tiny preemie Kinlee was born in 2000 and spent a week in the hospital. She is my housekeeper, personal chef and pretty much keeps our household running.
I grew up in the big city of St. Anthony. I was born the 3rd child of Blaine and Janice Sharp, however I was raised the 2ndchild and I am now the 4th child. Long story short there are 7 of us total.
After graduating from high school I attended Ricks College for two years, during which I worked for attorneys as a legal secretary. After college I moved to Salt Lake City for less than a year and decided I was truly a small town girl and Utah was entirely too far away from my mom so I moved back and lived in Rexburg.
I met Ray and his son Tyler in February of 1993 and we were married in June and bought a house in Idaho Falls. While living in Idaho Falls our cute Jerika was born in 1995 and she recently got married and moved away to Twin Falls, which made for a very sad mom.
When Ray started driving truck I decided Idaho Falls was still too far away from my mom and moved back to Rexburg.
Our tiny preemie Kinlee was born in 2000 and spent a week in the hospital. She is my housekeeper, personal chef and pretty much keeps our household running.
We bought our house in Sugar City in 2002 and have loved every minute of living here and are so thankful for the people here and especially the lifelong friends we have made.
I have worked at Alliance Title in Rexburg for the last 22 years which has afforded me the opportunity to still be the mom I needed to be.
I have 2 of the cutest grandkids ever, 2 year old Keegan and 6 year old Liam.
In my spare time I love spending time with my family, walking (which quite possibly is the only time you will actually see me outside, I am an inside girl), shopping, traveling, reading, blogging and spending time with my friends.
I have worked at Alliance Title in Rexburg for the last 22 years which has afforded me the opportunity to still be the mom I needed to be.
I have 2 of the cutest grandkids ever, 2 year old Keegan and 6 year old Liam.
In my spare time I love spending time with my family, walking (which quite possibly is the only time you will actually see me outside, I am an inside girl), shopping, traveling, reading, blogging and spending time with my friends.
1 comment:
I am the RS Secretary too!! :) Miss you guys.
Post a Comment