Happy (Belated) Birthday Brooke!

October 28th was Brooke O'Day's birthday.  She is fairly new in our branch and she is an amazing person.  Brooke, I apologize for missing your birthday.  I hope it was great, and if anyone sees her, be sure to wish her a happy belated birthday! We love you Brooke!

Nicole Bangerter

NICOLE BANGERTER

This week's spotlight is on our one and only Nicole!  

Nicole was born on December 15, 1986 and she is the oldest of 5 kids (3 brothers and 1 sister.)  She has been married for 4 years and is here in State College with her husband who is attending Penn State Law School getting his JD and a Masters in International Affairs.  Nicole herself graduated from BYU-I with a degree in Theater and Speech Education and a minor in English Education and she is currently working on getting her PA certification to teach.  She also works at Denny's AND Olive Garden---so go visit sometime! :)  Who doesn't love Italian food?  yyuumm

Her favorite color is Pink and she loves Ice Cream.  She says that she always has at least 2 kinds of ice cream in the freezer, and she loves any kind of chocolate.  Some of her interests are reading, scrapbooking, beading, cross stitching, blogging, and traveling.  

Testimony- "I know that this church is true. I really can testify that the church can be found anywhere you go and you will always have a family in those you meet. I am so grateful for this gospel and the wonderful principles it teaches. We are so blessed to have a living prophet and the Book of Mormon to guide us through all our lives"

Nicole is super nice, super awesome, and we are so grateful to have her in our branch!  :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENNY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JENNY SMITH!!!!!!!!

If anyone happens to talk to her today, be sure to wish her a happy birthday!  This girl is like superwoman and is super awesome!  Love you Jenny!  Have an awesome day!

Sam Webb

SAM WEBB

Sam Webb is another new member of the branch.  Not only is she new to the branch, but she is also a recent convert! 

Sam was born on March 23, has 1 younger sister, and graduated high school in Owings, MD.  She is here at Penn State working on a double major of Secondary Education Mathematics, and Secondary Education Physics.
Sam's favorite colors are blue and yellow; favorite place to live is Ireland; favorite sports are snowboarding, soccer and volleyball and her favorite type of food is Italian.  Sam's favorite scripture is D&C 38:30 "I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, ^atreasure up ^bwisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear."

Sam was born in Germany and has lived half her life outside the US!  She lived the longest in Wyoming, but she considers Aviano, Italy her home.

Conversion Story/Testimony-
"I have always been searching for my own spirituality, knowing that the Catholic church was not the one for me.  My best friend, who is currently attending BYU-I, first introduced me to the gospel in the back of my English class.  Every day, we would discuss something gospel related (whether our teacher liked it or not), as every day, I would come back with another question.  Her family quickly adopted me as one of the kids, and taught me the gospel at every opportunity, surely noting how much I wanted to know and learn.  In February, my best friend gave me a Book of Mormon with her signed testimony, and within the first two chapters, I knew it was true.  I waited to be baptized upon my mother's request, but was ready to commit then.  On May 29th, during Memorial Day Weekend, I was baptized, and was later confirmed on the 5th of June."

"I have an unshakeable knowledge of the gospel, knowing that it is the only full and complete church here on Earth today.  Our Heavenly Father loves us with all of His might, and that His son, Jesus Christ, is our Savior.  As we rely on Jesus Christ and use Him as our foundation, we shall never falter.  It is not a matter of if, but when the adversary will launch his assault on us; but with Christ as our rock, the mighty winds of Satan will pass by with no harm.  As long as we follow the teachings of Christ and obey the commandments of Heavenly Father, we will once again return to their presence in the Celestial Kingdom and live the rest of eternity in peace and happiness.  I love the gospel with all of my heart, and can't imagine my life without it now."

If any of you were able to attend fast and testimony meeting yesterday, you had the chance to hear Sam get up and bear her testimony.  She always had the Spirit with her and is an amazing addition to our branch!  We're glad you're here Sam :)

Jami Nichols

JAMI NICHOLS

Jami is one of the newer members of our branch, as her and her husband joined us when her husband (Travis) received a calling in the branch presidency, and she serves as a teacher in the Relief Society.

Jami was born January 28 and has two brothers and a sister.  She also has two in-laws, two nieces, and a nephew.  She and Travis have been married for just over 4 years now and since marrying him has gained many more family members including three brother and sister in-laws, cousins, aunts, uncles, and many more.

Jami and Travis came to State College because Travis is the in the PhD program in Clinical Psychology.  Jami herself is a Secondary Education English Teacher and works as a substitute teacher.  She also works at the Sylvan Learning Center as a tutor and at Ross one day a week.

Jami's favorite color is yellow, her favorite foods specifically are anything dairy, and salads.  Her favorite sport is Tennis but loves to work out, especially Zumba, lifting weights, walking, hiking, biking, Pilates, and Yoga.    Although her favorite scripture changes, one of her favorites is Ether 12:27  "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their ^aweakness. I ^bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my ^cgrace is sufficient for all men that ^dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make ^eweak things become strong unto them."

Jami has admitted that she can spend hundreds of hours and dollars at Staples, often dreaming of owning everything there.  She loves reading, photography, designing, singing and writing.  In fact, she is a member of the State College Choral Society!

Testimony-

"My parents were sealed in the temple and I was raised in the gospel. I was baptized at age 8 and I still clearly remember that experience. I am grateful that my parents taught me to love the Book  of Mormon heroes. I am grateful that they taught me that Heavenly Father hears my prayers and that He loves me. My testimony today is founded upon those things I learned as a child. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and He atoned for our sins, sorrows, and shortcomings. I know the purpose of this life is for us to return to Heavenly Father again. We have a lot of help available for us to make it there. I know that our prayers are heard and answered and that in God's omnipotence, we can't always get what we think we want. For this I am grateful. My life has been directed by God's hand and I want my future to be as well. "

Jami- we are so grateful to have you in the branch!  We love you to pieces, and if you haven't had the opportunity to meet or get to know Jami, be sure to do so, because she is AWESOME :)