Today, necessitated by the calling of Bishop John Garner as a counselor to in the new stake presidency, Bishop Garner and his counselors, Gregory Scott Gibson and Paul Hedgecock, were released. Called and sustained today as the new Asheville Ward Bishop was Dale Allen Curriden (just released last week as a counselor in the stake presidency), with and his counselors, Gregory Scott Gibson and Paul Hedgecock.

LDS Olympian Kate Hansen spoke to the youth of the Asheville Stake during a special fireside on March 19th.

When 21 year old Olympian Kate Hansen isn't racing 80 miles per hour down a luge track, you can find her surfing on California's coasts, skiing in Utah resorts, skateboarding, playing the ukulele or throwin' down dance moves to Beyonce. Hansen grew up in the southern California city of La Canada Flintridge. She attended La Canada High School and was a member of National Charity League for six years. Kate is currently a junior at Brigham Young University. 
 
Kate first got her start in the sport of luge by laying down on her skateboard and flying down her neighborhood streets. She officially joined the sport at the age of ten. Five years later she won the luge world championship in Lake Placid, New York. In October 2013, she found herself on the podium again as the U.S. National Champion. In January of this year in Latvia, Kate became the first American in 17 years to win a world cup event. She followed up her big win with a stop at the Sochi, Russia Olympics where she competed and placed tenth. Kate partially attributes her top ten finish to her warm-up dance routine to Beyonce songs and the lucky penny she stuck in her suit. It was sent to her from a young fan before the games. 

Kate started the fireside with a luge video that showed a brief compilation of races or videos from her experience. She talked about growing up in the church and how she found her own testimony while out on the road with luge. She also talked about some of the many trials shes's faced and how they became blessings--including breaking her back, not qualifying for the Vancouver Olympic Games, breaking her foot, and make-or-break qualifying races (including against her best friend) three times this past season on her way to finally making the US Olympic Luge Team to compete in Sochi. 

Kate finished by taking questions from the youth. Asked about Seminary, she said she attended early-morning seminar when she was at home, and how her mom would tape seminary when she was traveling and competing, allowing her to graduate from Seminary. She also earned her Young Women Personal Progress award. The youth asked questions for over twenty minutes, focusing often on what it was like to keep Church standards while competing at this level in a sport.

For more information on Kate:

BYU Magazine Video: "Kate Hansen - Broken, Not Beaten"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMpqHi2Z7lg&feature=youtu.be

New Era article from 2009:
https://www.lds.org/new-era/2009/11/this-luger-is-a-winner?lang=eng

Deseret News article (Baptism of Timur):
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865595704/For-BYUs-Kate-Hansen-luge-is-more-than-just-an-athletic-endeavor-its-a-Mormon-missionary.html?pg=all

Deseret News article (World Cup):
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865594867/BYU-student-Kate-Hansen-finishes-Luge-World-Cup-season-with-a-win.html

LA Times article:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/la-sp-sochi-luge-plaschke-20140126,0,6551409.column#axzz2rTUDJQtO

On February 21, 2014 the Asheville Ward held a Family History activity titled "Turning the Hearts." The event catered to all ages and experience levels. As ward members and friends arrived, they gathered in the cultural hall and pinned their family name on a large world map to indicate where their family heritage was from. Around the room, there were flags, tapestries, traditional clothing, etc from various countries on display. 

After an introductory video, Their Hearts Are Bound to You  (https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-12-01-their-hearts-are-bound-to-you?category=family-history/01-getting-started&lang=eng), individuals chose which of the 4 workshops or 3 children's classes they would attend. The workshops included "Getting Started," "Indexing," "Family History FHE Kits," and "Advanced Help." 

During the "Getting Started" workshop, Kim Garner helped participants login to familysearch.org, on their own device, and start searching for ancestors and building their family tree. In the "Indexing" workshop, 

Christi Tucker helped participants understand the importance and need for indexers. Participants got started indexing a batch of records. The "Family History FHE Kits" workshop had many ideas on display, as well as, copies of instructions and ideas for families to take and try at home. 

Bob and RaeAnn Collier lead the "Advanced Help" workshop were participants were able to get help on tough questions and roadblocks they have run into concerning Family History.  

The children's classes were full of age-appropriate games and activities that focused on Family History. 

The evening concluded as everyone gathered back in the cultural hall and were treated to a visit from a couple of ancestors from the past. Youth, Collin Hipps and Madeline Garner, dressed up as one of their ancestors and told about their lives. 

There were approximately 120 individuals in attendance.

FRIDAY, February 21 we are having a Family History ward activity from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. This activity is for everyone - all ages and skill levels. 

The theme for the activity is "Turning the Hearts" based on Malachi 4:6...with a little nod to Valentine's! The evening will include 4 workshops for adults  - "Getting Started", "Advanced Help", "Indexing", and "Family Home Evening Kits." There will also be 3 age appropriate children's classes which will include games, activities, videos, and crafts relating to family history. The YM & YW are assisting in all of the workshops and classes, as well as, a few other assignments. It's going to be a fun night! 
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Please bring a laptop or tablet, if you have one.

Please bring your lds login information. If you have not created an account on lds.org, please do so. To register for an account, you will need your membership number, which can be obtained from the ward clerk (Joe Lane). Your membership number is also on your temple recommend.

Invite your friends! Below is an invitation you can email to your friends.

If you have any questions, please contact Christi Tucker (865-599-2674) or Kim Garner (828-628-8943). 

We hope to see you there!

Kim & Christi
 
You're invited to a Family History night on Friday, February 21 from 7-9 pm.   The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - 3401 Sweeten Creek Road (beside BB Barnes)

The evening will include 4 workshops for adults ("Getting Started", "Advanced Help", "Indexing", and "Family Night Kits" - assemble activity kits to work on FH at home with the WHOLE family). There will also be 3 children's classes which will include games, activities, videos, and crafts relating to family history. It's going to be a fun night! We hope to see you there!

*If you have a laptop or tablet, please bring it with you.