Something for Everyone/FREE Summer Fun

San Diego County offers so many fun free things to do in the summer. Our Relief Society will have pool hops every Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. and beach days every Thursday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Here are some additional free activities that are not only good for the children but some are good for the adults as well.

Do your children have good grades? Reward them at Boomers in Vista. Boomers offers a good grade deal: 3 tokens for every “A” and 2 tokens for every “B” with a maximum of 20 tokens per child which is a $7 value. You have to go within 6 weeks after the report card is issued and take your report card with you. http://www.boomersparks.com/park/vista/prices.html

Fun summer reading programs:

• Barnes and Noble offers a reading program for children grades 1-6. They read 8 books and then take their journal to Barnes and Noble for a free book. They can do this twice during the summer. It really helps promote reading. The journal is found at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/summer/reading.asp


• San Diego Fair also has free tickets for children if they fill out a reading log and have their teacher or librarian sign it. It will save you $7 a ticket. Here is the log http://www.sdfair.com/fair/index.php?fuseaction=tickets.reading_certificate


• The Escondido Public Library has a great summer reading program which starts on June 17. The children’s program is ages 3 to 12 (6th grade). They also have a teen reading program. You sign up at the library for these programs. The children get certain prizes when they read so many pages. In the past we have received Legoland passes, zoo passes, museum passes, fun little prizes. The teenagers have drawings. They also offer all sorts of fun events. In the past they have had magicians, Natural History Museum, animals, music, etc. Here is a calendar of events for this year (make sure you check locations): http://host7.evanced.info/escondido/lib/eventcalendar.asp?ag=&et=Children The program ends August 1. Your child doesn’t have to know how to read for this program, you can read to them.

Who doesn’t care for a good movie? Escondido Regal Movie Theater offers free movies starting June 16 every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. They show one G and one PG each day. For movie listings: http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx?state=CA

San Diego has residents free Tuesdays at Balboa Park. Every Tuesday several museums are free. Check out which museum is which day. http://www.balboapark.org/calendar/detail.php?EventID=370
Some of our family favorites are: Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, Model Railroad Museum, Natural History Museum, and San Diego Air & Space Museum

Memorial Day Breakfast

On Monday, May 5 at 8 a.m. at the Stake Center will be our annual Memorial Day Breakfast. After breakfast there will be a program celebrating men and women who have bravely served our country. We hope you will come with your family and invite your friends too.

Relief Society Temple Night

We are having another Relief Society Temple night on Thursday, June 25. There will be an endowment session at 6:30 p.m. and baptisms at 7:00 p.m. We will do dessert again after we are done at the temple at California Pizza Kitchen. Mark your calendars! It is always fun to be in the temple with the sisters we love most.

Stake Relief Society Education Day

Saturday, June 27, an amazing day of learning and growing! Join us in learning from experts in their fields of education, family counseling, parenting, women's health, and much more! We start the day at 9:00am and conclude by 2:00pm. We gather again at 7:00pm that night to hear from author, Sister Mary Ellen Edmunds! You won't want to miss this great day!

4th of July Stars

June craft group will be making stars again like we did at super Saturday on Tuesday, June 9 at 7 p.m. at Lynn Muir's home. These will be 4th of July stars. We will send around a sign-up for the stars, but you will need to supply our own 12X12 paper 2 sheets of 3 different patterns (6 sheets total), bring your own scissors, foam brush, and mod-podge. All supplies are available at Michaels Arts and Crafts.

Dr. Legner's Summer First Aid Survival & How to Stay out of Dr. Knowlton's Office by Keeping Healthy

Tuesday, June 16 at 7-8:30 p.m in the Relief Society room we are having our May/June food storage group meeting. Dr. Victor Legner will be discussing family safety (ie. burns, bee stings, cuts, drowning, CPR, basic first aid). As well as Bishop Knowlton will give a great refesher on how to keep your heart healthy. The men are also invited to attend.

June Book Club

We are reading Louis L'Amour's "Last of the Breed".
We are meeting to discuss the book on Thursday, June 4 at 7 p.m. at Cathy Gray's home.

"Love and Physical Intimacy in Marriage"

By Dr. Don Campbell
Tuesday, May 26 ay 7 p.m.
at Annette Sabin's Home
3218 Kershawn Pl.
Appropriate for all Relief Society sisters.
Yummy dessert will be served

You will not regret coming!

The Power of Forgiveness

From Lynn Davis...

Sunday's lesson on the Power of Forgiving stresses Joseph Smith's attitude and example about this subject. He has stated" One of the most pleasing scenes that can occur on earth, when a sin has been committed by one person against another, is to forgive that sin; and then according to the sublime and perfect pattern of the Savior, pray to our Father in heaven to forgive the sinner also." He has also said "....and inasmuch as long-suffering, patience, and mercy have ever characterized the dealings of our heavenly Father towards the humble and penitent, I feel disposed to copy the example, cherish the same principles, and by so doing be a savior of my fellow men." Joseph followed the example of the Father and the Son...he was quick to forgive those who turned against him, when they returned and asked his forgiveness. We had an in depth discussion of the values,difficulties, and challenges of being forgiving. We determined that often it is a long process, but one that can bring peace to our souls. As we learn more from the scriptures about the Godhead, and try to emulate their example, it will help us to become more forgiving.

(Gaila Strawn paraphrased a quote that we all could ponder. She said that "holding resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for other person to die".)

The Spiritual Gifts of Healing

From Kristy Krueger....

We need to be careful not to get carried away with worldly stuff (cars, boats, expensive clothing, too many activities) and focus on eternal things.
The Apostle Paul taught, "Now concerning spiritual gifts... I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way." (1 Cor. 12:1-2, 31)
The minister Charles Jefferson (1898 - 1929) wrote: "The only thing which places a man above the beasts of the field is his possession of the spiritual gifts. Man's earthy existence is but a test as to whether he will concentrate his efforts, his mind, and his soul upon the things which contribute to the comfort and gratification of his physical instincts and passions, or whether he will make as his life's end and purpose the acquisition of spiritual qualities."

What are the best gifts? We listed lots on the board - they included not only gift of healing, prophecy and tongues, but also the gifts of asking, avoiding contention, listening, hearing and using a still small voice, being able to weep, avoiding contention, caring for others, being able to ponder, patience, humility, integrity, kindness, etc.

The Savior commanded us to become perfect - yet none of us will obtain perfection in this life. President George Q. Cannon stated, ... "If any of us are imperfect, it is our duty to pray for the gift that will make us perfect. No man ought to say, 'Oh, I cannot help this; it is my nature.' He is not justified in it, for the reason that God has promised to give strength to correct these things, and to give gifts that will eradicate them." ...

How do we acquire spiritual gifts? To receive any spiritual gift, we must be worthy of it. The Lord said that spiritual gifts, "are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me." (D&C 46:9)

How do we discern between true and false spiritual gifts? President Hinckley said, "You recognize the promptings of the Spirit by the fruits of the Spirit - that which enlighteneth, that which buildeth up, that which is positive and affirmative and uplifting and leads us to better thoughts and better words and better deeds is of the Spirit of God. That which tears us down, which leads us into forbidden paths - that is of the adversary. ... How do we recognize the promptings of the Spirit? You put it to that test. If it invites to do good, it is of God. If it inviteth to do evil, it is of the devil.... If you are doing the right thing and if you are living the right way, you will know in your heart what the Spirit is saying to you."

Conclusion (didn't have time for this in class...)
Marvin J. Ashton said, "One of the great tragedies of life, it seems to me, is when a person classifies himself as someone who has no talents or gifts. When, in disgust or discouragement, we allow ourselves to reach depressive levels of despair because of our demeaning self appraisal, it is a sad day for us and a sad day in the eyes of God. For us to conclude that we have no gifts when we judge ourselves by stature, intelligence, grade point average, wealth, power, position, or external appearance is not only unfair but unreasonable.
From the D&C, we have this truth, "For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby."
God has given each of us one or more special talents. Socrates made the famous statement, "the unexamined life is not worth living." It is up to each of us to search for and build upon the gifts which God has given. We must remember that each of us is made in the image of God, that there are no unimportant persons. Everyone matters to God and to his fellowmen."

Happy Mother's Day!

Missionary Moments - News From Sister Romney

It’s time to put on paper some of the great things that have been happening in Nauvoo.

We were able to celebrate the commemoration of Relief Society’s modest beginnings 167 years ago in the Red Brick Store on the 17th of March. What a significant event! The program that was planned was wonderful. Sister Kathleen Hughes of the former General Relief Society Presidency is here as a Public Affairs missionary with her famous author husband, and her addition to the program was so appropriate. Also, the music and other portrayed parts were outstanding. The token gift so that we would always remember that evening was a bound volume of contributed stories from 90% of the Temple and Site missionaries here. It is an amazing collection of personal accounts of the various ways that RS has blessed the lives of so many sisters here. I can hardly wait to share it with you.

We are seeing a regular increase of visitors to Nauvoo. Spring Break has brought many families, as well as a number of non-member visitors. In two weeks, we begin with the school children of Illinois who spend a one day field trip here to learn about frontier history. No testimonies, of course, but, the area will be buzzing with lots of inquisitive 4th graders. It should be fun.

Our twice a week showing of “Rendezvous….” is going well. Our cast will also begin performing our additional two nights of “Sunset By the Mississippi” on the 23rd of May, so we are rehearsing in earnest for that as well. It’s a busy, busy life! And I love it. Such a great missionary experience. Here the nonmembers actually come to you and ask questions!! Having the opportunity to bear your testimony of Christ, or living prophets on the earth, or the Book of Mormon regularly is a thrilling thing. I’d forgotten how much a part of who I am is connected with my Church membership. I certainly owe everything I have and am to the Church. I will never take it for granted.

I have had great health, but, then I don’t have the time to be ill. I get to the Temple often and truly do love being in that beautiful Temple. That is the one thing that I want all of you to experience. It is so appropriately and tastefully done. Keep me and all of the missionaries in your prayers. I have seen the power work! Love, Sister R

The response was so positive on the last Ensign Reading Contest we have decided we will continue with the latest general conference. I think everyone felt that the challenge helped in studing the words of our living prophets and leaders. As soon as you receive your Ensign Conference Issue you can begin. Here is how the Pursuit of Excellence Challenge will work:

1. To be entered into the monthly drawing: Read a minimum of 4 talks each month.

2. To be entered in the Grand Prize Drawing and to complete the Pursuit of Excellence Challenge: Read all the talks from the April 09 Conference. And......

3. Write at least one post or email (or as many as you feel inspired to do) about a favorite talk or talks, your general impressions, what you learned etc.

4. Once you have read all the talks for the month you can leave a comment or send an e-mail and you will be entered to win some great prizes. Remember you will complete the challenge by reading ALL of the talks.

Do you accept our challenge? If yes, click on the list of participants at the right and leave your name.

Deadlines: To be entered into the grand prize drawing you must have all the talks read and leave a comment letting me know you read them all by October 1, 2009. I am really excited about this and hope you will all join me in this Pursuit of Excellence.

“Happiness, Your Heritage”

Jane Thurston gave this lesson.

President Uchtdorf presented his remarks to those who have felt inadequate, discouraged, or weary - - in other words, to all of us. He encouraged women to find happiness in their lives at the same time he recognizes that some times are hard and he would not want to be thought to be trying to "tell those sinking in quicksand to imagine they are standing on a beach."

He recommends two principles that can bring us happiness, as they seem to be traits that bring God happiness. One is to create (see Video post titled "Creatures of Creation"). The other is to be compassionate. We are commanded to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.”

"The number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of even greater importance."

"As spirit daughters of our Heavenly Father, happiness is your heritage."

"You are choice daughters of our Heavenly Father, and through the things you create and by your compassionate service, you are a great power for good. You will make the world a better place. Lift up your chin; walk tall. God loves you. We love and admire you."