"Camp Mama"

Saturday, November 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the stake center, for all Relief Society sisters in the Escondido South Stake. Stay tuned for more details.

Be Of Good Cheer- President Thomas S. Monson

There are many thing in the world right now that it would make it easy to become discouraged and cynical about the future. President Monson's message to us is to turn our thoughts from the troubles around us and focus instead on our blessings as members of the Church. The Apostle Paul declarde, "God Hath not given us the sprit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

What are the blessings that come to you as a member of the Church?

None of us go through life without problems or challenges and often times tragedies and misfortunes. As hard as these events are in our lives, we are here to learn and grow from them. "Adam fell that men might be; and men are that they might have joy."- 2 Nephi 2:25

How might we have joy in our lives despite the trials that we face?

D&C 68:6 "Wherefore, be of good ^acheer, and do not ^bfear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you..."

President Monson gave three examples in his talk of people that suffered and yet maintained their faith in and love of God. They were also happy despite the trials that they had gone through. Please read their stories in his talk.

We have all been blessed with the light of Christ in our lives. We are not left alone to walk our path of life, no matter how dark the way may be.

M. Louse Haskins wrote these words.

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
"Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown!"
And he replied:
"Go out into the darkness and put you hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you a better than a light and safer than a known way."

Super Saturday

Don't forget this Sunday (September 27) is the last Sunday to sign-up for Super Saturday. Don't forget to pay for your items. Super Saturday is October 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Breakfast will be yummy and all sisters are invited to attend.

U.S. Constitution Class

Do you know what is in the U.S. Constitution? Join the sisters in learning and studying the U.S. Constitution. It is a four week course that will be held at Ann Cima's home on October 8, 15, 22 & 29 (Thursdays). We will not be discussing politics just studying the Constitution.

Book Club for October

The October book club is on the 1st. They are reading "The Great Divorce" by C.S. Lewis. It is not a long book, so it is not too late to start reading.

Project Warm Souls

From now until the completion of "Project Warm Souls" the evening quilting sessions will be dedicated as activities for groups, i.e., RS enrichment groups, YW and/or YM groups, Primary groups, family groups, etc. If you are interested in arranging a time for a group, please contact Laura Berry, 845-8702. The daytime schedule will remain the same.

General Relief Society Broadcast September 26, 2009

We will be working on quilts for Project Warm Souls (100 handmade quilts to Interfaith Community Services for Thanksgiving, 2009 from 12-5 p.m. All materials are provided, but if you would like to bring your sewing machine to sew quilt tops, please do so! The Broadcast begins at 5:00pm. Join the the Relief Society sisters afterwards for a good old-fashioned potluck!
Last names A-G Salads/ H-P Soups/ Q-Z Desserts

Missionary Moments - News From Elder Weston

This week really has been crazy. Let me tell you all about it...
So, let's start off with yesterday. We're biking down the road on the way to see this guy named Guillermo that we taught last week. We were still about ten minutes away from his apartment. All of the sudden, this lady over by her house sees us, screams, and comes running out at us, yelling, "Oh, there is a Father in Heaven! Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!" Needless to say, we were somewhat astonished at this rather unusual greeting. But we were stopped and we talked with her for a minute, and we found out that she was baptized a few years ago, but fell a little bit inactive. She's been having a really rough time with life lately, and right before we rode by, she was just sitting and praying that she could find someone that would be able to help her and talk with her. Then we rode by. It amazes me thinking about it, just because of the way that things worked out that day. The whole day kind of fell apart on top of our heads, due to people not being home, rides not working out, and culminating in me reading the map wrong and us fjording a little bayou. And all of it worked together to put us right in front of Diana's house right after she prayed for help. That's a miracle, I think. Or just God using our bad planning for His own purposes. I don't know. :)

Anyway, aside from that, the Rivera family is getting baptized this weekend. Yes, that is a little bit sudden. I agree. It was kind of weird how it all worked out. We were over there last week talking with Hermana Rivera, and we were just inquiring as to whether they were any closer to baptism (she and the two kids have been ready for a long time, they've just needed the husband's permission), and she said, about as casually as mentioning that it looked like rain, that they'd be baptized as soon as they all got over their respective sicknesses. (She's a pretty gentle, laid-back person.) We didn't quite pick it up at first, so we asked, and she confirmed what she said the first time. We didn't want to disturb the laid back mood, so we said, "Oh, that's cool." Then we freaked out when we got out of ear-shot. So, one thing led to another, and now they're getting baptized this weekend. It's kind of short notice, so we're still banging out the details, but we'll take care of it. Yay!

met a family named the Hernandez's this week, and they are way cool. The husband, Maurisio, was a referral from a member that had showed up at the Broadway 2nd ward one day. (Turns out it was his sister.) So, we went over, met them, and found out that they are a dang awesome family. Maurisio's a member, but he hasn't been to church in a while. His wife, Liset, isn't a member, but she's really cool too. We talked with them for a while, then shared some scriptures about faith. We went back over and watched the Restoration movie with them on Sunday, and it touched everyone. I think especially Maurisio, since he hasn't been to church in a while, but his sister had to get up a few times for tissues herself. We're still not sure what Liset thinks, but she did tell us that she's curious about the Mormon religion. Plus, they fed us dinner Sunday night before we watched the movie. And they play Frisbee. (On the Wii, but we could probably get them outside to play.) So, they are an all around cool family.

Also, we met another random guy that we taught the gospel last week. We have a less active guy in our apartment complex named Hermano Gomez. We were over there visiting him on Saturday, and there was another guy there named Juan. I guess Juan's living with Hno. Gomez for a little while because they're working together. So, we shared a scripture before we left, and invited Juan to come listen too. We talked for a little bit, then invited hime to come to church the next day. He said he wanted too, since he's never been to church before. So, we figured out a ride, and he came. It was testimony Sunday, of course. That's the scariest day for missionaries to bring investigators to church because you never know what people are going to say. Luckily, he was interested, and only had to ask a few questions after the meeting was over. He really liked the church meeting, and said that he wants to come back next week. Now we just need to get him to be home a couple of times so that we can teach him. :)

Lesson 41 "Becoming Saviors on Mt. Zion"

“How are they to become saviors on Mount Zion? By building their temples, erecting their baptismal fonts, and going forth and receiving all the ordinances … in behalf of all their progenitors who are dead.”

“All those who have not had an opportunity of hearing the Gospel, and being administered unto by an inspired man in the flesh, must have it hereafter, before they can be finally judged.”

“It is no more incredible that God should save the dead, than that he should raise the dead.

“There is never a time when the spirit is too old to approach God. All are within the reach of pardoning mercy, who have not committed the unpardonable sin, which hath no forgiveness, neither in this world, nor in the world to come.

“For illustration, suppose the case of two men, brothers, equally intelligent, learned, virtuous and lovely, walking in uprightness and in all good conscience, so far as they have been able to discern duty from the muddy stream of tradition, or from the blotted page of the book of nature.

“One dies and is buried, having never heard the Gospel of reconciliation; to the other the message of salvation is sent, he hears and embraces it, and is made the heir of eternal life. Shall the one become the partaker of glory and the other be consigned to hopeless perdition? Is there no chance for his escape? Sectarianism answers ‘none.’ …

“This doctrine presents in a clear light the wisdom and mercy of God in preparing an ordinance for the salvation of the dead, being baptized by proxy, their names recorded in heaven and they judged according to the deeds done in the body. This doctrine was the burden of the scriptures. Those Saints who neglect it in behalf of their deceased relatives, do it at the peril of their own salvation.

“It is not only necessary that you should be baptized for your dead, but you will have to go through all the ordinances for them, the same as you have gone through to save yourselves.

“… Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation.”

Finished Advent

What do we do with the powdered milk in our food storage?

Come to our food storage class on Tuesday, September 29 at 7 p.m. at Anne Steenblik's home to find out. (Note: date change)

Thanksgiving Advents

We will be working on completing our Thanksgiving Advent Calendars on Tuesday, September 8 at 7 p.m. at Deborah Haynie's home. They are looking so cute, and we appreciate all the hard work from Lynn Muir.

Book Club Change

We have had to change book club numerous times but this is real. Thursday, September 17 at 7 p.m. at Pam Ristine's home we are meeting to discuss "1776" by David McCullough.

Relief Society Temple Night

We are having another Relief Society Temple Night on Tuesday, September 15. At 6:30 p.m. we are doing either Endowments or Initiatories. Watch for sign-ups.

Super Saturday Sign-ups Going On Now

Sign-up and pay before September 27. Check out the display by the Relief Society Room during church throughout the month of September.

General Relief Society Broadcast

Join us for a great day of
SERVICE AND INSPIRATION
September 26, 2009

In celebration of the mission of Relief Society we are starting the day at noon until 5 p.m. To participate in a day of service working on quilts for Project Warm Souls! In case you aren’t familiar with this project, we are working to deliver 100 handmade quilts to Interfaith Community Services for Thanksgiving 2009.

All materials are provided, but if you would like to bring your sewing machine to sew quilt tops, please do so!

And then Relief Society Broadcast begins at 5:00pm. Join us afterwards for a good old-fashioned potluck!

Last names A-G Salads/ H-P Soups/ Q-Z Desserts