April 2008

Fallbrook Second Ward Newsletter

http://Fallbrook2ndWard.blogspot.com/

April 2008

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Our ward has a new blog where you can view our monthly newsletter: http://Fallbrook2ndWard.blogspot.com/

From the Bishopric

I will take this opportunity to reflect on a couple of recent events.

During the last weekend of March I was in Arizona attending a reunion of my college fraternity classmates. I had not seen any of them for 44 years. Strange how some who had in their youth so much promise and were seemingly marked for great success now appeared so old, drawn, and defeated. Others who may have struggled and been rather withdrawn and awkward in their college days were now alive, vibrant, happy and fulfilled. Looking back I was struck with the realization that it makes little difference who you were yesterday. What is important is who you are today and the direction you are headed will determine who you will be tomorrow. Who you are and what you will become is determined not by the talents given but rather by what you do with those talents. What I have observed is: He that was given two talents went out and made them eight; and he that was given five talents buried them and allowed three to waste away. (See Matt 25: 14-30 for the true parable)

The first weekend of this month we were instructed and received wise and prophetic counsel during General Conference. We participated in a solemn assembly and sustained a living prophet of God and other Church officers that lead and direct us. Elder Hales reminded us that when we raised our hands to the square in that assembly, it was not just a vote but rather we gave of ourselves a private and personal commitment, even a covenant, to sustain and to uphold the laws, ordinances, commandments, and the prophet of God, President Thomas S. Monson. Elder Cook in the priesthood session emphasized that it is our responsibility to follow our prophet and to heed his words with our hearts and actions. If we do so we are promised Christ’s protecting influence in our lives. What a wonderful blessing!

We heard messages of inspiration and promise, of strength and wisdom, and of exhortation and warning. Most importantly, we heard sincere and powerful testimonies that serve to strengthen our own. I enjoyed all the talks but particularly appreciated Elder Wirthlin’s expressed concern for the one who had strayed and became lost. Likewise, President Uchtdorf reminded us of the importance of focusing on the “one”. President Eyring called us to reach out to others with renewed love and compassion and Elder Lund called us to open our hearts to the Spirit. I pray that we may each heed their words.

All session talks are now available at lds.org which is an outstanding web site with an abundance of information regarding just about everything you’d want to know about the Church and much more. Let me also suggest the following sites: (1) JesusChrist.lds.org,(2) Mormon.org, (3) meridianmagazine.com (great news & articles), (4) newsroom.lds.org, (5) ldsgems@ldschurch.org (daily inspirational messages), (6) yourldsneighborhood.com (to get a daily newsletter with advertisements but always 3 good articles on a given theme), (7) fairlds.org (tons of scholarly articles on defending Mormonism, see their topical guide and many supporting sites). There are some good web sites available but nothing surpasses our Church magazines. I hope everyone subscribes to the Ensign, New Era (for teens), and Friend (for children and pre-teens). Let us forever remember Christ by surrounding ourselves with things that remind us of Him and increase our level of spirituality by creating a home environment conducive to it.

My love for each of you,

Jim Morrison, Bishop

If you haven’t done so already, please be sure to get your updated email address to Bro. Craig Garrett ASAP so that we can email you updates and our ward newsletter! cgarrett58@aol.com

Primary

This month in primary has been a full one. This last week we held a primary activity at Live Oak Park. We had around 21 primary children and their friends in attendance. We decorated bags for the children to use for the Easter Eggs they hunted. We decorated cupcakes and played games. The children really enjoyed playing with each other. We always love the time we can spend with your children, in or out of the church. They are so pure and innocent and great children!

We also held a successful Blue and Gold Cub Scout dinner and cake auction with the 5th ward this past month. We had about 10 cakes to auction off and along with donations; we were able to raise over $1,000.00 to support our troop.

For those parents who are interested, we have acquired some children's Book of Mormon readers. They are simple readers starting with kindergarten up through 4-5th grade level; these books help children not only practice reading, but develop a love and understanding of the Book of Mormon. They will be in the tag-along bag that hopefully you will see your child come home with. Please treat them kindly and make sure they get back in the plastic bag and enjoy! The books are numbered so it should be easy to keep track of them. Let me know if you have any questions. There will be a paper to explain further about how to use them in the bag.

Next month we are focusing on I will follow the prophet. Happy Birthday this month to Alazay Elzinga (April 4), Jacob Nye (April 6 )and Sam Flor (April 17). We will be loosing Sam to the Young Men and know he will continue to grow and strengthen his testimony as he magnifies his priesthood. We are proud of you Sam and will miss you!

Thank you again for sharing your children with us. We love them and are strengthened by their sweet testimonies and spirits which inspire us.

Love,

The Primary

Young Men

March was a busy month. The Deacons worked on the Fishing, Personal Fitness and Personal Management merit badges. Six Scouts went fishing at Doane Pond on Saturday, March 29th and caught 7 fish. They proceeded to clean, cook and eat these fish right on the bank of Doane Pond on Palomar Mountain. See our blog for more details http://bsatroop718.blogspot.com/

In April, the Scouts will be working on the Rock Climbing Merit badge. There is a backpacking trip planned for April 11-12 to San Gabriel River. We will be leaving from the church parking lot at 3:30 pm and returning at Saturday afternoon. Call or email Bro Holman for more details, dr.fish@roadrunner.com.

Young Women

No information available at this time.

Relief Society

April 2nd (Wednesday)—Endowment Session, 7:00 PM. Carpools available: call Sister Shirley Parry, 728-5559.

April 22nd (Tuesday)— Book Club We are going to Warwicks in La Jolla to hear LDS author, Anne Perry. Meet at the Park & Ride at 4:14 PM. We’ll then be going to dinner/discussion. ALL ARE WELCOME! Coordinator: Ellen Garrett 731-6256. Anna O’Brien will review The Face of a Stranger at dinner.

April Birthdays

09 Beth Kolb

10 Maria Lansberry

10 Colleen Hayden

11 Betsey Gardner

11 Esther Vest

16 Nicole Claire Peterson

18 Amy Engebretson

20 Sharon Self

22 Linda Tomasch

23 Happy Knott

23 Nancy Wilson

24 Diane Chick

25 Cindy Lee De Lima

26 Christine Lutnick

29 Lindsay Geyer

30 Chris Noblit

30 Carolyn Mcknight

Family History

The classes for "New Family Search" are going well. For those of you who have completed the course, a new feature has been added to the website. When you are in the "Pedigree with

Details" window, there is a new button on the top of the row on the left side called "Summary".

This window enables you to see all of the entries that have been combined or added and you can choose which one you would like to appear on your pedigree and family group records.

In the past, when you combined entries, it would sometimes change the information on your records. This takes care of that frustration.

Remember, the goal is for everyone to take one of their family file cards to the temple for an

Endowment on Nov. 8th. Other ordinances need to be done prior to that date. The youth are doing baptisms on April 16th. They can do more baptisms if they have family file cards to do. Contact Anne Renshaw or Dan and Kathy Lee if you need assistance.

LDS Employment Services

If you are looking for new or better employment, please contact our Ward Employment Specialist, Bro Denning at 760-723-3367, or our Stake Employment Center at 760-631-4070. Current job listings can be reviewed at www.ldsjobs.org.

Other Events/Organizations

WARD ACTIVITIES
Spring is in the air; our winter coats and long underwear are put away, so now its time to have some fun and play. Those of you who came to our Valentine’s dance and learned a few new dance steps, and would like to learn more, and those who didn’t make it and would like to learn, join us for our next dance lesson on Saturday, April 12 at 6:00.

Mark your calendars for some fun Ward activities coming up....April 26th Ward movie night-watch for upcoming flyers for more information. May 30-31 Fathers and Sons outing. May 30 Mother daughter activity. July 4 all day activity. We have some fun activities coming up. Be sure to mark your calendar, we don't want to miss you there!!

GANAS NEEDS VOLUNTEERS!!!

On March 12, 2008 the GANAS (Guide, Advise, Nurture and Support) Mentoring Program celebrated an important milestone in the lives of some amazing children (“mentees”) and their adult mentors. It was the second anniversary for GANAS, which motivates at-risk children, ages 9 to 14 years old, to realize that they do have positive alternative paths in life besides gangs, drugs and crime. The mission of GANAS is to help these young people learn to overcome barriers and make good choices in life. One of the most important assignments for Mentors is to listen to the children and be supportive. Mentees discuss issues of concern, such as peer pressure, when secrets can harm others, education, values (respect, consideration) as well as good news and bad news. Mentors encourage these children to set personal, attainable goals in life. Special guest speakers help the children explore possibilities of a future profession, special trade or vocation.

GANAS is now in need of more mentors. GANAS enlists one mentor for every two to three students, and the group averages around 10 children per site (four mentors). Activities include outside walks, games, art projects, and field trips. The children are encouraged to make healthy eating choices in life and help them to understand why exercise is so important. The program is held in the community rooms of apartment complexes where the children live. The sessions take place weekly (one and a half hours per week) for 12 weeks. Currently there are three program sites: Summer Ridge Apts. 818 E Alvarado; Turnagain Arms Apts., 920 E. Mission Rd (both sites meet on Wednesday); Fallbrook View Apts., 901 Alturas (meets on Tuesday). At these sites there are a combined total of 32 children and 9 Mentors. GANAS NEEDS FOUR MENTORS RIGHT NOW, due to scheduling conflicts with previous mentors (one mentor in the hospital). Mentors are screened through background-checks, finger printing and will undergo mentoring training. Please volunteer for this worthy cause, as committed and caring adults can make a difference in young peoples’ lives, and at the same time help reduce crime in our wonderful community.

The GANAS Mentoring Program falls under the not-for-profit program of the Fallbrook Citizens' Crime Prevention Committee. For more information about the program or to volunteer as a mentor, contact: Pat Braendel, Program Advisor (760) 731-9127; Phyllis Sweeny, Program Advisor (760) 731-3037; or Patsy Loughboro, Mentor Coordinator (760) 728-6918.

MISSIONARY WORK

The Elders are fired up and are working hard. We are working with some wonderful people who are striving to make life changes and qualify to accept the covenant of baptism. When people come to our ward they are warmly accepted and embraced by friendly disciples of Christ. Thank you.

Our current missionaries, Elder Puett and Elder Mitton, are working hard and appreciate your daily prayers and constant support.

Please contact a Ward Missionary if you think we can help in any way.

David Heid, Eric Engebretson, Garry Bledsoe, Ian Beers, Paul Olson

Schedule of Events

April

2 (Wednesday)—Endowment Session, 7:00 PM

4 (Friday)—Multi-Stake Single Adult Dance, 9:00 PM (Pomerado)

5 (Saturday)—Our Ward has building cleanup this month, 8:00 AM (See the schedule for your family’s assignment)

5 & 6 (Saturday and Sunday)—General Conference. Sessions will be held at 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. The General Priesthood session will be broadcast in our building on Saturday at 5:00 PM. General sessions can be viewed on: Cox Commucications - North County channel 435, DirecTV BYU-TV channel 374, Dish Network BYU-TV channel 9403. Time Warner channel 19 and Cox two hour delay on public access channel 18 (at 11 & 3).

9 (Wednesday)—Ward Council, 7:00 PM

12 (Saturday)—Our Ward has building cleanup this month, 8:00 AM (See the schedule for your family’s assignment)

12 (Saturday)—Initiatories, 7:00 PM

12 (Saturday)—Free Dance Lesson, 6:00-7:30 PM (Cultural Hall)

13 (Sunday)—Stake/Mission Correlation Meeting at 7:00 AM-WMLs

16 (Wednesday)—Baptisms, 7:00 PM

17 (Thursday)—Stake Women’s Leadership Meeting, 7:00 PM. For Relief Society, Young Women’s, and Primary Leaders.

17 (Thursday)—YW Camp Meeting, 7:00 PM. For YW Camp Directors. Will be held in Relief Society Room B. Contact Barbara Adams for more information or questions, 631-0880.

18 (Friday)—DUP Convention at the Foothill Bldg. All officers for the new year should be there at 9:30 a.m. and the rest of the members at 10:00 a.m. is the one and only chance to buy books related to our ancestors at a great price. A wonderful luncheon will be served with the raffle for the quilt and other prizes. Hope to see you all there.

19 (Saturday)—Our Ward has building cleanup this month, 8:00 AM (See the schedule for your family’s assignment)

19 (Saturday)—Stake Youth Dance Assignment, 7:45 PM (See the ward calendar online for details)

19 (Saturday)—Youth Dance, 8:00 PM (Vista Stake Center)

20 (Sunday)—BYC, 12:15 PM

20 (Sunday)—Multi-Stake Single Adult Fireside, 7:00 PM (Poway Stake Center)

22 (Tuesday)—Stake Single Adult Meeting, 7:00-8:00 PM

26 (Saturday)—Our Ward has building cleanup this month, 8:00 AM (See the schedule for your family’s assignment)

26 (Saturday)—Ward Activity, Drive-In Movie Night; 8:00 PM

The ward newsletter reporter is Stephanie Lowell. Please call with information about your auxiliaries. We would love to share in your announcements, birthdays, achievements, and fun! Contact: Stephanie Lowell at 731-0610 or lowell_stephanie@yahoo.com before the end of each month.