Forever Strong -- A Must See

A friend gave me information about a new movie playing in Simi Valley tonight - Tuesday. Corrine had previously e-mailed me information about the movie. It sounded like a quality movie and so I wanted to support it. So tonight, Corrine, Rachel and I went together. We went to In-N-Out Burger for dinner and then we stopped by Golden Spoon for a little dessert (Corrine's favorite). We met up with everyone else at the theatre. It was fun to see so many people I know at the theatre. Dad and mom went as well with two other couples in their ward.

I HIGHLY recommend this movie. I laughed, cried, learned and really enjoyed the movie. It is an independent, family sports film based on a true story. It tells the story of one of America's most successful athletic teams, a rugby team from Salt Lake City with a win-loss record of 379-9 over a 33-year period. It is also the story of Rick Penning, who lived life just like he played rugby; fast, hard-hitting and intense. When life on the edge lands him in jail, his case worker Marcus offers him a chance to get back in the game for playing for his rival rugby team. An unlikely brotherhood forms forcing Rick eventually to choose between conflicting loyalties. I strongly encourage you to find where this is showing near you and GO!

General Relief Society Meeting

Today is one of my favorite days of the year. It is the General Relief Society Meeting. Having spent three years working closely with the General RS presidency, I look forward to hear what the sisters have to share with us. It was so much fun to be there with friends and family. When we went into the chapel to hear the broadcast it was Mom, myself, Rachel (my sister-in-law), Corrine, Melinda and Rachel all sitting together. It was such a blessing to have us all together!
This year our stake did something a little different. Instead of a sit down dinner our stake participated in assembling hygiene kits. Each ward was asked to bring supplies. No goal was set by the stake, but they were hoping for 500 kits. It was overwhelming to walk in the cultural hall and see the stacks of supplies -- soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, towels, etc. When all was done there were 904 completed kits with about 150 incomplete kits which will be done in the next couple of months. Wow! It was so exciting to see all of the boxes lined up along the cultural hall wall marked "Latter-day Saint Charities". These kits were ready to go to someone who needs them!
Our stake also put fleece blankets together. These will go to a local charity for children in our area. It was great to see so many of our stake RS sisters together providing service. The stake provided a light supper of soup and salad as well. As I looked over the cultural hall I couldn't help but think of the quote from Sister Beck's talk from last year's meeting -- "Focusing on relief will always build sociality, whereas focusing on sociality may not always bring relief."

Following the meeting we all came back to our house and had chocolate satin pie in honor of Corrine -- today is her birthday. Mom and Rachel went home and Melinda stayed and showed Corrine how to use her new makeup (Bare Essentials) and showed her a few 'tricks' for make up and hair. It was a great day!

A Farewell To Tina

May 2006 - Debbie, Grandma (1923-2007), Tina (1956-2008) & Dad

Today we had the memorial service for aunt Tina. It was held at Inglewood Cemetery and she was laid to rest next to grandma. Corrine, Melinda, Rachel and I drove down together. I am grateful aunt Debbie & uncle Rich (who are currently serving a mission on Temple Square) were able to fly down for the day. I know my parents were grateful for it as well. The program was nice. Debbie gave the eulogy and Paige shared memories of aunt Tina. They both did an excellent job. Dad shared his testimony of the plan of salvation.
Her great nieces and nephews were asked to sing. They sang

'I am a Child of God" and "If the Savior Stood Beside Me". They did a beautiful job. Paige & Brooke brought white balloons. Following the service we all took a balloon and let it go in honor of her. The kids really enjoyed watching them go up and up.
Anna, Carly & I were wearing yellow dresses. That was fun! We took a picture of the "yellow girls". It was so hot today! We were all standing for most of the service (just about an hour) and so it felt good to sit down for this picture.
Following the service we all went over to Tito's Tacos for lunch! Our family filled about half of the restaurant. This is a family favorite and we all enjoyed our lunch!
Aunt Tina loved animals. Paige and Brooke brought stuffed animals for each of the kids to take home in honor of her. This is Bryn holding her animal. Gotta love that tongue!

A Time to Reflect

On Sunday, September 21st my aunt, Launa Christina Sulentic - "Aunt Tina" - passed away. She was 52 years old. With my knowledge of the plan of salvation, her passing can be seen as a blessing. Her physical body has been weak for so many years. A car accident a few years ago caused her already week body to be even more weak. She is now free from that physical body and with her mother and her father and finally able to breath on her own.

Mom, Michelle, Melinda, Paige (my cousin) and I were able to perform a final act of service on her behalf and dress her today. It was a privilege to be able to perform this act of service for her. I am grateful to have family there with me as well.

I was also able to spend time with Michelle and her kids. We went to Red Robin for dinner together before we went home. Melinda also helped her mother and "old" sister get a new purse. With JCPenny having a sale, mom and I both successfully upgraded to a new, more fashionable purse. :) Thanks Melinda for helping me stay, 'with it'.

Sound of Music Sing-A-Long - A New Tradition!

Wow! Corrine and I have had a little 'culture' this summer compliments of the Hollywood Bowl. Tonight we attended the third and final performance. Again, I really didn't know what we were going to -- how do we sing along? Well, I was pleasantly surprised and decided it needs to be a summer tradition (we found they do this each summer).

So they started with a 'pre-show'. Melissa Peterman (REBA) hosted the evening. During the pre-show contestants come out in their best "Sound of Music" attire. There were some clever ones, some obvious ones and some really funny ones. My favorite -- two young children about the same height. One was dressed in a costume of a sewing needle (so cute) and the other was a spool of thread which the 'needle' was pulling. Yes, you got it, they were a needle pulling thread! They won second place. The winner was a family all lined up in height order with large black notes on their heads. Their head peeking out -- each had their 'note' do-rey-me-fa-so-la-ti-do! Absolutely cute!

Following the pre-show the entire stage was a screen and we watched the entire movie! Each time the songs came on there were sub-titles for us to sing with. It was SO MUCH fun! It was very interactive. When the captain and Maria kissed for the first time small firecrackers (the pop kind which they handed out) went off! Honestly, it is hard to describe in writing, but needless to say it was worth it and next year we plan to go again. Carly & Anna love the movie so we will try to take them too!

PS -- For Kate - sorry my picture isn't that great! It was the best I could do from our seats in the dark!

A Dental Update

Okay, so this is a weird post, but I thought I would keep you all posted. Today I had my semi-annual dental appointment. There is part of me that really has no problem going to the dentist -- I am such a low maintenance client. However, there is another part of me that gets concerned because I really don't want to hear I have cavities. I have been blessed with good teeth and good enamel and so life in the dentist chair has been good to me. My dentist (Roger Peterson) recently had his son, Paul, join the practice. This was the first time I saw him. It was a good. However, he did find a cavity! Aag! Thankfully it was small! Call me vain but when he asked what type of material I wanted him to fill it with I asked for WHITE! I don't want a silver mouth. Overall, it turned out okay. It was so small he felt he could do it without a shot. I decided to save some $$$ and give it a try. Thankfully it all went okay. At the very end I could feel pressure, but I survived and now I have my second small cavity!

A New Perspective about Hygiene Kits

Tonight we had a wonderful stake fireside. Sister Kallon came to our stake. Sister Kallon is from Sierra Leone in Western Africa and lived in the country during the turmoil of war. She watched as rebels took over her small village and she lost family members and friends to this tragic event. She was a recipient of a hygiene kit. It became her most prized possession. She served a mission in Salt Lake City (Temple Square). When she came to Salt Lake she had practically nothing, but she insisted on bringing her hygiene kit. Her story is so very inspiring!

At the beginning of the fireside we were told the Church had sent its final hygiene kit out -- there are no more on the shelves. We then heard the impact this simple item had on Sister Kallon. I am so inspired to do more. As part of our stake's General Relief Society Meeting we are assembly hygiene kits. I am so excited to see what the response will get like after hearing Sister Kallon's experience.

Please take the time to read her article. It appeared in the Liahona and New Era. I have attached it here. http://lds.org/churchmagazines/LI_2007_08_00__Complete_00788_eng_000.pdf

A Birthday Date with Carly

I have struggled to find a gift to give my nieces and nephews. I don't want them to get attached to 'things' as much as experiences and memories. I decided to do something different and gave it a try on Carly.

I invited her to spend a few hours with me today. We first went to lunch at Chick Fil A which she lets me know is her FAVORITE place to eat -- (BTW - it is not Anna's favorite, Souplantation is the favorite according to Carly). After lunch we went out to Boarder's Bookstore. We went straight to the children's section. If you haven't been there, it is huge. I can't believe how many books there are! Anyway, I told Carly she could pick out any book she wanted. I told her we would also read any books she wanted. It was fun to watch her look around at the shelves and look at the options. The princess books were the first one that caught her eye. She was convinced that is what she wanted. As we turned to go read it, she came to a large display of "Fancy Nancy" books, games. etc. Her little eyes got huge as she said, "Alisa, this is the book I always wanted -- Fancy Nancy!" It was fun to see her get excited. We looked at the several options and she picked one out for us to read. After we read it she decided that was the book for her. She was so excited to show it to Anna! I planned to take her to a quick 'work appointment' (as she calls it), but she wasn't really happy with that plan. She wanted to hurry home to show Anna and her mom. When I told her Anna was still in school she was okay with going to me for my appointment. We had a great time!

As we were checking out we bought a gift certificate for TJ and Jared for their birthdays. Carly looked at me and said, "I don't think they will get Fancy Nancy books, I think they will get a book about skateboards or dinosaurs!" I thought that was so cute. Chelsea and Todd, let me know what kind of books they get -- Carly will be happy to know as will I.