Highland Elementary Recognizes Pleasant Hill Ward as Partner of the Year

Highlands Elementary Recognizes Pleasant Hill Ward's Service

A RARE HONOR was recently bestowed on the Pleasant Hill Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as Highlands Elementary School showed their gratitude by inviting church members to be present at an awards ceremony where Pleasant Hill Ward was showered with gifts of appreciation.

Maria Garcia, OASIS Coordinator for Highlands attended the ceremony with Assistant Principal, Jason Hayes on May 20th, 2015 at 11:00 A.M.  Pleasant Hill Ward members were presented with an original painting, and a plaque showing gratitude for  our efforts.  On the back of the painting was a signed letter:

OASIS School Volunteer  Program

2014/2015 School Business Partner of the Year

Highlands Elementary Nominee:  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

It is our pleasure to have nominated our "faith based school partner: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" as our nominee for the 2014-2015 School Business Partner of the Year.

First of all, our 2014-2015 school year began with a "Day of Service" from members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Mr. Jay Egg and Mr. Sam Haught arranged to have 100 volunteers to come beautify our campus with mulch, picking weeds, power washing our school grounds, and delivered books and materials to over 60 classrooms, reorganize our teacher's lounge, brought donations of clothes and shoes for our families in need, and created a huge welcome sign in our main lobby for all to see throughout the school year. What an awesome way to begin the school year.

Secondly, Jay Egg of the Pleasant Hill Ward provided Highlands Elementary with an abundance of food that was distributed to families before the winter break and to help replenish our food pantry.  Thirdly, members of the church have served as OASIS volunteers for our Bookmark Buddies Reading Program to mentor some of our third grade students in hopes of ensuring academic success and passing this year's FSA test.

Lastly, Mr. Haught who is a member of the church and in conjunction with Wild Florida has made it possible to bring in an alligator to our school during our honor roll celebration to give our students the opportunity to experience an up-close encounter with the wild life of Florida.

In summary, it takes great individuals to help plant seeds of greatness into the young hearts and mind of our future generation, and with that being said we would like to recognize all the members of The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints.

Sincerely,
Allison Doe, Principal
Jason Hayes, Assistant Principal
Maria Garcia, Oasis Coordinator

- And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. 

-Mosiah Chapter 2, Verse 17

                            

Pleasant Hill Sacrament Summaries, Mother's Day 2015

Sacrament Meeting
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

10th Day of May 2015

ON THIS GORGEOUS MORNING, we heard from first time speaker Brother Reuben Rangel. As he professed his thanks and love to his mom, he taught us some eye opening facts about Mother's day. A tradition started in 1914 has grown to a $21.2 billion dollar commercialized holiday. He brought us back to its purpose with a quote from Abraham Lincoln "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my Angel Mother." Brother Rangel suggested we celebrate, thank, love and praise mothers every day.

Young Men's first counselor, Brother Harvey Reyes, asked us to be honest with ourselves in answering "How do I keep my family strong in the Gospel?" He questioned the roles each of us play in our own home. "Who is making the effort?" "How much time is devoted to feel the Spirit and make us stronger?"  He urged us to put in the time and effort to counsel each other, pray together, ponder the scriptures, and teach our little ones to talk to Heavenly Father.

He reminded us that the Bishopric is here to help guide our family, and to continue to pray for our family and friends that have strayed; for "the power of prayer works!"

Returned missionary, Sister Erika Herrera, expressed her gratitude for the love of mothers. She proudly and lovingly thanked her aunt, Maria Palomino, who stepped in as mother, and for her guidance and charity in making the hard decision about going on her mission. Sister Herrera told us of a woman who was struggling in all aspects of life except for her belief in the church and her service. She told us that when in need, this woman helped her and her companion giving what little she had away because of her faith that, "Jesus would always provide."

by Sister Stephani Fini
Pleasant Hill Ward
Official Blogger

Pleasant Hill "Sacrament Summaries"

Fast and Testimony Sacrament Meeting
April 26^th, 2015

AS WE SAT in the presence of the Holy Spirit, we were edified and enriched by testimonies from ward members.

Remembering the Purpose of the Fast

• Brother Callaghan urged us to "Come, Act, Share."
• Brother Ronald Moore challenged us to "start at the hard place first."
• Sister Egg shared the service her and Brother Egg were providing until the wee hours of the morning. Serving special needs children and seeing their smiles made her reflect and be grateful for her sealing to her children and loving husband.
• Brother Benjamin, a meat and potato man, asked "Have we lost faith?" President Benson in 1995 said "Seek ye the way of the 72 hour pack!" June is upon us.....Are you ready?
• Brother Howard Brancel, who is leaving the Ward (for the summer), shared his strong testimony for the "Blessings that I received for beyond what I deserve."
• Brother Oviatt, also leaving, moved us all by proclaiming "As long as I have a voice, it will say Jesus is the Christ."
• Brother Todd emotionally testified to the strong women of this Ward and the Temple. He pleaded for more priesthood holders to attend the Temple.

Bishop Palomino closed the meeting with a very moving and emotional testimony of Jesus Christ. "What a wonderful Spirit here today!"

by Sister Stephani Fini

Pleasant Hill Ward

Official Blogger