March 28, 2008
Volume 3, Number 13
Here is the weekly update you requested, featuring a message from the national Women’s Department.
 Need a Mother’s Day gift for a special group of women? Order All About Mom, a 32-page magazine filled with articles and inspiration for moms of all ages. At just $1 per copy, it’s affordable for any number of women. Call GPH today, 1-800-641-4310, and ask for item #735415. When Mom’s happy, everyone’s happy!
An Outreach of San Diego First Assembly
 For the past four years, the Women’s Ministries group at San Diego First Assembly (SDFA) has treated military wives to a day of relaxation and pampering in a spa-like atmosphere. This year 30 women came to the March 1st event, and received massages, manicures, pedicures, facials and scrumptious food—all while their children were entertained with games and sports activities, fed a delicious lunch, and told about God’s love for them.
Our Family to Yours is an outreach from SDFA to the nearby military community, and is designed to bless the wives and children of men who are deployed overseas. The event gives the wives an opportunity to connect with other women in their same situation. While they are their children are having fun, the men of SDFA clean their vehicles inside and out.
Women’s Ministries’ coordinator Cyndy Smith says 50 children, ranging in age from three months to 14 years, took part in the festivities. She says, “This day is a way for our church to show Jesus’ love in a practical way by easing the pain of separation for these families of deployed military men.”
And the pampering doesn’t end when the day is over; families leave with a $50 gift card, a Bible, spa gifts and information about SDFA. This year one of the women who volunteered to give manicures was on the receiving side just two years ago, when her husband was deployed. She has faithfully attended SDFA ever since, and it is a joy now for her to be able to reciprocate.
Following are just two of several thank-you notes that were received after the event:
“I had the best time today! For a few hours, I felt as if there truly was heaven on earth. But then the day was over, I picked up my kids, and reality sank in. Even so, I have been babbling blissfully about the relaxing and blessed day I had all because of you. I’m not one to sit on my feelings, so I thought I’d write you a thank-you. To Pastor Bob and the entire SDFA family: Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!! Thank you for not forgetting us, the Silent Sailors and Soldiers. Today, I felt appreciated!!”
“Special thanks to Gail, my sponsor; Tiffany, who did my pedicure; Bo, who did my massage; the makeup and facial staff; Karly, who did my manicure; members who simply offered kindness; Beverly, Denise and her daughter Mary. My kids enjoyed the youth station and can’t seem to stop talking about all the helpers. We’ll be seeing you; my kids are begging to attend your service. I have to admit the most awesome thing was when they took my keys—God knows my truck is happy to breathe again! Thank you guys again so much!!”
Besides this wonderful outreach, the women of SDFA schedule other regular events throughout the year. Hot Summer Nights is a special midweek service for women that was so successful that now it carries over into Hot Mocha Nights in the fall. Other groups that meet include Women Living with Cancer, Moms to Moms, Sisterchicks Book Chat, and What A Girl Wants.
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