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Beating Stress

When the pressure is on, try these way of taking the stress out of your day.

1. Get plenty of sleep. Set the alarm clock to remind yourself to go to bed on time.

2. Don’t rely on your memory. Get a calendar and write down when library books are due, when assignments need to be turned in, when church activities are scheduled.

3. Plan ahead. Fill the car with gas before the needle is on empty. Leave a little earlier so you get to school or work on time.

4. Forget about counting to ten, count to a thousand.

5. Get some exercise.

6. Do things now! Easy things become harder and more complicated the longer you put them off.

7. Don’t do anything that would cause you to lie.

8. Schedule some time to be alone, to read the scriptures, and to pray.

9. Add an ounce of love to everything you do.

10. Remember not all stress is bad. Having lots to do keeps you from being bored.

Dreams Come True

Children’s laughter in London’s Battersea Park on a Saturday is nothing unusual, but this day and these children were very special.

The children were from hospitals all over Britain. Some were disabled and some were terminally ill, but they all came for fun. They were invited by the Young Adults of London’s Brittania First Ward, London England Hyde Park Stake, who were in charge of organizing the day. It took nine months of planning and fund-raising, but their work paid off when pop music and sports celebrities joined with clowns, food, and music to make children’s dreams come true.

Former world light heavyweight boxing champion John Conteh came to the celebration and made 5-year-old Lee Spruce’s dream come true. Lee, who is in the hospital for a brain hemorrhage, said, “I never thought I would get the chance to punch a boxing champ.”

The day not only helped children, but introduced many people to the gospel. Parents of the children said working with the Young Adults gave them new insights about the Church.

Things went so well that the Young Adults are already making plans for next year’s event.

50-Mile China Hike

by Maxine Rasmussen

For the first time, a Boy Scout troop has been allowed to hike in the People’s Republic of China. The Hong Kong troop of 25 Scouts and their leaders consisted of young men originally from all over the United States. Three of the Scouts and two of their fathers are LDS. They were accompanied on their hike by 25 students from the Guang Dong Foreign Language Normal School.

When the Scouts applied for permission to take the hike in China, the Chinese government in the southern province of Canton was very much in favor and viewed it as a people-to-people exchange.

The exciting day finally arrived. After a double check of all the packs, everyone boarded the blue bus for the long dusty trip to Guangzhou (Canton). After a short ceremony and exchange of gifts with the Chinese students who were to accompany them, the group started their hike. “People lined up along the street as if we were in a parade,” said Joseph Spallino, a 12-year-old Star Scout. Out in the countryside, villagers stared wide-eyed at the boys and their leaders. Many had never seen a foreigner so close, especially ones so young and looking strangely like beasts of burden. The boys hiked along raised walkways surrounding rice paddies. One farmer became so engrossed in watching the group that he forgot to guide his water buffalo and plowed a curved furrow.

In the evening after dinner the group gathered around the campfire to sing songs and talk. The Chinese students were very curious about the Scout’s western way of life.

After three grueling days, the young men finished their 50 miles, yet they felt they had traveled even farther in understanding and appreciating the Chinese culture.

Family Examples

Four of the Gent children of the Bremerton II Ward in Washington have set a great example in school for other students as well as their four younger brothers and sisters.

David was the student-body president of his high school and participated on the varsity football, track, and wrestling teams. He was also vice-president of the National Honor Society, an Eagle Scout, and an honor student with a 3.8 average.

Debbie was the captain of the freshman cheer squad and participated in a cappella choir and the cross-country and track teams.

Joseph was the freshman class president and sang in the concert choir. He also participated in football and wrestling and organized a skiing trip for his science club. He served as deacons quorum president before he turned 14.

Mike goes to the middle school in Bremerton and served as the student-body secretary. He also played football, wrestled, and sang in the choir.

What a Girl!

Wendy Macey of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, is making her presence felt in service to her community and school. She is a past president of her school’s SADD (Students against Drunk Driving) program and works in the community as a counselor for handicapped youth at summer camp.

Wendy has also participated in class government as well as being a mascot for her school. In church activities, she has served as president of her Beehive, Mia Maid, and Laurel classes. And she was presented with her Young Womanhood Recognition.

Wendy is a member of the Lake Havasu Ward, Blythe California Stake.

On Their Bikes

Young Men and their advisers from the Sacramento Seventh Ward, Sacramento California Cordova Stake, undertook a five-day, 206-mile bike trip from Lake Tahoe to Yosemite. The trip would take them over six mountain passes.

Eleven riders and two support drivers with vehicles for equipment, food, and room to carry injured or tired riders started on the trip. As they reached the top of each pass with burning lungs and muscles, they exulted in the beauty of the summits and the thoughts of a long downhill run.

Pedaling into Yosemite on the valley floor was one of the more memorable experiences for the group. Pride in their accomplishment combined with the knowledge that, with preparation and determination, they had an experience that will remain with them the rest of their lives.

Heads Celebration

Paulette Baldauf of Palmyra, New York, was crowned queen of the annual Canal Town Days, which celebrates Palmyra’s part in building the historic Erie Canal.

Paulette attends early-morning seminary and is active in her Laurel class. During the summers she works helping keep the Hill Cumorah, the Joseph Smith Home, the Sacred Grove, the Martin Harris farm, and the Grandin Building beautified.

Paulette is also an honor student and has taken classical ballet for nine years and plans to major in dance in college.

Family Tradition

For two brothers in Austin, Texas, excellence is a family tradition. Jason Cassady, of the Cedar Park Ward, Austin Texas Stake, was crowned homecoming king and accepted the award from his brother Jackson who had been homecoming king the year before.

Jason also served as senior class president the year after Jackson held the same position. Both young men were active in basketball and school activities and both have received their Eagle Scout Award.

Jason worked as a peer counselor and was first assistant in the priests quorum. Jackson was named Mr. Westwood, an honor given to the outstanding male graduate of his high school, and he also won awards in drama and debate.

Study in India

Jennifer Rasmussen is an outstanding example for the Church in Hong Kong.

Jennifer, a Laurel in the Victoria Ward, Hong Kong Island Stake, was the only student in the Hong Kong International School to be chosen to represent the school on a scholarship study tour of India.

Jennifer also organized a fast that involved the students in her school so they could raise money for a worldwide nonprofit charity.

Scouting Then and Now

Back in 1913, Scouting had just been adopted by the Church, and the boys of Troop 8, sponsored by the Provo (Utah) Sixth Ward, gathered to have their photo taken before hiking to Maple Flats. According to Paul Barrett Stewart, who was one of the boys participating that day, Troop 8 was “one of the first Boy Scout Troops that the LDS church sponsored.”

Brother Stewart says that “because we were just organized, we were too early to have uniforms. We were lucky to have a Scout manual!”

The first Boy Scout camp was held in England in 1907. Scouting in the U.S. began officially on February 8, 1910. The LDS church celebrated 75 years of Scouting in 1988.

Scouting is a movement that still strengthens and builds young men. Happy 75th birthday, LDS Scouts!

On the Ball

Cindy Jones of the Castle Dale Third Ward, Castle Dale Utah Stake, was one of 15 high school girls chosen to play on the Utah-Montana All-Stars basketball team which traveled to Australia and New Zealand. Cindy served as president of her high school student body and president of her Laurel class.

Good Cause

The Mia Maids in the Anchorage Eighth Ward, Anchorage Alaska Stake, turned Halloween into a money-making activity by selling ghost insurance to ward members and friends. If an insuree’s home or car became the target of a prank like soaped windows, splattered eggs, or toilet papering, the Mia Maids cleaned up the results of the Halloween tricks.

With the money they earned, they are helping to support a missionary from their ward.

Photography by Lonnie Lonczyna

David Gent; Debbie Gent; Joseph Gent; Michael Gent

Paulette Baldauf

Jennifer Rasmussen

Scouts of the Provo Sixth Ward today.

Scouts of the Provo (Utah) Sixth Ward in 1913.

Cindy Jones