It was a good day for my sons and me because we were able to provide service to our community and afterward meet Elder Cook. The stake center had cots every where and when Brother Cook arrived all the solders formed up into ranks to meet and thank him for the use of the facilities. It was interesting to see all the yellow helping hands tee-shirts and soldiers uniforms at the church. The churches emergency response plan for using the facility as an evacuation center and later as a National Guard facility worked very well.

I am so glad to be a member of a church that goes out of its way and has prepared to help others in need. That is wonderful that Elder Cook could go there to see how things are. Our prayers are with all of you in California.

I have been watching all the news reports I could and I am so proud to be a member of such a wonderful church. Elder Cook, Please let how we can best contribut to these members and others in the area, othee than by a cash contribution. I have a limited income, but would gladly contribute to any physical and temporal needs that I can share. My cupboards are overflowing with things I can part with. Please send us a list of items that are need, as I would gladly part with things that they can use and would be accepted. The chuarch has always helped me whenever I had been in need. May God bless you and all those that are helping these poor wictums.

The aid was ready and waiting, before the need ever arose. What a privilege it is to be a part of Heavenly Father's plan!

I too have been watching all the news I could get on the fires but wonder why you didn't visit Rancho Bernardo where the damage was so bad. Many church members lived there and lost homes...not just Escondido and Poway. The lists are much longer for Rancho Bernardo and some wonderful saints live there and lost so much. I pray for them since I know so many of them and how their children are trying to cope with this tragedy.

Dear Mary

Actually the Poway Stake Center is located in Rancho Bernardo. Rancho Bernardo is part of the Poway Stake so Elder Cook's visit at the Poway Stake Center encompassed both Poway and Rancho Bernardo fire families (the Poway coordinator said not to refer to these families as "victims" but as "fire families". I too have kept abreast of the fires via internet here in Thailand where my wife and I are serving a mission. It IS wonderful to belong to such a worldwide church that helps so maany people.

The fires aren't over. Although most have been contained, the fires on the Indian reservations located within the boundaries of the Escondido Stake are still blazing. The reservations were harder hit than other places in the stake. The Indian and Hispanic families living on the reservations have lost everything, many for the second time in four years. If you want to help them, look online for the agencies that are addressing their needs.

I am glad my church is helping out I never knew how many people really got hurt because all the news have bee telling me is that its getting worst or no word yet on how the firemen are taking it. It makes me so made because my friend who lives in California gets everything I want to know about the fires! Well good luck firefighters and God bless you all. Oh and you people at the news station, stop putting lies on the news about the fires. Please... Thank you and God Bless the firefighters and everyone helping them.
Sincerely,
Morgan

Our community of San Jacinto in Riverside County hasn't had problems with fire, but the wind was so strong in some areas that many trees were blown over onto houses, cars, and other property. Houses have been condemned because they shifted off or were jarred off of their foundations. Drifting sand and dirt covered cars, fences and the sides of houses up to five feet deep. Our Stake's singles ward, along with other Stake members, have spend many hours shoveling the blown sand from yards and houses. All Church meetings, including early morning Seminary, were cancelled for a week so the building could be cleaned. Some ward members spend 6 hours on Saturday shoveling sand out of the parking lot so we could meet on Sunday. We still have a lot of work to do including replacing shingles blown off of so many roofs. We are thankful for the Church and the hours of labor which have been, and will still be spent in our mini-disaster.

Our family lived in Poway for 6 years. We still know many families their. We now live in Miami, Fl. What are some ways we can help these families when we live so far away?

I live in Fallbrook, CA and after having spent 5 days away from my home am grateful to be able to return home and find all well there. Our small community lost over 200 homes and there is a lot of fire damage. We thank our Father in Heaven that so many were spared. We appreciate all those who fought the fires and those who are helping with the aftermath.As we see church members and missionaries reaching out in love and support of friends and neighbors we see God's hand in our lives.
We thank Heavenly Father for His goodness and mercy.