Just Loved This Reminder

I Just Had to Share this with You

As some of you may know I have moved from being an Idaho girl to becoming a Utah wife and yesterday when I checked Facebook, I saw a few posts from a few of the lady's that were in my ward from back in Idaho. I guess in Relief Society they had their President's Message/Lesson on the power of thoughts and the teacher, a good friend to my family shared this video with the sisters. Even though it was used for a Relief Society lesson, I think it would and could be easily used for Young Women's. I hope you find this as inspiring as I did! 

Wouldn't this make for a great challenge or mutual activity or even Personal Progress. I just love it!

Binder Cover {Class Set} for 2013 Theme

Here is another set of binder covers that I am pleased to introduce to you. It is a set which include a cover for a presidency (including the secretary) as well as an extra one that doesn't have a president member name on it (essentially blank). Hope you enjoy it!

Click HERE to download set (5) or right click on image that you want and save as.

The First of Many

Here is the first binder cover that I have created to go with next years mutual theme. 

Click HERE to download file or right click and save as for jpeg

In Case You Didn't See This

This was a video taken from the Bountiful Day Parade in Bountiful Utah...for those that haven't seen the video you need to.

2013 Mutual Theme Has Been Announced

I am excited to know that the new theme has been announced and that it comes from the scripture found in D&C 87:8 "Stand Ye in Holy Places,  and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold it cometh quickly, saith the Lord."

You can find more about the theme HERE

So to help get the ideas going here is a bookmark that I created for the theme. Picture comes from the site of announcement. More to come!

Click HERE to download PDF of 3 or right click and save on image for jpeg.

UGH...again

I am regretting to inform you that for a second....or third time my laptop (which has all of my designing stuff on it) is on the verge of finding itself on a one way flight out the window. Can you tell I am frustrated with it yet?

It is having issues yet again and I haven't been able to identify it nor has my tech guy and I am a little poor right now to buy another one...hey I am a full time college student who is not working because then I would never sleep. So it might be a while before I can post a handout... I will try to not let that happen. I think this is karma coming back to bite me for all the feelings I had previously mentioned.

Lesson 6: Finding Joy Now

Here is the handout for lesson 6. Simple yet yellow for happy. You could attach this as a tag on anything yellow or happy.

Click HERE for download pdf 4 to a page

Lesson 5:Finding Joy in Our Divine Potential

Here is lesson 5's handout. It is the letter from the General YW Presidency that is included in the lesson manual. 

Click HERE to download 8x11.5 pdf

Here are two videos that are suggested for the lesson...they are wonderful. The first one is from President Uctdorf and the other is a video for YW to discover their divine potential

Lesson 4: Seeking the Companionship of the Holy Ghost

Yes, I have finally gotten back to creating handouts. A little late perhaps...OK a lot late but I know that some of you don't always go in the order that the manual goes in. So hoping that this is going to be helpful to someone.

Click HERE to download a pdf set of 2

This is a great video from our church leaders on the Holy Ghost. Click HERE to be taken to the Mormon Messages page at lds.org to get more information or to share this video with others.

New Beginnings Idea Part 1

I know that I have been promising this for a long time now but I have done some soul searching and after looking on line for some ideas and after attending my own ward's new beginnings I think I have a great idea that could be used (If only I could put it in action and get pictures!).

A good source of inspiration came from this blog and idea. I loved it and think it would be great of one of those themes that could run through the entire year from new beginnings to evening in excellence. 

I love this idea here:

Instructions on how to make found HERE

I think it would be fun to make a few smaller ones like the one pictured above and have placed on either side of a bigger on in the middle. The middle one being that of the YW logo...which of course is the torch. I think it would be AWESOME to have the lights outline the logo and with lights dimmed it would amazing and really show the torch which is a reminder to arise and shine and bring others to Christ. 

Couldn't you just see the torch outlined in lights??

For decorations I think it would be fun to have tables that are draped in table clothes (white) with lights underneath them to shine through. This is what my ward did and then they had the battery operated tea lights wrapped up cutely in the cellophane of the different value colors.  However I think if you could find lights in the value colors stick them through the canvas or find a way to tint them so they were the right colors and have them surround the torch (four on each side?)

Perhaps when they walk in you can have Katy Perry's  "Firework" playing softly in the back ground. You can read the lyrics HERE. I mention this song because I really loved the idea (taken from same blog as from above)when I read it and being able to connect the lyrics to something uplifting- a positive message...which is something that music today I think lacks. Here is what Sisters in Zion made in connection with the song:

There's a spark in you (Moroni 7:16  - spirit of Christ given to all)

You just gotta ignite the light (testimony)

And let it shine  (Matthew 5:16 - let your light so shine before men)

Just own the night, like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you're a firework

Come on show 'em what you're worth  (individual worth)

Come on let your colors burst  (value colors)

(For a YWIE idea...you could put together a slide show of things they YW have done that has made them shine forth with this song playing in the background of the slide show??)


The Invite

 The above picture is a invite idea that I created for the event...I don't have a file to share but I can easily customize it for you if you shoot me an email (see right sidebar) and personalize it as well. Or if you want I can leave it blank except for the SHINE part. Let me know....also idea came from Sisters in Zions idea...what can I say...its AWESOME!

Program to be continued....

A Late PPW

So I thought I would let you all know (and yes in pure me fashion I am a day late) but last night was our ward's New Beginnings and I was invited to come because I was being awarded my YW Medallion that I had earned. I was really stoked to still be able to receive it even though I was released. I will update you on that in a bit (I got an essay to get out of the way for school first).


Hopefully you all are still working hard towards you personal progress goals. If I can do it I know that you can really do it. 

I Am Back!!

OK...so not back in the sense that I have been recalled to the young women's organization but I am back and ready to get my ideas posted for all of you lovely leaders who are or have been missing my ideas. 

I am going to be completely honest with you on my absence from the blogging scene. Yes, it is true that I have been EXTREMELY busy with school work and my new Sunday School calling oh and my laptop was having some serious charging issues (but after 3 LONG FRUSTRATING hours...I finally got it fixed...even though I had to take it completely apart). These,even though they are valid excuses, were really just a front to what I had been feeling inside. 

You see I had loved being in the YW's...first as an assistant camp director and then two years as Camp Director and then a little over a years worth of being the 2nd Counselor in the presidency. I had felt that it wasn't my time to released (and still to this day I still question that choice) and I did hold some bitterness. I guess keeping this particular blog up to date was a little hard and a constant reminder of what I was doing. However, I have swallowed my get over it pill, pulled up my big girl undergarments and have just learned that being able to maintain this blog and help those of you who are in need of assistance or ideas. 

Thank you all for your patience and understanding...but I am back and I am going to do my best to stay up with you guys!

So for my first post back, I thought I would share this story with you that I got in my email this morning from LDS Living.

(Picture taken from article site listed below in the link-1965 Cover)

"For the Strength of Youth" Over the Years

It is an interesting short read on how this wonderful pamphlet/book came about and the different changes that it has over gone over the years. I thought that since they book has been updated and some minor changes have been made to it. This would make for some type of mutual activity or game to introduce the new book!

Click HERE to be taken to the article.

Deep Beauty

Such a wonderful reminder and message. I loved it the moment I started watching so I wanted to share it with you all. Sister Dalton gives an amazing talk that inspired the video. Click HERE to read the talk (there is a link provided) or to share/learn more.

A New Blog!!

So I am letting you all in on my crazy new adventure as a Sunday school teacher! So of course I had to create a new blog to post ideas and musings on as there is little out there for this calling. So if you ever get bored and want to check on how I am doing click HERE. 

Oh yeah don't forget I am still going to be updating this blog as well!

Manual 1 Lesson 3

Lesson 3 from the YW Manual  following the example of Christ. Picture came from HERE. PDF download is a set of 3 bookmarks, cut out, laminate and then punch a hole through the ring at top and sting with ribbon or what not. Enjoy!

Download HERE

Manual 1 Lesson 2

Here is the handout for lesson #2 from the YW Man. 1 titled Jesus Christ, the Savior. Click HERE for download pdf file of 4 or right click and save image.

{PPW} 1/11

Well my dear friends and faithful readers. If you have kept up with the things that have been happening over the last 24 hours from here and on FB (sorry Twitter followers, I have slacked with informing you...I will fix that here in a few) you will have heard that I got the worst news that any leader in a call that they love hates to hear. Yes, Sunday I am being released from the Young Women's group along with the first counselor and secretary. It is sad to have to break the news to you all, I mean I cried for I don't know how long (even in front of the counselor that had to deliver the bad news to me). 
As much as I feel strongly that this was and still is a bad call, I am going to go out with my head held high although tonight is going to be tough since it is my last mutual with the girls and I have fallen in love with each and every one of them. So that being said, I am afraid that this might be the last PPW update that I do for a while.  I will not be able to reach my goal of finishing my personal progress (all those requirements that leaders have to do) before New Beginnings. 
However, as you might have read, I will continue to update the blog with handouts, ideas and thoughts so that all of you who are lucky to be serving in currently or soon to be, will be able to benefit from my release. I can't tell you how much I have loved serving in this calling and being able to have an out for all my pent up creativity (or attempt thereof). I always looked for the Sundays and Wednesdays as we much welcomed break from my studies and academic life. I felt like I had some sort of a social life while I was serving in the capacity as a member of the YW presidency and leader. 
To close this post as my final ta-dah for PPW, I want to leave with you my testimony of this gospel. I have been a member of this church my entire life and at times I have felt my testimony waver back and forth from being strong to being weak or even lack thereof. I had a lot of doubts and experiences in my life that I questioned our Heavenly Father on why I had to endure the trials that I had. I asked the Why question on several occasions and was always reminded of the scripture found in Proverbs 3:5-6 where it tells us to trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not into they own understanding. And in all ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths. 
The YW program allowed me to get back in touch with our Savior and his atonement. It made me realize that I still had a testimony that was struggling to grow again. Reading the Book of Mormon for my Virtue project really emphasized that this is the true church that Joseph Smith was a true prophet, that we have a living prophet and leaders on the earth today that speak the words and truth of our Father in Heaven. I have a strong testimony of the Savior and all that He did for us. He loved us enough to pay the ultimate price, I think sometimes that we forget that. We can be so caught up in what the world wants us to be caught up in that the personal progress program is a way for the young women of the church to focus on what the Lord would have them do. 
I don't believe that I will ever stop asking why (as I think it is only human nature) but I will always try to remember that scripture that to trust in the Lord and in His timing. That everything happens for a reason. I love the girls in the ward and wish them the very best in their future endeavors and pray that they will know that I love them and I hope that I made a difference in just one of their lives. If I have been able to touch a soul to make them feel more loved and cared for, then I have done my duty, no matter how unfair I think it is. I know that our Savior and Heavenly Father loves each and everyone of us. He knows our needs, or desires, our weaknesses along with our strengths. He will never forget nor forsake us. I am truly blessed in knowing this and I say these things in the name of thy son Jesus Christ, Amen.

Ugh....!!!

Well my dear sisters, i have some bad news. I had been asked to meet with one of the bishops counselors tonight (i guess that should technically read as last night) and was told i was going to be released on Sunday. I knew a change was going to happen but with our first counselor moving up with a stake calling, it was thought that i would be replacing her....it never crossed my mind, especially after a really inspiring temple session, that i would he released. I am still struggling with it the decision  as i still feel in my heart that i still have work to do among my young women. However, i can't exactly argue that with anyone who is in charge.

When i posted the news  on Facebook, i received emails and comments from some of you wanting me to continue my work via this blog. I am happy to say the because of all your kind and uplifting words i will be continuing to update and post on here. As hinted to earlier, i went to the temple to help me with my calling and received a great deal of inspiration which i am sad to say won't be able to see put in use for my young women to enjoy. So I shall live those visions out through you!

Thank you for all your support and all that you do for me. I am so glad to hear that for some of you my little out reach of creativity is able to help you in your calling. I can't tell you enough what that means to me. You are all amazing ladies and i consider you my friends. May you continue to be blessed and inspired as you serve in this organization. It truly is one of the best places to serve in. I have learned so much from just the short time i was in there. I will truly miss it. Thanks again for your love and support, and always remember that we are daughters of our heavenly father who loves us and we love him! Keep in touch!!!

{PPW} 1/4

Well here it is, the first PPW of the new year!!! Are we excited??? For those that are just joining us let me catch you up. I have decided that I am going to make my self accountable to each of you for my progress in completing my own personal progress. Each Wednesday (as that is the day my ward has mutual and it is easy for me to remember) I will report to you here about my progress. I will tell you what I have completed or, at times, what I failed to complete and also set new goals on what I want or wish to accomplish within the week. Whew....that is a lot of responsibility. However it comes down to this: how can I expect my girls to do their own personal progress if I don't do my own as well (I have to be honest though, the ribbon bookmark is a pretty good incentive for me to complete my PP). 
I have already heard from some of you of your success and fails to complete your own PP and I am so happy that I am not alone. I enjoy hearing from you and knowing your progress through this very enriching program. Keep me updated still on how you are doing!!!
Anyway, last week I made a goal to have my personal progress (all the requirements for a leader to do) by the time we have New Beginnings which is going to be sometime in February--yes I got to get on the stick. Then once I completed that, I am going to go back and complete all the remaining goals (a black out so to speak) and hopefully earn my Honor Bee. 

Right now, I am still struggling to complete Faith number 1. I have the hardest time remembering to say both morning and evening prayers! I know I shouldn't but I do I struggle with it. Sometimes I am so tired that I crash early and I am not a morning person so when I get up I am usually running to get ready. However, I have made a deal with someone to remind me to say my prayers and today he has done his job. Only 20 days to go. They say that once you do something for 3 weeks it becomes a habit. Hopefully that rings true because I need to get it into a habit.
Going through my PP book, I noticed that  a lot of the value experiences involves prayer for a few weeks as a requirement, I can easily conquer two birds with one stone so to speak.  I don't exactly remember which ones those are but I know that there is a few of them in there. 
I'm also working on my integrity and good works values along with the choice and accountability (all 3 required) so hopefully with any luck with in the next week or two I can provide positive feedback/news. 
That is a lot to undertake but when you read them, they all sort of go together any way. I have also gone through and looked at the optional experiences for each value and realized that I have done more than what I thought I have so I am well on my way to getting a black out. I am learning so much from working on my own personal progress. It is interesting to think back and compare the goals that I did as a young women back when we still had Beehive 1 and Beehive 2 etc with required list of goals to do versus what these girls have to do today. Amazing and humbling at the same time.  
I love working on personal progress. I truly believe that it is an important part of the the YW program and an essential need for any one growing up in the world today, especially as a teenager. It provides so many teaching opportunities and life skills that kids today don't get the chance to learn. It has brought numerous blessings and wisdom into my life. 

PPI- Check lists are here!

Finally got on the ball and created a Personal Progress Interview check list sheet for all of those, I mean me, who might need a little help in making sure that the interview isn't just a gab session. I have it both in a PDF and Word Doc so which ever you prefer to download you will have a copy of it. 

Click HERE for PDF

Click HERE for Word Doc

Preparing for Young Women's

As some of you know I am the 2nd counselor in the  YW presidency and today i got a call from one of the achievement day leaders to come in and talk to the girls, particularly those who will be turning 12 this year, and discuss with them the purpose and importance of the program. Kinda nervous as i have never done this before but excited  will be posting about it tomorrow.
*Update* well both girls were not there that would be turning 12...kind of sad but excited at the saw time cause i thought of an idea to make while talking about it.

Accept and Act: PP value exp. to go with lessons

If you are like me, you try to have the girls apply personal progress values experiences with each of your lessons as suggested in the resource manual. However, since you can only find the resource manual online, I thought I would create a PDF document that listed each lesson and the personal progress values that go with it. That way you can plan handouts or activities that would help the girls to pass off that particular experience. 

Have you checked our the resource guide yet? It is pretty awesome if I do say so myself, it includes a ton of talks and media that fit perfectly with the lessons. Click HERE to be taken to it. Once there, just click on the second link to get just the guide or the first to get both the manual and guide.

Click HERE to download the pdf file of the personal progress values that go with the lesson list-3 pages.