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.