Faith in God Recognition Night

I recently came from the Young Women's program so I thought it would be a good idea to have something like a YW in Excellence or New Beginnings night.  It was just okay.

We made this night a little more formal.  We invited the parents, had a program with song and prayer, I explained how Faith in God works, my other leader handed out completion certificates, and a member of the bishopric bore his testimony.  We were done in less than 20 minutes.  But we had cookies and mingled with the parents afterward.

Two lessons from this night: 1) It was a good idea but way too formal for this group.  2) December is much too busy of a month to expect even half the families to be able to attend an activity.

We will be rethinking this one for the future.

Christmas Testimonies, Letters, and Cookies

We like to give our girls multiple opportunities to think about their testimonies through the year.  For this activity we began by discussing their thoughts and feelings about Jesus Christ during the Christmas season.  Then we spent ten minutes or so letting them write down those thoughts and feelings on a special "Testimony" paper in their binders.

Next we wrote letters to the two full-time missionaries serving from our ward, as well as the Bishopric, Stake Presidency, and Primary Presidency.  It was hilarious to see how they pretty much wrote the same things on each of the letters.  Several wrote, "I hope your mission is fun!" on the letters to the missionaries as well as the Primary.  (I guess it was our fault for making this a writing-intensive activity.)

Lastly we decorated Christmas sugar cookies.  Obviously, their favorite part of the afternoon.

12th Article of Faith

As part of a Serving Others activity we discussed the 12th Article of Faith.  I did a little internet research on what it means to be a good citizen and pared down my findings into short actions the girls could understand.  Each girl was given two actions written on word strips and they had to tell the group what it meant and how they could implement it in their lives.  This wasn't as boring as it sounds and the girls did a really good job with it.

Then we played a U.S. Presidents game.  We split the girls into two groups and sent them on a scavenger hunt around the church answering trivia questions about different presidents.

Cookies...Making, Baking, Sharing

We taught the girls how to make Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies (because my mother swears by that recipe).  After mixing the batch we stuck it in the oven to bake.  Then each girl was sent home with two plates of cookies.  One plate was for them to eat but the other plate had to be given away to a friend or neighbor on their way home.

At the next activity we followed up with them and made them report on their small act of service.

Getting to Know You

This was our first activity as new leaders. We delivered invitations and a lunch sack to each girl and asked her to fill it with three things that describe her. When they arrived at the activity the leaders collected the sacks and we had the girls guess which sack belonged to which girl. It was fun to see how well they already know each other.

The girls also filled out this questionnaire that I keep.  It has some random information that we may be able to use for their birthdays or other activities.

Activity Days Ideas

I always love finding new ideas for Activity Days on the internet. Here are the activities we've done with our girls. Hopefully they give you a few good ideas that can be molded to help your own Activity Days girls. Good luck!

My Testimony

I know that my Savior lives and loves me. I know that He came to this earth and suffered and died to take away my sins, my shortcomings and weaknesses, my pain and sorrow. I know that if I keep the commandments, repent, and exercise my faith that the power of the atonement will have full effect in my life. I am so grateful for the testimony that burns in me of the truthfulness of the gospel and the plan of salvation. I know that I will pass through struggles and challenges in this life but they will strengthen me and the Savior will comfort me because He knows what I am going through and wants me to be successful so that I will one day return to live again with Him and our Heavenly Father. I love this Young Women Program and the light and knowledge it gives me. The gospel is true! In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Leader Requirements - FINISHED

Today I completed all the leader requirements of Personal Progress to earn my medallion. It has been an amazing experience to go through this program. Even though it was written for the Young Women I have learned so much and grown in my testimony of the gospel. I am grateful I have had the opportunity to work on these goals and experiences.

But I'm not finished. Now I want to continue on and complete the experiences I haven't done yet and projects for each of the values I skipped. I don't plan to get another medallion or honor bee, I just need to experience all that the girls do and I want to keep going through this program with them.

KNOWLEDGE PROJECT

May 2011

My project is: To improve my health with regular exercise, healthy eating, and adequate rest.

My plan to carry out my project is:
1. Exercise for 120 minutes per week = Zumba, walking, jogging, aerobics, etc.
2. Learn how to cook 5 healthy dinners and then make them: Wheat Berry & Edamame Salad, Quinoa Salad, Fish Tacos, Chicken & Veggie Pasta, Vegan Burgers & Oven Fries, Fruit for Dessert.
3. Drink approximately 72 ounces or 9 cups of water every day.
4. Sleep between 7-8 hours every night - plan to go to bed early.


July 24, 2011

The Word of Wisdom truly is inspired by our Heavenly Father. As I made the time to exercise I felt so much better about myself on the inside and the outside. When my meals were healthy I had more energy and could truly appreciate all the wonderful, healthy foods we have been given. I especially noticed how much more satisfying a bowl of fruit is over a bowl of ice cream. I know that as I continue to live the Word of Wisdom, exercise and eat the good things, I will become more physically fit and even spiritually fit because the Lord will show me the hidden treasures of knowledge. A wonderful incentive!

Choice & Accountability #2

2. Read the pamphlet For the Strength of Youth. List in your journal each standard of righteous behavior the pamphlet outlines, and record why it is important to choose to live those standards. Practice living righteous standards by choosing three standards in which you need to improve. You might choose to be more selective about television, music, books, or other media, or you might improve your modesty, language, or honesty. After three weeks share your progress with your family, your class, or a leader.

~ For the Strength of Youth ~
* Agency = righteous choices lead to happiness
* Gratitude = a spirit of thanksgiving increases our happiness and strengthens us
* Education = will help me be an influence for good in the world and better provide for myself and family
* Family = the family is the most sacred unit of the church, always seek to strengthen family relationships
* Friends = friends help determine who you become, choose good friends with similar standards and values
* Dress & Appearance = modest dress shows others and yourself that you are a disciple of Christ and invites the companionship of the Holy Ghost and influences others for good
* Entertainment & Media = choosing good uplifting media lets the Spirit stay with you, allows you to have good thoughts and actions
* Music & Dancing = have fun but choose good music and appropriate dancing so the Spirit can be present
* Language = good, clean language shows you are bright and intelligent; use it to uplift others
* Dating = date those with similar standards and always prepare for a temple marriage
* Sexual Purity = intimacy is reserved for married couples; stying chaste prepares you to enter the temple and build a strong marriage
* Repentance = releases you from the bondage of sin, brings peace and strength, restores the spirit
* Honesty = builds character and trust - the Lord and others trust you - peace of mind and self-respect
* Sabbath Day Observance = it will bring you closer to the Lord and your family, gives you rest and rejuvenation
* Tithes and Offerings = shows gratitude to God for all you have, helps others in need, builds the Kingdom, brings the Spirit
* Physical Health = obey the Word of Wisdom and have more control over your body and mind and receive the companionship of the Holy Ghost
* Service to Others = Heavenly Father helps others through you, pray for opportunities to serve, you will be closer to Heavenly Father and blessed

~ Practice Living three Standards ~
* Service: pray for it, look for it, do it
* Honesty: do work first, pay for all copies
* Physical Health: exercise 120 minutes per week, limit sugar

~ Share Progress ~
I have been praying for opportunities to serve and they have come. I can't think of anything big but I do remember felling impressed, after a couple of small things, that those opportunities came because I asked for them. It really does feel good to help others.

I have tried to be more honest at work with my time and copies or printouts. I think this has made me less cranky about work. A small miracle.

I've done pretty good with the physical health challenge. I did all the required exercise and began to notice how poorly I felt after eating sugar. I pray this is something I can keep up so I have a long and healthy life.