Dating Basket

For the young women who are moving from Mia Maides to Laurels I created this dating basket. All of the contents are dating related. For instance, there is the Kissing Poem.

Then, there is the other fun stuff. (I had found this online) I didn't use them all. Here are the tags I used to make it.

1. Two dates (wrapped in saran warp) -"Double date, it's twice as fun."

2. Gum - "Eternity is a long time to be married, be Chewsy."

3. Small bar of soap - "Be morally clean - Keep yourself and your thoughts pure and clean."

4. Sucker - "Don't be a sucker for the temptations of Satan." OR Avoid all Immoral and Suggestive Materials and Entertainment - "Lick temptations! Don't participate in activities that aren't appropriate."

5. Ruler (or cut up measuring tape) - "How does he measure up? Choose now to only date young men who "Measure up" to high standards."

6. Eraser - "Repentance is like an eraser, it rubs out wrongs."

7. Hershey Kisses - "Save your hugs and kisses for someone special."

8. Tootsie Pop (with different color wrappers than the flavors) "Don't judge by outward appearances."

9. Frog Sticker or plastic toy frog- "You have to date a lot of frogs before you find Prince Charming."

10. Ring Pops (or play rings) - "Beware of Imitations - Date young men who are honest in thought, word, and action."

11. Candle - "Let your light shine - be an example in your appearance, speech and actions."

12. Now & Later candy - "What you do 'now' will affect what happens 'later' - make temple marriage your goal."

I printed out 7 articles (enough to cover the seven YW values).

1. Celestial Dating
2. A Note To the Good Girls
3. How Can I Become the Woman of Whom I Dream
4. Preparing for an Eternal Marriage and Family
5. Q&A Dating Non-Members
6. Searching for the One You Will Marry
7. What Do Kisses Mean?

I folded them and put them into the Seed Template packets. I had to fold them four times length wise, then in half to fit them into the envelope.

Finally, there was the Candy Bar Men. I clipped them together using silver rings, a white ribbon and groom or bride wedding rings all found in the wedding section of Hobby Lobby.

Finally, I took little flowers, one each of the YW
value colors and tied them together with their own wires and placed them into the basket, too.

Visiting the Sick

For FHE this week we visited a dear friend who is recovering from surgery. We stopped by DQ on our way (made sure first what her diet restrictions were so that we didn't tease or dissappoint her) and enjoyed a nice treat and a visit with her.

Seed Packet Templates

This has been so fun. I'm in the process of creating a Laurel's basket for those YW who are moving up from Mia Maids and the focus will be on dating. This focus was chosen because girls become Laurels at the age of 16 when they can begin dating in groups. I thought to make a cute little "seed" packet to go along with a quote I had found. I had so much fun that I just kept making them and making them. Mostly I used clipart that I already had with a YW theme. I cannot remember where I found them. I will post all the Seed Packets as I am able. Here are a few to get started.

First Set
Faith
Divine Nature
Individual Worth
Knowledge
Choice and Accountability
Good Works
Integrity

Second Set
Faith
Divine Nature
Individual Worth
Knowledge
Choice and Accountability
Good Works
Integrity

A Couple More Favorites
I will add them as I make more

Temple Marriage
Reap What You Sow
Reap What You Sow - Blank
6 YW Values - One page for each value
6 YW Values - one page covering all 6 - Having Fun

Dating Decisions - Candy Bar Men

Using So What Kind of Man do You Want to Marry? as my inspiration and guide (with the exception of the one I created myself to omit a gap) I created these "candy Bar Men" cards (4 per page) to print onto card stock, back to back. I will cut them into their respective four postcard sized info cards, punch little circles in the upper left corner and connect them with a little ring for the lesson this Sunday: Young Women Manual Three Lesson 35, Dating Decisions. There are four cards that I made for the beginning of the group. The first card will be the temple one, on the back of that will be the disclaimer. The next card will be the Ezra Taft Benson quote "Remember, Young Women..." and on the back of that will be the "Qualities that are important to me in a future husband" where the YW can list what they are looking for in their future spouse. These are always interesting and fun to look at years later. The wife of our current Stake President talked about what she had put on her list years ago. Among some important qualities, that he met, she also included something about him being a football player. He didn't meet that one. What fun this will be!

Ward Friendship Circle

A few years ago my family and I enjoyed getting to know the ward members better and building a closer relationship with them through this activity.

To begin with, I made this cute little circle using a poem that is often found on plates that folks are supposed to move from house to house, like a chain letter - but, it's a plate. Instead, I made a circle to remind them that we were thinking of them... and it is cute and I like to make things. I used clipart from programs that I had purchased at a LDS bookstore to put together the people around the circle.... this includes the word "WARD." For the name of the ward, using Microsoft Publisher, I added a word art and using the font "SnapITC", a shadow was added and the word was changed to the color orange and placed just above the word "ward." You can see that in the example above, but for the one that I am sharing below I removed it. I printed the circles onto purple paper, had them lamenated, and punched a whole in the top center for a suction cup. Finally, I cut them out using curvy scrapbooking sizzors.

For the activity I would make a homemade apple pie and we would grab some store-bought ice-cream and a game and show up at someone's house. There we would enjoy a dessert of pie and ice-cream and either visit or play the game we brought. I would give them the friendship circle, which was for them to keep - not share. It did invite them to do something nice for someone else, though. Showing up at someone's house uninvited worked most of the time. We still remember how one family kept insisting that they must have invited us and that they had forgotten and that we were just being polite about it. We always had a good time with the family we were visiting and we could always tell that they enjoyed it, too. So, all was well as the uninvited guests.

We really miss these outings. Maybe one day we will continue them. For now, I am happy to share with you our little "Ward Friendship Circle"

YW Mini Golf

Last night the Young Women played a homemade mini golf game. Using these printed onto cardstock the area was set up as follows:

There are 7 groups. One representing each of the YW values. Each group contains four things.

1) What NOT to do
2) What TO do
3) Blank Sun representing the Celestial Kingdom where they will write the blessings they would recieve by following the commandment or council that group is suggesting. Ex: NO PEER PRESSURE, instead CTR. What are the blessings of choosing the right over peer pressure.
4) Quote cards for them to receive when they get the golf ball into the hole. There are four per page. Print as many as needed for all the girls.

How to set it up.
What NOT to do should be put in the direction you do NOT want the ball to go. The arrows should be placed heading in the direction you want the ball to go. The sun should be placed at the final destination and the girls can decorate the cans however they like in addition to the sun. Then, as each hole is played, the girls get a quote card.

Because I was too late getting to the dollar store for plastic golf clubs, they used crutches and whatever they had for hitting the ball. We didn't have enough used cans, so they used pitchers for the holes.

Young Women Quotes

During the Spring of 2008 I felt compelled to compile a daily calender with quotes from leaders of the Church pertaining to youth for my dd. I used Publisher to create this collection, dividing a page into quarters. Each quote has it's own background image using one of the colors from the Young Women Values. After I printed out the pages, back to back, and divided the pages in half I took them to a local print shop where they bound them to the stand I had made for it. The stand was a box of crackers (because the fold was a perfect width and didn't require that I make my own folds) that I cut to the size of the pages and then the pages were bound to it. The whole project was a very daunting task, yet very worth it.

Because each quote often took all the room I had alloted for quote space there was not room for the source. Furthermore, I would use the same article for many quotes... sometimes, I would even use the ENTIRE article somewhere within the entire collection. So, I have a source list at the very end of the calendar. I had read so many articles pertaining to youth and the councel that our leaders have given them that I learned quite a bit about that organization, the expectations and counsel provided to them, and the love that our Church leaders have for them.

When I finished the calendar I presented it to her as a gift. She must like it because she is always making sure that she reads what it has to share each day. This was my original intention. I wanted her to have a daily reminder of specific counsel for youth that could serve as a strength and guidance throughout the year. It turned out to be that and more.

There have been three examples of it's use thus far. First, one day she was having trouble with a specific situation in her life. I don't even remember what it was. Something told me to check the calendar to see what it said that day. It just so happened that she hadn't yet flipped it to the current date. When I did so it turned out to be the EXACT council from a leader that pertained to that situation. I referred her to the calendar.

Then, by mid-summer I was called as YW president. The research I conducted to create the calendar provided some excellent training to understand the councel and direction provided for the youth, especially considering I had never gone through the YW program myself.

Third, but not finally as I am confident that I will continue to find additional blessings from this project, as I prepared an activity for the YW and needed quotes from our Church leaders I simply did a "ctrl" + "F" to find what I had already previously collected... and, even had multiple choices from which to choose.

This document is a list of all of the quotes and below are all of the sources. YES! I had read ALL of these and a few more. Toward the end of this quest I became addicted to the CES Firesides and overwhelmed with the amount of information and councel they had to offer. Again, what perfect training for a future YW leader. This list will allow you that same training and spiritual blessings while perhaps something specific will stand out to you for your own youth. Where available, the links are provided.

Sources:
Rhett Wilkinson, “A Note to the Good Girls,” New Era, May 2008, 23
"A Reservoir of Living Water", Elder David A. Bednar, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, CES Fireside for Young Adults • February 4, 2007 • Brigham Young University
“I Have a Question,” Ensign, Apr 1981, 24–25 Are the movie ratings a reliable way to select movies?
Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Plague on the World,” New Era, Jul 1990, 4
Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Prophet’s Counsel and Prayer for Youth,” Ensign, Jan 2001, 2
Becoming You, Bishop Richard C. Edgley, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, CES Fireside for Young Adults, 3 November 2002
CELESTIAL DATING or...HOW TO PREPARE FOR LIFE AND REALLY FALL IN LOVE ON THE LORD'S TERMS by Steven H. Satterfield
Ryan Jenkins, “Don’t Chance It,” New Era, Jan 2008, 34–36
Dallin H. Oaks, “Eight Ways God Can Speak to You,” New Era, Sep 2004, 4
Neal A. Maxwell, “Enduring Well,” Ensign, Apr 1997, 7
Gordon B. Hinckley, “Excerpts from Recent Addresses of President Gordon B. Hinckley,” Ensign, Jul 1996, 72–73
"Experiencing Happiness in Marriage" Teachings of Presidents of the Church, David O. McKay, Chapter 15
Joyce Kinmont, “I Have a Question,” How can parents make Halloween a fun time while avoiding practices and behaviors that may grieve the Spirit? Ensign, Oct. 1996, 33
Faith and Families, Elder Russell M. Nelson, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, CES Fireside for Young Adults, February 6, 2005
Faith and Works in a Secular World, Bishop Keith B. McMullin, Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric. CES Fireside for Young Adults, Nov 5, 2006.
Jennifer Parry, “Fitting In,” New Era, Mar 1997, 26
President Gordon B. Hinckley, “Gambling,” Ensign, May 2005, 59–60, 61.
Gordon B Hinckley Given at the Dedication of Gordon B. Hinckley Building (Oct. 22, 2002)
Excerpt from Hearing the Voice of the Lord, a book on personal revelation that was written by Elder Gerald N. Lund. (I don't even have this book and now cannot find where I had even found these quotes)
James E. Faust, “Honesty-A Moral Compass,” Ensign, Nov 1996, 41
Gordon B. Hinckley, “How Can I Become the Woman of Whom I Dream?,” Ensign, May 2001, 93 Russel and Brad Wilcox, “Keep Texting from Taking Over,” New Era, Aug 2007, 30-33
R. Gary Shapiro, “Leave the Obscene Unseen,” Ensign, Aug 1989, 27
Gordon B. Hinckley, “Lessons I Learned as a Boy,” New Era, Oct 1998, 4
Gordon B. Hinckley, “Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts Unceasingly,” Ensign, May 2007, 115–17
Virginia H. Pearce, “Listening with New Ears,” Ensign, May 1996, 85
Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Live in Obedience,” Ensign, May 1994, 39
Richard G. Scott, “Making the Right Choices,” Ensign, Nov 1994, 37
Making Ourselves A Perfect Fit In Marriage By Orson Scott Card
Joseph Walker, “More than Hemliness and Haircuts,” Ensign, Feb 1992, 22
Jack R. Christianson, “Music: Apples or Onions?,” New Era, Apr 1984, 14
Spencer W. Kimball, “Oneness in Marriage,” Liahona, Oct 2002, 36
Neal A. Maxwell, “Overcome … Even As I Also Overcame,” Ensign, May 1987, 70
Gordon B. Hinckley, “Overpowering the Goliaths in Our Lives,” Ensign, Jan 2002, 2
Ezra Taft Benson, “Prayer,” Ensign, May 1977, 32
Victor L. Brown, “Preparation for Tomorrow,” Ensign, Nov 1982, 79
Chapter 14 Teachings Of Presidents Of The Church: David O. Mckay Preparing for an Eternal Marriage and Family
Spencer W. Kimball, “President Kimball Speaks Out on Morality,” New Era, Nov 1980, 39
Spencer W. Kimball, “President Kimball Speaks Out on Profanity,” New Era, Jan 1981, 4
Elder Dallin H. Oaks, CES Fireside for Young Adults, Nov 4, 2007, “Push Back Against the World”
Dallin H Oaks, “Standards of Dress and Grooming,” New Era, Dec 1971, 46
H. David Burton, “Standing Tall,” Liahona, Jan 2002, 75-77
Gordon B. Hinckley, “Stay on the High Road,” Ensign, May 2004, 112
The Blessing of Work, Elder David E. Sorensen, Of the Presidency of the Seventy, CES Fireside for Young Adults, March 6, 2005
Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Law of the Fast,” Ensign, May 2001, 73
Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Other Prodigal,” Liahona, Jul 2002, 69–72
The Power of Music “FYI: For Your Info,” New Era, May 1994, 34-37
The Two Guiding Lights, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, Of the Quorum of the Twelve, CES Fireside for Young Adults, 1 February 2004
“The Value of Self-Esteem” President James E. Faust, 2nd Counselor in the 1st Pres, CES Fireside for Young Adults May 6, 2007 Salt Lake Tabernacle
James E. Faust, “The Virtues of Righteous Daughters of God,” Liahona, May 2003, 108–11
L. Tom Perry, “Thy Speech Reveals Thee,” Liahona, Jul 2007, 30-33
Robert D. Hales, “Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Blessings,” Ensign, Nov 2002, 26
Ezra Taft Benson, “To the Single Adult Sisters of the Church,” Ensign, Nov 1988, 96
Jeffrey R. Holland, “To Young Women,” Liahona, Nov 2005, 28–30
“Unlocking the Door to the Blessings of Abraham” Julie B. Beck, RS General Pres, CES Fireside for Young Adults, March 2, 2008 Brigham Young University
“What Can One Do to Keep Profanity (spoken by others) From One’s Mind and The Tip of One’s Tongue?”Q&A: Questions and Answers Russell L. Osmond, New Era, Sept 1977, 42-43
John Bytheway, “What Do Kisses Mean?,” New Era, Oct 2004, 39
Withstand Every Temptation of the Devil, Elder W. Rolfe Kerr, Of the First Quorum of the Seventy, CES Fireside for Young Adults • February 5, 2006
Gordon B. Hinckley, “Words of the Prophet: Daughters of the Almighty,” New Era, Nov 2003, 4
Dallin H. Oaks, “Worship through Music,” Ensign, Nov 1994, 9
Gordon B. Hinckley, “Your Greatest Challenge, Mother,” Liahona, Jan 2001, 113–16

Patriarchal Blessings

Our opening hymn was 219 "Because I've Been Given Much" Then, we learned about Patriarchal Blessings by reading together an article titled “About Patriarchal Blessings,” found in the March 2004 New Era. Then, we enjoyed a delicious and creative dessert brought by our friends. It used a chocolate rice cake, with a layer of whipped cream spread on top and then some sliced strawberries on top of the whipped cream. It was delicious.

My FHE Chart

This is a FHE chart. I've seen many types of charts to keep track of who is in charge of different parts at the next FHE. These hats have velcro behind them so they can be removed and rotated among the family.

If you have a FHE chart, I would love to post it on this site. Please contact me.

FHE Outline

This is copied from lds.about.com

New to Family Home Evening or need a little help to get organized? Then check out this outline. Just fill in the information, do a little planning, and change it to fit your family's needs.

The person assigned to conducting Family Home Evening should fill out the following outline ahead of time, as well as assign family members for the prayers, lesson, activity, refreshments, etc.

Here is a Printable Outline (The underline is where you write the title of the lesson.)

TITLE OF THE LESSON

Objective: What your family is to learn from the lesson.

Opening Song: Select a hymn to sing, from either the LDS Church Hymnbook or the Children's Songbook. Choosing a song that accompanies the lesson is a great way to start your Family Home Evening. For help see the LDS Music resources.

Opening Prayer: Ask a family member, ahead of time, to give the opening prayer.

Family Business: This is the time to discuss things of importance to your family, such as meetings, trips, and activities of both parents and children. Some items of family business can include:

Discussing events of the upcoming week
Planning future outing and activities
Talking about family needs or things to be improved/worked on
Finding ways to serve others in need
Scripture: Ask someone (ahead of time so they can prepare) to share a scripture. (This optional item is perfect for larger families and groups.)

Lesson: This is where the heart of the evening should be. Whether it is a story or object lesson it can focus on an LDS topic, a community issue, or other topics of interest. Some ideas include eternal families, respect, baptism, the Plan of Salvation, littering, the Holy Ghost, etc. Youth and children should have opportunities of preparing and teaching a Family Home Evening lesson although they may need some help. For lesson helps check out the Lessons and Talks and Visual and Musical Aids categories.

Testimony: The person teaching can share their testimony about the topic, if applicable, at the end of their lesson. Alternatively another family member could be assigned to share their testimony after the lesson.

Closing Song: You can select another hymn or song that reflects on the lesson topic.

Closing Prayer: Ask a family member, ahead of time, to give the closing prayer.

Activity: This is the time to bring your family together by doing something together! It can be anything fun, like a simple family activity, a planned outing, a craft, or a great game! It doesn't have to go along with the lesson, but definitely can if you have any appropriate ideas.

Refreshments: This is just a fun option that can be added to your Family Home Evening. If you know of a cute treat that can represent the theme, that would be ideal, but is not necessary. See these Family Home Evening Refreshments for some tasty ideas.

Note: To help remind each family member of their assignments for FHE you could create a FHE Chart.

Amazing Grace

While reading the Book of Mormon I came across a section that reminded me of the song Amazing Grace. So, for FHE, I printed out the words to that song and we sang it as the opening song. Then, we read the scripture that reminded me of it, which is Mosiah 27:28-30. This was our FHE... really, a simple spritual thought.