YW in Excellence

Our ward recently had a new shift in YW leadership.... a whole new presidency (same advisers). With the change, came a slightly new direction for YW in Excellence night. The vision was to create an experience... a pioneer trek type experience to be more exact.

As you entered the gym, you could tell this was going to be a special night.

We literally set the stage for the girls to share their experiences by setting up 3 scenes.

This doesn't give you the full impact. We dimmed the lights and then "lit" the battery operated candles and lanterns. Also to add to the effect we had cricket, bird and stream sounds playing. With the dim lighting and nature sounds it was an awesome display.

Each class (Beehives, Mia Maids, Laurels) had selected 2 girls to speak about their trek experience or a trek pioneer story that made an impact in their life.

The girls were also asked to write a paragraph about their experience and how they would, "Go Forward with Faith".... how would they choose to use their trek experience to better their lives today?

The girls gathered in the over-flow area, as the parents were seated in the gym. When it was time to begin, the girls came in singing "Come, Come Ye Saints" walking up through the isle to the stage (holding battery operated candles), to begin the program.

Shared trek experiences, a special musical number, a personal pioneer connection from our new YW president, remarks from our Bishop and a delicious apple crisp served for dessert... a successful evening.

Black Canyon Boating

The highly anticipated YW/YM activity of the summer... boating!

This year, we had approximately 50 kids come to the boating activity. We felt blessed that we had 6 boats (and willing drivers)to accommodate them all. In years past they have only had 2-3 boats, so kids had to hang out on the shore and wait. This year almost everyone got on a boat right away and started wake boarding, tubing, etc.

It was a successful activity.... only loosing 3 tankini bottoms and 1 swim trunk to the wake... temporarily. Oops!

Now there's a good argument for wearing a one-piece bathing suit. :)

Service Lasagna

As a Beehive class, we wanted to do some type of service, for new mothers in our ward.

We decided to make lasagna and bring it to 4 moms who recently had babies. They could put the lasagna in the freezer or use it for dinner the next day.
Sister Vane and I had pre-cooked the noodles and ground beef, but the girls grated the cheese and assembled the lasagna in pans.

The leftover noodles did not go to waste. :)

After the lasagnas had been assembled, we crammed into cars and caravanned to our destinations.

We were a site to see... a mass of Beehives swarming the front steps of each home. I'm sure they heard us coming, before they saw us. Beehive girls can be loud. :)

We got to peek at the new babies, at 2 of the houses.

So cute!!!

"COnGRatULaTioNS!"

... from the Beehives.

For some must PUSH and some must PULL...

Taylee and Rylee leave for the Stake Pioneer Trek, tomorrow morning at 4:30AM!

Bonnets have been made.

Skirts have been sewn.

Supplies have been gathered, purchased and stuffed into buckets... not to exceed 17 pounds.

Off to Wyoming.... with their trek Ma and Pa and a pair of shades.

I'm so excited for them! I've never been on a trek, but I am sure that they will have some great life learnings and testimony-building experiences. I wish I were a fly on their handcarts... or a photographer along the trail. :)

Happy trails girls.... I love you!

Hulls Gulch

In preparation for our upcoming Stake Pioneer Trek, we did a hike with the young women,

at Hulls Gulch.

We have about 40 young women, from our ward, going on trek. Just over half of them were there that night.

It was interesting to hear the different attitudes of the girls. Some were totally excited and loving every minute of being outdoors and with their friends. Others worried about getting sweaty and dirty and screamed at the HUGE beetles along the trail. And a few thought the hike was a total drag and SO HARD they might die!

On the way up, I was in the back of the pack. I found myself trying to encourage, but also relating to the girls who thought this was tough. I didn't complain out loud, but did think a few times..."Are we there yet?"

About forty minutes into the hike, it was 8:15p. (Mutual is usually over at 8:30p.) If it had been solely up to me, I think I would have turned around at that point... but it wasn't solely up to me, so we hiked on.

When the sun started setting and we were still not at our destination, we stopped and consulted our map. We were told by other hikers around us (another group also preparing for trek) that we had the wrong map for that part of the trail. Following the trail we were on, would NOT loop back around getting us back to our cars, but to a different parking lot.

After much deliberation, we decided that we would turn around and go back the way we came.

This time I was in the front of the pack. Three girls, one other leader and I, jogged along the trail. (I don't know why we were jogging, but I wasn't willing to go too slow and get left behind either.) The speedy girls got out in front of us and temporarily out of our sight. They were FAST! We finally caught up to them at a fork in the trail. They had let us catch up, because they were unsure of which trail to take.

Uhh..I don't remember either. Sister Read and I were ready to take the trail leading down, but then we were told by the other group of hikers that we needed to go up. Ok.

Thank goodness they were there. That's twice they saved us from our selves that day. :)

Here are the SPEEDY girls...Kaylie, Kamryn and Katie.

We got back to our cars, way ahead of the other part of our group. Sister Read started calling. She called leaders from the group behind us to make sure they took the right fork in the trail. Then she made phone calls to leaders that had stayed home and had them start calling all the parents of the girls to let them know that we would be WAY late.

When our group was finally all back together, it was dark. We rested a bit and drank another bottle of water. Then we divided the girls up into carloads and took off for home.... all the way across town.

By the time we got home, it was close to 11:00p! I was sweaty, hot, dirty, tired and ready for bed.

I think this hike was a great way to physically prepare the girls for trek. Although some of them thought they would DIE, they didn't. I wonder how trek will go for them?

Good luck girls! :)

Mother & Daughter Spa Night

I have a NEW calling at church!

(I LOOOVED my old calling as, RS meeting committee assistant, but am looking forward to this new adventure. This is the first time I've been in Young Women's, since I was a young woman.)

I am now, one of two, advisers for the 18 (soon 21) Beehive girls in our ward.

This past Wednesday, was my first combined girls activity...Beehives were in charge.

We were to put on a "Pamper Your Mom Night".

It was decided that we would have 3 stations; Nail polishing (manis & pedis), Make-up and Hair Styling.

I made this "Spa Girl" cake for the occasion.

Isn't she funny?
We also had fresh strawberry shortcake and lemon water for refreshments.

Taylee & Bailey

Rachel, Rebecca & Stacey

Carley & Shel

Becca & Britney

Tara & Sage

Michelle & Bella

Katie & Andrea

Hannah & Melanie

Lisa & Cameron

Savannah & Julianne

Erin, Wendy & Maddy

Emily & Issa

Teresa & Cleona

Laurel-our fearless YW president

& Bailey

Maddie & Dee Ann

Katie & Melissa

This activity was REALLY fun. We had lots of participation and willingness.

In the end, there were lots of cute styles, colorful nails and pretty make-up. I even ended up with a new curly hairstyle, courtesy of Rylee.

Wish I had taken a picture. :)

I think this new calling is going to be a lot of FUN!