Changes

This past month or so has been hard on our Young Women program.


Right after Stake Conference (were we lost our ward Primary pres. to the stake Primary program.) I lost my Mia Maid advisor, Katie. Katie and I got called to Young Womens together 3 years ago. She is the only one from our old YW board that was called to stay in YW's when I was called as President. Which was great considering that six days after I called a new presidency and board I left on a two week vacation. Poor Katie was the only one that had any idea what was going on in YW and had to help the new ladies navigate through there callings. Katie is someone I have known for a while, but have gotten to be good friends over the last few years. We have kids just a couple of weeks apart (twice), she was my buddy in Relief Society when we felt like we were the only young moms in there. Katie has also been my Visiting Teacher for the last 3 1/2 yrs. I love her dearly and am always amazed at how willingly she would take things on and help out, not just in YW but with me and my little ones. I know that the girls will miss her lots but we wish her the very best as Primary Pres. (and lucky me still has her as a VT :-) )


The other change that we had in YW was that our Laurel Advisor, Ashley, moved to the Mtn view ward. When I first called her to YW's I really didn't know who she was, or how old she was, (she was just a youngn' barely out of YW herself) but we became fast friends and had lots of fun with the girls. She brought lots of youthfulness and excitement with her. She always covered me in the Laurel class when I had more on my plate with the rest of the YW then I could cover. She was also pregnant with her son Madox at the same time as I was with Dallin, which made our calling really interesting when we had our sons just about 6 wks. apart. She is so creative and lively. We are going to miss her lots in our YW and in our ward.

The up side of any change is the new sisters that we have in our program. And when I say sisters I mean it in the literal sense. We have a set of the Farley sisters now serving in YW. They are AMAZING!! and what an experience it was spiritually as they were called. I do believe that there is a time for each of us to serve in different callings. As I struggled to get these callings filled the name of who I thought was a good fit kept getting turned down. There were names that were on my mind but I never thought that it would be the "right" person for who I wanted in there, but as I counseled with my bishop and I mentioned the name at the bottom of my list and the back of my mind we both instantly knew that it was right. I am so thankful for these wonderful sisters and all that they bring to our Young Women.

Sacrament Program

This year our Bishop asked me for the Young Women to do a sacrament program. It was really a challenge in the since that we had Girls camp the week before and we were now into family vacation times for the summer. But as usual, our girls were AWESOME!! They pulled together and each of them gave a talk and sang (that is the side (up or down) of having a small YW group, they all have to participate in everything!!)

Well, these girls really know how to bring the spirit into a meeting. I am so very proud of them and the testimonies that they have. I am so very blessed to get to work with them and the other leaders in our ward.

...Doubt Not, Fear Not

Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. -D&C 6:36

It is short and sweet, but wow... how powerful the word are. If we would just turn to our Heavenly Father in every aspect and part of our life we would have nothing to doubt or fear. He is there for us and if we would just have the desire, pray, trust, and courage (which the last two are the opposite of doubt and fear) our testimonies would grow and strengthen us. He is truly aware of us and what we are doing and what is in store for us. He wants us to succeed and return to Him. And I know it is hard and scary sometimes in this world with all that we have to face and the trials that we have. But I know that my testimony was strengthened this year as I attended Girls Camp and was reminded of this simple council.

This year there were changes made to camp that were truly wonderful... we had 3 youth camp directors that worked along side of the adult camp directors. These three youth are remarkable young women. They worked very hard and forged forward with plans and decisions that are usually left up to the adults. As they prayed and fasted and picked this years theme "...doubt not, fear not" (D&C 6:36), I know it was a spiritual experience for them, but I also know it was a theme that we all needed right now. As they worked with all of the other "senior staff" and the girls took over camp this year, we all had our question on how it would work and what the differences would be. But I feel that it was an inspired decision as I saw these girls step up and lead us and the rest of the campers. I saw these seniors testimonies grow as they learned to rely on their Heavenly Father through pray and fasting to make camp what it was. It was an amazing experience that I am so grateful I had the opportunity to attend and participate in.

Good Job girls... I am so proud of you and have learned much from you.

"My Girls" are Graduating

CoNGRaTuLaTioNS to MY GIRLS!!!

~~ KRISTI SOBEK ~~

~~JESSICA STEWART ~~

This year I had 3 Laurels Graduating from high school. For some reason I have NO pictures of Megan Comstock, but I had my choice of Kristi and Jessica. I absolutely love these girls! Megan in so funny and always has a whole new look to everything. I missed her at mutual this year due to her job schedule, but we love her none the less. As for Jessica and Kristi, I have had them for over 3 1/2 yrs between Mia Maids and now Laurels. They really are part of the bright spot in my life (along with the rest of the class, and my family). As you see I call them my girls because they really are in my heart. I love my girls and am always praying, hoping, worrying, loving, and sometimes fuming over them. They have such bright futures ahead of them and have strong testimonies of who they are and what they want. I am so proud of all that they accomplished and the beautiful Young Women that they are, they truly exemplify what a "Daughter of our Heavenly Father" is.

And they truly know how to have fun and make me laugh!

I love you girls and am so happy for you.

Callin out to all you Blog stalkers...

I am needing some help with creative ideas. With my calling in young womens I am in charge of a quad stake youth dance in 2 months. I need some idea helps for the theme of "Disney Mania". I know you all have some thought on Disney stuff... so help a lady out. We have decorations, refreshments and anything else that goes along with the dance. PLEASE PLEASE leave a comment and give me your thoughts and ideas.

Pancakes with the Prophets

Wow what an experience. During Sat. morning session of general conference we had "Pancakes with the Prophet" a young women activity where we have a pancake breakfast while watching morning conference session. It is so fun to work with these girls and be able to experience some of these opportunity's with them.

It really was wonderful as it was our first opportunity to sustain the new Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, as well as all the Church Leaders. Even those of us who were watching on TV and not in Salt Lake were asked to stand and raise our hand and sustain President Monson and his two new councilors Pres. Eyring and Pres. Uchtdorf. It was very spiritual and moving to feel the Spirit testify of the rightness of their selection.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson was also called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to fill the spot left by Elder Uchtdorf moving into the Presidency.

I loved how Pres. Monson concluded the Sunday session by promising to serve his church and God.

"I pledge my life, my strength--all that I have to offer--in serving him and in directing the affairs of his church in accordance with his will and by his inspiration."

Always Abounding in Good Works

Service Time again....

This past weekend the youth from our stake and Fresno stake had an opportunity to serve the elderly at the assisted living village. We were there to clean windows, clean off spider webs from the eves, hoe and rake the flower beds and do some general clean up around the village.

I was AMAZED with the number of youth that showed up for this activity, especially since it had been rescheduled from Feb. due to Pres. Hinckleys funeral. There were 22 groups of about 12-15 kids along with 3-4 leaders per a group.

We had an awesome time and got to enjoy the sweet feeling of satisfaction when you know that you are serving someone else.

Pirates of Penzance

This Past weekend we got the opportunity to lend our support to some of my laurels and go see them in a musical put on by Buchanan High School. Jessica was the female lead and Janet was one of the Sisters. They both did a fantastic job and I am so proud of them.

Mosiah 5:15

15 Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.

So this is the new theme for Young Women and Young Men this year. In being our Young Women President for our ward I got to introduce the theme on the first Sunday. (probably one of my least favorite parts of the calling is teaching. But oh how I love my girls and would do anything for them, so I teach even when I'm uncomfortable.)

Wow, what a powerful message it is for the youth, and the rest of us for that matter. To be able to be

"steadfast and unchanging,

immovable and unwavering

a strong and holy light

a sure and steady guide

when all the world is falling apart"

Our youth have lots of challenges facing them, and I pray that they can stand strong in the decisions and choices that they have to make. I love working with the youth and the wonderful choice spirits that they are. (especially my girls)