I hope you girls had a blast at our Modesty Activity!
For those of you who missed out on our fun, we had a round table discussion on modesty. It was so amazing to hear your stories and tips for dressing modestly.
Afterward we went to Joe @ the Superstore to look for modest clothes and immodest clothes that can be styled or altered to be modest!
Dressing modestly is easy. I'm delighted that you girls are deciding now that MODESTY is a PRIORITY.
Don't forget to go through your closet and get rid of anything questionable. You won't regret it!
This past Sunday's lesson was about finding the "Courage to Try". We discussed the Biblical story of Esther. Esther was a Hebrew Queen in a foreign country. Her people were being held captive in Persia, who showed tremendous moral courage in the face of certain death. Here's a beautiful painting I found by a Jewish artist Yoram Raaman depicting Esther as a shining star:
The artist describes his painting of Esther below:
This painting is based on the Midrash (interpretations of the Bible) of the unique courage and boldness of Esther that made her the star of the beautiful story we read in the Megillah (Book of Esther).
The painting depicts the shining personality of Esther, as she emerges from the darkness and tribulation that engulfed her and her brethren on account of the murderous decrees of the evil Haman.
The very name 'Esther' is symbolic for our times. The Bible relates that 'And he [Mordechai] had brought up/ nurtured /reared Hadassah, that is Esther' (Esther 2:7).
Why are two names mentioned?
The very name 'Esther' is symbolic for our times. The Bible relates that 'And he [Mordechai] had brought up/ nurtured /reared Hadassah, that is Esther' (Esther 2:7). Why are two names mentioned? Hadassah stems from the Hebrew word 'hadas,' (myrtle). The Midrash relates that Esther was similar to the hadas in that she had a deep olive-green complexion. The leaves of this plant have a very sweet fragrance that can only be released when the leaves are bruised and crushed. Just like the hadas, which is only fragrant when it is bruised and crushed, so too was Esther’s potential brought out to its fullest by the difficult challenges that faced her.
The name Esther is related to the word 'hester,' meaning hidden. For nine years, until Haman's downfall, Esther guarded the secret of her ancestry. This incredible silence is the outstanding virtue that made Esther queen. Esther did not dare reveal anything, for she knew that her silence was necessary for the salvation of her brethren. Esther had perfect self-control. The ability to be queen over herself is what made her queen and savior of her people.
If you look closely at the painting, you will notice that the hope and courage that personified Esther, glows from all parts of her being. Her optimism and confidence, coupled with her deep conviction and faith radiates from her while enlightening the gloom, pessimism and despair that surrounds her.
This is the Personal Progress Board Eujean made for the YW in Oakville Ward.
This is so that they can track what they've done but also to motivate them to get their little medallions on the board :)
The stripes in the paper reflect the Value colours.
These are the little medallions that the girls get when they finish their values.
So a little red one for when you finish the required values, and then another little one for the elective medallions and then a big orange one for when you finish your value project.
Personal Progress should be personal - so Eujean made a card for each girl with their own initials on them. She likes to make things that are functional - so you can write on these cards because they're laminated. They can make their own goals for each month - and when you're done and onto the next month - you erase it and start over again.
Eujean also made little cards for each of the values that are REQUIRED.
So each scripture and reading that is required are on these cards - a total of 8 cards for each girls - so that they can keep track of which ones they have left (and can tick them off with a marker when they're done) they're easy to carry because they're small - and you can also attach them to the personalized cards I made for them so that they can focus on one value each month
Thanks to Eujean for all your hardwork! I know the girls are SO pumped for Personal Progress now!
We'll miss you Eujean. You were with us just for a short time, but you made a wonderful impact on our program.
I choose to live by choice, not by chance; to make changes, not excuses; to be motivated, not manipulated; to be useful, not used; to excel, not compete. I choose self-esteem, not self-pity. I choose to listen to the inner voice, not random opinions. - Author Unknown
"Now we see coming into focus the responsibility to choose, that inevitable crisis at the crossroads of life. He who would lead you down waits patiently for a dark night, a wavering will, a confused conscience, a mixed-up mind. Are you prepared to make the decisions at the crossroads? I can’t stress too strongly that decisions determine destiny. You can’t make eternal decisions without eternal consequences." - President Thomas S. Monson, "CES Fireside for Young Adults", November 6, 2005.
We all face choices in the course of our lives, some of them with a siren song of wealth and prosperity; others appear less promising. Somehow the Lord has watched over and guided my choices, although it was not always evident at the time. . . .As I look back upon my life, I do so with a measure of wonder and awe. Everything good that has happened, including my marriage, I owe to my activity in the Church." -Gordon B. Hinckley, "Seek Ye the Kingdom of God," Ensign, May 2006, 81.
"Private choices are not private. They all have public consequences...Our society is the sum total of what millions of individuals do in their private lives. That sum total of private behavior has worldwide public consequences of enormous magnitude. There are no completely private choices." -President James E. Faust May 1987 Ensign
"The truths of the gospel do not change. If you will follow the Christ, follow his prophet, and follow his Spirit, you will always choose the right. As a result of your wise choices, your testimony will grow stronger, and great blessings of joy, happiness, and peace will be yours." -Joseph B. Wirthlin, "It's Your Choice," New Era, Feb. 1998, 4.
What is green? Green means go Green is grass, frogs, moss Emeralds are green Christmas and St. Patrick's Day are too It is rich It is velvety Green is expansive Green is the sea, mountains, trees It is growth It is becoming It is learning from becoming Green was the Grove on that beautiful morning As Joseph Smith sought to know What is green?
"Not all knowledge has the same worth - nor are all truths equally valuable. The truths upon which our eternal salvation rests are the most crucial truths that we must learn. . . The most essential knowledge for you to obtain is the saving knowledge of the gospel and its author - even Jesus Christ." -President Ezra Taft Benson, The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, page 295
"Learning is not a spectator sport. Fundamentally, the responsibility to learn is yours and yours alone... For learning to happen in any course, you must take an active role in the process." ("Enhancing student readiness to learn," The Teaching Professor, October 2006, p. 1)
"Your Father in Heaven knows your name and your circumstance. He hears your prayers. He knows your hopes and dreams, including your fears and frustrations. And He knows what you can become through faith in Him."
For a slim figure, Share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, Let a child run his fingers through it once a day.
For poise, Walk with the knowledge you’ll never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed. Never throw out anybody.
Remember: if you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find One at the end of your arm. As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others. ”
“Decide now to make general conference a priority in your life. Decide to listen carefully and follow the teachings that are given. Listen to or read the talks more than once to better understand and follow the counsel. By doing these things, the gates of hell will not prevail against you, the powers of darkness will be dispersed from before you, and the heavens will shake for your good.” ~ Paul V. Johnson, of the Seventy
The Following Personal Progress Experiences ask us to read general conference talks, or seek the guidance of the living prophet, or to study a gospel topic—which is a perfect opportunity to turn to the conference issue. As you ENJOY General Conference, and the May conference issue of the Ensign, please consider challenging yourself to one of these fabulous experiences!
Faith # 1, 3 Divine Nature #2 Knowledge #4 Choice & Accountability #4 Good Works #4 Integrity #7
It's the time of year again when we are blessed to hear from our church leaders at General Conference. As you are getting older, you are becoming more spiritually independent, and building your own foundational testimonies, I really encourage you to really listen and pay attention to the instruction we are given at General Conference. I
Last week, I handed out a worksheet for General Conference to help you focus your thoughts. I also found this one {below} if you need some further guidance.
General Conference Worksheet:
Listening for Answers
“General Conference Worksheet: Listening for Answers,” New Era, Mar 2006, 40
At the start of general conference a few years ago, President Gordon B. Hinckley promised several blessings to those who listen to conference: “I invite you to listen, listen if you will by the power of the Spirit, to the speakers who will address you today and tomorrow as well as this evening. If you will do so, I do not hesitate to promise that you will be uplifted, your resolution to do what is right will be stronger, you will find solutions to your problems and your needs, and you will be led to thank the Lord for what you have heard” (“Listen by the Power of the Spirit,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 4).
Put the prophet’s promise to the test as you fill out this general conference worksheet.
Pre-conference Checklist
• I have thought and prayed about questions I have, and I will listen for answers during conference.
• I have prayed for the general conference speakers.
• I will get a good night’s sleep so I can stay awake and attentive during conference.
• I have a notebook and pen ready so I can take notes during conference.
What I Learned during General Conference
The talk(s) that meant the most to me during the Saturday sessions of conference was/were by ____________________________________________________. I enjoyed the talk(s) because _____________________________________________________.
The talk(s) that meant the most to me during the Sunday sessions of conference was/were by ____________________________________________________. I enjoyed the talk(s) because _____________________________________________________.
The prophet counseled Church members to: ____________________________.
This specific counsel was given to the youth of the Church: ________________ _______________________________________________________________.
The answers I received from listening and pondering during general conference are:_____________________________________________________________.
The main themes of general conference were: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
After listening to general conference, I want to become better in the following ways, or I was prompted to do the following: ____________________________ __________________________________________________________________________.
"Virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. It encompasses chastity and moral purity. Virtue begins in the heart and in the mind. It is the accumulation of thousands of small decisions and actions."
I'm so excited to see how your canvases turned out. We'll finish them at the activity AFTER March Break. I'll bring some sticker letters so we can complete our creations. For those of you who couldn't make it last night, we'll give you a chance to complete your own 2009 canvas.
I purchased this from Etsy.com for our YW room. I had it customized just for us. Isn't it fab? Can't wait to see it in person! Look for more updates and changes to our YW room in the very near future!
