Conference Sleepover

We are having a slumber party on Friday night before General Conference and I am excited about it.  We're planning on an "Iron Chef" dinner, providing the YW with the ingredients to make dinner (Bravery!), an activity, and a movie night.  The girls will provide all the snacks they want to eat with enough to share. 

For our activity, we are making Conference Packets.  I got the General Conference packet from Sugardoodle and adapted it to fit our needs.  The girls will each get a file folder to make a lap book out of, folding it into thirds to make a back and two flap cover.  We covered the spine of the folder with card stock for added stability.  On the inside left of the cover, we placed their instructions:  What to do before, during, and after conference.  The right flap had a column to place scriptures they want to remember, announcements they want to note, and any questions that arise as they listen.  The center of the folder has full-sized sheets of paper with headings for the Speaker, One Word that Summarized the Talk, and Notes.  Behind that I placed a page for doodling, and lastly, I placed a page for their Conference Goals.  We will put these together that evening after dinner, collaging, decorating, and generally individualizing each packet.  Each girl also gets a pencil. 

After the movie and before it is too late (we want them bright-eyed), we will dismiss the girls for personal prayer and meditation time.  It is hoped that at this time, they can ponder what answers they seek from Conference and a write the goal they want to accomplish as a result of hearing the prophets speak. We will waken them early enough to eat, pray, and be ready to listen.  Before they go home, we will discuss what they  have written in their notes and how they felt about what they heard.

It is my testimony that we receive answers to prayers when we listen to Conference.  It is my hope that the YW in our ward will feel the Spirit, hear answers to their concerns and questions, strengthen their testimonies, and have a desire to "Shine!"

Thoughts

It's been a busy six months after the birth of two grandchildren and the marriage of a daughter!  A wonderful six months! 

I've had this on my mind for a while and thought I'd share it.  I have been in the YW a long, long time.  One thing I firmly believe in is telling these precious girls how much I love them.  When you serve them and pray for them, you come to love them as your own daughters.  I believe that if you tell them you love them and demonstrate it in service, they will respond to that love.  I don't make a big to do about it.  At the end of a lesson or announcements or after I bear a testimony, I say "I love you," and tell them to have a good week.  In this day and age, it is hard to be demonstrative and I know some are uncomfortable with that.  I don't think it is necessary to always go into a long discourse about how precious they are and how much I love them and want what is best for them (though I do believe that).  Take a moment just to tell them "That was great!", "You're pretty smart, aren't you?"  "Way to go!" and, "Love you."  Hug if you can, put your arm around them, stroke their hair, and tell them you think they're the greatest! Ask about their sports/art/music/school achievements.  How did their day go?  These teen years are hard, it's nice to know your YW leaders are on your side.  It makes everyone's day better...especially mine!

FINALS SURVIVAL KITS

We all remember what a drag finals were!  It's fun to remember your YW with a Finals Survival Kit.  Depending on the number of girls you have, they can be as simple or elaborate as you would like.  The leaders can all donate one food or study item, place it in a bag and include a doorknob sign.  

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Easy and Inexpensive Handouts

Having been in YW a very long time, I always have my eye out for dollar items and ways to handout the theme for the day.  I feel the simpler it is, the better.  Hopefully, it will give them the thought from the lesson one more time during the week although I do not expect them to last long and some things can be used again for another purpose.  All these items were purchased in the Michael's dollar bin, at the Dollar Tree, or at the Staples dollar item aisle.

A Quote a Day for a Month

We had a fun, low key activity that allowed the girls to spend time talking to each other and to us.  We played music and had snacks with it.  Gather quotes from Famous Quote sites to cut and paste to your document.  I didn't spend long doing this and enjoyed the time reading them.  Have the other sisters in YW do the same to minimize the time spent if you like.  We printed them and took them to our activity night with colored index cards, glue sticks, stickers, and fun scissors.  They can spend the time choosing the quotes and pasting them onto the index cards.  We then bound them.  A ring can be used or you can give them an envelope or carrier.

Dr. Seuss and Integrity?

Our Beehive Advisor is the mother of small children.  For her lesson on Integrity this month, she pulled out a classic Dr. Seuss story of Horton Hatches the Egg.  The girls were enthralled as she read part and told part of the story of the elephant who is "faithful 100%."  Our Young Women, after all, are still children and love a good story!  Horton's dilemma fit the lesson perfectly as we discussed challenges we face as we strive to remain faithful.  What do we do to "shore up" our testimonies?  How do we keep going when life is difficult and choices are hard?  Is there a "happy ending?"  I felt it was a very effective and creative way to teach her lesson. 

Have you found a story or children's book that helped you teach a Gospel principle to the Young Women?

Great Ideas

I found a couple of blog sites that have some terrific  ideas that are very adaptable to YW.  Check out these creative ladies:  Room Mom 101 and  My {Creative} Place .