Embroidery and Lace

lds distribution

LDS Distribution has women's lace handkerchiefs for $1.50 (US).  It's a great price and a wonderful handout to support this month's lessons on Marriage and Family.  Use a mutual night to have the girls learn to embroider their initials (first or both) on the handkerchief and save it for when she goes to the Temple.  It can be a one night, quick, and easy activity and can also be a reminder of her commitment to "go there someday."  I have a lovely handkerchief I received as a wedding shower gift and carried it with me when I was sealed to my husband.  It is very special momento.  This activity will fulfill Personal Progress value experience #2 for Knowledge.

Here is the link for the handkerchief:
http://store.lds.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=715839595&mpe_id=715848090&productId=196782&intv_id=715847390&evtype=CpgnClick&langId=-1&catalogId=10557&ddkey=http:ClickInfo

Teaching YW Budgeting

lds.org

Choice and Accountability #7 talks about learning to budget.  Let's face it!  Girls will get money and then spend it on movies, make up, and fun stuff.  Most of them will pay their tithing (Yay!).  As a teen, I earned my babysitting money and spent it without much thought about tomorrow.  After all, as a teen - tomorrow is a long way away...until you are a Senior  Laurel and facing college or a mission.

A great Personal Progress activity is to have them learn to budget.  This is my form but there are some great others out there for your use.  I will add their links at the end. 

YOUR FINANCES:

1.  What do I do to earn money?

2.  How much do I earn or how much is my allowance?

3.  What do I spend the money I earn on?

4.  How much do I save and where do I put my savings?

5.  Do I owe anyone money?  How much?  Am I paying off my debt?

6.  What do I spend only on myself and what do I spend on others?

7.  What skills am I developing to help me earn the money I need to meet my future goals?

8.  Do I keep a financial record?

BUDGET:

Budget For:________________________________

                                   Month/Year

Income                                                       Planned                           Actual         

Wages/Salary (after taxes) -

Other Income -

TOTAL  INCOME

Expenses:

Church Donations -

Savings -

Food -

Rent -

Utilities/Cell Phone -

Laundry -

Fees -

Transportation -

Insurance -

Medical -

Clothing -

Other -

When my daughter left for BYU, we paid her tuition, books, and meals.  For extras, she had to earn her own way.  It was a wonderful experience for her and she has become a very frugal and thrifty mom today.  She was amazed at how much of her paycheck went to taxes and there is the never-ending saving of quarters for the washer and dryer!  This activity can be added to a lesson on tithing and fast offerings as well as meal planning or shopping.

Choice and Accountability #7:  https://www.lds.org/young-women/personal-progress/choice-and-accountability?lang=eng

A 3 month budget planner from Mormon Share:  http://www.mormonshare.com/lds-clipart/personal-progress-choice-and-accountability-value-experience-7-handout 

A funny lesson taught by Bill Cosby to his son on the Cosby show:  http://www.imom.com/mom-life/mom-management/money-a-lesson-in-finances-from-bill-cosby/ 

Prayer ROCKS!

May's lessons include meaningful prayer, personal revelation and, following the prophets.  I admit I had a difficult time narrowing down what I wanted to discuss about prayer .  There are so many wonderful principles taught in these lessons.  A sister in our ward mentioned how Heavenly Father was a "parent" in the true sense of the word, a perfect parent.  This touched my heart and I felt the prompting to talk about conversing with your Father in Heaven as your Heavenly Parent.  Remembering back many years, I contemplated the first time I was away from home and how I missed my mother.  I missed the talking, the counseling, as well as the small daily physical and emotional contacts with her and her love and wisdom.  I believe that our spirit often misses contact with our Heavenly Father in the same way.  How wonderful it is to have that kind of a connection to our Father in Heaven!  How wonderful to know that he cares and WANTS to know about us!  He wants to have real conversations with us, to teach us, guide us, and show us his love!

In the end, I turned to an old faithful handout....prayer rocks.  I hand painted a few using paint pens (Sharpies did not work well) that I found at the craft store and attached the little prayer rock poem that goes with it.  As I bore my testimony, I told the girls how wonderful prayer is that it literally ROCKS!  Although I started with struggles in this lesson, I felt I gained a great deal from the lesson myself.  Is it not wonderful that the Gospel is so diverse and giving in this way?  The Gospel of Jesus Christ really ROCKS!

Prayer Rock Poem:


MY PRAYER ROCK
I'm your little PRAYER ROCK and this is what I'll do:
Just put me on your pillow till the day is through,
Then turn back the covers and climb into bed,
And WHACK!-your little prayer rock will hit you on the head.
Then you will remember as the day is through,
to kneel and say your prayers as you wanted to.
Then when you are finished, just dump me on the floor,
I'll stay there through the night to give you help once more.
When you get up the next morning, CLUNK!  I'll stub your toe,
So you will remember your morning prayers before you go.
Put me back upon your pillow when your bed is made,
your little PRAYER ROCK will continue in your aid.
Because your Heavenly Father cares and loves you so
He wants you to remember to talk to Him, you know.

Charles M. Schultz