Shingles Belong on Roofs, Not on Bodies.

 Just had to put that out there.

TODAY'S MORAL OF THE STORY:  kill the stress in your lives, people.

Take it from me. 

Moving about life at warp-speed constantly is killing us slowly.  How do we undo that?  I haven't the foggiest for that's the only way I know how to live.  But I'm trying to figure it out.

Just when I think I've accomplished something by saying no to that "One More Thing,"  suddenly there are about 9 more OMT's to fill the vacuum.  I've come to the realization that I am a hoarder of sorts.  Not really of material things, cause I could really care less about having things to hold on to. 

(Just don't look at my house, it would appear otherwise.  Truth of the matter is that things accumulate at my place.  No lie, it's the Bermuda triangle of the greater Pacific Northwest it would seem.  So stuff shows up and I have no idea what to do with it all in the little time we actually have at home.  So nothing happens with it as our life continues to warp around the stuff.)

What I've come to recognize I hoard are assignments.  Not so much so that others can ooh & aww at what I accomplish.  Instead its a matter of feeling like I need to help wherever I can.  I hate to see others in need, and if no one else steps up, then I fill guilty if I don't.  Call it what you want, "Superwoman Syndrome" or "One-More-Thing-Like-a-Hole-in-My-Head Disorder" (though OMTLAHIMHD is a little absurd as far as acronyms go)...but the reality I've also come to is that I am not alone.  I have kindred spirits also afflicted by this same ailment.

Though its good to be actively engaged in worthwhile endeavors, there is a point when something that was originally worthwhile can viciously shift into something worthless.  When we don't listen to the warning sirens going off in our heads, the situation escalates to physical impairment...where we no longer have a choice as to what we can do, simply because we are essentially depleted and are therefore doctor-ordered to house-arrest so as to assure we will let ourselves rest & re-set. 

Normally, besides exhaustion, it's the flu or a gnarly head-cold that I reap as reward for my physically negligent activities.  A dear friend of mine's consequences manifest in regular bouts of Mono.  That's just the physical ramifications.  What unseen damage are we doing to our spirits?  To our minds?  To our families?

This go-round's stress in my life has raised the physical ante and yielded an unhealthy case of Shingles.  Not cool, stress, NOT cool.

The doctor's orders? 

• Don't scratch.  
• Keep the sites covered.  
• Wash hands.  
• Stay away from the elderly & children under the age of 1 (since the chickenpox vaccine isn't given until 12 months old).  
• Take my anti-viral meds to reduce the severity of the virus' antics.  
• Take my newly acquired anti-seizure medication to stop the nerve pain.  
• Lastly, STOP STRESSING; SAY NO, STAY HOME, and REST!

The thing is I've had no problem with all all of those orders except the last batch. 

Stop stressing?  Pshaw!  Impossible.  Say 'No'?  Does the doc not remember who I am & how the word no is my kryptonite?  I say no & it feels like I've let the whole world down.  Plus I haven't any substitutes I can simply pass tasks too.  Stay home?  Again, does the doctor not know where I live?!  The boonies would be great for tranquil peace & quite, if it wasn't so inconvenient to have Mr. LKP work all day long and THEN do everything in town I would've done while he was at said job.  Plus, having an extremely involved high-schooler doesn't jive well with the whole stay at home idea.  Not to mention I have a business to run...and aside from my shoot-to-shoot assistants (Mini-Me & Mr LKP) my staff consists of me; no other shooters, no other editors.  Not to mention the time of the year puts a damper on how far out things can be stretched in a day, let alone the next few weeks.  AND REST?!  Oy.  Even if I could make myself stay home and NOT work on photos or the administrative part of my biz, rest is illusive.  There's always laundry and dishes demanding attention, not to mention critters to tend to, and order to obtain/maintain.  

Safe to say, following every recommendation has been insanely difficult. 

In addition to my normally crazy life of Booster Clubs, church callings, volleyball coaching, a radio station to represent, a photography business to run, a family to raise, sleep to get, and an illness to recover from... a dear friend passed suddenly last Saturday, and the grief has been unbearable for our entire community.  Rescuer-Mode kicked in, as there was her family to care for, healing to encourage, and services to help organize (my part was the photos for the memorial service & dinner that followed). 

No matter what I was dealing with personally, the words of Mosiah 18:8-9 continually repeat in my head:  "...as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; ...Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things..."  Their needs were more important than my own, and that was the fuel I have lived on since Saturday morning. 

I wonder, if not me then who?  If not now then when? 

Obviously death is a trial for all who remain here on this earth; a trial to every facet of our lives.  But now that the services are complete, and the need is not as immediate (aside from meals & checking in on the family + spending time with them), I'm finding more moments of rest.  I'm finding more strength in NO.  I'm seeking more balance.

The reality is, the world's not slowing down anytime soon, ladies & gents.  As a matter of fact, this is considered to be the winding-up time on the Earth; a time prophesied of since ancient times.  It it the drum roll leading up to the Second-Coming of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. 

We can expect that much will be demanded of us, including our time, attention, and energy.  So in this moment which we find ourselves now, we must work feverishly to establish a pattern of balance in our lives.  That way as the vice of time tightens, we will have relief that others may not be able to comprehend. 

I know this is a bit of a roller coaster for my train of thought. 

But hang in there with me, for it is truth. 

Since this death of my friend, much more has also occurred.  Mr LKP & I were able to be proxy for my grandma and grandpa (both whom we lost last year) as they were sealed for time & all eternity in the Columbia River LDS Temple.  We were also able to serve our family through this proxy temple work, with our cousins, as my mother & her deceased sister were able to be sealed to their parents finally.  An election day resulted in many opposites of what we had been praying for, both at a state level and a national level.  And in just the last 48 hours alone, two more tragic deaths have also come to some of our other friends' families, one being sweet little Clara. 

Time is short.  
The veil is thin.  
The need is great.

What should we be more occupied with then?  Our habitual Superwoman Syndrome/OMTLAHIMH Disorder which keeps us eternally BUSY with less than eternally-beneficial and less than worthwhile distractions?  (By the way, have you ever heard the definition for the acronym B.U.S.Y?  It is "Burdened Under Satan's Yoke."  Suddenly BUSY is not really something I want to be.) 

No.  Instead we should be seeking balance spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, civically, and within our church responsibilities and our family responsibilities.  We are the instruments held purposefully in our Heavenly Father's hands.  If we are squandering our efforts on the distractions or imbalances of Satan, then we are rendering ourselves dull & ineffective for the precision necessary in the Lord's delicate work. 

Therefore we must be asking ourselves those same questions above, {If not us then who?  If not now then when?} in regards to the precious spiritual work which is increasing in demand. 

Being there for others is a good thing.  As children of God, it is our stewardship to look after those around us, and help where we can.  However, we need to step back often and re-evaluate if the endeavors we are involved in are really necessary and if they are healthy.

If they are neither, then we must say no. 

Rather than simply saying no, we must also put boundaries in place so the time allowed by one 'No' can be reserved for more eternally rewarding pursuits than the 9 less-than-worthwhile distractions Satan would instead have us fill the vacuum with to prevent us from meeting the righteousness needs of the Lord.

By all means, tend to His sheep however best you can.  But be sure this does not deplete you.  Be sure you can still tend to yourself as well.  We are of no help if we are rendered helpless due to personal neglect.

So that's what I'm working on. 

In this season of increased merriment & activities, pray for balance and seek peace.  Those two  things better ensure the longevity of our usefulness to those we serve.

Pummeled.

Ya know, sometimes it feels like an ambush from every direction.  And it's tempting to become discouraged... tempting to really hate life.

Those are the times that I'm grateful for Little Orphan Annie's musical advice, that the sun will come out tomorrow.  That, it will do.  No matter how the current tempests may rage, there will always, eventually be a tomorrow. 

Law of nature. 

Sticking out our chins,and replacing our furrowed brows & frowns with grins often takes all we may have.  Yet it's part of enduring to the end.  So we've gotta hang in there for the promised forecast of tomorrow's sunshine.

"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: 

but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."

-Matthew 10:22

So on my roughest days, I lock myself in the bathroom and sing every word of "Tomorrow" with all the effort I can muster.  And when I'm done, I sing it again.  And again.  Until my chin is out & I'm able to not just smile, but FEEL like smiling.  Then, I'm better.  :)

Hope you too have found an "emergency radio channel" you find you can tune into during times of trial.  And that you're able to find whatever's required within yourself to turn that frown upside down. 

The sun WILL come out tomorrow.  Promise! 

::hugs::

The Importance of Truth in Living a Virtuous Life (YW M1 L36)

I'm pretty much thinking I can get up in class on Sunday, read the title of the lesson, and that it would be a pretty solid lesson... beginning & end, right there.  No need for me to add to it, or derail it since I'm a terrible example.

However, I'm probably wrong.  Matter of fact I know I'm wrong, for if that was all it took was a gentle reminder of the value of truth in this life, then our youth wouldn't even need teachers & lessons & classes.

Not to mention the fact that the lesson manual has some pretty in depth resources that go right along with that title.  Guess I'll trust the manual and actually teach rather than simply read. 

TRUTH.  It's sadly a rare virtue these days.

Around every bend there are little white lies to nip at our heals & big ol' doozey lies to jump us down a dark alley.  Satan's wily like that.  Always the opportunist, he's looking for a way to ensnare us or distract us from our present course for good.

I lied yesterday as a matter of fact.  *palm-to-forehead*

Well actually I lied a few years ago, possibly the lie may have started even a few years before a few years ago.

Let it be known that yesterday I didn't just lie, but I also coerced an accomplice to back me up!

This dishonesty wasn't just for Joe Schmoe, no in fact I'm apparently more diabolical than that.  It all went down whilst dealing with people who are sworn to uphold laws & keep us accountable.  I was at the DMV.  (Yep, I'm getting old enough for another renewal - thanks though for thinking it was my first).

So when the guy behind the counter starting verifying that my address hadn't changed, etc etc, he stated my lack of height (which made me cringe) and then asked "Are we still 135 lbs?"  I scoffed a little, and remarked that, "Perhaps there might be 20 more lbs on-board now, but between you, me, and that dinky little card?  Yeah, I'm still 135 lbs!"

He chuckled, then with a wink said, "Alright, you're 135 lbs.  Please sign inside this little yellow box."   Presto-change-O, my secret was still safe, and I now have an accomplice. (I wonder if I am obligated to send him a Christmas gift or card to keep him silenced.  I'll have to consult my mob-ties for proper etiquette in the matter, I guess.)

But does everybody see what I mean in sharing this embarassing little story with all ya'll?  Not that I really am proud of my deceit, but it is THAT easy and THAT acceptable to be sneaky.

Of course no one will lose an arm or an eyeball over my little lie, but where does it leave my integrity?  I am sacrificing my integrity everytime I fib a little.

If fibbing or being slightly dishonest was okay, then there would be no guilt.  And really, which is worse, the guilt for gluttony or the guilt for sacrificing the truth?

In my head, no one can tell that I've put on weight.  But in reality, it's hard to miss... and I know what's being whispered here & there.  So lying about my weight is doing nothing but fooling myself, and even then it only fools me a fraction of the time.  Therefore I declare that the guilt for dishonesty is WAY worse than the other.

My lies at the DMV are obviously not the same severity as other lies we may tell ourselves or others.  And sure, in a few months perhaps my license won't be lying (that is unless this second round of infertility meds goes the way we'd like), because my fat levels do fluctuate or change.

Truth, however, does not change.  Period.

I'm always reminding my Beehive girls that Truth = Light = Christ.

Truth illuminates everything, therefore it is of Christ.  Christ may be compassionate, and hate the sin but love the sinner, however His doctrines do not change simply because our level of sin has changed.

We can still be made clean through exercising His Atonement & repenting.  His Atonement is in place for everyone, yet it doesn't change either.  The only thing that changes is how much further sacrifice is required on our part in order to become clean or worthy again.

If we don't want the repentance process to be as difficult, then we must be sure we're not compounding or complicating our lives with sin in the first place.  Just as major sins & lies require major repentance, a little sin or lie still requires repentance. 

The actual act of lying aside, let's focus on getting back or keeping our lives on-track.

Eliminating sin in our lives is the answer.  No one but Christ is perfect, I get that - so did Jesus Christ & our Heavenly Father.  That is why Christ's Atonement was necessary, so we could repent & return.  Due to our human nature, eliminating sin may seem like a daunting task.  However it is by clinging to truth that we can accomplish this.

Remember Truth = Light = Christ?
Same goes the other way, Sin = Darkness = Satan.

Much like we would solve an algebraic equation by canceling a negative out with a positive, only light can overpower the darkness.  Only the strength we gain through the Lord, Jesus Christ, is enough to overpower the influence of Satan in our lives.  It's that simple.  Both cannot coexist.  When one is present, the other is absent.

We know now the power of truth, and WHY we must cling to it.  Yet do we comprehend the HOW, or in other words, the recipe to follow in order to cling to truth?

(source)

President Spencer W. Kimball taught us the HOW in 4 simple steps:
"The necessary procedure is: study, think, pray, and do. … The Lord has promised repeatedly that he will give you a knowledge of spiritual things when you have placed yourself in a proper frame of mind. … ‘And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.’ (Moroni 10:5.)”

The scriptures consistently back this up...

1. Study. (John 5:39)
2. Think. (3 Nephi 17:2–3; Moroni 10:3; D&C 88:62–63)
3. Pray. (Jeremiah 29:12–13; Alma 5:45–46; Moroni 10:4)
4. Do. (John 7:16–17)

(source)

We've got to literally be in our scriptures daily.  Not just scanning over them, but INVESTED in them.  Gone are the days that we can skate by on basic scriptural understanding or recitation of the stories between the covers.  It is time to search out the doctrine & spiritually feast upon it.  That's only possible when we're anxiously engaged in our scripture study daily.

(source)

Thinking is vital.  Not from just a logical 1+1= 2 stand-point.  We are divine, spiritual offspring.  Our spirits yearn to be at our Heavenly Father's feet gleaning all we can of His understanding.  Currently, we may physically be distant from Him, however we can still glean all He will give us as we think & meditate upon His teachings.  The Holy Ghost will confirm the truth.  He's Heavenly Father's bonus gift to us.  Our compass to direct us in the true direction we should go.

(source)

Prayer is the glue.  Without prayer, the proximity of our relationship to Jesus Christ & Heavenly Father is like that of the fault-line of two tectonic plates, decreasing in stability & increasing in distance.  Prayer is what connects our spirits to our God, what enables further learning through study & thinking to transpire.  It holds us fast to the Father's will, like mortar secures two bricks together.  Our submission to the Father through prayer is the method by which we can be edified, and our mission here on earth can be made crystal clear.

(source)

Doing is so much easier said than done.  Doing is the follow-through, the verb to this recipe.  Heavenly Father's entrusts us with light & knowledge,  which come with an expectation that we will righteously act-upon the truth, refine ourselves in our life, and come away from this mortal experience more perfected than had we faced this life independent of He who created us.  Doing as Heavenly Father would have us do is what propels us forward along our quest.

Doing the opposite propels us backwards & down instead.
In which direction would you prefer to go?

The 4 steps President Kimball taught about are not ones we take once in our journey.

They are the steps that we must repeat, much like that Christmas special song "...put one foot in front of the other, and soon you'll be walking 'cross the flo-o-or...put one foot in front of the other, and soon you'll be walking out the door!"


There is a Disney movie that is one of my most favorite, called Sleeping Beauty.
 
In true Disney fashion there is a beautiful, musically gifted maiden (Princess Aurora), a dashingly handsome fellow (Prince Phillip), adorable woodland creature sidekicks, some good magic (the fairies: Flora, Fauna, and Merriweather), some goons and evil magic (the villain: Malificent; the goons: her pig-dragon things). 

(source)

Because of one individual’s selfishness, an evil spell is cast that would ensure the death of Princess Aurora.  The King & Queen take all protective measures possible, including the elimination of every obvious weapon of their daughter’s demise, and eventually they send their precious infant daughter into hiding with the good fairies so she cannot be found by the bad fairy.

Years pass, and temptation befalls even the good fairies to risk the princess’ & their identities – even for the purest reasons.  The evil villain zeroes in on the opportunity this stumble presents, and lures Princess Aurora to a secret threat, by which the original prophecy of her spell would begin to come true.

There is no way the good fairies, the King & Queen, or even the princess herself could have anticipated how cunning the evil fairy would be, nor the means by which the spell would inevitably come to pass.

To protect the princess from death, and to protect the kingdom from heartbreak, the good fairies cast a spell of their own that changes the evil spell's effects from Aurora’s death into instead a deep sleep, that also applies to those in the castle.  The spell then of course can only be undone by true love’s kiss.

Enter the handsome Prince Phillip.  After an earlier “chance” meeting with the then-disguised singing princess in the forest, he is smitten.  He had planned on meeting up with Aurora again, yet fell into Malificent’s trap.  At the evil fairy’s enchanted castle he is imprisoned, so as to keep the prince from breaking the spell & setting the kingdom free.

The good fairies, however, are not about to give up the fight, so those magical winged-ladies sneak into the evil one’s castle.  There they free the prince & arm him in preparation for the battle of his lifetime.  These lines of defense are the only way he can defeat Malificent (who transforms herself into a fierce dragon), flee the enchanted castle, blaze a trail through the deadly forest of thorns & vines between him and his love’s resting place.

When bestowing these items to Prince Phillip, the fairy Flora says:

“…Arm yourself with this enchanted Shield of Virtue, and this mighty Sword of Truth, for these weapons of righteousness will triumph over evil.”

In the end, the prince follows the counsel of the fairies, defeats evil, overcomes the hurdles in his path, climbs the treacherous tower to where Princess Aurora lies in an eternal sleep, kisses her lips, and life is restored to Sleeping Beauty, as well as the kingdom.

"...let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; 

then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God..."  

-D&C 121:45

Righteousness will always prevail over evil.  Virtue & truth are the weapons by which this is accomplished.  Use these weapons in your own life, so you too may claim your own happy ending.

----------------------------

And with that, folks, I am at an end of my thoughts.  What are yours on this topic?

The handout I prepared for this week is two-sided.  It features a quote from that all-time favorite Disney classic of mine, as well as one of my all-time favorite scripture references ( I know we used it last week, but it simply is one of the greatest).

The back features the diagram shown earlier in this post.  If you feel one or even both sides can bless you & your family's life, feel free to download the handouts below:

P.S.
Mini-Me is fairing quite well.

Her surgery went beautifully, and the reduction wound up being "closed" (meaning they didn't have to cut her toe open to clean out any calcifications to re-set it).  The surgeon was able to manipulate the bone pieces back in place and then surgically place the pin in her toe.  He is one talented guy, and has been a great blessing in this whole ordeal.

Before the anesthesiologist entered...

after the anesthesiologist...

Some new jewelry!

It's a little gruesome, but not gory.  We lovingly refer to her toe as "Franky" which is short for The Frankenstein Toe.  She's handling that in stride alright, as well as the nicknames her friends have dubbed her with, like "Cripps" and "Handi" and "Pogo Girl" and "Hop-Along-Cassidy."

Glad they got it right!  ;)

Best. foot-rest. Ever.

Meet Franky!

Mini-Me's only relying on her crutches a little here & there, depending on her energy levels, otherwise she's walking on her heel.  She's focusing mostly on her upper body in her weights class.  And she's currently taking stats from the bench at her team's volleyball games, so that way once her surgeon releases her she'll be able to get right back into the season & hopefully play in the 4 or 6 remaining games.  Thanks for thinking of her & praying for her.  ::hugs::

Gold Framed:
Sleeping Beauty Framework - SILHOUETTE - VIRTUE and TRUTH With GLD 8perPG

Black & White:
Sleeping Beauty Framework - SILHOUETTE - VIRTUE and TRUTH 8perPG

Diagram Backing:
Sleeping Beauty Framework - BACKING DIAGRAM - 8perPG v2

Calling it What it Is

In Beehives today we discussed Lesson #31 (from YW Manual #1), "Group Activities: A Basis for Wise Dating."

How do you teach the wisdom of this to 12 and 13 year old girls... who most of still think boys have cooties?  ...And the few who no longer stress about cooties, have already chosen to date early?

Dating is a hard subject at this age.  But broach it, as well as the consequences of not following the prophets' counsel (= commandments from Heavenly Father), we did.

Rather than dwelling too much on the group dating aspect of the lesson, instead the discussion seemed to focus on not dating at all until the appropriate time.  We called it what it is: early dating = disobedience to commandments & unnecessary risk at this age.

Impressively, the girls handled it well and were QUITE engaged in this lesson.  We laughed & talked turkey.  Not one of them seemed shy about asking questions, nor were they unable to grasp the gravity of possible consequences that follow (such as teen pregnancy)... not to mention what sacrifices may have to be made if they were to choose to date earlier than Church standards or their parents' rules.  Definitely brought a wave of relief over me that they were "getting" it.

So the companion handout for today's lesson (tastefully) did not mince words:

On top of the lesson, each girl was given a quote from the lesson to ponder, study out, and pray over for the next week.  From that quote and study, each girl was asked to record their thoughts, official stand on dating & personal declaration of their standards regarding the temptation to date early.  The hope is that this lesson will stick, and their documented declaration of obedience will be more powerful in their lives than the temptations which they will eventually face.

I will say that I loved this lesson.  My touched heart was poured into it.

Even one of my favorite quotes, from one of my new-favorite movies, came to my mind & was incorporated into the lesson (from Courageous):  


"You can't go out on a date with anyone until they come talk to me, and they have no business talking to me until your 17. If a boy has asked you to go anywhere with him, it's a date." -Nathan Hayes  (emphasis added)

(If you haven't seen that movie yet, do it.  The full conversation that character has with his daughter is priceless & quite validating!) 

And if you haven't taught this lesson yet, or feel it would be a great Family Night lesson, feel free to use the handout printables below.

Pearing Up Recipe for Disaster 5perPG

***OH!  And by the way, got to spend a beautiful Friday morning photographing the most splendid little miracle baby this past week.  You should go see how lovely the session turned out with Lil' Miss J!***

Two-Word Sermons

They're pretty handy.  Great for short attention spans, like mine.  Keeps me tuned in for the full message.  (Sounds lazy, but really isn't.)  Some of the most powerful things come in the smallest, most unassuming packages.  Had that lesson in & of itself re-taught to me a couple Sundays ago.

One of the sisters I serve with in YW, was asked to speak in the Sacrament Meeting (similar to Communion services in other churches).  She was the second speaker to follow Mini-Me, who was asked for speak for 2 1/2 minutes on Family (she did so beautifully with scripture, prophetic quotes, and even her own clever analogy how life is NOT like a box of chocolates but that the family is like a box of Cheez-its).  So this sister who followed, was asked to speak on the teachings found within President Uchtdorf's talk from April 2012's General Conference, titled "The Merciful Obtain Mercy."

In his talk, President Uchtdorf shared one-such two-word sermon: "Stop it!"

(Told ya it was powerful.)

Now this sweet sister has been through the ringer in her life; has suffered trials & heartache she's never done anything that would warrant such strife.  However she's weathered it all, including criticism for the style or methods by which she's overcame her trials.  Yet, rather than run from the challenge & whole a grudge against those who have wronged her, she instead learned a valuable lesson which led to her adding her own powerful two-word sermon: "Let go."

Sitting there in the congregation, listening to her teach about forgiveness & extending mercy, even when the World would say we don't NEED to grant mercy to those around us, my heart was touched - inspiration flowed - and I could literally SEE the handout materializing.  Funny part was, it would be hours before I would be home to my computer to design it, and I had nothing to sketch my idea out.

Instead I just texted the message "STOP IT. let go." from my husband's phone to my phone which I'd forgotten at home, and went on about church.

When I got home I fretted that whatever I created would pale in comparison to what I'd seen in my mind during Sacrament Meeting.  However, that was not the case.  It was as if my fingers remembered better the design than my brain had.  And when it was completed, I was speechless.

I'm not sure why it needed to materialize, besides the fact that I need a constant reminder, perhaps on my mirror or fridge, of the truth in those four words.  Beyond that however, perhaps someone out there desperately needs the reminder even more.  ::shrugs::

If it touches your heart, you feel you need it for you or perhaps for a friend or a class, please feel free to download the printable below.  (Perfect size to slip in a wallet, just saying.)

DUchtdorf_RMcCullough - STOP IT Let Go 10perPG BizCARDS

GIRLS CAMP 2012: Arise & Shine Prezzies

Something I learned while working with YW in Eastern Idaho is when Girls Camp comes up, MAKE A HUGE DEAL OUT OF IT!  This was not only something we applied to our Wednesday nights leading up to & prepping for camp, with skits & songs.  This also went into the little details, including daily gifts or prezzies for each and every girl who attended camp.  Even if they chose to go literally with only 24 hrs left before heading to camp.  Those girls were accounted for.  No girl felt left out - that was our biggest focus.  Our secondary focus was to uplift the girls in a fun way, just to keep the spiritual fuel going in the cutest ways possible.

As Girls Camp goes, it's a hoot, for the YW campers as well as the leaders.  However, there are not enough girls to justify taking every single leader who wants to go along as well.  So our ward's Camp Director went with the girls & camped all week with them.  The rest of us leaders who were left at home mapped out a schedule of which nights whichever leaders could make it up, to at least be a small part of the experience (albeit, being part of the silly roll-call ditties, or just to take pictures of our girls having fun, and of course Stake Night aka Testimony Night).  Due to some of the leaders' circumstances (work or small children), not all of us were able to make it.  So, prezzies were a way of letting each girl know she mattered, even to leaders who couldn't make it.  We divvied up the days, and each leader made a prezzy with an inspiration quote &/or scripture + a trinket that coincided with the "message" on it.  (One year even, the message of the day was about experimenting upon the word like with a seed - ALMA 32:27-28 - so the saying had something to do with faith getting us past the most important "velvet rope"... and there was a seed laminated into the window of a faux backstage pass on a lanyard.  So cute & so fun!)

That was then, and this is now.  Different girls, different Stake, different Ward, different YW presidency.  All those differences aside, this year there were less leaders ASKED to participate as we've found our stake situation to be less immense than it was 2 summers ago (since then our Stake was split in two, and last year's Girls Camp was replaced with the Trek).  With not all of us going again, plus the girls are camping by years instead of by wards, it got me thinking back to what I learned in Idaho.  Therefore, I proposed the daily-prezzy idea to our YW President, and she thought that was a great plan.  As she would be one of the 4th year tent moms, she had her hands full.  Therefore I volunteered to take the prezzies project on for our YW leaders so it was less stress of coordinating when & how they'd get to camp + another thing she'd have to scramble for.

Here's the inspiration for this year, as the Stake kept the camp theme closely tied with the 2012 Mutual theme - they selected: Arise & Shine. 

Great theme!  Makes me want to pour a big bowl of Raisin Bran & gobble it up on my deck while watching our glorious sun rise in the morning.  (Doesn't that make you just FEEL happy?!)  But I digress.

When I came home from church that Sunday I felt so impressed that each day needed to have a word to zero-in on.  Basically to break the theme down one word at a time, one day at a time.  Perhaps to open the girls' eyes a little wider so they can better see the vastness of the Gospel.

You guessed it, Day one = Arise.
(Mini-bottle of bubbles from party supply section.)

Day two = And.
(Mild-mannered rubber-bands bound two pieces of Trident Layers gum in Sweet Cherry + Island Lime flavors.)

Day three = Shine.
(Glow bracelets were located in the fickle dollar bin & the party supply sections.)

Day four had me flustered since there were only 3 words to the camp theme.  Yet, the answer came within 24 hrs, and all the pieces for the prezzies fell into place like dominoes.  Day four = Forth.  That last day is the day they leave camp.  For them to be on a week's worth of spiritual high, I felt impressed that it was crucial for day four to be a call to action.  Plus it completed the phrase from the scripture that IS 2012's Mutual theme - D&C 115:15 reads, "Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations."  Plus, 'forth' is a perfectly-suited call-to-action kinda word.  It's an invitation to take what they've learned this week and allow it to help propel them forward, like their feet.
(Crazy novelty socks located in dollar bin section.)

All supplies were picked up at the local Target store, and after all is tabulated & calculated the total per girl for the whole 4 days' worth of prezzies was $1.66!  (Considering the packages' quantities, there was enough to reasonably include the 4 YW leaders from our ward who are at camp, including our one sister in the Stake leaders tent.  Worked out perfectly!)

Interested in using these ideas to do something grand in the prezzies style?  Go for it!  If you'd like to use the printables, the PDF's are available below.  And just because I put socks with Day 4 doesn't mean that you won't have a better gift to pair with the handout.  Do what you feel inspired to do.  Lol, knock your socks off, if needs be! 

Since there are 4 to a series, you'll need one sheet per girl (simple math skills here is all).  Also, I find it easiest to send the sheets through the cutter clock-wise on the cutting guides.  But that's my overly systematic OCD brain talking there.  :)  Enjoy!

Arise and Shine - DAYS 1thru4 - 3pt5x5in - 4perPG

Prayer & Medication MEDITATION

...though medication just about perfectly illustrates life on the Ranch the past 2 months!
(However, I can attest to the fact that MEDITATION has greater longevity & yields greater blessings of healing than temporary medications.)

So its that time of the week again.
Time to fine-tune + tweak my Young Women's lesson for tomorrow.  This week's lesson is on Prayer & Meditation.  (Hopefully each of my girls will value daily prayer & meditation with her Heavenly Father more in her life after we're done in class.)

So, today's prep has included a handout, which essentially is the ENTIRE lesson!

Those are my fave handouts; when they prove more useful than something small, handed out at the end of class, that just gets jammed into their scriptures to only fall out over time, or be cleaned out just before they graduate from Seminary.

Instead they'll be using them all throughout the lesson.  So hopefully the message will be more permanent than usual.

You'll be as stoked as I was to realize that I didn't have to re-invent the wheel this week to make this handout happen.  (Which is ALWAYS exciting!)  Instead, the root idea is actually in the manual for lesson #24.

The lesson calls for an invitation to be printed out for each girl.  Even though I'm not THE biggest one for over-the-top embellishments, the one in the manual IS kinda plain.  See for yourself:

Well-intended, but more than likely to lose the YW's interest.  So, I did punch it up a little.  Now of course I'm biased, but if I were handed both invitations, I, myself, would be more inclined to accept this rather appealing version:

Please know that I'm not tooting my own horn over here, I'm just pleased with the end results.  Hopefully the girls will appreciate it... and even if it goes missing, perhaps it'll leave a cute & indelible enough impression that they remember the lesson when they need it most.  ::fingers crossed::

“As you feel the need to confide in the Lord or to improve the quality of your visits with him—to pray, if you please—may I suggest a process to follow: go where you can be alone, go where you can think, go where you can kneel, go where you can speak out loud to him. The bedroom, the bathroom, or the closet will do. Now, picture him in your mind’s eye. Think to whom you are speaking, control your thoughts—don’t let them wander, address him as your Father and your friend. Now tell him things you really feel to tell him—not trite phrases that have little meaning, but have a sincere, heartfelt conversation with him. Confide in him, ask him for forgiveness, plead with him, enjoy him, thank him, express your love to him, and then listen for his answers. … Answers from the Lord come quietly—ever so quietly. In fact, few hear his answers audibly with their ears. We must be listening so carefully or we will never recognize them. Most answers from the Lord are felt in our heart as a warm comfortable expression, or they may come as thoughts to our mind. They come to those who are prepared and who are patient”  -H. Burke Peterson

(source: Simon Dewey)

“I think we pay too little attention to the value of meditation, a principle of devotion. … Meditation is the language of the soul. It is defined as ‘a form of private devotion or spiritual exercise, consisting in deep, continued reflection on some religious theme.’ Meditation is a form of prayer. …

“Meditation is one of the most secret, most sacred doors through which we pass into the presence of the Lord”  -David O. McKay

Also, was thinking I could share this with any readers who perhaps cannot handle another item on their plate this week, or next week, or whenever this lesson's to be taught.  So, you're welcome to download & use the printable at the bottom.

Happy weekend! 
Meditation and Prayer You'Re Invited 4perPG FRONT

Oh, and P.S. you can double-side your handout if you'd like, too! Meditation and Prayer Will Help in 3pt5x5in 4perPG BACK

What I Believe: Stand All Amazed

A new year for teachers in the LDS Young Women's organizations = a new lesson manual.

Every four years the same set of manuals start over.

So for 2012, we're back to Manual 1.  Which I'm excited over.  Abundantly so.

The last time this manual was taught from was the first year I was called to serve in the YW's program.  The experiences gained while serving with that elect group of women & serving those promising young ladies set my heart on fire for the YW program, even more than it had been when I was a teen benefactor of the program myself!

It was while serving in the YW organization, still in that area, that year our Mutual theme (for both the Young Women & Young Men's organizations) was the same as this year's carefully selected, and inspired, theme:

"Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations"

Like I said, inspired.  Divinely inspired.

Thus that year became a journey of Light for our group.  It was the most splendid year, as both the teen girls AND us leaders witnessed great fortification within our group, strong testimonies began to grow & flourish, young girls from ages 12-18 got their "a-ha" moments, and scripture study was more than just a study.  There was an insatiable hunger for the light found in the scriptures.  It was one of my most favorite years of my life!

Standing at the beginning of as promising a year as that marvelous one, just four years ago.  I'm eager.  Not just for a repeat.  No.  Many dynamics have changed in my life, many circumstances are different within our YW group here.  However, I'm eager for this NEW journey of Light.

Light = Truth = Christ.

How can it NOT be the most marvelous year to date?!

So I bring up the manual once again.  I love this manual.

Each manual is a wonderful resource & they are all equally filled with truth.  But for some reason I feel my heart set on fire again at these early lessons we're christening our new year with.  Today's lesson is titled, "Jesus Christ, the Savior."

Doesn't that just give you chills & goosebumps?!

It does me.

I love my Savior.  Not only because He is my older brother, but because He is everything I want to become & an example of everything I want to be worthy to inherit someday.  I love Him for His selflessness.  I love Him for His faithfulness.  I love Him for His steadfastness in His Father's purposes.  I love Him because He is the ONLY one who could secure our Salvation for us, and it is ONLY through Him that we are able to progress and enjoy Exaltation.

I cherish the greatest gift ever given, that only Jesus Christ could give, and that was the Atonement.  Only He could suffer for the world's sins, and pain, and heartaches, and imperfections.  Only He could shed a drop of blood for each one of us.  Only He could love each of us so intricately that He knew of us & WILLINGLY suffered through the wine press so we would not have to.

Jesus Christ is the Son of the Almighty God.  He is the Son of the God of Abraham, Issac, Moses.  He is so great & so pure - yet so concerned with even little old me, and my troubles, and my silent tears (and sometimes not so silent tears).

In my lesson today, I have the privilege of being some special young women's tour guide through the most awesome scriptures that testify of Jesus Christ's divinity, His foreordained mission here on earth as the Son of God & the son of a humble young mother here on earth.

Ancient scriptures today, folks.  Scriptures from many hundreds of years before Christ was even born.  Scriptures both recorded in the Holy Land, and scriptures recorded here in the Americas.  No matter these ancient civilizations' geographic locations, Heavenly Father loved ALL of children enough to place prophets among them that would act as mouthpieces for God as prophecies came forth & Christ's coming was heralded in every land... in every tongue.  How privileged we are to have access to these scriptures.  How blessed we are to have witness after witness of Heavenly Father's love for the world.

I have the opportunity to teach them from some of my most favorite passages of scripture, like this- one of chapters of the Book of Mormon that I cherish THE most:

 "And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.

 "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 "And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

 "Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me."   -Alma 7:10-13

(I love Alma 7.  So much is taught in this one chapter.  It's filled with promise!  Considering how giddy I feel when I read & study it, I can't imagine how it would've felt to have lived at the time this prophesy was received and declared in market places & villages & ancient dwellings among the indigenous people of the American continent.  Christ hadn't come yet.  Mary hadn't even been born yet.  Here I'm on the other side of this fortelling; the side where I know He humbly came, walked the earth, and wrought such mighty miracles both before and through His death.  Can you imagine the anticipation just looking forward to his first coming?  Wow!)

It is true.

God loves us so much that He gave His Only Begotten Son to a wicked world... He gave Him to us.  Jesus Christ, this same Begotten Son of God, loves us so much that He gave His life & the Atonement.  What then shall we give in return?

Our gratitude.  Our selfless service to others.  Our will.  Clean hands & pure hearts....

I get to assist these young women in pondering more on this fact.... I get to help them broaden their realm of concern beyond themselves or their wardrobe or their material lives.  And I get to witness Heavenly Father's choice daughter start to "get it."

Getting it means seeds are planted.  Then I get to help them tend & further nurture these seeds' growth throughout the year.  It's phenomenal!

I get to introduce some of these girls to the beginnings of their own "a-ha" moments with the Lord.  ...And I am honored.  ...I am in awe.  ...I am so grateful.

Eventually these "a-ha" thoughts become "a-ha" actions, and the world suddenly becomes more beautiful! 

In the beginning of the new year, what better way is there to initiate such an epic journey of Light than to kick it off with our focus & attention of learning of Christ?  As I mentioned before, Light = Truth = Christ... therefore this year will be a journey of Truth... a journey of Christ!

Amazed doesn't begin to quantify it.

"I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!"

("I Stand All Amazed," Hymn #193)


In keeping with today's lesson material, I've prepared the following hand-out for my girls.  It also gives me goosebumps & makes my heart want to burst with gratitude.

(If you'd like to use this, feel free.  Just right click on it & save.  If you'd rather have the full-res jpg file emailed to you, shoot your email address over to me in the comments below.)