Be Not MOOved

At the end of August, I was called to be the Young Women's President in our ward. I was excited to become a Primary teacher (as I was sure that's what my scheduled meeting was for) so I was a little shocked, to say the least, when Bishop extended the call. Right after he said it I even asked, "I'm sorry, can you say that again...did you say president?" I was so overwhelmed in the beginning (and still am at times) but I am working with such great sisters who serve in the presidency and as advisers so I am extremely grateful for them. Now that I've gotten to know the girls (there are 26 total), it has become fun and I look forward to my time with them. They really are special daughters of God.

This last Wednesday was our Young Women in Excellence program. We combine this evening with the other ward that meets in our building - I think the girls like getting together with the other ward and it was good for me to get to see more of the youth and meet other leaders. We had a simple program, but I think it turned out well and people said they enjoyed the evening. If any one is reading this and wondering what Young Women in Excellence is - it is a night to celebrate the girls ages 12-18 in our ward. They set-up displays that show different interests or hobbies they have and they also include things they have accomplished through their Personal Progress program. We have a little program and then everyone gets to walk around and look at the displays while eating yummy treats, of course. :)

Our theme "Be Not Moo-ved" was taken from the mutual theme for this year, D&C 87:8 "Wherefore, stand ye in holy places and be not moved...". My wonderful sister helped me out big time and designed our invitation and program...

One of the mothers got this photo of all the girls singing together during our program...

We kept refreshments simple by serving an assortment of cookies with milk and water (more cookies came after this picture was taken and we didn't bring the milk out until after the program).

The girls did a great job with their displays! As a previous activity, we made the silhouettes of each girl to have with their display that evening. I thought it'd be nice to have one thing in their display be uniform, but unique at the same time, and it matched the black and white theme!

Here's a few of the great girls I get to work with...

 

I'm so grateful for the other leaders who I serve with and helped with the whole evening (my secretary broke her foot the Saturday before but was a trooper and still came in a wheelchair!) I'm missing a photo of the Laurel adviser, but the rest are here...

And as a little handout we gave the girls these little baggies with a great poem titled "Be Not Moved" that one of my counselors wrote and each bag had a few cow-shaped bath beads in.

It was a great evening! A little relieved it's over now :)
And this is the song all of the young women sang. The lyrics are beautiful and went right along with our theme of being strong and "not moved"