February Thoughts-Clark/2nd Ward

 As leaders in the Clark 2nd Ward we feel very blessed to be participants in the lives of our Young Women. 

They are truly elect daughters of God. Here are a few things that we have enjoyed with these special ladies.

 

In the fall we had a fun service-scavenger hunt. We divided up into two teams, each with a few brooms and rakes, and a clue. We followed the clues around town, learning a little about our heritage in Grantsville, but mostly having fun doing some on-the-go service for members in the ward. One memorable moment was when the girls were raking leaves at one person's home as they pulled up into the driveway. The family was surprised to find the Young Women in their yard, but excited and grateful that they were willing to help them out and tackle the leaves. The hunt was a race to the finish, but everyone was a winner in the end as we sipped our hot chocolate and cider and snacked on our cookies.

 We've also had some very special spiritual experiences with our Young Women. One that really stands out in all our minds comes from Girl's Camp this past year. One of our leaders shared with us how her ward always had a part of camp that they called "Destiny." Destiny was a place and an experience. We chose a special place that was a little ways from our campground and we gathered everyone there. We explained to the girls that this was going to be a special place for the Spirit to dwell, and that this is where we would have our daily devotionals and personal scripture study. (We've found in the past that sometimes it's hard at camp to find/make the time for personal study, so we scheduled it.:) )We had our Priesthood leaders dedicate the area, inviting the Spirit to be there always during our camp. Our Destiny area became a quiet place where the girls knew they could go to feel the Spirit. It was really special to watch how the girls responded to our Destiny area. Because they were able to participate in the dedication of the site they were able to really feel the Spirit of what we were trying to accomplish. Each day we had a short devotional (half hour or so) given by one of our adult leaders, followed by some time for personal scripture study and journal writing. The Spirit was so strong during these times, and seemed to grow stronger with each time of Destiny that we had there. Many of the girls have remarked about how much they enjoyed this time, and we plan on making it a tradition each year for our girls.

 

~Clark 2nd Ward

 

January Thoughts

Dear sisters:

     We have a great and wonderful calling in the gospel of Jesus Christ. This calling is to serve our Heavenly Father and our Savior by serving the Young Women of the church. One way in which we can serve the youth is by instilling in them individual worth. To do this we must first develop our own worth within ourselves.  Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. -D&C 18:10.

     As we begin 2011 lets make a promise to make this year better than the one before. I believe as we follow the advice given D&C 88:119. Organize yourselves, prepare every needful thing: and establish a house: even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, and a house of God. If we follow this advice we will increase our self worth and the worth of those around us.

     Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee: and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. -Jeremiah 1:5. Ladies we will not become prophets unto nations but we can be great leaders to the young women we serve. Our Heavenly Father knows each of us. He knows our strengths and weaknesses. He is willing to help us in all we do. I know these things because the Holy Ghost has bore witness unto me that these things are true. I have a personal testimony that our God and Savior are aware of us and know you and me personally.

     If you lack self worth or feel unworthy of His love, remember the first sentence of the Young Women’s Motto. We are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us and we love Him. As a stake Young Women’s Presidency, we love you. We appreciate you and all you do. We pray for you and sincerely thank you.
Pat Parkinson

     

December Thoughts

Submitted by Joan Painter.

What a beautiful time of year.  Thanksgiving is a nice time to reflect and express gratitude for all we have.  Next we get to prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior.  In 3 Nephi 20:24 we read, “ Verily I say unto you, yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have testified of me. “  What if we each also try to testify of our Savior as we get ready for Christmas.  Let us testify of him through our words and actions.  Let us try each day to make somebody else’s day better by simply testifying of Christ.  We can do something as simple and inexpensive as smiling, saying “HI” or wishing someone a” Merry Christmas.” If we do this we all know that our lives are touched also.

Pres. Hinckley has said, ”I am grateful for Christmas.  I am grateful for the spirit of the day and grateful for the outreach that comes into our hearts art this season of the year when we think a little more kindly of one another, when there is a little less bitterness, when there is a little less of hate, when there is more of love and more of reaching out to those in trouble and need and distress.  I thank the Lord for Christmas.”

I too thank the Lord for Christmas.  I pray that we can testify of Christ and feel the love our Savior has for us as we serve others.

Thank you Joan!!

November Thoughts

Tischa Castagno enjoyed President Monson's talk given at the Priesthood session of conference. 

 Here is the link to view it.

http://broadcast2.lds.org/general-conference/2010-october/2010-10-3060-president-thomas-s-monson-300k-eng.wmv

Young Women Theme

We are daughters of a Heavenly Father, who loves us and we love Him. We will stand as witnesses of God, at all times, and in all things, and in all places, as we strive to live the Young Women Values.  Which are:

Faith

Divine Nature

Individual Worth

Knowledge

Choice and Accountability

Good Works

Integrity

and Virtue

We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.