Auto-reliance

mass.gov

As your YW are headed back to school and the days are still long, it's a good time to have a class on auto-safety.  These can be literally life-saving skills.  Make your YW aware of the dangers of the road and the lures of predators.  What do you do if someone bumps into your car and wants you to get out?  Where do you pull over on a busy freeway?  What do you do if you are stranded in a car in the cold?  What to do if there is an earthquake/tornado/etc.?  How do I jump start my car?  Do I even have jumper cables?  Where should I park when I get out of class late in the evening?  Teach them to trust their instincts and the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  (Better to be embarrassed than a victim.) Tell your girls to never let their gas tank get below 1/4 of a tank of gas!

For fun, have them bring a cute box, backpack, or old, favorite handbag that they no longer use and put together an emergency kit for the car with some basic tools and snacks.  Don't forget to add water!  As leaders, we can help them have a sense of self-reliance and help be prepared for unexpected circumstances.

Some basic ideas for your car kit:

Water
Granola bars/trail mix/dried fruit etc.
Basic first-aid kit
A couple of large trash bags
Flashlight (Batteries)
Pen/Paper
Kleenex/Paper towels
Wipes
Feminine items
Duct tape
Scissors
Whistle
Chapstick
Hand sanitizer


Also consider:

Pocket knife
Flares (and know how to use them)
A blanket
A fire extinguisher (and know how to use it)
Gloves/socks/hat
A small shovel
Matches or lighter
A disposable camera
Cash/coins
Sunblock
Bug Repellent
A book/cards
A small can and candle for melting snow
Cat litter for traction
An ice scraper
A map and compass (They learned how to use them at Girls' Camp-right?)
Extra clothing and shoes
A length of rope
A bar of soap
Tool kit
 
 

Silhouettes

http://projectnursery.com/2012/06/diy-simple-silhouettes/

Have the girls get together on a YW night and do silhouettes.  Use a strong flashlight or goose-neck lamp that will give you a definitive outline.  Bring black construction paper and a pencil or white coloured pencil.  Have the girls or leaders trace the silhouettes of the young woman.  They can then cut them and mount them in an inexpensive frame.  This is a great an activity on Individual Worth or Divine Nature.  It can be given as a gift or it can be mounted on top of a photo of the Temple to remind them or their goal to look toward the Temple.  This would also be an awesome camp craft.  Wouldn't this make a fun display at YW in Excellence?

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

What Did You Do for Someone Today?

 

Part of teaching the YW about their Divine Nature is to help them develop their desire for service.  Service projects are always uplifting and fun.  I think our YW, by virtue of who they are, want to make someone's day a little brighter.  Beyond that, service can be performed everyday in the home, at school, at work, and at church.  Give the girls a small card, perhaps a 3 x 5 card, and have them stamp, decorate, and color it.  Head it with "What did I do for someone today?" and number the lines.  Have them place it with their cell phones to remind them to do a good turn, compliment someone, or smile!  Secret Sisters, Adopt a Grandmother, or just Thank the Bishop is a great way to help them get started.   Fill an ivy bowl (Doesn't each YW closet or leader have ivy bowls they don't know what to do with?) with a candy of choice and decorate the neck with a wire garland.  This can be done at the beginning of mutual and doorbell ditched, delivered, or stashed to give to someone during the week.  It's quick, easy, inexpensive, and is a fun presentation.  

 

Scripture Cookies

The YW made these cookies last night.  They were yummy, fun, and quick to make.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup Psalm 55:21
1/3 cup 2 Nephi 26:25
1 1/2 cup Jeremiah 6:20
2  Isaiah 10:14
2 cups 1 Kings 4:22
1 tsp Exodus 30:23
1/2 tsp Matthew 5:13
3 cups D&C 89:17
1 cup Proverbs 17:1

Directions:
1. Mix the first 4 ingredients together; mix in the rest.
2. Make tablespoon-sized drops onto parchment paper lined cookie sheets.
3.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes.




The translation: 
Psalm 55:21 (butter)
2 Nephi 25:25 (milk)
Jeremiah 6:20 (sugar)
Isaiah 10:14 (eggs)
1 Kings 4:22 (flour)
Exodus 30:23 (cinnamon)
Matthew 13:33 (baking soda)
Matthew 5:13 (salt)
D&C 89:17 (oatmeal)
Proverbs 17:1 (chocolate chips or M&Ms)

We combined this activity with a planning meeting.  We enjoyed sitting around the table in the setting sun outside, eating cookies, making plans, and setting goals.

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/ 

Teaching the Only One

lds.org

Have you ever found yourself in a classroom with only one active YW?  In small wards, oftentimes there is only one Laurel, one MIA Maid, or one Beehive in your class.  Although this can be challenging, in some ways, this can be a blessing to you and to her.  Living in a small area, this has happened to me several times in my YW service.  Because of this, I have developed a deep bond of friendship with a few of my sweet girls that has lasted now into their married lives.  

I think the new curriculum is much more conducive to teaching one-on-one.  You and your young woman can learn together and teach each other in a way not possible with a larger class.  There is little distraction and little peer pressure.  It is important that she feel your love, interest, and dedication to her.  Try to make this a special bonding experience so she will not feel the desire to quit coming because she is "the only one." 

Sunday lessons, for me, are much easier than weekday activities when there is only one girl.  Begin by discussing  what her goals are for her year.  Does she want to prepare for a mission?  Is she getting ready for college? What does she like to do?  What has she always wanted to know or learn?  Use these to plan some activities together.  

On Sunday, set up a small table with two chairs set catty-corner, close enough to talk freely and maintain good eye contact.  This allows for talking freely, sharing openly, laughing, and whispering as the Spirit moves you.  Continue to prayerfully prepare your lessons for Sunday.  Seek the Holy Ghost.  You may need His influence now more than ever.  Read scriptures together and ask for her insights or how it applies to her life. Give this special girl the same attention you would give a class of 12 girls.  Have a handout; share a video or story; read and mark a talk by a General Authority together.  Encourage her to invite friends and be a missionary.  If you have the time, visit some of her activities, games, or performances.  Root for her at scripture mastery and sit, smiling, when she gives a talk in church. 

It is important to meet with the other girls when given the opportunity.  She should meet for combined YW and YM/YW activities, opening exercises, and firesides so she feels connected to the group as a whole.  You may occasionally feel the desire to combine with a class in the next age group to hers.  This can be beneficial for all involved.  It can also soften the blow when two good friends are separated enough in age to be in two different classes as well as lessen the feelings of isolation.  Laurels, especially, are so busy.  This can be a wonderful way to teach and "fit" her activities into your mutual schedules.  

It can be such a blessing to teach this one sweet spirit and get to know her.  What a trust it is to be her leader and watch her testimony form before your eyes in a way that you may have missed before.  What a joy this can be!

Pillow Talk

We had a really rewarding service project for the YW combined with the Relief Society.  We got the ladies together to make "Comfort pillows."  Many female patients experience discomfort after surgery for cancer, mastectomy, or even pacemaker placement.  We got the ladies together to sew and stuff pillows and then make small, washable pillow cases for them.  We had a group cutting and ironing as well as one group sewing, YW stuffing, and ladies closing the pillows.  The YW then placed a tag of love and encouragement on each pillow.  The pillow was then bagged and placed in a box for shipment to a local charity.  I have seen these done both as small rectangular pillows as well as heart-shaped pillows that fit under the arm.  The sisters brought their fabric scraps for donation and we purchased all the batting that was necessary.  We called our activity a "Pillow Talk" night.  We made pillows, visited, and had munchies.  This is a great activity to get your Relief Society Sisters and YW together and a great YW Value Project.  It is a terrific way to involve the Laurels that are transitioning into Relief Society.  It can also be an easy sewing night and camp craft.  You can get in touch with your local cancer society, charity, or hospital to find out what the need is in your area.  They are very cute and such a useful item!

Pillow Instructions:

1.  Cut 2 pieces of washable material, 8" x 12".  (Use something strong and soft like cotton.)

2.  With right sides facing, sew 3 sides with a 1/4" seam leaving open one of the smaller ends.

3.  Turn the pillow right side out.

4.  Stuff the pillow to the point of being firm without over-stuffing.  The pillow should be squeezably soft.

5.  Turn the remaining open end and top stitch it closed.

Pillow Case Instructions:

1.  Cut two pieces of washable material, 9" x 13", or fold a piece of material to form a 9" x 13" pattern.

2.  With right sides facing, sew 3 sides with a 1/4" seam, leaving one of the shorter sides open.

3.  To hem the open end, turn fabric under 1/4", then turn it again 1/4" to form a hem and sew across the open end of the pillow case.

4.  Turn right side out and place over the pillow with the pillow edge that was stitched closed at the bottom of the pillow case to hide the seam.  

The Card:

ESPECIALLY FOR YOU!

This "Comfort Pillow" was made for you 

The Women of the XXX Ward of the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are 

sending you this special pillow to comfort you and let you

know that we care

We pray you are healthy again very soon!

XXXX Ward Young Woman and Relief Society

The Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter-day Saints

c/o XXXXXXXX

RAK - the Sequal

We gathered our YM/YW for Random Acts of Kindness this Wednesday.  As they gathered at the building for opening exercises, each youth had a number written in washable marker on their hand.  Boys were numbered separately from the girls so each group would have at least one young man or young woman in it.  We live in a small town, a bit isolated from larger shopping areas, so we loaded up our vans and headed for the nearest mall.  The group was divided into groups numbered 1-4 and given a bag with the following items in it:

        A Tootsie Roll Pop

        A pack of gum

        A $1 bill

        2 Quarters

        A diaper (wrapped in plastic and sized)

        Baby wipes 

        A flower

        A helium balloon

        A pass along card

        An individually wrapped bag of popcorn

        Pen/pencil/index cards/Post-It Notes/painters' tape

        Random Acts of Kindness Cards

        A list of kind acts to do

        A copy of the safety precautions and rules

Once they were in the mall they were off!

 

Each item was given a point value that was chosen at "random."  I did this by rolling a die and giving each item a point from 1-5.  (The point value was only once no matter how many people they smiled at!  :)  The youth were instructed to tell people they were a church group and explain their activity.  They met with some skepticism if they forgot to do this.  At the end of the activity, points were tallied and the winning team was given a bag of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups to share.  We gathered for smoothies afterwards to hear about their experiences and the reactions of those they encountered.

RULES FOR RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

**Please enjoy this experience!  Watch for reactions and listen to comments.  The point is to make someone's day a little brighter.  Be bright!  Smile!**

1. All points awarded are randomly selected.  Not one thing is given a higher point value because it is "harder to do."
2. Stay with your group or in pairs at all times.
3. ASK PERMISSION!  "May I help you?" "Can I push your wheelchair?" 
4. DO NOT give anything to a lone child.  Find one with a parent and ask the parent if you can given the child the balloon/candy, etc.
5. DO NOT LEAVE THE BUILDING OR GO OUTSIDE.
6. If an act has already been done, do not do it again.  Do not give a woman with a flower, another flower.  If a diaper and wipes have been placed at the changing station, do not leave 4 diapers and 4 packages of wipes.
7. Giving a package of gum is the same as giving a stick of gum.  There is no point value difference.
8. No points are given for preprinted notes.  You will receive a point for notes that you write yourselves.
9. Please do not place anything sticky on something it may damage.  If you have a sticky note to leave, please apply it where it will come off freely.
10. Set your cell phone alarms to meet at the mall entrance at 8:00 p.m.for a return to the building.  Please all meet at the same time so we can return for smoothies and to give out awards.

This activity took a little bit of planning but I think that most worthwhile activities do.  We enjoyed watching them and they enjoyed the experience.  It was a good missionary prep activity taking them a little out of their comfort zone to meet strangers with a smile.  I think it is a good idea to have groups of mixed classes to have the older ones help the younger ones as many of the Laurels and Priests have had leadership experiences that they can draw on.

       

Random Acts of Kindness

It's Random Acts of Kindness Week.  Here is a list of things you can do in your community, mall, or shopping center with your youth that are free or almost free.

1.  Write a thank you note

2.  Chalk someone's driveway with a positive message

3.  Open a door for someone--be dramatic and smile!

4.  Deliver candy or cookies to the local fire department

5.  Leave flowers for the nurses in the emergency room

6.  Re-shelve misplaced items in the store or library

7.  Leave notes with a happy thoughts in the store

8.  Help bag items in the local store

9.  Thank a soldier for his service

10.  Volunteer to sweep the floor in a store or fast food place.

11.  Give out carnations to ladies you see

12.  Give a balloon to a child

13.  Leave coupons for items in the store

14.  Pick up trash

15.  Return shopping carts

16.  Smile at someone

17.  Ask if you can help--then help

18.  Say hello to someone

19.  Place paper hearts on several cars in the parking lot. 

20.  If someone drops something, pick it up for them

21.  Text a compliment to someone other than your friends

22.  Compliment a man or woman on his/her child

23.  Play the piano at the local assisted living facility

24.  Leave a joke on someone's car.

25.  Tape a microwave popcorn to a Red Box

26.  Leave a diaper at the changing station in the restroom

27.  Feed the birds in the local park or parking lot

28.  Sing a song, recite a poem, or leave a poem to/for someone

29.  Compliment a worker or cashier

30.  Hide a positive note in a book at the library.

Have your youth gather for root beer floats and talk about their evening experiences doing kind things for others.  Sometimes even the smallest kindness can make a difference.

Here is a link for some very cute Random Acts of Kindness cards to leave behind of you need them.

http://www.sowonderfulsomarvelous.com/2010/04/random-acts-of-kindness-cards-free.html

Reservation Quilts Service Project

If you are looking for a service project for your YW, the Lakota Pine Wood Indian Reservation in South Dakota is the home of the Oglala Sioux Indians.  The residents of this reservation are living dire poverty and in extreme weather conditions.  The Friends of the Pine Ridge Reservation has many drives and service projects available for YW.  The reservation needs school supplies, blankets, coupons, books, arts and craft supplies.  Raising needed items or sewing/knitting/crocheting some of their requested items would make for great Value and service projects. http://friendsofpineridgereservation.org/

Our small group of Laurels made quilts last week to send to their Baby Shower.  They learned how to put the quilts together and tie them.  They were excited to know that they were helping these babies with a worthwhile project and enjoyed each others' company, talking and laughing.  (My pictures of the girls working on the quilts were lost but I have the finish product to show.)

Dating and Dating Etiquette Night

Some of your younger girls will be nervous as well as excited as they approach dating age.  Group dating, of course, helps break the ice and relieve the tension of trying to think of something to say and do on a date.  Here are some things we used in a Dating and Dating Etiquette Night. 

If  he asks for a kiss...give him one of these:

Hints and Etiquette:
  Be yourself
  Be polite and pay sincere compliments
  Invite him in and introduce him to your family
  Let him help you with your coat and open doors for you
  Wear modest clothing for ALL occasions
  Be home on time
  If eating out, let him suggest an idea so you have an idea what price range he has in mind
  Have fun and thank him!


Manners:
  Don't do all the talking
  Don't lower your standsrds
  Don't let him honk the horn for you
  Don't keep him waiting
  Don't spend the night talking to friends on the phone or texting other people
  Don't criticize your date or put yourself down
  Don't sit in the car or outside after a date, go into the house to talk.

Talk about:
  What did you do today?
  Tell me about your family?
  Have you always lived in this area?
  What is your favourite subject or who is your favourite teacher?
  What do you like to do?

Inexpensive Dates:
  Picnic
  Inner tubing
  Bicycling
  Games
  A movie night at home
  Breakfast at sunrise
  Nature walk
  Beach
  Skating
  Constellation search
  Free movies or concerts
  Make dinner together and eat on the porch

Value Tablecloths

Most of us have tablecloths to dress up our YW tables.  It's nice to have one in each of the Values for the Value you are focusing on.  Holiday ones are especially fun!  These make a very easy YW sewing night.  Have the girls bring a yard of fabric and hem each one. A trip to the fabric store to pick out their fabric can be a great activity also. They can be stored in your closet for easy access and the girls will enjoy having "their" tablecloth on the table!

Planning an Activity Sheets

I searched high and low the other day looking for a planning sheet I thought would meet my needs.  I finally decided to make one of my own that had all the categories and info I wanted on one page and a How To sheet for the YW.  We'll be using these to plan our YW in Excellence.  Maybe you can use them too.