I Am Beautiful

We had a great YW activity last week involving the Beehives and the Mia Maids. I got the idea from my SIL in Provo. We tweeked it a bit. It was a 10 day beauty challenge to learn to love yourself inside and out. We tweeked it to 7 days. We had journals printed up and each girl got a cute T- shirt with the words " Be Beautiful" . We had 7 speakers talk about each of the 7 challenges.....they were fabulous. Some even gave cute handouts/prizes to the girls. Jami had them running around inside the church for a few minutes...which was fun for all the on-lookers in the halls. We had yummy healthy refreshments of smoothies and low-fat scones ( with the recipes). It was a fun night and we even had the perfect CD to go with the theme ( a friend of mine had made a few years ago...but the words were perfect). Nordstrom's even donated a little lotion and perfume sample pack for the girls and presenters. Thanks to everyone who helped us out....Suzie, Brookie, Heather, Kalisi, Amanda, Gillian, and Jami. Thanks to the Beehive leaders for the cute table and refreshments. I hope the girls do their challenges and learn and grow.

Read the Book of Mormon

I hope all of you are reading your Book of Mormon. Sister Hoffmann is sending a text everyday but hopefully you are reading more than just that when you have time. It would be so great if everyone would take the challenge and finish the whole book this year. I know we can do it. It will bless your life, I promise. xoxo

Top Off Your Sunday..make it special!

Top Off Your Sunday...Make it Special!

Leadership Skills for Young Women

Suzie Romans

June 2011

1. Dress your Sunday best- be appropriate and show respect. Put on your

finery that is clean, modest and becoming as a daughter of God.You set

an example and can inspire others.

2. Conduct your Sunday best- learn to use an agenda and conduct a

meeting that uplifts and brings the spirit into the room. Be prepared,

organized,confident, poised and appropriate. It will help you now and

many times in the future...maybe even a future job.

3. Lead you Sunday best- learn how to lead music. Good music can bring

the spirit in like nothing else. Practice ahead of time so you are prepared.

Smile and sing out. Be joyful and happy.

4. Act your Sunday best- Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to

someone who may need a friend, speak to other young women and adults....

maybe someone new each week. Look for a way to include others and make

them feel welcome. Get outside yourself and reach out. People always

remember how you made them feel.

BE YOUR VERY BEST!

Using an Agenda

1. An agenda is a written plan showing the order of what is to be discussed or is to take place.

2. An agenda encourages preplanning of each meeting, including the appropriate amount of time

required for each agenda item. You are in control of the meeting.

3. Persons responsible for items on the agenda should be identified and notified ahead of time.

4. A review of the previous meeting’s agenda can ensure continuity and follow-up.

5. Review the agenda ahead of time so you are prepared and clear on things.

6. A copy of the agenda can be given to the secretary to keep as a record.

7. An agenda can help keep things on track and timely. It helps you with your confidence.

8. An agenda makes a meeting more effective and special. It helps you reach your goal for the meeting.

Conducting a Meeting

1. Prepare an agenda. Schedule a room in which to meet and start on time. The secretary can

help prepare the agenda and keep minutes.

2. Contact those that will take part and make sure they know the order of the meeting. Arrange

for the opening and closing prayer. Before the meeting begins, invite all to take their places

and be reverent.

3. Where appropriate, arrange for prelude music to be played at least 5 minutes before the

meeting begins. Make sure the chorister and pianist are prepared and know what songs are to

be sung. Be sure to have song books available if possible.

4. Arrive early and make sure that everything is ready and that the room is set up correctly.

5. Know the names ( have them written down) of any guest and introduce them to the group.

Welcome any bishopric members, stake visitors or other visitors by name and introduce them

to the group.

6. Depending on the meeting, a prayer meeting could be held to check last minute details and

have a prayer to invite the spirit into the meeting.

Your greeting sets the tone of the whole

and is a vital part.

Gratitude

"Gratitude expressed to our Heavenly Father in prayer for what we have brings a calming peace-a peace which allows us to not canker our souls for what we don't have. Gratitude brings a peace that helps us overcome the pain of adversity and failure. Gratitude on a daily basis means we express appreciation for what we have now without qualification for what we had in the past or desire in the future. A recognition of and appreciation for our gifts and talents which have been given also allows us to acknowledge the need for help and assistance from the gifts and talents possessed by others."

--Robert D. Hales, "Gratitude for the Goodness of God", Ensign, May 1992, 63

Elder Holland's Testimony of the Book of Mormon

Are you reading the Book of Mormon everyday....that is how you will get a testimony.

IS THE THANK-YOU NOTE STILL RELEVANT TODAY?

By Cindy Edwards

Yes, absolutely. In our fast-paced world, it is more important than

ever to slow down and be grateful.

I remember as a young girl receiving a beautiful powder blue envelope

addressed just to me. I opened it to retrieve a matching note card that

bore the monogram of one of my best friend’s mother. I had taken her

a small gift while she was recovering from surgery. It was such a small

token, but the note that she wrote made me feel like it was the best gift

in the world. It was sweetly written and made me feel so grown up. I have

never forgotten that feeling, and I hope that every time I write a note it

makes someone else feel just that wonderful.

There is something special about the hand-written note.Whether

conveying your appreciation for a wedding gift, a dinner invitation or

a thoughtful gesture, the thank-you note will always be an important

part of a civilized society. Emails and phone calls are certainly acceptable

ways of expressing your gratitude, but I believe the hand-written note is the best.

Some people dread note-writing and put it off until the task is so daunting

that they simply cannot catch up. Here are a few tips that make note-writing

easy and fun:

Purchase beautiful stationery, note cards or paper. This is a fabulous

way to express yourself. The choices are limitless in price and style.

Try to avoid preprinted “thank you” cards.

Examples of Stationery

Half sheet/letter sheet
This is my personal favorite. Many people consider this the most formal

form of stationery. They are traditionally ecru and sometimes white.

They have a fold along the left-hand side and must be folded again in

order to fit into the smaller envelope. I use the half sheet for almost everything

from replying to invitations to sympathy notes.

Informal/folded notes

Usually personalized with a woman’s married name, these are small note cards

in various colors that fold over and fit into small envelopes. Informals are actually

not “informal” for today and are perfect for thank yous, sympathy and replying

to invitations.

Correspondence cards

These are more informal than the above mentioned. They are flat cards perfect

for thank yous and correspondence of any nature. Correspondence cards are

very appropriate for men to use in almost all situations that require stationery.

Try to write notes in a timely manner, preferably within a week of the

event or receipt of the gift. Keeping note cards in a convenient place with

your address book, good pen and stamps will make it easier. Whether it is

beside your bed or at your desk by your computer, keeping supplies handy

will make them accessible and remind you of what you need to do. Even if

you do not get to it right away it is never too late to thank someone for a kind

gesture.

Five easy steps to the perfect note:

Step 1: Greeting
Dear Mary

Step 2: State what you are grateful for
Thank you for the lovely flowers that you sent for my birthday.

Step 3: Write two or three sentences of why it was special
You know how I adore roses.

They were so beautiful and made my house smell divine.

Step 4: Repeat your thanks
Thanks again for remembering me in such a lovely way.

Step 5: Closing
Fondly,
Cindy

When you should send a note:

Following the receipt of a gift

To express sympathy

Following a dinner party or overnight stay

To express congratulations

Any time someone does something nice for you.

Take time to express your thanks. It will not only make

someone else feel good, it will enrich you.