Sunday 21 February 2010

Closing time - every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.
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We had New Beginnings on Tuesday this week. Our theme was "Strengthen Home and Family" which is topic I've felt strongly about ever since I read this article by Sister Beck. ,

The night was super fun. We decorated the room with giant murals of families from the 1800's, 1950's, (I tried but failed to make one for the) 1970's, and (so I made two representing) recent years. I used a fantastic-like-a-fox (just saw that movie) mural generator you can check out here. I'm not giving you the name of the site, because it sounds kind of dirty but it isn't. For centerpieces we had bird houses, or rather: homes.
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The YW had previously (last week) filmed skits about strengthening families throughout different eras, and then my first counsellor, with the magic of iMovie, produced hilarious shorts which we revealed that night:
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"Wall of China" - In sepia, pioneer women sacrificing their dishes to build the Kirtland Temple. The smashing of the china was very dramatic. The idea was that our families are strengthened as we sacrifice to go to the temple.
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"Relief Society Knows Best" - A 1950's t.v. show starring the R.S. president's daughter as the R.S. president. The movie was supposed to show how R.S. strengthens families and teaches skills (an effort at transitioning ideas here) but mostly it was just funny.
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"Basketball Baptisms" - A 1970's skit in technicolor with awesome costumes about a failed effort to friendship some boys into the church en mass. The point of this one was that we need to have personal mission plans.
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"The Progress" - A modern situational comedy (music provided by The Office) of a mother and daughter attending the YW broadcast (hardly anyone was at the stake center, so true, so true) and their decision to work on personal progress together.
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After the films we presented personal progress books to the mothers along with a gold flower on a hairpin for them to wear to church after they have completed the virtue value experiences and project. Did you know that mothers can now earn the YW Recognition Award and receive a medallion? We also presented the Bishop with a gold tie and a virtue booklet with the same idea in mind.
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We recognized two young women, Jaclyn being one of them, for receiving their Young Womanhood Recognition Award (they both received their medallions last Sunday). The girls were each presented with a pair of 8 lb. weights to represent our theme of strengthening home and family and also to recognize them as our first young women to complete 8 values to earn the award. I'm so glad that Jaclyn finished her YW Recognition Award while I was in YW's with her. She is an exemplary young person to everyone - me included.

So I'm getting released today, which is a little sad, but New Beginnings was a great way to go out.
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9 comments:

Marie said...

Since there was no 80s representation in the family murals, I'll just say "I pitty da fool dat gets called to be the next YW president!"

Looks like an awesome night. I was very curious about the sounds-dirty-but-isn't website so I had to click on it. Great resource.

Kelly said...

Wow! Thanks for the website tips! I can't wait to see what organization sweeps you up next, they will be lucky for sure. Sure you don't want to move south? I could use some help.

Neighbor Jane Payne said...

Congrats on a job well done. I still remember your tar paper decorations a few years ago.

Thanks for the ideas on this. It sounds like a great New Beginnings.

Don't forget to let us know where they assign you next.

Kelly said...

It sounds like an amazing night! I'm sure it has to have been a bittersweet day being released after so long (hopefully more sweet than bitter!), but obviously you not only endured to the end, but you excelled to the end. Can't wait to hear what you're up to next!

Kelly said...

Oh, and I forgot to say I love the picture of you and Jaclyn. That's awesome that she got her Young Womanhood Recognition. I'm more than thrilled that all of my girls look up to her so much.

Ortensia Norton said...

What a great idea! I love the murals and the movies would have been fantastic.
I hope that today hasn't been too hard of a day for you. I'm sure in a few weeks you'll be relieved that your not starting a new project and that you get to be home on Tuesdays, full of happy memories!

Barb said...

It was class presidency meetings, BYC and BYD tonight. I'm relieved already.

Elizabeth said...

Sounds like you were released on the right day Sunday. I am sure you will be missed.

Jill said...

Wow, this sounds like an amazing New Beginnings! The murals sound cool and the videos sound amusing. What a great night for the girls and their parents, and what a great way for you to finish your time serving in Young Women's!