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Thanksgiving 2014

Family Thanksgiving 2014- Mason, Jessica & Alene -John, Libby, Ashlee & Mikayla - Denver & Bree - Sam, Heidi, Carlee, Preston, Audrey & Cole.

Sam and Heidi were  so gracious to host Thanksgiving at their home this year.

Theme- gold and silver with a touch of woodland.

The kids table-

The children helped create the kids table-

 

The food was fabulous- Sam smoked the turkey and made pies, Heidi made rolls and a million other little things, each of the families came with something to share. 

After eating the girls worked on a craft...tradition.

We made toe warmers- 2 pieces of fabric 8x10 one side was felt- trim- and rice to fill.

20 lbs of rice later.  Carlee warmed her's up right away.  (2-3 minutes in the microwave for hours of warmth)

After the crafting-

Let the games begin!  (Family Thanksgiving competition tradition.)  

Sam and Heidi came up with a few relay activities-

• shoot the ball off the tee
• suck up M&M's
• pick up marshmallows with chopsticks.

(see Denver's hand...he was so kind to hold Brees hair back)

 

 

Mason and Jessica took first place. =)

Fun!

We ended the day with Pie!

Strawberry, pecan and pumpkin!

Thank you Sam and Heidi for hosting- and thank you family for all you do!

What a blessing you are in my life!

The girls all went home with a few fun things- Smells of Christmas.  rice toe warmer- (I guess the boys get to keep the competition gift cards. =) 

and this Christmas Breakfast box- sharing this idea on Monday....stop by then.

 

More just for fun pictures- 

 

We all have gymnastic bars in our bark yard right? =) 

The kids/adults spent some time on this- Carlee challenged her Mother to a rope climbing contest- Carlee made it to the top in 8 seconds....beating her Mother just  by a couple seconds....On the other hand her Dad made it to the top in 4 second....using just his hands no legs.

 

 This little guy was my buddy all day...

Happy Day

The smells of Christmas-

Just a simple little gift for the girls- The Smells of Christmas.

(given to them at Thanksgiving)

1. Mulling spices from World Market
2. Round Spice jars- World Market
3. Tiny wood spoons...also World Market

Fill and label the jars-

Directions on back-

In a pot add half of the spices- cover with water and boil then turn to simmer

May add-

an Orange

Cinnamon stick

cranberries

Simmer and enjoy....add water as needed.

New Calling-

Many of you probably already know that I received a new calling about a month ago as Stake Young Women's President.  

( In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a "calling" is a position or assignment in which members have been asked to serve or perform.  Callings are voluntary and are usually for a few years) 

(part of my work as a auxiliaries President... is to give instruction and encouragement)

So far it has been a combination of several feelings....excitement/worry and inadequacy .

But....through it all we are marching on.... (I have amazing counselors and Secretary!)

We know it is a lot of work/Organization....and fun! 

and believe me... I believe in Fun.

We have been up to a boat load of fun that I can't wait to share....

More later (smile)

Happy Day

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

  

 

 

 

Young Women in Excellence- Happy Day

Turlock 2 ward "Girl on Fire"  They have a small group of girls that have worked hard to develop new skills as they complete their Personal Progress values. 

 

So wonderful to listen to their presentations and know that they are growing so much personally.

The Hughson Ward-  Young Women's 2014 theme- Come Unto Christ

The girls each presented their thoughts and testimony on one of the Young Women Values  along with some of the girls expressing their thoughts and Testimony on this song Come unto Christ- which they then sang.

 

 

The Young Women did a beautiful job of planning, conducting and following through with this activity. Well done.

   

Turlock 3rd Ward- D.O.T.S- Daughters Obeying the Savior

Awesome job ladies

Wonderful girls- beautiful special musical number- Come Unto Christ.

This is the last of the Young Women in Excellence programs that I will be sharing.  It has been a treat for me to attend them and begin on my journey to know the young women better.  

 Coming unto Christ isn’t a one-time event. Each time we do what He would have us do, we come closer to Him. That’s why doing the small and simple things, like studying the scriptures every day, saying our regular prayers each morning and evening (as well as praying always), and consistently living the standards has huge rewards.  

“As these Young Women participate in Personal Progress, they join with thousands of other young women who are striving to come unto Christ.”  

We are coming to the end of this year—a great time to reflect on what we’ve done and what we still want to do.  I have enjoyed seeing how the Young Women have taken this year’s Mutual theme  “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness” (Moroni 10:32), and using their Personal Progress goals to become the Young Woman they want to become.

To the Young Women-

“Personal Progress will help you strengthen your faith in and testimony of Jesus Christ as you learn His teachings and regularly apply them in your life.” Jesus Christ is the perfect example of all eight Young Women values. As you work on Personal Progress, your efforts will help you become more like Him.

Can't wait to meet with you again....keep up the glorious work.

Happy Day

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Young Women In Excellence-

More Young Women in Excellence

We need only be a friend-

 (missing Ruth in this picture...she came later from work and Sandi was away taking care of her daughter)

Kristy was so sweet as to open her home to a group of us...just because .....no real reason....but that she is a kind person and wanted to share.

Quite often I ask my grandchildren this question- "Do you know why I love you?"   I have done this over the years and they know now to answer...."You love me, Because I'm kind"  yes, that is right.... I love you because you are kind and show courage ...that is what is important.

I loved that Kristy invited us over- I love being around a group of women who treat each other with kindness and respect....who refrain from judging and criticizing. 

I think in all of us there is a longing for friendship, a deep yearning to belong....we need only be a friend. I realize Sometimes we need to guard our hearts when hurtful things have been said or untruths told....but we still can be kind and go forward with courage.

We need only be a friend....what a fun lunch date...awesome food...oh my goodness! 

Thanks Kristy and you beautiful ladies that shared your awesome rolls, fabulous dessert....and Yummy salad.

(PS Kristy I still need your recipe for that to die for quiche)

Having been so richly blessed by friendship, I know of the value of friends in my own life and express my gratitude to all of them. I know that when we offer ourselves in friendship, we make a most significant contribution to God’s work and to the happiness of His children. 

We need only be a friend.

Download Quiche Lorraine

 

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Enchanted Fall Gathering- the fun

My Style- mid-length sweater

• Plaid ankle pants- target
• ankle boots (not sure where I got them...they are a couple years old)
• mid-length brown sweater from Gap
• blue chambray  tailored shirt from Gap

The  sweater and shirt I purchased last year....I wear things until they wear out. =)

 

 

 

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My Style- Color block

My Style- Tomboy wrap

More Young Women in Excellence

Ceres 2nd - Beautiful evening beautiful girls....They shared their awards and talents along with a slide show from their Wards Young Women's Beach camp.  

 

Well done ladies.

Turlock 4 ward & 6th Branch-

The theme was fabulous . . . “black and white.”  It was an attempt to see the principles of the gospel in black and white . . . not to allow areas of gray to creep into our lives.  

 Wonderful to see the girls displays and accomplishments

Ceres 1st ward- "Each Young Woman is as unique as a snowflake"

(they have a very small unit...just two girls...but two very awesome girls!)

Three more units to visit....what fun!

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Young Women In Excellence-

Kent and Becca at the cabin-

Posted about Kent and Becca's visit. Click on over to....

the cabin under the pines

Enchanted Fall Gathering- at the cabin

All this week over at the cabin under the pines I will be talking about our Enchanted Fall gathering...come join us. 

Young Women In Excellence-

Patterson Ward: Theme- Awards Show- complete with twinkle lights, statue Moroni awards and red carpet.

"Young Women in Excellence is an event in which young women are recognized for the good things they are doing.  It is a celebration of Personal Progress.  Each young woman shares a value experience or value project she has completed during the year that exhibits excellence.  Her presentation may include talents and skills she has developed through her Personal Progress goals. "

 

I just  received a new calling- Stake Young Women's President.  Which I'm excited about, but also very nervous about.  (feeling very inadequate)

As part of my calling I have the awesome opportunities to visit all the different wards in our Stake..... like attending their   Young Women in Excellence programs. 

I thought I would share some pictures....so my friends in different parts of the World can see what we are up too...Sharing is awesome!

Patterson Ward Young Women- "Awards Show" The room was decorated with twinkle lights and an awesome red carpet that each Young Woman walked down to receive her awards.

 Each of these lovely girls shared a project she has or is working on from learning to cook, keeping family history, learning a song and singing it a different language,  talents in theater, sports, babysitting, quilt making, showing gratitude and making a gratitude jar  and even preparing for collage.  Wonderful examples and testimonies.

Beautiful evening.

That same evening Turlock 1st ward held their program- Theme- "Don't just Fly, Soar"  

The room was decorated with kites hanging from the ceiling. It was adorable and so well thought through. I loved that the evening was Young Women drive , Young Women led and Young Women focused. Sister Karen Potter gave a fabulous talk on how the gospel provides us with a sure foundation which allows us to soar even against the winds of opposition. The girls shared some outstanding accomplishments ranging from journal keeping and scripture reading to achieving academic goals and athletic goals. They where so ridículously articulate. Sweet testimonies were shared. Then Bishop Harris spoke to the girls about how even the smallest, seemingly insignificant decision can shape our lives.-  quote Becky

(I was unable to attend this Wards event...wish I could be two places at once...but my lovely counselor Becky took these pictures.)

 

 

Come unto Christ 

The Crows Landing Branch -"Come unto Christ "

Wonderful evening of sharing.  The Young Women shared  their projects ranging from  water painting, sewing, dance, genealogy, organization and much more. 

 

Their thoughts and testimonies were shared through music, displays and a slide show ...Beautifully done, you could tell the Young Women love their leaders and they are learning wonderful things.

“Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness” (Moroni 10:32).

It has been wonderful for me to attend these events....looking forward to the ones to come.

 (just wish I could go to all of them...some have been held on the same night) 

more to come.

Happy day-