Lesson 8: Eternal Families

Sister Gill taught a wonderful and thought provoking lesson this week on Eternal Families. Thanks to the girls for their comments and questions. It was comforting to know that we can be sealed for eternity with our families through temple work. Heavenly Father loves us and wants us all and (our families) to return to be with him.

"The whole aim and purpose of the gospel is to enable men and women—united as one in the Lord—to create for themselves eternal family units in eternity. Celestial marriage prepares us for the greatest joy and happiness known to mortals and for eternal life in the realms ahead. May we say, as many have done before, that what men call Mormonism is the very system of laws and truths which will make of earth a heaven and of man a god"

You cannot live with your families eternally unless you are striving now to live a celestial law. You will spend eternity in the kingdom you have prepared yourselves for, and it is worth every effort to qualify now for the blessings of the celestial kingdom.

Lesson 7: Our Life's Purpose

Sister Wade taught the lesson this Sunday. Here are a few quotes from the lesson.

"For nearly six thousand years, God has held you in reserve to make your appearance in the final days before the Second Coming of the Lord. Every previous gospel dispensation has drifted into apostasy, but ours will not. … God has saved for the final inning some of his strongest children, who will help bear off the Kingdom triumphantly. And that is where you come in, for you are the generation that must be prepared to meet your God.

All through the ages the prophets have looked down through the corridors of time to our day. Billions of the deceased and those yet to be born have their eyes on us. Make no mistake about it—you are a marked generation. There has never been more expected of the faithful in such a short period of time as there is of us"

We lived with our Father in Heaven for a long time before we were born and he knows everything about us...our strengths and weaknesses, our likes and dislikes, the depth of our faith and testimony, our talents and abilities, the feelings in our hearts. He knows how each of us can use these characteristics for our own best growth and for the building of the kingdom of God in these latter days.

Bi-Stake Activity and Dance

This is a chance for all the youth (14 and up) in the Gulfport and Hattiesburg area to get together for a day of learning and fun...and of course dancing. Here are a few pictures our Mia Maid girls who went. (There was a photo booth at the dance and as soon as I can get some photos to scan, I will post them on the blog)

Wed night Combined Activity

For this Wednesday night we were combined with the Young Men. We played a fun "Get to know you Game", where we all sit in a circle except for 1 person in the middle. Who then says something about themselves, and anyone who shares the same "something" MUST find another chair. Thus leaving someone else in the middle.

It may sound complicated but it is an easy/fun game. We found out favorite colors, that "people wear clothes", and a lot of other random pieces information.

I forgot to take pictures during the game, but I did grab some photos of everyone in the kitchen eating popcorn.

 Alyssa is caught off guard as I take her picture

 Sister Heinze snacking on some popcorn

Morgan and Sunshine...so cute!
(oh, and there is one of the YM. No big deal since this is the YW's blog :P )

Lesson 6: A Woman’s Responsibility to Teach

Sister Heinze did a wonderful job on this week's lesson of "Each young woman will understand and fulfill her responsibility to teach"

When we teach in the right way, we give others knowledge or abilities that they can use to improve their lives and the lives of others. Throughout your lifetimes, you will have opportunities to teach. You will teach in your present families; in school; among neighbors, friends, and peers; in your community; and in Church callings. You will also teach in their future family situations.

DC 88:118 "And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith"

Elder Boyd K. Packer said: "Much of what we do is teaching. Showing a youngster how to tie his shoe, helping a daughter with a new recipe, giving a talk in church, bearing testimony, conducting a leadership meeting, and, of course, teaching a class, all of this is teaching, and we are doing it constantly"

David O. McKay: "The home is the first and most effective place for children to learn the lessons of life: truth, honor, virtue, self-control; the value of education, honest work, and the purpose and privilege of life. Nothing can take the place of home in rearing and teaching children, and no other success can compensate for failure in the home"

February Wednesday Service Night

It is a  New Year and what better way to start off

the year by getting ourselves organized!

DC 132:8 "Behold, mine house is a house of order,

saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion."

Thanks to the girls offering their service,

the YW's room and closet are in working order.

Taking a break for a quick picture!

 Now a silly one!

 Ashley and Morgan are hanging our personal progress posters in the YW room.

Victoria gives Sister Shaw a hand.

Fast Sunday with the Relief Society

Today, we joined the Relief Society with their lesson. Sister James gave a wonderful lesson on "We are all special daughters to our Heavenly Father"

1 Samuel 16:7 "for the Lord seeth not as man seeth, for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart"

Sister James read the story You Are Special "Story of the Wemmicks" by Max Lucado. It was a wonderful book on discovering your self worth and realizing that you should not care about stars or dots. I encourage you to read this children's book, for it will touch your heart.

We are all God's children and we should always strive to love one another. John 13: 34  "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another" Each one of us is important to our Heavenly Father. We all may be different in our own ways, but the Lord loves each one of us unconditionally.

February Personal Progress Night

This night's personal progress was focused on finding "Worthwhile Qualities and Attributes of Others".

Part of the Individual Worth Value.

DC 18:10 10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

Do all you can to build others and make them feel of worth. Every day for two weeks notice the worthwhile qualities and attributes of others. Acknowledge them verbally or in writing. In your journal write what you have learned about the worth of individuals and how your own confidence grows when you build others

 Sister Stewart giving the Personal Progress lesson

 The girls working hard on their lists.

 Miss Morgan!

 Victoria stopping for a quick picture. Wait...is that a paper airplane in your hand? She is really working hard :)

 Our YW 'Angels'

Ashley and Raven working together