YW in Excellence Theme...Fireworks!

In just a couple of weeks we are celebrating the accomplishments of the YW in our ward at Young Women in Excellence.  

It's a night for the girls to show the leaders and their parents the value projects they've worked on throughout the year.

This year we are having a fireworks themed event.  I'm so excited!  

I was looking for decorating ideas and found an adorable and cheap idea!  The blog I found it on is AWESOME!!  Check it out here!! 

How cute are these coffee filter flowers?  They have so much potential!  We can really make them look like fireworks.  I thought that we could color them with the different value colors!

We are on a very tight budget this year so this will work perfectly!  I also thought that paper pleated circles would be cute in the value colors.  

So cute!!  The possibilities are endless!  

The girls have a spark in them and that can be ignited by Personal Progress.

I feel so strongly that it can.  It WILL change a young woman for the better.

I have sparklers for all the girls for their handout and reminder that they can explode with confidence, color, virtue and everything else that is good and wholesome if they will follow the Prophet and this inspired program.

Personal Progress

In the Mormon church we have a program for girls 12-18 called Personal Progress.  It's an amazing program!  I completed mine when I was a youth and have such great memories of the projects I worked on.  The girls work on different goal and projects and when they are finished they earn a beautiful medallion.   I also make each girl who completes them a temple quilt.  The quilt pictured it not the one I made.  I found the pattern on Sugardoodle.com.   

I really believe that this program could help all girls!  It is a religious program but the fundamentals taught can be applied to anyone!

Here are the different values that the girl work on, Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Choice & Accountability, Good Works, Integrity and Virtue.  What human being wouldn't be changed by realizing their worth as a human and a child of God?  What person wouldn't benefit from looking and examining their lives when it comes to integrity and good works?  What girl wouldn't benefit from knowing who she is?  And knowing that she is beautiful JUST the way she is?  All of us would benefit!

These are some of the experiences I've worked on so far...I studied about prayer and how to be a better mother.  I know that God loves me.  I developed talents and was able to participate in performing.  I became more selective about the TV shows I watch and what music I listen to (you KNOW there is really bad stuff out there).  I learned how important serving one another is and how it can truly brighten someone's day!  

This program changes lives!  It changes them for the better!  I don't know of anyone who has completed the experiences and has been changed for the worst.  It just doesn't happen.  

You don't have to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
Day Saints to participate!  I can get you the materials you need.  

Right now I am working on my Faith value project.  For all 8 values a 10 hour project must be completed.  I am memorizing The Living Christ.  Memorization does NOT come easily to me.  

I found a link of my bloggy friend's blog.  I printed out the flash cards and will memorize it that way.  I've memorized 9 out of 23 cards so far!

All my life I've never really been good at setting goals and finishing them.  I'm scared I'll fail.  I'm scared now too.  But I know that I can do this!  It's a very long document but it's so important.  I know Jesus Christ is real.  

I know that he loves ALL of us no matter what!  There are those crazy religious people out there that thing that God doesn't love us if we make mistakes or choose to live different lifestyles.  To them I say this, you are wrong!  God and Jesus Christ love us all!  Do they like our choices sometimes?  Of course not.  But we aren't "punished" because we played the slots or did this or that.  

I had a friend's mom tell her that her child got cancer because she played the slot machines.  WHAT??  Please make these people stop!  

Did I do something wrong and that's why both my boys have Hirschsprung's Disease?  Heavens no!  We live in an imperfect world and things like this just happen.  

Doing my Personal Progress has helped me realize all of this!  I'm becoming a better person (at least I hope so).   

Thanks for letting me step on my soap box for just a sec!  And seriously let me know if you want more info! 

Tender Mercies

Yesterday was a no good, horrible day.  I seem to be having these a lot lately.  Somehow in sorrow God is always there for me.  And He is there for you too.  Here's a GREAT quote...

"The tender mercies of the Lord are real and they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Often, the Lord's timing of His tender mercies helps us to both discern and acknowledge them."

-Elder David A. Bednar

I love this!  I just want to share the tender mercies that I was given yesterday.  I know that Elder Bednar is right, they don't occur randomly!

I wanted to go to the cemetery so I could "visit" with my Grandma.  I know that angels are all around us and I needed to feel her and talk to her.  She had a still born baby in 1936.  Notice the date.  Yesterday was the 6th.  I didn't know that the date was September 6th.

 Anyway, as I was sitting and pondering I felt this overwhelming love from my Grandma and Grandpa Kusch.  And I realized how much they loved me here on Earth and continue to love me from Heaven.  I wasn't sad anymore.  I was so happy!  I remembered what their love felt like and it one of the most comforting feelings I've had.  I was only in 4th grade when my Grandpa died.  I have so many fond memories of him taking us to the coffee shop and showing us off!  He was so proud of us.  And my Grandma Kusch loved me so much!  We had a very special relationship.  She would call every Saturday morning and we'd talk.  We'd also write letters back and forth.  She used a typewriter and I still have every letter!  Tender Mercy 1.

Tender Mercy 2...I have a project that I want to start working on but I needed dandelions for it.  It's not Spring.  You can't find any!  They were all over the cemetery.  They hadn't mowed the lawn that week and I was able to grab all the "wishes" I wanted to!  

Tender Mercy 3...Before I left for the cemetery I had a thought to check the mail.  My friend Steve had mailed me an "ugly" card!  I laughed so hard!  He also sent an amazing CD too!  I BLASTED that all the way to the cemetery.  Thanks Steve!

Tender Mercy 4...Last night we had the opportunity to hear from Jean Keaton.  She's an amazing artist.  Her story was so touching and inspiring.  I needed to hear her stories and see those prints!  This one is one of my favorites.

 Tender Mercy 5...When I got home from the activity Auds was at my house.  I love her like a sister!  She is so loving and kind and tell it like it is.  I love that about her.  She and the Hubs helped me a lot last night.  

I felt so blessed as I went to bed last night.  It would have been so easy for me to focus on the negative but look at everything I would have missed out on!  I love God and His Son Jesus Christ.  My life would not be complete without my relationship with them.  

You Say Let It Go...

I've really been loving Christian Rock lately.  It totally boosts my moods and makes me feel like I can let God in and have Him help me.  I found this song about letting go.  I love the message it has.  Let go and let God, right?  

I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off of my shoulders.  Enjoy a little Christian Rock!

Yaweh or No Way? I "heart" Colbert!

Are you a Colbert Nation fan?  I am.  I saw this clip and HAD to share!  It's hilarious! 

           

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Yahweh or No Way? - Mormons & God's Poll Numbers
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

       

Temple Rag Quilt

I saw this amazing pattern on Sugardoodle.  I have one of my YW who has just completed the program and I'm going to make this for her.  In fact, I'm going to make one for every girl who completes the program and earns her medallion.  Here's the pattern.

I can't wait to get started!

Blessings

I rarely post videos on my blog but this one deserves to be shared.

Today I am overwhelmed with the amount of blessings that are being poured out on me.  

I need money for the upcoming trip to the Netherlands.  We are going there as a singing group to perform and I know that there will be opportunities for missionary work.  My friends are helping me come up with ideas on how I can raise the money.  They are amazing!

Today I checked my email and learned of an opportunity to make some money.  

God is good to those that are faithful.  I am NOT perfect!  But God knows our hearts and our intentions.  He loves us.

I love music!  I love uplifting music.  It doesn't have to be performed by an LDS artist to be uplifting.  I am just discovering how amazing Christian music can be also.  Here is one of the most amazing songs ever!

Girls Camp Gone Wild

We had such an amazing time at girls camp this year.  We camped at Rose Ranch Resort down in Southern Utah.  It was such a perfect place to set up our tents!  We had the entire place to ourselves!  And yes, we even brought the dog!

Because of the wet, late Spring the Cotton Trees were in FULL bloom.  Our allergies were loving that!

The hubs was able to be one of the leaders too!

Our Camp!

Getting our craft on!

Skit time...it was hilarious!

Using my free time very wisely!

Things got very silly one night!  

And yes, of course I made a total fool out of my self!  The girls loved it.

We might be small in numbers but we are mighty in heart! More picts to come!

Getting Ready For Conference

General Conference is this weekend!  I always print out packets for my kids so they can be working on something fun and spiritual as they listen and watch.  

I am excited to hear our leaders guide and instruct us.  

I am really excited that there are some FUN General Conference Packets out there.  I was especially excited about the packet made just for the youth.  I printed it out and will deliver a copy and some treats to all of my young women this week.  

Click HERE for packets.  Thank you so much to those who are talented and generous!  Thank you for sharing these with us!

The BEST Sacrament Meeting EVER

I wish all Sunday Sacrament Meetings were like the one we had on Sunday.  For those of you that really know me you know that I've ALWAYS had a special place in my heart for those that are disabled or mentally challenged.  When I was in 6th grade we could volunteer in the special needs class and I did.  I loved it more than anyone will ever know.  I volunteered for the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic games and was so sad that I wasn't able to volunteer at the paralympics.  I remember my mom joking with me that I'd rather watch the paralympics than the regular olympics.  

I was a little surprised as I walked into the chapel on Sunday and saw a group of special people sitting up there.  I had never seen that before.  It was a very special group that participate in a special mutual.  The mutual serves 17 stakes and they rotate through the Salt Lake valley putting on special sacrament meetings.  

The YW president stood up first to bear her testimony.  I was so envious of her.  She talked about the love that everyone has for each other.  They don't judge each other.  They are just filled with the most unconditional love another human being can have.  Each one of them stood to bear their testimonies of the Savior and the gospel.  

The most touching moment for me was when a girl sang a solo.  She sang "I'm Trying to be Like Jesus."  It was so sweet and perfect.  

They are putting on a talent show next month and you know I'll be there!  I can't wait.  Who wants to come cheer them on with me?  Let me know!

Service Subway Art

This is my handout for a class I'm teaching up at BYU-Idaho in a couple of weeks.  My class is on service and how it can change OUR lives.  I'm really excited about it.  And I really do love how this turned out.  Want me to make you one?  I will!  Just send me what subject you want and I'll create it and send you the file as a jpg.  I'd LOVE to.  Just shoot me an email with the subject you want and I'll get right to work!  Send them to tami.warner@gmail.com

GIVEAWAY - Sabbath Morning CD

I am so excited about this giveaway.  This CD is honestly amazing.  

"Sabbath Morning is designed to help prepare your heart and mind to take the sacrament.  This collection of reverent and beautiful arrangements of hymns is performed by Jenny Phillips and the award-winning Jenny Phillips Choir.  Fill your home with powerful and peaceful music on the Sabbath morning."

Here are the details:  Leave me a comment and you get one entry.  

Follow me and you get another entry.

Blog about this giveaway and yes, you get another entry.

Mention this giveaway on your facebook page and...you guessed it another entry. 

If you Tweet about it let me know and you get another entry.  
If you join Jenny's email list you get one more entry!
Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  
I'll pick the winner on Friday, October 29th.  Good luck!

These CDs also make amazing gifts for Christmas!  Jenny is selling these CDs for only $3 a piece when you order 10.  Head on over to her website to order! 

Oh and did I mention that I had the amazing opportunity to record a song on this CD?  I did! 

13th article of faith

Here's another video Jenny put together. The 2011 theme is the 13th Article of Faith. I absolutely love Jenny and the amazing work she does. It really has been an honor to work with her.

Happily Ever After

This is a video that Jenny Phillips made to go along with her CD for the 2011 youth theme. It's amazing. And my son is in it! He's the curly haired boy that says that princesses like to sit and watch TV. He also is in it later in the video. It has such a great message.

Sabbath Morning CD

This CD is available to download now!  You can also pre-order it HERE.  My cute mom ordered 20 copies to give out to neighbors, friends and family for Christmas gifts.  You can bulk order them for only $3 each when you order 10 or more.  Oh yea...did I mention that I have a solo on the CD?  I do!  I crossed off number 6 on my life list.

Sabbath Morning is designed to help prepare your heart and mind to take the sacrament. This collection of reverent and beautiful favorite soloists arrangements of hymns is performed by Jenny Phillips, some of her ,and her award-winning Choir. Fill your home with powerful and peaceful music on the Sabbath morning.

As soon as I get the CD in my hot little hands I will do a giveaway!