Time Out For Young Women 2011

Today was wonderful!  We had our first annual Stake activity called "Time Out For Young Women".  The idea behind this activity was to give the young women and their leaders a spiritual "time out".  Life is so busy!  We are constantly going from one thing to the next - work, chores, callings, sports, activities, hobbies, parties, and more!  Sometimes, we need a "time out"!

We opened the morning making journal jars.  Everyone got a jar (the kind used when you make jams & jellies).  There were various pieces of decorative material and ribbon the girls could choose from to decorate their journal jar cover.  We had hot glue guns set up along the perimeter to help secure the decorations to the jar lids.  Then the girls got slips of paper, in the YW values colors, with a journal prompt typed out.  One slip was blank, giving them the opportunity to choose their own topic.

Journal Jars

After the journal jar activity, the girls were given "service coupons".  They had to choose a YW in their ward that they could do service for, fill out the coupon, and give it to that girl.  This was a nice way to cultivate service among the YW.

The highlight of the day was the standards activity.  Each ward was given a type of attire they had to create using newspaper.  The outfits had to meet church standards.  They had a limited amount of time to create their designs.  When the time was up, the girls came to the stage and modeled their outfit while their YW leader shared a little bit about their design.  President Yuen has music playing while the girls modeled.  It was so cute!  I couldn't believe how creative the girls, leaders, and even Priesthood were.  Below are a couple of pictures from this activity.

The Fabulous Young Women models!

Kamalani and her newspaper pants complete
with matching purse, flower head band, bracelet and buttons!

Next thing on the agenda . . . ZUMBA!  Lala Johnson from the Waiehu Ward was set up in the Gym.  She had the music going and the girls and leaders did 45 minutes of Zumba.  When Sister Wunder said it was the last song, she actually got "booed" by the crowd! LOL - Everyone was enjoying themselves too much to end!

During lunch Sister Trish (Tupou) Lavaka was our luncheon speaker.  She did a fantastic job sharing her testimony and speaking on the topic "Choices".  Her personal experiences were very touching and brought the  Spirit into the room.  While she was speaking Kamalani turned to me and said, "Mom, she's my role model!  Her and Leka!"

To close the event I had the opportunity to share with girls and leaders our idea to have a marching unit in the parade.  The girls were very enthusiastic in their response and most of them raised their hand in support.  As Stake Leaders, we were very happy to see their positive response.  Kamalani gave the closing prayer and the everyone headed to the Gym to break open the beautiful star pinata Sister Wunder had made.

It really was a wonderful day!  While Kamalani and I were at this special activity, Llewellyn and the three boys were giving service, painting Malia's house, and doing the yard of an elderly member.  How grateful I am that today, we were all following President Hinckley's counsel to be "anxiously engaged in a good cause"!