Hobble Creek 15th Ward
Young Women 2010
Leaders: President – Alisa Corfield, 1st Counselor – Cecilie Brothers, 2nd Counselor – Allyson Evans, Secretary – Teresa Warner, Laurel Advisor – Chris Sisk, Mia Maid Advisor – Meredith Carlson, Beehive Advisor, Natalie Ross
By the end of 2010 we had 38 beautiful, strong, and courageous Young Women in our Ward. Four girls graduation and moved onto the singles ward. We welcomed in 8 New Beehives (Megan Morrill, Courtney Mackay, Alexis Monson, Ireland Thomas, Shaylynn Swenson, Abigail Holman, Kaylee Whittaker, and Emme Franks).
The overall theme for 2010 was found in Joshua 1:9 – Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord they God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. We incorporated the theme in many lessons, activities, and Bishops youth firesides as we talked about strategies of gaining courage and strength.
The Young Women, their leaders, and several mothers are working hard in their Personal Progress. We have had six individuals earn their young women recognition (Brooke Holman, Kajsia Anderson, Madison Crandall, Madison Monson, Suzanne Gordan, and Tawnya Monson). Two YW also earned a bee medallion (Brandi Anderson and Shay Crandall). Many others have earned numerous ribbons. We are pleased with each young women and the progress they are making.
We started out the year with a challenge for each YW to “feast” upon the words of Christ by reading the Book of Mormon in 6 months. The girls were served tiny portions of food as we talked about how often we just “nibble” rather then feasting upon the words in the scriptures. We also played a concentration game and learned about the Book of Mormon Characters. In the end 32 girls accomplished this goal and were treated to a true feast. At that dinner we had them bring items that were related to a scripture in the Book of Mormon as we tried to stump the Bishopric by seeing if they could figure out which scripture the item went with.
Our Theme for New Beginnings was “YW Under Construction.” Each girl was given a toolbox with “tools” that would help them be successful in their personal progress. The girls participated in musical numbers and talks to inform and remind everyone what the Young Women’s program is about and how it helps develops testimonies and character.
One highlight of the year was attending the Heber Valley camp in July. The theme was Camp ROCKS. The week was full of events that built unity and taught gospel principals. Testimony night was a night that all who was in attendance will never forget as these beautiful young women shared profound testimonies of the Savior and the gospel.
For youth conference we went down to Sand Hollow. Our theme was FAST: Families are stronger together. We started the adventure by having several vehicles, including our trailer with gear get stuck in the sand. The youth really worked hard together, unloading everything, carrying it down to our campsite, and helping push the vehicles out in hot weather. It ended up being a great lesson on how when we work together as a “family” we can overcome tough challenges. That night we played games and had a fireside. The next day we hiked in Zions and water skiied. To cap the conference off we gave the youth letters from their parents and had a testimony meeting.
Other activities that stand out was a Father/Daughter activity were we learned Ballroom dancing and Hip Hop. We had a wedding dress fashion show were the girls wore their mothers’ dresses. We had a “seasoned” couple talk about the blessings of the temple, and a young couple who was to be married that week express their excitement of living their lives so they could now be married in the temple. We had a successful service activity at the food cannery. We also put benches in a park and collected items for a third world country. We did a day trip to the Manti temple where we did baptisms for the dead to finish the work many members of our ward had done.
Young Women in Excellence was a wonderful event. The theme was “Happily Ever After.” We made a giant book where we focused on the things we had done throughout the year. With each turn of the page, a young women would stand up and bear their testimony on how that event had an impact in their life. The musical numbers were outstanding and the spirit could be felt. We ended with a video sharing a portion of Brother Uchtdorf’s talk. We gave each YW a binder and told them to write their own Happily Ever After and live so it can come true.
I’m grateful to report that the youth of the church is strong. These Young Women want to do what is right and are striving to do those things that will bring them closer to Christ. It is a blessing to learn from them each and every week.
