Sunday, May 1, 2016

new beginnings...

New Beginnings was a success.  We'd worked on it long enough... it ought to have been!  Being that the date was changed so many times, we've had almost four months to work on it, which was more than enough.  Here's what we came up with, after finding some cute ideas on Pinterest, praying a lot and working a lot more.

Our invitations were these cute arrows, which the girls and I made.  While making them, we had feathers everywhere and were coughing and choking for two days! 


We decorated the room with gold glittery arrows and gold and white polka dot arrows everywhere and I hung several of my own home arrows around the room.  Each table had a bundt cake on a pedestal with glittery arrows poking upward from the center of it (they were poked into styrofoam balls in the center).  The cakes were on gold chargers then sitting on top of cake pedestals on top of a "pile" of burlap.  On the side of each cake were two "Willow Tree" figurines.
Everything was gold and white and tan.

The cakes were so yummy!  When the program was over, the girls were able to eat the decorations!  They all served the cake to themselves and walked around having a little sliver from each of the cakes they wanted.  I was surprised that the leaders brought four different kinds... lemon, a delicious strawberry (which I have got to get the recipe for!), chocolate and a cinnamon pound cake that was to die for!



I can't believe I didn't get a picture of the little display table with the basket of 22 cute gifts for each of the girls... a bracelet with emblems representing the 2016 theme.



The bracelet represents the scripture, 2 Nephi 31:20: 20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

The arrow represents "Press Foward".  The anchor represents "Steadfastness in Christ".  The Love represents the "Love of God and All Man".  The Infinity symbol is "Eternal Life".   They are really cute bracelets.  The girls all loved them.

The program lasted about 40 minutes. Grace, who is serving as the Laurel President, conducted the evening.  I welcomed the girls and introduced the theme.  ZJ introduced the cute, new incoming 12 year olds.  Our new Personal Progress leader introduced her new enthusiastic ideas for getting the girls motivated and then eight of the girls had volunteered to give a less than 2 minute message about each of the values. I was impressed with each girl and the different directions they all went.  Our YW President, Kelli, gave a short message followed by the Bishop, who is always right on spot with his thoughts.  We love our bishop!  It was a really sweet program. 

I think that my happiest moment of the night was when Zee realized that one of the eight girls had not shown up.  Her value was Choice and Accountability.  So, after Zee realized this, she leaned over and said "I will just do hers."  While the first few girls were giving their talks, Zee must have been thinking about it hard because she stood up and gave a talk like she'd been preparing all week. 

This project was for Grace and Zee to work towards their own Personal Progress goals.  They worked hard helping make the invitations, interviewing the new 12 year olds, making 2 cakes, preparing the decorations and program.  It was a great opportunity for them and they really earned it! 

Liza and Aylabelle joined us.  The one thing that we had forgotten was to ask for someone to lead the music.  Being that I'm so not musical, it never crossed my mind once.  As the opening hymn was beginning, Liza asked if I wanted her to lead the music.  She jumped up and did the job!  Later, one of the moms came over and said, "You have to be a Corbridge!"  We had a good laugh.  I appreciated her recognizing the need and filling it without being asked!  Aylabelle loved the cakes and arrows and never made a peep during the whole evening.  I can't get over how well behaved she is in church.

It was truly a fun and lovely evening.  And I'm glad it's over!  ha!  Now, I'm on to my next fire already!

I'm off to spend the day with my Liza!  Life is good!

2 comments:

  1. I bought these for my YW and my daughter who serves therein. I read that the braided brown strap represents the 'feasting on the word' is there as a loaf of braided bread. And the white one might have been a pure (white, get it?) brightness. Something like that.

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