Maiziedaisy
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Monday, April 1, 2013
I mustache you a question?
So I have a new calling! I am out of YW and am now teaching the 12 & 13 year old Sunday School Class. What a fun group, and I really do love the new curriculum! Just to get them prepared for the lesson I created these fun little goodies to hand out during the week. The lesson was one in which they were able to share their favorite scripture about the Atonement, so I put the question on the back of the KitKat bar. Got to love those cute little mustaches!
Personal Progress Holders
Last year as a group we really focused on Personal Progress. This is one of the PP holders we made for each girl. It holds a journal, a pen, the For The Strength of Youth pamphlet, and their PP book.
I found this tutorial chocolateonmycranium to be very helpful! We got together as leaders to make these, but really they are simple enough that the girls could have made them for an activity. The only recommendation that I would make is to have everything pre-cut before hand.
Click Here for more Needle and Thread
For more crafting fun Click Here
I found this tutorial chocolateonmycranium to be very helpful! We got together as leaders to make these, but really they are simple enough that the girls could have made them for an activity. The only recommendation that I would make is to have everything pre-cut before hand.
Click Here for more Needle and Thread
For more crafting fun Click Here
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Craft Night
This last week we found out that our Young Womens President is moving. I wanted to find something fun the girls could do to show our love and appreciation for all that she has done for us, so we came up with the idea of making a little house warming gift for her and her family. It was so much fun! The girls helped to make 3 different projects. We made wooden spool dolls for her two little girls, painted wooden spoons, and I had fun following an online tutorial for making a casserole carrier.
The wooden spool dolls were by far my favorite. They are so addictive! Once you make one, you will find yourself wanting to try different colors, hairstyles, smiles, etc. Here is a couple of pictures I used for inspiration!
Most of the pictures I found were from people selling them on Etsy. Wunderkind was one shop that I found to be particularly inspiring!
Here are some pictures of some of the dolls the girls made that night.
It was so fun to see how everyone's turned out! They were all so different!
So now for just a small tutorial.
What you will need:
Vintage wooden spools, I found mine at Joann's in the wooden crafts section, but I imagine that they wouldn't be hard to find at any craft store.
Wooden knobs for heads. We used both wooden balls and the wooden knobs. The knobs have a flat surface on the bottom which make them much more easy to assemble.
Wooden dowels that fit inside the holes in the knobs and spools. You can manage without, but it makes it much easier to paint the heads if you have some way of holding the heads. I actually used the end of a spare paint brush as a sort of turntable instead. Also if you purchase the wooden dowels you can actually glue them inside the head and spool to give added support and keep the heads from coming off easier. I however did not do this on my first round. Luckily none of the heads have popped off yet, but I'm sure it will provide peace of mind against choking hazards if you do use the wooden dowels.
Floral foam to hold dowels.
Acrylic paint
Paint brushes, lots of different sizes and tips.
Superfine black paint pen or a hairline tipped black sketch pen for making eyebrows. I found that even the fine tipped paint pens were to thick and preferred to use one of my hubby's pens!
Elmers wet glue, some people use a hot glue gun, but I find that after it dries the wet glue holds much better.
Hot glue gun and glue
Clear Acrylic Sealer
OK, so now to get started. The first thing you will want to do is glue your dowel into your wooden knob and paint your hairline and hair. Doing the hairline first makes painting the face in so much easier. I like to do at least two coats to get my hair looking great. Three doesn't hurt either. If you want to make your wooden doll look like it has highlights you can dip the very tip of your paint brush in white or some other color and add a few streaks in while the first coat is still wet. I like to let that dry just a little before I carefully add the third coat of just the regular color on top, covering up any obvious streaks.
Next use your black paint pen or sketch pen to fill in the eyebrows. Then add rosy cheeks and a cute little smile! I am completely uncoordinated when it comes to the fine details like eyebrows and mouths, but I did find it easier to make my mouth heart shaped instead of trying to paint in little lips.
At this point, if you bought wooden dowels you can stake them into your foam. Take them out back and following manufactures instructions add at least two to three coats of sealer.
After your heads have dried trim the dowel down so that it does not poke out through the bottom of your spool. This can be easily accomplished by scoring it with a pair of scissors and then just breaking it off. Add a little wet glue to help secure it in the spool.
Next you can add whatever type of ribbon you want to the spool. I've seen some that just wrap a smaller ribbon a couple times around to cover the spool, but for these I opted to select ribbon about the same size as the spool. To add the ribbon you will first want to measure a piece about a cm larger than you need to go all the way around the doll. Seal the edges of the ribbon to prevent fray by using a lighter to melt the edges of your ribbon. This might take some practice. You don't want to actually burn the ribbon and you don't even need to touch the flame to the ribbon, just get it close enough to melt the very edge. If it is turning brown, then it is too close. After you have sealed both edges of your ribbon its time to affix it to your wooden spool. I just happened to have double sided sticky tape, but this is not your average sticky tape, it's more like glue, and is capable of doing some pretty hefty jobs. I know I ordered it online for another project, but can't remember where I got it. I would recommend using a very small amount of hot glue on just the ends of your ribbon. Start by adding a small amount of glue to the back side of your doll. Place the ribbon over the drop of glue, wrap the ribbon around your spool and add a small drop of clue covering the ribbon which is already glued down. Then cover it with the opposite end of the ribbon you have just wrapped around the spool. You will also want to make sure that your seam is facing the back of your doll.
And voila you have a beautiful if not somewhat funky wooden spool doll!
For more crafting fun Click Here
The wooden spool dolls were by far my favorite. They are so addictive! Once you make one, you will find yourself wanting to try different colors, hairstyles, smiles, etc. Here is a couple of pictures I used for inspiration!
Most of the pictures I found were from people selling them on Etsy. Wunderkind was one shop that I found to be particularly inspiring!
Here are some pictures of some of the dolls the girls made that night.
It was so fun to see how everyone's turned out! They were all so different!
So now for just a small tutorial.
What you will need:
Vintage wooden spools, I found mine at Joann's in the wooden crafts section, but I imagine that they wouldn't be hard to find at any craft store.
Wooden knobs for heads. We used both wooden balls and the wooden knobs. The knobs have a flat surface on the bottom which make them much more easy to assemble.
Wooden dowels that fit inside the holes in the knobs and spools. You can manage without, but it makes it much easier to paint the heads if you have some way of holding the heads. I actually used the end of a spare paint brush as a sort of turntable instead. Also if you purchase the wooden dowels you can actually glue them inside the head and spool to give added support and keep the heads from coming off easier. I however did not do this on my first round. Luckily none of the heads have popped off yet, but I'm sure it will provide peace of mind against choking hazards if you do use the wooden dowels.
Floral foam to hold dowels.
Acrylic paint
Paint brushes, lots of different sizes and tips.
Superfine black paint pen or a hairline tipped black sketch pen for making eyebrows. I found that even the fine tipped paint pens were to thick and preferred to use one of my hubby's pens!
Elmers wet glue, some people use a hot glue gun, but I find that after it dries the wet glue holds much better.
Hot glue gun and glue
Clear Acrylic Sealer
OK, so now to get started. The first thing you will want to do is glue your dowel into your wooden knob and paint your hairline and hair. Doing the hairline first makes painting the face in so much easier. I like to do at least two coats to get my hair looking great. Three doesn't hurt either. If you want to make your wooden doll look like it has highlights you can dip the very tip of your paint brush in white or some other color and add a few streaks in while the first coat is still wet. I like to let that dry just a little before I carefully add the third coat of just the regular color on top, covering up any obvious streaks.
Next use your black paint pen or sketch pen to fill in the eyebrows. Then add rosy cheeks and a cute little smile! I am completely uncoordinated when it comes to the fine details like eyebrows and mouths, but I did find it easier to make my mouth heart shaped instead of trying to paint in little lips.
After your heads have dried trim the dowel down so that it does not poke out through the bottom of your spool. This can be easily accomplished by scoring it with a pair of scissors and then just breaking it off. Add a little wet glue to help secure it in the spool.
Next you can add whatever type of ribbon you want to the spool. I've seen some that just wrap a smaller ribbon a couple times around to cover the spool, but for these I opted to select ribbon about the same size as the spool. To add the ribbon you will first want to measure a piece about a cm larger than you need to go all the way around the doll. Seal the edges of the ribbon to prevent fray by using a lighter to melt the edges of your ribbon. This might take some practice. You don't want to actually burn the ribbon and you don't even need to touch the flame to the ribbon, just get it close enough to melt the very edge. If it is turning brown, then it is too close. After you have sealed both edges of your ribbon its time to affix it to your wooden spool. I just happened to have double sided sticky tape, but this is not your average sticky tape, it's more like glue, and is capable of doing some pretty hefty jobs. I know I ordered it online for another project, but can't remember where I got it. I would recommend using a very small amount of hot glue on just the ends of your ribbon. Start by adding a small amount of glue to the back side of your doll. Place the ribbon over the drop of glue, wrap the ribbon around your spool and add a small drop of clue covering the ribbon which is already glued down. Then cover it with the opposite end of the ribbon you have just wrapped around the spool. You will also want to make sure that your seam is facing the back of your doll.
And voila you have a beautiful if not somewhat funky wooden spool doll!
For more crafting fun Click Here
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Get Your Santa On!
This month for a service project the YW decided to do a service activity for the ward by offering free babysitting for families. The idea was that people could have a couple of hours to do their Christmas shopping, but really people could use the time for whatever they needed most. I've heard from a few couples who used the time to get to the temple. We really had a whole lot of fun! We used the church and split the kids into two groups. We tried mostly to separate by age, but there were a few siblings who chose to stick together. We had several stations that we rotated the kids through and let the girls be in charge of the activities. We started out by singing some of the fun primary activity songs like snow man and hinges while we waited for most of the kids to arrive. Some of the stations included simple games like duck duck goose, and red light green light for the younger kids. We also had a parachute at one of the stations. We had a story telling station, and games like frog detective for the older kids. After we rotated through the stations we had milk and cookies and watched some scripture videos while we waited for parents to pick their kids up. I really enjoyed this activity, and actually I think the YW did as well! Although I have to comment that only 4 families signed up for a total of 12 kids. MUCH MUCH MUCH more than that showed up ;)
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Modesty Scavenger Hunt
This last Wednesday we took the girls to one of our local stores for a "Modesty Scavenger Hunt". It was a lot of fun! We had the girls pick out two outfits, one that was already modest and one that could be made modest with for example a sweater or leggings. I think the girls really had a whole lot of fun although if I were to do it over again, I think I might limit it to one outfit. It was a stretch for some of the girls to find more than one outfit in such a short amount of time. This activity was simple and took just a little preparation so it was a nice break for both the leaders and the girls!
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Angry Birds Combined Activity
This week we are doing a life sized Angry Birds Game! I'm super excited, and super nervous that it's going to be a flop! This is an activity that the Beehives and the deacons are working on together so the deacons are working on the life size sling shot and the beehives are building boxes and and painting balloons and balls. Just to keep it real we will have a guest visitor who is expert at crafting terrific analogies compare the game to real life for just about 5 min.
So basically we're going to divide the youth into two groups and then let the youth plan out and build their own Angry Birds contraptions. We'll let them assign points to their "pigs" and place them strategically. Each team will have a chance to break down the other teams buildings in an attempt to get at the pigs. I bought about 25 boxes, 2 dodge balls (Birds), and 48 green balloons (pigs). I think I will also make an attempt at green pig cupcakes ;) We'll see how it all works out!
Actual pictures to follow, but this is basically my inspiration!
So basically we're going to divide the youth into two groups and then let the youth plan out and build their own Angry Birds contraptions. We'll let them assign points to their "pigs" and place them strategically. Each team will have a chance to break down the other teams buildings in an attempt to get at the pigs. I bought about 25 boxes, 2 dodge balls (Birds), and 48 green balloons (pigs). I think I will also make an attempt at green pig cupcakes ;) We'll see how it all works out!
Actual pictures to follow, but this is basically my inspiration!
Monday, October 1, 2012
Modest Fashion Show
So this activity was a lot of fun. The girls really enjoyed it and we had 100% attendance. Our Class presidency actually planned this activity and used it for one of their personal progress goals. We let each of the girls choose from two categories of dress which included: School Cool, Church, Formal, Casual, Business, Sporty, and Crazy. A lot of the girls walked in their team sport attire which made it fun to see what they were all up to. Also they really seemed to enjoy doing the Crazy category. In fact that was the only limitation I put on them, that they could only walk "Crazy" for one of their walks. We used some fun music and we were so lucky to have an entertaining MC describing the girls as they walked down the runway, and my sweet husband in charge of the lighting. Those two really helped to make if fun!
As far as the runway went we placed our 3 stair unit on the floor in front of the center of our gym stage followed by 2 of our long tables (just laying on the floor, I didn't want any falls!). We ran the tables and stairs with a roll of plain craft paper and then taped large Christmas lights to the outsides of the stairs and tables to make it more exciting, and then lined the runway with a couple of rows of chairs for parents and families just like in a real show. I was a little nervous about the girls making it back on time for their second walk, so we decided to have a brief intermission in between the walks and had the families help themselves to some refreshments. After the girls did their second walks they all came and sat down next to their families and listened to one of the Laurels give a very brief 5 minute talk on the importance of dressing modestly. Also, a week before the fashion show I handed out a copy of the section on dressing modestly from the "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet. All in all I think this was a really fun activity for the girls and it was fun to see them shine!
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Frog Gloss
My most recent Pinterest adventure was DIY lip gloss to use as a handout for lesson 31 on dating, and oh boy did I learn a lot! I was really in love with the idea of the Kool-Aid lip gloss, but it ended up being disastrous. It was way too sour even after I added plenty of sugar. Also, the Kool-Aid does something funny when you mix it with the hot jelly. It makes the specs of Kool-Aid kind of rough and scratchy so that the gloss feels more like a scrub. I tried a couple of recipes but here's what worked best for me.
Here is what you need:
1 container of petroleum jelly such as Vaseline
1 OZ Wilton's pink sugar sprinkles
24 small containers with screw top lids. I found mine at Michaels in the beading section.
cherry candy flavoring also found at Michaels
3 Table spoons of sugar
The first thing you will want to do is heat your jelly in the microwave for 30 second increments stirring each time until the jelly is completely liquified. Remove from heat and whisk in the rest of your ingredients. I cheated and used my Kitchen Aid. I tried the whisk first, but found it difficult to incorporate the sprinkles. They just sank to the bottom. So I dumped the concoction in my Mixer and cranked it up to full speed. Very quickly pour concoction into the tiny winy containers. If you wait too long it won't pour and then you will have a real mess on your hands!
Helpful Hints:
I have never burned petroleum jelly, but I'm sure it's not pretty so watch it carefully while heating it!
Have your jars prewashed and sitting open so that the minute your gloss has been mixed you are ready to pour.
I found it very helpful to have a dish towel handy to wipe hands, containers, and little drips. This project can get messy quick!
I also had a ton of fun putting together these printables. I used photo paper and a 1 and 3/8 in circle punch for the Frog Gloss labels and a 1 and 1/4 circle punch for the sticker backing (also found at Micheals) to turn the labels into stickers. The cello bag topper reads: You don't have to kiss every frog to find your prince!
Hope this proves helpful! The very best part is the way your whole house will smell like Cherries!
Click here for the free printable!
For more crafting fun Click Here
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Best Ever Gluten Free Brownies
So recently we had a new little beehive join our ranks who is a celiac which means that she can't have any gluten. She specifically mentioned missing brownies, so of coarse I immediately set out to conquer the brownie! After experimenting somewhat I found this recipe. It is delicious, Best EVER with out a doubt!
The first thing you will need to do is either buy a basic gluten free flour mix or make your own. I highly recommend making your own. It can be somewhat costly to start, but if you plan on baking gluten free on a regular basis than you will actually save money. Not only that, but your food will taste umpteen times better!
Basic Flour Mix
Mix together:
1 Cup sorghum, 1 Cup tapioca starch (flour), 1/2 Cup almond meal, and 1 tsp xanthan gum.
I wanted to make a big batch so that I wouldn't have to remix too often so I did these amounts X 6. Either keep your flour mix in the Freezer of keep refrigerated. I was able to find everything I needed at our local Smith's Market Place. Some of it was next to the flours on the regular baking isle and the rest I found on their health food isle.
And now for the BROWNIES!
6 ounces Bittersweet baking chocolate, chopped - I prefer Ghirardelli!
2 ounces Unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 1/2 sticks (12 Tablespoons) butter
1 1/2 Cups Sugar
2 tsp gluten free vanilla extract, (most are)
4 Large eggs
3/4 teaspoons salt
1 Cup Basic gluten free flour mix
1 Cup Semisweet chocolate chips
Put a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 13-by-9-inch baking pan, knocking off excess flour.
Melt bittersweet and unsweetened chocolates with butter in a medium metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and cool to lukewarm.
Stir sugar and vanilla into chocolate mixture, then add eggs one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Add salt and flour, stirring until just combined.
Pour batter into baking pan and smooth top. Sprinkle the top of the brownies with chocolate chips. Bake until a wooden pick or skewer inserted in center comes out with some moist crumbs adhering, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely in pan on a rack, then cut into 24 bars. Enjoy!
If you are only baking for a few this recipe halves very well. You will be amazed at how nicely they come out of the pan. They are like the perfect combination of moist and chewy without falling apart.
Good Luck!
For more recipes Click Here
The first thing you will need to do is either buy a basic gluten free flour mix or make your own. I highly recommend making your own. It can be somewhat costly to start, but if you plan on baking gluten free on a regular basis than you will actually save money. Not only that, but your food will taste umpteen times better!
Basic Flour Mix
Mix together:
1 Cup sorghum, 1 Cup tapioca starch (flour), 1/2 Cup almond meal, and 1 tsp xanthan gum.
I wanted to make a big batch so that I wouldn't have to remix too often so I did these amounts X 6. Either keep your flour mix in the Freezer of keep refrigerated. I was able to find everything I needed at our local Smith's Market Place. Some of it was next to the flours on the regular baking isle and the rest I found on their health food isle.
And now for the BROWNIES!
6 ounces Bittersweet baking chocolate, chopped - I prefer Ghirardelli!
2 ounces Unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 1/2 sticks (12 Tablespoons) butter
1 1/2 Cups Sugar
2 tsp gluten free vanilla extract, (most are)
4 Large eggs
3/4 teaspoons salt
1 Cup Basic gluten free flour mix
1 Cup Semisweet chocolate chips
Put a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 13-by-9-inch baking pan, knocking off excess flour.
Melt bittersweet and unsweetened chocolates with butter in a medium metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and cool to lukewarm.
Stir sugar and vanilla into chocolate mixture, then add eggs one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Add salt and flour, stirring until just combined.
Pour batter into baking pan and smooth top. Sprinkle the top of the brownies with chocolate chips. Bake until a wooden pick or skewer inserted in center comes out with some moist crumbs adhering, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely in pan on a rack, then cut into 24 bars. Enjoy!
If you are only baking for a few this recipe halves very well. You will be amazed at how nicely they come out of the pan. They are like the perfect combination of moist and chewy without falling apart.
Good Luck!
For more recipes Click Here
Thursday, February 2, 2012
What's A Spoon Party?
This week for our class activity we had a "Spoon Party". This was really just a lot of fun! It definitely went better than I had hoped. The day of I taped a reminder invite spoon to the girls doors that just said It's a Spoon Party, but don't forget to bring a Spoon! I didn't give them any other information except the time and place. I have never had so many calls / texts from the girls wanting to know what we were going to be doing. That was Great and we had 100% attendance! The idea was that they would come and be spiritually fed, but for sure we couldn't go without doing some of the other kind of feeding too! We started out by reading a 2006 conference talk by Elaine S. Dalton. In it she mentioned a group of youth who had adopted the motto "I Can Do Hard Things!" We gave the girls a hand out with that written at the top and had a short discussion of some of the "hard things" we face in life. Each girl made her own list and then I wasn't planning on the girls sharing their lists, but some of them wanted to. Most of them did. I started out by telling the girls we were going to work first then play. Although I think the girls really enjoyed the little discussion we had about the "hard things" more than I had anticipated. After that we played "spoons" and ate ice cream and brownies. The girls really got into the game! The talk we read also helped them with one of their faith experiences for Personal Progress!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Class Temple Trip
This week for our faith activity we are going to go to the temple as a class and do baptisms for the dead. We're going to leave a little earlier so we can catch the light and get some individual and group pictures taken. I'm really looking forward to this activity!
I used this free printable temple picture and added some text to create my reminders. You can find it at http://carianthony.blogspot.com/p/free-artwork.html
I used this free printable temple picture and added some text to create my reminders. You can find it at http://carianthony.blogspot.com/p/free-artwork.html
Thursday, December 1, 2011
12 Days of Christmas
For December we only have 1 class activity scheduled. I let the girls plan it and together they have decided to do the 12 Days of Christmas for a widow that we recently adopted. They had the idea of writing down their favorite scripture for each day. One of the things she said to us when we first went to see her was that she was lonely, but the hardest thing was meal times. She didn't like to cook for just one (just about broke my heart). So I think for each day to go along with the scriptures the girls are going to work on we'll give her a loaf of bread, some hot chocolate, and various things that she can munch on. I love December!
Beehive Breakfast
One of my favorite Beehive traditions is swiftly becoming our new Beehive Breakfast. The Saturday before our new Beehive will be in YW we "kid nap" her and bring her over to my house for breakfast and a few get to know you games. I think this helps with not feeling so intimidated when they first get to YW. Especially if they are particularly shy. Here's just a little eye candy!
We're going to do banana-mango smoothies, banana cake with a cream cheese frosting, and a quiche.
We're going to do banana-mango smoothies, banana cake with a cream cheese frosting, and a quiche.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Divine Nature - Your Very Own Happily Ever After
This is a combined class activity that I'm hoping will make a big impact on the girls. I'm going to tape little reminder cards with this quote on it to their doors.
“Be strong and of good courage. You are truly royal spirit daughters of Almighty God. You are princesses, destined to become queens. Your own wondrous story has already begun. Your 'once upon a time' is now. -Dieter F. Uchtdorf
I found these cool boxes at http://staging.papermart.co... Although you do have to make your own ring holes. I'll use these as their takeaways with a little tag that says be loyal to the royal within.
We'll open with this short story by Ardeth G. Kapp, former president of the General Young Women's Organization.
Once upon a time there was a little kingdom called Rayad. The tiny people who inhabited this kingdom were call Rayadites. They lived happily, sharing and caring about each other. Life was good to them. There were only a few things they needed to watch out for; for instance, chocolate cake or wearing the color red. If any Rayadite ever ate chocolate cake or wore red, his spirit would become weakened, and he would care less and less about himself and the rules of the kingdom.
Also living in this tiny kingdom was Zynock, an evil person who wanted to destroy the kingdom and all of the people in it. He hated for them to be happy and loving, for that made it harder for him to influence them. He knew what weakened their spirits and made them easier to capture. But Zynock also knew that he could not just offer the Rayadites chocolate cake and have them devour it - they were not that foolish! Nor could he make the most wonderful garment in bright red and expect them to wear it immediately. The Rayadites wanted to be good and strong. They had promised each other that they would help and strengthen each other in time of need. So how could Zynock weaken this people? How could he get them to succumb to him so that he could destroy them and thus the whole kingdom?
"Let's see," he said, "I can't get them to eat chocolate cake right off, but maybe I can get them to develop a taste for chocolate."
That's when chocolate chip cookies were introduced to the kingdom of Rayad. At first the cookies were ignored and scoffed at. Then some commercials and billboards were produced that showed handsome, wonderful-looking Rayadites eating chocolate chip cookies. And nothing happened to them, except they became more popular and sophisticated - at least that's what the message conveyed on the screens and billboards.
It wasn't long before a few Rayadites could be seen eating a chocolate chip cookies every now and then, and they seemed to be doing fine. They were still loving and caring and hadn't changed at all - so it seemed. So more and more Rayadites began eating the cookies. What they didn't realize was that the portion of chocolate chips in each cookie had been doubled. They were getting a double dose of chocolate, disguised in the cookie. You'd hear phrases like these: "That cookie is really good except for a couple of places where it tastes pretty chocolatey. But don't miss the cookie just for those two places. It's too good a cookie, and you can overlook the taste." "I heard that one of our friends has eaten a chocolate chip cookie, and she says it's nothing to be afraid of. It won't ruin your life if you eat it."
That was true: lives didn't seem to be ruined by chocolate chip cookies. Things were pretty much the same as usual. However, some of the teachers and leaders and parents in Rayad suggested avoiding the cookies because tastes for chocolate were being developed.
"Avoid the cookies?" came the cries of surprise. "What for? What's wrong with them? They're not chocolate cake! How stuffy can you get?"
Some who refused to eat the cookies were even laughed at and made fun of. Zynock himself started chuckling. He had no idea his plan would work so well. And Zynock was patient. He didn't care how long it took to destroy Rayad, just so it was destroyed.
Chocolate chip cookies seemed to be moving pretty well. Zynock didn't worry about the words of caution and counsel from the leaders, because his commercials and billboards were so exciting and enticing. He had to make them that way, or the truth of the leaders would have swayed the Rayadites away from the cookies.
Now it came time to introduce a new product of destruction. No, not chocolate cake, not quite yet. Rather, Zynock began advertising spice cake, white cake, yellow cake, carrot cake, any kind of cake but chocolate - but all with chocolate frosting, rich chocolate frosting. More commercials, more billboards, a few songs to hum and sing all day about how wonderful chocolate cake would be, although they're not eating it - yet! Get them thinking about it before they will actually succumb. Then in the kingdom of Rayad, you could hear:
"Have you tried that yellow cake with chocolate frosting?"
"Well, no. Is it good?"
"Oh, yes! Granted, it is chocolatey, but it's not chocolate cake. And it really doesn't have much more chocolate than those cookies we've been eating!"
"But the cake doesn't seem right. I mean, cookies are one thing, but cake?"
"Ah, come on! The important thing is the chocolate, and this is no more than you've already been eating. Everybody's eating it. You can't pass it up and be the only one left out."
In the meantime, the songs were subtly strumming away in the background, singing the praises of chocolate cake. Right, the words were not good, but the beat and the rhythm were so cool that many Rayad's listened just for the music. After all, what can music do?
Zynock began thinking again: "One thing that strengthens those Rayadites is when they are together talking to each other. What can I do about that?" Then he reasoned, "Well, it's all right for them to be together. In fact, maybe there is some way I could use their gatherings and parties for my purposes. Aha! I've got it!"
So parties in Rayad began changing. Instead of the Rayadites talking to each other and playing games so they could get to know one another and share their strengths and talents, a new trend began. Everyone who was anyone had the new kinds of parties.
"Have you been to a party over at our Rayad friend's place yet?"
"No, I haven't."
"You should go. It's really cool!"
"Oh? What do you do?"
"Well, it isn't like any other party you've been to. It's pretty cool. All you do is go and sit down and watch stuff on the screen."
"Stuff on the screen? Like what?"
"Oh, exciting, scary stuff that's pretty good. There are a few scenes showing people eating chocolate cake, but no 'biggy.'"
"People eating chocolate cake? But..."
"Oh, it's not bad, and besides, there's nothing anymore without a little bit of that. It's just fun to get together with your friends."
So Zynock stood back and watched his plot unfold. "Let's see now. They're eating chocolate and they're eating cake. They're listening to songs and watching movies about chocolate cake. They're becoming weaker and weaker, although they're not even aware of it yet because they haven't actually eaten it - yet! They are falling into my trap! They think their leaders and parents are square and stuffy. It's very helpful when their friends tell them what I want them to hear. Friends are my greatest asset!"
"Hey!" says a friend Rayadite, "have you seen the latest movie?"
"No," comes the response. "I thought it was C-rated, for chocolate."
"No, it isn't. It's R-rated for Red. There's no chocolate in it."
And so Zynock continues his plotting - this time a gorgeous garment, but not in red...yet. It's a luscious pink color.
After that we are going to divide into 3 different groups. I have taken segments from Elder Uchtdorf's talk "Your Happily Ever After" to use as inspiration for the girls to create their own skits. We have fairly outgoing dramatic girls so this will probably be the highlight of the night :)
And last but not least We'll have a few Chocolaty treats to go along with the theme of Sister Kapp's story. Chocolate Raspberry Tartlets, YUMMM! Find the recipe at Ghirardelli.com
“Be strong and of good courage. You are truly royal spirit daughters of Almighty God. You are princesses, destined to become queens. Your own wondrous story has already begun. Your 'once upon a time' is now. -Dieter F. Uchtdorf
I found these cool boxes at http://staging.papermart.co... Although you do have to make your own ring holes. I'll use these as their takeaways with a little tag that says be loyal to the royal within.
We'll open with this short story by Ardeth G. Kapp, former president of the General Young Women's Organization.
Once upon a time there was a little kingdom called Rayad. The tiny people who inhabited this kingdom were call Rayadites. They lived happily, sharing and caring about each other. Life was good to them. There were only a few things they needed to watch out for; for instance, chocolate cake or wearing the color red. If any Rayadite ever ate chocolate cake or wore red, his spirit would become weakened, and he would care less and less about himself and the rules of the kingdom.
Also living in this tiny kingdom was Zynock, an evil person who wanted to destroy the kingdom and all of the people in it. He hated for them to be happy and loving, for that made it harder for him to influence them. He knew what weakened their spirits and made them easier to capture. But Zynock also knew that he could not just offer the Rayadites chocolate cake and have them devour it - they were not that foolish! Nor could he make the most wonderful garment in bright red and expect them to wear it immediately. The Rayadites wanted to be good and strong. They had promised each other that they would help and strengthen each other in time of need. So how could Zynock weaken this people? How could he get them to succumb to him so that he could destroy them and thus the whole kingdom?
"Let's see," he said, "I can't get them to eat chocolate cake right off, but maybe I can get them to develop a taste for chocolate."
That's when chocolate chip cookies were introduced to the kingdom of Rayad. At first the cookies were ignored and scoffed at. Then some commercials and billboards were produced that showed handsome, wonderful-looking Rayadites eating chocolate chip cookies. And nothing happened to them, except they became more popular and sophisticated - at least that's what the message conveyed on the screens and billboards.
It wasn't long before a few Rayadites could be seen eating a chocolate chip cookies every now and then, and they seemed to be doing fine. They were still loving and caring and hadn't changed at all - so it seemed. So more and more Rayadites began eating the cookies. What they didn't realize was that the portion of chocolate chips in each cookie had been doubled. They were getting a double dose of chocolate, disguised in the cookie. You'd hear phrases like these: "That cookie is really good except for a couple of places where it tastes pretty chocolatey. But don't miss the cookie just for those two places. It's too good a cookie, and you can overlook the taste." "I heard that one of our friends has eaten a chocolate chip cookie, and she says it's nothing to be afraid of. It won't ruin your life if you eat it."
That was true: lives didn't seem to be ruined by chocolate chip cookies. Things were pretty much the same as usual. However, some of the teachers and leaders and parents in Rayad suggested avoiding the cookies because tastes for chocolate were being developed.
"Avoid the cookies?" came the cries of surprise. "What for? What's wrong with them? They're not chocolate cake! How stuffy can you get?"
Some who refused to eat the cookies were even laughed at and made fun of. Zynock himself started chuckling. He had no idea his plan would work so well. And Zynock was patient. He didn't care how long it took to destroy Rayad, just so it was destroyed.
Chocolate chip cookies seemed to be moving pretty well. Zynock didn't worry about the words of caution and counsel from the leaders, because his commercials and billboards were so exciting and enticing. He had to make them that way, or the truth of the leaders would have swayed the Rayadites away from the cookies.
Now it came time to introduce a new product of destruction. No, not chocolate cake, not quite yet. Rather, Zynock began advertising spice cake, white cake, yellow cake, carrot cake, any kind of cake but chocolate - but all with chocolate frosting, rich chocolate frosting. More commercials, more billboards, a few songs to hum and sing all day about how wonderful chocolate cake would be, although they're not eating it - yet! Get them thinking about it before they will actually succumb. Then in the kingdom of Rayad, you could hear:
"Have you tried that yellow cake with chocolate frosting?"
"Well, no. Is it good?"
"Oh, yes! Granted, it is chocolatey, but it's not chocolate cake. And it really doesn't have much more chocolate than those cookies we've been eating!"
"But the cake doesn't seem right. I mean, cookies are one thing, but cake?"
"Ah, come on! The important thing is the chocolate, and this is no more than you've already been eating. Everybody's eating it. You can't pass it up and be the only one left out."
In the meantime, the songs were subtly strumming away in the background, singing the praises of chocolate cake. Right, the words were not good, but the beat and the rhythm were so cool that many Rayad's listened just for the music. After all, what can music do?
Zynock began thinking again: "One thing that strengthens those Rayadites is when they are together talking to each other. What can I do about that?" Then he reasoned, "Well, it's all right for them to be together. In fact, maybe there is some way I could use their gatherings and parties for my purposes. Aha! I've got it!"
So parties in Rayad began changing. Instead of the Rayadites talking to each other and playing games so they could get to know one another and share their strengths and talents, a new trend began. Everyone who was anyone had the new kinds of parties.
"Have you been to a party over at our Rayad friend's place yet?"
"No, I haven't."
"You should go. It's really cool!"
"Oh? What do you do?"
"Well, it isn't like any other party you've been to. It's pretty cool. All you do is go and sit down and watch stuff on the screen."
"Stuff on the screen? Like what?"
"Oh, exciting, scary stuff that's pretty good. There are a few scenes showing people eating chocolate cake, but no 'biggy.'"
"People eating chocolate cake? But..."
"Oh, it's not bad, and besides, there's nothing anymore without a little bit of that. It's just fun to get together with your friends."
So Zynock stood back and watched his plot unfold. "Let's see now. They're eating chocolate and they're eating cake. They're listening to songs and watching movies about chocolate cake. They're becoming weaker and weaker, although they're not even aware of it yet because they haven't actually eaten it - yet! They are falling into my trap! They think their leaders and parents are square and stuffy. It's very helpful when their friends tell them what I want them to hear. Friends are my greatest asset!"
"Hey!" says a friend Rayadite, "have you seen the latest movie?"
"No," comes the response. "I thought it was C-rated, for chocolate."
"No, it isn't. It's R-rated for Red. There's no chocolate in it."
And so Zynock continues his plotting - this time a gorgeous garment, but not in red...yet. It's a luscious pink color.
After that we are going to divide into 3 different groups. I have taken segments from Elder Uchtdorf's talk "Your Happily Ever After" to use as inspiration for the girls to create their own skits. We have fairly outgoing dramatic girls so this will probably be the highlight of the night :)
And last but not least We'll have a few Chocolaty treats to go along with the theme of Sister Kapp's story. Chocolate Raspberry Tartlets, YUMMM! Find the recipe at Ghirardelli.com
Faith - Spiritual Time Capsule Scavenger Hunt
This Time Capsule Scavenger Hunt is a combined class activity idea that I am really looking forward to. (Cross my fingers!) We're going to start by showing the YW a number 10 can the Sunday before and explaining that this will be their ten year time capsule. They can bring anything they want to put in it, but it must fit. We're also going to send them home with a scrap-booked "These are a few of my favorite things" card, just so they can have a record of their current interests.
The quote I am using to decorate the can with is 3 Nephi 13:19-21, Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal; But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
We'll use this as a little embellishment!
Here are some other quotes we are going to use.
by : Gordon B. Hinckley
"In my quiet moments, I think of the future with all of its wonderful possibilities and with all of its terrible temptations. I wonder what will happen to you in the next 10 years. Where will you be? What will you be doing? That will depend on the choices you make, some of which may seem unimportant at the time but which will have tremendous consequences."
by: Dallin H. Oaks
"As we consider various choices, we should remember that it is not enough that something is good. Other choices are better, and still others are best. Even though a particular choice is more costly, its far greater value may make it the best choice of all.
On Wednesday we will split into 3 groups with 3 different sets of clues and rotate through 3 different "Hosts", but before they can go in they have to complete a small service. Each "Host" will speak for about 5 minutes on their topic and then give the kids their questions. Here is an example of the clues and the services the kids will be given:
Tonight you are starting a journey, a hunt to find those people who have truly important information for you. They will help you complete your spiritual time capsule.
The first person you must find has a very strong testimony of the value of reading your scriptures daily and a great LOVE for personal prayer. In fact she recently has “Testified” of this. If you still do not know who this is, head to (address), But before you ring, you must let her know how much she is LOVED! (Use your heart attack kit!)
Time capsule question: How can reading your scriptures and saying your prayers influence your life? Make it better? What are some of your goals in terms of daily habits?
The next person you are trying to find is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet! She has served as a temple worker and truly has the Light of Christ! She can be found by going to (address), But don’t forget to let her know how bright her light shines! (Make her a gift by putting your candle in the vase. Poor in the cranberries and light it up!)
Time capsule question: What can you do to work on being more Christlike? What are 5 characteristics you want to develop?
Next your looking for someone who has an eternal perspective! They understand the importance of keeping spiritually fed. See what you can learn from them, but remember don’t forget to thank them for their incredible kindness in sharing with you! (Give them the loaf of Banana Bread!)
Time capsule question: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 20 years? 50 years?
What are some of your strengths? Which attributes would you like to add to this list?
Now hurry, make haste, go back to the church and find your last and greatest treasure!
At which point the kids will write down their testimonies and seal their cans.
The wording of the clues and the "services" have to be changed for each group so that one "Host" doesn't get three of the same gifts, but this is the basic idea. I can't wait, I think it is going to be so much fun!
The quote I am using to decorate the can with is 3 Nephi 13:19-21, Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal; But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
We'll use this as a little embellishment!
Here are some other quotes we are going to use.
by : Gordon B. Hinckley
"In my quiet moments, I think of the future with all of its wonderful possibilities and with all of its terrible temptations. I wonder what will happen to you in the next 10 years. Where will you be? What will you be doing? That will depend on the choices you make, some of which may seem unimportant at the time but which will have tremendous consequences."
by: Dallin H. Oaks
"As we consider various choices, we should remember that it is not enough that something is good. Other choices are better, and still others are best. Even though a particular choice is more costly, its far greater value may make it the best choice of all.
On Wednesday we will split into 3 groups with 3 different sets of clues and rotate through 3 different "Hosts", but before they can go in they have to complete a small service. Each "Host" will speak for about 5 minutes on their topic and then give the kids their questions. Here is an example of the clues and the services the kids will be given:
Tonight you are starting a journey, a hunt to find those people who have truly important information for you. They will help you complete your spiritual time capsule.
The first person you must find has a very strong testimony of the value of reading your scriptures daily and a great LOVE for personal prayer. In fact she recently has “Testified” of this. If you still do not know who this is, head to (address), But before you ring, you must let her know how much she is LOVED! (Use your heart attack kit!)
Time capsule question: How can reading your scriptures and saying your prayers influence your life? Make it better? What are some of your goals in terms of daily habits?
The next person you are trying to find is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet! She has served as a temple worker and truly has the Light of Christ! She can be found by going to (address), But don’t forget to let her know how bright her light shines! (Make her a gift by putting your candle in the vase. Poor in the cranberries and light it up!)
Time capsule question: What can you do to work on being more Christlike? What are 5 characteristics you want to develop?
Next your looking for someone who has an eternal perspective! They understand the importance of keeping spiritually fed. See what you can learn from them, but remember don’t forget to thank them for their incredible kindness in sharing with you! (Give them the loaf of Banana Bread!)
Time capsule question: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 20 years? 50 years?
What are some of your strengths? Which attributes would you like to add to this list?
Now hurry, make haste, go back to the church and find your last and greatest treasure!
At which point the kids will write down their testimonies and seal their cans.
The wording of the clues and the "services" have to be changed for each group so that one "Host" doesn't get three of the same gifts, but this is the basic idea. I can't wait, I think it is going to be so much fun!
Knowlege - Basic Homemaking Skills Relay Race
This week we are working on the value knowledge. I can still remember as a young woman myself learning how to tie a tie, and iron a shirt. Every time I tie a tie for one of my boys I thank the Young Womens leader who taught me that skill. I've also been thinking about how unprepared I was as a homemaker. So, for our class activity I thought it would be really fun to teach the girls basic homemaking skills and then have them do a relay race to complete those skills. I'm planning on teaching them how to Iron a shirt, Tie a tie, make an egg, replace a button, and get a grease spot out of an article of clothing using dish soap. I work with the Beehives so basically they are just happy to be together, but I think this will make for a good activity. I'm using this Quote to help me along.
Susan W. Tanner, General YW President said in March of 2004, “I believe that one way we can arm our girls spiritually is to help them develop temporal skills or talents. We know that to the Lord all things are spiritual.”
“When we lose the homemakers in a society, we create an emotional homelessness: She quotes Bryce Christensen from The Family in America: “...The number of homeless people on the street does not begin to reveal the scope of homelessness in America. For since when did the word home signify merely physical shelter, or homelessness merely the lack of such shelter? Home [signifies] not only shelter, but also emotional commitment, security, and belonging. Home has connoted not just a necessary roof and a warm radiator, but a place sanctified by the abiding ties of wedlock, parenthood, and family obligation; a place demanding sacrifice and devotion, but promising loving care and warm acceptance.”
“So we must teach homemaking skills, including practical ones such as cooking, sewing, budgeting, and beautifying. We must let young women know that homemaking skills are honorable and can help them spiritually as well as temporally."
Susan W. Tanner, General YW President said in March of 2004, “I believe that one way we can arm our girls spiritually is to help them develop temporal skills or talents. We know that to the Lord all things are spiritual.”
“When we lose the homemakers in a society, we create an emotional homelessness: She quotes Bryce Christensen from The Family in America: “...The number of homeless people on the street does not begin to reveal the scope of homelessness in America. For since when did the word home signify merely physical shelter, or homelessness merely the lack of such shelter? Home [signifies] not only shelter, but also emotional commitment, security, and belonging. Home has connoted not just a necessary roof and a warm radiator, but a place sanctified by the abiding ties of wedlock, parenthood, and family obligation; a place demanding sacrifice and devotion, but promising loving care and warm acceptance.”
“So we must teach homemaking skills, including practical ones such as cooking, sewing, budgeting, and beautifying. We must let young women know that homemaking skills are honorable and can help them spiritually as well as temporally."
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