Young Women in Excellence...

...and EXCELLENT Young Women...

Each Sunday in our Church, in the Young Women's meeting; the young women stand and recite the "Young Women's Theme":

"We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him. We will “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9) as we strive to live the Young Women values, which are:

Faith, Divine-Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice and Accountability, Good Works, Integrity, and Virtue

We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values,
we will be prepared to
strengthen home and family,
make and keep sacred covenants,
receive the ordinances of the temple,
and enjoy the blessings of exaltation."

It serves as a reminder to the young women who they are, that they have a loving Heavenly Father, and of what He expects from them.

Tonight, we attended a program for the Young Women in our Ward, including our two beautiful daughters, Jackie and Amanda. This program, called "Young Women In Excellence" spotlights the activities and achievements of the Young Women in our Ward throughout the year. Each Young Woman is encouraged to bring items for display which highlight her goals, achievements, and activities. This is the first year we have had both our girls in the Young Women's program.

The theme for our Stake Young Women's program is taken from the Bible. It is based on 1st Timothy 4:12 and reads:

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

This year, I've watched my girls work on goals and Personal Progress (another Young Women's program); and I've been so pleased and impressed with how much they have learned and grown; and with the positive example they have set. Tonight's activity reminded me of just how blessed Kevin and I are to have these two precious daughters of God as our children. We were both reminded of the gift of this stewardship we share as parents. We have amazing girls, and we are so grateful we get to be a forever family.

Amanda displayed her piano books, her favorite music, her service projects, and her personal progress journal.

Jackie displayed her personal progress journal, "The Family: A Proclamation" - which we memorized this year, and examples of her art work.

Tonight our "Young Women in Excellence" program reminded me how excellent MY two young women are! Way to go, Mandy and Jackie!!! We love you!!!