Guardians of Virtue

This year our Young Women in Excellence was centered around the inspired message shared by Sister Elaine Dalton during General Conference April 2011.  It was titled:  "Guardians of Virtue".

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In the words of Sis. Dalton, "Heavenly Father loves you and wants you to be happy. The way to do this is to 'walk in the paths of virtue' and 'cleave unto [your] covenants. In a world ever growing in moral pollution, tolerance of evil, exploitation of women, and distortion of roles, you must stand guard of yourself, your family, and all those with whom you associate. You must be guardians of virtue."
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INVITATIONS
Printed on medium weight paper, creme colored, with a beautiful embossed design, elegant font, burned edges, rolled, and tied with gold ribbon.


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PROGRAM
Artwork for our program was commissioned from a husband (Ben) of one of our YW Leaders.

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Conducting:  Young Women President
Opening Song:  Hymn #244, "Come, Come Along"
Opening Prayer:  (offered by one of the young women)
Young Women Theme:  (lead by one of the young women)
Welcome:  Young Women President
Personal Progress Overview and Recognition:  Personal Progress Leader
We also asked a couple of  the young women, who had most recently completed their Personal Progress, to take a moment to share their thoughts and experiences.
Armor of God Presentation:  Graduating Seniors
Musical Number:  "Guardians of Virtue"
Listen to it here.  Print sheet music.  Watch music video below.
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Women of Faith and Virtue Presentation:
  • Three young women were invited to the front.  Each represented a different "Woman of Faith and Virtue".
  • These were the women we chose:  Esther  (Courage), Sariah (Lehi's wife), and a Pioneer Girl.
  • In turn, we discussed each woman and what made her a "Woman of Faith and Virtue".  This was open to all in attendance.  I am always inspired by the knowledge the youth have of the gospel.
  • You could also have a  few prepared paragraphs (written in first person), to be read by the three young women.
  • It also would had been fun to have them dressed as the women they were representing.  But, imaginations worked well enough.  :)
Signing of the Decree:
The young women were invited to become Guardians of Virtue, by signing a decree which stated, "We, the Young Women of the (enter ward name here), do hereby declare that we will be Guardians of Virtue".
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Video Presentation:  (the young women in action throughout the past year - put to music)
Closing Remarks:  Bishop
Closing Song:  Hymn # 255, "Carry On", or Hymn #243, "Let Us all Press On"
Closing Prayer:  (offered by one of the young women)
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PROJECT DISPLAY
Shield name plates were made for each of the young women to place next to their projects.  I simply cut black card stock into 4 x 6 rectangles and trimmed one end to make it look like a shield.  Ribbon was glued across the front and a gold Young Women logo sticker was placed in the middle of the ribbon.  I used different colored ribbon for each class.
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REFRESHMENTS
a feast of banana splits*
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TAKE-A-WAY
I ordered each of the young women a 5x7 copy of the Shield of Faith artwork (featured below).
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by Judy Cooley available through Deseret Book
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You could also print this quote (borrowed from Jodi Marie Robinson) and glue on the back of "Shield of Faith" (adding the young women's names of course):
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"My name is ____________________ and I am Guardian.
And I will stand as a witness at all times,
and all things, and in all places,
as I strive to live the Young Women values.
And I do all of this because I believe in being a Guardian of Virtue."
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This (below) is what I ended up putting together for our take-a-way.  L-O-N-G story!  Short version, though I ordered well in advance from our local LDS bookstore, they put in a completely different order.  Unfortunately, I didn't find this out until the day of our event.  If you want the long version, give me a call.  (Venting is probably better done off line.)  :)  Let's just say that I was so frustrated and a bit sad, because the "Shield of Faith" would have been a perfect reminder for the girls.
I ran to Micheal's, on a prayer, and found these white magnolia candle tins for $1.00 each.  I scooped up 25 of them and a matching white magnolia stem.  As I drove home I prayed again that I could find a way to connect the gift and the theme.  I quickly tied each of the candles up with some black raffia and placed them in a box ready to head over to the church.

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After the "Women of Faith and Virtue" presentation (above), I took the white magnolia stem and placed it in our armor of god decorated madien form (below).  I reminded the young women that as cheesy as it may sound sometimes, they are like a flower.  (Also pointing out that these beautiful white magnolias are in bloom right now in our area.  Hoping that they would be reminded of the lesson, when they see a magnolia in bloom.)  I continued by pointing out that each of them are a beautiful creation, a daughter of Heavenly Father.  And he loves them.  He has given them everything that they need to protect themselves, and to be guardians of virtue.
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The following paper doll could also be fun to hand out.  I am going to try to convert it into a young woman.  We will see how it turns out.  :)
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ADDITIONAL HELPS

Super Saturday Idea Page

Meta, this post is for you.  You asked for ideas, let the idea gathering begin!
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Keep checking back for updates.
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GLASS ETCHING
great tutorial here
Etch anything from trifle bowls to your Pyrex dishes!
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BEADED WATCHES
plus a lot more ideas here from the 34th Ward Relief Society
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DECORATIVE HOOK RACK
tutorial here
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COOKIE SHEET MESSAGE CENTER
tutorial here
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HIGH CHAIR PAD
tutorial here
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SHABBY CHIC DANGLY EARRING DISPLAY
tutorial here
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JEWELRY DISPLAY
tutorial here
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threaded rosette necklace
THREADED NECKLACES
tutorial here
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FABRIC COVERED LAMP SHADES
great tutorial here
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framed prints
DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING turned into WALL ART
tutorial here
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BLACK APPLE DOLLS
patterns and tutorial here
(I love Inside a Black Apple)
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CAFE CURTAINS
tutorial here
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Using a yard of fabric:
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LUMBAR PILLOW
tutorial here
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ONE YARD WONDERS
purchase book here
(you can also find it for around $15.00 at WalMart and Target)
They also have a facebook page here with tons of ideas!

Temple Blocks

Love these temple blocks by Lil' Luna.
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wonderful tutorial and photos here

Artsy Ring Dish

I have been trying to come up with ideas for crafts, that the girls will actually keep and use. Something that will not end up on the floor, under the bed, or in the trash can. I have a hard time seeing money, time, and creativity go to waste.
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I am very happy with this little guy, or should I say gal (it is kind of a girly thing).  Though you could man it up, for a Father's Day coin dish.  Oh, the possibilities!
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I found these little sauce dishes at our local 99cent store.  I initially grabbed a few for myself, for kitchen use.  But then I got thinking...  "this would be perfect to use as a ring dish".
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How fun would it be to use permanent markers to design them how ever you wished?  Endless creative possibilities!
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I was sold on the idea!  Then I bought the whole shelf.  The cashier asked me what I was going to do with all of them.  I proudly described my plans.  She loved it too!  And I smiled.
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I made one to place on top of my dresser.  But I am thinking I should make another one to put in my kitchen.  I remove my rings frequently when I am baking, especially when making pizza dough.
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NEEDED SUPPLIES
sauce dish
Sharpie permanent markers
a dash of creativity
(pretty rings or coins to fill it with)
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NOTE
I found that you'll want to make sure the ink is completely dry before touching.  It dries quickly, but it may smear if you touch it right away.  Just sayin'.
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This is what I did in my first attempt at creating an Artsy Ring Dish:
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Cut and Wrap T-Shirt

When I was searching for some new ways to use a plain white t-shirt, I found this fun wrap around top tutorial.  How cute, worn over another shirt...  keeping it modest!
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I thought it might be fun for our dance themed YW Camp.  The girls could tie dye or spray paint the shirts how ever they would like.
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Kinda reminds me of the up, tuck, and pull we would do with our shirts as kids.  Singing and dancing to "I Got The Music In Me", infront of the white rock fireplace.  Now that I think about it, more than half of you girls weren't even born yet.  Boy, I'm gettin' old!
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Below are my own step-by-step photos.
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men's v-neck t-shirt
cut the neck out
cut the bottom trim off
cut up the middle of the shirt's front
 Voila!

Dream Girl Pattern

I have been going through boxes lately and came across this handout from 1984.  I would have been 13 years old at the time I received it.  Wish I could remember which of my leaders gave this to us.  She put a lot of time and thought into creating it.  Seeing the "Shalom", makes me wonder if I got it while up at camp.  This could have worked well with "Personal Progess:  A Pattern For Life".
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Photo Scavenger Hunt

Maddy had a fun class activity last night.  A photo scavenger at our local Target store.  This is the list of photos their teams were to find (put together by her awesome leaders Jill and Heather):
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1.  Something yellow, with two team members in the picture.
2.  Something with a wheel, with a stranger in the picture.
3.  Three hats on a team member's head all at the same time.
4.  Some food that nobody on your team likes, with your finger in the picture.
5.  A long and skinny garden tool, with your foot in the picture.
6.  A heart, held up to your heart.
7.  Something with polka dots, with a team member in the picture.
8.  Try on a jacket and take a picture.
9.  Something you would buy for twin boy and girl babies.
10.  One team member reading a book.
11.  Something you would like to put on your bed, with your elbow in it.
12.  A flashlight that cross under $5.00, with proof.
13.  Pokemon cards in your hand.
14.  Sunglasses - on the back of your head.
15.  Something with Dora on it and your finger in the picture.
16.  Something with Batman on it and your finger in the picture.
17.  Point to a shelf price marker with the number 3 on it.
18.  The most expensive pack of toilet paper you can find with your knee in the picture.
19.  A Black and Decker appliance with your hand in the picture.
20.  A wooden spoon in your hand and a smile on your face.
21.  Something for wedding with your knee in the picture.
22.  A "G"rated movie, with your elbow in the picture.
23.  A greeting card that is for a grandparent, in your hand.
24.  A toothbrush and toothpaste that are the same color.
25.  A team member standing next to something that you can buy, but is too heavy to pick up.

Give, Said The Little Stream

PURPOSE
Enjoy nature. Inspire young women to make a difference in the world around them.  Participate in and plan future service activities. Have fun.

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MUSICAL INSPIRATION
"Give", said the Little Stream - Children's Song Book #236
Listen to Danielle Vaughn singing it here
Listen to Insideout A Cappella singing it here
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“Give,” said the little stream,
“Give, oh! give, give, oh! give.”
“Give,” said the little stream,
As it hurried down the hill;
“I’m small, I know, but wherever I go
The fields grow greener still.”
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Singing, singing all the day,
“Give away, oh! give away.”
Singing, singing all the day,
“Give, oh! give away.”
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“Give,” said the little rain,
“Give, oh! give, give, oh! give.”
“Give,” said the little rain,
As it fell upon the flow’rs;
“I’ll raise their drooping heads again,”
As it fell upon the flow’rs.
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Give, then, as Jesus gives,
Give, oh! give, give, oh! give.
Give, then, as Jesus gives;
There is something all can give.
Do as the streams and blossoms do:
For God and others live.
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Personal Progress Possibilities:
Good Works #6
Spend at least three hours giving service outside your family. Ask your ward or branch Relief Society president or a community leader for suggestions for service. For example, you might take care of children while parents attend the temple; collect, make, or recondition toys or games for a nursery; accept an assignment to clean the meetinghouse; or perform errands for or read to a home bound person or others in need. Record in your journal the reactions of the person you served and possible goals for future service opportunities.
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ACTIVITY
  • A easy hike, next to a stream if possible.  Wildflowers are in bloom. Beautiful!
  • Share a nice little picnic. *ideas below
  • "Give", Said the Little Stream Object lesson:  use your surroundings as part of the lesson
No matter how small, or insignificant you think you may be,  you have the capacity to make a huge difference in the world around you!  You are a daughter of God, with talents and abilities to do beautiful things.
  • Sing-A-Long/Jam Session:  *see guitar chords below
  • Plan future service activities.
  • Service:  Have bags ready, just in case there is any trash to pick up along the trail.
GUITAR CHORDS (for your little jam session next to the stream)
sheet music found here
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TAKE-A-WAY
I found this adorable tutorial and free printable from Peppermint Plum.
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These are the two prints they have designed:
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PICNIC IDEA
  • chicken salad on a butter croissant
  • fruit flower kabobs
  • bottle of water
  • anything chocolate!
I thought these fruit flower kabobs displayed in containers filled with wheat grass was adorable.  So I thought I'd share.