Mighty! Sports Day

Years ago, when I was a young woman, my friends and I lived for church ball.  The competition in our stake was fierce! We came up with the shout out, "SYB!" which meant "sacrifice your bodies". We would do anything it took to get to the ball, even if it meant getting hurt. Silly girls. :)
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My best friend through all these wonderful years was Kathy Smart. She and I lived and breathed sports. We thought we were pretty good, but the school coaches never seemed to see our potential. ;)  We tried out for the school teams to no avail. That is why church ball was so wonderful, for us. Our YW coaches were amazing and were some of greatest cheerleaders during those years.
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I am smiling right now, even giggling a little, with all the fun memories... such good memories. All of them!
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VOLLEYBALL
We spent countless hours playing volleyball in the cultural hall, on grassy areas at near by junior high school, and in our own yards. One of our young women leaders lived near the church house and she had a key to the building. We knocked on her door many, many times asking for the key to the building. (Times are so different now.)
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The sounds... "Bump! Set! Spike!", "I got it!", "Call it!", "SYB!", "Rotate!", and that wonderful whistle being blown by one of our Specialists/Referees - usually Sister Llewellyn and Rob Sorenson.
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We even had a co-ed volleyball team. Some of the young men were ball hogs. They didn't think we could get the ball - this really ticked us off.  But, being able to play with and against some really cute boys made up for it. :)
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Here is the key chain each of us received after participating in the Regional Championship Games. It was a pretty big deal! :)
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BASKETBALL
Basketball was fierce! We had a rival ward within our stake, and when basketball season arrived it meant war. In a good, competitive kid of way. Sportsmanship was always key - sportsmanship reminders that is. ;)
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During our weekly YW basketball practices we would focus on dibbling (up and down the court, in and out of cones), passing (stand across from a partner and practice the bounce pass, chest pass, and over the head pass), and of course shooting the ball into the basket (lay-ups, free-throw, out side shots). :)
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To help us with our skills, we would challenge a certain group of boys to a game of basketball on the elementary school blacktop after school, often. We would play girls against boys, around the world, H.O.R.S.E, and speed (which was our favorite).
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SOFTBALL
I still have the softball bat, from my days as a young woman. I remember feeling so cool, bringing that bat to practice each week.
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I loved the feeling of throwing the ball back and forth. The power in the throw, the sound of it hitting the mitt. And the sound of the bat hitting the ball - knowing right away that it was going to be a good one. I still enjoy going to the batting cages with my daughters (though we don't go often enough).
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YW SPORTS DAY
I know that in areas where a couple of my sisters live, the YW sports programs are going strong. They are involved and love it! I am a little jealous.
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Our stake does not currently have a sports program for our young women, but we do hold a YW Sports Day each year. A day of fun, friends, and sweat!
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This year we centered the day around the word "Mighty!"
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SET-UP
Set-Up was easy. Volleyball net in the cultural hall. And 2 larger rooms cleared out for Kick Boxing and Zumba classes. Music was set-up for all rooms. And a table was set-up on the stage for snacks and handouts.
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LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
We invited adult leaders to help out with each rotation and paired them each with at least one of our Laurels (seniors in high school). It's all about shadow leadership! The idea was to have the seniors take the lead, with the adult leaders supporting them.
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ACTIVITIES
The young women were divided into three groups. Each group started with a different activity. This is what our schedule looked like this year:
  • Zumba! (3 rotations)
  • Kick Boxing (3 rotations)
  • Volleyball (3 rotations)
  • Snack Break
  • Mini "Mighty!" Devotional - This was incredible! It was given by one of Laurels (a senior). I have asked her for a copy of her talk.
  • Zumba! (all)
  • Crossfire (all)
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HANDOUT
Each of the young women were given an iron-on - which they could use on an item of clothing a pillowcase, a bag, ... it could be transferred to any porous surface - even wood if they wanted. The instructions were printed and pasted onto the back of the polka dot paper.
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It was also suggested that these could have been made in vinyl. Then the young women could have put them on their mirrors, car windows, closet doors, etc.
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SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES
I would love to hear what the young women are doing in your wards and stakes, in the way of sports (health and fitness). Do tell! :)

Meet Me Under The Mistletoe

For the past few years, I have had intentions of sending my family fresh mistletoe during the Christmas season. (It will happen!) Not the "packaged fresh" mistletoe found at the checkout stand, but mistletoe I gathered myself.
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I have known mistletoe grew nearby, but even in all my asking of friends where to find it, I have been at a loss. I would walk and drive near the locations I was told I would find it, but I had no idea what I was actually looking for.  A tree, a bush... what was mistletoe?
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This year, I decided to do a Google image search for mistletoe. As I scrolled through the photos, a light bulb went on - I discovered I had been looking at mistletoe at almost every turn.
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Here in Central California, there is mistletoe growing all over the place. I now know, that it is really easy to spot during the winter months, especially when the rest of the leaves have fallen from the trees. The picture below is one of the photos I found online... a striking image of a tree in winter, filled with mistletoe. As you can see, when you purchase those plastic mistletoe spheres, it's pretty close to true form. :)  Someone should climb this tree (below) and tie big red bows above each ball of mistletoe.
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Once I learned how to spot mistletoe I had to learn more! And when I learn something new I like to share. Sometimes over and over again, just ask my kids. They know all about mistletoe now. My parents, who visited recently from Utah, know all about mistletoe, my daughter's friends know about mistletoe (if they have been in the car with me recently). :)  I have to hold my tongue and simply point now, for fear of being shot down with eye rolls and deep sighs.
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WHAT IS MISTLETOE?
Mistletoe is a semi-parasitic plant. It grows on the stems of woody plants, from which they derive water, minerals, nutrients and small amounts of organic compounds carried in the sap. Mistletoe can may grow on ash, beech, birch, hickory, maple, oak, pecan, sycamore, walnut and willow.
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Birds spread mistletoe from tree to tree when they eat the pulp around the seeds, which stick to them. The seeds then germinate and the parasite grows through the bark into the tree's water-conducting tissues where the sinkers develop. While the seeds aren't harmful to birds, they are poisonous to humans and pets.
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Though a parasite, mistletoe does do some good. It offers food to a wide variety of creatures throughout the year, helps improve soil quality beneath infected trees, and often provides a safe hiding or nesting place. In addition, it offers up an invitation to all who stand beneath it... "Kiss!"
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SHARING A LITTLE LOVE
On Superbowl Sunday, I took my kids on a nice little hike - after church and before the big game. At the end of the hike we found a tree filled with mistletoe. We each took turns beneath it. :) Can I just tell you... I love my kids! :)
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WHY DO WE "KISS" BENEATH THE MISTLETOE?
The origin of the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe is vague. However, the tradition may have stemmed from either the Viking association of the plant with Frigga (the goddess of love) or from the ancient belief that mistletoe was related to fertility.
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The correct mistletoe etiquette is for the man to remove one berry when he kisses a woman. When all the berries are gone, there's no more kissing permitted underneath that plant. :)
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One legend states that a couple who kisses underneath mistletoe will have good luck, but a couple neglecting to kiss will have bad luck. Specifically, it is believed that a couple kissing under the mistletoe ensure themselves of marriage and a long, happy life, while an unmarried woman not kissed under the mistletoe will remain single for another year.
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Maidens may place a sprig of the plant under their pillow at night in the same manner a child places his or her lost tooth in anticipation of a visit from the Tooth Fairy. Instead of exchanging teeth for money, however, the sprig of mistletoe allows women to dream of their Prince Charming.
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While mistletoe is widely viewed as a symbol of love and fertility, it's also representative of peace. Ancient tales tell of enemies who encounter each other underneath trees bearing mistletoe. The enemies lay down their arms, embrace, and agree to a truce until the next day. This act of goodwill is yet another possibility for why we kiss under mistletoe: abstaining from violence and exchanging greetings under the plant may have prompted the custom of kissing.
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FREE PRINTABLE
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"Meet Me Under the Mistletoe"
by Freshaire Designs (me) :)
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OPERATION: KISS ME
I think mistletoe should be a Valentine's Day tradition, not just Christmas. I am on a mission to make this happen! It just seems to be a perfect fit - with all the kissing. :)
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POSSIBLE FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES
One of my daughters is earning half her tuition for EFY this summer. To help her reach her goal we packaged up: a sprig of mistletoe, instructions for use, and a heart shaped Dove chocolate into a cello bag and tied it up with a bow. She sold them for $1.
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If you live in an area where you can gather fresh mistletoe, this could be a fun and easy fundraiser for you during any of the following holidays:  Christmas (tradition), Valentine's Day (Kiss Me), St. Patrick's Day ("Kiss Me! I'm Irish"), or at Halloween (in the European Middle Ages mistletoe was hung over doors to ward off witches).
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For more information on everything mistletoe, visit: www.mistletoe.org.uk or Mistletoe Matters