In preparing for YW Camp, I want there to be meaning behind every thing we do - even in the crafts and activities. Here is the first of those:
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MINI DEVOTIONAL/THOUGHT
The Red Starfish, Troy L. Love, Ensign, June 2004
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Main Thought: “He loves you. Be of good cheer. Be like the starfish and just hold on. He will take care of everything.”
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Note: Please visit the link (above) for the full article, I simply took from it what inspired me.
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My companion and some of the other missionaries wanted to see the ocean after the activity, so I joined them. We stopped at a gigantic rock formation overlooking the sea. The sun was blocked behind darkening clouds. My heart felt as heavy as the gray sky above me, and I cried silently, “What am I doing wrong?”
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I began to share with my Father in Heaven the disappointments of the last few months. I felt my heart sinking further with every sentence. I gazed at the ocean waves, then bowed my head.
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As I looked down I noticed jagged black boulders near the bottom of the rock formation. The waves slammed against these rocks, swirled around with frigid bubbles, and then hurried back out to sea. As I watched, fascinated, my eyes spotted a small red starfish hanging onto one of the rocks. Even though the cold water crashed against it with salty severity, the little starfish did not move.
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photo credit: here
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Then I felt the Spirit whisper, “I love you. Be of good cheer. Be like the starfish and just hold on. I will take care of everything.” At last I felt hope. I knew the Lord loved me. I understood that He has a plan and that I needed to exercise faith in Him.
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Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has taught: “I know some of you do truly feel at sea, in the most frightening sense of that term. … It is not without a recognition of life’s tempests but fully and directly because of them that I testify of God’s love and the Savior’s power to calm the storm. … Christ knows better than all others that the trials of life can be very deep and we are not shallow people if we struggle with them. But … He rebukes faithlessness and He deplores pessimism. He expects us to believe!”
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I realized that day at the beach that despair is not from heaven. Whenever I think about that red starfish holding on under difficult circumstances, I feel my load lighten—not because the pressures of life are alleviated, but because I know there is power in putting my trust in the Lord. If we hold on, we will find peace.
I realized that day at the beach that despair is not from heaven. Whenever I think about that red starfish holding on under difficult circumstances, I feel my load lighten—not because the pressures of life are alleviated, but because I know there is power in putting my trust in the Lord. If we hold on, we will find peace.
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HANDOUT idea
Bake up a batch of starfish shaped sugar cookies. Place each starfish cookie into it's own clear cello bag. Tie 'em up jute and a tag like this one:
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Bake up a batch of starfish shaped sugar cookies. Place each starfish cookie into it's own clear cello bag. Tie 'em up jute and a tag like this one:
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Starfish Sugar Cookie
from Sugar Rush Treats
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*CRAFT ideas - Starfish Inspired
DIY Starfish Cuff
This is the coolest thing I have come across!
I want one for myself. :)
full tutorial, with photos, here, from DreamCreate
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Faux Sequin Starfish - Freezer Paper Stencil
This is adorable!
And such a great design.
tutorial and template here, from Ruffles and Stuff
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DIY Whimsical Starfish
I would like to give this one a try.
tutorial, with photos, here, from Miss Kopy Kat
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DIY Starfish Headband
tutorial here, from Reese Kistel
purchase here, from Michelle Shepherd - also photo credit
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Starfish Nail Design
Girls always love a fun nail design.
I love the colors!
found here, from Reese Kistel
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DIY Starfish Hair Clip
tutorial here, from Tiny Tangerines
another tutorial here, from Shabby Beach Nest
purchase here, from Michelle Shepherd - also photo credit
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DIY Felt Starfish
This would also make a great bean bag to be used for seaside games.
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Hand Stamped Jewelry with Starfish Accent
The girls could stamp words that help them remember the message:
"Hold On", "Just Hold On", "Be of Good Cheer", Believe",
"Remember the Starfish", "Be the Starfish" :)
