Halloween Party!

This year, in a fit of insanity and false confidence, I volunteered to plan the ward Halloween party (with a newborn baby in tow). Against all odds, it was a great party! I got my ideas from Pinterest (obviously). We had a toss game made out of an appliance box, fishing with some great wooden dowel rods, pumpkin bowling with pop bottle bowling pins, pin the eye on the monster, a cupcake walk, and, my masterpiece, punch boards.

Here's what they looked like:

I had the young women help me cut out all of the holes, then I hot glued on all of the tissue squares. I put the candy in the tissue, then hot glued styrofoam bowls on over top. The kids loved punching the holes and grabbing their candy! I'm definitely going to do this for future parties!! Long live Halloween!

Here's a picture of me, Big D and Little D dressed up, Brave(ish) style:

Watch and Learn FHE

I've been feeling little nudges from the Spirit for a while telling me to get our family on track with Family Home Evening, but I felt a really broad hint while watching conference this month! My husband and I have been married now for a year and four months, and we've only had a few formal family nights. I feel like I shouldn't ignore this chance (especially since we have a son on the way), so I'm renewing my efforts to bring FHE to our home! Hopefully, posting will help me keep track of my idea(s).

I really loved Elder L. Whitney Clayton's talk entitled "Marriage: Watch and Learn", so I want to share it with my husband, who wasn't able to watch that one completely. I think I will do it sort of like this:

 Lesson:
1.) In happy marriages, husband and wife both treasure their marriage.

• Marriage brings more joy, generates more good, and helps us refine ourselves more than any other relationship.
• How do we show each other that we treasure our marriage?
• What can I do to show you that I treasure our marriage?

2.) Strengthening faith means strengthening marriage.

• "Faith is the foundation of every virtue that strengthens marriage"
• What do we already do to strengthen our faith?
• What can we do individually to strengthen our faith?
• What can we do together to strengthen our faith?

3.) Happy marriages require us to be able and willing to repent.

• Do we regularly conduct honest self-examination and repent?
• Do we humbly apologize to each other when we are unkind or hurt each other?
• Are we living all of the commandments to the fullness of our abilities?

4.) Happy marriages are built on respect and mutual support.

• Have we been making our decisions unanimously?
• Do we share responsibilities? Is there anything we can do to share responsibilities more equally?
• Are we completely respectful, transparent, and loyal?

5.) Happy spouses live together in love.

• Do we cleave to each other? That means to be completely devoted and faithful to each other. 
• Do we serve each other regularly? Do we pray for each others' needs? 

Activity: Acrostic Love Poems

We can make each other an acrostic poem using an important "marriage word". I'm thinking of fidelity, loyalty, respect, devotion...etc.

Snack: Pineapple Upside Down Mug Cakes

You can find these here: Cake Yumminess

I want this to be a "companionship inventory" type of FHE where we discuss what we need from each other and if we're getting it. My husband is a quiet, private person, and I like to check in and make sure that he's doing okay. Maybe we will become exemplary FHE'ers!!

Personal Progress Presentation for Moms

 

I was asked to prepare a little seminar for moms in our ward to encourage them to be active participants in their daughters' Personal Progress. I wanted to follow the pattern of the Come Follow Me program, so I created a few slides to spark discussion. My intention is that each slide will open up a chance to discuss the ladies' thoughts about Personal Progress and their daughter.

The main focus is conversion! Yes! Personal Progress can lead to conversion! I find this very exciting! Feel free to use this slide show in any church environment. I hope that it is a catalyst to greater participation in PP in your ward. That can only be good!

Here is the link:



I also borrowed a great handout from The Idea Door. You can find it here:

http://www.theideadoorfiles.com/index.php/young-women/68-young-women/personal-progress/587-10-easy-ways-to-help-your-daughter-with-personal-progress