New Beginnings~Bloom Where You Are Planted

I'm the 2nd counselor in my ward's Young Women Presidency, so I had the privilege of putting together this year's New Beginnings.

2013's Mutual theme is STAND YE IN HOLY PLACES...

D&C 87:8
Stand ye in Holy Places and be not moved until the day of the Lord come, for behold it cometh quickly saith the Lord.

So,  to coordinate with that we chose the theme BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED for our NBs.

Since it's been a good 10 years since I've been to a NBs I searched around on Pinterest for different ideas and inspiration. I actually found THIS blog & THIS blog that helped to inspire the direction I wanted to go for decorations and flow of program.

It turned out WONDERFUL!  The girls la la LOVED the decorations...which I knew they would...and it was an incredibly SPIRITUAL evening.

I gave the "keynote" talk, "Bloom Where You Are Planted."  I pretty much talked about how the girls are like flowers.  They need to STAND in Holy Places like a flower needs to be planted in good soil.  The girls need to nourish their testimonies through faith and keeping the commandments like a flower needs sunshine and frequent watering.  And when they continue to nourish their testimonies they bloom like a well-taken care of flower.  Yadda yadda yadda...

We had a few other great speakers, but my favorite was one of our Young Women who bore her testimony  on how Personal Progress has helped her to Stand in Holy Places.  She did a phenomenal job and I was just in absolute awe at how strong she and other Young Women in my ward are, especially considering that they live in an area where the Church is still not super strong.

Anyway, it was a wonderful evening and it was a blast to put together!

11 things to be THANKFUL for on 11/11/11

Thanksgiving is just around the corner!  And even though the stores are already covered and full of Christmas Decor {which I actually really LOVE} I haven't forgotten about this month of THANKSGIVING!  And since today is 11/11/11 I figured I would do a little something on the blog.

I suspect many others may be doing something similar today, but here are 11 things that I'm especially grateful for on this unique day.

{eleven}

{ten}

DANCE

{nine}

TECHNOLOGY

Mainly so I can communicate with my family in AZ and see pictures and videos of my nieces and nephews who are growing up WAY too fast!

{eight}

{seven}
The Good Things in Life
...aka...

And no, it is no mistake that Diet Coke is on there twice.  I just really do like it THAT much.
And this is not to mention probably one of the greatest things in life...
IN-N-OUT
Ian Boy says it best...

{six}

and

{five}
TENDER MERCIES
I couldn't think of a picture for this...
but I'm sincerely grateful for those special moments where I know Heavenly Father is helping me out!

{four}

{three}

Which includes arguably the cutest nieces and nephews in the world!

{two}
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
mormon.org

{one}
That I get to spend eternity with this guy...