I was sustained as the Laurel Adviser yesterday. I can't say that I'm excited, because I've been a Young Women leader twice before, and I know exactly what I'm getting into -- i.e., a lot of work!
I don't know any of the other leaders yet, and I only know 3 of our young women (1 is a Laurel). All I can say is that I'm praying to love these young women -- and fast -- and to know how I can best serve them. And I'm keeping a weather eye on all of you who are currently serving in YW so I can borrow all your good ideas!
16 comments:
michelle, i just got an email today from one of my laurels when i was in TN that one of our other laurels just got engaged. She said she ran to email me when she found out. i was thrilled for two reasons, one that the girl was engaged and two that after not seeing me for 2 years she wanted me to know.
the joy i felt from my laurels while i was in YW is like nothing i can even describe. those girls became such a part of my life.
another girl just had a baby recently and is not married and i felt like my heart broke almost like a mom's might.
you will love those girls when you serve them. i mean really serve them - i can't tell you how many nights i came home at the beginning and would tell jeff - can they not even say thank you! at first i just felt like they were so spoiled and would never appreciate or understand what i was going through to have that calling. i had it for 2 years and in that time i had two babies and jeff was NEVER home. but the more I showed them i loved them, it seemed the more that they saw my heart. those girls ended up serving me more with the birth of my two babies then i think the RS even knew how to. they became a part of my life, came to cry on my couch when their boyfriends broke up with me and when they would get in a fight with their mom.
It is too bad i didn't take mass photos like i do now, i made so many YW things that I wish i had photos of handouts, lessons and such.
but one of the best things i did when i first got called was made a bag of my favorite things, gum, color, food, etc. i tied it up all cute and wrote a bunch of things about me - so that they could get to know me fast. i went to each of their homes and handed to them at the door. being in their home and seeing their surroundings made such a difference. I gave them my phone number email and hugged them at the door. even though i am a hugger -that was hard for me - i thought they would think i was such a dork. but it broke some barriers and seemed to work.
geesh, i can't seem to stop. but one more thing.
after all that is said and done and all the cute handouts and cute lessons (which are not much my thing like they were in the past) it was when i was with them one on one and just talked with them that made the most difference.
you will be wonderful. they will love you and i can't wait to hear about you falling in love with them!
ok this will go on record as my longest comment ever!
also i cleaned my craft room today because of you!
came to cry on my couch when their boyfriends broke up with THEM
(how is that for a typo?)
You will totally be awesome at this calling. I would love for you to be my daughter's laurel advisor!
Actually, my fondest memories of serving are seated in the YW program. One of my saddest days was being released as YW Pres. You will be good at this and they will love you!
I suggest that my cute friends in the East (who are secret blog fans!) comment occassionaly with ideas for you! (And Denise and Grandma too!)
Were you in YW when I read from a vintage Emily Post book each week? It was a great way to begin the discussions of refinement and manners, and funny too!
You'll be a winner, I just know it!
Michelle, you have so much to offer these girls, and I'm sure they will love you. This could be the start of something wonderful in your life! And like Susan said, I would be thrilled if you were my daughter's laurel advisor!
You are going to be amazing. IT is a lot of work, but you are going to be amazing. My Laurel advisor was with me when I got married when my mom wasn't, and we still keep in touch today.
You are going to be awesome.
They will love you & your creativity! I'm in YW. It's my first time and it took some getting used to, but I so love it now.
Oh laurels are just the best! Lucky you...and yes, it IS a lot of work. You will be wonderful, just wonderful.
I think you will be great at this... you can always think of me in scouts when you need a thankful moment....
Good luck! I hope you love it fast too....
I definitely understand your mixed feelings on this calling because YW is a serious commitment, but I know you'll be great at it and the girls can definitely benefit from knowing you.
I laughed when you said you know what your getting into. I guess it's a good thing I didn't. YW is a lot of work, but it is rewarding. You can make a difference and I believe you will.
Perhaps we can help each other come up with ideas.
Michelle, you are going to be an amazing Laurel advisor! I still stay in contact with the women who were my leaders in YW and you are in an amazing position to make such a difference these girls' lives. You are so talented and amazing and I know that you will be just an incredible YW leader! You'll be the leader that ever girl looks forward to seeing and talking to.
Congrats on the calling! I have never served in YW, I was just the Asst Stake Camp Director one year. SO I have no advice for you. But I love what Kristi wrote. SHe is very wise, and I know if you did what she talked about you would be great!! GOod luck!!
I am sure you will be fabulous with those girls- lucky them. It could be worse, right, at least it's not Scouts!!! Woo hoo!
those lucky girls! they are so blessed to have you looking out for them! you will have a ton of fun too, one place you will have to check out is called theideadoor.com it's a great resource for ym stuff. i'm currently using is to help with camp preparations for this year. i'm so in over my head!
Michelle, I think you will be amazing in this calling! I know for me personally my YW leaders made a huge difference in my life, mostly just by being there and sharing their life experience with me. I think you have a lot to offer the Laurels, and kudos to you for being willing to do it!
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