Favorite Things Friday: Book of Mormon Reading Charts

I'm crazy about organizing my life! I like checklists and to-do lists and for some reasons that's always helped me with my scripture study as well. If I have a little chart to keep track of my reading, I seem to read longer and more throughout the year.

How about you?

Do you need help keeping track of your reading each day?

Here are a few of our favorite reading charts to get you started with your reading of The Book of Mormon! 

And just a few practical tips to get you started on reading The Book of Mormon:

1. Set a goal. When do you want to finish reading? (one month, six months, a year, etc.)

2. When will you read each day? (before school, before bed, etc.)

3. How will you keep track? (a chart, journal, etc.)

4. How will you celebrate when you reach your goal? Think of something fun to say, "I did it!!!"

If you want to read The Book of Mormon in a specific amount of time,

this chart will be super helpful for you.

From Personal Progress Helper

And below you will find a ton of charts to help you keep track of your reading!

Happy Reading!

Found on Pinterest - could not find original source

Found on Pinterest - couldn't find on host site.

From Food Storage and Beyond

From Someone in Mind

(also has a 90 day schedule)

Found on Pinterest - couldn't find on host site

From The Durham Family

From Making Precious Things Plain

Time Out For Girls

For those of you who live near Salt Lake City, a fine event is headed your way!

Time Out for Girls will be held on November 1st for girls ages 12 to 18.

I'm imagining that it will be awesome, like EFY crammed into one day

and without the drama of boys since it's GIRLS ONLY! YAH!

Check out their website for more details.

Registration right now is $60 and includes lunch, snacks, a journal and tote!

Plus there are amazing speakers like Elaine Dalton, John Bytheway, and more.

This School Year: Be More Awesome.

A lot of you are started school today! Yay! 

Or Boo! If you're not excited it about it.

If you do need a little pep talk, 

watch this little video from Kid President.

If he can't inspire you to "be more awesome"

well then I don't who can. :)

Happy School!

Hearts Shall Fail Them

There is much to fear in our world.

But so much more to have faith in.

Strengthen your faith.

Remember who you are

and why you are here.

Rely on the Savior.

He loves you.

He will not fail you.

Favorite Things Friday: Crazy About Pineapple

Okay people. Let's talk pineapple.

Lately I seem to be seeing pineapple everywhere!

Clothing! Decor! Jewelry! Desserts! Toenails! You name it, it's there!

So for one last fling before the end of summer,

here are a few pineapple everythings to send off the season.

Have a end of summer party or send a friend some pineapple love.

Add some tropical art to your room or a bright new look for some furniture.

But whatever you do, I highly recommend making yourself

one of the Dole Whips...you won't be disappointed.

Aloha!

Practice your Pineapple doodles like this one

from Color Me Caitie

Do a Tropical Furniture Makeover

as shown on Better Homes & Garden

Use this Free Printable Pineapple Wrapping Paper

from Whimsey Box

Keeping track of the time is relaxing with this

Pineapple Clock from Society 6

Make a DIY Pineapple Piñata

with the tutorial at Studio DIY

Add some tropical bling with this Pineapple Princess Bangle Set

from Sweet Auburn Studio

Download this Free Pineapple Desktop photo

from Asia Pietrzyk

Stow away your favorite books with this

Pineapple Bookend from Eighty Six 56

Make your walls glitter with a Gold Pineapple Print

from Field Trip

Snag a copy of this Free Pineapple Printable

from Live Laugh Rowe

Make some Pink and Gold Pineapple Pillows

like these from Fancy It Pretty

Test your creative abilities by making 

Pineapple Art like this one (source unknown)

Make your own Dole Whip

with the recipe from Six Sisters Stuff

Where Is Your Treasure?

There was a talk in the past General Conference that I just loved.

It's called "Where Your Treasure Is" by Elder Michael John U. Teh of the Seventy.

The reason I loved it is because it made me feel a bit uncomfortable, which to me meant that it was something I really needed to hear. It's based on the scripture in Matthew 6:21...

For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.

Elder Teh shares that "there is no end to what the world has to offer, so it is critical that we learn to recognize when we have enough." Think about this! There are always more clothes to buy, more shoes to drool over, more magazines to get in the mail, more hairstyles to try, more more more!!!! More things that we think we need to have. A new iPhone or the latest iPod. A new television or shiny car. Seriously, I could go on and on with the "things" that the world tells us to buy and be happy with until a newer product comes out.

This is why it's CRITICAL that we pay attention to where our focus is. We can easily be swept into this need-need-need and buy-buy-buy trend. We can waste our time, money, and thoughts on things that really have to importance. 

So the question here would be what does have importance?

It's the things that last the longest that have the most importance. 

Our families, our covenants, our relationships, our talents, our testimonies.

Those are the things that contain true happiness and that last!!

These are our eternal treasures :)

To help us focus on our spiritual and eternal treasures, Elder Teh helps guide us through four ways that we can "lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven."

As I said, I felt like I really needed to hear this talk. And I greatly appreciated these four topics as ways to evaluate and refocus my life. Where am I spending my time? Where am I placing importance? What treasures am I trying to build up for heaven?

I hope that you will read/listen to this talk again and think about where your time, thoughts, and heart at at. Are you spending it on temporal objects or spiritual gems?

Try a little harder...

I've always loved this quote from President Hinckley.

A good reminder for a Monday :)

Get Ready for Back-to-School with Stand & Shine Magazine!

In just over 2 weeks we'll be releasing our Fall 2014 Issue of Stand & Shine Magazine!

It will be full of Back-to-School tips and fun ideas for Fall!

But to get in the spirit of Back-to-School right now, 

we want to share a few ways you can get ready for the school year to begin!!

--------------------------------------------

1. Set some goals.

What do you want to happen this school year? What time/prep will you have to put into your classes? What extracurricular activities do you want to be involved in? How will you make sure your physically and mentally prepared each day? How are you going to make time for scripture study and prayer each day? 

It may seem silly to ask yourself these questions, but do it! Think about what expectations you have for yourself and what person you want to be by the end of the school year. We recommend setting a goal for each of the following areas (though of course you can add more!) and writing your specific goals in your journal. Keep track of your progress weekly or monthly.

2. Update a few items in your wardrobe.

Besides using your Mom's credit card, there many other ways you can easily add new clothing to your closet. You can refashion jeans into a new pair of shorts or transform one of your Dad's old shirts into a trendy new tee. Check out our Modest Fashion Pinterest Board for some of our favorite fashion ideas to help you get started! The great thing will be that you can spend less for unique items that no one else at your school will have!

3. Be Positive.

School is stressful!! We know! You'll have assignments and papers to write, tests to study for. You'll have teachers who bug you and classmates who drive you crazy. And of course the social drama of boys and parties and friends. SO. MUCH. CHAOS.

And with all of this going on it's easy to get dragged down. Whether it's not feeling up to par with your grades or maybe even questioning your self-worth, there will be ups and downs during the year. The best way to tackle this is to find ways of staying positive that work for YOU. Maybe it's leaving little happy quotes in your locker or bedroom (find some happy quotes here). Maybe it's moving your scripture study to the morning before school so that you leave the house feeling the spirit with you (find scripture study ideas here). Maybe it's writing in your journal each day about the good things that happened to you that day, not focusing on anything negative (find journal ideas here).

4. Refresh your hair style.

This can be done by going extreme with a new hair cut or just finding a few new hair-do's to try out. Adding some fun DIY headbands or other hair accessories can also spruce up your hair style so it feels fresh and new!! Check out our Hair Pinterest Board for some fun and easy ideas.

5. Remember.

Most of all remember. Remember that you are loved by God. Remember that you are His daughter. Remember that we go through hard things but that God is right there with us. You are strong. You are bright. And you can do amazing things this year!!

Journal Prompts for the End of Summer

When I was growing up and into my college years, I was AWESOME at writing in my journal. I mean, the bomb-diggity. I would write almost every day and was very comfortable at pouring out my drama-filled soul. 

All those pages and pages about BOYS! Ack!

But the last few years I can't say that I've been that great at keeping my journal. Life starts feeling mundane or that it's just on repeat each day (like Groundhog Day). Do you ever feel that way? And sometimes I wonder why anyone would want to read about what a bought at the grocery store or when I finally put my laundry away. 

However, reading my old journals brings such an excitement and a flooding of memories. I love looking back into my 8-year-old world full of bike rides and icky boys. Or sneaking a peak into the drama of being 17 again and worrying about dances or football games or friends. And though some of it can be repetitive, there are so many gems throughout that I am SO THANKFUL that I wrote in my journal.

When I was in college, I happened to write quite thoroughly about "some boy" who I eventually ended up dating and marrying. I am so glad that I will be able to share those thoughts and experiences with my kids. Thought they will probably think it's gross that Mom & Dad dated and kissed and blah blah blah. Ha!

So why am I sharing this? Well for two reasons. First as a reminder to myself that I love writing in my journal and that I need to jump back on the journal-wagon. And second, to encourage you to write as well! It could be on a blog, in a notebook, making a scrapbook, on a calendar, drawing pics, etc. Whatever works for you, do it! You will be creating a gem so precious, a keepsake so full of memories and life, that you will treasure it forever.

Remember that adorable scene towards the end of the movie UP when Carl sees the pictures and notes that Ellie put in her scrapbook called the "My Adventure Book"? It meant so much to him to see what his sweetheart enjoyed and loved in her life. And it can be the same for us and our families. Journals are such a great way to preserve those adventures and to share them as well.

And if you're stuck, here are a few prompts to get you going. So jump in and journal!!

Share your favorite experience from this summer.

What is your current favorite scripture and why.

Who is your best friend and what makes them so great.

Write about one fun thing your family has done this summer.

Why are you excited (or not excited) for school to start again.

What are your goals for the school year.

What are you doing for your Personal Progress projects.

Who is your current hero and why.

What was your favorite talk in the past General Conference and why.

Where do you see yourself in one year? Five? Ten? Twenty?

Who's your crush. For real, we know you have one.

What was an embarrassing moment you had this past year.

How have you shared the gospel this summer.

What qualities have you been striving to develop.

List all of the things you love about yourself.

What's your favorite YW value and why.

That should give you a good start :) Happy Journaling!

Ogden Temple Open House

From lds.org

Almost two weeks ago we were able to go through the Ogden Temple Open House.

It is a beautiful temple and was filled with such a peaceful and powerful Spirit.

If you live locally, please take the time to go! 

Take along your family or friends, members or nonmembers.

It really is such a wonderful opportunity to share the purpose and blessings of the temple

with those around us.

You can find ticket reservations online.

Modest Back-to-School Fashion

 We know it can be stressful to find modest clothing that is trendy and cute,

especially when you're gearing up for that first day of school.

So we checked out a few of our favorite sites and found some fabulous clothes just for you!

We're digging the print trends right now, as you'll see on each top that we picked.

And of course the adorable colored bottoms. So fun!

Happy Back-to-School! 

Elephant Knit Top

The Nest On Main $24.99

The Flirt Denim Bermudas

Old Navy $10.00 (current sale)

High Low Aztec Print Top

The Nest On Main $23.99

High-Waisted Skinny Jeans

The Nest On Main $30.00

Jersey Top With Printed Design

H&M $12.95

Workin' It Trouser Jeans

DownEast $39.99

Anchor Tee

Bella Ella Boutique $9.99

Three Button Colored Bermuda Shorts

The Nest On Main $14.99 (current sale)

If You Only Knew...

I came across this little poster on Pinterest and it brought out the poet in me :)

Read below for a little reminder of who you are.

And let's not make fun of my poetic genius, k? Haha.

If You Only Knew...

by marci preece

Under your skin and those curves that you hide.

Something is special, trying to shine.

Behind your lips that hold back a smile

a giggle is waiting to get out for a while.

Hidden by freckles and speckles and more

a sweetness resides that is hard to ignore.

Your eyes focus outward to see another's view

when inward lies the beauty that will always be true.

For deep within the heart of your heart

you are a girl with an amazing part.

You have a gift from our Father above

to nurture, to shine, to share, and to love.

You have a purpose and reason to be.

You have a light that allows others to see.

Please don't hold back the goodness within

because you can't see what's under your skin.

Faith vs. Fear

This past Sunday a lesson was given that has been stuck in my mind
and I wanted to share just a few thoughts about it.

It's about faith. And it's about fear.
Two things that cannot exist together.

Often times we hold ourselves back because we're afraid.
We fear we won't achieve our dreams. Or we won't make anything of ourselves.
We fear what others may think of us, that they may not approve of our beliefs or our actions.
We fear that we just can't live up to what God asks of us
or that we can't handle the trial, challenge, or test that we are going through.

But there is a beautiful attribute that if we carefully and tenderly grow within our hearts,
we can dispel that fear. It is faith.

A beautiful story was shared in the April 2014 General Conference by Sister Stevens.
It gives a wonderful example of how faith overcame fear.

Arn and Venita Gatrell were living a happy life when Arn was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. The prognosis was devastating—he had just a few weeks to live. The family wanted to be together one last time. So all the children gathered, some from distant locations. They had only 48 precious hours to spend together. The Gatrells carefully chose what mattered most to them—a family picture, a family dinner, and a session in the Salt Lake Temple. Venita said, “When we walked out of the temple doors, it was the last time we would ever be together in this life.”

But they left with the assurance that there is so much more for them than just this life. Because of sacred temple covenants, they have hope in God’s promises. They can be together forever.

The next two months were filled with blessings too numerous to recount. Arn and Venita’s faith and trust in the Lord were growing, as evidenced in Venita’s words: “I was carried. I learned that you can feel peace in the midst of turmoil. I knew the Lord was watching over us. If you trust in the Lord, truly you can overcome any of life’s challenges.”

One of their daughters added: “We watched our parents and saw their example. We saw their faith and how they handled it. I would never have asked for this trial, but I would never give it away. We were surrounded with God’s love.”

Of course, Arn’s passing was not the outcome the Gatrells had hoped for. But their crisis was not a crisis of faith. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not a checklist of things to do; rather, it lives in our hearts. The gospel “is not weight; it is wings.”⁴ It carries us. It carried the Gatrells. They felt peace in the midst of the storm. They held fast to each other and to temple covenants they had made and kept. They grew in their ability to trust in the Lord and were strengthened by their faith in Jesus Christ and in His atoning power. 

I loved what Venita said: "You can feel peace in the midst of turmoil."
That is the power of faith. The Lord can lift us up and help us see past our fears.
The burdens don't go away. But they are lightened by the light and atonement of our Savior.

And what a poetic reminder that "the gospel is not weight; it is wings."

So what about you?
Are you holding onto fear and living below the privileges you have been given as a daughter of God?
Or are you holding fast to your faith and allowing the gospel of Jesus Christ to help you fly?

Summer Group Date Ideas

Summer is almost over and it's time to get those last few group dates in!

And if you're not up to organizing a group date, just get some friends together for a fun outing.

Here are a few of our favorite group date ideas that are perfect for this time of year:

Do you have a fun group date idea? Please share in the comments!

And check out our Fall Group Dates

and Winter Group Dates too!

The YW Values: Disney Style!!!

I came across the cutest thing the other day! 

It's the Young Women Values with the DISNEY PRINCESSES!

I mean, for real. This is awesome.

Unless you're not a Disney fan but I'm thinking you are.

Or am I the only who relates anything in life to a Disney song?

Anywho. An amazing Laurel from the Pacific Northwest made a blog called

The Personal Progress Helper with adorable ideas like this one:

You can read more of the details on her blog and get the larger picture sizes,

but aren't they amazing!!!!

We loved it so much that we wanted to share!

It could be a fun idea to use for an activity, a Girls Camp theme, and more!