Be Believing

Be believing Friends!

Things will always work out!

The Wednesday Blues

Today is really dragging.

The Wednesday Blues are just killing me today!!!!

I feel exactly like this...

How do you get through the Wednesday Blues?

Come Follow Me - Service Principles for February

This month is YW and Sunday School you've been learning about the Plan of Salvation.

At lds.org/youth it specifically asks you to think about, "How can I use church music to learn about the plan of salvation?" to show how music can help teach the gospel.

They also ask you to think about what talents, like music, you may have that could help teach the gospel.

So...what talents do you have?

Every person I have EVER met has a special talent or skill that could help them share the gospel. I know people who are very good at putting their testimony and thoughts into words, perhaps through a poem or song. I have some friends who are skilled with speaking - they can portray their feelings very thoughtfully and respectfully to others. Others I have met can show their testimony through actions of genuine love, concern, and service. 

Talents can range from music to sport, compassion to gratitude, writing to speaking and so much much more! Think about what talents God has blessed you with (your patriarchal blessing might help you get started with this) and how those talents can be used to share the gospel.

Most of all though, remember that God has given you every tool you need to share His gospel. 

You are His daughter with the potential to share goodness in all aspects of your life,

including how you share your testimony with those around you.

Pinterest Roundup: 2015 Mutual Theme - O Ye That Embark (Round 2)

Remember our first post with 2015 Mutual Theme ideas? 

Well, there are just so many cute ideas out there that we needed to share more!!

So here is Round 2 of 2015 Mutual Theme ideas!!!!! Enjoy!

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Learn how to make this Anchor Charm Bracelet

at Chalkboard Blue!! Isn't it adorable?

This creative Sailboat is made from fabric scraps and drift wood!

The original source is in a different language, but you can use the picture as inspiration.

We love this cute and easy-to-make Glitter Anchor Tee!

Buggy & Jellybean has a great tutorial for you!

This fun idea could easily be adapted and used at a YW activity - 

"Stranded at Sea Emergency Kits" from Carrie at Cue the Confetti.

Something Turquoise shares how to make Hand-Stamped Muslin Favor Bags

that could be used for an activity or birthday gift!

DIY Nautical Totes could be fun at Girls Camp or for a weeknight activity!

Tutorial from Bayside Bride is easy and simple!

We love this girl-centered and creative poster 

by Susan Finch that you can download from her site.

Serving in Secret

There was an article posted in the Church News at the end of January

encouraging the Youth of the church to give service secretly.

It was written by Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, the YW General President, and she tied it in with the 2015 Mutual theme of how to "Embark in the service of God."

We wanted to share some of our favorite highlights from the article (and encourage you to go read it as well)

because we felt like this was a perfect match up with the Acts of Love

that we shared during the first two weeks of this month.

Sister Oscarson talks about listening for "SOS" signals from those around us.

Many times you will notice that someone seems sad or lonely, or perhaps you don't notice anything different at all but the Spirit prompts you to reach out to them.

You have SO much power to do good, to help these individuals who need a friend.

A simple hug, a note to say hello, an unexpected visit or phone call.

These things and many more can help lift their spirit and help them feel Heavenly Father's love.

And these things can (and should) be done in quiet, without fanfare. Sister Oscarson said, "There is much to be said for the quiet acts of service of which no one ever knows except the one being served and the server." She shares the scripture Matthew 6:1&3 that reads, "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven...But when thou doest alms, let not they left hand know what thy right hand doeth."

We have many opportunities to quietly serve inside and outside of our homes.

You can observe your family members and look for needs they might have - helping a younger sibling with homework, quietly cleaning up a mess you didn't make, or being a positive influence in your words and actions.

Outside of your family, you can take notice of friends or neighbors who may need a hand or just a friend to sit by.

One of my favorite scriptures and one that Sister Oscarson shares is D&C 81:5 where we are asked to "be faithful...succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees."

I promise that when you pay attention to these "SOS" signals from others, when you take time to reach out and lift them up, that good things happen. They will feel your love and in kind the love of God. They will have an added support and strength and perhaps even an answer to prayer. You will begin to feel more confident in your ability to help others and be an influence for good. You will feel the joy that comes in serving God's children and you will begin to see how you can change things for the better instead of being pulled down by problems or negativity.

So take a look around. Keep close to the Spirit.

Who can you help and how can you quietly serve them?

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Good Works Value Experience #3: Read Mosiah 18:7-10, and in your journal list three ways you can comfort others or help them bear their burdens. Do the things on your list, and tell a family member or leader about the experience and how your attitude and understanding have changed.

Book Review: Edenbrooke

Our book review of "Edenbrooke" from our Winter 2014 issue!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day friends!

We hope you have a happy and fun day, spending time with those who are most important in your life...and that does not mean you need to have a boyfriend to enjoy the holiday!!

Go get ice cream with your friends or maybe heart attack someone's house!

Play a game with your siblings or do an act of service for your parents.

Or watch the funny video below from our favorite Studio C :) It's awesome.

Also, check out our posts from the last 2 weeks in the Acts of Love series

for ideas on how you can brighten someone's day and help them feel loved on this special holiday.

Acts of Love: Tissue Paper Flowers

Who doesn't love getting flowers!!!!

You could make these easy (and much cheaper than real flowers) Tissue Paper Flowers

for your BFF, mom, grandma, neighbor, or someone else who you think could use some

flowers to brighten their day.

Look below for the links to these easy flower tutorials

and check out our other Acts of Love for ideas of how you can show love for Valentine's Day!

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These easy steps from Craft by Photo

will help you make adorable flowers ;)

We love this multi-colored flower tutorial

from One Crafty Mama

These cool flowers from One Little Project At A Time

use a ball to make the fun and pretty shape!

Lia Griffith shows you how to make these

adorable Poppies!! Seriously, I love these!

Acts of Love: Service Scavenger Hunt

These ideas for a Service Scavenger Hunt are all over the place online, especially Pinterest.

But we feel like it goes perfectly with our Acts of Love series these last two weeks!

So grab some friends, maybe your family, or your YW group and GO SERVE!

It will be FUN and you'll brighten someone's day!

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Find this free printable at Thirty Handmade Days - a great checklist!

At All Things Bright & Beautiful, this free printable  using points!

This one can't be done in one night, but we loved it still!

Some great ideas here from The Princess & Her Cowboys

For a YW activity, this one stays at the church! 

You can find the pic here - source unknown.

On The List Again has this fun idea, 

and you're assigned specific houses to visit!

Acts of Love: Respond With Love

We're getting a head start on tomorrow's Acts of Love!

Most of the time we don't have to give a gift or do an act of service to show love,

we can show love in how we interact with others.

So think about how you can better respond with love towards your family, friends, etc.

I promise it will brighten your day and help others feel respected and loved!

Acts of Love: Brighten Someone's Day

We love this idea from Capital B to help brighten someone's day!

Just print off her free printable, attach to some fun bright candy

and take to someone special!

This is a great Acts of Love for FHE tonight, a YW Activity, or to just do on your own!!!!

Acts of Love: Saying Thanks

Sometimes the best way to show you love someone is to just say "thank you"! 

For Acts of Love today, find a way to say thanks to someone you love - your mom, your BFF, etc!

You could write a note, give a hug, make a treat, or help them with a chore.

Another fun idea is to print off these Free Gratitude Cards from Skip To My Lou and 

leave them hidden around for that someone to find. 

Who doesn't love getting surprise thank you notes?!?!?!

Acts of Love: Sending Sunshine

Do you have a friend or relative that lives far away? 

Even though miles may separate you, you can still show an Act of Love by sending them some Sunshine!

We found so many ideas online for Sending Sunshine, but we'll just share a few of our favorites!

All of them are sure to make someone very happy and feel very loved.

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Instead of making an entire box,

you could make a more simple version like this

Jar of Sunshine from Lovesome

A cute idea from Happy Money Saver

that includes some free printables you could include in your box

From Sassy Style a cute Pocketful of Sunshine

along with ideas of yellow items that can be included!

Some ideas from Popular with the Poplins

for what to include in a Sunshine Box.

We loved how this box from Pillow Thought

was decorated with cute clouds and suns!

Acts of Love: Bishopric Must-Stache

For today's Act of Love we wanted to share this GREAT idea of a Bishopric Must-Stache!

You're Bishopric puts in a lot of time and service into their callings,

sometimes they probably feel like they spend more time at the church than home!

So why not do something to show your appreciation for them by leaving them a "Stache" of goodies!

We love this idea from Life.Design.and the Pursuit of Craftiness!

You can also find a similar take on it at the Farnsworth Blog.

The Young Women put on their best mustaches, went to the store for some treat-shopping,

and then presented it to the Bishopric in a cute little bucket that can stay in the Bishop's office.

What a fun idea, huh?

What other service could you do for your Bishopric? 

Acts of Love: Random Acts of Kindness

For an Act of Love today, think of doing a Random Act of Kindness for someone!

On the blog Seven Thirty Three you can find this cute free printable  that can be attached to 

a bag of candy, a plate of cookies, or anything else that you come up with!

Maybe you could leave it with some change by a pay phone or some candy on someone's car windshield. It could be something for a stranger or your best friend, a neighbor or a relative!

So many possibilities! 

And remember to keep joining us in our 2 weeks of Acts of Love 

to help serve and love those around you!

Acts of Love: Heart Attack!!!

Do you have a friend, family member, or neighbor that could use a heart attack?

Now, not a REAL heart attack of course....

But a fun one for Valentine's Day!

Check out these ideas from our Winter 2014 Issue and make someone's day AWESOME!

And keep joining us in our 2 weeks of Acts of Love to help serve and love those around you!

Acts of Love

It's February which = Valentine's Day right?

But that doesn't mean it has to be all romance and roses!

Over the next two weeks we want to share some fun ways that you can show love to those around you, with no silly boys included!

So jump in and join us in giving Acts of Love to friends, family, neighbors, and more!

And if you have any ideas, PLEASE share! We'd love to hear them!

February 2015 Calendar

February already?!?! What!

But we can already tell it's going to be a great month!

Look ahead to some fun holidays like Chinese New Year, 

Eat Ice Cream For Breakfast Day, and of course Valentine's Day!

Let's have some fun!

From our Winter 2014 Issue