Values Buntings

Lately a lot of my sewing and crafting time has been devoted to my church responsibilities, doing digital scrapbooking and sewing buntings.

In my church, it is a lay ministry, meaning nearly everyone pitches in and receives a "calling" (assignment) of some sort. A few months ago I got a new calling. I am in charge of the Personal Progress program for the girls ages 12-18 (Young Women). The program is a set of goals subdivided into Values groups. The purpose is to help the girls form habits of prayer, scripture study, and service and to strengthen their testimonies of Jesus Christ.

The Values are Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice and Accountability, Good Works, Integrity and Virtue. (If you have seen this fabric, these values are the inspiration for it.)

Part of my job is to to support and motivate the girls to work on their goals and become familiar with the Values, each Value theme, scripture and color.

In our ward (the congregation) in the Young Women's program, we have assigned each month a value to focus on. Once a month I have an activity with the girls to focus on that value, and help them with one of the goals. (We have fun too!)

Every month, I make a small poster with the theme and scripture, as well as a mini version as a take home bookmark and also a bunting in the color of the value. I also have a color themed treat on a card that I give them every Sunday if they bring their Personal Progress books.

Here are some of the buntings and posters. I have the gold Virtue bunting as well, but have not photographed it. The buntings are made from felt and pre-made quilt binding, and the letters are stenciled on with craft paint.

The Integrity color is purple and Good Works is Yellow. The Good Works theme and scripture are: I will help others and build the kingdom through righteous service. Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven (3 Nephi 12:16).

The Virtue color is gold.

If the Personal Progress program interests you for your girls or even yourself, you can start here, or email me for a hard copy of the book and journal and I will mail it to you.

 

Self worth: Forget Me Not

*Warning: this post is spiritual in nature, so feel free to skip if you like.

The conversations about Pinterest and self worth made me think of this message given by Dieter F. Uchtdorf to the women of the world. It is related to the topic though it is a little broader.

 A summary from his talk:

Sisters, there is something inspiring and sublime about the little forget-me-not flower. I hope it will be a symbol of the little things that make your lives joyful and sweet. Please never forget that you must be patient and compassionate with yourselves, that some sacrifices are better than others, that you need not wait for a golden ticket to be happy. Please never forget that the “why” of the gospel of Jesus Christ will inspire and uplift you. And never forget that your Heavenly Father knows, loves, and cherishes you.

The full version can be viewed below or read here.

For all you ladies out there

This is an amazing, postive and very uplifting message, no matter what your religion is.
I hope you will go read it and take whatever touches you into your life.
Hugs!
FORGET ME NOT

You can also view the whole message HERE,  as it was broadcast which is even better!
Click on President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's links.

Of course you can listen to all of them. They were all wonderful messages.

Today's Affirmation

This is a major deviation from my usual topics,  being spiritual in nature.  Feel free to move on if it is of no interest to you.This will probably  not be a common occurence. I just had some thoughts and wanted to put them out there.


I heard this quote the other day and It rang true for me so I am going to share it and my thoughts about it with you.
I hope you will share your thoughts/take on it with me too! (But please be polite.)

Call on God, but row away from the rocks. ~ Indian Proverb

To me that means that having faith in God also requires action on our part. He is waiting to bless us, but we should not be sitting on our duffs waiting for things to change. He blessed us with brains so we should use them. He will certainly inspire us if we ask for help with anything we are struggling with.
I think this scripture is one that touches on that.

James 2: 14 -18
14^aWhat doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath ^bfaith, and have not works? can faith save him?

 15If a ^abrother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily ^bfood,

 16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye ^agive them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

 17Even so ^afaith, if it hath not ^bworks, is dead, being alone.

Here is another one that I feel is similar.

• Revelation 3:20

  20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
  
  

There is a painting I like where Christ is standing outside the door knocking but there is no doorknob. It is up to us to let him in. He will teach us and then we need to take his teachings and use them. Serve, be obedient to commandments given, learn, grow our faith. ACT.