With my Williams Sonoma Beehive Cake Pan and Wendy McGowans' over-the-top creativity and talent, the 2009 Young Women Beehives were welcomed. (In my opinion, every Young Women program should own or have access to these Beehive Cake Pans..they are perfect!) Wendy made these cakes look the best ever...even better than the Williams Sonoma sample.
Note...she even MADE the Bumble Bees out of pipe cleaners. Thank you, Wendy for making this a memorable evening..especially since I FINALLY have a Young Woman from my family entering the program. Yes, my own daughter, Katherine turns 12 in 7 weeks. If you think I am not excited...read below...
Let Them Eat Cake!
Above, Wendy is cutting the too-cute-to-cut cakes! I am glad she cut them as it would have made me cry to cut such beautiful work. And...they tasted as wonderful as they look. That doesn't happen very often!
Did I mention...Wendy will also be Katherine's teacher when she enters The Young Women Program as a Beehive. Hooray! Here are 4 of the 5 girls who enter the Young Women Program this year. Katherine is first of this group. Wow... I seriously don't know where 12 years have gone. (Now I sound old) The Adventure aka The Young Women's Program, is just beginning for our family. I am excited to work on The Personal Progress Program with my own daughters after years of helping so many girls on their journey.
The Personal Progress Program is near and dear to my heart. In too many places, it is the most neglected, under-utilized, and misunderstood resource of the entire Young Women Program. All too often, it is treated like a separate program from the mainstream Young Women Lessons and Activities. When this happens, the Young Women are short-changed and never receive the full benefit of this inspired Program.
As Stake Young Women President, when I would visit the different Wards, there was a marked difference in the girls, their leaders, and the general feeling of love and support when The Personal Progress Program was integrated into every corner...The Lessons, The Activities, The Priesthood Interviews, The YW Leader Interviews, The YW Presidency Meetings, The Parent Orientations, etc.
A huge success factor is having every Young Women Leader working the Personal Progress Program herself, right along with the girls. Elaine Dalton, General Young Women President, said this was vital. (pat me on the back... I earned the YW Medallion as an adult leader) Sister Dalton also said that if you, as an adult, have earned the YW Recognition Award...START OVER and EARN IT AGAIN (I did this while I was serving recently and will continue to work on it with Katherine..I could earn this Award several times over with 2 daughters entering the program!)
I know when I was working on the Personal Progress Program myself, I knew exactly what to refer to in lessons, talks, etc. as I would teach, interview, and love the girls along.
In a world that constantly tears down Women of every age and stage, The Personal Progress Program should not be the best kept secret in The Church, it is the light that will bring Young Women through many seas of darkness.
Hooray.... I am beyond excited to enter this new stage with my daughters. I am beyond thankful for the Young Women Personal Progress Program to guide and support us as a family!
Welcome To the Hive...
Let The Journey Begin...
For Now...
Let Them Eat Cake!
