God Knows You're Amazing

For All Young Women, Their Parents, and Their Leaders....

Talk on CD by Laurel Christensen

Click HERE to order your own copy.

My Katherine is turning 12 next week...Young Women's Program...Here We Come... Full Throttle!
For those who have known me for many years, you know that I have been a Young Women Leader for the daughters of everyone else while I was raising my three sons (yes, I know it sounds like a TV Show...trust me..we were far more entertaining at every turn!!!)
I LOVE the Young Women Program and especially the incredible 12-18 year old girls I get to know and hold dear in my heart and thoughts.
Back in the day, I am not sure I ever imagined I would have a daughter of my own, yet now I have TWO daughters and look forward to every minute they have waiting for them as they embrace The Young Women Program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I bought this Talk on CD by Laurel Christensen last week and was too excited to wait until Katherine's Birthday to open it. As soon as I heard her first few thoughts, I was so happy I did not wait to listen to it. This was THE PERFECT message for my almost Young Women Age daughter. Actually this is THE PERFECT message for any Young Woman, Her Parents, and Her Leaders.
We are on DAY 6 of Katherine listening to this CD everywhere we go. She is quoting Laurel right and left.
As a Mother, I NEED voices like Laurel's to help my daughters make their way in this world. There are few places a Young Woman can have the reinforcement that she is, indeed, A Daughter of A Heavenly Father Who Loves Her. My deep gratitude to Laurel for her pure spirit, energy, and focus on The Gospel of Jesus Christ. LAUREL is AMAZING and God Knows It!

Now...here is a side story regarding Katherine. This morning she said, "I think Laurel should be introduced to John Bytheway" (trust me..they know each other). "They both love Heavenly Father and want to keep his commandments. They make ME want to keep the commandments" (Thank you, Thank You with my Loudest Mother Voice!)
If you have been reading my blog for awhile (bless you) you may remember these John Bytheway experiences that are unique to me and my family.
There are not enough positive voices like Laurel's and John's in this world.

Happy Birthday Bentley

A blast from the past in honor of a dear friend's Birthday! Carole King's, Tapestry, reminds me of driving around with my friend, Bentley.
At sixteen years old, we were confident we had the world by the tail and nothing could stop us! (At that time, very little got in the way of our fast-forward motion!!!)
We plugged in the 8-track tape, cranked up the volume, and grabbed the nearest "microphone" while we sang ( I am sure very off-key) at the top of our lungs. In the car, the windows had to be down. Inside, we had to find a "stage" to perform on.
Our "microphones" depended on what was available at that moment. Hairbrushes, curling irons, hair dryers, spoons, forks, pens, pencils, shoes, you name it, anything could be a "microphone".
Our "stage" could be any location, a bed, coffee table, patio deck, or chair. Just as long as we felt like we were on stage.
We worked hard, we played hard!
No one could "Feel The Earth Move Under Our Feet" the way we did!
As teenagers, we were the leaders of our peers at church. We would organize and plan activities in a manner I have rarely observed in my many years of working with teens. We had the most incredible adult support. Their confidence in us built my self-worth and desire to become a better person.
Bentley and I eventually "grew up" and, separately, faced challenges in our lives. Things that no one should have to go through, yet, many of our early confidence-building experiences gave me the courage to move forward, stay on course, and live a productive life. The love and support I felt as a teen, from so many directions, pointed me in a positive direction, even when I got off course. I continue to draw on the love and support recieved from the leaders and teachers of my teenage years. Evidence of the critial role supportive, positive adults play in the lives of children at every stage, yet most importantly, teens. As a Young Women leader, I have felt the weight of this truth many times.
Happy Birthday, Bentley! To celebrate your Birthday, I would love to hop in the car, turn up the Carole King CD and reminisce! We live miles and worlds apart, yet at any moment, we can call, write, or get together and the conversation is as if we have never been apart.
We've made it this far!
I Love You!!!!