Personal Progress

Golda has been working on some Personal Progress projects for the Young Women's program. Over the summer, she and three friends made skirts with Amanda's mom to fulfill an "Integrity" project. Amanda's wonderful mom, Marta, put in well over ten hours with these girls, and I think the skirts turned out darling. Golda didn't get a chance to hem hers until today, so I sat her down and showed her how.

Her other project is "learning how to clean, organize and maintain a home" for her Knowledge value. Designing and painting her new room went along with this. For me, implementing new design ideas is crucial to being able to maintain a clean, peaceful and mentally refreshing place to live. One of my very favorite things to do as a kids was "changing the furniture around." It made everything seem newer to change it up, and it's a good way to do a clean sweep. Golda organized her new closet, so we'll see how the maintenance part goes. Yesterday, I helped Golda make a list of all the details of cleaning a bathroom, and we cleaned as we went. Of course, she already knew all this stuff, but it was fun to organize it as part of the value project. Next we'll do kitchens, deep cleaning and general stuff.

Tonight was another facet of the Young Women's program, the first Camp meeting! Sister Richards talked to all the parents, asking them what the biggest challenge they have ever faced is. (Mine was preparing for my senior recital in college. Yikes!) Girls' camp this year is going to include some challenges; the girls are going to Camp Douglas, a scout camp. I'm not sure that's the name, but they will have the opportunity to shoot bows and arrows, rappel down a cliff, river raft and canoe. The theme is Women of Courage. Golda is not an adventurous sort, so this theme seems tailor-made to make her grow. It's going to be so fun! The leaders gave each girl a quart jar to save change in, as they are strongly encouraged to earn their own $105.00 for the trip. Anyone have any jobs for Golda to do? :) It takes many kinds of strength to be an adult, and it takes a lifetime to build those strengths. It is so good for these girls to be learning how to be competent at an early age, and to be learning from the examples of such inspiring women. Only when life pushes you and you push it right back can you be successful. Maybe Golda will get a taste of that hanging from the side of a cliff. (And you thought making a skirt was a challenge, G!)