New Beginnings

I thought this picture and excerpt from Golda's letter were timely this year, as we're hitting milestones and having new beginnings:  "Even though I'm more grown up, I think growing up is kind of a cycle.  Some of the things I become or want to become are just more reminsicent of who I was as a child.  It was easier to have unconditional love, to not judge, to know what was important, to have joy in others' success, to love the simple things. I think all kids are like that.  That is why Christ commands us to become as little children. We just have to find those intrinsic Christ-like attributes that we are born with as children of God, and decide to cultivate them amidst change, adversity and sorrow as we grow."  Wise girl, beautiful writer.

Little Tziporah gave a talk in church. I didn't get to hear it because I was at an audition for Freestone, but Scott helped her read it. I had typed it up and sent a screenshot to everyone in the family, knowing that the hard copy, which Tziporah had decorated with pictures of flowers, would get left home on the kitchen counter. Sure enough...

 That same night, Ptolemy had his baptism preview! He turns 8 in July, but he's opted to wait for Golda to get home from her mission and Ruby to return from Miami for Christmas, and get baptized in January. That could change... We'll see. He loved the preview. He wanted to go back to the church and do it again the next day. Maybe it was the chocolate milk, or having Scott conducting the meeting. The kids love having their dad involved in every church activity. Scott got another chance to give a little talk at New Beginnings.

It's great to have letters from Golda, because we can just quote her whenever we have to teach a lesson or give a talk. In talking about the growth the girls experience in the Young Women's program, Scott read from Golda's letter the excerpt I put at the top of the post. See why we always quote Sister Dopp?:)
 Xanthe was introduced as a new Beehive. She turns 12 in April. She was nervous about the night, not knowing what to expect. I kept telling her that Esmae would be there too, and it wouldn't be scary. Well, Esmae was sick and couldn't come, so that threw her off. When I walked in late from teaching, Xanthe was sitting perfectly still and stone-faced, one of her go-to coping mechanisms. She carried that through Ruby's entire introduction, which Araceli had written up. She only cracked a smile when Ruby presented her with a Twix, her favorite candy bar.  She ended up thinking that Young Womens is going to be fun, especially after there was a table full of treats at the end of the night!

These three could not be more different, and they're all perfect.

Young Women in Excellence

 It's been exciting to have Ari turn 12 because now we have three girls in the Young Women program.  I'm not sure how their leaders feel about having so many of them. but there is now a Dopp girl in each group:  Laurels, Mia Maids and Beehives.  There is no escaping the Dopp girls or their pesky mom!

The special evening we had to celebrate the girls' achievements and goals had a theme, "There's Noplace Like My Heavenly Home," so the girls centered it around The Wizard of Oz.  Ruby and her friend Rachel were in charge of the decorating and refreshments, etc.  I love how the YW program is turning the reins over to the girls.  These are skills they need and they are lucky to have the opportunity to develop them early.  Ruby and Rachel created a delightful venue, full of fun touches.

 Each girl made a little display with the question in mind, "How has a pair of shoes helped you to stand in holy places?"  A number of the girls displayed their pointe shoes, and Golda gave a talk that eloquently put into words what the girls meant by saying that their dance shoes helped them stand in holy places.  I'll have to reprint her talk here.  It was absolutely beautiful.   This above is Ruby's display, explaining about her shoes and displaying her shoes from Nutcracker last year.  I am proud of her for working so doggedly since she didn't make Nutcracker this year.  The defeat lit a fire of determination in her, and I am proud to see that, as opposed to bitterness or blame.

 Such a fun theme!

 You can see Golda's display on the left, with some dance pictures and her pointe shoes.  Really, you have to read her talk.

 Ari displayed her new slippers that Grandma and Grandpa gave her and talked about how her home is a holy place.  She also set out one of Tiffany's love boxes with a home on it and a book called, "Finally 12," which Scott gave her for her birthday.  The clarinet in the background belongs to someone else. :)

I love that Ari chose her slippers, especially since we had just spent a day with the Dopps and Hills at Marlin and Ann's missionary farewell and the party afterward, followed by a Dopp November birthday party at our house.  Family is where Ari's center is, for sure.

 Some of the displays.  That picture of Golda and Ruby kills me!

Three new, darling Beehives.  We are so lucky to have so many sharp, kind, wonderful girls in our neighborhood.  It is impossible to measure the positive effect these girls have on each other.  We live in a great place!  Even if Scott and I were total deadbeats, our kids could potentially turn out great just on the strength of their friends, neighbors and leaders.  In fact...are we total deadbeats?  I guess we'll never know, but thanks to everyone around us for supporting our efforts and doing it with style!