Women of the Scriptures Week

  Back around the middle of November, I got a pretty distinct impression that we needed to do something like worth week.  But it needed to be focused on women in the scriptures.  We needed to help the young women get into the scriptures.  We needed to help them see these remarkable women and the good that they were able to do and we needed to help them recognize that God also has a work for them to do.  I hoped it would be a beautiful, spirit filled week for them.  I hope it has been.  Today concludes "women of the scriptures week".  I asked each of my counselors and each member of our stake YW presidency to select one woman in the scriptures.  I asked them to briefly tell that woman's story and then to select a character trait/Christlike attribute that woman possessed.  Describe that attribute and give a simple challenge related to that attribute that the girls could do on that day.  Then prepare a small gift that tied in with the woman and/or the attribute.  I ended up loving the week and loving what each woman came up with.  I really hope the YW did too!

We began the week learning about Esther and courage.  Our stake YW President made personalized mugs for each YW with their name and a picture of a lion and the words "strong and courageous".

On Monday, we learned about Tabitha.  The young women read about her good works and almsgiving.  They were given chapstick and a charge to speak kind words to all the people they passed.

On Tuesday, they 

On Tuesday, they learned about Sariah.  They learned that she had a moment when she complained and murmured and her faith wavered.  But when her sons returned safely, she repented and she received confirmation from the spirit.  Sister Sweeny wrote, "All of us, like Sariah, have times in our lives when we experience doubts and trials that may leave us cold on the inside.  As you use this rice bag, let it be a reminder that when you are spiritually cooling or cold, you can draw from the heat of others (parents, friends, siblings, leaders, the Holy Ghost, and especially our Heavenly Parents and Savior, Jesus Christ) to help keep you warm until your heat returns.  We need each other, Wendy Sweeny"

On Wednesday, we learned about Mahlah (who I admit I didn't know about!  I loved her story!!)

The girls got gum with a note to "chews" calm over confusion, courage over concern, peace over panic and gratitude over gripe.

On Thursday, we learned about Ruth.  The girls were given a friendship bracelet and a challenge to reach out to someone they haven't talked to recently and tell them that they love them.

On Friday, the girls learned about Emma Smith's great faith.  They were given a wooden sign to let their faith show.

And they were challenged to choose a song that helps increase their faith and share that song with a family member, friend or leader.

On Saturday, they learned about the wise woman (found in 2 Samuel 20).  They learned what it means to be wise and were challenged to think of one wise woman they know and reach out to her and tell her what they admire about her or ask for her advice.  OR they could write in their journals about the lessons they learn from this wise woman.  They received owl socks.

Today, Sunday, they learned about Elisabeth and her nobility and what a faithful mother and wife she was.  They were challenged to read her story in Luke 1 and write their feelings in their journal.