All Aboard the New Beginnings Cruise Ship

2015 LDS Mutual Theme

"Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day" (D&C 4:2).

What a great theme for the year!  How wonderful that so many young people (and their families) throughout the world will be focused on serving others.

Andrew S-An LDS youth from the United States said, "I think that this theme is the BEST!  It gives us a chance to really show ourselves to God and serve Him.  I think some great experiences will happen this year.  I can almost guarantee it."

I agree with Andrew.  I expect to witness some pretty great things this year as well...beginning with all the hard work and service that went into this exceptional evening of New Beginnings.

About a week before the big ship was ready for departure parents received this Embark Ticket with instructions to come dressed as a "Tacky Tourist."  The parents and young women stepped up to that invitation in a big way.  We saw lots of tacky tourists ready to board the YW Love Boat.

Bright colors, Hawaiian shirts, leis, cameras, binnculors, fun hats and even a cute sunburn.

As we boarded the ship we walked down the long passageway complete with beautiful blue ocean water and seaweed portholes. 

Brown spray painted paper plates, a few Cheerios placed just right, blue background and green raffia fashioned into seaweed.  Perfect!

At the ship check-in each passenger received a Passport that assigned them a "group" to go ashore with at each port.

All of the Love Boat crew were aboard this cruise line.  Julie, the Cruise Director (YW Pres.) welcomed all of us and introduced the Mutual theme for the year and then introduced Captain Stubing (Bishop).  We were split into 4 groups that followed Issac, Gopher, Doc, and Captain Stubing (our bishopric) to all the ports of call.  

We traveled around to the different ports and found out about Girls Camp (at Palisades), Sports, Personal Progress and their was even a Photo Op Spot aboard a little dingy.  

Once our shore adventures were complete we were invited back into the dining hall for a not-to-disappoint ship buffet of pudding parfaits, desserts and veggie cups.

Each young woman was asked to share some of the ways they planned to serve others during the year.  Once they had written down their plan they slipped it into a bottle with sand and sea shells and sealed it.  At the end of the year they will open it and see how they did!

A wonderful, informative, extra fun evening.  


It's an open smile on a friendly shore. Yes LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE! It's LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE!”



That is what service is all about...getting outside of yourself and LOVING others.

Strawberry Spring Salad

This salad is the bomb!!! (is this term still used by kids these days?) Well, I don't care, it is. I got this recipe from my friend Pam who got it from her sister-in-law Michelle. She graciously has allowed me to share it with you. You are so lucky! Your life will never be the same after you eat this delicious, quick and easy to make salad. You think I'm kidding? I'm not.  

Strawberry Spring Salad

1 bag spring mix

1 pkg sliced strawberries

1/4 sliced red onion

1 pkg candied pecans or almonds (sugar them yourself instead of buying. It's easy and tastes so much better)

1 pkg Feta or 1 log Goat cheese (I used to always use feta, but I really prefer goat cheese with it now)

Dressing:

1/3 cup vegetable oil

3 Tbsp. sugar

3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1 Tbsp. chopped parsley

1/2 tsp. salt

dash pepper

10 dashes Lousiana Hot Sauce

Prepare dressing and refrigerate. Prepare salad and mix all ingredients. Shake and mix dressing right before serving so salad doesn't get soggy. Enjoy!

Four Corners-Primary Singing Time Activity

Four Corners

(We will review the song He Sent His Son CSB pg. 34-35)

This activity helps keep things fun when reviewing an already familiar Primary song.  With the Four Corner activity we sing the song many times…which offers lots of fun REVIEW!  

Thanks Sara Andersen Ferrell (Primary Chorister Facebook page) for the great idea! 

Before Primary Day
Review activity with Primary Presidency.  This activity requires ACTIVE Participation and may not be appropriate for what the presidency has prepared for sharing time. 

If approved, prepare signs and flipcharts.  I just googled the signs and added my instructions for children.  Cut out, laminate (if desired) and then attach a Popsicle stick.  For easy display pop all completed signs in an unused (or clean) paint can.

Divide the song into 4 parts (1^st Q/A, 2^nd Q/A, etc. then all kids sing the last 2 lines)

Primary Day

1.  Number each corner of the room (4 corners-Stop and Sing sign).

2.    Attached corresponding flip charts to the wall of each corner (2 each).

3.    Establish rules and ask for complete cooperation from children.  I will ask children to raise their hand if they are willing to obey the reverence rules. (Quiet sign)

4.  Divide the classes to the corners and ask to stand by number (encouraging reverence).

5.     Each group will sing their Q/A then listen quietly to the other groups.

6.    Once completed a reverent child will be invited to choose a “directional sign” that will explain how we move to the next corner.  (Directional signs to "walk" to the new corner- tiptoe, and sideways shuffle, arms folded, linked arms, hands overhead, follow the leader, etc.)  Now watch for the GO sign and move to next corner.

Our Reverence Rules

1 .    Must sing beautifully and have fun.

2.    Must obey the directional signs.

3.    Watch for the Quiet Sign.  Must be completely silent for next directions.

4.    Cannot move from corner to corner until you see the GO sign.

5.     If the traffic cops (Primary Presidency-at each corner) gives you a traffic citation (a tap on the shoulder) you must return to your seat and quietly wait for the activity to be over.  You might be invited back for good behavior.

Looking forward to Sunday's Primary Singing Time!

My Funny Valentine

For my son's Valentine this year we decided to do something a little funny. What 3rd grade boy doesn't love to pull a practical joke? 

I found these cute Valentines on Paging Supermom. She has a ton of fun ideas and lots of printables as well. Check it out. 

Kellie's daughter is in Jr. High and wanted to get in on the Valentine action as well.  Tic-Tac-Toe Templates

 

We thought these Mini Tart Conversation Hearts (from Walmart) would be excellent tic-tac-toe markers.

Slipped the tic-tac-toe card in a celophane bag, attached the stickers, then stuck the tart box on the front of bagged card with Tacky Tape.



A little shopping, cutting, sticking created a SWEET little Jr. High Valentine!

Valentine Bottles of Love

Need a quick, inexpensive Valentine for your friend or sweetheart?  My daughter Bianca came up with this idea. 

1.  Gather your favorite juice or glass containers. 

2.  Wash and dry completely.

3.  Spray lid gold (if desired).

4.  Write a little love message on the bottle with Sharpie pen or paint. (Could also use vinyl lettering)

5. Fill container with your favorite (CHOCOLATE) treat!

6. Attach a Valentiney tag.  Used Made with Love tags.

Like Gold Polka Dot bottles?

Stick round stickers on bottles.

Spray paint gold, let dry and then peel off the stickers.  

As easy as that!

Thanks Bianca for the great idea!

Heart Attack-Primary Singing Time Style

We had a fun time in Primary Singing Time today. 

Thank you Bobbie at Crafts by Friends for the great idea!

Just a few conversation hearts, a poster board, cute fonts and and lots of beautiful Primary children voices made for a great 20 minutes of singing time and a gigantic Valentine card for our Bishop

Preparation:

I bought a foam board (because it was sturdy), 

A package of Velcro fasteners and Terrifically Tacky Tape (Provo Craft),

Downloaded a couple of free fonts 

(True Stories, Lane-Narrow), 

And gathered free digital multi-colored conversation hearts.

The tacky tape helped secure the Bishop message hearts and the Velcro allowed conversation hearts to come on and off the board as we sang the "Love" songs.

This list of songs correlated with the conversation hearts.

Singing Time:

The Primary children were invited to come up front (one at a time) to choose a conversation heart and then attach it to the valentine card (poster board).  After each heart was chosen we would then sing the song.

The Nursery children participated and loved being included with the big kids!

After Primary we presented the Heart Attack Valentine Card (along with some Valentine cookies) to our Bishop.  He thinks our Primary children are pretty awesome!

We agreed and thought that each of our children deserved a little Valentine to take home.  Gummy Friendship Bands (found at Walmart)!

We love Primary and love doing extra-special things that help others feel loved!

Happy Valentine's Day!