Young Womens...

This past Sunday, I was called to serve as the secretary in our ward's Young Women's program. I about burst out of my skin when they asked if I would accept the calling. I wanted to scream I'D LOVE TO!!! I was beyond thrilled with the new knowledge that I would have the opportunity to serve the YW in my ward.

The program that my church has set up for girls (ages 12-18) will forever hold a special place in my heart. It was during that time when I grew so much as an individual and spiritually.

As Paul and I were driving home from church, I felt my mind flood with memories of my days in YW. How excited I was every single Wednesday evening (in VA, they meet on Tuesdays) to know that I would have the chance to gather with other girls my age that shared my beliefs. It was in this program that I began to understand "who I was, why I was here & where I am going".

Growing up, I watched my mom as she worked one-on-one with many girls. She was not only their advisor/teacher but their close friend and confidant. I loved seeing the girls light up when they would spend time with my mom. She still have very close relationships with many of the girls that she was able to serve.

I too was blessed with amazing leaders. Through some difficult times in my life, I would often call my mom to ask her for counsel and guidance. She would almost always either begin or end the conversation with " Have you spoken to Julie or Marcie about this". Julie Hunter and Marcie Belton were 2 of my amazing leaders. They have been "rocks" in my life since I was 16 years old. I have watched them evolve from young leaders and being brand new mothers to being amazing women and mothers of children that are long past the age of baptism. They have watched me evolve from an awkward 16 year old into a 27 year old woman. I will be forever thankful for the time they spent with me... helping me grow and listening to me ask I struggled through life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!!

I hope I can be there for the girls in my ward. I am so anxious to meet them and get to know them. Although I am not an adviser, I hope to be an active part of their lives. I hope to be a good example to them! I am flat out SO EXCITED!!!!!