Some thoughts on "Heart Day!!"

Over 10 years ago, I was released after serving 4 years as Young Women President in our ward. It was a bittersweet ending - I was ready for a change, but I loved the young women in our ward and it was a little difficult to let go.

With Dawn's new calling and with conversations with Bonny about her adventures as YW president in her ward, I have found myself thinking more about those years.

Years ago at an Education Week, a professor of child development explained that the call as Nursery Leader was the best calling in the church. He explained that it was because you saw growth every week. And his argument has merit - you see growth in Primary, but not every week. And you see growth in Young Women, but it's usually years later when you see the young women you worked with becoming wives and mothers and leaders themselves. And we won't mention how long it might take to see growth when you work in Relief Society!!

And I have opportunities all the time to see the young women I lead and how they have moved forward in their lives - not the least being 3 of our daughters, with whom I had the great pleasure to participate together in Young Women! It is very gratifying to see how most of them have moved forward in their lives and in their gospel service.

When I was released, the Young Women "heart attacked" me - and it was a sweet moment to see the hearts all over our lawn.

I wonder what the neighbors thought??

New Beginnings - circa 1999

Marcie mentioned to me today that she was speaking at New Beginnings tonight. (We were both trapped in a long, somewhat boring faculty meeting.) And I got to thinking that I haven't been involved in New Beginnings for a number of years - but before that, I was involved in them for many years - having 4 daughters can do that. And being a Young Women President and in various presidencies can do that too.

This is from one of those when I was YW President - March of 1999 to be exact. That's Kacy, me, Pam, and Tricia. All women I love. All women I loved working with. All women I don't get to see as much of as I'd like.

But I'm still in touch with all of them. And each one of them has had an influence on my life. It isn't just New Beginnings - it's working and growing together.

I love serving in the church. And I love sisterhood!!

Thinking about those great Young Women!

I was sending a congrats card to Christina C. who had a baby girl last month - and was also sending a card to Joan Zerbel - who is recuperating from shoulder surgery. Also saw Michelle and her husband on Facebook. And though she is not in the picture, I now have Tiffany Lytton's son in my class at Clifton!! (Tiffany is from another Young Women era - the one that included Phoebe.) And then I thought of this photograph - a long ago Young Women Temple Baptism trip.

I loved working with Joan Zerbel. (And Wayne Dequer!!) I remember that trip - we were small in number, but I was determined to find the best about small. We were in the van, of course, so we all fit in one vehicle. (Brother Dequer stayed and helped with the Young Men.)

As we were driving home, we started singing Primary songs - and I think Joan started us off - what a great memory!! You couldn't do that with a crowd of 20 or 30 now could you??

I commented to Dad that a goodly portion of that group is still active - and I continue to pray for the others!

I loved my Young Women years - at least in that last go-round - I was known to grumble about working with the Young Women in Centerville!! But even that experience helped me know how to get my act together so I could have a great experience once I got another chance!!