New Beginnings Decorations

New Beginnings was a great evening! We had so many women in our ward share their time and talents to help this night be so special. The young women did a great job with their parts in the program and I felt like the night was a success. Thanks to all the women who put in so much time and effort for this evening!


The yw took home these lighthouses as a memento of the evening. They said the new mutual theme on them, “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).

The new Beehives each received a candy lei in all the yw value colors with value tags and ribbons.

On the left is the program and invitation.

Our value lighthouses.

The young women learned a song called, "Lighthouse in the Night" and performed it that night. Click here to listen to it-http://www.jennyphillips.com/music_yw2009.htm

Beautiful Oregon

New Beginnings

Just recently I was called as the young women's president in our ward. I felt like a change would be happening with the leaders in the young women's. I was serving as the 1st counselor before. So when I was called, I was surprised but not shocked and I was also super excited. I love the young women in our ward and am always blown away by their desire to serve and do what's right. So I have been the president now for four weeks and we have been anxiously planning New Beginnings. The young women have been learning a song by Jenny Phillips called, "Like a Lighthouse in the Night," and it so beautiful. Every time I hear the girls sing it I want to cry because I can feel the spirit so strong. I am so excited for New Beginnings coming up on Thursday. I know the young women will do a great job and I am so happy to have such wonderful counselors to serve with. They really are such good examples to me.

Another new thing in our lives-Sheldon and I were called as temple workers. We have served for three weeks now and we serve on Saturday mornings from 6:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. I have to get up at 4:00 to be ready to leave by 5:00. It's an early morning but the time goes by so fast when we serve there. I love it! I love serving in the temple and learning so much. A few weeks ago I saw a couple about to be married and I was overwhelmed with the spirit testifying to me that temple marriages are eternal marriages. Serving in the temple has been so amazing.

On another note, my teaching job has kept me so busy so between work, my church callings, and trying (not very well I might add) to fulfill my wife/homemaking responsibilities I am very busy. That is why I haven't really posted since after Christmas break. Because everything has been crazy busy.

On the adoption note-nothing new has been happening. We are still on the waiting list and are still waiting. Sheldon and I have been talking about invitro-fertilization as an option. But everything is so expensive we are really trying to figure out how/if we can afford it. I am turning 28 next month and I can't believe I am 28 without any kids. I always thought I would have almost all my kids by the time I was 30. But I guess Heavenly Father has other plans for the Olsen family. I am anxious to know what they are!?!?

A Thought

"No one can make you feel bad about yourself without your permission."

I saw this quote painted on the wall of a middle school girls bathroom. The middle school girls were aloud to decorate and paint their bathroom and write inspiring quotes on the wall along with some really cool artwork. I was at a middle school on Monday for staff development and I thought that quote was pretty inspiring. I think we can learn stuff from teenage girls especially because it seems that they are struggling with some similar issues that adult woman are also dealing with. When do we as women ever give ourselves permission to know that we are trying our best and that is good enough-and not to compare ourselves with others? You think by now I would have learned that lesson. I'm glad I saw that reminder on the wall on Monday.