Arise and Shine, Sunshine

Kim's ward had their YW New Beginnings this past week...  "Kim, I love how it turned out!  The 'You are my Sunshine' lyrics are amazing!  And I love that you made the posters sparkle.  By the way, I love you sis!  Happy Birthday tomorrow! Wish I lived close enough to join in the celebration!  ((hugs))"

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Here are the details of their night:
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INVITATION

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DECORATION

I took each of the following prints down to our local print shop and the enlarged them to the size of half a poster board. We are all about the sparkle this year so we chose a few key words, raindrops or beams and glitterfied them with gold. (Your eye always catches the glitter) The YW loved the signs so much they all want one to hang in their rooms, that will be another activity. (click each poster to go to the original link - I could not find the original source for all posters)

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We hung twinkle lights and bright yellow pom poms above provided by each leader and YW.

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Our focus was on the Savior and how we can be a beam for him. We made a sun and each beam represented the Young Women, adorned with glitter stickers.

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THEME GIFT

Pillow case with the 2012 Mutual Theme ironed on it (adorable)... went off what mom would tell us every morning.  :)

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REFRESHMENTS

Each leader brought white or yellow treats:

Yellow Cake Balls

Lemon Sugar Cookies

Lemon and White Chocolate Popcorn

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

Lemon Bars

Bright Yellow Gum Balls with Smiley Faces

Cupcakes adorned with the Sun
Lemon Meringue Cupcakes (Kim, I added this for future reference)  :)

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Our Drink was a sunshine mix:

Frozen Pina Colada Mix, Frozen White Grape Juice and Sprite

Served in a canning jar with a slice of lemon and a white and yellow striped paper straw (Huge hit!)

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PROGRAM

We stuck right to what the hand book said when it came to the program... introduce the Young Women program and spotlight the new upcoming Beehives.

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Welcome: __________

Song: Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam (it was fun to watch the girls sing that song, they were kinda silly)

Prayer: __________

Introductions: (class officers and girls in each class)

We had the Presidents introduce their presidency and each girl in their class.

The President assigned a girl to read what the class motto was and another showed the symbol and tied it in with the sun (The Laurels symbol is a wreath, she talked about how the wreath is like the sun... eternal.)  The girls stayed up front until the Beehives were done and them they all repeated the theme.

Spotlight: Each new upcoming beehive came up one at a time and their mom or dad spotlighted them.

YW Motto and Logo: One of our Laurels spoke on the meaning of the torch and having the light "Sunshine" of Christ in our lives. Did you know that D&C 115:5 "Arise and Shine forth that thy light shall be a standard for all nations" is the basis of the Young Women Program? Kinda cool to know that!

Speaker: YW Pres. Talked about the purpose for New Beginnings, how Christ is our center and how each YW can radiate his love through faith, divine nature, individual worth, choice and accountability, good works, integrity and virtue. etc...

Special Musical Number:  "You Are My Sunshine" (performed by one of our laurels - playing her ukulele)
Here is the video:

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Here are the lyrics - additional lyrics written by Brenda Dobry, one of the young women leaders (amazing!):

You are my sunshine,

My only sunshine

You make me happy

When skies are gray

You'll never know dear

How much I love you

Please don't take my sunshine away.

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Arise and Shine forth

Just like the sunshine

Let your light shine everyday

You'll never know dear

How much HE loves you

Shine your light for him today.

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You are a daughter

Of Heavenly Father

Saved for this day
To light the way

He will direct you

He will protect you

You'll shine brighter every day.

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(everyone joined in on the last verse)

You are my sunshine,

My only sunshine

You make me happy
When skies are gray

You'll never know dear
How much I love you

Please don't take my sunshine away.

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Personal Progress Introduction: Given by PP Leader - tied in the PP with the Sunshine

Year in Review: "Get ready to be loved and shine!"

Theme Gifts Given to the Young Women:  pillowcases

Closing Remarks: Bishop

Closing Song: Shine On

Closing Prayer: __________
Refreshments:  (see above)

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It turned out to be a great night!