When it comes to church callings, I have always said that my heart belongs in Primary...
I love how sweet the kids are and it's rewarding to watch them learning the gospel on a basic level. I also love the music. But now that I'm serving with the youth, I can't imagine any better place to be. Just look at this bunch. They are FABULOUS!
We recently planned a trip to SLC to see the Joseph Smith The Prophet of the Restoration Movie. We really wanted the kids to feel the spirit during the activity. So, we did a couple of things to help the process along. First, we invited the parents to read JSH with their kids before the trip. Of course, tweens and teens are ALWAYS hungry so we fed them pizza that night. (My own kids pay better attention if they have had something to eat.)
The next thing was, honestly, the most important...
This handy little box was waiting when the kids arrived...
I also brought a bag of candy bars or ~BLESSINGS~ as I prefer to call them. If the kids chose to place their cell phone in the CELL-estial Box during the activity, they could take a ~BLESSING~ from the bag. Tricky, I know. But look at all of the phones that ended up in the box! For the record, it worked on the leaders too. Everybody loves candy!!
We also brought church CDs to listen to on the way up. The Bishop chauffeured most of the YW in his giant SUV. I wonder what he thought of all of the giggling girls and their music that might have been turned up a little bit louder than he was used to.
A couple of the leaders stood up and the kids were still sitting there. Not really talking much. Many of them held soggy Kleenexes. And that is when I realized...
They had felt the Spirit.
There was an actual physical change about them.
When we got ready to leave, one girl commented on how loud the other people in the theater had been and another girls said, "Not us, we're CELL-estial." A third girl said that because she didn't feel like she had to text during the movie, she was able to really enjoy it. I found that comment interesting. The kids text constantly these days. I wonder if some of them do it because they feel like they are in some way obligated to text...?
Ahhhh...one mission accomplished...many more to go.
If you haven't been to see the Joseph Smith film yet, YOU SHOULD GO! And besides, Temple Square is beautiful this time of year!
5 comments:
what a neat experience to have with the youth. i love the CELL-stial box idea...did you come up with that idea? it's genious, i tell ya! i don't recognize any of those kids... i guess since the ward has been combined, there's now a larger youth group.
That's awesome!! I love the idea of the CELL-estial box. Definitely going to keep that one in mind. I think it's so great that group was able to feel the Spirit. I STILL have not gotten the chance to go see that movie. I want to see it even more now!
I love that idea. Go you! You are amazing.
Great idea, Marion! You are such an inspiration in so many ways! I appreciate you and your willingness to share! BTW...I thought you were one of the girls when I looked at the last picture! It wasn't until I was about to close it that I spotted you! Way to blend it and be part of the 'young women'!
That is exciting that you are in the Young Womens now! I miss that calling so much. It looks like there are a lot more youth, that is really exciting! Have they changed the branch into a ward? I LOVE the idea of the cell phone box, that is brilliant! Those youth are lucky to have someone so great at there side!
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