Last night we had our first official young women activity night. We were kind of scrambling to put something together at our presidency meeting on Tuesday...we had gotten a lot of good ideas from the girls the week before of things they wanted to do, but hadn't had a chance to plan anything out.  We had decided we wanted each of the girls to fill out a kind of get to know you form so we could find out a little about each of the girls.  So Stacey made up a cute paper to have them fill out. Bonnie talked to them about our up coming YWIE and how it was going to be a talent show.  She had each of them sign up for what they wanted to do for the show.  I think the girls were excited about it...they are such cute funny girls...not afraid to show their talents!
Then Stacey had them do a activity that I think was really inspired.  She put a piece of paper on the back of each of the girls that said at the top "what the yw think of me".  Then she had the girls write on each others papers something  they liked about that person. It seemed like it meant a lot to some of the girls...maybe don't get a lot of  affirmations at home...

Then we did this cute thing I saw on pinterest...can I just say once again how much I love pinterest..un-ending ideas for YW.  Anyway,  it looked like this...

We had the girls sit in a circle and had them talk about each one of the ideas.  They really opened up when we started talking about school and the things they face every day.  It breaks my heart to hear how the kids at school talk to each other and the language they use.  It's like Satan has sent a flood of evil to drown them and take away their sweet innocence....  They want to be good though and are strong and amazing girls.  They want to stand up for what they believe in...even when they are surrounded with ugliness, they are trying to do what is right.
We talked about all the things on the list and the girls had a lot of comments and thoughts about each one...I think it did them good to just get to vent a little.
We walked around with the girls to some of the homes of the girls that don't come out with one of these 7-up things and a cute calendar  of what we were going to be doing in YW for the next little while. 
I felt like it was a good night...the girls are getting to know us and we are learning a lot more about each of them. 
As I watched Bonnie and Stacey with the girls, I was struck with the thought and sweet confirmation that this was why I was inspired to choose these amazing ladies to be with these girls.  They are both so good with them.  They can really talk to them and get through to them and have them want to open up to them.  They both are willing  and ready to do all we can to help these girls through these few crucial years in their lives...it's such a turning point for some...they will either embrace the gospel and come closer to Christ or they may get caught up in all the temptations swirling around them and fall away.  I know these two special women were  supposed to be here right now...to help and influence the girls to choose the better way..