New Beginnings

You are My Sunshine

Arise & Shine Forth

We held our young women New Beginnings on Wednesday for mutual. We introduced the new theme: "Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations." (Doctrine and Covenants 115:5) The youth nowadays have to face so many challenges so this theme is perfect for them. They have the gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives and can be an example to all those around them. We wanted to have the girl's remember that they are the Savior's Sunshine, they can serve others and let their light shine to those around them. We had a guest speaker (the stake Pres wife), a musical number "I Will" (LOVE that song) by Hilary Weeks, and a couple other short speakers about the values, introducing the classes and their meaning. Then we had dessert afterwards and visited. It turned out really good and was a success.

Since the theme was "You are my Sunshine" we decorated with yellow. I was in charge of the dessert table and yes, I made everything. And yes, I may take on too much. I tend to do that. But I was trying to be super prepared and had made a couple desserts the day ahead and so it wasn't too bad. The car was packed, thanks to Kyle, and I was set to go to the Church early to set up. BUT, when I got the balloons out of the car (I had gone 2 hours earlier to get them from a party store) 2 of the balloons were FLAT!!! I was so sad/mad. Kyle didn't want to get new one's for me, he said I should just use the one I have. I wanted the 3. So I was mad at him for not going and raced to Party City, which was in the opposite direction as the Church. On the way there I had to stop quick and a tray of twinkie cupcakes slid onto the ground, luckily only 2 had fallen out. Then the lady at the store was nice and quickly filled up 2 new balloons for me (even though I was this crazy rushed lady). I raced to the Church and got there around 6:30, the thing started at 7pm. Thank goodness for all the other leaders helping me because we got the desserts set out in record time. I think it turned out good and once I calmed down I enjoyed the rest of the night.

I made these sunshine cake pops after seeing them on a blog. I was so excited for them. They were perfect for our sunshine theme. Well, the first 9 turned out, that's what you see. Then after that the cake balls were too soft and wouldn't stick to the lollipop stick and it was a mess. It was too time consuming so I just kept the 9 I had and stopped. The bakerella lady on You Tube makes it look wayyy too easy to make cake pops. They are overrated. ;0

Then we had rice krispy treats (thick ones), lemon bars and mini cream puffs with pudding/cool whip inside.

My Mom would make these homemade twinkies growing up and I loved them. I have never made them, but thought of them for this since they are yellow. They were easy to make and yummy. I also had a lemon bundt cake, lemonade, some lemon heads and peach gummy rings.

Angie decorated the front with sunshines and put the girl's names on them and made cute tissue paper puffs.

Christina, she's the yw president, made these frames with all the values on them. They turned out cute. She's so crafty and talented that way.

Erin made these handouts for the girls where they had a picture of Jesus with a girl on one side and the theme on the other side. I thought they were cute too.