A Pre-Prom Gathering.

Last Saturday Lexie attended her Mormon prom, (for those of you who are not familiar with Mormon prom you can read this article), and the way she dressed for the occasion seemed as if she walked onto the set of Downton Abbey. She's a fan of the show as well as a major anglophile, and when I told her she resembled Lady Sybil she crossed her hands, and did peace signs, and had a huge smile on her face. Even though her character died early on in the show Lady Sybil was the most caring, and compassionate sister, and Lexie certainly has that attribute. I think I'd rather have her look like Lady Sybil than her snarky sister Lady Mary (although I do love that one too!) 

Church Prom Preview.

It was 10:30p.m. when we arrived home, and the heels of my feet were hurting. I don't think I sat down one time last night while helping the youth and other leaders decorate for our mormon prom which is being held tonight. I didn't even think about how tired I was until I was helping set some of the silverware. I was just so excited to be helping the youth in any way I can with the decorations. 

See...I didn't grow up with anything like this. No church, no youth activity, no clean & happy fun. In the 22 years of being a member for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I have always served in Relief Society, and have never been a part of working with the young women of the church (except my own kids.) And so far I'm absolutely loving it! 

I began to gather every decoration that the kids needed before heading out to the church. Vintage books, gold coins, vintage compass, seashells, snowflake ornaments, and anything I had in the house that they can possibly use. The excitement was building up as I was putting these things in my bag, and I was ready to go. I kind of felt like a little kid except that my 'inner kid' at this moment was filled with light, and all kinds of happy! 

Jon, and my youngest daughter Chelsea tagged along with me, and they helped clean the kitchen. We washed at least 100 plates for the dinner tonight, and luckily I don't mind doing dishes otherwise I probably would have had Jon do it. After the kitchen was clean we all helped the youth with the decorations. 

We walked into the cultural hall, and the first thing that stood out was this...

A beautiful display of a mini D.C. Temple tht looks like a castle, and in many ways it is. 

I began to organize the stuff from my bag, and as I was looking out at all the tables with the various "disney themed" decorations brought back all kinds of memories. Memories of the time I introduced Sierra, and Lexie to Mulan, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Snow White, and Alice in Wonderland. Those are the nostalgic disney movies. Chelsea was happy to have seen the Frozen, Toy Story, and Tangled themes. It literally got me so pumped as to what we were doing, and I wanted to dive right in and help decorate, but I now that the youth is responsible to do the work on their own. Having a Disney theme is a sweet idea, and I am so glad they chose that.

Basically the entire purpose of why we do mormon proms is uplifting, and brings so much peace to my soul. The secure feeling knowing that our kids are in a safe environment without going to any after parties puts me at ease. I know that they'll have all kinds of fun because our mormon proms play clean music, there is no dirty dancing, or grinding train, and are alcohol, and drug free! Oh...and we have chaperones that are looking out for our youth making sure no one is pulling last minute shenanigans.

Being at the church last night to help serve in preparing for this wonderful event was euphoric, and I am excited for all the youth to attend! Especially Lexie who will be going for the first time. She is excited for this prom, but I honestly think she is more excited to be around her church peeps, and to finally wear the dress that I bought for her this past Valentine's Day. 

Yep...she's almost ready to go. She just needs to do her chores, and clean the bathroom. Kind of like Cinderella.

"A Night in Paris"

~Chalet Francais~

I loved everything about Sierra & Christian's golden evening. One of the advantages of being in the youth committee for the youth in the church is deciding on the theme for their prom. The theme this year was "A Night in Paris." Je l'ai aime (I loved it!)

Your golden evening.

Dear Sierra, 

As I was trying to figure out how to begin telling the story of your first "official" prom, words cannot express the depictions in these photos. You are one of the most beautiful, and sweetest girls in the entire stake, and I am so glad you chose to have a date for this prom. Even if you didn't go to your high school prom, I think attending the LDS church prom was the cream of the crop.

 

Christian was one of the most pleasant, and sweetest boys I have ever met. He truly exhibited the gentleman in him, and I am glad that he picked you, and that you in return accepted.

I encourage you to document this moment in your journal. I know at times your not too fond of being the oldest, but being the firstborn can be a blessing, and an advantage. A blessing because you are always the first to experience the fun in dating, and having your younger siblings looking up to you, and telling you that you are beautiful.

An advantage because you always get the best of the best...

Although this dress was bought at a thrift store, your grandma enhanced it, and turned it into something that you would see out of a magazine. Grandma also did a great job on making the bolero jacket too!

I am a witness to the love that you receive from those around you. You have great friends in the church-some that you will never forget.

You, Kate, and Megan 

You and Megan

I am so glad that y'all had a good time, and I'm sorry that dad couldn't be there to see you off. He is definitely going to make sure he has the weekend of mormon prom off next year! It sure was a day that I will never forget, and I hope that it will be a memorable one for you & Christian.

Remember this moment, and treasure all the memories from this day.

Love,

Mom 

Scenes from a Church Prom

"Thousands of emotions well up inside me throughout the day. They are released when I dance."

~Abraham Lincoln

I wasn't raised a mormon and never even heard of a "church prom" until my daughter turned 14 and was old enough to go. I had a short glimpse of the scene as I walked into the church building and saw a few of the youth anticipating to dance. It's moments like this when I look at my daughter growing up wishing that I had what she is experiencing now being active as a youth in church while at the same time having good, clean fun.

Vicki Baum once said "there are short cuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them." Sierra LOVES to dance. These kids need release, and this is the time they can let it all go while dancing. The youth strive so hard to be great examples to others and they deserve a night full of fun! This is her second church formal and every year she and her girlfriends get more giddy. She had an amazing evening with her friends from all of South Jersey. Sierra definitley is the one to light up the room, make the night come alive, and have everyone swarm around each other with a lot of energy, and just dance the night away.

This is definitely a shortcut to happiness!

It's so nice to see the youth from our church all gather together like one big happy family. I am so glad that we have activities like this where there is no alcohol, modest dressing, modest dancing, laughter and clean music. I look forward to these formals every year, and I know Sierra does too.

Every year she grows at least two inches taller. Every year the choosing of the dress becomes more elegant. Every year I cry a little when she gets all dolled up to go to any dance. Most importantly... every year her ambitions prosper, her list of goals becomes longer, and her spirituality becomes stronger. As each year passes by I see a beautiful young girl developing into a classy young woman.

Oh, did I forget to mention...

Every year she begins to think boys are "cute" too. Should I be nervous?

I'm sure she'll have a "date" to the church prom next year being that she is turning 16 next week!!

THE END.