What I'll Miss About South Jersey: Part One.

For the past eight months I have been serving as the Faith in God Leader for my church, and I can't begin to tell you how much I will miss teaching these sweet girls. With each calling comes great faith, and growth and I have to say that this one was on the top of my list. I will miss these girls, and teaching them every two weeks was something that I always needed. I think they taught me more than I taught them, because for the most part they were quicker at memorizing the articles of faith than I was, and answered quickly to the questions that I'd ask when it related to a bible or book of mormon story. Pretty impressive minds! Seeing their smiles as I'd walk in because they would be there a bit early, or because I'd be running late made me feel worthy of their presence because it showed me that they were willing and ready to be taught! They truly have brought so much joy to my life, and the fact that I was able to teach my own daughter was a bonus! I can see that even when we come home she tries to do her best in living what I just taught her, but at least she keeps it real with her sassiness, and that at the end of the day she says her prayers, apologizes, forgives, calms down when she's having a drama moment, and knows right from wrong.

This past week was our final lesson, and I wanted to leave some memory with them that would be important for them to remember to help keep them focused on the gospel. And being that summer is coming wanted to keep them busy so I decided to teach a lesson on service which entailed bringing a long list of things they can do to serve, and help others as well as doing random acts of kindness on top of having a little bit of temporal fun. I combined a few ideas I got off of pinterest, and gave each girl a tin can to decorate with scrapbook paper, wooden sticks to write on and washi tape to decorate it for good measure. They all wrote the things that they can do during the summer as well as on Sunday on what they can do to keep the sabbath day holy with good, clean, happy fun. 

I didn't want to keep them too late, and because they were having so much fun decorating we went over time, and some of them had to take them home to finish up. I love crafts, and finding ideas for them to not only cultivate a talent, but to learn at the same time is worth going out to get the things that we need. It's fun, and I think the girls enjoyed doing it.

Sister Trace, who was my assistant has been a huge help, and guide for me in this calling. Sometimes I wonder if she should be the leader because she knows her stuff! She's so good with the girls, and I think the fact that she has years over me when it comes to primary callings is why she's so great with kids. She has been in the primary off and on since I moved in the ward eight years ago, and was my other daughters (Lexie) first primary teacher. She currently teaches Chelsea in her final year of primary, and has really enjoyed having her as her teacher. 

Towards the end of the evening I wanted to take a picture of the girls and of course they had to be goofy as all pre-tweens are and they wanted to "dab????" I had no idea what that was, and found out as they were doing it! They are so fun!! 

I'm sure going to miss these girls, and their wonderful, unique, different personalities. My hope is that these girls wil remember what I taught them, and live it! Being that sister Trace is still around to teach them gives me hope that they will continue to be taught true principles and be in good hands! I really care for these sweet girls! 

Here's hoping everyone has a safe, and happy three day weekend! 

How We've "Bloomed" In Faith In God.

I probably sound like a broken record when I mention not being raised with any of the programs in the LDS church because of being raised in a different affiliation, but being that this month is my 23 anniversary of being a member of this church makes me extremely grateful to be active in it, because as I get older I continue to learn, and "bloom" with my current calling I have in the church. 

At the end of each school year we hold an event for all the young girls ages 8-11, and come together to talk about what we've learned this past year. Every year we come up with a theme that's suitable for the event, and this year I chose, "How We've Bloomed in Faith in God." 

This was my very first time organizing an event with this specific calling, and I have to say that it was pretty fun! Granted those tissue paper flowers were not my forte, but luckily I have amazing daughters who helped me make most of them, and a husband who pitched in at the last minute to fluff them up. You can view snippets of that on my snapchat (r_jorgensen) before it disappears. The girls found it amusing to see their pa doing a craft! Go Jon! 

Our primary president was such a huge help with this, and came up with most of the ideas. We both put together planters for the girls to take home. I collected a ton of tin cans, and we wrapped them with card stock, put potting soil in baggies, tied them up with pretty ribbon, added a seed packet, and a paper fan that read, "Bloom where your planted" for good measure. Super adorable! 

All the girls had a talent to share and I've got to say that I'm so impressed with these group of girls including my own kid because at their age they are all busy growing up with the world all while developing a talent. Some played piano, demonstrated a sport, and expressed their creativity through art. We have some amazing little artists, musicians, and athletes in our midst, and it was so nice to see them in action.

// You can hear Chelsea play a part of her piece on my snapchat // 

We had a member of our bishopric share his remarks to our girls about developing talents and how important it is to cultivate, and share it. 

It was also nice to hear the parents come up, and express a few words on how their daughters have grown in the past year, and every parent had such sweet sayings to say about their child including my own. Jon and Chelsea are alike in many ways, and I can tell that he's her favorite, and that's okay by me! I love that they have such a close bond, and that she can learn a lot from him because he's as awesome as they come! 

I'm extremely grateful to be teaching these girls twice a month, and to learn and "blossom" with them. It seems like the older I get, the more I am taught by these girls, including my own kid. 

Not only is this program wonderful and fun, but it's crucial for our girls of this age to come and participate. It is vital for them to attend so that it can prepare them for young women which is another program for girls ages 12-18. When these girls attend I can see how much it truly helps them stand firm in their beliefs, and uphold their standards. No matter how busy their young lives begin to get with school, sports, and extra curricular activities it makes me happy to see that they make the time to see me every other week for an hour in the evening to be taught true principles of the gospel. Learning and living the gospel, developing talents, and serving others is something that is important for all them of them to inhibit, and I already see that in the girls. I know that if they continue to work on those three important values that they will grow up to become amazing young women, and continue to stand firm with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and His teachings. 

It truly was a wonderful evening, and I think the fact that we had yummy desert was the "dirt in the cup" or as some may say "the icing on the cake." Thanks Kristen for making it! 

With each calling comes great blessings, and growth in the gospel, and I'm so grateful to have this one for the time being and to be teaching my daughter in it! I love how any church event connects families together, and helps build a closer bond with their parents. I can see the sparkle in the girls eyes when their parents come and support them, and that tells me that we are all on the same path to improve our parental skills to be the best we can be!