A New Year

We have before us a New Year to love and serve as the Savior did. This
is a beautiful piece of artwork that I discovered at BYU Idaho
yesterday. I love it! I am excited to share it with you. I know that
as you love and serve and sacrifice like our Savior Jesus Christ, then
you will draw near unto Him and you will come to know that He is "in
our midst".

 

Happy New Year!

Love- Tanya Yancey

Arlington Stake Primary President

 

Strength

In 3 Nephi 17, Jesus asked the people to bring their sick and afflicted to Him and He healed them all, then Jesus commanded that their little children should be brought to Him until all had been brought unto Him.  He surrounded Himself by these little children and they all knelt down and Jesus “groaned within Himself” for the wickedness of the House of Israel.  He continued His prayer unto the Father and spoke things which were great and marvelous.  He was strengthened by the children.  He was filled with Joy and wept.  He then took their little children one by one and blessed them. 

In Stake Conference, President Southworth taught us that as we surround ourselves with these little children, we can draw strength from their amazing faith and pureness.  As I listened to your wonderful Primary Programs, I thought about how much we need these little ones and how much they need us and together we are strong!  As we celebrate this Christmas Season and are surrounded by our families and friends, may each of us ponder the great miracle of the Baby Jesus and remember the beauty and love of these little ones and draw strength from our association with them!

Merry Christmas

Love -Tanya Yancey

Arlington Stake Primary President

Observe, Then Serve

“Observe, Then Serve” By Linda K. Burton -Relief Society General President

“We are all invited to follow Jesus’s teachings and to minister to others. This invitation is not limited to angelic sisters. As I share a few everyday examples of members who have learned to first observe and then serve, listen for the teachings of Jesus they illustrate.

A six-year-old Primary child said: “When I was chosen to be a class helper, I could choose a friend to work with me. I picked [a boy in my class who bullied me] because he never gets chosen by others. I wanted to make him feel good.”⁴

What did this child observe? He noticed that the class bully never got chosen. What did he do to serve? He simply chose him to be his friend as a class helper. Jesus taught, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you.”⁵

For some, serving or ministering one by one, following the Savior’s example, doesn’t come easily. But with practice, each of us can become more like the Savior as we serve God’s children. May we all seek to first observe, then serve. As we do so, we are keeping covenants, and our service, like President Monson’s, will be evidence of our discipleship.”

At all times, but especially at this time of year, may we each make time to follow this inspired counsel-

With Love-
Tanya Yancey
Arlington Stake Primary President
Unit Commissioner

Prior Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance

The steps I take when Planning a lesson:  Like baking a cake

1.       Find a recipe:  Read the lesson a week or two ahead of time

2.       Shop for ingredients:  Pray to be aware of circumstances or object lessons in your environment that might contribute to what they learners need to hear

3.       Research cute designs:  Watch and be pondering the topic of the lesson for a week or two

4.       Put all ingredients together and bake:  A few days before the lesson, sacrifice something (movie, sleep, whatever) and go over lesson a second time and come up with great interactive questions to ask class

5.       Decorate to your heart’s content:  The day before or morning of, read through lesson again (seek and expect Revelation!) Highlight what the learners will be doing, think of visual aids, tie together all themes, think of individual needs, and anything else that the spirit prompts you to do to be prepared.

May the Lord bless you as you Teach His Children with the power of the Spirit and fortify them for an ever increasing wicked world!  The Spirit and Revelation will only come to us IF we sacrifice and are prepared.  Create some beautiful cakes!

Tanya Yancey

Arlington Stake Primary President

Article Of Faith Cards

 

 

Here is another great idea from Fire Trail ward.  They take each childs picture at the beginning of the year and hole punch it and add a ring.  This attaches nicely to a scripture bag. They have Article of Faith cards laminated and punched with holes (these are wallet size) already made up and as the children in primary learn the Articles of Faith they earn a card to attach to their ring.  Each month the primary leaders feature an Article of Faith.  Article of Faith 1,2 correspond with January and then 3 corresponds with February and so forth using one A of F each month.  The children in Fire Trail ward really know their Articles of Faith.  I was amazed with how familiar Junior primary was with our Church and our beliefs.   If you have questions or want more information please call Sister Van Belle she is the Fire Trail ward Primary president and she would be happy to get you started. 

 

Autumn McClellan

Try Something New

It is not a rule that the oldest children sit in the back of the primary room.  If you are struggling with a particular class.  Maybe they are not participating, paying attention, or they are talking too much. You could try moving them to the front row.  Tell them you are trying something new and that you need their help.  Tell them you want primary to be a place where everyone can feel the spirit and that you need them to sit in the front row to be good examples of reverence for the younger kids in primary.  Tell them you need them to participate and to sing their best so that the little ones watching them will want to sing with their hearts and be reverent also.  Try it out, it might just be the thing that works. 

 

Autumn McClellan

First Counselor

Arlington Stake Primary

Our Little Lost Ones

This week I am so thankful for my calling.  As some of you know I am a Substitute teacher for Lakewood, Arlington, and Marysville.  I get so excited to see the faces of our stake primary children at school.  They are such good kids.  They are strong children that are filled with goodness and light. 

 

I also get excited when I see a non-member students face show up at one of our church buildings.  It makes me so happy because we have such good things to share with them.  Things that can change their lives for the better.  We are so lucky to have the gospel and to know the truth.  It brings such peace as times grow darker. 

 

I feel confident knowing that when one of these children show up at church that you will take them in and will make them feel loved.  I know you will make them feel like they have come home and that makes my heart swell with joy.  We are in the midst of the gathering.  They will keep coming and I ask that you stay close to the Savior.  That you will pray for Heavenly father's inspiration and guidance in everything you do.  As you do this you will be prepared for whatever the Lord has in store.  I also ask that you seek some of the lost faces.  Just start with one.  Find out about his or her family and discuss in ward council how you might reach his or her family.  A heart full of love can never be wrong.  The children are waitng.

 

Sister McClellan

First Counselor

Arlington Stake Primary

Small and Simple Things

It is the small and simple things we do that often make the biggest difference. Look at what learning the Articles of Faith did for one young boy, Matt Richardson.

“Like many others, I rode the bus to junior high school. Each day I would walk to the bus stop and wait with my friends and other students for the bus to arrive. One particular morning, as I rounded the corner to get to the bus stop, I saw a group of my peers huddled together in a group talking. One of them noticed me walking towards them and said loud enough for me to hear as he pointed his finger at me, ‘Here he comes!’ As I drew closer to the group, I heard someone say, ‘Oh, he’ll show you, just you wait and see.’

“I nervously greeted everyone and asked what was going on. The group parted and there standing in the middle was a young man with a confident smirk on his face. Ronnie was fond of teasing and taunting the kids who were Latter-day Saints, and it looked as if he was at it again. One of my friends quickly explained. ‘Ronnie said that we Mormons are nothing but a bunch of sheep.’ Ronnie stood unmoved—smirking with assured bravado. My friend continued, ‘He said that we didn’t know the first thing about our church and that we just follow our parents around like a bunch of sheep!’ Ronnie began bleating like a sheep. ‘So,’ another person said loudly in an attempt to drown out Ronnie’s obnoxious imitation of a sheep, ‘we told Ronnie that we weren’t sheep at all and that we actually know quite a lot about the what the Church teaches.’ She continued, ‘So Ronnie told us to tell him what the Church believes, and we said, “Just you wait until Matt Richardson gets here. He will tell you all about the Church.” ’ I could feel my stomach drop as I heard the story unfold. Immediately my friends rallied together saying, ‘So go ahead and tell Ronnie about the Church. Show him we aren’t sheep!’ Ronnie stood smirking and added, ‘Go ahead, Mormon, tell me what your church believes in,’ and then he started bleating again.

“As all eyes fell upon me, awaiting my response, and bleating filled my ears, I could hardly think. It was as if my mind had been erased. I quickly said a sincere prayer pleading for Heavenly Father to save me from this awful predicament. To my surprise—and to my great relief—the bus immediately arrived and students scrambled to get on. I felt relieved as I climbed up the bus steps and walked to my usual seat in the back of the bus. ‘Saved by the bus,’ I thought gratefully. It wasn’t long after I sat down that bleating started up again. It grew more frequent and louder as Ronnie turned around to face me and said, ‘Come on, Mormon, tell me one thing that your church believes.’ He then started bleating again. It was hard to concentrate with the loud ‘baaa, baaa’ filling the air while at the same time my friends were rallying to offer words of encouragement. ‘Come on, Matt,’ they would say, ‘tell him about the Church. Show him that we aren’t sheep.’

“ ‘Well,’ I paused, trying to gather my thoughts. ‘We believe … we believe,’ I stammered as my mind raced to think of something, anything, to say. ‘We believe …’ I said again very slowly, hoping something would happen. ‘Can’t think of anything?’ Ronnie taunted. ‘Just what I thought; you are a sheep!’

“And then it happened. It came to me in a flash. I sat upright, looked at Ronnie, and said, ‘We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.’ Ronnie couldn’t hide the surprised and stunned look on his face. He quickly recovered and shot back, ‘That doesn’t count. Everyone believes in God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost.’ Back to his normal self, he sneered, ‘Tell me something else, you sheep.’

“My friends quickly looked back at me, obviously wondering what would happen next. I calmly stated, ‘We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.’ Hardly taking a breath, I launched into the third article of faith, followed by the fourth, fifth, and sixth. My friends enthusiastically joined in unison at the beginning of each new article of faith, saying, ‘We believe’ only to leave me to finish the rest alone. I recited all thirteen articles of faith. When I was finished, there wasn’t a sheep-like sound to be heard.

“While I am unsure of the impact this event had on Ronnie or any other person, I know for a fact that one person on that bus was forever changed. That person was me! I left that bus realizing that I knew much more about the gospel and the Church than I thought I did. I also realized that I had a much stronger testimony of the gospel than I expected. I left that bus deeply grateful for my Primary experience and especially for the opportunity to memorize all thirteen Articles of Faith. It prepared me for an unexpected moment when it would really matter the most.”

 

This was a story froma talk Rosemary Wixom gave in 2011 entitled, "Primary Srengthens Families".  Sorry for the length but I hope it tetifies of the importance of the work you are doing in primary.  You are helping families build a gospel foundation for each child, that when built they cannot fall. 

 

Autumn McClellan

First Counselor

Arlington Stake Primary

Teaching with the Scriptures

This week I wanted to stress the importance of using the scriptures to teach.  Let the children see you with the scriptures in hand using them to teach in your primary classes and sharing time.  Scriptures would even be appropriate to use during music time.  As you teach using the scriptures try and relate the stories to the children and their own life.  The scriptures teach us all kinds of lessons, but one of the biggest lessons given is that we can trust Jesus.  In good times, in bad, He is there protecting and guiding His faithful.  Little children will feel Heavenly Fathers love as you use the scriptures to teach them about the gospel.

Jefferey R.  Holland expressed, "The Psalmists once said the word of the Lord was a lamp unto their feet and a light unto their path.  I hope you can teach these children early and often that they will need the light of the scriptures to guide them through some of the darkness that swirls around them, even now, in their innocence."

As you reach for the scriptures in primary you will teach that the scriptures hold the answers to their questions and problems.  When they see your example they will know where to turn first for help and they will reach for the scriptures.  I am thankful that we can all work together to raise children that love God.  When we love God it is easy to keep the commandments.  When we keep the commandments we are happier. 

Autumn McClellan

First Counselor

Arlington Primary Presidency

Dove Tailing

“Timeless values, fun and meaningful activities, and a gospel focus.  That’s what LDS scouting is all about….. By dove tailing Scouts with the Faith in God Program, not only will you prepare the cubs for Boy Scouts, you will also help them prepare to receive and honor the priesthood of God and some day to become strong missionaries and righteous husbands and fathers.  The Faith in God Program is not just one more thing to do; rather it is an important part of your calling.  To help these young boys become all that Heavenly Father wants them to become…..As you strive to fulfill you precious calling, you will see the boys’ testimonies grow and you will gain your own testimony of Faith in God and Scouting.”

      I love the scouting program!!  Even when my boys are grown, I want to be a part of it.  It is an inspired program and I am so grateful it is has been incorporated into our Primary.  It is a wonderful way to teach the boys many skills like how to build a bird feeder or how to cook outdoors, but it is also beautiful way to teach and instill confidence in our boys along with values like honesty or compassion.  It’s what I love most about the Cub Scout Program- that the boys have fun and without realizing, they are learning the gospel!  If you have ever struggled to “dove tail” the Faith in God Program with the scouting program, watch this short broadcast on Faith in God and Scouting….a must for each and every Cub Scout leader!!

Short on time; just watch the “Leading a Gospel Centered Scout Activity” part of this broadcast!!

Elise Simbeck

Arlington Stake Primary

Second Counselor

http://broadcast.lds.org/eLearning/pth/faith-i-god-and-scouting-training-module/load.html

A Great Work

President James E. Faust said, “The Lord has a great work for each of us to do.  You may wonder how this can be.  You may feel that there is nothing special or superior about you or your ability…...The Lord can do remarkable miracles with a person of ordinary ability who is humble, faithful, and diligent in serving the Lord and seeks to improve himself.  This is because God is the ultimate source of power."

Every small task you complete, each lesson you teach, each child you reach out to contributes to the remarkable miracles that occur in primary each week…each month...each year!  You are doing a "great work".

Elise Simbeck

Arlington Stake Primary

Second Counselor

Idea for Singing Time

For a fun singing time idea and as a way to motivate the children to sing their best, this fun hat is worn by the teacher of the class that sings the song the best. 

This idea brought to you by the Arlington 1st Ward.

Seek to Understand Those You Teach

Seek to understand those you teach.  As you do, you will be better able to teach lessons that meet individual needs.  Reach out to each individual in your class, remembering that “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” (D&C 18:10)

            I remember as a young Sunbeam teacher, I had a challenging boy in my class.  I had read the teaching hints in the lesson book and even asked my mom for advice. I was told to just “love the children”.  So, I set out to find something that I could love about him.  I didn't love the way he ran around the room and screamed.  I didn't love the way he hopped from chair to chair.  I didn't love the way he scribbled on other’s papers.  I didn't love how he hid under my skirt.  I didn't love how he threw all of my pictures and notes around the room. I didn't love how he would volunteer to say prayer and then when all the children had their arms folded he start to sing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” at the top of his lungs.  I did eventually focus on his eyes.  He had beautiful blue eyes with a lively spark in them.   Every time I wanted to scream, I just looked into his blue eyes and thought “you have beautiful eyes”.  Soon, I found that he had an impish grin that made me smile too and little by little I was able to see into his heart.  By the end of the year, he was sitting in his chair, coloring only his papers and saying prayer.  The best part was he always gave me a hug and told me he loved me before he left to go back to his parents.  At the time, I didn't realize that this boy was really the one serving me and taught me how to love even when it was really hard to do so.

Elise Simbeck

Arlington Stake Primary

Second Counselor

http://www.lds.org/service/teaching-the-gospel/principles-and-methods-of-teaching/love-those-you-teach?lang=eng

WEEKLY TEACHING MOMENT: Teach with Love

“A gospel teacher should always teach with love for the students….love of God and love of His children is the highest reason for service.              Those who teach out of love will be magnified as instruments in the hands of Him whom they serve.”

                          Dallin H. Oaks, “Gospel Teaching,”Oct. 1999 general conference

I have found that when I had the hardest time fulfilling my callings, it was because I was not filled with love.

Attitude has a lot to do with love. When we seek to find the good inside, we will find it. When we seek to find the bad inside, we will find it too.

Humility has a lot to do with attitude. When we are humble, our attitudes are better. When we are prideful, our attitudes reflect that.

Fulfilling my calling has always been easier when I have checked my pride and attitude aside and just let God’s love guide me.

The pressure, the burdens, the excuses and the difficulties seem to vanish and somehow everything, at home and at church, gets done.

 

 

Elise Simbeck

Arlington Stake Primary

Second Counselor

Teaching Children Reverence and Respect

Weekly Teaching Moment:  Teaching Children Reverence and Respect

“When Primary leaders are asked to share some of their challenges in Primary, they often say it is a lack of reverence and respect. Children are growing up in a world where reverence for God and civility toward one another are rapidly diminishing. Incivility and irreverence can become normal and accepted by our children unless we teach them otherwise.

Parents can nurture reverent and respectful attitudes and behavior in their children. Primary leaders are asking parents to teach the true meaning of reverence to their children and set an example of reverence.

Children are not born with a natural inclination to be reverent. President Marion G. Romney said, "By and large, children . . . will be just about as reverent as they are trained to be, and no more" ("Reverence," Ensign, October 1976, p. 3).

What can parents and Church leaders do to encourage and nurture reverent and respectful attitudes and behavior in children?”   

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/62665/Reverence-and-respect-teaching-children-forgotten-principles.html

I hope that you can take some time this week to click on this link and study the “rest of the story”.  I found this wonderful new article on LDS. Org.  While you are studying it,  write the impressions (revelations) that come to you and share them with your primaries.

I hope you each have a rewarding Sabbath Day tomorrow as a result of your preparation-

Tanya Yancey

Arlington Stake Primary President

A Few Short Years

Weekly Teaching Moment:  A Few Short Years

My two teenage children and I spent the day today at Century Link Field in Seattle with the High School Band.  It was fun.  The band participated in the half time with many other HS Bands from all around the state and with the Husky Band for the half time of their football game.  I was impressed by the mass of humanity and the amount of people, lights, scoreboards, talent, TV’s, music, money, advertisements, noise, etc.  My thoughts were drawn to ponder the approximately eight short years that have been given us to protect and teach the children about what is most important.  To teach them the reality that they are known individually to their Father in Heaven and that He loves them perfectly and uniquely. It is in these short years that we lay the foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their hearts and the knowledge of how to listen to the Holy Ghost, before Satan can influence their lives and the distractions of the world and millions of other choices crowd their thoughts.   Our Father in Heaven has laid this assignment and privilege with us!  How blessed we are to be a part of helping Him in His work of salvation among the children of men! 

Each one of you are appreciated more that you know-

Tanya Yancey

Arlington Stake Primary President

Giving children responsibilitiy

President Hinckley said that “every member needs a friend, a responsibility, and nurturing with the good word of God.” I have been thinking about how to help the children have more responsibilities in primary, so they feel like it is theirs and they take pride and ownership in what happens there.  Some ideas I found are:

            -Consider having one of the older children stand at the door with a presidency member to help greet people coming in to primary and shake their hands

            -Have children introduce new children and visitors in opening exercises

            -Invite those with musical talent to play a hymn or prelude or help lead the music

            -Encourage children to share their testimonies and experiences

            -Give them opportunities to support, recognize, and encourage others as they accept responsibilities

-Give them assignments such as talks, prayers, and parts in sharing time.  Give them advance time to prepare and offer to help them, being cautious not to remove the responsibility from them.

-Give the children through Activity Days and Scouting the opportunities to set goals and take responsibility for achieving them using in the Faith in God books and other resources

-Give them assignments in setting up the rooms or preparing for activities or helping clean up according to their age and skill level

-help them accept the responsibility to be a friend and a missionary to other children

These are just a few ideas of how to help the children take responsibility in their learning.  Please adapt these ideas or find other ways for the children to take part in your own primaries.  We all find more joy in something that we have helped to create versus someone else doing all the work.  We all need to help to have the true joy of the Gospel. 

Have a great day!

Tanya Yancey

Arlington Stake Primary President

The house of the Lord

Today, I had the amazing privilege of going with my neighbors to the Seattle Temple where they were sealed for time and All Eternity.  58 years ago they eloped to Vegas and were married by a drunk clergyman.  They have been inactive for about 30 years.  It was one of the greatest opportunities of my life to be there rejoicing with them!!  I can’t think of anything that brings more joy than to see people you have loved and fellowshipped and taught for many years go to the House of The Lord and receive His greatest blessings!  I thank the Lord for giving me the patience to see the fruit of my labors this day.  This experience taught me to never give up asking , praying, hoping, inviting, and loving.  Every chance you get, take someone with you to the Lord’s House, so that you can rejoice together.

Testify often of the incredible blessings of the House of  the Lord to the children.  Then, they too, can experience this scripture for themselves when the Son of God said, “My peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you…”  This peace is found in the temple and can be carried forth into our homes and hearts.

I love you dear sisters and thank you for your faithful examples and service-

Tanya Yancey

Arlington Stake Primary President

Trust in the Lord

On my trip home from Bear Lake I was able to listen to a good book entitled, Kisses from Katie.  It is a true story about a young woman that goes to Uganda to teach Kindergarten, but finds a life of service.  At age 22 she has adopted 14 children and will spend the rest of her life in Africa.  She is close to her Heavenly Father as she serves Him and His children.  As I listened something huge stood out to me.  You know the saying that says God will not give you more than you can handle, well she says that just isn't true.  He gives us more than we can handle on purpose so we can exercise our faith in Him.  So we have to ask for his help, so we trust that when we can do no more, that he will step in and do the rest.  

I ask that as you serve His children in primary that you remember to seek His guidance.  He knows each child in your Primary by name.  He knows every hair on their little heads and He knows exactly what they need.  You can teach them by yourself, but with His help it will be way more effective.  Trust Him and He will help you make the impossible, possible.  Reach out to those that are lost and you will see miracles happen.  

Autumn McClellan

2nd Counselor

Arlington Stake Primary

Liken the scriptures unto us

Last week during our family scripture study one of my sons asked, "How come miracles don't happen to us like they did in the scriptures?"  This gave me a chance to explain some of the recent blessings our family has received.  I proceeded to tell him that some miracles are dramatic like are shown to us in the scriptures, but most are very simple such as when our washing machine broke down and our neighbor helped us fix it, or when we were in need of some money and someone that owed us money, out of the blue, shows up on the doorstep with cash in hand.  

Children need to be taught that the scriptures are for them.  They need to know that they can learn things from the scriptures and that the scriptures do apply to their life.  It is our job as teachers to help them relate the scriptures to their world at home and at school.  Reading a scripture story is good, but great teachers will expand on the story so, the children in their class will feel like the gospel of Jesus Christ is for them, and not just for the people back in the "olden days".  

Autumn McClellan

Second Counselor

Arlington Stake Primary

Dare to Do

"President Monson taught that we should love everyone and learn to see how we can help them." (The Savior's Call to Serve)

I was reminded of an experience this morning.  On the Sunday of our ward conference my boys decided it would be funny to sit in the very front row of the chapel.  Normally, we sit on the very back row because well, my kids can be a little noisy.  They ran in first and I came in and sat on our row.  Pretty soon I am thinking, where are my kids, and there they were front and center.  I tried to talk them into sitting in the back, but they were not budging.  My husband and I caved to their will and sat in the front row.  I thought this would be sheer torture, but guess what it wasn't that bad.  I made it through one Sunday sitting in the front row.  I ventured out of my comfort zone.  The next Sunday we were back in our comfort zone, but I learned it is okay to step out once in awhile.  

I would encourage you to step out of your comfort zone on occasion.  Say Hello to someone new.  Send a note to a child you have not seen in awhile.  If you feel the spirit prompting you, go and bring them some cookies and let them know you miss their family at church.  Talk to the parents and find out if there is anything you can do for them.  What is the worst thing that can happen?  All they can say is "No".  Love that family until they come back and keep loving them so they want to stay.  Be bold, and be brave, the Lord will help you.  

"The Lord will not permit us to fail if we do our part.  He will magnify us even beyond our own talents and abilities...It is one of the sweetest experiences that can come to a human being."  Ezra Taft Benson

Autumn McClellan

Second Counselor

Arlington Stake Primary

Activity Day Camp 2012

Saturday August 4th was our Stake Activities Days Day Camp.  The camp was for all girls ages 8-11 in the stake and their friends.  We had 70 girls pre-register.  It was held at Cascade Park.  The primary theme for 2012 is "Choose the Right".  We tweaked that theme to "Choose the Light" for our camp.  We chose a day that turned out being the first day over 80 degrees in 11 months.  It ended up being the hottest day in the Puget Sound since 2010!  We were all really feeling the heat!  The camp had a slip and slide right next to our area.  I bet a lot of girls were wishing we'd chosen that as one of our classes.

We used the first half hour, when we knew girls would still be arriving, as a campfire.  We asked our older daughters who were one day back from girls' camp to teach the younger girls songs.  We'd planned on having a campfire but the day was already so warm at 9:00 am that although the wood and cardboard was ready to go, we chose to not light it.  This photo was taken at 9:10.  It's a good thing we allowed for a long start since you can see not very many girls were there yet!

Lydia Yancey, Elizabeth Dickson, Anastaya Dickson, Rae Lee Yancey, Tony Nieman

After our campfire, the girls got into their groups.  We'd divided out the girls so that each group had a mix of ages and wards.  Each group received the same color t-shirt to wear.  The first thing they did was decorate a flag for their group to carry around.  Then they rotated through 6, 45 minute classes.

The six classes were:

"Sharing the light"

Sister Mary Levesque helped with the class.

A service project for Cascade Park.  The girls got to ride in this trailer to the area where they were watering trees.

"Follow the Light"

Sister Heather Griffin taught the class.

The girls used GPS devices to do a treasure hunt.  They learned how the scriptures act as a compass or GPS in our lives, giving us direction.

"Shoot for the Light"

Brothers Bill Colburn and Steve Edmonds kept the girls safe.

The girls got some BB Gun instruction and got to learn how they need to set goals and aim for them.

"Shining Examples"

Sisters Tamara and Shelby Hintze did a wonderful job teaching this class.  

They began by sharing with the girls how many different types of light are like the savior.  Then the girls got to make a craft.

The girls made these glow in the dark "lanterns".

They filled them with scripture verses about light.  

They were told when they saw their lantern glowing, it was their reminder to take a scripture out and read it.

"Choose the Right"

taught by Lisa Johnson

The girls played several different games.  In this game, they had to make it across the field stepping only on the paper plates. Each girl had one paper plate and they needed to pass them forward as they went.  They also played Twister and with a large cage ball.  As the day heated up, later groups opted to go down to the river and dip their feet in to cool off.

"Beacons of Light"

taught by Ron and Betty Olcott

A cooking class where they made bannock (biscuit on a stick) and rolled it in butter, cinnamon and sugar.  They also talked about how temples are beacons of light and bring nourishment to our souls.

Enjoying lunch.  Our high council member over Primary, Alan Pehrson, organized some helpers to prepare  BBQ hamburgers and hot dogs, chips, veggies, and watermelon.  The girls sat at tables that coordinated with their t-shirts.

hard at work prepping lunch

We had three riddles the girls could solve.  If they solved them, they got a kiss (Hershey's)

Can you solve them?

Easy:

I can not exist without light, but when light lands on me, I take flight.

What am I?

Medium:

A REBUS, also known as “Frame Game” or “Word Picture Puzzle”, is a picture representation of a name, word, or phrase. Each "rebus" puzzle portrays a common word or phrase.

Can you guess what it is?

Knee

Light

Hard:

You live in a three story building. In the cellar there are three light switches, in the attic there are three responsive lights. You have to find out which switch belongs to which light.

There are a few restrictions though: You can't see anything at the outside from the cellar where the switches are. You are alone, normal, human, etc. You do know however that from the beginning all the switches are in the "off" mode. You can only go up once to check the lights in the attic. Then you are allowed to go down to the cellar and you must know which light switch belongs to which light! 

Good luck!

We gave each of our leaders a thank you treat.  The warm weather meant eating the chocolate was more like eating go-gurt.  The label said, 

Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify to your Father which is in the heaven.”

Thank you for sharing the light of your testimony with the girls at Activity Day Camp 2012.

Closing ceremony

Giving their group cheer at the closing ceremony

Our opportunity to serve

"Are you ever guilty of murmuring when a calling comes to you? Or do you accept with thanksgiving each opportunity to serve your brothers and sisters, knowing that our Heavenly Father will bless those whom He calls?  May we ever remember that the mantle of membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not a cloak of comfort but rather a robe of responsibility. Our duty, in addition to saving ourselves, is to guide others to the celestial kingdom of God."  Thomas S.  Monson (The Saviors Call to Serve)

What a wonderful opportunity you have to serve in primary.  Jesus loved the little children and you have been called to teach them and love them as He did.  

Elder M.  Russel Ballard (Teaching No Greater Call) said, "Clearly, those of us who have been entrusted with precious children have been given a sacred, noble stewardship, for we are the ones God has appointed to encircle today's children with love and the fire of faith and an understanding of who they are."  

*  Teach them correct doctrine simply and clearly

*  Teach them that the peace , love, and warmth they feel at primary come from the Holy Ghost and are the beginnings of their testimony.  

*  Help them understand the gospel and how it applies in their world, home, and family.  

*  Teach with variety and ask, what will the children do to learn and how can I help them feel the Spirit?  

Cherish your calling in primary.  You receive special blessings as you teach children.  You have an opportunity to learn the gospel in its simplicity when you give lessons and the spirit will testify to you and the children that these simple principles are true.  Remember when you study and pray about each lesson you will be  prepared and the Spirit will be with you.  When you teach with the Spirit you guide others to the Celestial Kingdom.  I know I feel the Spirit each time I come to your primary.  I know you love the Lord.  

Autumn McClellan

Arlington Stake Primary

2nd Counselor

Pioneer Heritage

I found this little article on lds.org and thought it fitting for this week.

More than a century has passed since tens of thousands of pioneers sailed across oceans to heed a prophet’s call to gather to Zion. They left family and friends; they pulled handcarts across the plains; they grew a city out of a desert. Most important, the pioneers left a legacy of perseverance, faith, and sacrifice.

Today most members are not asked to make the same physical sacrifices as the pioneers, but Saints in every nation can be “pioneers all,” President Thomas S. Monson has said, as they meet suffering with courage, inspire faith in others, and do hard things that are necessary to gain eternal salvation and build the kingdom of God on earth (“Pioneers All,” Ensign, May 1997, 93).

In a conference address titled “Modern Pioneers,” Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles paid tribute to the “rank and file” members of the Church who “face hardships, overcome obstacles, and follow the servants of the Lord Jesus Christ as valiantly as the pioneers of any age.”

Thank you Sisters for being pioneers and teaching the sweet children of our Stake, they will learn to be pioneers through your example.

Happy Pioneer Day!

Michelle Nieman

1st Counselor

Arlington Stake Primary

Weekly Teaching moment: Teaching children the Doctrine

Here is a quote that I love from Sister Wixom

“The world will teach our children if we do not, and children are capable of learning all the world will teach them at a very young age. What we want them to know five years from now needs to be part of our conversation with them today. Teach them in every circumstance; let every dilemma, every consequence, every trial that they may face provide an opportunity to teach them how to hold on to gospel truths.”

—Rosemary M. Wixom, “Stay on the Path,” October 2010 general conference

I found this page on lds.org when looking for information on how to best teach children the gospel. I thought it was wonderful and gives great ideas to reach every learner and help them put the gospel into practice in their own lives.

Ideas  to Help Children Identify the Doctrine

IDEA	EXPLANATION
State It	Ask the children to state the doctrine.
Write It	Write the doctrine on the chalkboard.
Scramble It	Scramble the words of the doctrine. Ask the children to arrange the words so they make sense.

Ideas to Help Children Understand the Doctrine

IDEA	EXPLANATION
Discuss the Doctrine	Have children search scripture passages or quotations of latter-day prophets and discuss what they learn about the doctrine.
Look for Answers	Invite the children to look in the scriptures and teachings of latter-day prophets for answers to questions about the doctrine.
Make a List	Have children search the scriptures and teachings of latter-day prophets and then make a list of what they have learned about the doctrine.

Ideas to Help Children Share the Doctrine

IDEA	EXPLANATION
Music Games	Have the children pass an object around the room as they sing. Randomly stop the music. Whoever is holding the object shares an application. This will keep everyone thinking of an application they might share.
Dramatizations	Have some of the children role-play an application of the doctrine, and the rest of the children guess what they are doing.
Visual Reminders	Make a paper chain. Make road signs. Make class banners. Make salt dough figures. Draw a picture. Make bookmarks.

Thank you sisters for all you and your teachers do to love and serve the sweet children of our Stake.

Michelle Nieman

1st. Counselor 

Arlington Stake Primary