L is 14 and has completed all the projects and goals to complete the LDS Personal Progress Program. She has worked hard, and is always setting goals and working towards them!
Because we are so involved in Scouting in our family, when a young man completes all the requirements for the Eagle Rank, there is a special evening held honoring the boy. We feel that we should have an equal evening honoring L. for her hard work as well! So we are planning one! We are going to hold it on Sunday, November 23rd, at 7:00 p.m..
When she completed her projects a couple of weeks ago she met with her YW leaders, and they kindly wanted to present her award at the then upcoming Young Women in Excellence Evening where they highlight the things all the girls have learned during the past year. We requested that they not present her award that night, but rather that we would hold a special evening for her. We consulted the LDS handbooks, and can't find anything that says that we can't hold this evening, so we are planning. I have asked a good friend, and wife of a member of our Stake Presidency to come and share her insights into the roles of LDS Women.
We will open with an opening song played by C (L's brother), and lead by one of her YW leaders. Then an opening prayer.
We are planning to have flags in the colors of the YW values. In recent scout evenings, we have presented 12 flags and the 12 points of the scout law. It is dramatic to have those flags walk in, and hear each boy recite something about the value his flag represents. We want these flags to be in the colors of the values, and then to have YW present the value, it's defination, and related scripture. I think it will be awesome! L is going to play the piano while they bring in the colors - with the American Flag being presented first. This will have the audience standing. The girls will present each of the values while everyone stands, and then we will repeat the YW Theme, and then the Pledge of Allegiance.
In an Eagle Court of Honor, they declare the court open, and then they form the Eagle's nest where all present who also received that rank are invited to gather in a certain area up front. We think this will be good to do here as well. We will recognize all the YW/women who have earned this award. Then we will have Sister S. speak. I am excited to learn from her!
In an Eagle Court, the young Eagle is presented and given the oath of Eagle scout. We want to present the oath at the back of the YW Personal Progress book that they ask the YW to sign. Then we will present her with her award. In scouts, the eagles are given pins to present to Mom and Dad - we're not doing those, but they are also given 2 pins to present to Mentors who have helped them. We are going to purchase two special pins (I believe some simple Angel Moroni Pins) for L to present to two people of her choosing (with strong encouragement to have them outside our immediate family) to people who have been special mentors to her. Gratitude is so important, and not to pick favorites in just two, but to recognize two who have gone out of their way to help her.
For one of L's 10 hour (haha) projects - she spent 10 days building houses in Peru over Thanksgiving last year. She gathered materials and assembled over 100 humanitarian kits to share with the people she went to serve. She went with my parents, and C (brother). We are preparing a slide show of the photos they took there, followed by fun photos of L growing up.
Then we will close, and serve as L has requested Pumpkin Pie Squares, and Poppyseed cake - both favorite family recipes, great for large groups. I will share the recipes!
We gathered materials yesterday to make darling invitations to share with friends, neighbors, and family. We always struggle with how many to invite. Some think it should only be those closest to them. As a family we have felt that it is better to invite all active members of our ward, and invite them to share in the happiness of success than to limit the knowledge of success to a select few. I hope that people don't feel obligated to come, however, I believe the message delivered will not be simply about L, but about being a Daughter of God in these last days! I am excited to have many participate, and pray that the Holy Spirit with guide us as we ask for help, and proceed with plans we have felt we should pursue.
I'll post pictures of the announcements when we get them done!
Pumpkin Pie Squares
from Taste of Home Magazine
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup quick-cooking oats
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup butter or margarine
Filling:
2 cans (15 ounces each) pumpkin
2 cans (12 ounces each) evaporated milk
4 eggs
1 ½ cups sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon salt
Topping:
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup chopped pecans (we substitute walnuts when that's what we have!)
2 Tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
Combine the first four ingredients until crumbly; press into a greased 13-in x 9 in x 2 in baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Meanwhile, beat filling ingredients in a mixing bowl until smooth; pour over crust. Bake for 45 minutes. Combine brown sugar, pecans, and butter; sprinkle over top. Bank 15-20 minutes longer or until knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 16-20 servings
Poppy Seed Cake
A long time favorite recipe from Chris Sophonia of Sandy Granite 2nd Ward.
1 ½ c. Milk
3 c. Flour
2 1/3 c. Sugar
1 ½ tsp. Salt
1 ½ tsp. Baking Powder
3 Eggs
1 ½ c. Cooking Oil
1 ½ Tlbs Poppyseeds
1 ½ tsp. Vanilla
1 ½ tsp. Butter flavoring
1 ½ tsp. Almond Flavoring
Combine flour, sugar, cooking oil, milk and eggs, and mix well. Add poppy seeds, vanilla, butter flavoring, and almond flavoring, salt and baking powder. Mix well. Pour into a well greased and floured bundt pan. Bake at 325˚ for 45-60 minutes until top cracks are just moist, not raw. Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes, and then invert onto a serving plate and leave pan on top to trap moisture and keep cake moist. Optional toppings include orange glaze below, or our favorite is just a dusting of confectioners’ sugar. Yield: 16-24 servings
Optional Glaze for Top: (Note: We have never added this!)
¼ c. Orange Juice
¾ c. Sugar