Last night I was in charge of combined YW Personal Progress Activity for our ward. The value for June was Good Works, and so Liesl & I gathered sewing machines and set up the tables in the basement to make "Anti-Ouch Pouches" (Pattern linked here) for the cancer center here in St. George. When I picked up the pattern, I asked how many they could use, and they said "more than you can count." That says these are sought after little bags, and they are really not that hard to put together. It takes 1/2 yard of fabric for each pouch. I challenged the girls to make two each last night. We didn't reach that lofty goal, but everyone was busy, and we finished quite a few, and sent a few home finally at 9:00 p.m. to finish. I offered to have the girls come back during the next week and work on them again. I will leave my machine up downstairs (rather than the sitting room upstairs) so we can complete a few more.
For one of my tickets for Wood Badge I said I would work towards earning the Personal Progress Award by completing 3 of the eight YW value requirements (goals and projects). I need to work on this for a few more hours. I set my project for the Good Works area to have 30 pouches sewn, but in the process, to take the opportunity to teach YW sewing. It was President Hinckley who said:
"Modesty in dress and manner will assist in protecting against temptation. It may be difficult to find modest clothing, but it can be found with enough effort. I sometimes wish every girl had access to a sewing machine and training in how to use it. She could then make her own attractive clothing." Gordon B. Hinckley, “Stay on the High Road,” Liahona, May 2004, 112–15
I took the opportunity last night to testify of the benefits of education, I am grateful for a Mom who taught me how sew. When I was first married, I worked for the LDS Church in the Family History Programing Department on the 12th floor with D.M.. I had to wear a dress everyday, I was supporting a husband who was going to school, and we didn't have much money. I found a pattern that wasn't too hard (although my Mom thought it was) and I made myself about three dresses from that same pattern. I still have good memories of the satisfaction of compliments on those dresses. Set the goal, and then strive towards it. I am grateful for the opportunity to work towards good goals with many different teams! Thanks YW!