The Schwitzer Family: Daughter of God Week

Being in the Young Women's presidency has been one of most challenging, but most rewarding callings. Over the past couple of months we have felt as a presidency that our girls really lack self- confidence! We felt really strong that if they understand who they were… A Daughter of God that it could help them understand so many things in their life. I found this idea on line from another ward that had done this week for their girls, and I suggested that we do it for our girls. We were all on board because this week took a lot of time and thought.

We started off on Sunday with a combined YW lesson to kick off the week. Andrea taught an amazing lessons on each of the girls worth. We then handed each of the girls a gift bag with 7 envelopes. Each envelope was day and on that day they opened the envelop. We each took a day as their YW leaders. We shared scriptures, stories, music, and pictures that we hope would inspire the girls each day.

On Wednesday we had a combined YW. We listened to the talk "Who's that girl" and the girls painting nails and made bracelets while they listened.

On Saturday, we met to watch the movie Cinderella and have a pizza party together. After the movie, we all knelt down as a YW and had Brother Whiting open our fast. We all fasted the next Sunday for our sweet YW. The YW were fasting to gain a testimony of their worth. All the leaders, bishopric, stake YW presidency, ward council, and the girls parents all fasted for the girls on Sunday.

During YW on Sunday we handed out paper for the girls to write their testimony on it. At first we thought we would have a testimony meeting during YW, but at the last minute Paige felt like the Lord wanted them to write their testimony. This ended up being so neat! The girls wrote amazing testimonies and experiences they have had this past year that have helped them draw closer to the Lord.

That evening we invited all the girls to the church with their parents to break the fast, have dinner, and a small YW excellence. All Sunday I felt the spirit so strong. Not only did I feel it strong for the YW, but had the spirit witness to me again that I am a Daughter of God that Heavenly Father loves me and is aware of me. Even I need that every once in a while!!

I thought the gym looked so pretty! We wanted it to be really special for the girls.

I took pictures of the girls one Sunday and then we set them out on the tables with their accomplishments from the year. We also set there testimonies on the table. As the parents came in to look at the tables many parents were in tears. Many of them had not heard their daughters testimony, and it was special for them to read it! Many girls said they liked writing it better because some of them do not like to express their testimony in front of everybody. We were so glad we listened to the spirit on that one!!

We had dinner of Soup, rolls, salad, and dessert. The Stake YW spoke, Bishop Olson spoke, and some of the girls shared some of their talents.. dancing, piano, and violin. We then put together a slide show of the girls. We asked each of the parents to email us 3 qualities ( not physical, but qualities that come from their Heavenly Father) We had their name with their picture and the qualities that their parents see in them. We had the slide show go with the song "Lighthouse in the Night" by Jenny Phillips. I do not think there was a dry eye in the room!

We really do have amazing YW and they shine with so many qualities that come from Heavenly Father. They are so kind to each other and really show me what true Charity is! I had so many girls come up to us after thanking us and letting us know that this week really effected them.

I hope this week becomes a picture in their testimony scrapbook. When times get hard they can look back on this week and know that Heavenly Father loves them so much!!