Modest Prom 2008 "A Walk in the Clouds"

So, I get a lot of questions, such as "why have you been missing so much church lately?" and, "you have a calling? I didn't know that, what do you do?" My comment: I'm in the stake young women. "Oh, which counselor are you?" My comment: I'm not a counselor...I'm the personal progress specialist. "Oh, I thought you were in the presidency. So, what do you do exactly?"

Well. To answer a couple of those questions. I've been vacant from my family's spot in the Mayfield ward since January because I've been attending all of the ward conferences in the Stake. We have one more left...Mayfield's...this Sunday. I'm so excited to be able to attend church in my own ward with my family!

What do I do with my calling? hmm...how to answer. Too much to get into details. I teach lessons, speak at mtgs, plan programs, create online newsletter/blogs, oversee personal progress in the stake, train ward presidencies, have a ton of fun with the sisters I serve with (seriously, we have so much fun) and among other things...help to put on a "Modest Prom" for our stake's youth each year.

Our Modest Prom began as a laurel project, and has turned into one of the biggest things in this region. This year we had three other stakes who joined in: Cleveland, Akron, and Youngstown. We were supposed to have a Pittsburgh stake, but they had stk conference and couldn't come. As the host stake, we do everything and the others simply pay us a check to contribute to the budget. Whew! It is a lot of work, but it truly is an amazing thing to watch these kids come together in an uplifting, fun environment where they don't have to worry about alcohol, violence, immorality, etc. And we do our very best to make sure that it's at least as good as their own high school proms. I'm here to say that it's better than any prom I ever had...especially the food. Who had chocolate fountains at their proms? Not me...and I was even one of the students planning my proms!

So, Andy is so great that he comes with me each year. To dance? Not really. Usually we're way to busy to dance. This year we got in two dances...yippee! And I had one cream puff and a strawberry, which I dipped in the chocolate fountain...that was it. The rest of the time, we were both going back and forth from the picture foyer, to the DJ, checking hallways, I was pinning some dresses and attaching shawls, and directing other chaperones. But it's always a highlight in my year that I look forward to. I love my calling! Here are a few pictures of the evening.

Here's a shot of the gym. We had strung white plastic to make a false ceiling, along with white lights.

Me and a few of our senior laurels in the stake. These three were at Laurel's Academy this year...and you grow really close.

This is the photo backdrop. It's amazing what a little bit of tulle can do...

Here is part of our presidency...Jeni (Pres) Me (What does she do?) and Sarah (2nd Couns)

Ahh.....young love....

Here's a closeup of us two crazy kids. What a fun night!

"YW Leaders On Helium"

(This picture was taken at the end, after we had taken down the photo backdrop...it was late, and we were a little crazy! But now we're on a rotating schedule...which means Kirtland Stake gets three years off!!!! Whew Hoooooo! All we have to do is pay a check and show up!)