Leadership Treasure!

I am so excited that the blog has gone public! I really hope this is a place where you sisters can visit and we can get some great ideas circulating. I always think how fantastic it would be to have all the sisters in primary at leadership training, but I understand that the demands of life and travelling is so difficult, so I thought a little recap would be nice for the sisters that were unable to attend!

We were blessed to have a wonderful talk by Brother Mackenzie on our role as women in ward council and how we need to have a voice, we have the ability to fix problems and we need to speak up! Thank You Brother Mackenzie!

Then we heard from Leanna Ockey, all about scouting! We were encouraged to be involved in our Cubs Scouting, as leaders we should be enrolled in the scouting program (be signed up as volunteers) For Wards/Branches that do not have a scouting program look into Lone Star Scouting and get your parents informed! Visit the Scouts Canada website for information on that. Its an important part of boys growing up and can teach them many valuable skills, and when we "dovetail" it with the Faith in God program, our boys will have a better chance for success!

Sister Stephanie Webster than enlightened us all on how to teach music to the children! What an exciting portion that was, her beautiful voice caught all of our attention and really gave us some great ideas. She told us we should teach the Rhythm of the music, the words slowly, and then introduce the tune! Wear bright clothing, sing your introduction to the children to let them know its time to sing and most importantly bear your testimony of what you are singing. Children really do remember what they hear, so let them feel that spirit! We are hoping to have Stephanie make a guest appearance on the blog to help us learn a bit more, as she has wonderful suggestions.

Then Sister Gayla Langmuir spoke to us about teaching and coping with special needs. She did a wonderful job sharing her experiences about what has worked in her primary, having visual cues for the children to see what was coming next was such a good idea. She told us how children with special needs are here to teach us, they are here to teach us patience, and compassion... so remember what a blessing it is to have those children in out midst. Talk to the parents and see what works, they know there children best. Parents themselves may to still be grieving about the situation, so tread lightly and listen with an open heart! In addition to Sister Langmuir, Dianne Carrell showed us the church's website for teaching with disabilities.

http://lds.org/disability?lang=eng , visiting this url to check it out, there is SO much information on there to help us be the best we can.

Marsha Armstrong then talked to us about Primary Presentations, those should be underway and being practiced in our sharing time. Dates should be set, they are usually around the end of the year. The handbook clearly states that it is not appropriate to have costumes, and props during our presentations so lets stick to that! For the wards with smaller primaries don't be afraid to include the congregation in singing, and maybe just focus on one month... the song, the scripture and the message for that month. Also Priesthood Preview is approaching, the handbook clearly states what is expected and talk with your bishops if they need a gentle reminder about what this is!

Meaghan Purnell then gave us a quick reminder about getting prepared for 2012, CHOOSE THE RIGHT. Manuals are still not available, but the church website said beginning of september, so when it does Sister Carrell will send you all an email. Wouldnt it be nice to start preparing now so that when december comes around we can focus on our families and the "busy-ness" of that season without the stress of the new year. A little later I will post some of the things I had included in a binder that would be nice to have prepared for each teacher, and ideally it would be nice to present the teacher with that binder in her home and a nice visit from someone in the presidency!!!

Then we were so blessed to hear from Sister Carrell, who gave us an assignment! SIGN UP FOR YOUR LDS ACCOUNTS! Its not difficult and it opens up a whole world of oppurtunity! Search lds.org, become familiar with it, the more you are on there the more you will learn, your testimonies will grow. The website is an amazing resource, it is all we need! Focus your energy in preparing your lessons and sharing times straight from that site, everything you need is one there! As Sister Carrel said "The Church is going Techno". The Church has the technology and information we need, we just need to use it!

It was a wonderful time, the spirit was there and it was great to get to know some of you sisters better! You all are wonderful and we are blessed to live in Northen Alberta and Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and work with the beautiful children that he has sent to this earth!