~Duffy Doings~: The Laurel Shower

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

The Laurel Shower

Twenty plus years ago when we lived in Westminster and I served as the YW president there, we held an annual Laurel Shower. I can't take credit for it; someone else started it years before I moved there, but it was this ward's tradition. It was so successful that when we moved here and I served on a stake YW level we introduced it to the wards here. Our ward now holds it every other year so while a girl is in her Laurel years she will have a Laurel Shower.

Tonight was Christine's Laurel Shower. It was a completely lovely evening.

Melissa, Brooke, Christine, Maddy.

Sister McClanahan decorated her patio area with twinkly lights and furniture and tables. It was perfectly beautiful in the canyon at sunset.

Sister K. with Brooke, Melissa, and Christine.

Enjoying the chocolate fountain.

Sheila and Alyssa.

The gifts.

Each mother brings a gift that reflects one of their family traditions for the girl's to carry on in their own family's one day.

Lot's of smiles and laughter all around.

Stephanie, Christine, Sarah H., Brooke, Alyssa, Valerie, Raquel, Cassidy, Maddy.

We missed those who couldn't be there. :(

We were divided into three groups.

Using toilet paper, we had to design and make and dress a 'bride'. The girls really got into it.

Then we held a fashion show complete with announcers. The write-ups were very good. Most of the fabric credit went to Cottenelle, Charmin, and Quilted Northern. Haha!

Group 1.

Maddy F.

Group 2.

Christine D.

Group 3.

Cassidy H.

Beautiful future brides.

Dani K. was our speaker this year.

She began by introducing herself. Dani has been married for four years and has 2 children. She told them that she was 20 when she got married. That was not her 'plan', but was grateful she had been ready when it presented itself earlier in her life than she had thought. That is not too far from where these girls are right now. Her message was that you must be ready to go to the temple. To illustrate her message, she showed a very blurry picture of the Eiffel Tower from the air. It wasn't very good or clear.

Then she passed out 3-D glasses to everyone and showed the picture again.

Ahhh. This demonstration of seeing a 3-D picture so much more clearly when you are looking through 3-D glasses was a perfect analogy for how much more clearly we can see things in life when we are looking at it with an eternal perspective. Being in the temple often gives us great power and focus in that pursuit. She talked to us about '3-Ds' that can help us NOW.

1. Decide Once - that you are going to the temple. Then make your decisions based on that. Don't do anything or put yourself in any situation that could threaten your ability and worthiness to do so.

2. Do It Now - have your own temple recommend and attend the temple regularly NOW so that you can have the blessings of the temple in your life NOW and so that you are ready to receive your endowments when that time comes.

3. Dedication - the first two things naturally lead to this. Be dedicated to what you know is right and true.

After Dani's great message, each mother presented her daughter with their gift.

Christine opening hers.

I gave her a tablecloth, napkins and napkin rings for Sunday dinners. In our family they are special and different than weekday dinners just as the Sabbath is special and different than the other days of the week.

All the gifts were unique. It was fun learning about the different things that families have as traditions.

Special spring/Easter cupcakes with all the things to do them with, fun journals from mom to daughter for college with quotes and dollars hidden inside for those moments when you need a home-fix. Widow's mite necklace. Spending holidays with extended family. A Hymnal. A blender for the special family smoothies. A mermaid ring for their fun times at the beach. Special Christmas morning platter for a special german holiday breakfast bread--Stollen. A red 'You Are Special Plate'.