We had some guest speakers come who have or are now serving in the military.  One was our bishop, who served in Vietnam and the other was a local who is now serving and has been to Iraq. 

We kept it open as to what they wanted to talk about.  They shared some of their experiences, and also focused on how the gospel has helped them while serving.  One of the speakers did a great job of reminding us that the people in Iraq are children of our Heavenly Father as well, and that they are our brothers and sisters and we need to help them have a better life.  It was so emotional. 

We also honored the mothers and servicemen that were currently serving in our ward and had a poem for them and announced them. 

Then we had refreshments and put together care packages to send to the troops. 

It was a really special night.

• What's My Line Game
• True or False Game
• Rotating Tables for refreshments

• Cute Christmas Cards
• Christmas Box
• Gift Mixes

• Favorite FHE Ideas
• Frame for picture of the temple
• Real Ancestors, Real Stories

• Special speaker from local hospital outreach center

• "Joseph" talking about Mary and the Savior
• Special Guest Speaker

• Basics and Beyond
• Cinnamon Rolls? You Bet!

• Visiting Teaching 101
• A Lifetime of Stories: The Good and the Bad
• Easy VT Gifts

• Family Prayer
• Scripture Study
• FHE/Missionary Work

• Book Review
• Yoga
• Neck and Shoulder Massage
• Strawberry Dipping
• Journal/Letter-Writing Room

• Decorated Bags
• Journal Jars
• Closet Clean-Out

• Beginning Singing
• Decorative Interior Painting
• Gardening

TRIP AROUND THE WORLD
(Around the World in 80 Minutes)

Sisters were escorted from the 'airplane' to the cultural hall where 9 areas were set up. There was a person at each area, ready to talk about and answer questions about the country they were from or visited. The countries we had represented were: Australia, Argentina, Russia, South Africa, Korea, and others. A great way for RMs to talk about their experiences!

• 9 booths/countries
• Started in "airplane" in overflow area
• moved to cultural hall
• each sister was given a passport to have stamped at each "country" she visited

• Skit - "Little Red Riding Hood Goes to the Tropics"
• Haka Dancers (YM did Tongan dance)
• Hula Lessons
• Photo area
• Crafts (for the younger set) - Photo Frame

• Psychologist from LDS Social Services spoke to couples and singles about communication.
• Spouses invited.

• Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning experiences based on member's family traditions
• Evening in RS room, morning in cultural hall

• Organize Your Home
• Organize Your Finances

• Hubby Love: Making Date Night a Reality
• Chocolate Love: Everything you wanted to know about chocolate
• Divine Love: Discuaaion group based on Ensign article by Elder Nelson

• "Visits" from significant women of the past

TEMPLE NIGHT

We had a Stake Center right next to the temple, and took advantage of that for a temple night for the sisters. Those that were endowed attended the session, those that were recent converts did baptisms, and those sisters without recommends attended the family history class at the Stake Center. All the sisters met afterwards for dessert at the Stake Center. A nice way to include all the sisters in temple work!

• Sisters sign up for Endowments or Baptisms (for newer members)
• Family History Class at the church (We had a Stake Center right next to the temple)

• Music - Using music to relax
• Neck and Shoulder Massage
• Manicures
• Book Review
• Journal/Letter-writing Room

• Love One Another - Marraige and Family Relationships
• Preserving Memories - Beyond Scrapbooking
• Grandma's Corner - Ideas on Local and Long-distance Grandparenting

• Crafts - Water Bracelets, bug magnets (found on FamilyFun's website!)
• East Coast Swing Dancing Demo
• "Beach Boys" Lip Sync - YM

• Favorite Inspirational Stories

A GARDEN OF OLIVES

I have been asked by many of you to post what was in the program for this. As I don't have the recording of the speaker anymore, nor his permission to post his seminar, I probably won't be able to share much with you except the general ideas posted to the right.

• Special Speaker
• How the Savior Used Olives in His Teaching
• The Symbolism of Olives and how it Relates to Christmas

DISCOVER THE STATE YOU'RE IN

This was done in my ward in NC as well as here in TX. The main thing that changed were the foods and the 'How Southern Are You' class.

• Day Trips in the State
• History of the State
• "How Southern Are You?" - A crash course on Southern living
• State Trivia Contest (During Refreshments)

KEEPING COOL

We had someone from the State Family Services organization come and speak to us. Most states offer free seminars for groups to raise awareness of abuse and recognizing signs of abuse of others. Call your state or county offices to see if this is available in your area.

• Recognizing and Avoiding Abuse
• Stress and Anger Management Ideas
  

• Music History in a Nutshell
• Composer Biography
• Music Appreciation
• "Hidden Artist" Gallery - The sisters brought in samples of their creative works, and we displayed it in the overflow area

• Panel of "experts" answered questions about food storage
• Each sister got a "Press Pass" of 3x5 cards on a ribbon to write down notes
  

Spiritual Spa - Submitted by Tupu

(White linens with black elegant accents)

Each place setting has a gift bag with a bottle of water and a new white wash cloth rolled up and tied with a bow. Poem - A Strong Woman (rolled up in bag)

Printed program - list of stresses and relaxers, comforting songs and program outline

It was a huge success. Sisters felt pampered and enriched.

• Class/Activity: Break up into small groups and rotate every 10 minutes to each lovely decorated class.
• Sense of Taste - Healthy food tips, the word of wisdom, sample a fresh fruit smoothie made before your eyes (Handout: A chocolate truffle elegantly wrapped to add to gift bag)
• Sense of Touch - A masseuse speaks and has sisters massage each other while they speak on the need for touch and health benefits. Helps us to feel more love towards those close to us.(Handout: small sample of massage lotion)
• Sense of Scent - Room has scented candles, samples of perfumes or lotions and leader speaks of how this area can add stress or help us relax. Keeps us calm to be able to help or serve others around us.(Handout: small scented candle)
• Sense of Sound - Room has relaxing music playing, a display of instruments and speaker discusses how music can add to our spiritual strength or a sample of how it can distract from the spirit. (Handout: a CD of inspirational music)
• Sense of Sight - Room is decorated to be very comfortable and welcoming. We had a chase lounge, candles, rugs, plants, focus of Christ. Speaker spoke about how our surroundings can influence our spirit and add or take away. (Handout: A mirror to look into with a scripture attached that spoke of looking to the glory of god)
• Keynote Speaker - Sense of Spirit - Everyone gathers together at the conclusion and there is a 10 minute talk on the spirit.