I have to say, I am quite proud of myself. I finished my Personal Progress and received my Young Womanhood Recognition medallion yesterday. I honestly LOVE this program. It has meant so much to me. I learned things about myself, my Heavenly Father, my Savior Jesus Christ, and the Gospel in general from this.
The Value Experience that I remember the most would have to be Integrity number 2. I didn't gossip for two weeks and I remember the few weeks that I didn't even associate myself with those that gossiped. It was not fun at all. I remember my friend Sierra being so mad at me because I told her I didn't want to hear the things that she was saying about one of my other friends. I agreed with a lot of the comments made by her and others at our lunch table but I kept it to myself. It was hard but I know that at least one of my friends was on my side. They came and sat with me and told me they were grateful that I stood up. Integrity was a really good one for me to do. I became such a better person.
Another one that touched my life was all of Faith. My testimony grew so much, and I more fully understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ because of this. I don't know what I would do without it. I honestly would not have any chance at getting Exaltation that is for sure. I am not the most humble person and I DEFINITELY have faults, but with the Atonement I can always repent of my sins and become a more humble person through Christ. I always have someone to turn to when no one else knows what I am going through. I had a really hard and stressful time of my life the past little while. I need to make a really hard decision but I didn't know what to do. I could talk to my friends but only two knew what I was going through. For a while I could only talk to them about my stress but one night while talking to one of them, it hit me. I have the most important people behind me to help me get through this. I had been praying about it but wasn't getting much back. I am still kind of in the air about one thing but I turned to Prayer with the faith that I would be okay and said, "I'm tired of figuring this out alone. I need to you be my co-pilot right now. It's your plane, your turn to fly." Just saying that helped. Jesus knows what I am doing, and what I am going through. He has felt my pain, but also my joy. I wouldn't be able to do this without him.
I am so thankful for this program! For all of the young girls (my nieces, Sarah, Alyssa, Abby, Leah, Lauren, Eva, Ella, and those to come) I strongly hope you get your Young Womanhood Recognition. You will love it, just as I have.
