When I was recently assigned to a conference in the Mission Viejo California Stake, I was touched by an account of their four-stake New Year’s Eve youth dance. Following the dance, a purse was found with no outside identification. I share with you part of what Sister Monica Sedgwick, the Young Women president in the Laguna Niguel stake, recorded: “We didn’t want to pry; this was someone’s personal stuff! So we gingerly opened it and grabbed the first thing that was on top—hopefully, it would identify her. It did, but in another way—it was a For the Strength of Youth pamphlet. Wow! This told us something about her. Then we reached in for the next item, a little notebook. Surely this would give us answers, but not the kind we were expecting. The first page was a list of favorite scriptures. There were five more pages of carefully written scriptures and personal notes.”
The sisters immediately wanted to meet this stalwart young woman. They returned to that purse to identify its owner. They pulled out some breath mints, soap, lotion, and a brush. I loved their comments: “Oh, good things come out of her mouth; she has clean and soft hands; and she takes care of herself.”
They eagerly awaited the next treasure. Out came a clever little homemade coin purse made from a cardboard juice carton, and there was some money in a zippered pocket. They exclaimed, “Ahh, she’s creative and prepared!” They felt like little children on Christmas morning. What they pulled out next surprised them even more: a recipe for Black Forest chocolate cake and a note to make the cake for a friend’s birthday. They almost screamed, “She’s a HOMEMAKER! Thoughtful and service minded.” Then, yes, finally some identification. The youth leaders said they felt greatly blessed “to observe the quiet example of a young lady living the gospel.” 6
This account illustrates the commitment of our young women to Church standards. 7 It is also an example of caring, interested, dedicated Young Women leaders all over the world. They are incredible!
First take your 3 paper bags and lay them on top of each other, alternating the open ends and the ends with the flaps. Fold the bags in half and stitch together with a sewing machine right down the middle. You could also try stapling or hole punching (and tying the ribbon handle through the holes to keep it all together).
The last top page has the lyrics to the hymn, “As Sisters in Zion”, along with comments made by Elder Cook in his talk. The bottom page has some tear-away compliments (idea first seen here) to give to oneself or another person needing a smile! Cut the strips along the dotted lines, then glue just the top portion to the paper sack. Behind this are some pieces of gum in a pocket closed with the tag that reads, “to speak sweetly”, reminding us to be kind and gentle in all that we say.
I then glued the flap to the purse and embellished with flowers and a button faux closure.
I love, love, love your site and ideas. I love that your handouts are more visual aid than anything else. Thank you for sharing your time and talents with me. (Oh, and everybody else)
Whit
You did it again! You've got me all excited to go share this message next month! I love this talk from Elder Cook and that purse you made is so gosh darn CUTE! Can't wait to share this with my sisters!
I think this is your best project EVA! So awesome! Do you tweet? I'd love to follow you on Twitter. 🙂 @theinkboutique
I'll be using this for so many other things. Absolutely wonderful!
This is really cute….and might I add that I miss your posts in I Sing U Sing…
Thanks, friends!
Rachel – I don't tweet – although I have an account, I haven't gotten into the habit of using it. Maybe one day?
Oh, this is such a wonderful idea!! It looks amazing!!
eu amo suas ideias, eu faço a tradução em portugué mais dou os devidos creditos, um beijo linda.
Oh my goodness. You are so clever. I am in awe of your talents. And that talk…I LOVED it. I handed out my super hero lollipops today. Thank you!
Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [14 Apr 01:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria
Oh, my! I absolutely LOVE this idea!! Thank you ever so much.
Oh, this is simply adorable! I can't wait to make them for my VT girls. I might even make one for my 4-yr-old daughter for fun. Thank you!
Thank you so much! I love this, and can't wait to share with my sisters!!
You are amazing! Thank you once again for sharing something so awesome. I know the sisters I visit teach look forward to your brilliant ideas. 🙂
Thank you so much! I always make one for myself as well as my sisters so I can be reminded, too. XXOO
I love this idea!!!…..i wish it could be in spanish too! 🙁
Trilce – Spanish will be available soon. 🙂
My daughter just showed me your blog!
AMAZING!
Thank you for such great ideas!
Your #501 Follower :O)
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for sharing your talents!!! Your ideas are just so dang cute!! I learn a lot from your visual aids and I know my sisters love them too! Thanks again!
I love this! We are planning a mother daughter activity with our YW for mother's day and this will be a perfect craft for both mother and daughter to enjoy.
I am having trouble printing out the first page though. For some reason the text box with the story comes out completely black. All of the other pages print out fine though. Any ideas?
I love this idea! I would like to use it, but I can't get the documents to download. Can you help?
Melanie P. (proctom@labcorp.com)
Rosengren Family – you may want to try downloading a second time. I'm not sure why the text box isn't working. If, after you've downloaded a second time, and it is still not working, send me an email at seemevt at hotmail dot com.
Melanie – I sent you an email!
So cute but won't all the contents fall out if you hold by the ribbon? Maybe I'm putting it together incorrectly. Let me know if I'm doing it wrong.
Lana – Because the items are so lightweight, the paper clips should keep them inside. The purse still needs to be handled gently, of course.
I just printed the document, but the second part of the parable isn't printing correctly, it is printing with huge black line / bar through the lines . . . money in a zippered pocket. . . .and . . . creative and prepared.
Don't know what is going on . . . any ideas on how I could fix this?
Lindsay – I replaced the old link with a new version of the pdf. Try downloading again. If you are still having problems, email me: seemevt at hotmail dot com.
Thank you so much for this idea. I must tell you that our sisters get so excited when we bring them the handouts you have designed and I know they always look at them and show them to others because I keep getting calls about where the idea came from and I always share your site. I know that we are making more effort for our sweet sisters. I am especially excited about this months as I loved this story.
Love it-so beautiful. I can't wait to make it.
Hey I loved your blog! Thanks for the cute ideas. I left a comment earlier, but it must not have saved. I did used Elder Cook's talk in my Relief Society lesson in church a couple of weeks ago, and now I am using my hand out for Visiting Teaching too, you can see it on my blog here:
http://gringanada.blogspot.com/search/label/Parable%20of%20the%20Purse
PS I was your 500th follower 🙂
My friend called this morning and shared your blog post with me. I am brand new to your blog and you have won me over with this DARLING idea!!!!! Thank you for sharing your talents with us!
As always… SUPER CUTE!! Thanks!!
This is amazing!!! Thank you for sharing it with us.
Brand new to your blog, and LOVE IT! Thanks for sharing your talents!! MY VT appt today will be so much more fun because of you!
Thanks for the cute idea. I will be making these for my young women class.
Thank you so much for all your wonderful ideas. I have an inactive sister that I visit. She loves all the little handouts I give her each month. She told me that they make her feel important – she can't believe I took the time to make them for her. Thank you for helping me let my sister see how loved she truly is:)
I just want to tell you thank your for doing this site. I end up going visiting teaching by myself and it really helps me feel like I can do that if I have something tangible for to take for my ladies. Thanks.
Wonderful idea!! This is the talk I used for my VT this month. Wish I'd found this before hand! BUT, my sisters may get this lesson again just so I can make this awesome handout!
I just have to tell you that your site is absolutely amazing! I can’t believe you can just make up these awesome little crafts every single month, let alone share them with the rest of us for FREE! Thank you so much! I often find myself here looking for some crafty visiting teaching inspiration. 🙂
Dear Sister:
Your blog is AMAZING!! Thank you so much for the wonderful ideas, and for you dedication and love. My mom and I love all the special details that you are always giving:) And thank you for also sharing some of them in Spanish!
Thanks,
The Felix’s