Be Grateful {6) Progression

Last month, I received my Young Woman Recognition Award.

I know. I'm 28, not a 12-18 yr old.

LDS girls ages 12-18 have the opportunity to strengthen their testimony, develop talents, and learn how to set and acheive goals for personal growth through the Young Women Personal Progress Program. A few years ago, I was called to serve the Young Women. I decided to get started on my own personal progress journey when I heard that the leaders can participate in the program as well. Lead by example, right?

I have learned a lot from this experience.



It took 2 1/2 years for me to complete the program (click here to see in more detail).


For each value (Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice and Accountability, Good Works, Intregrity, and Virtue) the girls are to complete six Value Experiences. They also complete one 10 hour Value Project for each value, that will help them develop or gain greater understanding of that particular value. Some of my projects were pretty involved, and I spent 200 hrs on a few of them.



It was a lot of work, and I grew so much from the experience. I definitely learned to rely on and trust that the Lord always has a plan for me to accomplish what he requires of me. My faith has been strengthened. I have a testimony of the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that through Him, I can do things that I could never do alone. The Atonement is a gift to everyone, and it has strengthened every aspect of my life.



I finished the program several months ago, but just received my recognition neclace and certificate recently. It was very fitting that I received it on the Sunday of the week that marked a 3 year anniversary of this goal...which I started as a part of my Personal Progress program.



Of course, it was not until after I had completed all of the requirements for my Leader Recognition, that I realized that there are separate requirements for leaders. Leaders are only required to do 3 value experience (instead of 6) for each value, and only 3 of the 10 hour projects (as opposed to 8). Oops! Oh well. I, personally, must have needed the entire program, and I am glad that I did the whole thing. If it had been about "just getting it done", I probably could have flipped through the booklet and signed of half of it right then and there. But the thing about completion is that once something is "complete" it is done. finished. over. I love that my church encourages me to be constantly growing, working, learning. I did this program to progress, and to help the Young Women I was serving to progress.

What I learned:

Through this program, and my understanding of the Atonement, I learned to recognize my strengths and weaknesses. I learned dilligence and obedience (and sometimes longsuffering). My marriage was strengthened. I gained confidence. I have a deeper respect and appreciation for my role as a woman and a mother. A friendship that I had thought was beyond repair was meded. I developed new talents and skills. I made new friends. I actually learned how to set, follow through, and complete goals, and I learned to accept failure, make more reasonable goals, and know that it's ok that I can't do everything. I developed a love for the scriptures and a habit of studying them daily. My pride was broken and I learned how to take ownership of mistakes and ask others for forgiveness. I went back to school. I developed an ounce (just an ounce, but it's something..progress) of patience. I opened a preschool program in my home. I ran a couple half marathons. I canned my own food storage. I improved my home and improved the homes of others. I have read the entire standard works. I have stepped outside my comfort bubble a little and I can see a thousand things I want to do, learn, experience, be.

I have progressed, and I am still progressing.



I have a testimony of the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I'm grateful for the Personal Progress Program. It is an inspired program. It can bless the lives of the girls, leaders, and mothers who participate. It strengthened my testimony, increased my faith, built my confidence and understanding of my divine purpose, and because of this program, I know that "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me..." Phillipians 4:13

I'm grateful for progression.