New Editor

Try as I may, I just can't manage to find a way to fit 25 hours into a day. So I have admitted defeat and called in some help.

Today Rachel has stepped in as a new editor here on the Ashton Stake Young Women blog. This will allow me to keep up the growing Oldham Seminary Blog

When I started this blog, the idea was to offer support to Presidency. It was to allow girls and leaders to share ideas across wards and report on activities done and those planned for the future.

There is lots of things coming up, the big one is Young Women camp. So keep visiting for more information.

If you have ideas for what could be put on here speak to Rachel or inbox her. The internet offers great opportunities for communication and sharing the gospel, lets use it. You may well see the occasional post from me .

John

Mormon Messages

The latest video from Mormon Messages fro Youth

The Song of the Heart is a Prayer unto Me

Motivational Speaker

Meet Nick, Nick is different than most of us...
Look past the obvious and you will see his difference, is the desire to overcome adversity and trials.



Click the like button, Share this with others, you may just change someone's life !

Dating - a guest post by Braden Bell

Today we have a guest post from LDS Author and Teacher Braden Bell originally posted on his blog and is printed here with his permission. Brother Bell is originally from Utah and currently lives in Nashville Tennessee with his wife and 5 children. As you will see it is aimed at his school class but I'm sure we can see his LDS beliefs shine through and there is wisdom for all enclosed

Dear Teenagers (Especially My Students and Former Students Who I Love Dearly But Everyone Else is Also Invited to Read):

Can we talk? Those of you who are or were my students, remember how during class you sometimes try to distract me from the task at hand by asking me questions that lead to me talking and giving you life lessons? Here's a secret: I know what you are doing. You are not nearly as subtle as you think you are. But sometimes I go with it because I feel like it's worth it, or I can tell that you're tired and need a break. And also because I care about you and want you to learn things that will make you happy even if those things have nothing to do with quarter notes, head voices, or harmony.

Now I want to interrupt your time (summer) and give you a life lesson. I hope you will read this and think about it.

A few months ago I chaperoned a school dance. I do this twice a year and I did what I always did on these occasions: make fun of you. KIDDING!!!! I would never do that. Really what I did was stand there and feel bad for you. Then I talked with other teachers who also felt bad for you. One teacher, an experienced teacher who is one of the most loving, wise people/teachers I've ever known really felt bad for you and we talked about this at length. I've been thinking about it ever since.

Here's why we feel bad for you. You have more freedom than any other generation of teenagers probably since the world began. You have more leisure time and more stuff to fill that time. There are fewer restrictions or taboos that society places on you. For the most part you live far more comfortably and far more freely than ever before.

And yet, your lives seem to be less rich. You know a lot more about boys or girls (whichever is your opposite) than we did at your age, but I don't think you enjoy those relationships as much as we did. This other teach and I concluded that in almost every appreciable category, we had less of everything and enjoyed it much more.

So, because I love you dearly--you have no idea how I worry about you--I am going to give you some thoughts about dating, boys/girls, etc. I don't think you know these rules. From what I observe you don't have any idea. And it's not your fault. The culture isn't teaching you anything.

First of all: slow down. Way down. I see some of you who don't want to date yet but you go along because everyone else is doing it. Don't be afraid to opt out. I know things that are scary at your age. But honestly, dating before you are mature enough to enjoy it is not going to be fun for anyone. It's just going to make things muddy. My parents made me wait until 16 to date and I hated them for it at the time. Now I'm so glad they did. Before 16, I was an masterpiece of immaturity and would have been a disaster. Doing everything earlier and earlier is not always a good thing. When my son had a Kindergarten crush, the wise teacher told him he couldn't have a girlfriend until he had a driver's license. Loved it. However, I'd amend that even further.

Second: Don't date one person. If I had a magic wand and could change one thing about the way adolescents live today, I would stop them from "going out" with each other. That means various things. On one extreme, there is just saying you are going out with so-and-so and buying them a Christmas present and that's it. On the other extreme, there are those early teenagers making out with the person they're going out with.

This is sad to me. If all goes well, you will spend the rest of your life in exclusive relationships. That's where you are headed. So, use this time to get to know lots of people. My parents had another rule I hated. I could only date the same person if I dated two other people in between. HATED that then. Guess what rule I'm imposing on my kids? This was great because it forced me to broaden my life. I got to know people that became and remain good friends instead of focusing all my time and attention on the current crush of my life. That was good for me. Former Students: I see you on Facebook and you go through relationships like I go tanks of gas. I have to admit when ever I see your statuses changed to "single" I cheer a bit. I know it hurts to break up but I am convinced that being single is how you are supposed to be in middle and high school. Single with lots and lots and lots of fun, flirtatious friendships.

Third: Dating does not equal romance. It can, and it's a lot of fun when it does. But you can go on a date with a friend and have a lot of fun. Looking back, the dates that I remember and enjoyed the most were the dates where my guy friends and I went out with girls we liked but were not in love with. That was fun because there was no pressure. FUN! Have fun. There is plenty of time for commitment later. Don't get bogged down in it too soon. A committed relationship between two mature adults is one of life's great glories. The same thing between two immature people is a bitter fruit that can taint your life for years. Also: mature does not mean when you think you are. Physiologically, you are not mature while in middle or high school. You're just not. Your body is still growing and developing. And that includes your brain and emotions.

I'm not against liking a guy/girl and going out with him/her. I just wish it didn't have to be so exclusive so early. Young love is a wonderful thing. Enjoy it. But I think you'll enjoy it more in the present and regret it less later if there are some restraints there and it doesn't dictate every other aspect of your life.

This is way too long now for your text-message-trained brains, so I'm going to end my post here and write the rest of it later. Do please give this some thought, Dear Ones. If any of you have read this far you may stop by my office for a piece of candy the first week of school.

l8r!

Fondly,

Dr. Bell

You can find out more about Brother Bells novel "The Road Show" HERE

195 Dresses

Could this be done in the Ashton Stake ???



From our own family experience finding a prom dress
 that is modest is not easy, this would be a wonderful
idea if it could be worked out !!!

Choose To Be Pure

The following video is taken from the Official LDS Youth Site

As you watch the 6 youth all from different religious backgrounds,
see if you guess which one is LDS ! I got it wrong !  

This is also being added to the Virtue Page if you want to find it again.

Young Men General President

All youth have been asked to attend the fireside at Manchester Stake Centre tomorrow (3rd August 2011) as their weekly youth activity. So I thought it would be good to give you a bit of background on who the Young Men General President is !

Brother Beck has served as president of the Brazil Rio de Janeiro North Mission, stake president, bishop, high councilor, counselor in the bishopric, elders quorum president, priests quorum adviser, deacons quorum adviser, assistant Scoutmaster, and Primary worker. He was a ward mission leader in Bountiful, Utah, USA, at the time of his call.

Born to Wayne and Evelyn Moon Beck on April 12, 1953, in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, Brother Beck was 10 years old when his father was called to preside over the Brazil Mission, and both his parents and the full-time missionaries served as role models. “I caught the excitement of this work as a young man,” he says. He later served as a full-time missionary in the Brazil North Central Mission.

Brother Beck married Robyn Ericksen in the Salt Lake Temple in 1976. They have four children. “We love spending time together,” he says. Brother Beck is an executive with a manufacturing and distribution company. He received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in engineering administration from the University of Utah.

Scavenger hunt at Dovestones

The Stake Youth activity, held at Dovestone Reservoir and organised by Oldham Ward was well attended and a fun night for all.

The event was well planned, people arriving were split into groups of about 8 and sent out to collect as many things they could from a printed list. Some items were to be physically collected and brought back, things like leaves, sheep poo, a fish. Other items / tasks just needed photo evidence, a sign, a picture of a couple married for more than 30 years and a video of the group singing a church song ! These are just a few of the listed items !!

Here are a few of the pictures taken ...

There was also a slip of paper handed out asking you to finish the sentence. Ashton Stake Youth the best because ... with a number to text your ending too, if you haven't done it yet. DO IT !!!

The 6 replies received so far "Ashton Stake Youth are the best because..

...everybody is so close and its like a big family were I can go and know everyone there loves me for who I am"

...their special"

...we have the best activities, like scavenger hunts at Dovestones"

...of their example to me"

...I am in it"

...they care about each other, they unite when they need to, they have leaders that care about them and pray for them, they have the best little blogger in the stake"

Spiritual Crocodiles

At church today in Oldham, we had three missionaries speak, the final one Elder Dittmer mentioned the address by President Packer all about Spiritual Crocodiles.

This video was made for Seminary and inspired by Elder Boyd K. Packer’s analogy from a General Conference address “Spiritual Crocodiles” Ensign, May 1976, 30–32 . 

Elder Packer compared deadly crocodiles that lie in wait for unsuspecting animals to the spiritual and moral sins of our day, which can be deadly to our young people. The Seminary guide goes on to discuss why temptations are so like Crocodiles.

• Crocodiles are often well camouflaged.
• Some victims, like the English boy, ignore warnings.
• Crocodiles often victimize the young, who are innocent and less wary.
• Victims underestimate how fast and powerful the enemy is.
• Victims see others go down to drink without being attacked.
• Crocodiles wait in places where victims go to satisfy needs, that is, the watering hole.
• Crocodiles are patient; they let the animals feel safe with their presence and then attack when the animals’ guards are down.

Provo, UT Girls

Today's post is just for fun



1 Minute in - "Big Hair, leggings and layered shirts on top" its not just a Provo Fashion !

EFY Dress Standards

If your planning your summer wardrobe, you may want to CHECK OUT the EFY dress standards, before you SPLASH OUT your cash !

Click HERE or on the picture above, to visit the official EFY dress standards page.

Mothers and Daughters

Is there a woman in your life that deserves an "I love You" today ?
It may be a Mother a Grandmother or a Young Women Leader....

If you love them - Tell them !


You could even SEND them this message... 

Stake Youth Activity

The next stake youth activity will be hosted by Oldham ward on the 26th of July.

The venue is Dovestones Reservoir which is only a 10 minute drive from Oldham, the plan is to meet in the car park for a 7.00pm start. Please note the council parking wardens are vigilant in the evenings and it is pay and display until 8.00pm

Facebook users please visit the invite page and respond to let the organisers get a rough idea of how many to expect, it can be found HERE

If you havent been before its easy to find from Oldham Bypass coming from Oldham..

		0.3 mi
	6. At Mumps roundabout, take the 3rd exit ontoLees Rd/A669 Continue to follow A669
		3.9 mi
	7. Sharp right onto Shaw Hall Bank Rd/A669
		0.1 mi
	8. Take the 1st left onto Chew Valley Rd/A669
		0.8 mi
	9. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit ontoHolmfirth Rd/A635
		0.4 mi
	10. Slight right onto Bank Ln
		0.5 mi

Dovestones Reservoir

Stake Athletics

Get excited, dust of your spiked running shoes !! This coming Saturday (9th of July) is Stake Athletics. As last year the event is combined with Manchester Stake. This is home turf for Oldham Ward who will be training at the venue this Tuesday Evening.

The Venue 

The Radclyffe School

Hunt Lane
Chadderton
Oldham
OL9 0LS

Start Time : 10 am

Leave the M60 at jnc 21 and head towards Oldham on "Broadway" 

You will pass Costco on the left,

Mcdonalds on the left (call in a treat yourself) 

The Sportsman pub on the right (don't go in) 

Turn left onto Hunt Lane

Arial view picture source : School Website

Young Women Powers

This is a must see !!!



or follow this link to watch it on YouTube HERE

This is one of a series of videos made by LDS father of 5 Ryan Farley, its a family hobby I guess. Starring Reed Farley & Trapper Farley.
You can see where Reed gets her powers from, notice when she gets up, you see she is wearing a Young Women necklace!

Regional Dance

I called in early in the evening and took a couple of pictures, Paul Sleem "The Music Man" was playing the tunes 

Meanwhile in the kitchen, with an army of helpers, the Stake Young Women Presidency were slicing, dicing and preparing fruit for the beach party. They had spent much of the last month, growing bananas, coconuts and melons in Helen's back garden !

This fruit had been laid out in the Relief Society for the most healthy refreshments ever know at a church dance.

Breaking EFY news

Are you excited about EFY yet ?

Did you know there will be a variety show at EFY that you can take part in ? 

There will be auditions held during EFY and you will need to take the lyrics of any music / songs you intend to use either singing, playing or just background music, with you to be vetted before auditions.

When you come to EFY, you should let those who are doing the registrations that you wish to participate in the show.

Next planned Regional Activity.

The next regional activity, on the 1st of July, is a dance, hosted by our stake but to be held at Manchester Stake Centre. The DJ for the night is Paul Sleem and the theme is BEACH PARTY but don't expect the weather to be sunny !!

Like all dances its 14 plus. Come dressed for the beach 'Mormon Style' and if your not sure what that means check out your copy of Strength of Youth !

Stake Temple Visits

This week is our Stake Temple week, Tuesday and Wednesday have been organised as the Youth Temple evenings.

Both nights start at 7pm with an expected finish time of 9pm. The Temple Presidency have stipulated a maximum of 20 youth on both evenings to help maintain reverence in the Baptistery.

If your going or have been feel free to add a comment about your visit...