Udorn District Relief Society Birthday Celebration

The Udorn District Relief Society Presidency went all out to celebrate the Relief Society birthday on March 15 . There were talks (Ray and I both had to speak), games, displays, food, and a program featuring each branch of sisters performing a dance from a different country in Asia. It was well attended and everyone seemed to have a good time. The district relief society president (far left) asked me if I would dress up as a pioneer. She wanted the people to see what the sisters in the beginning of relief society looked like. (Thanks, Kae for your help.) I was quite a hit, and as you can see, stood out from the crowd. They were all dressed in silk and jewels, and then there was me! Women kept saying, "You look so beautiful!" Uh, Huh!

The Udorn District Relief Society Presidency:

Elder Brown was a standout in his suit, as well.

One of the young single adult girls told me that they all wanted to have dresses like mine for next year's celebration. We will see!

The  cultural hall was full of people from branches as far away as four hours! They had fun talking to each other. They don't get together very often as a district. The girl in the front center is one of my piano students, Muk Mik. She is 19. She and her sister, Mo (age 23), joined together 7 months ago.  They have powerful testimonies and want to be missionaries as soon as they can. They already accompany the sister missionaries when they teach. Behind her and to the right is the YW president in one of our Udorn branches. She has already had me speak in YW's about temple marriage.

You will notice in the pictures that it wasn't attended by the women only; husbands and children also participated.

 

This was our lunch--so delicious!! 

 

Young Women and Young Single Adults from the Udorn branches. (our girls!)

Vietnamese hat dance. There were many other lovely dances.

 

Playing games (the girl in front is another of my piano students--May). These sisters are from Kumpawabi--aren't they beautiful!

In another game they had to work together to create a protective covering for an egg to prevent it from breaking when dropped. The sisters were quite determined and creative.  The lesson to be learned is that we all need to work together to protect and help each other remain strong in the gospel and active in the Church.

It took many hands, hearts, and minds to succeed just as it does in fellowshipping and loving each other. 

At the end of the activity, they had a singer and musician perform while everyone danced. I wish you could hear it--It isn't like anything you've ever heard before. (Can't seem to get video to upload properly. We will keep trying!)

They even got me out there against my protests. Elder Brown was pulled out to dance for about 2 seconds--not long enough for a picture.

 

These are just two of the many displays around the room. Home crafted items:

 

And yes, the language may be different, but the plea is the same--FOOD STORAGE! 

It was a wonderful activity. The gospel is true and loved and lived all around the world!