Wait, let me give some background so you understand my coming rant.
So, here's the low-down:
YSA WARDS: Young Single Adult Wards.
Someone, somewhere, in a time long ago, came up with the idea of taking all the unmarried Mormons 18-30 and throwing them together in a ward. Whether this was done for "the good of the singles themselves," or the older folks were just sick of dealing with us, I'm not quite sure. Singles Wards have major advantages, and way major disadvantages. But we'll not get into those. Cause it's messy. I attend the Vista 6th Ward, which is our stake's Young Single Adult ward. (and yes, there are regular Single Adult wards, with the singles OVER 30. I am hoping and praying that I never make it to one of those, because really, that's the saddest thing on earth. Lame life on a stick, really.)
FHE: Family Home Evening.
In the Mormon world in which I live (willfully, and quite happily, mind you), Monday nights are reserved for individual families to spend time together, usually with a lesson/spiritual thought, prayer, games, tasty treats, etc. Whether or not all families do it or not... eh. Who's really to say? For SINGLES WARDS (see above), we get together and have activites every Monday night, mimicking Family Home Evening that we had when we grew up at home...
(Because really, your ward is supposed to be like your family. And is, sometimes. You've got you besties who are so close they are practically your sisters, your protective brother types, your creepy uncles, your male role models like psuedo dads and grandpas--- usually the bishopric, but sometimes those fall under creepy uncles--- and, of course, all your aunts and cousins in Relief Socitey--- the women's organization. You get frustrated with members, you love members to death, there are some you can't do anything but argue with, but in the end, we're all there for each other.)
Now, back to my rant:
I am the Co-Chair person of the FHE Committee, meaning me and a really awesome guy named Dionte are in charge of putting on a FHE event every. single. Monday. night. (Okay, we have a committe with like 5 other people, but they never show up to meetings. Or FHE. Actually, I don't know who some of them are... But some do, and I'm thankful for that.)
Stressful? Yup. Challenging? Heck yeah. Worth it? Ehh... Just kidding, YEAH, it's worth it. I actually love it.
At let me just say... Dionte and I are putting so much flippin effort into these Monday nights, it's not even funny. The whole point of FHE is for us to get together to fellowship and socialize and make friends within the gospel to support each other, which is a fantastic cause, is it not? I want FHE to be something everyone looks forward to, BECAUSE they get to do those things (and have a little fun while doing it).
PAST FHE ACTIVITIES:
---broomball
---foil boat penny challenge!
---how to make dinner for an impressive date
---dodgeball
---fiancial planning night (with guest speaker)
---cpr training
---movie nights
---rely races
---culture night
---scavenger hunts
---caroling and white elephant gift exchanges (at Christmas time)
---speed dating
---boys vs. girls game night
---wheel of fortune
---various service projects
---etc.
... all served with some sort of delicious food that I'm in charge of coordinating.
Problem? NO GIRLS COME TO OUR FHE!!! Out of the 25-30 people that come, 4-6 of them are girls. Including me. And I HAVE to be there. Okay, so the real problem is that a lot of the girls have felt uncomfortable at church events because there are some fellas who tend to be a bit bold and... creepy... but Dionte and I have worked hard to make sure that FHE is a friendly, safe enviorment where everyone feels comfortable and happy. We really do. All the leaders in our ward are working on ways to make things better and happier for everyone involved. SO WHY DON'T GIRLS COME?!?!
I'm so frustrated! We try to make girl-friendly FHEs (not just playing sports all the time or whatever), and yet......
Okay, so honestly, since Dionte and I started (what, two months ago?) Number have been going up. More and more people show up, which is FANTASTIC. And with every like 6 guys that come, 1 girl shows up, which is better than nothing. I just wish it was higher, and that the men/women ratio would be more even.
Oh well... Dionte and I will just keep working harder, and trying to do the best we possibly can. Because in the end, it's up to people to make the decision to come. We can just provide the awesome activity and leave the rest with them. And that, my friends, is that.
TONIGHTS FHE (in case you were wondering) is going to be aweeeesome.
We're making care packages for missionaries who are out in the field who were in our ward, writing notes to the other 19 we can't send packages to (there's so many!), swapping funny missionary stories, and two RM girls are going to talk about their respective missions to Germany and Italy (culture, woohoo!). And, of course, eating brownie sundaes, because they're awesome and just because (if I put in the effort) we can. IF YOU'RE COMING: don't forget to bring stuff to put in the care packages! Candy does quite nicely. :) And they really appreciate it.
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