Official Visit of Bethels #44 and #54 and DeMolay Installation

Well, once again, I must begin this post by apologizing for all the time that has elapsed between now and the actual event I attended.

On Saturday, November 20, I left for Crown Point. I had a good time there, and I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in the Ceremony of Initiation as Guide. I was so happy that I even managed to get the girl's honor bands on. That was the hardest part of being Guide. I still can't do my own honor band either. It was a good time, and I received a lot of presents and even a Justin Bieber folder. The Ceremony went well, and I was able to speak to the girls as well as the initiates before the meeting. The best part of the day was that I broke the tradition. If you're wondering what tradition, I mean that the last time I visited Bethel #44, Crown Point as Junior Miss Indiana Congeniality, I fell down the stairs. This term, I am happy to report that I have not fallen at all. The meal was tasty, though I ate it on the run as some of the other girls and I made our way to Valparaiso for a DeMolay Installation.

The DeMolay Installation was incredible. The adults did a wonderful job performing several ceremonies, which I had heard about, but rarely seen. I was probably most fascinated by the Ceremony that took place before the Installation even began. It was a tribute to our National Anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner." It was really impressive, and it shed some light on what precisely the song is about and why we sing it. I also was privileged to see the Ceremony of the Lights, which explains the seven cardinal virtues of a member of DeMolay, which are similar to the teachings of Job's Daughters, and the Flower Talk, which is a tribute to those that have raised us, and in which the members present their mother or sometimes father or grandparent with roses. They has roses left, and my "tiara girls" as they referred to Amanda G., Samantha B., Madison M., and I were given the remaining roses. The boys were great, and the newly installed Master Councilor was practically speechless, but his speech was from the heart, and that's what really matters. I also left with extra sandwiches. I left with flowers and food so in my opinion, it was a very good day.

Well, I hope everyone is preparing for a wonderful Installation, term, and holiday season. I hope to see you all soon, hopefully at some of the Installations and most definitely in the new term. Stay busy and warm.

Official Visit of Bethel #22, Arch Presentation, Shrine Youth Dance, Bethel #121's Go-to-Church Sunday, and Ruth Goss

I'd like to start this blog by apologizing for its tardiness. I have been trying to maintain my blog, but recently I changed classes, and this is what has prevented me from blogging.

Last Saturday, I was fortunate enough to attend the Official Visit of Bethel #22, Bloomington. Their ceremony was really cute with using the little cards to spell out "Job's Daughters" and use the letters to explain the principles of our Order, and as usual, the food was great. I must say that I was so happy to return. Their Bethel is really blossoming, considering we reinstituted them only three years ago. I was fortunate enough to be a part of that ceremony, and I am really proud of the growth they have undergone over the last few years.

After the Official Visit, Tiffany, Brettney N., my mom, and I went to the Arch presentation. I learned a new game called "Cows" on the way. Apparently, you look for cows and shout out "My cows!" Then, if you're losing, you look for graveyards, which kill one of the other person's cows. It was quite hilarious because even though I wasn't playing, I was still looking for cows and graveyards. I am sorry Bethels #53 and #37 for missing your Official Visit, but this was a very good promotional opportunity where I was to speak on behalf of Indiana Job's Daughters. This was the first time Indiana has ever done this ceremony, and since there was no part exclusively written for Job's Daughters, so Tiffany and I were able to really tailor the speech for this to Indiana Job's Daughters. Though the production had some technological difficulty, everyone was quite touched when the star of the show, Jessica, an actual patient from the Hospital, walked through the Arch. She was so cute. Despite the technological difficulties, everyone seemed to walk out with more knowledge about all the Masonic family organizations, and I received many compliments on my signing to "God Bless America" to conclude the program, which brought many people over to out promotional display after the ceremony. I sat in this tiny car, and I tried on this humongous crown from Daughters of the Nile. I thought the Miss Indiana crown was big, but I was wrong. We came home with around three prospective members, so I think it was a success.

After I had some dinner, it was time for the Shrine Youth Dance. I had a really great time, and I thought the turnout from all three youth organizations was pretty good. I don't know how long it has been since all of the youth leaders were together. I had a great time dancing, and it was just an overall good time. The music was really loud, but everyone seemed to be having fun. It was great to see such a good turnout from the other Bethels and hear about the second Official Visit of the day. I heard there was some craziness in the East, but I won't name any names. You all know who you are. Genesis made remarks for the first time at the second Official Visit, and I heard she did a pretty good job. Then, I was commended on my sign language again in front of the entire dance. Thank you, everyone who attended, and as I don't see Penny and Mandy often, I want to thank the two of you for teaching me "God Bless America" in sign language. I never thought I would get so much use out of it.

After a late night on Saturday, I went to Go-to-Church Sunday for Bethel #121. It was too small to form the cross, but instead we went to the front of the room and sang "Nearer My God to Thee" while we assumed the Attitude of Prayer. It was a really beautiful church. I found myself admiring the stained glass windows for quite a bit of time. I got some great breakfast at Hardee's and took advantage of the opportunity to promote Job's Daughters, so I was pretty happy to take part in this event.

Unfortunately, the same day I heard that Ruth Goss, Past Supreme Guardian from my Bethel, Bethel #2, died. She was a great lady, and we honored her by forming the cross at her viewing on Wednesday night. There, I saw some of the most important moments of her life, and there was a picture of her with my Bethel just a year ago. I want to think Bethels # 5 and #121 for helping us form the cross. The Honored Queen of my Bethel, Mallory Howard, carried Ruth Goss's Past Grand Guardian's pin into the cross. She was an incredible woman, and our Order will sorely miss her.

Tomorrow is the last Official Visit of the term, and I would like to thank everyone for their warm welcomes this term. Please let me know when your Installations are, and I will try to make it. Warm wishes for the upcoming holiday season!

Audra Piner

Wednesday night, I attended the funeral of a Past Supreme Guardian, Audra Piner. I didn't personally know her, but the sincere and genuine emotions at the funeral was a testament to her greatness. It was beautiful, and all around the room were scattered her many keepsakes and photographs. She had collected hundreds of pins from her years in this and other organizations, and one really interesting aspect was all of the gavels she had used. All of the bells that she had collected were distributed to the attenders of her funeral. The cross was large, and the Majority Members paid homage to Audra by joining the ceremony. It was beautiful, and I am truly sorry that our Order has lost such an amazing woman.

Region #5 and #2 Promotion Party and Initiation at Bethel #121

I've had a great couple of days, staying a little bit closer to home for Job's Daughter activities.

Last Saturday, I attended the Region #5 and #2 Promotion Party. It was, of course, Halloween-themed. Everyone wore a costume. I went as a geisha girl in an authentic kimono. I was happy I got to dress up since I am too old to go trick-or-treating now. The other costumes were cool too like Minnie Mouse and Lady Gaga. There was a lot of yummy food, and the door prizes were cute. We played some games, and Raquel, as Grand Bethel Treasurer, and I, as Miss Indiana Job's Daughter and a member of Grand Bethel, answered a few questions about Job's Daughters and discussed how to explain Job's Daughters to prospective members and their families. Best of all, I got some candy!!!

Last night, I traveled just down the road to Bethel #121, Knightsville to assist in the initiation of Harley. I did Chaplain, and members from Bethels #2 and #22 helped fill the stations to get Harley initiated. I know Bethel #121 appreciated the help. She had quite a few family members present to witness her initiation. There were cute Halloween cupcakes afterward, and I think they looked familiar, so I think they were left-overs from the Region #5 and #2 Promotion Party. They were still tasty, even the second time. Overall, I had a good time, and I was happy to bring in another member to our organization.

Well, girls, this term is almost at its close. It has been great to travel so much, and I hope to be able to attend several installations this winter. I have enjoyed seeing you this term, and I am excited for the next term to begin. Look for my article on the Ceremony of Installation in the upcoming Bethel News Issue.