DeMolay Sweetheart Dance, Official Visits of Bethels #38 and #107 and #86, #99, and #110, and Night at the Museum

From my calculations, I owe you a few blog entries, so I suppose I will start now before I'm three entries behind.

On February 12, I was lucky to attend the Demolay Sweetheart Dance. It was so much fun, and I was amazed at the number of people that attended. I was excited because more girls from my Bethel attended than ever before. It was really fun to see all of the other girls for the first time since All Day School of Instructions. I danced with everyone and was really impressed with some of the dancers, especially James Gordon, who's the current State Master Councilor. I had no idea that he could dance like that. I shared a slow dance with Lynn and talked and danced with everyone. The lemonade was really tasty, but the trip to McDonald's before the dance was even more hilarious because we were all in our semi-formals.

Then, on February 19, I attended a number of events, the first of which was the Official Visit of Bethels #38 and #107. I had a great time, and I was so happy to assist in the initiation of a new member, pro-temming Chaplain and doing the Inner Guard's part when necessary. Almost all of the stations were filled, and I was happy to present the new member with her gift from the Promotion Committee. I was also happy to see my friend, Jamie, presiding in the East. We were originally Honored Queens together, and I also crowned her as Junior Miss Indiana Congeniality 08-09 so we have been good friends for several years. The girls did a wonderful job in the ceremony, and I'm sure that it was very special for the initiate.

From Bethel #38, Speedway, I sped to Bethel #99, Plainfield. I pro-temmed Third Messenger there, and it was an extremely short Official Visit with the candidates absent, but they informed us that they will be initiating them soon. I am looking forward to that. The Official Visit went well, and I was happy to see the sidelines filled. Three Honored Queens sat side by side in the East, and I was happy to see that. The food and fellowship directly after the meeting was fun, as always. The Daughters had made pizzas for us so I was a bit suspicious when one of them made the remark that "she wasn't going to eat it." Everyone was very excited because it was nearly time to leave for Night at the Museum.

Finally, after shifting luggage from one trunk to another, we were off to Louisville. I was really excited because it was my first trip to Kentucky. The drive was hilarious, but if I learned anything, I learned that Genesis and I can never sleep when we're together. The most hilarious part of the drive was when Vicki's pants were wet, and after trying all the other methods we could think of, we dried her pants by hanging them out the window, that is, until they started "knocking" against the window to let us know that they wanted back inside. We were pretty late so Genesis and I decided we'd stick together since neither of us knew where anything was. We watched the girls do their experiments to solve a mystery, mostly because we missed the instructions. Then, after a short snack, it was time to begin the scavenger hunt. Genesis and I went together with some of the little girls from Bethel #107, but we had some issues when we lost them in all the mayhem and could never hear exactly what we were supposed to be looking for. When we got lost, we started playing games. We learned one thing: Genesis drives much better drunk than she does when she's sober, at least according to a simulation. We almost missed the IMAX presentation, but I made it in just in time to get blinded and dizzy from the screen. I thought the film was interesting. It was all about how Boeing made its 787. After that, the scavenger hunt really began-for our luggage. That was much more difficult than the scavenger hunt for information. Finally, everyone found their things, and I laid down to sleep next to the girls from Kentucky. The morning was chaotic as everyone reloaded their things and went down to breakfast with bedheads and sleep in their eyes. Even though Genesis and I had a very late night, we still didn't manage to sleep at all on the ride home. Overall, it was a fun time and fabulous experience that I'm trying to duplicate here at the new Children's Museum at Terre Haute.

Well, tomorrow, I shall see many of you again. I can't wait, and I am looking forward to the rest of this term!

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.

Official Visits of Bethels 5 and 2 and Bethels 121 and 110

Well, I had the pleasure of being home this weekend, a pleasure I have not had in a while.

First of all, I would like to welcome two new members to our Order, and more specifically to my Bethel. I was so happy to welcome Steffani and Mikayla to our organization yesterday. I was even more excited than usual to initiate since my Bethel has not initiated since my term as Honored Queen from December 2008 to June 2009. I was happy to meet some of Clinton's members for the first time. It's always nice to see new faces in our organization, though not always nice to have to learn their names, but that's just because I'm awful with names.

Second of all, I just have to say that I am so proud of my Bethel. We have been doing practice initiation a lot this term to prepare for initiating these new members, and that is the best we have done initiation yet. I only hope that we get to use it again for more new candidates. I would also like to thank those that came and helped us initiate those new members. I truly appreciate it, and I know that I can speak on behalf of my Bethel when I say that they truly appreciate all of your help too. Thanks to everyone that attended!

Best of all though, I got homemade ice cream afterwards. Oh my goodness, it was so good!!! I put chocolate syrup and cookie crumbles on mine, but sadly, I couldn't even finish my sundae because all of the Italian food for the main course was so tasty too.

From there, I went to Bethel #121, Knightsville for the Official Visit of Bethels 121 and 110. I was so happy to see Jamie since I have not seen her in forever!!! I did well on my part for the Obligation Ceremony that I learned in five minutes, which made me extremely proud of myself, and even better was getting to hear Anita dedicate her granddaughter, Hailey, and hear her get so sentimental when she talked about some of her Grand Officers. The sidelines were pretty full at both Bethels, and I was so happy to be able to be a part of both ceremonies.

Well, the next big event on the agenda is Job-A-Rama, and I am so excited that we will be able to welcome the Supreme Team. I hope everyone has been working on their skits so we can really impress them and show them how truly unique the Indiana Daughters are. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NOT HEARD ME ANNOUNCE IT AT THE OFFICIAL VISITS, SKITS ARE TO BE NO LONGER THAN FIVE (5) MINUTES LONG!!! I can't wait to see you all there. Then we'll be rushing to Masonic Home Day for another great day full of fun and friendship.

Knightsville and Fishers Initiation

I have just been all over the place this week: Daleville on Monday, Knightsville on Tuesday, Fishers yesterday, and tonight I am going to Demolay Conclave in Greencastle.

Knightsville was fun! Amanda presided very well, and the meeting was so short. Jasmine and I pro-temmed in the West, with me as Guide and her as Marshal. She became a member there that night. I know that made her very happy, and since she's already a member at Bethel #2, Terre Haute, it made me very happy that we didn't have to do the whole Ceremony of Initiation. We just escorted her up to the East and sang the Welcome song! It's definitely the shortest Initiation I've ever been to.

Fishers was also really fun, and I was happy to sit in and pro-tem as Jr. Princess. We wore the old crowns, which was interesting since I've only ever worn them once. Their Sr. Princess commented that they were really heavy. I laughed and told her that she should try on the Miss Indiana Job's Daughter crown because it weighs like four times as much! I was happy to help initiate Kirsten and welcome into what I think is the best organization in the entire universe! Lindsey and Becca sat in the West and helped as Guide and Marshal! The Librarian's report was funny-kind of! Each Daughter was asked to tell an old joke. Most of them didn't have any. I blame Elecia. If she had been there with Laffy Taffy, we all would have had one. I'll tell you mine though. Why did the clown cross the road? To get to the shoe carnival. I know it's cheesy. Oh well! For refreshments we had some awesome pizza rolls and cookie cake and actual cake to celebrate Stephanie's birthday!

Tonight I'm off to Conclave, but I know that Bethel #22, Bloomington, is initiating. Good luck to them, and keep up the great work, Indiana, so we can reach our goal of 100 new members this year! I hope I'll see some of you at the Conclave dance on Saturday!!! Then I'll be off to Supreme in Colorado Springs! You can keep up with me here on my blog so keep checking back!!!