YW Back-to School Survival Kit with Scriptures and Quotes

Being a part of a brand new YW presidency, we felt like we needed to pay visits to all of the girls in their homes.  As part of that, I thought it would make the initial few moments a little less awkward if we presented them with a small gift during our visit.  When researching what would be a meaningful and cheap gift, I came across the idea for a back-to-school survival kit.  I found a very cute printable version of a kit over at Apples 4 Bookworms , which I used for the cards (except for two which I designed myself).  Here are the quotes for the back.  I bought all of the supplies for about $30 and was about to start putting them all together, but decided that it still needed a little something more.  In the end I decided that I wanted them  to pack a little more of a spiritual punch, so I decided to add scriptures and quotes to the back of each card.    Here is a glimpse at how they turned out, along with the quotes/scriptures that I used: 

"Remember your great worth!"  (100 Grand candy bar)

"Wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love.  Just think of it: You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time!"  Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

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Stick to your principles even when things get hard!   (a stick of gum)

"When you keep the commandments and follow the Savior’s example, it’s like holding up a light. Your good example helps others to find their way in a darkening world. It takes courage to do what you know to be right even when it is hard, very hard. But you will never lose your courage unless you choose to."  Sister Ardeth G. Kapp

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Your Young Women Leaders Love You!  (Hershey Hugs or Kisses)

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Be a m&m member missionary!  (pack of M & M's)

"The most effective way to share the gospel is to live it. When we live like disciples of Christ should live, when we aren’t just good but happy to be good, others will be drawn to us because we are “distinct and different—in happy ways,” as President Kimball prophesied (“The Role of Righteous Women,” Ensign, Nov. 1979, 104). Happy about the way we’ve chosen to live, happy because we’re not constantly reshaping ourselves in the world’s image, happy because we have “the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost” (1 Ne. 13:37), happy to stand tall so that we will stand out....No woman is more persuasive, no woman has greater influence for good, no woman is a more vibrant instrument in the hands of the Lord than a woman of God who is thrilled to be who she is. I like to think of us as the Lord’s secret weapon.”   Sister Sheri Dew

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It's important to laugh!  (Snickers or Laffy Taffy)

"...a good sense of humor is a useful quality to have. It will often help you to keep your sanity when life gets too serious or too difficult. If you remember to be honest, considerate, and kind in what you say to or about others, you’ll be on your way to developing a “good” sense of humor. And that’s something everyone can enjoy."   Chris Crowe, Ensign, May 1986

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Prayer can be a LIFESAVER when you need help! (lifesavers)

"Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."  Alma 37:37

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Be a SMARTIE and study hard! (smarties)

"Secular knowledge and spiritual knowledge can complement each other. Because God created the earth and the things that inhabit it, studying geology, physics and biology teaches us more about the greatness of our Creator. Authors and poets can write with heavenly inspiration, so reading their work can give us insight into the nature of our souls and what it means to be human. Sometimes listening to a piece of music can help us feel God's love. Both secular knowledge and spiritual knowledge benefit from dialogue. Both require observation, work, and practice. So although we sometimes think of secular and spiritual as opposites or even as contradictory, a true knowledge of God and the world He created shows us that understanding one helps to understand the other."  mormon.org/learning

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You are writing the story of your life...What does your story tell? (a pen)

"My dear brothers and sisters, we would do well to slow down a little, proceed at the optimum speed for our circumstances, focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most. Let us be mindful of the foundational precepts our Heavenly Father has given to His children that will establish the basis of a rich and fruitful mortal life with promises of eternal happiness. They will teach us to do “all these things … in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that [we] should run faster than [we have] strength. [But] it is expedient that [we] should be diligent, [and] thereby … win the prize.”  Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

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Remember the cleansing principle of REPENTANCE!  (Individually wrapped hand sanitizing wipe)

"If any has stumbled in his journey, there is a way back. The process is called repentance. Our Savior died to provide you and me that blessed gift. Though the path is difficult, the promise is real: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18).   President Thomas S. Monson

"Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I the Lord, remember them no more."  Doctrine and Covenants 58:42

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The decisions you make will affect you NOW & LATER!   (Now & Later candies were hard to find.  I eventually found them at a drug store, but you can also order them here or here)

"Young people, you live in tumultuous times. You have choices to make—choices with eternal consequences. But you are not left unaided in your decisions, however small or however large they may be....Precious young people, make every decision you contemplate pass this test: What does it do to me? What does it do for me? And let your code of conduct emphasize not “What will others think?” but rather “What will I think of myself?” Be influenced by that still, small voice."  President Thomas S. Monson

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Everyone makes mistakes sometimes....be forgiving (to yourself and to others)!  (eraser)

"Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.  It’s wonderful that you have strengths.  And it is part of your mortal experience that you do have weaknesses.  God wants to help us to eventually turn all of our weaknesses into strengths, but He knows that this is a long-term goal. He wants us to become perfect, and if we stay on the path of discipleship, one day we will. It’s OK that you’re not quite there yet. Keep working on it, but stop punishing yourself.  ...many of you are endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others. Please remember also to be compassionate and patient with yourself."  Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

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PICTURE OF THE SAVIOR  (I had ordered some from the LDS distribution center, however they did not arrive in time, so I used packs like this and this and this and this (packs of 3x4-inch prints) from Deseret Book that I happened to have in the house)

"Your Father in Heaven knows your name and knows your circumstance. He hears your prayers. He knows your hopes and dreams, including your fears and frustrations. And He knows what you can become through faith in Him. Seek to comprehend the significance of these doctrines.

Cherish your esteemed place in the sight of God. He needs you. This Church needs you. The world needs you."  Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

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SHOPPING LIST 
(drugstores such as CVS or Walgreens tend to have the best selection and prices for candy)

•  erasers (and pencils if desired)

• Now and Later candies  (They were hard to find around here, but eventually I found them at a family-owned (non-chain) drugstore.  You can also order them here)

• Individually wrapped hand sanitizing wipes (at a drugstore near the first aid supplies, a box costs $2-$5 depending on brand)

• Pens

• Smarties

• Lifesavers

• Snickers or Laffy Taffy

• Snack size bags of M & M's

• Hershey Hugs or Kisses

• Snack size 100 Grand bars

• Gum

• Cute lunchbags  (Target had 40 colored lunchbags in red or blue for $1)

OTHER MATERIALS

• cardstock--colored or white

• hot glue gun with glue or tape (to attach the candy)

• glue sticks (to glue the quotes on the back)

• binder clips, paper clips, or staples (to hold the bag shut)

• magnet tape (for the back of the picture of Christ)