Thank you!

This year has flown by and I cannot believe that it is over. It has been an amazing year, and one that I would not trade for anything in the world. You, the Job's Daughters of Virginia are the reason for making this the most rewarding year. I am truly thankful for your hugs, smiles and laughter.

On Friday, in our Grand Guardian Council meeting, I delivered my report on the year. I won't bore you with the entire thing - but I will share with you the Thank You's . . .

First and foremost, I want to thank the Daughters for their love and devotion to our Order. Bill has said this on a number of occasions, and it bears repeating: Without the Daughters, we’re just a bunch of adults sitting around with nothing to do. I have looked to them for inspiration throughout the year and every decision I made was done with their best interests in my heart and mind.

One of the hardest things to deal with as Grand Guardian is adults who have forgotten that this organization is about the Daughters. Sometimes those interactions left me grumpy and down. But one smile, one hug, one joke, one moment of laughter with a Daughter erased all of those negative feelings. I truly cannot express to them how much their love and support has meant to me all year.

I would not be standing here had it not be for the Daughters of Bethel 22. Bethel 22 has always been my family, when I had none. It pained me to see them struggle and know that there wasn’t much that I could really do to help them. Even though they could not travel with me as much as any of us would have liked, they were always with me in my heart. While I will miss traveling every weekend, I will be glad to getting to spend time with my girls.

Bethel 3 will always have a special place in my heart. The Daughters and adults have always welcomed me with open arms, included me in everything that they could and made me feel part of their Bethel. I will always be thankful for their friendship, hugs and loveable blond moments.

I have been privileged to travel with 5 amazing Daughters this year: Kesley Friend, Sammy Glaros, Sarah Montgomery, KC Conrad and Jessy Bradshaw. I have laughed til’ I cried with these girls and have had a great deal of fun . . .from picking on Bill on this 40^th birthday, his hair gel . . or just in general . . .to road trips and funny inside jokes . . .I have had a blast and thank them for their love and devotion to the Order. I am so glad that I got to share this amazing year with them.

As I said on Thursday night, it has been an honor and a privilege to be your Grand Guardian. My prayer for each of you is that your enthusiasm and love for Job's Daughters continues throughout your life. May you spread your wings and soar toward the heavens.

Love,

Mom Melanie <3

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The Jobies tried something new this year to raise money for HIKE; instead of walking on the boardwalk in Virginia Beach, we marched in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Norfolk. What an amazing time!!

Unfortunately, rain on the day of the HIKE event seems to be a tradition for us! Once again, it rained!! Buuuuuuuuuut, toward the end of the parade the sun came out and it was beautiful!! The Daughters had so much energy and enthusiasm for our organization as they marched in the drizzle, the downpour and the sun! :) If people don't know who the Job's Daughters are by now . . .they weren't paying attention to our cheer!!

Lunch was held at the Granby St. Lodge for everyone that attended the parade. We were treated to a great lunch and a murder mystery run by Bethel 42! Our own Dad Bill was a suspect in the case! I'm happy to report, he didn't do it! :) Oh! and this lunch had by far the LARGEST Ziki Ziki Zar game I've ever seen!!! (okay, no one really knows how to spell the name of that cup game . . .if you know, enlighten us!!)

With full bellies . . .we were all ready to crash! Many of us were fortunate enough to catch a quick nap before heading back over to Granby St. for the dance and awards ceremony! Dad Bill and I handed out awards . . . .for Jobie spirit!, the Ziki Ziki Zar contest, the Daughters that raised the most money and the Bethels that raised the most money. I'm not going to let the cat out of the bag just yet . . .there were a few Bethel Guardians that couldn't make it to the dance and I know their Bethels would rather tell them what they won!! :)

Are you ready for the total amount raised?!

Drum roll, please . . . . . . .

Almost $10,000!!!!!!!!!

YAY!!! VIRGINIA JOBIES YOU. ARE. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dad Bill and I are so proud of you!!!! :)

Sunday morning Mom Ann led us all in a worship service that focused on letting our light shine in Job's Daughters. But, it's not just about letting our God-given talents shine; it's also about letting the light of Job's Daughters shine in us so that others can see what a fantastic organization we all belong to!


Thank you to Mom Vickie and the HIKE Committee for making this weekend so much fun for everyone! It was a challenge trying something new and y'all hit it out of the ballpark!! :)

Most importantly, thank you to those who contributed and participated in this year's HIKE. By donating your time and money, you helped make someone's life a little easier and a little brighter.

Didn't get a chance to give money to HIKE yet? There's an opportunity this weekend in Richmond! Join us for a HIKE dance! Want more information? Just ask!!

See y'all soon!
Mom Melanie

Down to the wire on CAV Training!!!

Hey everyone!!!

You have another chance to become a Certified Adult Volunteer for Job's Daughters of Virginia!!

March 28th of 2010 at Arlington Masonic Temple (Also known as the place Bethel 1 Meets).

The address is 1 South George Mason Drive Arlington, Virginia.

Registration starts at 7:30 AM!!! Class starts at 8 AM Prompt, Don't be late!!

A Fundraiser lunch will be served for $5/person!


While this session is not mandatory, being a CAV is, if you want too work with the Daughters in any official capacity!!

We hope to see everyone that still needs to take care of this then!!!

Dad Bill
Associate Grand Guardian
Job's Daughters of Virginia

A Visit to Maryland

Well, hello everyone!! Long time no post!! I hope that you are keeping warm this winter and if you were "fortunate" enough to get a bunch of snow this season, I hope that you survived it all and have successfully shoveled out.

A week after our pageant, Dad Bill and I paid a visit to Maryland for their Pageant and Supreme Visitation. We were joined by KC and Jessy, our new Misses, and their families. Also making the trip were Mom Pam, Dad Major and Colonel Bob.

I had the TOUGH job of being a judge at the Pageant. Each one of those girls were fabulous and it was so difficult to make a decision! But, at the end of the night Miss Kara Jordan was crowned the new Miss Job's Daughter! Amanda Crockett, the reigning Miss Congeniality of Maryland, had the pleasure of announcing her little sister Courtney as the new Miss Congeniality of Maryland!

Maryland is all about the food and the Holiday Ball after the pageant didn't disappoint! There was food, music, dancing . . . . and SANTA CLAUS!!! Yes, for a small fee you could have your picture taken with Santa!!

The next day was Maryland's Supreme Visitation with Mom Elaine and Dad Dave. Their meeting was held at the Grand Lodge of Maryland and if you've never been there, you need to visit. The building is one of the most gorgeous places I have ever seen. The Daughters of Maryland did a fantastic ritual meeting and some awards were given out for various contests.

If you haven't had the opportunity to visit Maryland . . .make plans! A visit is always a good time!!!

Peace out!
~*~Mom Melanie~*~

Flat Bill Takes a Vacation

After our pageant in Williamsburg, Flat Bill decided that he needed some time off. We're not sure who he paid off, but now he's in the great state of Delaware. He's attended the Supreme dinner in their jurisdiction and a host of other events! We have yet to see pictures of his great adventure, but I'm sure he'll be willing to share them with everyone once he returns.

Make sure you drop him a line on Facebook - let him know how much we miss seeing him in Virginia!

~*~Mom Melanie~*~