I spent the week sleeping in a tent. I also got to make some great friends and get a spiritual makeover that I hope will last for at least a little while. My adventure took place at Girls' Camp. In my church, all the girls ages 12 to 18 are called the Young Women. I work with them in that organization as an adviser for the 12 and 13 year old girls, so I got an invite to camp. Next thing I knew I was really dirty and singing "Atudeta" with my tongue sticking out and my butt in the air.
I had never been to camp before -- neither girls' camp nor camping at all -- so I had a lot of new experiences. The week had the best of many world -- lots of funny ladies, adorable girls, camp songs, yummy food, hiking and the spirit of God. What a beautiful site it was to watch as my neighbors -- both old and young -- learned, played, served each other and had their testimonies of God strengthened. Watching my girls really got to me as I pictured Quinn joining them in 11 years. I thought about the feelings she'll have about herself, about life, about the gospel... and about boys. It really bonded me to the girls to see them as big Quinn's, and it made me want to put in the extra work to guide them and help them. I hope someone feels this way about my Quinn someday when she is learning or struggling or homesick.
I simply fell in love with all the girls I worked with at camp. I adored all the hugs and cute note they gave me throughout the week, and I was humbled as any negative judgments I had of them were totally shattered. Some girls who at times have seems hopeless really rose to the challenge to make friends and to learn. I'm so proud of my Beehives who completed their long hikes and attended all the camp activities with excitement and energy. As we hikes with the first years of the first day, we were in a single file line walking on a steep mountain. I would call back to them, "Hey, girls, are you doing OK?" I would here back without hesitation, "NOO. I'm dying!" I would say is my nicest voice, "Oh no! Do you need a band-aid?" They would get confused, and just keep walking. I loved it. On the last night some of them tried to stay up all night with the big girls. I can't even express how cute it was to watch them slowly pass out in the middle of the tent while the giggles and scream continued around them.
Two of my dearest friends were at camp, so I of course loved laughing and talking with them all week. And trust me... we did laugh. hard. My friend Melissa has an amazing ability to think in the moment and not see the future, so she is great at making quick, simple decisions. I have a horrible time making decisions because I constantly think in consequences even with things that don't matter. So we had a great, on-going joke all week that Melissa would make all my choices for me at camp. Believe it of not, she made great decisions. Every time I made the choice, we ended up board or cleaning. So whenever someone asked me what I wanted to do, I just said with a straight face, "Oh, um, ask Melissa, she makes my decisions for me." It was great and so funny. Melissa and I also proved to be "Super Star" campers who were completely "In it to win it" sleeping on the ground, staying up too late, and not complaining about the bugs and other wilderness critters. We were referred to more than once as the fountain of youth. I didn't want to spoil my image, so I didn't tell anyone about my aching back and sore hips from the hard ground. I learned so much from Melissa, Ammie and the other leaders who worked their tails off to put on a great camp. They never thought about themselves. It was all and always about the girls. It was true, beautiful service. And I also had such a blast with the other older leaders. I got chances to sit and talk with so many other leaders who I didn't really know before. I feel so connected to so many more people in my neighborhood. I know their trials, happiness, humors and thoughts, and that can make all the difference.
I also gained a much greater understanding of the Young Women program in general. I always thought of mutual back in California as a place where the girls could be around other people with their values. I guess I've never understand what the big deal about Young Women's is in Utah since everyone around everyone is Mormon. But as we camped and hung out with girls from our stake and ward I realized it just doesn't mater how many Mormons are around you. You still have to gain your own testimony of Jesus. You still have to learn the details, feel the spirit, repent, grow, learn and pray. And you still have to learn to do all of these things both in and outside of your home and family life. Anyway, I could talk forever on that, but for now I am going to just let it continue to sink in.
The theme of the camp was "Steadfast Survivor: Be Still and Know." The organizers challenged the girls to be unplugged for the week and take time to know God and the critical principles of his gospel. I really tried to also connect with the theme for my myself and so I could help the girls along the way. I have several more stories to share, but I am going to spread them out over the next few days. And as soon as I can I will pouch pictures of the week from Ammie and Melissa's blogs.
Other favorite memories:
The commitment of the stake leaders
The Girls of the Suncrest 1st ward
Amazing Paige Loudon
The walk through activity on the last night
Being homesick and coming home to see Quinn
Yeah for girl's camp! I had so much fun!
ReplyDelete