We drove up early Monday morning. The camp we attend is Camp Zion - High On A Mountain Top on Mount Lemmon down near Tucson. I know it is strange but once you drive up the mountain it is so nice and cool!
On Monday it was only the leaders (both Stake and Youth).
Molly and I set up the crafts and started working on the decorations. They were so cute. Molly painted gourds to look like bees and bee hives. It really was genius! She is so talented!
The gourd/beehives on the stage in the amphitheater
The Queen Bee :)
Monday night Sandra Greer did Family Home Evening for us all. She was awesome of course. She talked about how as members of the church we know who we are. Daughters of God with a divine purpose and destiny. So many people are in the world without that knowledge, without knowing that each of us, individually, is precious to The Lord.
On Tuesday all of the campers started to arrive. The older girls (called YCL's for Youth Camp Leaders) were there to welcome each of them!
The girls coming into camp on Tuesday.
The YCL's were out to welcome all the younger girls to camp!
Every year my cousins (who own a catering business) do the cooking for camp. It is always fun to have them there. This year two of my younger cousins came to help. The girls did not seem to mind having two teenage boys in the kitchen!
My cousins Cody, Greg, and Tyson
Me and Kaitlyn (one of the YCL's)
Taylor, Kelsey, and Tiffani in the craft Ramada with Sista Wresh!
Tuesday night there was a special program. Sione Fa (from The Biggest Loser) is in our Stake and just happens to be our Camp Directors Brother In Law. He was kind enough to come up for one night and give a talk on the importance of serving others and sharing the gospel. After his talk we had a musical program called Singing Trees. After the musical portion of the program we all went in to the Lodge and watched Reflections of Christ.
When all the programs were over Sione taught us all the Polynesian Dance he would do on TV.
I look pretty menacing...right?
The next day Sione went on the hike with the girls and when he came back he sat down with me to make a hair bow for his little girl!
Me and Sione making hair bows!
Wednesday night was skit night. It rained on us but we were tough and rough and stayed until the end.
The YCL's during their skit
Molly and I on stage with Mika for the Stake Staff's Skit
On Thursday we had a particularly spiritual activity. At the begining of this year the attribute of Virtue was added to the Young Women's theme and values.
Our General Presidency decided at the beginning of the year to climb to the top of a mountain and declare a return to Virtue for all Young Women. They planted a golden shawl as a flag and made a covenant with The Lord to vow to return to virtue and to invite all of God's daughters to make a renewed promise to live a virtuous life.
We took all of our Young Women on a ski lift to the very top of the mountain where we raised out own golden flag. Each of us was given a piece of gold fabric to write our names on and to tie to the flag post. Tying our own names onto the fabric symbolized our own covenant with The Lord to live a virtuous life. Our Stake Young Women's President gave an amazing talk and then we rode the ski lift back down the side of the peak.
Girls heading up the mountain on the ski lift
Our golden flag
The girls listening to an amazing message from our Stake Young Women's President Sister Miller
I will make and keep covenants with my Heavenly Father
The view on the way back down the ski lift
I know that it may not be until many years from now that these Young Women realize what an amazing and spiritual experience this day was. In time I know they will. It was for me.
Thursday night we had a special program and testimony meeting. I have been feeling so poorly these past months. I have lost myself in my own grief and forgotten that others are suffering and overcoming trials just like I am. I am thankful for the time we had to share our love for our Savior and to realize how much he cares for each of us. He loves us each, One By One.
I am a believer. I know that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior and that He knows me and loves me. I know that because of His atoning sacrifice I can be forgiven for my sins and be clean before my Father in Heaven. I am so thankful for the time I was given to go to Girls Camp. I know it is a time for reflection and to draw closer to The Lord.
When I got home and was telling my family about my week my sweet husband said it was like having the me back that he had before Courtney died. He told me it was nice to see that side of me again and that he had missed me. I know that my Savior will heal me and that I will be with my sister again one day. This week was good for my broken heart.
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5 comments:
Kim, I just love you and love to hear your testimony. I was already feeling just a tiny bit bummed that I didn't get to go to camp this year, but now hearing your testimony, I know I missed out big time! I'm so glad that you had a good time and that you are feeling rejuvinated again.
And I almost forgot...your straight hair looks fabulous!!!
Welcome Home! I love to be inspired at Girl's Camp and, although I was on the Stake Camp Committee this year, we moved before I got to go, so it has been nice to be inspired by you and be a part of your experience. God bless you and your family as you touch the lives of others.
triplescoop
I'm so glad you had such a wonderful time. You brought tears to my eyes reading what Mr. Wresh said when you got home. I know words can't do much, but time is healing & it does make it easier. *big huge hugs to you*
Kim, I am so proud of you!!! I miss my YW but wanted to curl up in the fetal position for 48 hours after going to camp. It's good to hear and see your smiles through your blog:)
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