Youth Conference and What I Learned about Myself

For my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I have been assigned as a leader over the 16-18 year old Young Women for the past year and a half. That means I get to teach them Sunday lessons, have activities with them every Wednesday night and go to Girls Camp and Youth Conference (one camp with girls and one with girls and boys) through the summer. When I first received the assignment, I felt extremely humbled. I knew that this was something that would stretch me immensely. Even as a teenager myself, I never really enjoyed that teenage stage. I also got the assignment right out of coming from a Singles Ward where I was so glad to be done with the silly games, physical activities that I could not do, etc. only to be put right back into it :) 

However, I accepted the assignment because I love the Lord and want to serve him, and I knew I would love these girls. I have enjoyed YW so much because of the girls I get to know, the leaders I serve with, and that I get to get out and socialize once a week with them :)

Then there are the times that I am reminded, once again, how inadequate I am for this assignment. For instance, look at these pictures of my amazing Laurels rock climbing for an activity a month ago:

This was a literal rock cliff on the mountain. I did not rock climb (for those who know me, I am supremely terrified of heights). I enjoyed watching them climb, but the hike to get to the climb was very steep, and I take real baby steps when I hike--like, real baby steps. Everyone can't help but laugh, including myself because I know it looks ridiculous. There was the time I went to Youth Conference last year and went up the steepest hike of my life, and I had tears in my eyes coming down so one of my sweet Laurels held my hand down because I was so stinkin' terrified--and that's how it often goes in activities like this, they lead me along.

This assignment has stretched me, but through it I have learned that I needed these sweet girls more in my life, probably, more than they need me. 

Youth Conference this year was one of those stretching experiences for me. We were at an Army Camp, it was hot, humid, and it was very physical (probably just for me). 

We had some mishaps along the way--one leader's car window was shattered as she was driving to the camp, our YM president had a severe injury and had to go home, we cut watermelon up with plastic forks because we had no knives, the barracks were insanely hot, but we weren't allowed to open windows, and guess who brought wool pajamas? Yeah, that would be me. 

The youth had so much fun playing games, repelling, doing obstacle courses etc. I felt bad because many of those things are not my forte, and I was starting to feel like the worst YW leader in the whole entire world. Then I had a discussion with a friend, relaying my fears, who said--you don't have to be an athlete and a crazy gamer to be a good YW leader and then I felt better.

Now looking back, our mishaps are somewhat humorous, and I am reminded that I have a year to recover from Youth Conference. I may not know how to rock climb, I may not be goofy in games, and I may not be strategic in obstacle courses, but I can love these girls with my whole heart. Here are pictures from conference:

Our fun service project!

 I have decided that if they ever draft girls into the army, they may take one look at me and in line and change their mind. 

Our barracks! At first glance, it looks more comfy than Girls Camp's primitive tents, but, nope, I would sleep in the tent from Girls Camp any day before the barracks. 

The wall!

Our group was amazing at figuring out the obstacle courses themselves (thank goodness!)

This one was really fun to watch them figure out

Balancing was quite the ordeal

Teamwork!

Boat making!

My favorite part was watching them boat race!

I love these youth! 

Everything In Between

Everything is a blur in between Girls Camp and Youth Conference, but somewhere before, between or after, these wonderful things happened: 

We went with Ben's family to the REAL game and were lucky enough to be in a box seat! It was so much fun! 

The Fourth of July was wonderful this year. It is weird to think Mike was celebrating his 24th birthday in Jerusalem! We missed him! After the Real game, the night of the third, we spent the night at my parents' and spent the morning and afternoon with them. 

We had the perfect scenery swimming! It was the clearest day!

After lots of family fun, Ben and I came back to our home. Our neighbors across the street have the best view of the valley. Ben and I had been watering their plants while they were out of town, and they let us use their yard to watch fireworks! We made a picnic of Copycat J-Dawgs hot dogs and corn on the cob. 

The amazing view

Once it got dark, we could see fireworks all over the valley. We saw about eight different shows!

 

We went to a extended family reunion on my Grandpa Jones' side. It was fun to meet people I never knew I was related to. These four women are so strong. I love them and their examples.

Ben and I love having smoothies in the summer--strawberries, bananas, blueberries, yogurt, and orange juice soothes the soul!

One of the highlights of the summer was watching this little dog, Sadie! Our friends went out of town and let us dog sit. I was in heaven! I loved having her follow me around everywhere and fall asleep on me. Basically, I am one of those crazy dog people :) I just hope I can convince Ben to have a dog one day (those who read this blog regularly are finding out that one of the purposes of this blog is to convince Ben that we need a dog).

Were you looking for a random post because I think you just read one :)

Keep Calm and Stand Strong

Within two days of our Park City trip, I was off to our ward's Girls Camp, and Ben was in Sun Valley, ID for a family/work related trip. I'll be honest, the idea of sleeping in a tent and "roughing it out" terrified me, but it turned out much better than I had envisioned. It is such a great experience to see the girls fortify their testimonies. We have amazing youth in our ward who try so hard to do what is right. 

Our humble abode

The welcome to camp tunnel!

Our amazing YCLs

The girls did a service project, repairing the patio 

We have artists in our group!

The service project commenced. 

I found this the morning of my birthday. My awesome tent-mates/dear friends made my birthday special. They even had a "tea party" (really just cheese and crackers--no tea) :) for me during free time. I am so blessed to work with the leaders in my ward. Ben surprised me on my birthday by arranging doughnuts to be brought up  for everyone the night of my birthday. It was so sweet and made me cry. He also delivered a card and treats through a friend. 

Our girls were so much better at singing camp songs this year!

The finished patio.

More camp songs

The last day at Pineview! Love these girls

Doing "The Riley"

Cute beehives

I can't believe this lake is twenty minutes from my house, and I had never been there before. So beautiful. 

Girls Camp was a complete success.

Birthday Celebration

 I can't even begin to express the craziness of the last couple months. So I won't. 

I hardly know where to start...I guess I will start at that time I turned twenty-six. I had mentally prepared myself to be away from Ben on my birthday day, knowing that Girls Camp would be on the day of, and Ben would be with family in Sun Valley without me (sniffle, sniffle). Ben knew my disappointment, and I was so happy when he suggested going to Park City for a night to celebrate. We looked at Groupon for deals and found a wonderful one at the Chalet--french themed and cozy, it was the perfect scenery for "getting away," especially for the craziness that was about to ensue. 

That night we went and had pizza (Katie classic), and Ben was kind enough to come with me to Pets Mart to see all the furry animals (seriously, one of my favorite past times. I could go to Barnes and Nobles and then Pets Mart on adoption day and live in bliss). 

We then went back to the hotel, went swimming, and came back to our room and watched movies (like the kind that your husband will watch with you only because it's in honor of your birthday, like Little Women and Father of the Bride). It was perfect. 

The next day we perused Main Street and then went to the Park City Outlets. I had never been, and now I know why I hear about them so much--amazing! 

So, usually I don't posts pictures of just myself because I feel funny about that, so I almost literally posted this picture cropped with my head cut off. Then, I realized that it would be more weird to have a headless picture of me than a solo picture of me. The point is--I found this dress and fell in love. It is my favorite color green that I can never find anywhere! This birthday purchase was the best out of all of them. 

But even more than the dress, the cute hotel, and delicious food, it was just so fun to have my husband all to myself for twenty-four hours. He works so hard. He still hasn't taken one day off (other than holidays) this year. I can't wait for in three weeks when I get to be with him for more than a few hour increments!