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!