I was so hesitant to go to Girls Camp this year. I still felt new in my calling and didn't know anyone very well. I had never left my kids before voluntarily. My leg had been hurting a lot. And I wasn't in the mood to camp.
The night before I left was the worst. I couldn't fall asleep until 1:00 a.m. Then Clara Joy woke up screaming 30 minutes later and didn't go to bed until 3:30 a.m. I cried. Erwin woke up and took her from me bc he could hear my frustration. I got 2 1/2 hours of sleep before I woke up and got ready to go to camp.
Erwin dropped me off at the church and he left with the kids to go meet up with my mom so she could take the kids for the entire day. I knew they were in good hands with her and would have lots of fun. Cami and Josue watched them for me the second day I was gone, and I knew they would be in total heaven.
Camp was in Oakley Ut. It took us about 1 1/2 hours to get there and the drive was gorgeous!
Once there, we set up camp and headed over to the pavilion to listen to the on site missionaries give us the low down on the camp area.
Did you know that our camp site is called "Bear Country"? Yeah...I wasn't too thrilled that they had to let us know what the bears looked like, what they are attracted to and how to prevent them from coming to our tents. UGH. My anxiety kicked in a little bit.
The rest of the day was of decorating our camp site, setting up food stations, a devotional, ward presentations and campfire songs.
It was cloudy and sprinkled quite a bit while there, but nothing seemed to scary in the skies. Until that night...
I will seriously NEVER forget that first night up at camp. We had all just left the fire and packed things up to go to bed. It hadn't been more than 35 minutes after I snuggled into my sleeping bag (p.s. next year I am bringing a COT!) that the biggest, loudest, and scariest thunder storm of my entire life happened. I could not believe it. The thunder shook the ground. The lighting lit up our tents and the entire sky constantly. The rain pounded harder than I had ever heard before. It was intense. I was in a tent with three other leaders. We all sat there a little tense, and tried to keep ourselves calm while also listening to the screams of all the girls.
I had a little glow light next to my sleeping bag, and I just fixated on that while saying a billion prayers that the Lord would watch over us during this scary storm. I felt very nervous and a little vulnerable up in those mountains during that crazy storm. I felt a sense of peace come over me after a while, and I was grateful that I could liken that experience, to the awful storms of life that we go through. And knowing that we can ride it out while feeling and seeing that the Lord is in total control and will protect us according to our faith and obedience.
It was a crazy night...
The next day was early breakfast, another devotional, a hike, lots of personal chats with leaders that touched my heart, personal time, stake skits, special speakers, and lots of hair braiding, bracelet making, and joke telling. It was a good day.
I went home that night with 3 other leaders. It was a rough ride home and we all felt sick and exhausted. I was home by midnight, and Erwin hugged me and told me to never leave him and the kids again. ;)
Even though I had to leave early and couldn't stay all 3 days, the 2 days I was there was so worth it. God heard my nervous heart and blessed me.
It was at camp that I was able to get to know almost all of the leaders in such a personal and very meaningful way. It was at camp that I got to spend time with the girls and see more of who they are and what they are like.
I got to meet other stake leaders and youth.
I was able to appreciate the priesthood leaders who gave of their time to be with us.
I was reminded of God's beautiful earth and how amazing it felt to be among His creations.
It was a wonderful time to be with the young women and see their strength and testimonies and feel of their sweet and tender hearts. It was so good for me to be there, and I am thankful that the Lord looked down upon me and helped me in all the ways I knew I might struggle with.
HE is the best.
I can't wait to be a better leader and teacher and get to know these special girls even more.
Comments