girls camp

Girls camp was this past week. Jaylynn and I drove the girls up to Wallsburg on Monday but then came back. (Ione, Debbie and Gerri stayed all week.) Then yesterday, Jaylynn and I headed back up there to spend the day with the girls. They did a craft and had a fairly laid back afternoon. Mostly we sat around talking and telling stories. Then it was Bishopric night. The girls cooked spaghetti and rolls and made dutch oven cobbler. They had a neat activity and a fireside speaker. Then there was testimony meeting. They are such neat girls. I love that they get along so well. Everyone feels included and it is neat to see some of the older girls really helping the 12 and 13 year olds to feel comfortable. They are not perfect, but they are so good. It is amazing to see their faith and courage and determination to do what is right. They believe in themselves and they believe in God. They are wonderful. Michelle and Ella adore them, and I feel grateful that they have such good role models. I hope Michelle and Ella grow up to be like these young women.

The speakers at the fireside were very good. Brother Brinley, a seminary teacher, spoke about how important our decisions are. He used President Uchtdorf's talk about how even a small degree of error can lead to major problems. For an airplane, a one degree error can land the plane in a different state/country. So, too, making small mistakes can start us off in the wrong direction and lead to bigger and bigger mistakes. Then our stake president, President Meservy, talked about how important it is to cling to the iron rod... to be strong and do what is right. In college, he had a Bishop remark that it was easy to hold to the iron rod with a rubber band... he encouraged the girls (all of us) to make sure that we have a firm grasp... not to be holding on with a rubber band. Of course, we all make mistakes and need to make course corrections (repent). It was a great fireside, filled with the spirit.

Again, I love the girls! I'm so glad I could go spend a day with them and watch them interact and help one another. I worked with many of them when we first moved into this house and ward 6 years ago. They were Beehives then. Now all my Beehives are 15-18 years old. It is amazing to see how much they have grown up and matured and learned in the past few years.

Alyssa and Samantha... our first year campers (12 year olds) cooked dinner for us last night.
Kayla braided many of the girls' hair.

da girls... chattin'
Jaylynn and Sidney