Girl's Camp.

I decided I needed to post a blog about Girl's Camp, I learned so much and feel so much closer to Heavenly Father after Camp. For me, I feel like camp started on the Saturday before, with our ward Temple Trip. It was a very great experience and it helped me prepare and open my heart to the message that we would be teaching at Girl's Camp, as JC's. I was lucky enough, to be paired with one of my best friends, Stephy, and Irene, of whom I didn't know very well. I feel like we really made a difference in the lives of our girls...just because we spoke from our hearts and not so much from what we thought was appropriate. Of course, we planned some, but when the Spirit prompted we allowed it to take over, it taught me so much about Heavenly Father's path and it's importance in our lives today. I really hope that I can go to camp next year, I'm really not sure of my schedule next year, but I know that I want to go to camp, it's like a refresher and it makes me remember why I live my life and where I'm going. I really looked up to the third year JC's, especially Angela and Natalie, they were so resilient and I feel like it really strengthen my testimony to have them as my leaders. Angela gave a really great devotional that made me think of the scriptures differently. She said that the word, "Blessed" isn't the same as the past tensed form of blessed..and it really made me think..and she said it literally means "joy"..and then someone read a scripture that said, "Blessed be the name of Christ" or something, and it made me think of the Sacrament prayer that says that we take upon the name of Christ through our baptismal covenants..and it really made me realize that those covenants are because Heavenly Father wants us to be joyful. I think so many times I forget that the church isn't just rules..that's it's the way we live..that it's our future. I'm so grateful for that devotional it really touched me...as did camp as a whole. It helped my testimony grow and be strengthened...and I know it was a lot of factors..

I guess to give an overview of my week at camp, the first day, Monday, all the JC's, minus the JC's over fourth years, were at camp. We were able to set up our tents and then we sort of went to work..unloading the trucks and putting cots up in the tents. We were so lucky that we didn't have to put the cots together this year. I was really grateful for that. Then we all went swimming, did some sun bathing, etc. It was a pretty relaxing day...then on Tuesday all of our girls started arriving and that was when the real fun began. It's all running together a bit, but I loved my girls in third year so much. I am so thankful for my ward and stake leaders, they all worked so hard and I know that it was made possible by then. I'll skip up to the return of the Fourth Years, wow..it was so cool to see them all back. Ema hurt her ankle..hopefully it's not broken or anything, because she is so active. I really love my ward girls so much and they are such sweet spirits, if only they were louder about them. On Friday Night the Bishops came down and Bishop McCullough brought us each bracelets that have this years theme. It was a really cool time. Then the fireside was on Cleaving to our Covenants, I really enjoyed it. Oh, the workshop was really good. I really was touched by the message of "feasting upon the scriptures". I'm also glad that Sister Wallace could make it to camp for a few days! But anyway..and then Saturday Morning was amazing. The spirit was so strong and so amazing. I cried so much, but it wasn't a bad cry. I love the spirit and I love the atmosphere of camp, I really miss it when I get home..because let's face it my house isn't an ideal place for the spirit..

Anyway..I feel like I grew closer to Ema, Lakrea, and Irene this year..along with Torie and Taylor and the majority of my ward this year. I learned so much about them and am so happy that I shared a ward with them. They are my ward family and it's great to go and feel loved and welcome there. I know that we all have problems with eachother sometimes, but I know that Heavenly Father doesn't want that. I feel like, even after a year, the wounds from last summer aren't fully healed. It makes me so sad to see that...I was approached by two girls that weren't involved, because they realized the hostility. It makes me so sad..and I'm trying my best to make amends..but I know that everything happens for a reason and that Heavenly Father will guide my footsteps in the right path in order to fix it.

Wow, this is getting long. I had so much fun. My Birthday is tomorrow..and I'll be 17..I don't feel 17..and I'm kind of scared. I don't want to grow up. I'm going to be a senior..I'm a legal adult..it's insane and scary!! I got my gift early, it's a black IPOD, it's an 8GB. I'm excited, but I don't even have a GB of music yet..and I couldn't figure out how to put pictures on it..I'm going to have Travis help me. =]]

I love you guys.
comment please!
-Becky.