1st year: Scared, confused, 12 year-old little girl goes to a strange place full of people that might make fun of her. There she has three ycl's that will never know how much they changed her life. Without them she didn't know who she was, why she should keep going, or what her goals were in life. Without them she would have felt completely alone in this strange place. But because of them she was able to see herself as her Heavenly Father saw her because those three YCL's reached out and loved her. Kaprena Worth, Hilari Hatch (Palmer), and Bekah have changed my life.
2nd year:
Now 13 and wanting to go on the trek with everyone else. But knowing she can't and should go to Girl's Camp. At girl's camp she learns what fulfilling your calling really meant. The Camp director, whom had her legs amputated, still showed up for some of the camp. She showed her dedication, love, and diligence as she fulfilled the calling she was assigned to do.
3rd year:
One year later at the age of 14, she is tols we will be having the niece of a lady in our ward come to camp with us. We are going to collect rocks with this girl Rusti, she is the happiest, funniest, and most loving girl I've met in a while. Who knew she would end up telling me her life story and we'd become best friends soon after that.
4th year:
15 and so excited for the 4th year hike. Not knowing what to expect but knowing it will be amazing. While on this hike a young girl, Joy Worth (Kaprena's sister), is kind of falling behind. So we wait for her and chat and have a ball. We end up at that camp we were waiting to get to all day! We get there, set up camp, eat then head to a stream. We then make a music video to Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepson. We, later that night, go into the cabin there and talk about everything. And how the stars in the sky relate to the Salt Lake Temple. The next day we start back for the cars. We go as fast as possible with Joy still struggling in the back. I don't remember much from that week but I remember the week after that very clearly. I was on Facebook and I look at Joy's page, a picture showed she was at the doctor's office so I asked Hope (her sister) how Joy was doing. That is when I knew something was wrong, Hope soon told me Joy was diagnosed with Leukemia. My heart was crushed. I called all the 4th years and we made a plan to get together and do something for her. So that is what we did. Without this year of camp I wouldn't have met Miss Joy Worth.
Ycl year one:
Now 16 and excited to be a Ycl! I am assigned to be over 3rd years. Not much was learned from this year except that we are not alone, ever. I learned how to deal with people that want it their way and argue the whole time and people who depend on you the whole time. This year I was assigned to the Spanish Branch girls and 2nd ward girls. This year is when I met met Tasha, Joy's sister. Tasha is the sweetest, funniest, most loving girl I've met. She is so strong in the gospel and I look up to her so much for that. I also met Elsie. Elsie is going to be an eternal friend. She loves deeply, speaks softly and feels the spirit like how I wish I felt it. These girls are eternal friends and sisters.
Ycl year two (Final year of camp):
17 and inadequate for the calling they gave me. This year they have put me in the same position as the girls that changed my life. They have asked me to be a ycl over 1st years. 12 year old insecure, scared little girls. I accept the call with honor but scared to death. While preparing, I feel completely alone in knowing what to do and planning the devotionals. I plan, pray and fast.
Day one: we prepare for our girls coming the next day. Joy, Shani Murphy, Rachel Coleman and I go to do archery and we end up growing closer while breaking 4 arrows. We also go zip lining. Joy and I decide to be tent mates. That night Joy and I talk a lot about her cancer journey and my heart becomes humbled. I know that working with Cancer children is what I want to do later in life.
Day two:
I meet my girls, and pray that I'll be ok. I instantly fall in love with these girls and I couldn't be more grateful for them. My ward ends up breaking a picnic table while taking a picture as a ward. That night there was a silent fireside is posted on the blog
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_U_Lp5fF17M
This fireside I learned that no matter what reach out to those you may be frightened to reach out to. Love more, and love better. Melinda Wilkins then wrote me a letter that is saved. I cannot wait to live up to the things that she said I was doing now.
Day three: Today is the day for skits!! This day Joy worked with Kayla Farnsworth, Emilee Herman and me to learn how to dance for the tweener that we put on. That was the most fun I've had in a long time! I grew sooo close to Emilee, Kayla and Joy because of this and I wouldn't change it for the world.
Day four: today is the day I jumped off a cliff with my best friends. I learned from this activity that no matter how scary life my be sometimes, no matter how much you don't want to take that next step, no matter what you have to trust that Heavenly Father is in control. There will be leaders and friends to cheer you on, comfort and motivate you, if you pick good ones. There will be the Gospel to keep you planted and tied to the right path (the rope) but you need to build your own testimony strong so you don't fall (Clip). You'll have the Holy Ghost at the bottom telling you where to put your feet, how to position yourself, to encourage and direct you (guy at the bottom). But you overall have to move your own feet. No one else makes the decision to trust, to listen, or to move your feet. Heavenly Father has given you everything you need, now you decide if you'll conquer your fears or not.
Day Five:
Day five was emotional it being the last day of camp... camp has taught me so much. It has taught me how to be a leader, it has taught me who I am, it taught me how to love unconditionally and it has taught me how to serve. Watching my YCL's and becoming a YCL I've seen how a leader acts, how they love and how they serve. To be a leader you must know how to love, without love nothing else will work out. Camp has shown me that I am a daughter of God. I am a Princess. It has shown me that because I am His daughter I have a purpose, I have a plan, I have a reason to keep fighting this daily battle between good and evil. Camp had taught me how to love. At camp I was able to see these girls as our Father sees them. That makes you just love them. No matter who they are, no matter their background, or where they are in life, I just love them with all my heart. And with that love you serve, you teach them about Christ, you teach them how to be strong, you teach them how to tie a knot, they teach you Spanish, you help them with tiny things, you just simply love them.
I cannot express the love I feel for the girls at camp. They have taught me how to love everyone no matter what. I will never ever be able to repay these girls on what they taught me.
Pictures:
My ward 4th and 3rd
My girls
Bobbleheads
Kayla, Joy, Emilee, and I
Repelling.
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