Girls Camp with the Fourth Years

Girl's Camp this year was awesome. I worked with some fabulous people. Pres. and Leanne Rothlisberger were a blast to work with. They aren't big on camping much, but I think they had a great time. Well, that is except for the really bad sprained ankle, sleeping on rocks, waking up to the sound of a bear (Pres. woke his own self up with the sound of his snoring), and being physically exhausted.

I encouraged Leanne to step out of her box and do things she normally wouldn't do, like sing in front of the whole camp, do a Charlie's Angels kick on stage, and basically act crazy for a whole week. She was a good sport.

Sister Kristin Wheeler was our other partner in crime. She was awesome. She was crazy too and totally enjoyable to be around. We are BFF's now. We were sad that she had to leave early to go spend time with her family. We really could hardly believe she would choose them over us:)

Ben was my favorite adult on the trip. He carried our tent for us, and our stove. He pitched our tent and cooked all of our food for the two of us. He taught the girls about purifying water and he had a great time teasing everyone.

When we had to wade across the water with our packs, he carried his then came back and got mine. He was awesome. I couldn't have done it without him, especially being 14 weeks pregnant.

This is our group of amazing girls. We had 15 girls and two YCL's come with us. We decided that coming down was way harder with those packs on our backs, but with two exceptions, they all did it. Coming out the next morning was easier and every single girl carried their own pack the whole way. It was one mile straight down the edge of a valley and then one mile straight back up. We had figurative and literal angels with us because that was one of the hardest things I have ever done and probably the hardest thing any of them have ever done. My muscles were still hurting 5 days after we came out.

After coming out of West Clear Creek, we drove a few miles north to Blue Ridge Reservoir for some canoeing. What a blast. I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did. Ben and I instigated a water fight and then the girls attempted to overturn one another's canoes. One turned over and even for all their efforts, they could not find the strength to get it upright. They ended up swimming it back to the dock. We were wet and happy.

Marly is one of my favorite reasons I like to be at camp. I love watching her interact with the other girls in her ward and stake. She has many friends and her love and concern for them is so sweet. She might be a little drama at times, but so is her dad:) I like being on the stake staff so that I'm not right in her face all the time, but I am around.

These are her fabulous leaders who took time from their own families to spend a week with the young women in our ward. They were so good to the girls and I'm priveleged to associate with these fine women. One of them announced they were pregnant. She was an even bigger trooper than me cause at 9 weeks, I was still throwing up and sleeping too much to go to camp. Kudos to you, you prego camper!!



Sister Kristen Gillespie, Courtney, Jordan, and myself. Courtney and Jordan were the two 4th hears from our ward. I loved getting to know them better and spend quality time with them.

Our theme was Faith and our value color was white. We took on the Charlie's Angels theme with our own twist. I think that sometimes we underestimate what our youth are capable of. This week with those girls proved to be a blessing to me. As future RS Presidents, YW leaders, Primary teachers, mothers, wives, etc., these girls are going to bless the lives of those around them tremendously. I am in awe of their desire to choose what is right and good over things of the world. I have come from the experience inspired and proud of these future women. They are amazing. I hope I get to go next year, hint, hint.