5 days of fun

I started to write about my week at girls camp and decided that what I was writing did not do it justice. It didn't convey any of my feelings about it. Last fall when there was a new camp presidency sustained I knew that it was time to state my case as to why I would be a great addition to send to camp. I left church that day that we sustained the new directorship with the intent to call my good friend Marie later that evening. As I was getting into my car who pulls up beside me? Marie. I yell at Chris to wait for me and jump back out of the car and wait anxiously for Marie to get out her van. "Marie, we sustained you today as the new camp director and you know how badly I want to go to camp." This comes out in a rush of words and she just stares at me.
"Yes, I do remember talking to you about that. Let me call you tomorrow and we can talk about it."

Marie did call me the very next day and we talk about what areas I would be best at helping with. Then I didn't hear anything for months and months. I was thinking that there must not have been a spot for me and then, finally in March I get a phone call from a member of the High Council asking if I would serve as the 3 rd year Certification Specialist. I think I answered "yes" before he could finish his question! I hung up the phone, put my head down and cried. I've been waiting 15 years to be asked to go to girls camp. Finally, last year I figured out the problem. I was waiting to be asked. I was thinking it was a perfect world and that Heavenly Father knew how much I had to offer and that with the inspiration of our local leaders they would surely ask me to go. One problem though: Literally every sister in our stake is amazing. But when Marie was sustained I thought what do I have to lose? I'm gonna ask. And here I am fresh home from a glorious week spent with my daughter, girls and women from my ward and other amazing people from our stake.

There is so much I could talk about but mostly I just want to express what Girls Camp did for me. It helped me feel a part of a Stake that I really haven't felt unified with. We've lived here for 8 years now and it's crazy that I don't know more people in the stake. I feel like it's been a very slow process. I was also able to get to know women in my ward that I have very little social interaction with.

Why do I love Girls Camp? I loved it as a youth and I loved it as a leader when I was in college in my pre-married days. I love the way that young girls see their potential as a daughter of God. They are able to catch a glimpse of what eternity will feel like as they embrace one another and share their testimonies. Much of my testimony of the Savior was gained at Girls Camp. Hopefully it's a safe place where girls can be themselves and be accepted by their peers. I see girls having fun while respecting their values. I love the certification program of camp and the look of accomplishment when they do something they didn't think they would be able to do. I love singing! And I love laughing. This is why I love girls camp.
Hopefully I will be asked back again next year. Not serving in Young Women's does not give me that certainty but I'm optimistic that I have many years of Girls Camp ahead of me.
I'm grateful to be part of a church that has a program like this. I'm grateful that my Heavenly Father helped me have the courage just to 'ask'.