Youth Conference went really well. I have heard nothing but good from the youth and their parents! Yeah! That is a great sign. Pictures to come.
This year our stake did a wilderness youth conference. They do this particular one every four years at
Kiser Lake State Park and a privately owned camp ground not far from the lake.
Everyone met at the
Lima Chapel and said good-bye to their electronics (cell phones, i-pods, etc.) The youth were then divided into "families." There were 8 couples from the stake who acted as parents for these families. Jon and I were going to be one of the parent couples, but I had some health issues come up that made that too questionable, so I went as a stake leader and Jon came as "staff".
The families were carefully pick a few weeks ago, so the youth would not be with their friends or ward members if possible. The new families got to know each other a little and made banners to represent their family. Starting at 9:00 p.m., the families left the chapel with 15 minutes between each one.
They then did about a mile or two hike in the dark to the campground. The hike had to be altered last minute since it was a muddy mess and in the lake at times. Also because of this the location might be changed in four years. Anyway, the reason for this was to pull them together as a family, so they could make it through the rest of the activities. There were only a few injuries, and some of the groups got their experience cut short because it was getting really bad as more and more traffic went over the trail.
When they made it into the camp, their things were already in their cabins, so the exhausted families could go straight to bed (don't worry the boys and girls were well separated). When all the problems were worked out, like finding enough beds for the girls, the stake leaders went to bed around 2:30 a.m.
The next morning, breakfast was an orange. The youth were to study their orange close their eyes and roll it to the center with the other oranges from their family. Then they had to find their orange and eat it. This was the only food they were getting until dinner. No it was not a money issue. They did get as much water as they could drink, and those with blood sugar issues were taken care of too.
From breakfast until dinner, the families rotated through a bunch of games, which had parallels to life. Each game was discussed at some point when it was finished. At 5:00, each family member wrote something nice about the others in their family on note cards. At 5:30 they collected their food and brought it back to their families to cook together.
It was an all you can eat beef stew and Navajo Fry Bread (I knew them as scones). Some groups even got more creative and made french fries.
All day the stake leaders were also doing the no food thing. It was a long day. We were not doing the activities that the families were doing. We were trying to keep things running smoothly, and it turned out that did not take much. The hardest part was President Beck (1st Counselor in the Stake Presidency) talked about food all day. He apparently loves to cook and has agreed to cook for the Stake Young Women's and Young Men's Presidencies for a meeting to go over what was good and what should be changed for this youth conference. We are all excited for that!
After dinner, the families had their own testimony meetings where each member could share their feelings about the day and what they learned. At this time, since we were allowed to eat and President Beck had made a junk food run to town earlier that day, we had a little party. It was also Brother Allen's birthday (he is the 1st Counselor in the Stake Young Men's Presidency). Most of the youth ended up finding us after their meetings and enjoying cookies and candy with us. I went to bed at about 11, but there were people up until 2 again.
The next morning, was all you can eat breakfast. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, muffins, watermelon, cantaloupe, oranges (a few were left over, and no one really took any this morning), bananas, OJ, and milk. Then everyone packed up their stuff and loaded it into a trailer. I might add that to make the morning more exciting, two people locked their keys in their cars. One was in the trunk. So AAA was called. They came during later activities. They were able to get one set of keys, but the ones in the trunk were another story. Apparently the '
98 Toyota Corolla's do not all have trunk releases inside the car, and the back seats do not go down. So this poor couple had to go all the way back to Toledo, get their spare keys, and then go get their car. So sad!
The youth were then allowed to do a Solo experience. They had letters, which their parents had written to them. They were allowed time to think about all that had happened to them in the last day and a half and the love of their Savior for them and then read the letters. The weather to this point was really good, but as they were all out in the woods, big dark clouds moved in, and it started to pour! Everyone got a little wet. Needless to say some got a "shower," even though they were told not to use the showers in the bathrooms.
After, we had a testimony meeting with everyone. It was amazing to see the changes. Some of the shyest youth shared their testimonies in front of everyone. It was great to see that they knew more now then before their Savior's love for them. They had also made friends with everyone in their "family."
It was a success! There were only a few I wanted to strangle, but for the most part I learned more about the strengthen there is in the youth of this church. It was a great experience far all involved as far as I know.
For any who are still wondering if maybe he could still be a girl.
His heartbeat. It was 160 at this time.
His feet with his ankles crossed.
A hand.
The other hand.
Well, for those who have not heard yet, I am pregnant. The above picture was actually taken on May 1, 2008. I am 4 1/2 months (18 weeks). Due on December 28, 2008 (according to the doctor), but I have been telling people Christmas. There is reasoning behind it, but not that important. Tomorrow, I have an ultrasound. Hopefully, Jon and I will be able to find out if I am having a boy or girls at that time. Now is the time for you to vote on what you think we are going to have, if you would like.
More "Personal Surveillance"
Everyone got the opportunity to put their "spy" names on the back of their camp shirts. Just remember the irons are hot. We only have one second degree burn.
It did not take long before those in charge were desperate for some chocolate.
Even a YCL wanted some chocolate so bad that she was willing to lick it off Margie's face!
Shhhh! Don't tell Sister Wood.
On Wednesday, we paired up the girls and divided up the Book of Mormon, so we, as a camp, could read the whole Book of Mormon in half an hour. It was really awesome to watch and listen to them as they read.
Free time! Some played volleyball...
...and some played tag.
This is what the cleanest cabin was awarded. Their YCL had to wear this through lunch.
Here is where the girls registered for camp, and got everything they would need for the week.
Cortney and Kaitlyn excited for camp.
The next two pictures are the Stake Camp Director welcoming the girls and leaders to camp. Don't they look excited?
