Girls Camp 2016

I had a wonderful opportunity to go to Girls Camp this year. Camp started on July 5th, but I couldn’t go until Thursday. I packed the car and headed to the Tifie Girls Camp to spend a couple of days with them.
 
I couldn’t leave until I got lots of kisses and hugs for my boys.

 
Camp Tifie theme: These 4 wonderful young women made there camp flag.
(Mckenna, Makhail, Christine, Lauren)

We made a lot of memories. These young women are absolutely amazing. We got up at 5:45am to have scripture study by 6am. Lauren guided the study with such grace and the spirit was strong.
Throughout the day they were very busy trying new things and doing them with confidence. They tried rock climbing, rope courses, shooting guns, and obstacle courses.
(Christine on the rope course.)

(Mckenna in the gray shirt with a red helmet had the courage to try climbing ladders that she is deathly afraid of.) 

There was a girl (from a different ward) who was ready to be courageous and take the ladder up the pole to the zip line. She is deathly afraid of heights and this was huge for her. She made it to the ledge where she sat shaking and crying and very uncertain about what to do. After about 10 minutes of this, one leader yelled up to her to ask her what was her favorite primary song. She responded with
‘I am a Child of God,’ so everyone started singing. We all had tears in our eyes by the end of the song and this sweet girl finally found the courage to stand up and go down the zip line. Wow, what an amazing experience for everyone.

I got to try archery and shooting a rifle and pistol for the first time. Needless to say, if I was the one killing the animals for food, we would go hungry. I can’t shoot straight at all. The pistol guy told us to go gather our target papers and when I walked over and looked at my target, I saw none of my 15 bullets had hit it. I handed the papers over, embarrassingly, and the guy chuckled. It was a learning experience for sure. I do like archery however. I could try that again, but I am not a huge fan of shooting.
(McKenna throwing knives into wood, she was awesome at it)

The mountains always bring peace in my life. I really need the mountains at this time to know that God is always there.
 
It's always nice to stop and look at the beauty that surrounds us, especially the wildflowers. Something about them makes my heart happy.

Swords of Helamen was such a cool activity. During the lesson about standing together with the Lord, touched each and everyone of the girls. The spirit was strong and we all walked to our next activity lifted with a stronger testimony.

Our campsite was full of shaded trees. Which made the 97 degree weather more manageable.

Our campsite name.

This was our leader's tent. We had 3 cots and an air mattress. Our nights we late and filled with lots of laughter.

Once the sun went down, the stars came out. Oh my heavens, it was breathtaking. I just stood there amazed and feeling that God is real.

I tried to take a picture of the stars, but ended up with a streak of the moon.

Friday night the bishopric came for dinner and a testimony meeting. We had Dutch oven lasagna, salad, and rolls. The bishopric brought cheesecake.
 
We gathered around the campfire to bear our testimony. These young ladies had their testimonies grow strong over the last 3 days. I am beyond blessed to have been in the YW’s. It has taught me a lot of things, especially getting out of my comfort zone.

Saturday July 9th, way too tried, hot, filled with the spirit, and ready to go home. I will always remember this girls camp.