Joy in the Journey- July

Grayson Ward Young Women

I got to go to girls camp with Savannah this year. I was excited because it was her first year at camp. I was excited because we were sleeping in cabins. Savannah was excited because it was her first year at camp. I was excited because a majority of the activities were held in air conditioned buildings. Savannah was excited because it was her first year at camp.

The theme for the camp was "Joy in the Journey". Our ward's skit was supposed be be about "Joy in Divine Nature". So, the girls learned "the Mom Song". It is a hilarious song that puts everything a mom would say in a 24 hour period into 2 min. and 55 sec! The audience thought it was histerical. Perhaps it didn't hurt that all the girls dressed up like "moms".

Frazzled mom
The Mom Song

I was in charge of one of the night time devotionals for the girls. I told them that at camp their were cool girls.

C-calculating
O-obnoxious
O-outcasting
L-lazy
We didn't want to be "cool". Instead we wanted to be nerds!

Grayson young women are NERDS!
N-nice
E-energetic
R-righteous
D-daughters of God
S-selfless

The last night of camp before the ward testimony meeting the stake held a devotional. It was a live version of Lehi's dream. The girls were blind folded and told to hold onto a rope. They couldn't see where the rope was leading. They had to feel their way along the path. The leaders were told to tempt the girls to let go of the "rod". It was kind of horrible, for me. But, it was very effective for all of us. I started tempting the girls by saying, "come on this is boring let's go swimming." It didn't work. Then the thought struck me. The adversary doesn't use obvious "tempts". He knows us very well. He knows our weaknesses and insecurities. It was after having theses thoughts that I became a VERY effective tempter. I led several girls away that had figured out what the object lesson was all about. I had one little girl in tears. She didn't let go but I had hit on a tender spot with my tempting. IT WAS TERRIBLE. After all my girls partook of the fruit of the tree I marched myself to the stake president to repent. Our testimony meeting was a very tender one. The girls were very sincere in their thoughts. I was very sincere in my apology. I love my young women. I mostly love MY young woman. Savannah is such a shining example to the other girls. She is kind, concerned about others, and stives to make good choices. She truley took advantage of all the stake leaders had to offer. Many of the girls didn't want to do anything. Savannah wanted to do EVERYTHING. I love that about her.