The Bright Spot: ~Girls Camp 2012~

Spiders, Tents, Cabins, Public Showers, Leg Hair, Camp Songs, and lots of crying are words that describe the essence of Girls Camp perfectly. No, but really. Even though I hate camping (and always will) , I can't help but just love Girls Camp. There's something about it that makes everyone become closer, not only to each other, but to God as well. I haven't missed a single year because I love how much it strengthens my testimony and I love how much it strengthens my relationships with those around me. Just being there makes me want to be a better person. But this year was different.

This year was my first year as a YCL (Youth Camp Leader) and it was amazing. For some reason, my testimony was strengthened by leaps and I gained an increased love for those around me. It was like I was feeling God's love for everyone. Like I said, it was truly amazing.

I had the opportunity to get to know 3 girls- one was 12 and the other two were 13 this year at camp. They were all black and recent converts to the church. I absolutely adored their personalities and they made me laugh constantly. I made an effort to befriend them and let them know how happy I was they were there. In the middle of the week, I was walking to Cabin 2 and a girl (I think she was like 13) stopped me and said, " Are you Desiree, Debra, and Atyia's YCL?" I replied, "No, but I know them, why?" She continued, " I just wanted to let you know that it's really great that you've befriended them this week. They're in my ward and they're new converts and they really don't know that many people. They REALLY like you." I have never been more touched in my life. I hadn't realized what an impact I was making on them. At the testimony meeting on Friday morning, as soon as Debra and Desiree got up to bear their testimonies, I started bawling my eyes out. One thing you should know about me- I NEVER cry during spiritual things. Like I've always felt annoyed that I don't cry like everyone else. But I had felt the spirit so strong when they had gotten up because I felt so much of God's love for them- and I even continued to bawl during everyone else's testimonies. This tops the list of my most spiritual experiences.

This year, like mentioned before, I had the opportunity to be a YCL. I was assigned to the girls who were 14/15 years old. I was worried before I came that it would be awkward because we were so close in age, but it really wasn't. I had a blast with those darling girls. We went canoeing together (which was nasty- we left after 20 minutes), we talked about boys together, we ate meals together, and we even snuck out at 1:30am together (oops. I'm a bad example.) It was so fun being with these girls the whole time, it was like we were all best friends after just a few days. I'm so so so grateful that I got the opportunity to be a YCL this year- I learned so much and I'm so grateful.

I'm also so grateful for the entire YCL group- I felt like we were all super close and I felt like I learned a lot from everyone. I'm especially grateful for my YCL leader, Sister Allen. Yes, we had some fun times (Like when Karina and I stole her mattress and hid it in the closet...), but she helped me to learn how to become a good YCL and strengthened my testimony as well.

All in all, camp was a GREAT experience this year. Pretty much my entire Young Womens group came (on Thursday), including my amazing Young Womens leader- Sister Jacobs, and it was a great week for me to really come closer to Christ. I'm truly grateful for Christ's atonement and that someone could love each and everyone one of us so much that he could suffer like he did. I'm grateful for the Holy Ghost and the amazing feeling I get when he's with me. I'm grateful for my Heavenly Father and the beautiful Earth he has created and that he was able to give His only Begotten son so that we could live with Him again. I know that he loves each and everyone one of us- I truly felt that this year. And I know that, even when we stray from the straight and narrow path, he's always ready and willing to pull us back on. I'll never forget this year.

(I didn't take these- I stole them from my YW President) (: