Youth Conference

We are very lucky to have friends that would watch Brynlee for us so we could go on the stake youth conference.  I think Brynlee had a little too much fun at their houses and cried when we pulled away to take her home.  Tried not to take offense!
The stake took their youth to Palmyra this summer.  It was a blast.  There was a lot more chaperoning involved than I thought, but it was still a spiritual vacation for Dev and I!
We picked up the youth from our branch (we were so proud of our recent converts and youth that chose to go!).  On the way to the church we asked them what they remembered about the sacred grove ... [silence]... so we asked them what they remember about the first vision ... [silence]... so then we asked them what they knew about Joseph Smith.  Finally we got some answers.  So we reviewed the first vision and history of the book of mormon.  Then it was off we went in the buses.  We traveled all night on the buses.  I didn't sleep as well as I thought I would but I heard the other bus was horrible - as in loud screaming girls the whole night - even though we had a pretty intense youth dance and the stake center before we took off!

 We arrived at the Sacred Grove for breakfast!

 This is Norma and Deshawn in front of the Palmyra temple- 2 of the youth from the branch.  They are so fun!  They loved the sacred grove - I'm pretty sure they doubled their knowledge about the first vision here.

 Then lunch at the Whitmer farm.

 Then we stayed at the Seneca Girls Camp owned by the church.  It was immaculate.  Not a spider or bug in the cabin and the mattresses were so comfortable.  Dev had security duty at night (took my half hour shift too - love you:) ) but we played in the lake all day, took naps and hung out with the youth in the dining hall eating amazing food!  The trip was planned so well - I was impressed the entire trip with the organization.
Then off to the pageant.  Dev has never been to any of these sites and it was so neat to be there with him - instead of trying to get him to text me (like last time I was here 7 year ago!).

 We went to the Joseph Smith home for lunch the next day after our testimony meeting.  Their testimonies had us thinking and talking about gospel principles for the rest of the day.  These youth are amazing in their knowledge about the gospel.  Every single one of them are probably 1 of about 5 youth in huge high schools.  They are always fighting to keep their standards and constantly thrown gospel questions or jabs from friends.  Their testimonies are strong and built on years of struggle and faith.  The one word that the stake president left with us is "witness."  We are given hundreds of witnesses in this world and no matter our situations - these witnesses are our iron rod that we can hold on to when we need help standing for the right.

 This was the group we were usually with and trying to keep in line.  The girls have never owned a one piece, have never worn shorts anywhere near their knee and learned a few days before the trip about keep the Lord's name sacred in every day talk.  But they showed up modest and respectful.  Although the language issue will be a life long struggle I think!  Can you imagine living the standards if you never grew up with them let alone have never heard about them.  They did the best they could and we were so proud of them.   One even bore his testimony in front of everyone and the meeting.  What did I learn?  My pajamas are NOT in style - neither are my sunglasses.  I talk funny and I guess texting full words dates me about 10 years older than my real age.  I learned how to use the words "mean,"  "fire,"  "trippin' " and a few other in sentences.

Favorite Sacred Grove picture:

 We packed 130 lunches in a half hour!

 And my ankles took days to recover from.  I might even STILL have impressions from my shoes!

We had a blast and couldn't have done it without the faithful youth and generous babysitters!  Thank you!