I knew once the Christmas bliss was over it was going to be busy busy. We had planned to take all the Young Women up to Heber City Campground for a Book of Mormon retreat! We would read the Book of Mormon in two days, with no interruptions. The planning kept our December so busy! We would leave early on New Years Day, and come home Jan. 2nd. There was a lot to plan, figure out who was coming, parent release forms to collect, food and snacks to shop for, make sure we had enough leaders and seats in cars, get the CD's burned for the cars during the drive (we couldn't afford to miss one minute of reading even during drive time) and most importantly work out a reading schedule to make sure this would/could really happen. My secretary made little cards for the girls to slip in their scriptures for each book, and had wonderful time-lines to put up on the walls to help the girls get a good overview. It was really exciting to plan and I felt like it would really be a special experience for the girls!
Just when we felt like we had all the bases covered, things started falling apart quickly. My two councilors couldn't make it, due to health, my secretary aka: My Right Arm~ had a major surgery, my advisors started dropping like flies- and the weather! What if there was a blizzard??? It was stressful, and we just didn't know even days before if it was really going to happen. At church on Sunday when the girls were all giddy talking about and announcing it, I'd just nervously smile and pray for the best. I attended a little to my secretaries needs- treats, dinner, having her boys over so she could heal and rest~ I even went over at 11pm to help her to the bathroom and up to bed because her husband was at work~ this had nothing to do with me willing her to get better fast just for the retreat. I promise! But, she was so determined to make this happen. Really, if it weren't for her, it just wouldn't have happened. Bless. Her.
I prayed that if it was meant to be, it would all work out. If it would make an impact on just one girl, it would all be worth it!
We went up the day before and brought all the girls bed rolls and food. Since we'd have to get to the cabins on four-wheelers, we wanted it to be as easy as possible. Aren't we nice?
It was so gorgeous up there! So much snow, but sunny and beautiful.
I brought Zeke along with me and he was dying at how deep that snow was!
New Years Day we met at the church at 8am. The girls were ready! We had the Bishop meet us to offer a prayer and send us off. The roads were clear! That drive up the canyon on that early winter morning was so pretty! We listened the whole way up and were all pretty much at the same place when we arrived. We talked about how we could feel the spirit in the car as we listened to first Nephi. We were able to quickly unload, travel to our cabin and get settled.
We had the girls decorate mugs while they listened. We baked the mugs and that is what they used the rest of the time for hot-cocoa and cider.
We did easy dinners. We didn't want to spend any time chopping, cooking or washing. It all worked out so great! Those girls were just amazing to watch. They were so attentive, marking and studying. When I'd ask if they needed a quick break and snack or finish a book they'd usually beg to finish the book. They understood the schedule was tight, and they all wanted to be there and finish. I loved reading through so quickly and gained new insight doing it that way. We'd do a quick celebratory shout each time we finished a book. There really wasn't time to discuss, we just pressed on reading. The missionaries up there would come check in on us periodically, and make sure we were ok. They confessed to us that they loved visiting our cabin because they could feel the spirit in there so strongly.
It was truly an amazing experience! I am so glad we did it and it all worked out. I had to get going late Saturday morning to make it to Katrina and Giuseppe's wedding! I tell you what- as soon as I got in the car and started headed down the road, I just cried and cried. I think it was part relief that we'd pulled it off, but mainly because I felt the spirit so strongly, I knew we were doing exactly what we should be doing, and my testimony of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith was strengthened. I love this book! It is an amazing way to start out the new year!
The next day at church we had a very sweet and tender testimony meeting with the girls, and it meant so much to me to have several girls tell me how much the experience meant to them.
Happy 2016!
Just when we felt like we had all the bases covered, things started falling apart quickly. My two councilors couldn't make it, due to health, my secretary aka: My Right Arm~ had a major surgery, my advisors started dropping like flies- and the weather! What if there was a blizzard??? It was stressful, and we just didn't know even days before if it was really going to happen. At church on Sunday when the girls were all giddy talking about and announcing it, I'd just nervously smile and pray for the best. I attended a little to my secretaries needs- treats, dinner, having her boys over so she could heal and rest~ I even went over at 11pm to help her to the bathroom and up to bed because her husband was at work~ this had nothing to do with me willing her to get better fast just for the retreat. I promise! But, she was so determined to make this happen. Really, if it weren't for her, it just wouldn't have happened. Bless. Her.
I prayed that if it was meant to be, it would all work out. If it would make an impact on just one girl, it would all be worth it!
We went up the day before and brought all the girls bed rolls and food. Since we'd have to get to the cabins on four-wheelers, we wanted it to be as easy as possible. Aren't we nice?
It was so gorgeous up there! So much snow, but sunny and beautiful.
I brought Zeke along with me and he was dying at how deep that snow was!
New Years Day we met at the church at 8am. The girls were ready! We had the Bishop meet us to offer a prayer and send us off. The roads were clear! That drive up the canyon on that early winter morning was so pretty! We listened the whole way up and were all pretty much at the same place when we arrived. We talked about how we could feel the spirit in the car as we listened to first Nephi. We were able to quickly unload, travel to our cabin and get settled.
We had the girls decorate mugs while they listened. We baked the mugs and that is what they used the rest of the time for hot-cocoa and cider.
The next day at church we had a very sweet and tender testimony meeting with the girls, and it meant so much to me to have several girls tell me how much the experience meant to them.
Happy 2016!