The End of Young Women's (for now?)

I was called as Ward Young Women's President in the fall of 2014, and little did I know then, I would be in Young Women's for the next ten years. I served in the ward for four years, then on to the Stake for one year as the the Secretary, then as Stake Young Women's President for the next five. It has been so wonderful. I don't know any other way I could have indirectly blessed my family over the past ten years, and I am so grateful for that! Serving in the Stake has been such a blessing to me. I have loved getting to know so many wonderful people in our area and have made such good friends. That is the part I have loved and will miss the most!

I knew my time was coming to an end, and assumed it would likely be at Stake Conference (that is where it began, after all.) Then the Stake President started hinting as such. As the time grew nearer, as I met with my presidency, I told them we needed to get ourselves organized and ready to hand things over. The Stake Young Men's President, Jim (also in my ward, and has been so wonderful to serve with) was also being released at the same time. I made a list in my notes of all the final upcoming activities and meetings I was in charge of and started checking them off as they came and went. The last month especially was such a busy one! 

Our Multi-Stake Dance was bigger than ever. We counted over 300 kids and 8 Stakes! We finally got the best system down at this one. We had kids sign a form as they entered, agreeing that they would follow the FSY Standards and put which Stake they were from. Worked great! We used our usual DJ, a kid from our Stake we've used since he was in 6th grade. He's now a Sophomore and has quite the setup and social media squad, he gets better every year. We eliminated decorations and other activities, the kids just want to dance. We close off classrooms and hallways, just access to bathrooms and have leaders walk hallways. We did make the mistake of serving cookies and water, we would scratch even that- or put them outside next time. We also keep it to just two hours, 8-10pm. Easy-peasy.

Next up is the big Stake High Adventure! We've changed this to invite all YM and YW in the Stake that are starting their Senior Year in High School. We had so much interest and such a great turnout, we were so excited for the youth. They hiked to the tippy top of Timp to see the sunrise. You know I recruited Jonny to join! We met at 3am at the Stake Center parking lot. I handed out lots of high protein snacks and water and we loaded into cars. We dropped everyone off at the Timpooneke trailhead. Then, me and Jim and his counselors took those cars and headed over to the Aspen Grove side to drop them off and then head home until later when we'd bring them lunch.

As we made our way down about 4am, we came upon this fallen tree. We all got out and tried to move it. We were confused why it wouldn't budge, it didn't seem that big. As we shone our phone flashlights down the hill, we saw it kept going, and going, and going... We were stuck.
We all drove back up to the trailhead to tell the park ranger. He said he'd grab a chainsaw, but it was at the base, about 30 min. away. So we had an hour wait. We figured it was sixes either way and everyone was expecting their cars at the Aspen side, so we all drove back to the fallen tree and waited/ slept. 

It was such a pretty night with perfect weather that wasn't cold at all. I listened to my audio book, "Gone With the Wind". I chuckled in the car as I watched the park ranger drive up with the chain saw and all the men get out of their cars and stand around to watch him cut up the trunk. Must have been real interesting. We were finally on our way at about 6am. We drove home where I tried to nap, but it wasn't long before I needed to meet Jim at Subway to get the big order in for sandwiches and soon enough we were getting the text that the first group was about an hour away from reaching the bottom of the trail!

I headed up with a cooler of the first batch of sandwiches, drinks and chips. As I pulled up, those boys were jumping around waving at me, doing chest bumps and high-fiving one another like it was nothing. They are all on the track team and trail-runners. Imagine! They inhaled their sandwiches and left. 

Jim and I would be there until about 3pm waiting on the rest of the groups, cheering them on as they arrived with cold drinks and a sandwich. Some not looking so great, all very grateful to be done. We feel like we finally landed on the perfect High Adventure Activity- of course, our last year. Who knows what the next Presidencies will decide to do. 

We then held the annual fall BBQ. This was to reflect on FSY. We have a fireside that starts at 6 in the chapel while Bishops and their counselors are BBQ-ing patties and hotdogs out in the parking lot, and Jim and I and our presidencies are setting everything up. We have this down like clockwork, and this one was our smoothest one yet. Figures, it being our last one! We really felt like we nailed this one perfectly- the line went so fast- finally!

We hold this twice a year- the Spring BBQ and Fall. We annalyse how we can better streamline this and we do it better and better and this one was noticeably the best! The trick is to have four lines, two separate condiment tables further away so as not to hold up the main line.

Jim puts in the big order at Sams Club and picks everything up curbside. We have food amounts down so well there is minimal waste- usually none. Any leftovers are easily rid of by doing one final shout-out. We always have 300+ at this event and have to be ready as soon as they start pouring out of the doors of the church. Jim and I figured this was our twelfth BBQ!

Bishops BBQ-ing!

 

I had to make a time-sensitive decision on Stake Girls Camp for next summer. I decided against our traditional Camp Mia Shalom, due to current construction issues. I reached out to Heber Valley Girls Camp and had to make some decisions with the service missionary and put a site on hold with payment due in just days. I told her I was likely going to be released within the week, and could the new president make that call? She understood and was so great to work with. At one point I was on a call with her while dress shopping for Prom with Paisley at the mall. It was sweaty, but I wanted to hand over as many good options as possible! Stake Girls Camp matters!

A friend I served with years ago texted me this not realizing I was just days away from being released. This was taken about the 3rd year of my presidency. This is so fun to see, I still keep in touch with most of these girls- my girls!

The day of my release was during Stake Conference. I was surprised at how tender my feelings were. I was sitting on the stand with my dear friends, Dori and Peggy, the Stake Relief Society and Primary Presidents. They held my hands and gave me a squeeze. The new Young Women President came up and joined us. I don't know her at all, but could sense she will be wonderful. I honestly was a bit surprised at my emotions! On a ward level, the emotions are for the girls. On a Stake level, it's for all of the leaders you serve with that I won't likely see much of anymore. I told Jon for the next few days, "I have big feelings". So bitter-sweet!

The new President was able to come over that evening, which was great to be able to hand everything over right away. We chatted for two hours! I had everything typed out and organized with everything she will need by month. Of course, everything else is in the Handbook and up to her personal revelation and inspiration. She had a lot of questions and I let her take the time to ask away until I could tell she was satisfied. I know she is feeling the weight of that mantle and is just trying to get her head around it. I do know her counselors from serving in Young Women's over the years and they are wonderful. As we chatted, I felt so encouraged and excited for the youth in our stake! She is on fire. She is so energetic with so many ideas and enthusiasm and love for the youth. She is even really jazzed about Trek! Her husband is a Seminary Teacher! I just felt more and more that the youth are in such good hands, that callings being handed over after a time is inspired, and that she is meant to be in this calling at this time for these specific youth for the next few years. I just know this. It soothed my big feelings. I am so grateful. It testified to me that evening that this is the Lords church, the Lord is in all the details of His church, and His Gospel will continue to march forward and spread. I am so grateful to be a small part of that.