The Miller Memoirs

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Girl's Camp; July 10-22

Girl's camp. Just saying this simple phrase brings a memory to every girl or woman who has ever had the opportunity of attending girl's camp. Memories of camping, hiking, swimming, and all out laughing. Girl's camp is a time of bonding. It is a time for growing both spiritually and physically. Girl's Camp. With these two words each and every girl and woman has to take a moment and smile.

This year girl's camp held many memories for me. Memories that were precious at the time, but much more precious afterward. It was two weeks after girl's camp that I was informed of my release. I remember sitting in the bishop's office feeling a bit surreal that my time as YW's President had come to a close. If it wasn't a calling from the Lord, I would have argued, and insisted that I was still capable and able of fulfilling my duties and responsibilities; however, because of my faith and my knowledge of the plan, I understood that the Lord is overall, and if the bishop felt it was time for my release--well then, it was time for my release. It was a difficult time for me. A time of sadness, but also a time for growth. Slowly I started receiving the inspiration I needed to sustain me. I began to understand the Lord's timing and I began to embrace the idea of the new presidency. The Lord granted me an understanding that the new presidency was exactly what these beautiful young women needed, and although I would miss them terribly--I wanted what was best for them because I loved them. I loved them with all of my heart. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for the time I spent as YW's President. I have never cried or laughed so much in my life--I grew so much from my experiences, and I will cherish it always. And so...here is another year at girl's camp, and a close of a chapter for me...a chapter full of memories, full of love, and full of growth.

Sister Olsen and Hailee prior to Hiking

Sister VanderLinden started a game of pine cone soccer. It was a riot!

Eating Lunch by the lake after hiking for 3 miles.

I love Stacia Bates, and I absolutely love this picture of her!

Alexa Phillips. Alexa was using a knife her father had given her, and slipped creating a deep cut in her wrist. I almost died. Gratefully, she was okay. She was brave and an example of persevering.

Scripture study. We set a time aside every day in which we could study our scriptures. The girls were fantastic at this challenge!

Kennedy and Ashley preparing for SKITS

Katie Canning, Kennedy Haskell, Ashley Olsen, Ashley Perez, Cheyenne Hall, Brooke Tarbet, and Ashley with our SERVICE PROJECT. We painted pictures for a women's shelter.

Free Fall. We had so much fun playing games. One of the games we played was called free fall. In order to play we had to fall backwards into the outstretched arms that were waiting to catch us from certain death. The trick--trusting those were doing the catching. I absolutely loved this game! It not only taught us about trust, but it also brought unity to our group! So FUN!