EFY Week 7 - Ogden

July 30, 2016

This was my first "stay-at-home" session, meaning the kids go home at 9pm every night at come back at 9am. My biggest fear was that I wouldn't get to know the kids as well because I feel like that hour before lights out is when I get to have the most one-on-one time with them. But I ended up bonding with these kids so much. From cinnamon roll hugs every night to learning how to catch whipped cream in our mouths, I couldn't love them more. We laughed and cried together so many times this week. I felt so strongly of the love that Heavenly Father has for each one of them. I don't know everything that these kids were struggling with, but He does, and I felt guided at every moment to know what to do or say. I know that God si aware of us personally and uses other people to answer our prayers. I know that He finds little ways every day to show us that He cares.

EFY Week 6 - Kansas

July 23, 2016

What a week! It was insane, but still one of my favorites. I went to the hospital 4 times and found out I have a blood clot in my foot. It's not a big deal, but those few days of not knowing were scary. Luckily I had the world's best co-counselor this week and knew that our kiddos were always in the best hands :) The dorms were sketchy and the heat was nearly unbearable, but there were so many good moments this week that made it all worth it. I loved our session director, who happened to be my seminary teacher my sophomore year. I made sure everyone asked him about his proposal story because it is easily the best I have ever heard.

One night, I got in the elevator to go down to dinner and a bunch of my boys were already inside. "Don't get in!" they yelled, but I didn't listen. I figured out that one of them was shirtless and the others were hiding them in the corner. Right after I figured this out, the elevator door opens and the first thing my co sees is me videoing the situation. Ir doesn't sound as funny when I write it, but trust me, it was dang funny.

EFY Week 5 - Salt Lake

July 16, 2016

This was such a good session! I was one of the counselors in charge of the variety show, so I felt like I spent a lot of time away from my kiddos, but I did convince a few of my boys to be in it :) I just kept thinking over and over, "these kids are wicked awesome." I learned so much from them and loved getting to know them. Sometimes I forget that they're a few years younger than me because they are leaps and bounds ahead of where I was at their age.

These kiddos were so good at watching out for each other and making everyone feel included, even people who weren't in our company.

None of my girls had ever been to The Pie, so of course I had to introduce them to the wonderful delight of a 23-inch pizza :)