Claim Your Kingdom

I LOVE the Gospel! I LOVE the Church!! I LOVE the programs of the church. They are SO inspired.
Girls Camp.....This is my 3rd year of being involved with girls camp. This year we were at a church owned camp in Nisqually WA...near Olympia, about 2 1/2 hours away. Never experienced it as a girl and never really appreciated it as my daughter was going... as much as I COULD have, having now experienced it myself. There is nowhere in the world a finer place to be. It's not just a camp. As I was on my drive home today I had the thought that if all the young women world over could have been at girls camp with our stake this year, many lives would have been changed. Many were. It's not just any camp. Not only do the girls learn and grow and stretch themselves....not only do they learn to serve and lead and overcome.....they feel the Spirit. I can't even begin to tell all the wonderful things that happened at girls camp. There were some challenges of course...with over 100 girls of various ages and personalities, but it was spiritual and FUN and refreshing to get away from the things of the world for the week. We had around 30 girls who have been planning camp since January. They are AWESOME girls! Our theme this year was "Claim Your Kingdom" The 6 units of girls were able to choose their name. All of the adult leaders (of which I'm a part) were "The Queens of Heart". We walked around camp with our little foam crowns and sang our fun little songs. Monday the leaders and Youth leaders went up to set up the camp. There was a ropes course the girls did...and some adults. We had a spiritual program Tuesday night called "The Parable of the Princesses." Friday night was the most awesome program. The girls went down a path in camp and along the way there were places they would come to that represented things in their lives that might be difficult for them. There were quotes to read and if it was something they felt was difficult for them they would pick up a lava rock. Lava rocks have holes that represented The Savior and his lightening our burdens. At the end of the path there was a projector set up (this was an evening program) with a huge picture of the Savior. The girls would cast their burdens they had collected (rocks) at the Saviors feet as they contemplated all their Savior has done for them. Then they walked out into the staging area where it was decorated with a huge white temple lit up and white luminaries lighting up the benches. All the adults were waiting for them. It was so cool! Like I said...Girls Camp is AWESOME!!! I have some stories to tell and pictures to post, but this is too long already so I'll do it soon:)

Summer.....So Far

The past few months have been busy busy....June took us to Utah for the Egan Family reunion and Sadie Mae's Blessing Day.....
Youth Conference and Dance Festival with 2,ooo kids!! Josh is the couple waltzing in the very middle.
Jenny and Sadie Mae came to visit. I miss those girls SOOOOO...much!!
Sadie Mae LOVES her Uncle Josh.... We've been empty nesters all summer with Josh gone to EFY, Idaho and now he's gone back to Utah with Jenny for a few weeks.
I had a baby shower for Sadie with over 30 women in my living room! It was cozy but fun....
The annual July picnic for the Drew Family at my cousin Tom's in Oregon....Jenny and Sadie arrived just in time!
Four generation picture with our baby and Great Grandma Cameron
At my sister Elizabeths house in Seattle with Great Grandma Rose and Brother Henry.....
With Grandpa Bill in Edmonds (near Seattle).....
Richard and his sisters on the day of our nephew Todds funeral.