1st Womens Meeting

It was a quick shower for our Color Festival girls, and then we were off to our first ever, Women's Meeting of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Festival of Color

These girls spent the day at the Festival of Color.  It is a festival put on at the Hindu Temple in Spanish Fork to welcome in Spring, and the participants shower one another with color chalk powder.  Yes, teenagers drive over an hour away to shower one another with chalk dust.  Thousands attend each year.  

They had already started to get cleaned up for the Women's Broadcast before we grabbed a pic, but they were definitely colorful, as was the Suburban Aubrey drove all their friends in.  Don't mind Kayla's pants in the picture above  They have to wear clothes they can ruin, so I love the fact that she wore colorful spankies under her 'holey' pants.  

Sister Dalton

I have been looking forward to this morning for several weeks now.  I have always loved Sister Dalton as a  YW leader, runner, and Mom.  It was a privilege to attend a Young Women Training Meeting with her presidency and board last April.  I have read her words, listened to stories about her from others, and have  tried to follow her example in ministering to the young women in my stake.  

This mornings gathering was for all of the 9-12th grade Seminary students at Bingham High School and South Jordan Middle School.  Our stake center is just a short walk from both of those schools, so we host these Morningsides and the 800+ youth that attend.  It's always fun to spend time with the youth before they head off to school. 

This morning, Sister Dalton spoke about 'Who we Are as Children of God'.   We live in a time of great opportunity,  as well as great opposition.  The Lords work is Hastening and we are called to be a part of that.  We have been prepared from the beginning of time to come Now - at the Fullness of Time, when the Lord is preparing the Earth for the 2nd Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I know that to be true.  She compared our lives to a race.  We have all prepared from the beginning, we have kept our first estate, we are ready -- Let's Go!  She assured each of us that WE CAN DO THIS.  With the Saviors help we can build our faith and testimony and do the Father's will and ALL return back to our Heavenly Home.  She plans to see each of us there and greet us with High 5's and shouts of "We Did It - We Made it Back".  Her message was one of  Love, Hope, and Confidence in us as Children of God. 

One of the things that several of the young women shared with me after was how Sister Dalton radiated.  She carries the Light of Christ in her countenance and you can see and feel it.  After the meeting, the line to shake her hand extended from the stand to the cultural hall.  She spoke to each youth individually that came through.  She told them something she saw or believed in them.  It reminded me of the Savior, taking time to bless and touch each person.  It is what He would have us do.  I can not adequately express how grateful I am for our Savior Jesus Christ and His Infinite Love and Atonement for each one of us.  I can feel His love and I hope that I can adequately share that love like Sister Dalton does.   

Youth Camp Leader Retreat

This summer the Young Women (ages 12-18) from our local church congregations will be attending a camp all together. This camp has  been in the planning stages for many months now, and the 'Laurels' (girls ages 16-18) head up,  plan, lead, and execute most of the planning through various camp committees.  This year we decided to take our YCL's (pronounced Yuckles) away on a Retreat to receive leadership training, bond as a group, and make final preparations for camp.  We took with us 60 Laurels, our Stake Presidency, my YW Presidency, and the 12 Adult Camp Leaders.  We rented a church owned cabin

 up in Eden, Utah, and it fit our needs perfectly.  I only got a few pictures the day before when we were setting up because once I am involved with the girls, it never even dawns on my to stop and take pictures...that why we have a Stake YW photographer, right.

Our camp theme is DOTS - Depend on the Savior.  The girls have literally been seeing DOTS everywhere they look since January, so they were not surprised to see Dots hanging throughout the cabin. We decided to decorate 1 loft with Christmas Lights (known as the Light Side) and leave the other one without any lights (the Dark Side).  We spent the evening playing unity games, eating Cafe Rio salads, learning about characteristics of the Savior, sharing heartfelt feelings and thoughts about our relationship with Savior and each other, and making s'mores by the campfire.  My hearts swells when I think about how much the Lord loves these young women, ROYAL Daughters as we call them.  I know, as well as I know that the sun will rise each day, that the Lord knows and loves then individually.  It is something I will never be able to deny.  

We had NO idea how well the 'light' and 'dark' side lofts would work.  Each side ended up with about 30ish girls and by 12:30 am. the dark side was in  fact 'dark' with most girls sleeping.  The light side on the other hand, was just getting started.  At 3:00 am, the light side was still going, but there was no complaining.  All those they wanted to stay up and visit had chosen the light side and those that wanted to sleep had chosen the dark side.  It was perfect!  Can you guess which side I was on?

Our eating area and our awesome Camp Director.  Now I've never been to Boy Scout camp, but I don't think they eat like this...The tables were all lines with fresh flowers and lots of DOTS to remind the girls how beautiful and precious they are in the sight of God, and to always Depend on the Savior.  These girls ROCK, there's no other way to say it. Saturday morning I was able to teach about Unity, and use polka dots scarves to teach about how we are all tied together in the Sisterhood of the Gospel. They worked in their committees for awhile and  we cut 60 bolts of fabric into 350 fleece blankets and made the cutest little memory books that all the girls will use at camp.  Seriously, who comes up with all this cute stuff?  You all soooo know it wasn't me.  Not my forte.  

But that was one of the best things I learned at this Retreat.  How we all bring our different talents, strengths, struggles, weaknesses, and we come together to CREATE the most amazing 'Sisterhood'.  It is truly a blessing from our Heavenly Father.  My life has been so blessed by the girls and women that I serve with.  They are helping me to 'become' better and hopefully I am helping to build them up as well.  I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I know that it changes lives and can change hearts, because I have seen it change mine.  I so love these girls and the time I get to spend with them!

Donut Dayz

These girls are awesome donut makers. 

Look at all their creations today.  So yummy!

Shopping with our 3rd Teenager

Shopping with teenage girls is not always easy, especially as we are looking for modest swim suits and summer clothes......

But shopping with Lindz is always such fun.  We find the coolest things, and coolest dressing rooms, and we even found some modest clothes.  Success!

Prom - Aubrey and Nick

Aubrey's 1st Prom

She looks gorgeous - I think that's what her photo bombers were thinking also.

It feels like there have been formal dances every few weeks, this year, so she should be an expect at pinning on those boutonnieres..

Nick broke his foot recently in a skiing accident, so he's sporting the 'boot' look with his tuxedo.

Meeting up with one of her Lacrosse friends at Nicks house. 

And they are off.

Happy 13th Birthday LINDSAY!

She invited a group of friends to the Waffle Love Truck.  It's a traveling truck that makes gourmet waffles.  You log into their Facebook page to find the truck locations for that day.  So yummy! 

More treats, her sisters bought her a cupcake, new scarf, and gift certificate to get her nails done.

Grandma & Papa got her a beautiful scarf inn her favorite color

Grandma & Grandpa got her a rubber band loom to make bracelets like the ones we made at the compound in Guatemala.

13 years old - I can hardly believe it!  Lindz is such a kind hearted, fun, amazing young women.  I can't imagine our lives without her.  So glad she is a part of our eternal family.  Love you Lindsay Lou!

Vegas Lacrosse Games

Bingham JV LAX Team - 2014

We claim #21 (American flag socks) & #14 (neon green band-aids) but we love them all.

This was Kayla's 1st LAX game, after deciding to play back in October.  She is fast, very fast,  and may or may not have had anything to do with the girl falling to the ground?  

  Here's Aubrey after a steal, bringing the ball down the field.

Kay on defense.

Aubs doing the draw, similar to a jump ball in basketball.  

The ball is placed in  between the 2 players nets, and as they throw  them up in the air, the ball flies up and they vie for it.  That's a pretty good view of it.

Kay traveling down field, cradling the ball

Standing in the pouring rain waiting for the ball to come down field.  It rained a little the 1st game and poured the 2nd game.  Luckily, Bingham was winning by so many, that they called the 'Mercy Rule' and we were able to get out of the rain a little early.  Saturday was better weather, but still not as warm as sunny as we hoped.