Sunday, August 22, 2010

EFY Taylorsville 1 & 2

Goodbye to Sandy Institute for a few weeks! We were off to SLCC in Taylorsville. I actually was not suppose to be working this week b/c I didn't get offered it. Monday morning at 8 am I got a phone call from Brooke, my coordinator asking if I could work b/c one of the counselors got sick. Miraculously I was able to shift my schedule around and work! This week was a blessing to me b/c of a special someone in the next picture.
This picture has a lot of significance to me. Long story short- Dallin (second from right) complained to the team one night about people not picking up their forks at meals and leaving them on the grounds. I leaned over to Christina (far right) and said that I wanted to fork Dallin's backpack as a joke! A few days later I found at least 15 forks in MY backpack! What?! I thought this was my prank that I so cleverly thought up? Rob (far left) said he knew who did it. I found out later it was Christina. The little punk. And Rob helped! Lucky for him I already liked him or I would've had to reconsider ;) jk.
The pictures are a little out of order, but these are my girls from Taylorsville week 2. Love them!
This is our company from Taylorsville 2! Alex was my co. Unfortunately he had been sick all week and wasn't full strength. Everything worked out anyway.
This is our company from Taylorsville 1! Adam was my co and he rocks my socks. First time I saw him he ran up to me and gave me a huge hug! Then he stepped back and said, "I'm Adam." ha ha, just a funny, funny, character. One whom everyone loves! And a crazy dancer with some mad skills :) We sure loved our company. It's amazing to see each individual's circumstances, backgrounds, where they're at in their life, and where they're going. We had some incredibly strong and courageous youth! I can't believe what they go through, and they are still firm and steadfast in the gospel. Great examples to me!

EFY Sandy 2

Week two of EFY in Sandy! Don't tell all my other participants but.... this was my all time favorite week of the summer. Everything about it was great! I had the most amazing co's in the world- Rob and Katie :) I had some of the greatest participants, and I think I learned the most about the gospel, and about myself during this week. We are always teaching the youth how they can develop and strengthen their own testimonies, scripture study, prayers, and every day lives, but this week I think they taught me more than I taught them, and I learned more from my scripture study and all of the great firesides and classes. I just can't describe how great it was.
This is the whole group! Aren't they a good looking bunch?
The infamous three! Nobody called us that... I just came up with it. These are my co-counselors, and I love them both oh so very much! Much of the success of our week is attributed to them.

Gretchen and McKenna:) I loved all of my participants, but these two were extra special! It was an instant bond. I was their "Mama Bear", and they were my "children". Since EFY we have even gotten together to catch up! These girls amazed me everyday. What incredible girls!

EFY Sandy 1

Oh boy! What have I been up to all summer that has made me a slacker in the so-called blogging world? That would have to be EFY! This summer I was able to be an EFY counselor at the stay-at-home sessions. It was a blast! My very first week ever was incredible. I immediately fell in love with the youth, the EFY program, dances, firesides, silly games, and so much more.
This is my first group! My co-counselor was Dallin Lewis- also known as the weather man. He is incredible! I was so lucky to have such a great co in my first week :) Yes, Dallin is going to be a weather man someday! He even brought a little weather device to the dances and tracked the humidity changes from beginning to end... I'll spare you the exact numbers b/c you would wish I didn't tell you!
Me and a few of my participants working on tying some fleece blankets for the service activity.
My first group of girls! They were angels, and they made everything about my first week wonderful and smooth sailing. I owe a lot to them. I sure love these girls! First week of EFY= success!