N Stake Girls Camp 2009

I was at my 6th and final year of Girls Camp from June 23-27. Me and Tashi were the only youth leaders from our ward. I wasn't excited to go, because none of the girls in my ward were my age, and all the girls my age from other wards weren't going (making me have more responsibilities at camp), I didn't grow up with these girls, and didn't go to school with any of them, unlike my past 2 stakes. There were 7 girls from our ward that went: Eliza, Briana, Lis, and Katie. Our camp was 45 minutes out of St. Louis, Missouri. That was hottest week of the summer. The temperature was in the 90s, with a heat index of 110 degrees because of the humidity. We were all sweating profusely like sweaty pigs and guzzling down liquids.

We met at the Halxxxx's house at 8:30 am the first morning. Sister Halxxxx is from our ward, and in charge of buying all the food for the whole stake. That is a huge responsibility, I don't know how she did it. She didn't complain once, even though she was stuck in the kitchens with the hot ovens the whole time. So on the way to Girls Camp, we stopped at Sam's Club and helped her shop for everything. It was a lot of food for 200 people for 11 meals. We ate lunch there too. Their berry shakes make me happy inside. Our camp was called Camp Sherwood.

I got really homesick on my first day of camp, like I always do . I don't like camping at all, so thank goodness for the spiritual stuff and friends. Kennedy and her mom Gloria came too. I was so excited for Gloria to come. Me and Tashi had to give devotionals every night for our ward and were in charge of teaching certification classes for the younger girls. We were hoping it would cool down during the week, but to no avail. It didn't cool down much at night, and it was very hard to fall asleep and stay that way. It didn't rain at all the whole time we were there too, which is a miracle! It rains so much here. If it would've rained, it would've cooled down, but the humidity would've gone up, the mosquitoes would've come, we'd hahve been muddy, stuck in our cabins...not a pretty picture.

We had so much to eat at all of our meals. And there was so much junk food. And I was bloated with liquids. I gained so much weight there I think. I didn't get many bug bites either. Our first lesson was really good. It was about listening. And if you don't listen to people who need to be, you are depriving them of psychological oxygen. The second lesson we learned to have a perfect heart, and in the 3rd & last lesson, I learned that faith is a prerequisite for purity. Sister Skog came from our ward to teach a hair braiding class. I learned how to tie knots on top of your head. In my second class, I learned how to make homemade Almond Joys. They were so good. My last class was yoga. But I forgot that I had signed up for it, and forgot a yoga mat. And I was dumb and wore tight jean shorts to the class instead of stretchy, comfortable pants. And I'm already inflexible, so I could barely do these stretches without feeling like I was going to rip my pants. And it was making me sweat a lot for some reason, I was using somebody elses's gross mat, and I was thinking, why did I sign up for this again??? When all of the sudden, our teacher made us do some really relaxing stretches on our back. Then we were told to just lay flat on our back and close our eyes and focus on our breathing. She made us do it for 15 minutes, so of course we all fell asleep. I felt so good when I woke up.

The first day, I only sat on the beach of the lake, but the next 2 days I was in the water!!! It was really gross, but it never got too deep, and cooled you down. The lake was for all the surrounding camp grounds, so there were people with tattoos and alcohol and cigarettes and boyfriends and girlfriends all over each other in the water, and it was like, WE'RE AT GIRLS CAMP!!! This is not supposed to be happening! It's funny how seperated from the world you become at Girls Camp. There was also zip-lining and spelunking in caves, but I didn't do either of those.

And I finished reading the Book of Mormon while I was at camp. I had started at the end of January. One of the nights, we had a youth leader meeting, and we ate so much candy that I got sick to my stomach. We had flushing toilets, showers, and no campfires. We slept in cabins with bunks. A few wards were in charge of each meal for the whole stake. So it wasn't really roughing it except for the heat.

We planned our skit last minute. We got it on video. Tashi was a character called Mr. Tashimoto. It was hilarious. All of the skits were hilarious. I wish we could have filmed them all. I got a little tan from going to the lake.

I am so glad Gloria was at camp. She was my positivity and humor that I needed to get me through. We had to show the Bishopric our skit when they came up the last night. Our Bishop reminded us to stay virtuous and to remember there was a boy being prepared out there to marry us someday. I thought we were going to have a testimony meeting with them, but we didn't. And I had taught the girls about testimonies, so I was a little disappointed. I thought if I brought it up, people wouldn't want to. After the Bishopric left, we went back to our cabin. Eliza, who isn't even quite 12 yet, asked if we could have a testimony meeting right then and she wanted to go first. And her testimony was so cute. And then we all followed after her. I had such pure, innocent girls at camp that obeyed me. (Maybe I had to remind a few times, but nobody disobeyed me).

What if I get called as a leader next year???!!!!

Smell Goods

Yes, my mom is not happy that I shop at Victoria's Secret. But I don't go there for the gross stuff. I go because I love their smell good stuff. I just like smelling good. My friend Amber's British boyfriend (if that didn't confuse you) made me go buy some of it for her because he's coming out to visit in a week. And I was running out of my own, so it was perfect. It smells so sweet. Me and Amber both love it. They are having a huge sale for all their different scents.

On another note, I hate the smell of Axe. I hate hate hate it. It makes me gag. And gives me a headache. It is not pleasant.

New shirts

After I put half of my first paycheck away for college, we went to Q town to go shopping. They have small mall and Old Navy there. I usually don't like Old Navy clothes, but I loved the tshirts with the puff sleeves. Tashi got a royal blue version of it, and it is so cute!!! Both of these shirts are on sale, in lots of different colors. They're comfy and feminine!!! Go check it out

Holy Things

These are just some various things that I have learned this week:

A morally clean life is important if you want to enjoy peace, happiness, and self-esteem. The battle for our souls is exceedingly fierce. The adversary is strong and cunning. Sin is sin!

Pray vocally as well as in your heart. When you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer continually.

Virtue is not only having chaste thoughts, but pure thoughts, that are full of truth.

Prayer is something to enjoy.

The body is to be kept pure and holy. Do not be afraid of soiling its hands in honest labor. Do not be afraid of scars that may come in defending the truth or fighting for the right, but beware scars that spiritually difigure.

And then we had several ladies from our ward each give a talk on divine nature for mutual last week. One of them said something I really like: Eternal marriage isn't just getting married in the temple. It's working hard for it everyday after you get married, to keep it together for eternity because you know you just can't throw it away like any marriage outside of the temple.

Lexi Lou and the Chocolate Factory

Finally, here are some pictures of my work at the fudge factory:

Here, Eli is slicing up fudge. This looks like the peanut butter.

They rotate the batches of fudge on the marble table tops.

These are my cinnamon bears drowning in chocolate. (These chocolate cinnamon bears are irresistible. My flash went off so the chocolate is a weird color.)

This poor little bear was deformed, so I let Eli eat it and put it out of its misery before the general public could see it and humiliate it.

Eli washing the bars that hold the fudge while it sets up on the tables. Eli's my best friend and so I have a lot of fun working with him.

The log of peanut butter fudge before Eli started cutting it up

It's very tedious to make these cinnamon bears, and a lot of them get ruined. Those mats that they're hardening on are from France, and cost $60 a piece. They're very fragile. A lot of people comment on how expensive they are ($4 for 8 oz bag - about 20 pieces). But for how juicy good they are, and how they are all hand-dipped, I think it's worth it. The ties on the baggies say I ♥ Chocolate. They're so cute.

The fudge factory sells bags of flavored licorice. We cut them in half and dip them in chocolate. It's a $1.25 for 12 licorice nubs. They're so colorful on that little mat. It makes me happy.

A full log og fudge waiting to be sliced.

The flavors are: Chocolate Pecan, Chocolate Walnut, Vanilla Pecan, Plain Chocolate, Strawberries and Cream, Chocolate Mint, Penuche, Rocky Road, German Chocolate, Maple Walnut, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Dark Chocolate Orange, and Dark Chocolate.

It's definitely a place to stop in N Town. People come every year. My favorite are the chocolate covered pretzels.

Virtue

Virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. It includes chastity and purity. The power to create mortal life is an exalted power God has given His children. He has commanded that this power be used only between and man and a woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

"And notwithstanding this great abomination of the Lamanites, it doth not exceed that of our people in Moriantum. For behold, many of our daughters of the Lamanites have they taken prisoners; and after depriving them of that which was most dear and precious above all other things, which was chastity and virtue - " Moroni 9:9

"For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts." Jacob 2:28

"We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society" - "The Family: A Proclamation to the World"

Physical intimacy between husband and wife is beautiful and sacred. It is ordained of God for the creation of children and for the expression of love between husband and wife. God has commanded that sexual intimacy be reserved for marriage.

When you obey God’s commandment to be sexually pure, you prepare yourself to make and keep sacred covenants in the temple. You prepare yourself to build a strong marriage and to bring children into the world as part of a loving family. You protect yourself from the emotional damage that always comes from sharing physical intimacies with someone outside of marriage.

Do not have any sexual relations before marriage, and be completely faithful to your spouse after marriage. Satan may tempt you to rationalize that sexual intimacy before marriage is acceptable when two people are in love. That is not true. In God’s sight, sexual sins are extremely serious because they defile the power God has given us to create life. The prophet Alma taught that sexual sins are more serious than any other sins except murder or denying the Holy Ghost (see Alma 39:5).

Before marriage, do not do anything to arouse the powerful emotions that must be expressed only in marriage. Do not participate in passionate kissing, lie on top of another person, or touch the private, sacred parts of another person’s body, with or without clothing. Do not allow anyone to do that with you. Do not arouse those emotions in your own body.

In cultures where dating or courting is acceptable, always treat your date with respect, never as an object to be used for your lustful desires. Stay in areas of safety where you can easily control your physical feelings. Do not participate in talk or activities that arouse sexual feelings.

Homosexual activity is a serious sin. If you find yourself struggling with same-gender attraction, seek counsel from your parents and bishop. They will help you.

Victims of rape, incest, or other sexual abuse are not guilty of sin. If you have been a victim of any of these crimes, know that you are innocent and that God loves you. Seek your bishop’s counsel immediately so he can help guide you through the process of emotional healing.

If you are tempted to commit sexual transgressions, seek help from your parents, your bishop, and friends you can trust. Pray to the Lord, who will help you resist temptation and overcome inappropriate thoughts and feelings.

If you have committed sexual transgressions, begin the process of repentance now so you can find inner peace and have the full companionship of the Spirit. Seek the Lord’s forgiveness. Talk with your bishop. He will help you obtain the forgiveness available to those who truly repent. - "Sexual Purity" in The Strength of Youth

"We believe in being hoenst, true, chaste, benevelent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed we may say that we follow the admonition of Pual - We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." - Article of Faith number thirteen

"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no seed of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the mechants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She pereiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor: yea, she reaceth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her chidlren arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously,but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Five her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works priase her in the gates." Proverbs 31:10-31

ENOUGH SAID