At Retreat for Girls we talked about this quote a lot:
And finally, in all of living have much of fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.
We spent the entire week focusing on changing our perspectives and choosing to be happy. On Monday our theme of the day was "Finding Joy in Life". For my devotional I showed them this video:
I made each of my girls little "Happiness is" journals and encouraged them to write a list of the small things in life that made them happy that day. (i.e. finding a pencil, tying your shoe for the very first time...)
I wanted to set a goal to starting doing something similar in my life. I wanted to start appreciating the small things in life that make my happy, but since every day might be excessive, each week I am going to make a list of things that week that made me happy. We shall call this new series "Happiness is....." and I am hoping that it will change the way I look at life.
What an amazing, frustrating, tiring, awakening, inspiring, and JOYFUL two weeks I have had. I am so lucky to be a part of such an amazing program! Retreat for Girls changes lives you guys. It changes the counselors, the participants, and specifically it has changed me.
I attended 3 years of Retreat as a participant:
I returned two years ago as a counselor:
And I was back this year for more!
Over the weekend
For the weekend in between sessions we spent some time at Bo's house:
The view from her yard:
Monday
By Monday it was time to head back to campus and start another week.
We had registration:
Lawn games:
Closing Opening Banquet:
Tuesday
was group bonding day.
We had a "Unbirthday Party" where we made "Mad hats"
I got a really sweet love note from Nomi and her girls, (the paper suitcase)
we made cute little picture holders as seen in the bottom left picture,
and we had our fashion show! (Why yes, I am in fact dressed as the Sphinx and Freckles Lauren is dressed as the great wall of china)
Wednesday
was filled with lots of scripture reading, and classes with AWESOME speakers
We also had the Theme activity on Wednesday
We learned about the movie Pollyanna and how she would play the "Glad game"
We made prisms just like in the movie to remind us that when we choose happiness the light of Christ can be reflected through us.
We also did my favorite craft that day, coloring RFG pillowcases
Thursday
was our service project. We had so much fun and we were so busy that I didn't get any pictures!
But after words we took a couple of pictures for Team Kenton to help boost his spirits
Friday
was our last day.
We had an amazing devotional and testimony meeting where the spirit was SO strong.
we had our closing banquet.
I had an amazing two weeks and I had many prayers answered.
I also set a goal to start appreciating the small things in life and to start living In Joy.
I made some life longs friends and made amazing memories that will be with me forever.
Thank you to Katie, Anita, Miss Piggy, Bo and Origami for all of their hard work and all that they did for us.
Hey kids!
It's been a crazy couple of weeks since I got back from Guatemala. I have had so much going on that I almost don't even know where to start!
School is almost over! We are about to find out if I pulled it off. I am feeling... fairly confident that I will manage. There are still a few loose ends to tie up, but I think I might make it!
Between school, working, and getting ready for Retreat for girls my plate has been quite full.
But today is finally the day!
Retreat for girls is basically here! Today I pack up my car with massive amounts of stuff (way too much for two weeks... but that's how we roll at RFG) and drive up to Logan.
Let me tell you. Retreat for girls is basically the best two weeks of your summer.
It is a church camp for girls ages 12-15 and a short explination is a mix between EFY and girls camp.
I can't truthfully tell you as a past participant, and a 2nd year counselor, this program has changed my life. I would not be who I am with out it. Retreat for Girls taught me it was cool to be a member of the church and to have standards. They showed me how to live life to the fullest and how to be happy while gaining a testimony. It's is.... awesome.
"In all of living have much of fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured." - Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley,
This years theme is "In joy" and I could not be more excited. It is just what I have needed after this rough year. I am so excited to learn more, grow more, and help young women's testimonies blossom.
Retreat is full of some of the best women, counselors, and girls in the entire world. Each one inspires me and motivates me to the fullest extent.
This is part of the silliness... but at RFG each of the counselors have nicknames that we go by, and the girls have no idea what our real names are. (SO FUN!)
