Daughter Of A King

 ( rylie & lauren a.k.a thing 2 & thing 3. thing 1 didn't make it into this shot )

Last week Rylie and I got to attend Girls Camp together. The theme this year was "Daughter of a King." So the whole week was focused on helping the girls to realize that because they are daughters of the King that they are princesses. Princesses destined for many great things. I love going to Girl's Camp. There is such a fun energy there and there's no where else I can think of that gives you such a spiritual high as well as tons of crazy fun!

Rylie and some other cute girls sitting by the campfire.

 ( bre & laura )

These girls got way into camp this year and had a different costume everyday. My favorite was the duct tape dresses. They were beautiful and took them hours and hours to make. They even made duct tape headbands and shoes. And they wore them all day long. Too funny!

Each day we would go on a mini hike to a clearing in the forest to attend Destiny: a spiritual lesson taught by the amazing and beautiful Young Women's Stake Presidency. There's something very touching about sitting in the middle of the gorgeous trees, hearing the sounds of nature and letting the spirit fill your soul as you are reminded that you are a daughter of God.

And that we all have Goliaths in our lives.

But when we make Christ the center of our lives we gain the courage and the strength to endure our trials well. He never leaves us alone. He loves us. He desires us to be happy. But He also gives us the gift of choice, so we much choose Him. He will never force us to obey His will.

( natasha, lexi, kjiera, amy, chelsea, katelyn )

Each night these hilarious girls would entertain the girls at campfire. I had the privilege of getting to help them prepare for many of their skits and songs. And while I felt like they didn't really need my help, I had a blast just watching them and feeling of their youthful energy.

Lexi as Princess Poison Dart Frog.

The skit that went with this costume was so funny!

 ( sophia playing some wet sponge game )

This year Sophia was old enough to come up to camp for one day. They always invite the girls who will be old enough to come to camp next year up for one day of fun, fun, fun. She had a great time and is so excited for next year.

Sophia's cousin Ashley got to come, too. These girls love each other!

Lauren, Dierden ( a.k.a thing 1), Kaelyn & Rylie

Aloha 1st Ward.

I love being associated with such wonderful, genuine people!

Every year we stand around the pond and sing "The Spirit of God" as somebody rows a canoe around with a fire in tow.

( rylie getting dubbed as a daughter of a king )

On the very last day of camp each girl was called forward and dubbed a  daughter of a King and given a candy necklace.

I'm HOPING that I am invited to go as a leader again next year. I already put my request in to help in the kitchen. And both Rylie and Sophia will be there, so I hope the camp leaders like me enough to let me come back!