A few updates:

Lauren is doing great! I know it's waaaaaaaaaay different not having her in YW but she says her tiny ward in Michigan is really great. Apparently they have to give a talk and a musical number about every week, but their ward mom takes them to Home evening and stuff. Every time we talk she sounds really happy and psyched for everything. She's practicing a ton (obviously, haha) and she comes home in FOUR WEEKS! YES.
And that's all.
Love,
Sophie

Notes from Sis. Chris: Wednesday, 6 June 2012

I’ve written this even before leaving you at camp, but even in advance I’m feeling the way I always feel when I leave you; kind of sad and kind of nervous, and kind of like my family is incomplete. I’m also feeling like I always do when I think about you; very confident and hopeful. You are so capable and good. I have been greatly blessed to love you and feel like you are part of my family even though I know we aren’t really related.

I’m also blessed to know your real families and I love them too. I know each of your families has strengths and weaknesses, peaceful times and times of contention, good memories and sad ones. I also know that there are times when you don’t feel that your families really understand you or your desires. And, you’re right, sometimes they don’t, but your Heavenly Father does. And, he understands your parents and siblings, and grandparents, and aunts and uncles and cousins, even though sometime you don’t.

Sisters of the OH1 YW

Have you ever thought that maybe Heavenly Father needed you to be in the family to which you were born because of the great light you would share with them? I know your family members bless your life too, but it’s when what matters most to you is what you do for them glow. I think Heavenly Father wants each of us to grow where we’re planted so he planted us in families not just where we can bloom best, but where we can illuminate our environments and help others to bloom also.

You’ve illuminated my life in so many beautiful ways. I can hardly wait until I see you again tomorrow!

Love you!

Sis Chris

Notes from Sis. Chris: Thursday, 7 June 2012

Just two days ago we kicked off camp by celebrating the birthdays of two people we love. Remember the candles and the way they each burned with their own light. Birthday candles are not very big and their flames don’t reach very far, but even one candle can give us a feeling of celebration and pleasure. And, if that one candle were surrounded by darkness it alone would be enough to guide us to a place. One small candle can make a big difference.

I know that sometimes you may feel like your light is small and maybe not worth much. I feel that way about myself sometimes too. But those feelings are very, very wrong. Just like a small birthday candle when lit, our light can make a big difference for someone. Our little light can be the source that turns sad to happy, lost to found, alone to loved. Your light is unique. If it’s not lit, there is none to replace it and darkness expands its territory.

Even better, think of what our little light can do when combined with the light of those around us. Sister Dalton said that you are the ‘‘one bright shining hope of the future” and that “these are your days, and now is the time for young women everywhere to 'arise and shine forth that thy light may be a standard for the nations.'”

Your light matters greatly in a world that is growing darker by the day. 

Sister Blake and I will be with you this afternoon. To find the camp site again all I have to do is look for your light.

Love you!

Sis Chris

Notes from Sis. Chris: Tuesday, 5 June 2012

       

I love to look at you. I know I see more than you see when you look in the mirror. You may see a kink in your hair that shouldn’t be there, or that your eye lashes are too short or that there’s a pimple in a conspicuous place or that your shirt isn’t the style you wish it were. You may even see that you don’t look like someone else and judge that since they look beautiful you must not.  I’m not saying that those things don’t matter because they do, but only a little bit. As daughters of God we represent him both in what we think, say and do and how we look. However, some of the things we like least or like most about our outward appearance are only distractions from who we really are.  It’s very hard to look past the mirror and see what’s real. But, even though you may not see it, you can feel it and, if you listen closely, you can hear it. Through the Holy Ghost, Heavenly Father will tell you.  

And, when you hear and feel it, it will illuminate you in a way that is so real and so profound that it will be undeniably visible to others. Part of what they will see is your smile, and you’ll be smiling a lot! You may still only hear and feel the light, but others will see and be guided to it. It’s the best make-up in the universe! And, only those who look past the mirror can wear it. I hope that this time at camp is a time where mirrors only help you get the dirt off and that your true beauty is evidenced in the light that comes from knowing who you really are and living like that person really should live. I hope that you will grow that light daily and carry it with you at all times and in all things and in all places.

I love you and can hardly wait to see and feel your light again in a few days.

Sis Chris

More Music for Singing Trees

Bring a coat to camp!!
 And remember that eating icicles will make you cold.

Thanks to all who collaborated on writing the words to this Owl City parody! I'm posting this for posterity and for those who want to practice before camp. We'll have to revise the count in the first verse, because there are actually eight of you.

Fireflies Camp Song
You would not believe your world
if seven young First Ward girls
all froze to death at girls camp this year
'cause we turned to icicles.
Just seven girl-sicles
and we might die but we won't live in fear.


CHORUS
'Cause we'd like to make ourselves believe
that pretty soon we can leave,
but we'd like to say that it's nice to stay,
because our cabin's like a home,
so the First Ward's partying at Mia Shalom [echo: Mia Shalom].


Left our door open just a crack
[don't take us away from here],
now we're just frozen maniacs
[don't take us away from here],
but we won't cry or beg or plead
[don't take us away from here],
'cause the spirit's too warm to let us freeze [echo: freeze X3].


CHORUS

Music for Singing Trees

http://ge.tt/4xi5SGI/v/0

This is the link to the pdf for the hymn that we are doing for singing trees on Wednesday, June 6th. We'll practice again next Sunday. We'll do just the melody lines in the duet part (Be Still My Soul and Where Can I Turn for Peace sung together).

Happy 100th Birthday to YW Camp

The church has posted some fun history of YW camp, including old songs, recipes, and certification requirements. Look here: 100 Years of YW Camp

What do you think about reinstating the following requirement from the 1915 manual and letting Sis. Chris rest peacefully with a book in a hammock?

“Without help or advice, do all the camp cooking for one day, for four or more persons. Get the wood; furnish suitable character and amounts of food; write the menu, quantities and price of food.”

Only one more week 'til camp!!