Our Second Week

     The pace is picking up!  We were busier this week and it was fun.  I'll give a day by day recap.  This isn't everything but I'll give you the highlights.  I hope it isn't too much but life here is very full.

Monday, April 23 - We took the time, after prayer meeting, to clean the cabin and do laundry.  It took us about 1 hour to clean the entire cabin.  We visited Challenge Course 1 (there are 5 challenge courses with varying activities) with Elder Edwards, he and his wife are the Team Leaders for Challenge Courses.

OH MY GOODNESS,  It took my breath away when we saw the zip line.  You are harnessed and climb a 30 foot notched log which is free hanging.  In other words it swings while you climb.  When you reach the top you cross on a 50 foot, half inch cable to what is called the eagles nest.  (top center of the picture) The eagles nest is a platform which measures approximately 3 foot square.  NO sides JUST out in the open!!!!  From the eagles nest you hold on and zip line about 50 yards until you come to a stop and climb down a ladder to the blessed ground.

Smith Pavilion

Monday evening was a Family Home Evening social in the large indoor pavilion in Camp Smith.  We call it, therefore, the Smith Pavilion.  It is used often for gatherings and I will probably mention it often.  All 68 couples were in attendance plus the Stake Priesthood leaders, Camp Leadership, Young Women Leaders with the responsibility for Heber Valley Camp and Brother Leetch, a member of the Seventy.  There was so much visiting and laughing it was hard to hear and be heard.   Everyone is so happy and enthusiastic.

Tuesday, April 24 we met at the Timberlake Chapel (off the mountain) at 8 am and began our Mini-MTC (Missionary Training Conference)  It went until 5 pm with an hour break for lunch and ending with a delicious dinner.  We listened to talks by nine leadership people and basically learned A LOT about HVC.   One of my favorite quotes was:

 "When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes a quest, in that moment God will endow us with power"   Pres. Ezra Taft Benson

Moving "Toxic" Waste - Can't spill a drop.

Wednesday, April 25 was so much fun.  All morning we learned simple challenge course games.  They require team work and thought and we accomplished what seemed impossible.  Can't wait to share them when we get home.  In the afternoon we moved from classroom to classroom and started learning about different assignment possibilities.   This continued through Thursday also.  The possibilities are:

Physical Facilities and Property Management, 

Challenge Course, 

Camp Hosting, 

Support Services, 

Legacy Lake, 

Service Projects, 

and 

Public Health and Safety.   

They all are busy assignments and essential to running the camp each day.  Needless to say, our brains were buzzing by Thursday evening when we received our assignment.     
Gulp, Challenge Course.  WOW!  We will work with 50 girls each AM and PM Monday - Thursday.  On the weekends we will work with families.   I may spend my summer in the eagles nest helping terrified young women go down the zip line.  And Mike will, most likely, belay.  This adds a new meaning to challenge.
We are so excited to have this assignment.  We will work with girls and help them to see their potential and to rise above their fears and, hopefully, return home with more confidence in themselves and faith in their Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Friday, April 27 we woke up to an inch of snow and spent the morning with EMTs learning about 911, First Aid and CPR, burns, breaks, shock, heart attacks (AEDs)  With 5,000 individuals a week (girls, leaders and families) we will, without a doubt, encounter some of these.  Please pray for the safety of those who visit Heber Valley Camp.

Saturday, April 28 they scheduled a full day of ATV training and we felt we had enough experience that we, instead, spent the day in Salt Lake City with Sheri, George, Ella, Preston and Benson. We visited the new City Creek Mall and Temple Square.

 Saturday evening was Benson's First Birthday Party in Draper.   Serving a mission and being with family.   It doesn't get better than that.

Sunday, April 29 we met for church in Heber City from 10 am - 1 pm.  I have been called to be the Relief Society Pianist.  I can handle that.  In fact, I really enjoy it.
At 3:00 we all met at the Smith Pavilion for the weekly potluck.  With so many good cooks and delicious dishes we need to be very careful.  Hopefully, calories burn faster at higher altitudes.
We're heading out on an ATV ride.

Our first week

   We left St. George at 9:30 am Saturday, April 15.  We haven't been warm since but expect that to change soon.  We drove in heavy snow until Parowan and then the weather moderated to rain, and turned to partly sunny by the time we stopped for lunch in Filmore.  Joe was following us about two hours later and drove approximately 20 mph in heavy snow.  The storm must have been behind us and right on top of Joe.

   We arrived at Heber Valley camp at 3:00 pm.  They, the camp management team, were in the process of installing a new mattress in our cabin!  Our cabin is very cozy.  We have all the room we need and the new mattress is very comfortable.

   We have a very nice kitchen and I love cooking in it.  I had to adjust to not having a disposal (I'm so spoiled) but don't miss the dish washer.  I kind of enjoy doing dishes and Mike is starting to enjoy it too.

   Our kitchen table seats 6!  We were invited to dinner by our next door neighbors, Elder & Sis Edwards along with our other next door neighbors, Elder & Sis. Lueck.  Not a lot of extra space but we sat and visited after dinner for a couple of hours.  Both couples are here for their second season and had lots of experiences to share with us.
Sunday was church in Heber City and a quiet afternoon.
Monday we helped around the camp but not many missionaries had arrived except for the Team Leaders.

   Tuesday and Wednesday we helped the McCurrys sort, fold, and organize the camp uniforms.  T-shirts, sweatshirts, and coats.  It was a huge job.  Each couple receives approximately 5-6 t-shirts, shirts sweatshirts and etc.  With 68 couples of varying sizes it was a daunting assignment for Elder & Sis. McCurry.  I'm glad we could help them.  We also alphabetized the 3-ring binders that each missionary couple received.

   We drove into Heber City and Provo a few times to stock our cabin during the week.
   On Thursday we did just about nothing except attend prayer meeting.  Did you know that you need to adjust to different altitudes?  Moving this high from St. George kind of took the wind out of my sails.  Other missionaries have experienced the same thing so it's not because I'm a wimp.
   Friday morning at 11 am we had our interview with "the big guys", officially know as the Managing Directors or Priesthood Leaders for the camp.  They were so kind and welcoming.  We will find out our assignments for this season next Friday.  They will pray and ponder and we will receive the assignment Heavenly Father wants for us.  Everyone we talk to who was here last season emphatically tells us their assignment was the best.

 Saturday morning we took a short ATV ride and went to Legacy Lake to help unload and store the new canoes for this season.  Can you find Elder Guisinger in the picture?  

The Elders did the work and the Sisters visited and got to know each other.  We have met so many friendly, wonderful couples.

They are all enthusiastic and ready to serve! 

   Sunday will be the seventh day of the week in my blog.  A day of rest and spiritual growth and potluck dinners.  If you have any good potluck recipes - especially, but not limited to salads - I'd appreciate an email.
We've been invited to ATV to the gravel pit this evening.  It's "getting close to nature and taking time to appreciate the beautiful creations all around us".  LOVE THIS MISSION!!