I Danced in It

Wow, it's already June 12th!?  I haven't written in so long!  Actually it makes sense though, because I've had a long week and a half of Youth Conference and Engineering State at USU.  Both were such amazing experiences. 

I am so grateful that I went to Youth Conference.  The experiences I had there are near indescribable and I felt like I grew so much there.  My favorite activity that they had there was a Tree of Life activity based on the Book of Mormon.  We were guided by a man in white clothing and encouraged to stick to the strait and narrow path that leads to the Tree of Life which is symbolic of the Love of God and of Jesus Christ.  As we were led, it felt like being inside of a movie as spotlights would land on Book of Mormon characters such as Samuel the Lamanite and Nephi, son of Helaman.  As we progressed there were signs with scriptures describing the journey we were going on and different paths appeared that would lead us away from the path we were going on like the Path of Fear, the Path of Fame, the Path of Fun, and the Path of Doubt.  We continued on our path and passed through a strait and narrow gate.  There was fog and mist, and eventually we came to a rope that led up a steep hill (seriously at a 60 degree angle) that was representative of the rod of iron that we must hold fast to.  It was really hard to climb up the hill.  The dirt would shift under my feet, but I made it to the top.  And that was the best part.  There were so many people there to guide us to the tree, dressed in heavenly, perfect white.  I could see the tree so bright ahead of me and as I got there I was greeted and hugged by people I knew and loved.  I was overwhelmed with such an amazing feeling as I thought to myself "I made it".  This is true happiness.  I was able to go and take a light from the tree, that symbolizes the fruit on the tree.  In that instance, I finally understood more fully why Lehi wanted his family to come to the tree, because I wanted my family and my friends to be there feeling that wonderful love that I was feeling.  I saw all the lights out there in the city and wanted so badly for everyone to feel this message.  I cried, wanting so badly for everyone to be able to feel of God's love like I was feeling so strongly at that moment.  It was absolutely beautiful.  I caught a vision of missionary work, and what the whole purpose was.  If you would like to read Lehi's vision, it is found in the Book of Mormon in the 1st book of Nephi.  It is relatable to everyone's life and has a great message for everyone.

Engineering State was also so much fun.  I got to try out so many new things like circuit boards, bridge building, computer coding, and got to tour labs like the synthetic lab and space dynamics lab at USU.  I loved being able to learn more!  It was so fun!  The people there were so nice.  I did feel a little awkward at some points though, because there were some girls who were absolutely boy crazy.  They were trying non stop to have a hand hold, or have an opportunity to flirt with some of the guys.  Every little thing a guy did, they way over dramatized.  I was left in awe.  Those poor guys.  It was awkward because I would try to make better friends with these guys, and later the girls would bombard me with questions like "Which guy do you like?  Do you like So and So?  You and him were talking and looked like you like each other."  And they kept trying to push me into the arms of guys I didn't even know at the dance on the last night.  I was polite, but honestly, although those guys were nice to get to know, I can't possibly like a guy in that way, that I've only known for three days.  You just can't really know a person in that short of a time.  I like having lots of time to get to know people, and not get pushed into  a situation like that so suddenly.  It doesn't make sense to me.  They were completely infatuated with these boys they most likely will never see again.  At the women's lunch panel they brought up boys again, and I completely shrunk back.  I was embarrassed for them, because it was all so silly and giggly.  I tried to bring up some questions about engineering at appropriate times.  Finally one girl said "So who do you like?  I saw you talking with David yesterday."  And I said immediately, "David is a nice guy, but I don't even really know him.  It's been great getting to know so many people out here though.  It's nice to make new friends."  And they suddenly realized I wasn't as into the "boy" part of engineering camp as they were.  Was it ever a part?  I guess it was, just not for me. Yep.


Anyway, it rained today and I danced in it.  I slept for two hours on the car ride home.  I'm loving being with my family tonight.  It's a beautiful day.  What or who do you love?