Stake Young Women's

My heart is full of love for these women:

I have worked for the past year and a half in the Stake Young Women's program with them.  Left to right: Andrea (1st counselor), me (secretary), Gay (president) and Cathy (2nd counselor)  This photo was taken at the end of our amazing week at Milestones to Christ.  We spent a whole week with 100 of the Laurels in our stake learning about the Savior and His infinite atonement.

While at Milestones to Christ, we did a impromptu service project.  Our group chose to go to a rest home to visit the residents there.  All the residents were in "brain therapy" except for Betty (pictured with the girls above), whom they allowed us to visit.  Betty is an amazing woman.  Her husband died when she was a young mother and she raised 5 kids on her own.  She put herself through school and then taught home economics at the high school in Manti for nearly 30 years. She was full of wisdom.  She counseled the girls that life will be hard and that you have to decide now how strong your testimony is and what you will do when you face adversity.
 

A couple of days after we got home, a sweet laurel anonymously brought me a bouquet of roses with a thoughtful thank you card.  She has no idea how much this means to me.

I am so blessed to have had this opportunity to serve the young women in our stake with the women that I have.  I have learned and grown so much from the people whom I have served and served with.

UPDATE:

About two weeks after Milestones to Christ, we learned that we were being released from our callings.  It was rough as we loved what we did.  We had a dinner get together at Gay's cabin where we talked about all of our experiences and our favorite memories.

 I LOVE these women.  I have learned so much from them and created such a quick bond with them.  They helped strengthen my testimony and to help me realize some of my potential.  They will always hold a special place in my heart.

Our official releasing.  Here we are pictured with the High Councilman that we worked with, Rob Smith.  What a terrific experience that made me grow way outside of my comfort zone and that taught me so much.