"Extreme Makeover" Youth Conference Style

I was super lucky this weekend and got to be a leader at youth conference. It is always a privilage and so much fun to spend time with the youth of the stake. We gathered at the Live Oak Christmas Tree Farm. Set up our tents...and yes, Paul had to come and set up ours because I was not having great success. Brother Brice and his helpers provided a great meal as always. We had 3 speakers. One was on faith. How you have to have faith to overcome trials and to have faith that things can be "madeover." The next speaker was very powerful, she spoke on sharing. Sharing your wonderful self with others, opening your mouth and sharing the gospel, sharing the peace and the power that comes because of the gospel. And the 3rd was a man that is a plastic surgeon. He spoke of how he gets patients that have actually gone through the make-over process BEFORE they come to him. Many of his patients loose over a 100 pounds and they come to him to get the stretched out skin taken off. But he let us know that they have already made the important changes in the way the live their lives. And that is what we need to do...make ourselves over...make improvements that will be life long changes and not quick fixes. I am grateful for the powerful messages these wonderful people shared with us.

Next was a dance under the stars. It was lots of fun for most. One boy finally danced with a girl that he has admired for 2 years...they are both seniors and this was pretty much his last chance before they go to college. The photographer got a great picture and so that moment has been caputred forever. There are always those at the stake dances that have a good time no matter what..they make it great for themselves and those around them. Then there are those that expect people to make it great for them. And there are others who will not have a good time no matter what. I feel sad for those kids....where ever you go, have a good time, be happy, be the kind of person people want to be around. I had a fun time watching these kids interact, be kind to eachother and just have a good time.

We all slept in tents, had breakfast, we all had on our lime green extreme makeover shirts on and off we went into Redlands to do service. We layed sprinklers, pulled out trees, cleaned up some orange groves, layed 5500 sq ft of sod, played bingo with the elderly, painted playground equipement, and on and on. These kids worked hard. We ate lunch at a park, and then back to finish all the service. When all was done we headed back to the farm to eat dinner, have a testimony meeting and finish things up with a slide show. It was wonderful to see these youth being so supportive of eachother, to cheer eachother on, to be strengthened by eachother and to see testimonies grow. The gospel is so beautiful. I feel so blessed to have been a part of it. I also feel blessed that Kellie didn't complain...because they put her in my family. She could have easily demanded a switch, but she went with it and had a good time. I am super grateful my girls don't mind me being around.

Another highlight of the weekend is having Holly, Caleb and Jack come from Utah. Having Shelley, Rick and Jett come from Pasadena. And to see every one enjoy eachother. It will feel complete when Julie comes June 10th. To cap off this great weekend Carlie graduated from seminary Sunday night. She was part of the choir and also sang in a quartet and did a great job.