June 21 through June 28th. I was so excited to go to girls camp for a week, the car was loaded and I was ready to go. I got in the car to start it up... nothing. Benjamin came out to give the car a jump... nothing. We were going to switch cars and I was going to take Benjamin's van but it was chock full of bags we were going to donate to the DI thrift store and it is just not that reliable of a car. So I said we need to petition the Lord for this car to work. People were counting on us and I needed to drive a bunch of girls up the mountain. Benjamin said a prayer. We had gratitude for our cars and for the opportunity that I had to serve for a week at girls camp. He then said we needed the car to work. He said amen and we went outside to try again. It worked! The 1st miracle of the week. Up at camp I was so excited to go on a 3 day 2 night backpacking hike. There was a girl in my group that was struggling really bad so I offered to carry her pack. I carried that pack for 9 miles and it felt like nothing, the Lord lightened my load, 2nd Miracle. This young woman on the third day of our hike carried her pack all the way back to camp, a 3 mile hike that I think testified to her that she was indeed strong enough, 3rd Miracle.When I was packing to go to camp I happened to pass by the pile of clothes to donate, on a whim I grabbed a pair of jeans I was going to donate and put them in my pack. At camp I was talking to a Young woman who only has one pair of jeans she didn't want to break the rules and wear shorts but her jeans were filthy from the 3 day hike. I said hey I got an extra pair, she is the same size as me, same weight, I gave her my extra pair and told her to keep them because I was going to donate them anyway. I was so happy I grabbed that pair of jeans, the Lord knew her need and I got to be His hands! 4th Miracle.
At camp during personal scripture study, I made the connection that; afflictions + consecration = deliverance. When I carried that girls pack I kept thinking this was a huge affliction for the girl, I will consecrate my ability to carry her pack and we will both be delivered, and we were! She consecrated her best efforts and on the final day she did it, huge victory. This week I have made 3 columns in my scripture journal and have noted when people have gone through afflictions and what they have consecrated and what they are asked to consecrate and I especially have noted passages on their deliverance. Our family scripture that we all memorized this month (even Parkin!) was "But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance. We are chosen when we choose to follow the Savior and consecrate our hearts and actions to help others.
I can't wait for my independence day, it will come maybe sooner than I expect!
Lessons learned in June:
1) This month I am trying to not be angry about my situation/ circumstances. I am focusing on how I can consecrate my efforts to be worthy of deliverance. 2 Nephi 4:29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.
2) Always return people's things. If you brake it, fix it. If you borrow it, return it. If someone leaves something behind, hunt them down and give it back. Because I am on a strict budget everything I own has a great value, I don't want to replace what I already have so I must treat other's property with that same respect.I will assume they are on their last dime and that their things are very precious to them no matter how small.
Loved camp, love this lady! What a blast we had. I have such confidence in the future women of the church our young women are amazing!
