Especially For Youth

Efy was amazing. Everything was perfect. If perfection were possible July 14-19 would have hit the spot. I had the best group ever and the best councilors ever! Our group name was No Temptation. The theme this year was Steady and Sure going along with this scripture in the Book of Mormon:

Mosiah 5:15

Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in ^agood works, that Christ, the ^bLord God Omnipotent, may ^cseal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who ^dcreated all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.

I love this especially "Be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his". It's so beautiful and true. I learned at efy that reading my scriptures and saying more personal prayers was how I could become steadfast and immoveable but most of all looking to Christ.

A quick run down on efy: Monday-Check-in, orientation, Family Home Evening. Tuesday- Classes, Dance. Wednesday-Classes, game night, cheer-off (which No Temptation won by the way), pizza night. Thursday-Young Men and Young separate for meetings, Variety show (Nathan, Alec, Mark, Marisa, Luke, Jake, and I all participated), fireside, testimony meeting. Friday-Service activity, For the Strength of Youth activity, Taking it Home, dance. Saturday-check-out, drive home, miss efy so much.

Zion is described as "the pure in heart". This week at efy we talked about how efy could be a Zion of we made it so. We had to be of "one heart and one mind and [dwell] in righteousness" and leave no one behind. I believe my group accomplished that and much more and if that's what this world will be like after Christ comes again then I want to be there. That means that I must be righteous and follow my Father in Heave 100%. If He says go on a mission then I will. If He says to keep my body, language, and thoughts pure then I will. If he tells me to study his word then I will. One of the main things I learned is that I MUST study the scriptures everyday or else I can not stand steadfast and immovable against the adversary and the world. I know that Christ is the savior of the world. I don't just believe it, I know it. But I have also learned to have a great love for everyone. I struggled to love some people in the past but this week I have seen such a change some of my best friends that I no longer can deny that the light of Christ is in everyone. He loves everyone I now know more than ever that he will prepare a way for everyone to come back to Him if we accept Him.

Youth Conference

From July 10 to July 12 I was at a weekend youth program in the church that we call Youth Conference. This one was a regional one and youth from IL, IN, KY, and maybe MO (not sure) were there and we had a blast. We did a service project. I pulled weeds (and got three blisters from it). Others picked up trash on the side of the road and other things. We also had two dances. The last of which was the best dance I've ever been too and a good way to end my stay in the church youth program. We also had four classes that were all exceptionally good. We also played Ultimate Frisbee for probably 2 hours. That was definitely fun. Before we left on Saturday we had a 3 hour testimony meeting and it was so wonderful. Many people bore there testimonies of Christ and I especially liked when two guys who were not Mormon stood up and bore their testimony on how they felt welcome and special with us LDS youth. It was wonderful! Saturday night when we got home we were exhausted!

Kevin's Summer

We'll my summer has been somewhat unpredictable. First the family went to Nauvoo then I repacked and went to Chicago with the Jazz band. We received a superior rating and I received best soloist! We saw Wicked a musical about the Witches of Oz and we also went to the Shed Aquarium. The award ceremony was at 6 Flags which was a blast. After that I was supposed to start a job but that fell through Monday morning so I started looking for a job and decided at the last minute to go to scout camp for a couple of days since I wasn't doing anything before going to my cousin Jana's wedding. Since then I have continued to look for a job and I have worked on things here at home impatiently waiting for Youth Conference and Especially For Youth (both are church camps that the LDS church puts on). The Youth here in Vincennes (and Mark from Jasper) are doing an act for the Variety Show at EFY and we have been practicing for that.