LDS Motion Picture Studio--South Campus

A couple of weeks ago we had the opportunity to go to the LDS Motion Picture Studio South Campus which was basically created to for the New Testament Film Project.

It is located in Goshen, Utah.

This was a combined YM/YW mutual activity.  Rick was working, so I  brought Cole along.  Sierra was with us, but unfortunately Summer couldn't come.  I really wish that they could have scheduled this 4 hour activity a few weeks earlier before school started.  It was unfortunate that so many of the older youth could not come.

As part of the activity, we helped clear out the weeds from around this pump house.

They were nasty tumbleweeds and they were almost waist high when we started.

Then, we got to go over to the set.

This is where the manger scene was filmed.

It's usually quite windy and there are lots of mosquitos, but this evening was practically perfect without any wind or bug.  And the sunset was amazing.

Most of the bricks are actually styrofoam.

And, then my battery died in my camera and the rest of my pictures were taken with my phone.

Towards the west end of the set is the Garden area

Garden of Gethsemane

This was pretty amazing, as well.  I kept trying to manage the youth and get them to take turns standing near the crosses so that those of us with cameras could take pictures without random kids, but chaos prevailed.  

Brother Sundstrom, from our ward, was our guide and had some pretty amazing stories about this place.

They begin each day of work/filming with prayer.

Meticulous attention has been given to the details of the set and the portrayal of the events.

Hollywood filmmakers have contacted the Church to rent the set for various projects, but the Church has denied any of them the chance to use it.  Maybe because of the non-profit status.

Brother Sundstrom doesn't know for sure, but he really hopes that they can use this set for Book of Mormon movies, as well.  There would have to be some modifications to the set, of course.

I did manage this shot without people in it.  

The white rocks in this area were hauled in from the hills to the east of Manti.

These 2 pictures were taken from the room where the Last Supper was filmed.  It was tiny and dark, so this is the best I could do with a phone camera.

So, here is a link to the videos:  LDS Bible Videos

Young Women Camp 2014

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Girls Camp

So, exciting to go with my own 2 (3) girls.

I was doubtful that I would be going to girls camp this year 

(because of last year's drama) and because I have been in YW for quite a few years.  I was the secretary and then I got released.  They called me to be the Laurel Advisor.  I was thrilled, but I still thought it was a weird move to stay in Young Womens.  I took it as an opportunity to get to know the girls better by acting like I was one of them!! Which was fine because there were 15 adults at camp and not everyone can be in charge, right?  I left that to the other leaders to duke it out for the chance to make all of the calls, I was just along for the ride.  And it was a great ride...

Here we are at the Church waiting to leave.  And waiting.  And waiting.

First stop:  Cove Fort.  We washed the windows for our service project.  Do you see all of those windows?  yep, our "Service Project" took approximately 4 seconds.  But, it was still fun.  I love Cove Fort.

Lunch at Cove Fort (I think this was my favorite meal of the whole camp)

Next stop:  Freemont Indian State Park.

We camped at Freemont Indian State Park.  It was OK.  If you like rocks, sage brush, dirt, lots of sun, and the sound of I-70 traffic lulling you to sleep at night.

These are some of my fun girls that I got to hang out with (even though we weren't supposed to climb on the rocks!).  (Where were Sierra & Ellie??)

Summer is obsessed with starting fires.  Do you see her camp book out so that she makes sure she is doing it correctly?  This may be the only bit of certification that was done at camp.  Way to go Summer.

Summer and Lexi

And the Bacon.  with a fork.

Shelby was traumatized by the squirrel lurking around her tent.

It peaked when she realized that said squirrel had a bite of her gum...through the wrappers, and through the plastic bag that was sitting on her pillow.  She was convinced that the squirrel peed on her pillow.  I might have taken some raisins from the trails mix, cut them into tiny pieces to make it look like squirrel poop.  (apparently I had too much free time...)

All of the happy campers.  plus a few grumpy ones.

I was in charge of certification.  Shelby and I planned a hike for the level 1 and level 2 girls.

We used the map that the State Park provided.  It was supposed to be 5 miles.

The map was a joke.  We basically ended up walking 2 miles along the freeway, crossed under the freeway, found a shortcut and walked 2 miles back.  It was awful.  We had packed our lunches to eat along the way (part of certification).   But, other leaders determined that the hike was taking too long and we didn't have time to stop and eat.  What??  No time to eat???  We had to get back to camp for horseback riding.

The following day, Brother Olson and I took a smaller group of girls on a hike around the museum.  It was really fun.  Less than 2 miles and we saw tons of rock art.

 Sierra found some rock art near our camp.

Lots and lots of rock art near the museum.

Sierra and Shelby

You know the girls have too much free time when all they can come up with to do is give each other facials and shape their eyebrows.  One of the leaders had a come apart when they found out about it.  oops.  She said, "who in the world is doing that???????"  I calmly said, "My daughter."

So much fun with my girls.  I love them all so much.  Even though camp was chaotic I loved being there and having the opportunity to hang out with these wonderful young women for a few days. So sad that this was Summer and Shelby's last year of YW Camp.  Hopefully I still have a few more years of camping left in me.

Summer, me, Sierra, Shelby

The girls slept most of the way home.  They were tired and hungry.  

We might have stopped at Arby's on the way home for some real food.

Girls camp 5 year recap

2008

We went to Flaming Gorge for Ward Camp.

It was fun.  Our poor camp director had a really hard time delegating.

Therefore it was a 4 day vacation for most of the leaders which resulted in a 4 month recovery for her.

Pretending to faint so the YW could assess the situation.  (all in the name of certification)

There were some questionable food handling practices.

So, we got rid of some of the cheese and other items we were worried about.

(Without said camp directors permission.)

Doreen, me and Rebekah

The Beehive leaders.  We had so much fun in this calling.  I love these ladies to death.

I really miss them both.  why do things have to change?

2009

Stake Camp at the Heber Valley Hilton

I was a 1st year cabin leader with Natalie Card.

It was Summer's first year at camp and here are some of her cute friends.

Alexandra, Summer, Rachel, Lexi, McKenna

Me and Rebekah

Me and Summer

2010

This year I wasn't actually in YW, I was cub master, but thankfully my dear friend, Sadie asked me to come along and be the camp photographer.  So much fun.  

We camped at Pleasant Creek Camp Ground near Boulder Mountain/Capitol Reef.

Summer, level 2

Calf Creek Falls

a picture of me just to prove I was there.

Summer performing at skit night.

Me and Sadie

Right after camp, Sadie asked me to be the Assistant Camp Director.

the fearless leaders

"Pink Panty Hike"

I love this picture of me and Summer at Calf Creek Falls

2011
Back at The Heber Valley Hilton for Stake Camp
This year I was the Level 3 Leader, in charge of all of the level 3 girls and their leaders.
I had so much fun.  It was a lot of hard work and a lot of meetings and planning, but I had the best time ever.  I really loved it.

We had a talent show and Summer brought her guitar and performed, "Who Says?" by Selena Gomez

Getting ready to paddle our canoes on the lake.

Me and Sadie out on the middle of the lake.

We may have broken some rules and made a few phone calls on our cell phones.

On the hike back from the lake, one of the girls dared me to make a snow angel so I did.

It was cold.

Me on the zip line.

Summer performing in the skit.  

Someone dared me to wear this flower on my head.  

My cabin mate 2 years earlier, Natalie.  She was a Level 4 leader with me this year. 

So much fun.  (We were roommates on choir tour, too)  bad pic.  ooops 

2012
Ward Camp at Goblin Valley State Park

Sierra technically was not supposed to go to camp this year.
She was 11 and did not turn 12 until September.
Things were just not working out for our planning and preparations.
I wasn't sure what to do to make everything right for everyone.
Lots of tears were involved.  (plus, our YW's presidents mother died a few days before camp)
I counseled with a stake leader from our ward as well as the ward camp director and Rick and I decided that the best thing to do would be for me to go to camp and take Sierra with me.

This is Shelby.  Pretty much our adopted daughter.  She is a year older than Summer.

Shelby

Ashlyn (my cute little Beehive class president) and her mom, Mundi

At times, I thought that I probably shouldn't have gone to camp.

Too many obstacles and conflicts.

But, I will forever be grateful that I did go to camp because 4 months after camp, my dear friend Mundi passed away.  I am so happy that I had the opportunity to spend a few days with her at camp and hear her beautiful testimony.

Audrey, our YW president, and Mundi

Mundi and Jenny, camp cooks

our fun first year girls learning how to tie knots for certification

working on our temple craft

I may or may not be raiding the food trailer looking for cookies.

Soooo, if you know me at all, you know my drama of being banned from attending camp this year.

(I am still not sure of the exact reason, and I still feel that I was treating incredibly unfairly.

I did meet with a member of the Stake Presidency, but never got any follow-up.)

(Not going to rehash it here.  or anywhere really)

But, I am happy to say that I am totally fine with the whole thing now.

I was ready to give up on the whole thing, Young Women's, church, the whole thing.

But, my husband fought for me behind and the scenes and allowed me to stay with my calling in YW's just a bit longer.  I think it was necessary for closure.  It helped to be so heavily involved in the whole July 24 Celebration 5K.  (that was sooo time consuming, but certainly a good distraction)

I have chopped all my hair off (also necessary when reinventing yourself, I say)

I filled my cup at Education Week last week.  I nearly didn't go.  Just didn't feel up to it.

But, I signed up at the last minute and dragged my sorry butt up to campus.

It was a good thing.  Those darn leaders told me exactly what I needed to hear (and not necessarily what I wanted to hear).

So, school has started, I have been instructed, and I am refreshed and ready to move on with it.

That may or may not include YW.  But either way, I'm good.

But, I am certain that my girls camp era is over.  So, so sad that I don't get to share in that journey with Sierra like I did Summer, but that's life.  and someone else's decision.

Ready for the next adventure.  I just pray to heaven it's not Cub Scouts.