Thursday night when we got home, everyone was pretty wiped out.  We had planned a campfire night but the girls ( and leaders) just didn't have it in us to do it.  We opted for manicures and pedicures.  We had a little blow up pool for them to soak their feet in and they were all cute to paint each other's nails.

 The next morning we had planned to go out on Strawberry and fish and boat.  Kelley and Rick left early to get the boat from over at the slip, then Rick was going to launch Marks boat and drive over with Kelley.  We were doing breakfast and cleaning up at the cabin while we were waiting for them.  We waited and waited and didn't hear anything so I text Kelley.  He said Marks boat wasn't running at all and his boat was running really rough.  He said he was afraid he wouldn't be able to make it to the Soldier Creek side. Everyone was really bummed.  We talked about it with the girls and decided there must be a reason we weren't supposed to be out on the lake that day.  We said a prayer, asking for protection and help for the men trying to dock the two boats in the wind with no power.  

We started making our washer stamp necklaces while we were trying to come up with a plan B for the day.  It was pretty tricky to hammer the stamps without them slipping but after a lot of trial and error, we went for it.  I think the girls had fun doing them.  They turned out really cute.  I was sure grateful for Charity's help. She  has a real calming effect on everyone took my stress level down at least ten notches.    Stacey went down to the marina to see if there were any fun hikes or  beaches we could try .  They suggested going over to Aspen Grove cause they have a nicer beach over there.  

By this time the Bishop and Jerry and Dave had shown up.  They went over to help the men at the Strawberry dock. I guess it was pretty rough.  They didn't have much to say about it when they got back, just looked really frazzled.They brought back all the life jackets off the boats so the girls could use them over at the aspen grove beach.  We loaded up and headed over there.  

The girls just jumped right in (thank goodness it was a hot day cause the water was pretty cold!) and had fun swimming over to the little island.  

The fishermen got all the gear out and helped the girls that had gotten their fishing license.  It was pretty windy so that made it kind of challenging but I think they had fun anyway.  Kelley was sweet with Mary E.  She wanted to fish so bad and really kept trying and trying.  (didn't leave the line in the water long enough for a fish to have a chance of biting it, but she got the casting down pat!)

Stacey went back to the cabin early to start getting things ready for our spiritual activity.  She had gotten letters from different  ladies in the ward with encouraging words about getting to the temple.  They also had a letter from their parent that was more personal.    When we got back, we drove around to find a little walk for the girls to take where we placed these different signs.  Stacey had made them so cute with  our theme "Anchor yourself to Christ"

We gave all the girls a journal that they could write their thoughts in as we walked along.  Stacey had made these other signs that had all the  ways the girls had listed that they thought they could Anchor in Christ.

 We handed out the letters, then gave the girls some time alone to read them and write in their journals.

 As we walked back to the cabin, the sun was just setting.  It was really beautiful.

When we got back to the cabin, the men had set up this cool temple scene with a picture of Christ and there was nice music playing for them to listen to.  We all sat and enjoyed the music while they wrote in their journals some more, then we walked across the road to the neighbors (who have an amazing fire pit and offered to have us come for our testimony meeting) and we got the fire going.  

                           It was such a beautiful evening.  The stars were all so bright and clear.  It was wonderful to just sit and stare at the sky.

 The girls bore sweet testimonies. They really opened up and shared their hearts.  Even two girls who are not members of the church that came shared their feelings.  Its  pretty cool to see how the girls are touched by the spirit.  Just being in this amazing setting makes you feel so close to Heavenly Father.       It was pretty special night and the spirit was strong.  I hope the special feeling will stay with them as they remember this special night.