I Made it to the Top!!!

Ok so here is my latest adventure. Five months ago I received the calling I have always dreaded-Girls Camp Director!!! Wow- I was trying to find a way to move, get really sick, have a baby, go on a 3month vacation, or have a child get married so I could gracefully bow out. Since none of these options materialized I decided I would just have to dig in and learn how to be a camp director. My first decision was to have the girls go on a hike in the Teton Mountains. Now their are little wimpy hikes and their are moderately difficult hikes and their are really hard hikes. I decided that we were going to do the Grand Daddy Hike-Table Rock! No pansy hikes for us! I had always wanted to do this hike and so now I had the opportunity to inflict my goal on others and make them suffer as well. So I started to prepare, I lifted weights and ran stairs and thought I was doing pretty well until we decided to climb the Butte mountain here in Rexburg. I was pathetic! I was huffing and puffing and really out of shape. I thought -Oh great, Table Rock is only 20 times longer and a lot steeper- no problem for this iron woman. It became necassary to increase my efforts to get in shape and that I did. I ran and ran some more and did 12 sets of running stairs instead of 6. The day of girls camp finally came and I have to admit I was scared. What if I didnt make it to the top. What if I made a fool of myself. What if I died on the trail. Well the first 4 miles were beautiful and not to hard. Wild flowers and waterfalls everywhere! Crossing streams and almost ending my hike because one of my shoes started floating away and a quick young woman grabbed it before it was hopelessly lost in the current. The last 2 miles of the hike were very steep and rocky. The best strategy for me was to just put my head down and keep moving. The goal seemed so far away and impossible but I just thought baby steps, just keep moving. The last few yards were pretty straight up and you used your hands to keep going up. A few of the young women were on top and they kept yelling encouragement to those of us below. It was very inspiring. Well I finally pulled myself on top and it was BEAUTIFUL! You could see forever- the Tetons were so close it felt like you could reach out and touch them. Wow! It truly was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. We had 22 girls make it to the top along with 25 adults from the ward. It was a great bonding experience.
I learned that as we persevere in doing hard things that great blessings will follow. If something is hard, dig in keep trying, pray for help, and the joy and blessings will come. I believe this is a true principle of life and part of our Heavenly Father's plan.
I love you all and I'm so proud of you all and the good lives you lead. I'm so glad I get to be with you all forever.
Love The Mom or Honey (Tate's new name for me!)