Youth Conference '10

I got to chaperone Youth Conference again this year. I love doing it - it's so much fun, especially with a great group of youth like we have now. There was not a bad apple in the bunch! It really made my job a whole lot easier.

Youth Conference is a bit abbreviated now, only being one night, but it starts bright and early at 7:00a.m. sharp on Friday morning and goes non-stop all day until midnight when a strict lights-out curfew is expected, then up again reporting at 8:00a.m. the next morning.

We were family Nine - and we rocked!

Friday was spent at Fulcrum Adventures in Malibu which was a ton o'fun. What was even more unique is that the Fulcrum leaders expected all adults to fully participate. They said you never know when a youth will connect with that one person. I fully expected to just be on the look out, but was knee deep in the adventure!

The beautiful wildflowers on the walk back from the beach (where we had our first team building exercise).

The Ropes Course. You had to climb a ladder and walk across the tight rope. The point is that it's much easier to accomplish the feat when you ask for help, and also help your partner. Everyone had to work together and to TRUST. Very important when you're dangling 50 feet in the air.

This was the Giant Ladder. Let me tell you, it's not easy hoisting yourself up on swinging wood beams (that are NOT padded and have sharp corners), but I did make it all the way to the top. I could not have done it without the help of my partner (co-chaperone Susan) and advice from my family down below. It was a team effort!

The descent was fun! But accomplishing something I did not think was possible, especially wearing very restrictive jeans, was quite exhilarating! I was very sore for a couple of days, especially my forearms from utilizing muscles that are often neglected. And let me tell you . . . I have some bruises! I kept finding more two days later. I seriously looked like I went on a honeymoon with Edward.

It was worth it and a very fun adventure. The highlight of course is the testimony meeting at the end of the conference which reaffirms my faith in the future generation. Our youth rock!