Are you SURE you prayed about this?

I lost count at 20 years of girls camp, 5 different camps in 3 different states, and I recall all the fond memories of my experiences as a young woman, youth camp leader, ward camp specialist, ward camp director, stake camp director, stake camp-music specialist, stake YW counselor… I think that about covers it. Ah, the memories of flag ceremonies, "singing in the trees", value colors, amphitheater, certification, waterfront, “the lone pine”, A-frame cabins, hot sweaty hikes, air-mattress-beds, wet-wipe-baths, greasy hair, mosquito-bitten flesh, sunburned ears….hmmm.

I lovingly packed away all the 3-inch binders years ago. Chuckling softly to myself as I recalled every grain of dirt and drop of rain, I boxed up the tab-filled binders, each one representing an adventure-filled week of my summer. I placed the boxes on the shelves in my dark basement as I just knew that one day, when my granddaughters grew into young women, my very own daughter would be following in my footsteps as a YW leader and would want to glean from my vast knowledge (a YW value, value-color-green, in case you didn’t know). Five years later, the dust has accumulated and the stacks of clutter have hidden the boxes from view but still they remain in the dark basement, waiting for my daughter to carry them back up to the light.

Meanwhile, I have been enjoying a cushy, flying-under-the-radar life as a BYU Bishop’s wife, imagining my life was perfect. So, consider my surprise when on Tuesday this past week, I was summoned to the Stake President’s office and heard these unimaginable words, “We are re-organizing the stake YW presidency and board; your name has been submitted, and we would like to extend a call for you to serve as our new Stake Camp Director.” An audible groan escaped my throat before I could stop it. I pulled my jaw back into place after it had fallen to the table, and my thoughts turned to the one magnificent lady I knew was perfect to fill the role as new Stake YW President; I quickly dismissed the idea of her though as I thought, "Nah, it wouldn't be Debbie; surely she recalls the more-than-a-few dialogues about our combined girls camp experiences...and we're FRIENDS after all, right?"

So a few days have gone by, and I know the right way to feel is, "I'm so grateful for your confidence in me!'...and I'm getting there, really! But alas, this camp-weary grandma, who just wants to ride on the back of her hubby's Harley to our next BYU activity, can't help but wonder, "I love, LOVE, love you Debbie, but are you SURE you prayed about this? Because I love, LOVE, love NOT camping!"