Just a few pictures I had on my phone. Just wanted a share a few :)
Our "Get to bed. Lights out!" face :)
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
EFY 2013: Firm in the Faith
I feel that my Facebook status says a lot of how I felt starting this year of EFY.
It's here. We have been working on this since October. We have poured out blood, sweat and tears into today. We have prayed, fasted, laughed, cried, screamed, hugged and so much more. There are no words to describe how excited I am for these youth to come and spend this week learning just how awesome they are and how much they are loved! I am so blessed to work with the best team a girl could ask for! Our counselors are so awesome and I can't wait for them to experience the joys of this week! So I just have one last thing to say "ALRIGHT ALRIGHT ALRIGHT ALRIGHT ALRIGHT HEY!" #efycalgary2013
Ugh. Even trying to type this post it making me tear up. This was the most incredible week I could have experienced. You have heard me rant on about EFY in a few other posts. I've stated countless times how I was feeling and how excited I was.
It all started on Friday August 2nd 2013. I was done work- had stayed up through the night to make sure everything was ready for me to be gone for 2 weeks. I was exhausted but the excitement was overpowering it. I ran around collecting last minute things for the week- pens/mason jars/candy/ you know the essentials. I cleaned my house as much as I could and headed to the University of Calgary to check out the rooms/ facilities etc to make sure everything was in order. My wonderful friend Jessica Torrie came with me as my Co-coordinator Scott's flight was delayed. Joy. Everything worked out great so I went to meet up with Scott. Now as I talk about the week of EFY I want you to understand a few things. I was lucky enough to see MANY miracles happen. This here is just the first. Scott and I received the names of the youth and counselors. The feeling you get when you receive those names is how I believe a parent must feel when seeing their baby for the first time-except maybe only a third of that love ha-ha. Either way it's intense. First you want your counselors to know that you have been there! You know EXACTLY what it's like for them. You know all the trials they are going to face that week, all the tears they will shed and all the laughs they will share. When seeing the names of the youth the love is overwhelming. All I wanted to do was to hug each and every one of them and thank them. Thank them for coming. Tell them just how excited I was to see them and teach them this week. Anyways- so this is where we have to start pairing the counselors up. You wouldn't believe how hard this is. Are they gonna like each other? Will they get along? Is their boyfriend/girlfriend gonna be jealous? Etc. Thankfully Scott and I were thinking the same and knew it had to start with a prayer. We needed the right amount of guidance for this and would take what we could get :) One hour later the groups were sorted. It was so quick and easy it shocked both of us. Never have I had it go that well. As Scott picked up a males name I would pick up a females name. We would then show each other that we picked and seriously it just worked. It worked so well that we celebrated with food and shopping. Then some of the team- Natalie, Charlotte and Tyrell showed up and it was bed time! (p.s Channelle did show up at some point in the night. Apparently I gave her directions to my house; however I believe I was still asleep as I gave them to her!)
It all started on Friday August 2nd 2013. I was done work- had stayed up through the night to make sure everything was ready for me to be gone for 2 weeks. I was exhausted but the excitement was overpowering it. I ran around collecting last minute things for the week- pens/mason jars/candy/ you know the essentials. I cleaned my house as much as I could and headed to the University of Calgary to check out the rooms/ facilities etc to make sure everything was in order. My wonderful friend Jessica Torrie came with me as my Co-coordinator Scott's flight was delayed. Joy. Everything worked out great so I went to meet up with Scott. Now as I talk about the week of EFY I want you to understand a few things. I was lucky enough to see MANY miracles happen. This here is just the first. Scott and I received the names of the youth and counselors. The feeling you get when you receive those names is how I believe a parent must feel when seeing their baby for the first time-except maybe only a third of that love ha-ha. Either way it's intense. First you want your counselors to know that you have been there! You know EXACTLY what it's like for them. You know all the trials they are going to face that week, all the tears they will shed and all the laughs they will share. When seeing the names of the youth the love is overwhelming. All I wanted to do was to hug each and every one of them and thank them. Thank them for coming. Tell them just how excited I was to see them and teach them this week. Anyways- so this is where we have to start pairing the counselors up. You wouldn't believe how hard this is. Are they gonna like each other? Will they get along? Is their boyfriend/girlfriend gonna be jealous? Etc. Thankfully Scott and I were thinking the same and knew it had to start with a prayer. We needed the right amount of guidance for this and would take what we could get :) One hour later the groups were sorted. It was so quick and easy it shocked both of us. Never have I had it go that well. As Scott picked up a males name I would pick up a females name. We would then show each other that we picked and seriously it just worked. It worked so well that we celebrated with food and shopping. Then some of the team- Natalie, Charlotte and Tyrell showed up and it was bed time! (p.s Channelle did show up at some point in the night. Apparently I gave her directions to my house; however I believe I was still asleep as I gave them to her!)
Saturday August 3rd 2013. Get up. Make a spectacular breakfast for my guest-what can I say, I’m a good host. Finish packing the rest of my stuff. Drive on up to the North Institute building. Start setting up. The nerves are starting to set it. Projector isn’t working- how the heck is the slide show gonna work? Ahh Kurt’s going to fix it. Uh-oh got to go pick up Ben from the airport. Got to take Erin and Charlotte and get the other vehicle. Yup the stress is setting in.
Once we got all of that sorted we raced back to the institute. Pep talks happened and then we opened the doors. I WAS SO EXCITED!! In the room were 34 amazing people. People I had been praying over and hustling to work the session for months! And here they all were to train!! Training went off great. I’m the kind of person that likes to make people laugh. I tried really hard too but I think Scott’s story about him having no tear ducts (true) won that contest J It was a great experience and I knew that in that room I had met some lifelong friends J
Once we got all of that sorted we raced back to the institute. Pep talks happened and then we opened the doors. I WAS SO EXCITED!! In the room were 34 amazing people. People I had been praying over and hustling to work the session for months! And here they all were to train!! Training went off great. I’m the kind of person that likes to make people laugh. I tried really hard too but I think Scott’s story about him having no tear ducts (true) won that contest J It was a great experience and I knew that in that room I had met some lifelong friends J
Sunday August 4th 2013 was great.
Got to go to the YSA ward up north and mingle with my new friends. That evening we had a wonderful fireside with our session director Brother Steve Scott (You the man bro!) who talked about climbing the mountain, and how we all want to reach the top. It was great and I feel that me typing it on here will not do it justice, just ask him J Then it was time to sleep. Yeah right like I could sleep. I had too many emotions going through me it was insane. Thankfully around 2 am I managed too-however I knew that waking up at 6 was gonna be killer.
Got to go to the YSA ward up north and mingle with my new friends. That evening we had a wonderful fireside with our session director Brother Steve Scott (You the man bro!) who talked about climbing the mountain, and how we all want to reach the top. It was great and I feel that me typing it on here will not do it justice, just ask him J Then it was time to sleep. Yeah right like I could sleep. I had too many emotions going through me it was insane. Thankfully around 2 am I managed too-however I knew that waking up at 6 was gonna be killer.
Monday August 5th 2013
It was killer. Waking up after little sleep sucked. However nothing stopped me from jumping out of bed to get ready. The red polo and khakis were on. The name tag too. It was EFY time J
It was killer. Waking up after little sleep sucked. However nothing stopped me from jumping out of bed to get ready. The red polo and khakis were on. The name tag too. It was EFY time J
After a great breakfast and morning of counselor groups introducing their company scripture the head team got to do one also, it was about Llamas. Don’t even know why. Ben taught it to us. But it was hilarious and I enjoyed learning it.
All of a sudden it was 10:45. Almost time for the doors to open. We said a big family prayer. Then the countdown was on and the doors opened. THEY WERE HERE!!!!!!!
WOW! Talk about a mad rush. There was soooo many people everywhere. We had so many youth to sign in, get their lanyard, i.d, bag, t-shirt and wristband. There were parents everywhere just wanting to speak to me and Scott. There were keys to rooms that no one should be in being handed out. It was pandemonium. Yet, I love ever single second of it. Kids went off to meet their counselors. The team cleaned and headed to Orientation. YES! THIS WAS MINE AND SCOTTS TURN! OUR TURN TO MEET THEM!! Suddenly we have 450 youth all sitting before us and it was awesome! Scott and I felt we did a darn good job and the youth seemed to be super excited for the week. At some points I had to hold back my tears as this was supposed to be the pumped up excited time of the week- not the watch Jane gross cry part. It’s always interesting to see youth from previous years. Sometimes you wonder if they remember you, are they much different, heck- do you even remember their name. Ahhh! What I especially loved though was looking out into the crowd of youth and seeing my niece Charly and my nephew Jakob. I am so glad I got to experience this with them. Charly was doing this for 2nd time however for Jakob it was his first. I think a big chunk of my motivation to make sure this was an awesome week was for them. I wanted them to have to the best week they could and I was going to make sure of that.
After orientation it was dinner and Family Home Evening the youth went to bed. Lights out at 10:30pm (Yeh, right! I wish it was that easy) Phew! We had survived our first day. However, here is something not many people are aware happened that night. This is gonna get a little personal/graphic/embarrassing (not just for me) so be warned. Skip to the next day if you are worried…
So there I am, 1am, glad that the first day is over. So I head down to my basement dwelling bedroom and get ready for bed. As I am showering I hear someone come in and speak my name. It’s 1am. What the heck? As I’m rinsing out the suds in my hair my darling friend Channelle comes to the shower stall door. “Uhhhh Jane, I need you!” Now, she is sounding pretty panicked so I finish up and step out. Channelle is standing there. In her robe. This is where she tells me that she locked her key in her bedroom and went to shower with nothing but her robe on. (Oh gosh even writing this is making me laugh!!) Now seeing as no one has a spare key except security I had to go and get a hold of them. Channelle waits in my room and I make the run across campus to the people who can help. They tell me someone will be there soon to let her in. Phew, I’m thinking I may still make it to bed before 2am! WRONG!!!!! 2am, 3am…still nothing. Channelle and I had been instructed by the security people to sit outside the door we needed unlocked and wait for them to show up. So there we are. Channelle in her robe and shower stuff and me in my pj’s. THANK GOODNESS NO YOUTH WERE AWAKE!! Every time I looked at Channelle I couldn’t stop laughing. Thank goodness she had her robe with her. Can you imagine being locked out and only having a towel with you! HAHA! Anyways, finally I had had enough. I ran back to security and complained about how long it was taking (apparently the girl who was to come and unlock the door fell back asleep….) by this time it was 4am. Thankfully the woman showed up and Channelle was able to get in her room! Success! Now for me- it was 2 hours of sleep time and a new day to get ready for!
WOW! Talk about a mad rush. There was soooo many people everywhere. We had so many youth to sign in, get their lanyard, i.d, bag, t-shirt and wristband. There were parents everywhere just wanting to speak to me and Scott. There were keys to rooms that no one should be in being handed out. It was pandemonium. Yet, I love ever single second of it. Kids went off to meet their counselors. The team cleaned and headed to Orientation. YES! THIS WAS MINE AND SCOTTS TURN! OUR TURN TO MEET THEM!! Suddenly we have 450 youth all sitting before us and it was awesome! Scott and I felt we did a darn good job and the youth seemed to be super excited for the week. At some points I had to hold back my tears as this was supposed to be the pumped up excited time of the week- not the watch Jane gross cry part. It’s always interesting to see youth from previous years. Sometimes you wonder if they remember you, are they much different, heck- do you even remember their name. Ahhh! What I especially loved though was looking out into the crowd of youth and seeing my niece Charly and my nephew Jakob. I am so glad I got to experience this with them. Charly was doing this for 2nd time however for Jakob it was his first. I think a big chunk of my motivation to make sure this was an awesome week was for them. I wanted them to have to the best week they could and I was going to make sure of that.
After orientation it was dinner and Family Home Evening the youth went to bed. Lights out at 10:30pm (Yeh, right! I wish it was that easy) Phew! We had survived our first day. However, here is something not many people are aware happened that night. This is gonna get a little personal/graphic/embarrassing (not just for me) so be warned. Skip to the next day if you are worried…
So there I am, 1am, glad that the first day is over. So I head down to my basement dwelling bedroom and get ready for bed. As I am showering I hear someone come in and speak my name. It’s 1am. What the heck? As I’m rinsing out the suds in my hair my darling friend Channelle comes to the shower stall door. “Uhhhh Jane, I need you!” Now, she is sounding pretty panicked so I finish up and step out. Channelle is standing there. In her robe. This is where she tells me that she locked her key in her bedroom and went to shower with nothing but her robe on. (Oh gosh even writing this is making me laugh!!) Now seeing as no one has a spare key except security I had to go and get a hold of them. Channelle waits in my room and I make the run across campus to the people who can help. They tell me someone will be there soon to let her in. Phew, I’m thinking I may still make it to bed before 2am! WRONG!!!!! 2am, 3am…still nothing. Channelle and I had been instructed by the security people to sit outside the door we needed unlocked and wait for them to show up. So there we are. Channelle in her robe and shower stuff and me in my pj’s. THANK GOODNESS NO YOUTH WERE AWAKE!! Every time I looked at Channelle I couldn’t stop laughing. Thank goodness she had her robe with her. Can you imagine being locked out and only having a towel with you! HAHA! Anyways, finally I had had enough. I ran back to security and complained about how long it was taking (apparently the girl who was to come and unlock the door fell back asleep….) by this time it was 4am. Thankfully the woman showed up and Channelle was able to get in her room! Success! Now for me- it was 2 hours of sleep time and a new day to get ready for!
Tuesday August 6th 2013.
We got this! It’s day 2 and everything is working out great. From the morning devotionals to the classes everything was easy. My head team was great at running things smoothly and effectively. All of a sudden it was lunch followed by more classes. Then after dinner it was everyone’s favorite thing about Tuesday. The Dance! Oh how fun to watch teenagers dance and flirt. I wonder if I was every as adorable as they all looked. All the girls in one spot. The boys in the other. Trying to divide and be conquered. So fun!! I especially love a good old line dance and watching the kids follow along. Now throughout all this fun commotion there was one part that tugged my heart strings. One boy found out that his brother and sister were in a brutal car accident. No one was killed (thank goodness!) but they were greatly injured. What a great thing to witness all his friends be a strength to him. They really loved him and wanted him to know that. He was given an option to stay or leave and he decided to stay-which I am thankful for. That amount of love and support is rare and priceless. I’m glad he got to experience that in such a difficult time.
Wednesday August 7th 2013
We got this! It’s day 2 and everything is working out great. From the morning devotionals to the classes everything was easy. My head team was great at running things smoothly and effectively. All of a sudden it was lunch followed by more classes. Then after dinner it was everyone’s favorite thing about Tuesday. The Dance! Oh how fun to watch teenagers dance and flirt. I wonder if I was every as adorable as they all looked. All the girls in one spot. The boys in the other. Trying to divide and be conquered. So fun!! I especially love a good old line dance and watching the kids follow along. Now throughout all this fun commotion there was one part that tugged my heart strings. One boy found out that his brother and sister were in a brutal car accident. No one was killed (thank goodness!) but they were greatly injured. What a great thing to witness all his friends be a strength to him. They really loved him and wanted him to know that. He was given an option to stay or leave and he decided to stay-which I am thankful for. That amount of love and support is rare and priceless. I’m glad he got to experience that in such a difficult time.
Wednesday August 7th 2013
Seriously some people are dumb. Really dumb- but I’ll get to that. Wednesday again started like Tuesday. Breakfast, Morningside and then classes. In the afternoon the youth got split into two groups and I taught one and Scott taught the other. This lesson was on the Plan of Salvation and how you could teach it informally. It was a toughie to prepare for and I stayed up realllly late prepping for it (A big thank you for Andrew Orr and Mark McKee for you help! It was the first time I’d ever done a slide show presentation and Mark helped with that. Andrew helped with some doctrine and keeping me awake and alert haha) I started the lesson by letting the youth get to know me. I wanted them to feel like we were friends. It sucks when you feel like you can’t relate to someone preaching to you. Then I went into the lesson. I won’t go into specifics about it but I’ll post the slideshow to it at some point I’m sure as I was very proud of it. I feel that sometimes people underestimate what the youth of today are going through. I see it every day just with my job but I feel some people just don’t get it. It is SO much harder now to be a youth that it ever was. There are so much more destructive things being thrown in their faces than there ever was for us. Drugs and Alcohol are so minor to them now. I had the youth put their hands up if they knew someone who had tried to/followed through with suicide. Do you realize almost EVERY hand was in the air? I was teaching 14 and 15 year olds. I wept. I wept for the amount of stuff they raised their hands for but shouldn’t have to be faced with. I said to them that if there was ONE thing they took away from my lesson it was that I wanted to know they are loved. I want them to know there is someone who will listen and there is someone who cares. Man I hope they got that! After the lesson I was fortunate enough to have a bunch of the youth want to speak to me after. What an honor this was for me. Some had written me little notes (which yes I still have and will always J ). Some just wanted to say “Hi” and they enjoyed the lesson. Others just needed a hug. (I’m not gonna lie I felt a little bit like a celebrity and it was AWESOME). Whatever their need, I was there.
After the lesson was free time and dinner followed by games night. Here is where the dumbness of people sets in. As we are at the field for games night Scott and I realize there is about to be a downpour. We made an executive decision to take it inside and start leading everyone. Scott and I were leading them from the front to get there first to set everything up. Thank goodness we were because I may have lost my job if I wasn’t. While we are leading the youth a truck of people show up to the games night area where a lot of our youth still are. In this truck are people who start throwing water balloons at the kids. Laughing and thinking it’s funny. Now I know you may think “What, it’s just water balloons what is the big deal” Well there are MANY reasons why this is a big deal. First off- they smoked a kid in the face. That hurts, that leaves a mark. Then they try to sabotage a night that has been worked on FOR MONTHS! We have parents that have entrusted u with their youth to be safe, and they show up – dressed in an outfit their mother’s would be ashamed to see them in, and try to ruin an experience that was meant to be fun for our youth. Then they have the balls to yell at my Session Director as he is telling them to leave. Oh my heck. They are lucky. Thankfully I had an awesome team who dealt with it, including filming the incident and getting license plates and such. To wrap up the story before talking about the rest of the night I did do some digging and a friend sent me a copy of a picture they had posted on instagram. These people were so dumb! Don’t ambush efy and then hash tag it on instagram!!! Seriously. We can see that! And because of the joys of social media within 2 mins I got everyone’s name and number. Dumb! Efy were not happy and neither was the parents that called, the University of Calgary and the police. Yes people there were sooo many charges we could have laid on them. At one point I did call two of the people who were involved and have very interesting conversations with them. Scott recorded the entire conversations of me just chewing them out and getting the missing pieces from them. Ugh there people are so dumb. In fact at one point one of them said “Well, what’s more Christ like? Me telling you who was there and the truth or keeping it a secret” Sweet heart- if you have to lie for your friends, they probably aren’t worth it. Just saying. Okay enough with that rant.
The cheer off was so much fun and the banners were incredible. It blows my mind how talented some people are! In true EFY tradition following Games Night its PIZZA NIGHT!!!!! Oh what a joy to have pizza, chocolate milk (which we surprised them with) and a good chat with the youth while in our Pj’s. Mine was the moose onesie with the butt flap and Scott wore a SILK SUIT! It was AWESOME!!! So impressed J . There was a bit of a gong show with the pizza night stuff. We originally ordered from one pizza joint- then found another pizza joint that would do it for half the cost, then we had to figure out the money situation but all in all it worked out- that’s cuz Logan is the man and was seriously so wonderful at dealing with that. All in all the kids had a great Pizza night and everyone went to bed with a smile on their face.
After the lesson was free time and dinner followed by games night. Here is where the dumbness of people sets in. As we are at the field for games night Scott and I realize there is about to be a downpour. We made an executive decision to take it inside and start leading everyone. Scott and I were leading them from the front to get there first to set everything up. Thank goodness we were because I may have lost my job if I wasn’t. While we are leading the youth a truck of people show up to the games night area where a lot of our youth still are. In this truck are people who start throwing water balloons at the kids. Laughing and thinking it’s funny. Now I know you may think “What, it’s just water balloons what is the big deal” Well there are MANY reasons why this is a big deal. First off- they smoked a kid in the face. That hurts, that leaves a mark. Then they try to sabotage a night that has been worked on FOR MONTHS! We have parents that have entrusted u with their youth to be safe, and they show up – dressed in an outfit their mother’s would be ashamed to see them in, and try to ruin an experience that was meant to be fun for our youth. Then they have the balls to yell at my Session Director as he is telling them to leave. Oh my heck. They are lucky. Thankfully I had an awesome team who dealt with it, including filming the incident and getting license plates and such. To wrap up the story before talking about the rest of the night I did do some digging and a friend sent me a copy of a picture they had posted on instagram. These people were so dumb! Don’t ambush efy and then hash tag it on instagram!!! Seriously. We can see that! And because of the joys of social media within 2 mins I got everyone’s name and number. Dumb! Efy were not happy and neither was the parents that called, the University of Calgary and the police. Yes people there were sooo many charges we could have laid on them. At one point I did call two of the people who were involved and have very interesting conversations with them. Scott recorded the entire conversations of me just chewing them out and getting the missing pieces from them. Ugh there people are so dumb. In fact at one point one of them said “Well, what’s more Christ like? Me telling you who was there and the truth or keeping it a secret” Sweet heart- if you have to lie for your friends, they probably aren’t worth it. Just saying. Okay enough with that rant.
The cheer off was so much fun and the banners were incredible. It blows my mind how talented some people are! In true EFY tradition following Games Night its PIZZA NIGHT!!!!! Oh what a joy to have pizza, chocolate milk (which we surprised them with) and a good chat with the youth while in our Pj’s. Mine was the moose onesie with the butt flap and Scott wore a SILK SUIT! It was AWESOME!!! So impressed J . There was a bit of a gong show with the pizza night stuff. We originally ordered from one pizza joint- then found another pizza joint that would do it for half the cost, then we had to figure out the money situation but all in all it worked out- that’s cuz Logan is the man and was seriously so wonderful at dealing with that. All in all the kids had a great Pizza night and everyone went to bed with a smile on their face.
Thursday August 8th 2013- or Miracle day as I like to call it.
Sunday dress. Beautiful Morningside. Inspirational lessons. It truly is the best day. Brother Scott spoke to the boys for 2 hrs then the girls for 2 hrs. I wasn’t in for the boys but for the girls he talked to us about being a daughter of God and how amazing that is. It was extra special because he said “I am going to speak to you like I am speaking to my daughter” Now Brother Scotts wife Chelsea was pregnant with their 6th child at the time. They already had 5 boys. Brother Scott had stated many years ago that he knew he was to have a little girl because of a dream he had on his mission. He had been waiting for a little girl for a long time. Now don’t get me wrong he loves his boys, but he had been waiting, and was SO excited to meet his little girl. As he spoke knowing that he has been waiting all those years for a daughter it just made the lesson seem that much more meaningful. After he spoke, Chelsea spoke and talked about self-worth and knowing how precious we are and how beautiful we are inside and out. Something that we girls need to remember. We shouldn’t judge ourselves by the magazines and television. We should remember we are Daughters of our Heavenly Father (who loves us and we love Him…). So thankful for those two lessonsJ.
Lunch was then followed by the new EFY Game Show to which Logan was our host – at a mighty fine one at that. Think Family Feud. It was awesome and the kids were so engaged. Then dinner and then one of the greatest parts of EFY- The Musical Program. This year we were lucky enough to have Jessica Torrie, who works for EFY down in the states be a part of our team, and she wrote the musical program. I love music. It’s how I explain my feelings and where the foundation of my testimony started. I was so impressed at the dedication and the talent these youth had. Jessica worked so hard on this program and I KNOW the youth did too! They sang with everything they had and expressed their testimonies in one of the most beautiful ways.
I sobbed like a baby the whole time.
After that we had another fireside where Jessica and I got to sing a song together for the whole session to hear. It’s a song called “I feel heaven here” from the efy cd and I can honestly say it is one of my favorite efy songs. I am so grateful the youth allowed me a moment to express my testimony through music and no one booed me off stageJ. Even more thankful to Jessica for singing with me and giving me confidence I needed to do it. As I walked down from the stage what a joy to my eyes to see my dear friends Kayla and Braden standing at the back. They were driving through Calgary and had worked efy with me before- Braden was my co-coordinator last year and he and Kayla met at efy and were married 2 months later. What a joy to say hi to them and feel their love even for only a few minutes. Meant a lot to me. Following that the youth were split into groups and got to go and bare their own testimonies with their companies. This is why I call Thursday “Miracle Day” and the reason for this is because I know how hard it is to try to teach a youth and feel like they don’t care. It is on this day you see that they do. They bare testimony of how they have felt loved when down, how they have prayed and received answers, how they have been alone yet felt peace. They bare testimony how they know this church is true. It is what I feel every parent who sends their kid to efy wishes they could see. One day those parents will. Small and simple things…
After that we had another fireside where Jessica and I got to sing a song together for the whole session to hear. It’s a song called “I feel heaven here” from the efy cd and I can honestly say it is one of my favorite efy songs. I am so grateful the youth allowed me a moment to express my testimony through music and no one booed me off stageJ. Even more thankful to Jessica for singing with me and giving me confidence I needed to do it. As I walked down from the stage what a joy to my eyes to see my dear friends Kayla and Braden standing at the back. They were driving through Calgary and had worked efy with me before- Braden was my co-coordinator last year and he and Kayla met at efy and were married 2 months later. What a joy to say hi to them and feel their love even for only a few minutes. Meant a lot to me. Following that the youth were split into groups and got to go and bare their own testimonies with their companies. This is why I call Thursday “Miracle Day” and the reason for this is because I know how hard it is to try to teach a youth and feel like they don’t care. It is on this day you see that they do. They bare testimony of how they have felt loved when down, how they have prayed and received answers, how they have been alone yet felt peace. They bare testimony how they know this church is true. It is what I feel every parent who sends their kid to efy wishes they could see. One day those parents will. Small and simple things…
Friday August 9th 2013Last full day of EFY. It started off with – you guessed it, another Morningside. Following this the youth went to take pictures with their companies and friends then came back for a panel discussion. This is where a panel would answer any questions they had- about anything! Now, they had already submitted a lot of questions and we answered those mainly but one that really hit me I would like to talk about. Someone asked about bullying and what to do if they saw a friend they knew getting bullied. Earlier in the week we had such an issue. Scott and I dealt with a beautiful young girl who was on the receiving end of some very harsh bullying. She was getting mocked on every social media outlet she had. People calling her disgusting names, telling her to go kill herself and disappear. This was hurting her so much she has started cut herself and had and was going to attempt suicide. This broke my heart. Nothing is worse than seeing a youth so destroyed by others they want to just give up. Bah even now reliving this is making me type through tears. Scott and I did what we could and got her all the help we could give and even now I am glad to say she is doing well. Yet when this question was asked- we had just finished dealing with the incident. I don’t remember all I said but I was the only one who spoke. I expressed my opinions on bullying and how to come back from it. I asked people to raise their hands if they had ever been called a mean name, taunted, hurt, etc from someone. I then asked them to think if they had done it to anyone. I expressed very strongly that if they have EVER bullied someone they must stop now. They must stop. Through tears I explained how deadly this can be. I pleaded. I stated if they know of someone being bullied they must do something-otherwise they are just as bad as the bully by ignoring it. Gosh I really hope I got through to those youth. I really hope. Gah…must stop crying…
After lunch we had the variety show! What fun! To see the youth show their many talents from dancing, singing, playing guitar, yo-yo acts and comedy skits, to one girl doing many different impressions it was truly a fun way to spend a Friday. Ben did a great job with his youth and I couldn’t have asked for a better variety show! Then there was dinner followed by the final dance of efy! SO SO SO hot in that ballroom but oh what fun! There was even a special number by the band “Breathless” ft. Jane (me!) haha! Just a few awesome counselors who made up a dance and I joined them for it (they asked- I did not offer!!) After the dance was the slide show of our week which Kurt had been working on all week- and he did a fantastic job!!! So well done!!! Then it was one last song of the EFY medley and the youth left for bed. Many tears and many “I love you” were said but it was a beautiful end.
Saturday August 10th 2013
In the early hours of the morning, a few of us were still up performing lockdown. This is where we stay up to make sure no fireworks are set off, no one tries to sneak out or in etc. Let’s just say around 3 am we started to go a little loopy and decided to be like mission impossible and sneak around the sleeping counselors to see if anyone woke up to us. It was hilarious.
In the early hours of the morning, a few of us were still up performing lockdown. This is where we stay up to make sure no fireworks are set off, no one tries to sneak out or in etc. Let’s just say around 3 am we started to go a little loopy and decided to be like mission impossible and sneak around the sleeping counselors to see if anyone woke up to us. It was hilarious.
They left. The youth left. I did manage to say goodbye to many of them. They came running for hugs and their last chance for a picture and I was more than happy to spend every last second with them. Then the whole efy team had one last breakfast and meeting where the counselors got to share some of their experiences. It was perfect.
Final thoughtAs I drove away from EFY- I had a plane to catch, that will be blogged in another post, I couldn’t help but cry. Over the past 5 years I have dedicated everything I had to the program. I have met some amazing people, some inspiring youth and made memories that will last a life time. I am honored to have been able to work with youth from around the world and maybe make even just a small dent in their memories. I have made friendships that will last forever and my testimony of my Heavenly Father’s love has grown and grown and grown. I will NEVER forget the amazing experience I was blessed enough to have. I will remember the hard times- because that is what makes me grow and will look back and laugh at all the crazy things we did. Thanks EFY. It’s an end of an era for me, and I wouldn’t change a thing J
-Stay Beautiful xoxo
It has been a while...
There is so much to say. Where to begin.
Well, I turned 25. Me and the people near and dear to my heart celebrated at Aussie Rules- a dueling piano bar. I had a blast, dancing on the tables and acting a fool. Hey- just cuz I'm old doesn't mean I can't have fun.
I was so fortunate to attend EFY training in Provo from May 22-June 1st. To say it was incredible is just an understatement. Have you ever met someone and just known you were supposed to meet them. That you were supposed to cross paths with them. That for sure happened for me on this trip. To you wonderful, beautiful people- thank you. THANK YOU!!!! You showed me what it was like to just jump and fall. To remember why we do what we do. It wasn't something I felt i was even missing in my life- but you made me realize it's something to NEVER live without. SO thankful for the unexpected paths we take in this life.
In other news- I recently got diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Weird right. I felt that that was something only those who had severe things happen to them. You know, like army guys and people who experienced horrific traumatic things-much like the youth I work with. Turns out working with people who have those experiences can be just as traumatic for me. Having to hear over and over and over again the horrific things these youth go through is enough to make you loose faith in mankind. For those that don't know what I do for a living let me tell you. I work with high risk youth. I am a child and youth care counselor. I work for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary specializing in a PSECA (protection of sexually exploited children act) program.
Ed Sheeran - The A Team
The girls that I work with we're either in prostitution (forced or voluntary) or were being exploited in some other way. ALL the youth I work with have a drug and/or alcohol problem, have a broken family life and have been trying to survive in this world since a very young age. None of them asked for this life. All of them have turned down this road for survival. I have worked with girls who's parents put them in prostitution before the age of 10, I worked with a young boy who's own mother put him in prostitution since he was 2 years old. I have worked with girls who have sold drugs, beat up people to near death, been in gangs, stolen, been to jail, been pimps and so much more. Yet these youth have also gone back to school, received their high school diploma, gotten a job, reconnected with estranged family members, created families of their own, believed, laughed, loved, youth who have pushed boundaries and come out on top. The reason I explain this to you is because maybe now you can understand why I have PTSD. I have heard their stories. I have watched them relive the devastating events that occurred in their young lives. It was tough. It is tough. There have been a few instances when they have taken these events and feelings out on me. Nothing like being on Police watch for 72 hours because a youth wants you dead (transference of anger) due to no fault of your own. (and believe me- this was a youth who WOULD follow through). It's been a scary career to be a part of. An AMAZING career, but it does have its scary days.
It all started when my boss noticed I wasn't being myself. I had recently been dealing with a youth who really got under my skin. Who tried to punch me and followed me. Who with one phrase could make my skin crawl and my stomach churn. Gah. Even thinking about it her can make me shudder. Thankfully with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary they have trained people to speak to about this type of thing. It started with vicarious trauma - this is where the youth are telling you all the instances, you are reading reports and you start to feel like you've lived it. It sucks. I started seeing this wonderful woman a few times a month to discuss the things I have seen and heard. Even though admitting that sometimes you need help sucks- I'm glad I had a boss who watched my back. Who could tell when I was burning out. It's gonna be a journey but dealing with PTSD is.
Okay-enough with the sad stuff cuz there is a happy ending. Working front line in my job has it's up and downs (clearly) BUT!!!! Starting July 15th my new promotion sets in. Ladies and Gents you are looking at the new Centralized Coordinator for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary. This position is me training those coming into the front line work. I will be hiring, training, scheduling etc for 5 different group homes. I have about 30 youth workers in my department who I am responsible for. Woot Woot! So great to know that my boss's have faith in my to take on this responsibility and I can not wait to get started :) ps. The pay raise is also pretty awesome!
Wow- are you still reading? Good for you!
Summer is finally hear and I for one am loving it. Alberta recently had a devastating flood leaving 1000's of people homeless and with out anything but the clothes on their backs. Doesn't seem real. I got evacuated with my family from our homes- living on Fish Creek Park doesn't help when there is a flood. I was so thankful for my friends who opened their homes up to us. We were lucky- our homes didn't get touched. Sadly not everyone was so lucky. Thankfully people have been so selfless and are helping out at every chance they get. I am so excited to go out to High River tomorrow to help those in need. Nothing like mother nature to remind us of how human we are. Thank you to the amazing volunteers who have put in the hours, blood, sweat, pulled muscles and hard work into helping those in need. You amaze me :)
Stay Calgary Strong :) Paul Brandt - Alberta Bound
Along with zoo trips, so beautiful weddings, a letter to Hogwarts (yes it finally came!!!!! I knew it!!!) fun with the family, my nephew Michael going on a mission and so many more things there is just not enough time to write right now. So please enjoy some photos....be warned. There are a lot!!! But heck- you've stuck around reading this long. Might as well enjoy some photos!
Well, I turned 25. Me and the people near and dear to my heart celebrated at Aussie Rules- a dueling piano bar. I had a blast, dancing on the tables and acting a fool. Hey- just cuz I'm old doesn't mean I can't have fun.
I was so fortunate to attend EFY training in Provo from May 22-June 1st. To say it was incredible is just an understatement. Have you ever met someone and just known you were supposed to meet them. That you were supposed to cross paths with them. That for sure happened for me on this trip. To you wonderful, beautiful people- thank you. THANK YOU!!!! You showed me what it was like to just jump and fall. To remember why we do what we do. It wasn't something I felt i was even missing in my life- but you made me realize it's something to NEVER live without. SO thankful for the unexpected paths we take in this life.
In other news- I recently got diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Weird right. I felt that that was something only those who had severe things happen to them. You know, like army guys and people who experienced horrific traumatic things-much like the youth I work with. Turns out working with people who have those experiences can be just as traumatic for me. Having to hear over and over and over again the horrific things these youth go through is enough to make you loose faith in mankind. For those that don't know what I do for a living let me tell you. I work with high risk youth. I am a child and youth care counselor. I work for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary specializing in a PSECA (protection of sexually exploited children act) program.
Ed Sheeran - The A Team
The girls that I work with we're either in prostitution (forced or voluntary) or were being exploited in some other way. ALL the youth I work with have a drug and/or alcohol problem, have a broken family life and have been trying to survive in this world since a very young age. None of them asked for this life. All of them have turned down this road for survival. I have worked with girls who's parents put them in prostitution before the age of 10, I worked with a young boy who's own mother put him in prostitution since he was 2 years old. I have worked with girls who have sold drugs, beat up people to near death, been in gangs, stolen, been to jail, been pimps and so much more. Yet these youth have also gone back to school, received their high school diploma, gotten a job, reconnected with estranged family members, created families of their own, believed, laughed, loved, youth who have pushed boundaries and come out on top. The reason I explain this to you is because maybe now you can understand why I have PTSD. I have heard their stories. I have watched them relive the devastating events that occurred in their young lives. It was tough. It is tough. There have been a few instances when they have taken these events and feelings out on me. Nothing like being on Police watch for 72 hours because a youth wants you dead (transference of anger) due to no fault of your own. (and believe me- this was a youth who WOULD follow through). It's been a scary career to be a part of. An AMAZING career, but it does have its scary days.
It all started when my boss noticed I wasn't being myself. I had recently been dealing with a youth who really got under my skin. Who tried to punch me and followed me. Who with one phrase could make my skin crawl and my stomach churn. Gah. Even thinking about it her can make me shudder. Thankfully with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary they have trained people to speak to about this type of thing. It started with vicarious trauma - this is where the youth are telling you all the instances, you are reading reports and you start to feel like you've lived it. It sucks. I started seeing this wonderful woman a few times a month to discuss the things I have seen and heard. Even though admitting that sometimes you need help sucks- I'm glad I had a boss who watched my back. Who could tell when I was burning out. It's gonna be a journey but dealing with PTSD is.
Okay-enough with the sad stuff cuz there is a happy ending. Working front line in my job has it's up and downs (clearly) BUT!!!! Starting July 15th my new promotion sets in. Ladies and Gents you are looking at the new Centralized Coordinator for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary. This position is me training those coming into the front line work. I will be hiring, training, scheduling etc for 5 different group homes. I have about 30 youth workers in my department who I am responsible for. Woot Woot! So great to know that my boss's have faith in my to take on this responsibility and I can not wait to get started :) ps. The pay raise is also pretty awesome!
Wow- are you still reading? Good for you!
Summer is finally hear and I for one am loving it. Alberta recently had a devastating flood leaving 1000's of people homeless and with out anything but the clothes on their backs. Doesn't seem real. I got evacuated with my family from our homes- living on Fish Creek Park doesn't help when there is a flood. I was so thankful for my friends who opened their homes up to us. We were lucky- our homes didn't get touched. Sadly not everyone was so lucky. Thankfully people have been so selfless and are helping out at every chance they get. I am so excited to go out to High River tomorrow to help those in need. Nothing like mother nature to remind us of how human we are. Thank you to the amazing volunteers who have put in the hours, blood, sweat, pulled muscles and hard work into helping those in need. You amaze me :)
Stay Calgary Strong :) Paul Brandt - Alberta Bound
Along with zoo trips, so beautiful weddings, a letter to Hogwarts (yes it finally came!!!!! I knew it!!!) fun with the family, my nephew Michael going on a mission and so many more things there is just not enough time to write right now. So please enjoy some photos....be warned. There are a lot!!! But heck- you've stuck around reading this long. Might as well enjoy some photos!
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