NEWS FLASH

I dont like to camp!!!
I dont like to cook!! (well....thats really not quite true, what I dont like is the clean-up, after cooking)
I dont like to spend money!! Especially if its someone elses money-ie. church funds.
I dont like the unknown-its a little scary for me. ie. Dutch oven cooking, dealing with large quantities of food, and recipes I havent tried before.
Having said all that, I found myself in a predicament.
My activities committee was asked to provide the food for Youth Conference this last weekend. They wanted Dutch Oven dinner and a Dutch Oven breakfast!

Ack!!! Who are they kidding??

Dealing with accurate head counts. Finicky teenagers. Dirt, dust, cold, fire, and smoke.....

I was lead to believe that Dutch oven cook'in was EASY!!! puffftst...
There was nothing easy about this task, for me.
I stressed about amounts. And I stressed some more.
I shopped and questioned and questioned some more.
I did my best.

I surrounded myself with quality help and encouragement.
(I am oh so grateful for the fine ladies and friends that went with me. Thank you, Thank you)

Dinner came late, oh so late. Everyone was very very patient.
The cobbler was done well before the the chicken and potatoes.
I was told the clean up of Dutch oven was a piece of cake.
WRONG!!!!
We were strapped with the worst clean-up ever. 12 Dutch ovens.
Who again was the nincompoop who lead me astray?

If, and its a BIG if, I were to ever do this again, I would flip hamburgers and hot dogs and fry eggs and bacon and pancakes before I would do this again!! Never again!!

And now that I've finished ranting-Im feeling a little better...I need to take a moment to tell you about about this youth group.
We had 10 boys attend and 4 darling girls. (the boys were cute and handsome too)And though our numbers may seem small, the spirit of these kids is extensive!! These kids are well acquainted with one another. I feel confident that they call one another friend. Their interests are as varied as are their personalities. But, they truly respect and enjoy what they each bring to the group. Its wonderful to watch a group of teenagers enjoy the moment and participate in what has been planned for them by loving and engaged adults/leaders. They are delightful and articulate kids. They are comfortable in their skins and are confident in their path in life. These kids have valiantly chosen the strait and narrow path, that they realize leads them to the happiness that can be theirs. Its not an easy path, even living here in Utah. Opposition surrounds us all. These kids are STRONG!! They voiced the most beautiful testimonies of their Savior-that this adult quite envied. These kids wont easily be swayed by the pulls of this troubled world. I tried to add my humble testimony to theirs as we sat around the fire pit with them. Mine was lacking in eloquence; theirs' was not!! It is remarkable what this generation can and will accomplish for good in this world. Its exciting to watch and encourage and to be a part of. The Gospel of Jesus Christ brings such peace and strength. For this I am so grateful.
Im grateful too for the generosity of the leaders to find a way to put the 'cooks' and some of the leaders in a 'cabin' up the road from the camp-ground. We really didnt suffer too much. And this is what we saw from our front window in the morning. NOT BAD!! (the east entrance to ZIONS Park is there in the distance.) Yes...those black dots out there are buffalo wandering the plain. Ahhh, what a grand and marvelous world we live in. Even if dutch ovens are included.Thank you Chelsea for the great pics!