I Remember

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul

And sings the tune without the words

And never stops at all.

-Emily Dickinson

basket ball is over! Dang....they were just starting to really have fun!!!

Here are a few of the persistent perceptions of the proceedings of my mind about Young Womens:

I cannot recall giving any calling in my church more time, blood, sweat and figurative tears. (no real tears yet....but wait....Im wrong!!  I cry those happy tears that come when the Spirit whispers to us that we are on the right track)  I suppose I should be embarrassed to admit that I may have been a little less than diligent in past callings, but it's just the truth.  Never have I been more fully invested in anything- outside of the raising of my  family and kids.
When I allow myself to really contemplate the reasons for this intensity I feel in this calling, a few potent reasons come to mind:
* These girls and their peers are our future!!!  Its an over used cliche I know...but its true!!  Now that Im an old lady, I GET IT!!!
* I remember being a teen-ager.  Wasn't it just yesterday!? Im sure it was!!! Man is it tough!!  I do remember!!
* I remember that being a teenage girl is all about friends, being cool, and being talented. (having gifts) And...you needed to be respected in those facets of life.
* And to make matters worse, as a religious, Mormon girl, one has to try and be 'in' the world but not 'of ' the world.  Which makes one very peculiar!! The up-side to this  is truly knowing where you came from and knowing your divine heritage.  Knowing that you are literally a child of our Heavenly Father can truly sift out the trite and unimportant things in life.  It brings everything into focus!!
* I LOVE these girls!!!  I've known them now for 6 months, and I love them!! The Lord has opened my heart and has filled it with the wonders that each of these girls bring to the stage of life.  They are such a unique gaggle of girls.  But you know what else....they love each other as well.  They are a safe place to land for each other.  They have each others back!!! That is a wonderful thing to behold. And I get to see it at least once or twice a week!!!

6 months is  short time to admit  to you that I already feel these things about these girls.  I can now look at these pictures of just a few of our girls and I can tell you   that the Lord has definitely opened my heart and mind and has filled it with miraculous insights to the many gifts and abilities and  attributes  that each girl enjoys.  I have been blessed with the gift of discernment as far as these girls are concerned, and I feel the great responsibility!!!  My prayers are different now. I am more focused and I plead in earnest in their behalf.  And I plead for myself of course, that I may serve them well and to the best of my abilities. That is my hearts' desire...to help them and to guide them in anything they may need.
With all this added responsibility and concern also comes a greater satisfaction. (Isnt that what my mom always told me!!??)  My outright disbelief that a call such as this could be mine has now turned to feelings of intense gratitude and thanksgiving.
I feel so blessed!  (some time I will have to relate to you the miracle of 'my 'choice of counselors.)
I am so thankful!
I am humbled.
I am lucky!
And I look forward to each opportunity I get to spend with these fine young women.
They always make me smile.
I marvel at their strength  and knowledge and the testimonies they have of their purpose and in their Savior and His plan for us.
All I have to offer them is my complete and unconditional love; which will never fail them. I can promise them this!!!