When seeing the new counselor recruitment video for EFY (that will be shown to the public soon), it got me thinking about my time as a counselor. I heard of
becoming a counselor from my roommate, Ashley. I had never gone to EFY
but I thought it would be fun. Did I know at the
time that it would seriously be life changing and that this job would
help me in so many ways, I cannot possibly name every single one of
them.. Nope I did not. My first summer was fun. It was a little
confusing to get the swing of things, however it was amazing.
I only worked about three weeks my first summer. The memories of my
first girls starving because I thought that we needed to go together to
dinner. To working a stay at home session, where I even ran into my
first seminary teacher who remembered me. I wanted
to do it again. I got all excited about it all year.
My first group that started it all.
My second group.
We had a secret counselor thing this week, and this is how I reviled myself.
My co's for my last week that summer.
When I got the email saying I was working that next
summer, I was so excited and yet I was conflicted. In my personal life,
that was when my dad was getting worse and now I know, it would be his
last summer. I didn’t know what to do. After
praying and praying and praying some more, I felt that I needed to go.
It was five weeks in a row out of state, then one here in the state of
Utah. Everytime I was about to bail, I kept getting the feeling that I
needed to go. How could I leave with the chance
of never seeing my dad again? How would I know he would be okay? Was I
being selfish to wanting to have a good summer experience while at home
life was crashing? So many questions went through my head. I had a
meltdown the day I had to leave. I had an alone
moment with my dad and I just lost it. He kept telling me he would be
right here when I got back. (He was there when I came back. He even came to the airport to pick me up) And I knew I needed to go there was a reason I didn't know at that moment, but I knew I would find out. That day at the
airport I looked around at my co-workers wondering if they could tell I
was just bailing. Wondering what its going
to be like to work with them this summer. Slowly, I started becoming
friends with them.Started creating lasting memories and lasting friendships. From walking around flagstaff, and trying to have panda express to the beach and freebirds/the habit. Those friends also helped me through one of the hardest trials that I have gone through so far in this lifetime. They helped by their example, them listening, and sharing their testimonies. And I can't thank them enough for that. And to this day we are still great friends no matter the distance.
This is Andres and we were so excited to see the ocean!
Naps are essential for counselors no matter where or when. If you can get a nap... TAKE IT!
Meet Bonnie. Probably one of the coolest people I know.
We get to do some awesome things on the weekend. Like hang out with Starfish.
Learned how to give a buzz cut!
Counselors get to go to the beach :) if you go to Santa Barbara.
Our chill out spot.
Not only was it the friends that I made that helped me, it was my wonderful kids. Every week I got to meet a new set of kids each week. As I got to get to know them and teach them, honestly they taught me more than they will ever really know. That summer, we talked a lot about the plan of salvation and about trials. Each week my personal testimony grew and with that, I was comforted for what was coming at the end of that summer. I know those kids that I met, were suppose to come into my life, at that time, for a reason. The Lord definitely knows who and what we need and when we need it. He knew what was going to happen the end of that summer, He knew what I needed that summer. He knew that my little brother Riley needed that alone time with my father. He knew that it would have been one of the hardest decisions of my life and I would choose it all over again.
Some of my fun groups that summer!
The next summer was just as amazing. So much memories and again the testimony builder that summer was. Watching kids that did not know each other, to becoming friends by the end of the week. Witnessing a boy decide that he is going to service a LDS mission and is now serving that mission. Seeing kids from the past year once again and seeing them continuing to grow. I had a girl who had also lost her father that year in my group. Honestly, that showed me how much our Father in Heaven really knows when we need each other. I got to talk with this girl and really talk with someone who also lost her father. Another tragedy happened in my family that summer, I got the call from my mom that my cousin had passed away. I was at a session in Provo and it was spiritual thursday. The kids I had that week said some amazing things that I needed to hear and be comforted. To top off they didn't even know about my phone call until the next day. I received a blessing that night from my co-counselor and one line from that blessing has stuck with me to this day, "Heavenly Father has given you these trials to help shape you into the woman that He needs you to be." I am reminded of that when hard times come.
We get to see temples on our way to adventure the new!
Suspenders are in at EFY.
Bubble bubble gum in a dish, how many pieces do you wish?
The three summers of being an EFY counselor helped shape me into the woman I am today and continues to influence my life. I am so glad that my roommate Ashley talked to me about being a counselor. EFY has helped me in so many ways that I could not all list. I love the friendships I made, I love seeing my kids grow as I keep up with them through facebook, and I love the testimony I gained about the Gospel through my experiences at EFY. As you are thinking of what to do for the summer, and you need a job. Seriously, look into becoming an EFY counselor. You will not regret it. You get to travel, dance, teach, and meet some of the coolest people. Go to efy.byu.edu/counselor for more information. It will be one of the best decisions you will ever make.
Life-long friends!
Sweet girls.
Color pants friday is a must. ;)
