Welcome Home Kate ................. We Missed You

Kaitlyn went to girls camp for 4 days and got home Saturday, July 19Th. When she came back, I had made this sign and taped it to the garage door to welcome her back. My brother, his girls, and my mom were coming over that day to swim, so we decided to make it a "Welcome Home" party for Kate. She enjoyed the party and was happy to be home. Below are some pictures of the party.

The next morning was Sunday, and we were getting ready for church, when we got a phone call from Brother Weeks, asking that Kaitlyn would give a talk in sacrament. We got the phone call at 10:15 a.m. and church started at 12:30 p.m. YIKES!!!! So Kaitlyn and I quickly went to the computer and started typing up her talk. She was asked to talk about "What was her experience like at girls camp"? She had to talk for 4-5 minutes. So here is her talk because she had a great time at camp and a great experience and I wanted to share it with you......................

Hi my name is Kaitlyn Hooley. This was my first time at girls camp. I turned 12 on May 31st. I was excited that I was old enough to go to girls camp this year because you had to be 12 by July 31st. I was the second from the youngest to go to girls camp from our ward.

I was really excited and a little nervous to go. I had never been away from my family for that long and when I am away from my family, I am at least able to call home and check in. We were not suppose to at girls camp. By the second day there, Sister Shields (Bishop's wife) noticed that I wasn’t myself. I was kind of quiet and didn’t really want to participate. She knew that this wasn’t like me. One of the leaders talked to me and I told her that I was homesick and she asked, ”What would make me feel better”? I told her calling home would make me feel better. I didn’t know this until I got home, but Sister Shieds called my mom and told my mom what was going on. She told my mom that she was going to let me call my mom, but encouraged my mom not to let me come home if I asked. I thought about going home because that was the easy way out, but I knew that if I did go home, I would be really unhappy with myself. I had to do this! I had to stay! I called my mom and she told me to stick it out, and that she would say a prayer for me, and how important it was for me to be there. I am so glad that Sister Shields called my mom. I felt better after talking to my mom and knew that she would say a prayer for me and that her praying to Heavenly Father to help and protect me, would make me feel better. And it did. I still felt homesick while I was there, but I felt so much better than I did. It was hard to see the other girls there with their moms. But I just had to tell myself how important it was for me to be there. This was a learning experience for me. I learned that I depend on my family a lot to do things for me. It made me more thankful for them.

My favorite part of girls camp was doing the skits and learning so many different songs. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love to sing. I sing all the time. Probably too much. Singing songs also helped me when I was feeling homesick. Singing always cheers me up. I liked the skits because it took my mind off of being homesick. It was fun to pretend and to act silly.

I am a girly girl and camping really isn’t my thing. I had to get used to dirty clothes, dirty fingernails and only having one shower while I was there. But after a while, I didn’t really care because everyone else looked like I did.

I enjoyed the friendships with those that went with me. We had a lot of fun. I got to know other girls from other wards too and hope to keep in contact with them until I see them next year at girls camp. The songs were so much fun and I learned so many of them in just 4 to 5 days! They were really fun and I can’t wait until next year to sing them again with my friends.

I really enjoyed rock climbing. I had never done this before and I was a little nervous climbing up there, but I am glad that I did. At times it felt like my foot was going to slip off the rock, but I just pulled my way up there. We had to work together and I had to trust that they wouldn’t let go of me.

I am so glad that I went to girls camp and can’t wait until next year. (end of talk)

I am so proud of Kaitlyn that she stuck it out. I know it wasn't easy for her, but she was so proud of herself that she did it. She really did have a lot of fun. It was a really good experience for her. She was one of 4 girls chosen to talk in church that day. She was very excited that she was chosen to talk by the bishop.

Also, only 2 girls were chosen for a special gift and one of those girls was Kaitlyn. She found this out that day at church too in Young Women's. The theme for this years girls camp was "Dr. Suess". So Kaitlyn received a "Cat in the Hat" blanket. With it, was a note. It said, I am so proud that you came to camp this year. It isn't always easy being away from home. You are a great girl and I hope to see you next year. Sister Wise and I decided we would give one Cat in the Hat blanket away to a young women we felt deserved it. That's you! We hope you had a wonderful time. Always remember to endure to the end and you will grow stronger. Love, Sister Stewart and Sister Wise.

I know this was a personal letter to Kaitlyn, but this is a lesson to all of us. Endure to the end and you will grow stronger. I know Kaitlyn did. And so did I. Having her gone wasn't easy for me either. 1 Corinthians 13:7 "Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."