Philmont!!

We just arrived home from the most amazing and inspiring week we may have ever had. It was like EFY/Girl's Camp/Scout Camp all rolled into one, then intensified and made just for families. It was Philmont Training LDS Week in New Mexico, just below Cimmaron, at the Philmont Training Center. The training is for leaders assigned to Aaronic Priesthood and Scouting. This includes Stake Presidency Members, High Counsel Members assigned to scouting or primary, and Stake Young Men Presidencies. The group of trainees are high caliber and it was evident during our week there. It was like living in Zion for a week. These members not only held leadership positions, but were dedicated to their callings and willing to sacrifice time and talents to attend this training to become better Saints and Leaders. It was amazing. We left our home Friday the 6th of July and drove about halfway (6 hours) until we reached Gallup, NM where we stayed for the night. We chilled in the hotel, swam, and ate at Wendy's while we watched the trains roll by. A train even "parked" out front and the conductor ran over to grab some grub. So cool! Saturday we finished the drive and at about 2pm rolled into Philmont. Wow, we were not prepared for the wonder that awaited us! We were greeted at the entrance by Sister Wixom (General Primary President) and Brother Beck (General YM President). They directed us to the parking area where we got out and checked in. We were greeted, hugged, complimented, given our books and materials, and then directed to our tents. We were assigned two tents in the East Tent City. We claimed them and began to move in for the week. We moved all mattress to one tent so we could snuggle up together at night and put our stuff in the other tent where we would hang out. The kids were excited, to say the least. They ran immediately for the playground and started to make new friends, we did as well. Everyone was instantly your friend. There were no feelings of shyness or inadequacy. It was magical. After we moved in we chilled on the grass, looked around and ate dinner at the dining hall. An entire week of someone else preparing your food, and cleaning the dishes...is this not Heaven? We had the opening ceremony where we were introduced to the staff and welcomed by song of course. We bathed the kids and prepared for Sunday then went to bed. The showers were actually quite nice, and private...love!

Surprisingly the kids slept pretty well after they wound down from the excitement. We woke up bright and early to dress and be ready for our breakfast shift at 7:30 am. After breakfast we dropped the kids off to their Primary classes out on the lawn. There was no nursery, so Mae and Lyndie explored R.S. and Priesthood with Adam and I. Emmie and Benton were blessed with a fabulous sharing time given by Sister Wixom. Emmie said they talked about sharing. R.S. was fabulous. One of the Sister's there taught the lesson about personal revelation. Sunday School was combined and then we picked up the kids and had Sacrament Meeting. Brother Boen of the Seventy and Brother Beck shared. Wonderful and inspiring meetings. We then had the afternoon to relax. We played on the grass and had a wonderful time in such beautiful weather. That evening Adam and I were able to attend a fireside where Brother Gibson (counselor in General YM Presdiency) spoke and Elder Boen. Great discussion on lifting the boys in our lives. Then off to bed!

Monday- HAPPY BIRTHDAY LYNDIE. After a great night sleep we ate breakfast and the kids went to their classes. All three girls were in small frys and went to the "day care" style class. They played with tons of toys, had snacks, took naps and watched movies. I was nervous leaving Lyndie, but she had fun with her sisters, and enjoyed the chance to get down and crawl, since we had been around so much dirt lately. Benton was able to go with a group of 6-7 yr. old boys. He made "mud pudding", read stories, and played games. In the afternoon they went on a hike. He was in Heaven. He loved the boys, and his leaders. He thought the activities were a blast. While the kids were in their classes Adam attended training and I went on a hike with the Silverados (women) up to a barracks they had built for scouting. It was pouring rain so we changed hike locations. It was fun, but wet! I had a great time with the other mommy's. We picked the kids up for lunch and had some time together before dropping them off again. That afternoon while Adam trained again, I attended a meeting given by Brother and Sister Wixom. It was entitled; "Strengthening Boys and Men". It was inspiring. We talked about helping boys become industrious and to always meet life with optimism. One great quote I loved was "you can do hard things". I think that will be a new motto here. We also discussed how to help boys recognize the spirit, communicating better, and understanding and applying repentance and the Atonement. It was an emotional, inspiring, testimony building meeting. Fabulous! We had some family time before dinner. Then afterwards we had FHE. There were some cute skits and talents shared, then a message by Elder Boen. It was fun, but a little longer then we are used to for FHE, our lessons usually only last about 5 minutes. Emmie fell asleep on the chairs, Lyndie had to be held because she was whiny, Benton sat on the floor at the front, and Mae ran a muck. We all presenting our family flags briefly and it was fun to hear where everyone had come from. Some were from Alaska, Hawaii, and across the states.

Tuesday was another fabulous day. Benton was able to hike during his morning class. He hiked up Cimmarron to where the only T-Rex Footprint fossil in the world is located. He came back covered in mud, but excited. The girls played, read stories, and Emmie was able to go on a pony ride, which she insisted was actually a huge horse, not a pony. While Adam was instructed I was able to attend a Dutch Oven cooking class that was lots of fun. I then was priviliged to be taught by Sister Stevens (Counselor in the General Primary Presidency) Her topic was "The Value of Scouting for Families". It was another fabulous lesson. We began by discussing the lyrics to the primary song "Love is Spoken Here". We talked about Priesthood in the home. We also talked about families and how we get a glimpse into what our Father in Heaven feels for us as we care for our families. We then discussed the benefits of scouting for families, how boys are taught to finish things, to serve, to set goals and have aspirations, and they are prepared to be husbands and fathers. We watched the message by Elder Oaks, "Grandpa are you in there?" and I was reminded of the importance of spending time with my kids and "being there" to teach, guide, love, and direct them. I came away edified and uplifted, and with a burning desire to be better. Following lunch we had a stretch of family time. I really wanted to see the T-Rex fossil for myself, so after stopping for ice cream, we hiked up to the fossil with the kids. It wasn't that bad of a hike, Mae walked for most of it. It was really cool to see the fossil. On the way back we stopped to admire a field of deer and elk, as well as a large herd of buffalo. The kids thought that was pretty cool. That night after dinner we watched "Follow Me Boys" and headed to bed.

Wednesday started with breakfast and the flag ceremony. The girls attended their fun filled class in the morning where they played, had snacks and sang songs. Benton spent the morning on a pony ride and seeing the farm animals, then he played some outdoor games. The girls had play time and in the afternoon stamped hands and feet on aprons to bring home as a souvenir. I started the day with a horse ride along with some of the other mothers. It was more of a walk, nose to tail kind of ride, but it was still fun, and the views beautiful! That afternoon we had a women's meeting with Brother and Sister Beck (General YM Pres) speaking. Their topic was Duty to God and strengthening families. They testified of what a priceless resource the Duty to God program is in incorporating informal gospel instruction in the home, and the importance of raising worthy priesthood holders. It was uplifting and inspiring. The Spirit testified of these programs to me as well, and taught me how I can better teach my children here in our home. It renewed my zeal for the gospel and strengthened me for the upcoming days/weeks/months. We had some family time that afternoon to prepare for a big night of fun! The fun started with a children's parade, led the the general leaders of the church. The kids wore costumes we had made during the week out of paper and all kinds of supplies. Benton was the tin man, Emmie a ladybug, and Mae an Indian princess (that began as a bird costume). They marched up and down the sidewalks to music as the parents cheered and took pictures. Mae was super shy and kept her head down for the entire first part (walking slow and holding up the procession) until another mother saw her plight and gave her a piece of candy to lift her spirits. She spent the next portion of the parade trying diligently to open that piece of candy, wrestling through her gigantic costume. They had a blast. Following the parade we had games and a BBQ on the lawn. We had buffalo burgers, a little disconcerting since we had just admired them the previous day, but delicious non-the-less! We even took a tour of the Villa home that was owned by the man who donated all of the land to the Boy Scouts. It was amazing. We spent most of the evening playing games out on the lawn and talking to our new found best friends (everyone there).

Our last full day, Thursday! All of the kids were able to ride the ponies today. I went with the girls to watch them. Mae loved the chickens, she wanted to hold them the entire time! She would have one on her lap and sit and stroke it's feathers. Emmie was ecstatic about riding the pony, and insisted it was a huge horse, not a pony. I had some free time to spend with the other moms and do a little packing. We received our badges and photos. Adam had his graduation and was given a bolo tie carved and painted by a generous man who had been given them to graduates for years and would probably not live for the next group of graduates. That afternoon we met in small groups (adults only) and had testimony meetings. Our group had about 20 people and we were all asked to share. It was a very spiritual meeting as we shared our testimonies of the Savior and of the many things we had learned during the week, revelation received, and inspiration. I am very grateful for the opportunity to declare my knowledge of the truthfulness of the gospel and the of the divinity of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I also now have a testimony that the scouting program is ordained of God, given to us to strengthen our boys and prepare them for the responsibilities that lay ahead. That evening we had our closing program skits and songs where we all met together one last time. It was a great experience. We made so many wonderful friends and truly enjoyed our week living in Zion. We will cherish those memories throughout our lives and on into eternity. It was a week meant to shape us and prepare us for the future and we are so grateful to our Heavenly Father for giving us this special opportunity, and would relish in another week if we were given the opportunity once more!