Ward Camp Out/Service Project/Party- Aug 17-18

Our ward Elder's Quorum plans and hosts an annual Ward Camp Out every year.  This year our Elder's Quorum President moved and left the quorum president-less for about a month.  Ben was called as the new Elder's Quorum President 5 days before the Ward Camp Out was to take place- yikes.  He had many men who had already been working on it and he was able to jump in and help get everything settled- so the camp out went on as planned. (Side Note: We think it is funny that Ben went from Young Men's President to Elder Quorum's President- they are letting him slowly grow up!)

If Ben wouldn't have gotten this calling, we probably wouldn't have gone, but in the spirit of support we both went up to Golden State Park for a fun night of ward camping.  I love camping,  I love the smell of  fire, I love the outdoor wilderness BUT I do not love it very much when I am 17 weeks pregnant, grumpy and sick.  I tried to sleep (we had only brought one pad-oops- so we 'shared' it- I have an amazing husband) and I tried but it was HOPELESS!! After a difficult night we woke up and Ben, with some other Elders, started making everyone breakfast. 

At around 9, a van got there to take all the youth and leaders to a Stake Youth Service Project.  The drive down the mountain in the bus made me so sick I thought I was going to vomit in front of the youth. When we finally made it to the project, a little late, I helped our kids get involved and gave them jobs.  The project was to 'beautify' a walking trail along a river in Erie. The youth pulled dead branches out from the undergrowth, dug holes and buried new trees, had to haul water (far) to all of the newly planted trees and mulch the area.  It was long and hot but 'many hands make light work' so we were able to get it done in no time.  (I am proud of our youth from going from camping to service- it was hard and they did great.)

I got home about 15 minutes after Ben (he stayed and cleaned up the Camp Out) and about 5 minutes later (literally) Dad came to pick us up and take us to Denver for Andrew's Birthday Party! Because we would be swimming, neither of us showered (yes, that is gross), and I am sure we looked like the walking dead when we arrived.  It was fun to be with family and talk and catch up. (I tried swimming but it was a cooler day and I could not stay warm. The kids spend most of the time in the hot tub.)  

That night we were ALL exhausted.  On the way home we told ran into traffic and ended up sitting on the highway for over 45 minutes.  I felt horrible for Dad, who drove, because Ben and I could not stay awake and were no help in entertaining him during the delay.  In the end we arrived home safely.  We had a jam packed but good weekend and we had a good long (until our early morning church meeting) night's rest!