FOR '5' DAYS

Our journey "THROUGH THE UNKNOWN" began the first week of February.  While delivering a UPS package to the Timpanogos temple, a friend of mine (Wayne Anderson) who works at the temple came out and talked to me for about 20 minutes about the Heber Valley Girls Camp Mission. Much to my surprise when I told my wife what he had said, she said 'we ought to go'!  So we did.  My last day at work was March 29, and then we had to report April 15 to a temporary camp side in Heber where we stayed for 2 weeks.  

Among other things there were 2 items we needed to bring-(1) was a trailer and (2) was a 4 wheeler.  We have never own either. (More on these 2 items latter). We were able to borrow my sons truck to pull things up with.  When we got to camp amongst all the other
65 couple missionaries and their 5th wheels and motor homes, we determined we had the 3rd smallest outfit in camp.  Its proved to be snug but adequate.

This was one of the signs that greeted us as we moved up on the mountain the 1st week of May.
We spent the next 4 weeks getting the camp put together and ready for over 2500 Young Women each week and about that many family campers each weekend. Each day was filled with work and projects and training that needed to be done.  After 8-10 hours of being on duty, we were glad to get home and shower and rest each night.

The road up from Heber to the camp is quite steep and more than what Caleb's truck could pull, so besides required items 1 and 2, we also needed to purchase a truck big enough to pull our 3rd smallest trailer up the hill.

It has been studied by the church that most young men gain their testimonies while out on their missions and that most young women gain their testimonies while at girls camp.  This is what sets this camp and mission apart from other missions.  Each day is spent with the soul purpose of trying to give each person here a personal spiritual experience that they can take home and use throughout their life.  For a lot of young women it is a turning point.  Each missionary here, no matter what their job position is has a responsibility to make a difference in these YWs lives.

After a couple of day upon coming up the mountain, we were ask to make a change from being Camp Host to being over Range Management-a position we have come to enjoy. (You can read from a earlier blog how this came about, and our feelings at the time).  Because we were no longer camp host, we also had to move our trailer location to another place in the camp.  We are now the 'highest trailer' on the mountain.  Thankfully the snow has all melted since this picture was taken.

As part of Range Management, we get free run of all 8600 acres of camp property.  Our 3 main responsibilities are weed, animal and insect control.  Here we are at one of the 'out back' camps spraying pre emergence on the sight before the weeds can come up.  A lot of days, Jan and I will be gone all day doing weed control and also acting as security patrol. 

It has amazed me on how much effort the church puts in in making this camp so nice and beautiful.  We have come to accept that though most of what we have been asked to do will not be seen or known by any of the people attending camp, we provide an atmosphere and facility that is free of displeasing or annoying distractions.  Through our efforts, the campers can concentrate on those things that really matter.  They get to see the beautiful  things the Lord has created.  They get to feel of his spirit.

The Lord also provides 'volunteers' who travel many miles and spent most of their day here helping us accomplish our task.  We know that their lives will be bless for their efforts and sacrifice.  They are truly appreciated.

But of course the most important aspect here is the individual.  Whether it be the Challenge Course's, the Lake or the Hikes, all these things are for one purpose.  To help each individual gain a greater appreciation for their Heavenly Father, and to get to know him and his son Jesus Christ.

Through over coming their fears and doubts, they can find the inner strength they need to over come the temptations and evils of the world.  For 5 days they can be in paradise.  For 5 days, they can say 'I am an important child of God-I can do this!' For 5 days, they can feel something that will last through eternity.                                        For 5 days, we as Missionaries get to feel of their love and appreciation for all that is being done in their behalf.  We to are truly blessed and our love for our Savior and our testimonies grow also. 

The truly sad part about being a Missionary here is the perception that most people who have not been here have. They feel that because we are up in the mountains, and drive 4 wheelers round all day, that this is more of a fun and games vacation, and not really a mission.  Granted-we are not in some distant or foreign land knocking on doors or proselyting, nor are we in a mission home, or temple mission, but we are here serving our Heavenly Father, and doing what we have been called to do.  WE are here strengthening the youth who in turn will be the future missionaries of our Heavenly Father.

The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored.  We are in the last days, and the youth of the world are being pulled in many directions.  As they 'JOURNEY THROUGH THE UNKNOWN' they can reflect back on what they learned and felt while attending Heber Valley Girls Camp. They will remember that for '5 days' they felt their Saviors love.  Hopefully this experience can carry them over the rough dark and ugly places.

For '5 days' they will know that someone was willing to be a "Weed Sprayer" so that they could see the beauties of the world, and know that their Heavenly Father loves them.
We love you all--Elder/Sister Hendrickson

The next Blog will be titled- "2500 Stripling Girl Warriors"