Never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever say you don't want to go.

To my fellow young women... we all have that anxiety attack right before girls camp, correct? Ohhh how I wish I hadn't begged my mom to not go to girls camp. I got my wish this year. Trust me, you don't know how hard it is to be home when you know all of the other girls are up there having the time of their life. No matter how cold it is, no matter how dirty and disgusting, no matter where your sleeping, girl, it's worth it. I would much rather be in a freezing tent with the warmth and love of my entire group than in a warm bed at home by myself. I would much rather be up there at the workshops than down here on my Facebook or cell phone. I would kill to be up there right now.

Thankfully, I was able to go to girls camp for a few hours last night. It was bishop's night. It was so fun and soooo good to be back with my girls.

We had a pretty strong testimony meeting. I told myself I wasn't going to get up but when your heart is beating so fast you feel like you're going to pass out, you know it's your time to talk. And I thought that I would share that testimony with you today. Because I've never really done that before.

About 2 months ago, my grandma and my grandpa died. Growing up, my grandpa had altimeters. I can't remember a time when he knew who I was. Every time we would go to his house, he would ask me who I was and how old I was, and a few minutes later he would ask the same thing. It was the hardest thing for me. My friends would talk about the fun things they did with their grandpa and mine didn't even know I was his granddaughter. When I had heard that he had died this overwhelming sense of peace came over me. I knew my grandpa finally knew who I was, and that I was his granddaughter and he was proud of me. I knew he was watching out for me and he was there for me. I knew that he was with our Father in Heaven.
A few weeks before he died, his wife died. My uncle gave him a priesthood blessing to tell him his wife had died. At the end of the priesthood blessing, my grandpa stood up and bore his testimony. That strengthens my testimony,  as he didn't know anyone else, he didn't know who was around him or who even knows if he knew what had happened, but he got up, and he knew who his Savior was. He knew the things that were most important to him.
I know these same things as they are just as important to me. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and He died for me on the cross. I know that He knows me, He bled for me, He calls me by name and He is watching over me. He gives me struggles to strengthen me. He is always there, no matter what I need from Him. He will protect me and do everything in His power that He can in order for me to come home to Him. He is preparing a way for me. He know what I'm going through. I know that prayer has special power in it. That you will get answers. It doesn't always come when you want, where you want, how you want it. It's not always the answer you want but it is there. I know that Joseph Smith restored the gospel and he translated the Book of Mormon. I know that he was a prophet, and I know that since then we have had strong men lead our church as prophets as well. I know that what comes out of President Monson's mouth is coming straight from heaven. He is our living prophet today. I know that I will return to my Heavenly Father again if I do what I'm supposed to, and I will do everything I can to get there. I know that without a doubt this church is true. And I leave this with you in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.

Little Miss Erika