Youth Conference 2012

 For much of the last 30 days, we have had glorious weather in the Pacific Northwest. Sunshine and warm temps. .the perfect Indian summer. We have also had Youth Conference planned for much longer than that time frame. Sat the 13th loomed large for 450 youth from five Stakes. . because the weather decided it was time for a change! Leaders and youth, parents and friends, have been praying for days that the winter storm coming in would hold off for just one more day. It stated raining Friday afternoon. . the first rain we've had in a long time. We have been on severe fire watch, the woods are shut down, and here we are praying for it not to rain. Seems a little self defeating. But pray we did, and Heavenly Father listened, and answered. Sat morning as Steve and I drove to Coos Bay, it was misting, the Oregon Coast kind, where you are drenched in minutes. . but the closer to Coos Bay we got, the less wet it was. It was even getting lighter, the gloom was lifting! We arrived at Sunset Beach at 830am and until 930pm when we left, it NEVER rained!!! It was still cold and damp feeling, but we had sunshine breaks and the wind died down and it was a total success for all involved. The pics following are a few from our day.  Opening exercises

 Our groups were made up of 15-30 youth from the various Stakes..had a set of parents (Steven and I) and two additional family members. . Pinky and Kami in our family. . these young ladies were part of our family.

 Anyone with a RED scarf was a member of the RED family, group two! Thats Jon smiling there, he's a new convert and is from Eugene. Our first challenge was to build a boat from cardboard and duct tape and plastic, design it and make it float, carrying a passenger!!

                                                Drivers in wetsuits and our finished boat!!

 It will float!!! It did too!! Our other assignment was to build a sandcastle. . here's ours. We won Best in Detail. . Kaje was so excited, because he had built some great little details. . Steve helped with the castles, while we moms helped with the boat.

                                                                           Family photo...

 After lunch, we went on our Journey, a trail filled with stories of the Savior and a time of refection for the youth. Brother Porter was our guide.

                                             Next it was Duct Tape Olympics. . literally!! ha!

 Our service project was for missionaries. . we wrapped Christmas gifts for those who may be needed something this season to make their holiday brighter.

 The dance was in the upper field..campfires and Smores, glow stick and plenty of music to make the dance a success!!

We then, as adults, lite the trail back down the mountain, with our flashlights for the youth to traverse and feel the Spirit again as they headed home. Good times and another Stake success!