Zion’s Camp Kitchen Clean-Up + Welcome Sister Alves

A big thank you to everyone who showed up to help get the kitchen ready for Young Women Camp. We had a fun time together.

And a Huge thank you  to Brother Kane for coordinating everything.

 

 

 

 

As many of you may have already heard, our beloved Sister Amy Edwards was released from our Stake Young Women Presidency and is now serving as 2nd counselor in the newly reorganized Young Women Presidency of the Exeter Ward. While we will dearly miss Sister Edwards who served so lovingly and diligently, we are looking forward to being blessed by the great spiritual capacities and many talents of Sister Jennifer (Jen) Alves of the Exeter Ward as the new Exeter Stake Young Women Secretary. You may recognize her as the incredible food/kitchen chairperson for camp.  She was also serving in the Exeter Ward Young Women Presidency at the time of her call.

Here is a quick spotlight about her:

I am Jennifer Lynn Alves. I am number six out of eight children. I am 38 years young. I was born and raised in Massachusetts. I usually forget to pronounce my R’s (wicked sorry). I was also born and raised in the church and have a strong testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. I was recently asked to tell of a time when I felt I had a strong testimony. The real question is, “can I remember a time when I did not feel I had a strong testimony?” The answer is, “No”.

My sweetheart of 19 years is Mario. He is my light hearted, hard working family man. I love and appreciate him dearly! We have three children whom we love to eternity and back. Our intention is to enter the Celestial Kingdom with all of our children.

I am highly aware of Satan’s continuous attack on the children of men. I will not stand idly by while Satan tramples on everything. I pray for Heavenly Father’s help often, as it is obvious that I cannot fight that fight alone.

I know God lives because He has answered my prayers many times over. I know He lives because He gradually makes me into a person that I could not be on my own. I give thanks unto God for everything that is good in me and for all that I am blessed with in this world and hope to be blessed with after my earthly existence is over. I am happy to serve Him and know that I am blessed when I do. I love the feeling of being part of the crew that helps to grow the kingdom of God on earth and in Heaven.

I am thrilled to have an elder brother named Jesus Christ who loved me (and you) enough to sacrifice His life for me so that through His atonement I can repent of my sins and one day [have] my family [in] Heaven with me. . . whatever it takes, I’ll do it.

We welcome and sustain you wholeheartedly, Sister Alves.

Presidency Message - June

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Wherever you live,

nature has surprises in store

for those who let go

of their daily distractions and worries

and open themselves to the sights,

sounds,

and smells

of their surroundings.

The surprise may be a sudden rainstorm

that sends you scurrying for shelter.

It may be the thrill of approaching an animal

to watch it feeding

or standing quietly to hear the sound

of a bird's wings.

It may be seeing millions of stars on a clear night.

Somewhere in nature

you will find a surprise,

and it will lift and inspire you

for days to come." -- Young Women Camp Manual, p.1, 2002

 

As I marvel every day at the unfolding beauty of nature all around me this spring in New England, I am in awe of the Master Creator and His loving care that is evident in the bright green of new leaves, the incredible blue of the sky, and the sweet smell of honeysuckle in the air.  They lift and inspire me and I am filled with gratitude to my Heavenly Father for the world in which I live.  And when I think of Girls Camp, I am excited to think of a week in the woods, unplugged from the man-made world of traffic, television, and internet and connected instead to the sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoors.  For the last couple of years I have emphasized the spiritual blessings available to everyone who comes to Camp, but let us not forget that the beauty of nature creates the perfect environment in which to feel the spirit.  Moroni writes in Mormon 9:16, "Behold, are not the things that God hath wrought marvelous in our eyes?  Yea, and who can comprehend the marvelous works of God?"  Many people find peace and inspiration in natural surroundings, as witnessed by Joseph Smith, who prayed in a grove of trees, Enos, who also prayed while out in the wilderness, and Moses, who received the Ten Commandments while on a high mountain.  In Moses 6:63 it says, "And behold, all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above, and things which are on the earth ... all things bear record of me."

As Young Women leaders, I encourage all of us to appreciate the natural beauty abundant at Zion's Camp, and encourage our girls to do the same.  When I was a young girl, my mother often pointed out to me a beautiful sky or flower that she observed.  She hoped by sharing her observations with me that my eyes might be opened and that I would become more aware of beauty and develop gratitude for my Father in Heaven.  Likewise,   I encourage you to set the example for your girls and enjoy your time in the outdoors while at camp; find a beautiful spot in which to spend some quiet time and contemplate.  As you do so, I know you will be filled with a heart of thanksgiving, and "he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more."  (D&C 78:19) 

~ Sister Verlie Grotehuis

Exeter Stake Young Women – Camp Director