I remember not having a very good impression of you last year at EFY. I knew you were a BYU Cheerleader so we occasionally said hi at football games over the fall. And we also took a religion class together. You definitely surprised me and gave me a 180 turn in my attitude towards you this week. You were a great Co-Counselor to work with! Perfect for the kids we shared this week. I was impressed when you took all our boys on a run to the temple/MTC one morning. And that you made an effort to invite the session director to your devotional. Thanks for making it a great week!
Sincerely,
Becky
Dear Girls,
Thanks for giving me such an awesome week! Remember how each one of you came to EFY flying solo? Without a friend? I was touched by each one of your extreme unique personalities and yet your ability to be my friend and friends with each other. Like really touched. From the awkward home-schooled to the cheerleader and the bad B.O. girls with the soccer girls. You were diverse and I loved it! By the middle of the week I just wanted to hang out with you during my free time! And by Saturday when you went home, I would remember how charitable you were to each other and it would bring me to tears. All. Day. Long. It was such a joy to be your Counselor and to grow with you. I usually prefer the babies (14-15 year-olds) but you gave me a great experience as the older group!
Jesus loves you, I love you, and don't forget to text your Mom! ;)
Dear Cornrows,
I thought it was awesome the first time I saw you that your entire head was braided. You've ran a marathon and you're 14! Seriously, that totally blew me away. And you always knew when to come and hug me. Also to reach out to the awkward in our group. You are going to do amazing things with your life! Never forget who you are!
Thank you,
Becky
Dear "Mama Theresa",
In a lot of ways, I think you were the glue in our group. Thanks for the laughter and free food! And for not being mad when I asked you to change your shirt!
XOXO,
Becky
Dear Home-schooled, Unique-Dresser,
You were so weird! And I loved every minute of it. Remember when you had multiple break downs because of the lack of attention from boys? Well, it might be because you wore different dress combos...like mixing that medieval dress with a cape and blue jeans! With your bandanna! Also, try to let some kids get in a word when talking with you! I understand though--it's a hard lonely life when you only have your sibs and cousins to socialize with, college will be enlightening for you! And I'm so grateful you were one of the most spiritually stable girls. I think we all learned something from you!
Peace out girl scout!
Becky
Dear Ed,
You are from Mexico and pretty much the coolest boy in our group! "I'm happy! I'm happy! I'm really, really happy!" remember how you would walk around singing that? You were a spiritual lighthouse to not only our group, but to me! You barely knew English and blew us all away at how much you loved the Gospel and our group! I think we were most impressed when KC translated your testimony for us and we learned your story. Like when we learned that you had worked custodial, gardening, and church work for members in your Ward to make enough money to make it to EFY. And that you were missing your last week of school and finals and almost wasn't able to come. Or the fact that you had moved to the U.S. from Mexico, 7 months ago because the city you had lived in was so dangerous. You told us that there were a lot of deaths in the city--especially among the young women. And that you had all sisters. Then you told us how in Mexico your neighbor told your father that they were searching for you, to kill you. That your father made the decision to move your family to America the next week. You concluded, bearing powerful witness that you knew that God lived! And how grateful you were for each and every new day that you lived! And every new person you met! I think we all walked away with a slice of humble pie. And an added love for God's hand in your life!
Thanks for changing our lives,
Becky
Dear Miami,
You were the tall white kid from Miami, Florida. And I remember liking you from the start. You just looked like a good priest who loved to play basketball! You shocked us all when you were speaking a mile a minute to Ed in Spanish! Who knew your Mom was Nicaraguan and that you were fluent?! I wished we could have become better friends, but I just wanted to tell you that my 3rd week of doing EFY, our Session Director was from Miami. On his Sunday night fireside, just between the Counselors, he mentioned your name and that you had come out to Provo several weeks ago--that maybe one of us had been your Counselor. What are the chances that KC and I were both working that session in Provo? The Session Director told us of some of the struggles you had been going through before EFY and that when you got home, you began to immediately make changes in your life. He had asked you what it was about EFY that really helped you see differently and change, and you mentioned your Counselor! I know you were talking about KC and not me, however; I hope you know that I love you too! Bro. Fawcett also had asked how you were going to keep the things you learned and he told us how you are still keeping to the routine of EFY; reading your scriptures, studying out of Preach My Gospel, waking up early, etc. I wish you the best! I know high school life in the South East is hard; but if I can do it! I know you can too.
Love,
Becky
