When I was hired to be a counselor for the summer, I was given (and accepted) five contracts. You’ve already heard about those weeks. But as I was working EFY and realized how much I loved it, I knew I wanted to work as many weeks as possible. I realized I was available to work the week of July 30, and that the team I worked with for the majority of the summer was working in Cedar City that week. I really wanted to work with them. That want became even greater when I realized that my sister was going to a participant that week at that session. It would be so fun to see her around. So I started telling all the BCs, coordinators, and the administrator that was I available to work Cedar 2. But it didn’t look likely, since they actually had more counselors than they needed. I had the opportunity to take other sessions that needed counselors that week, but I still held on to the hope that Cedar would become available, so I didn’t volunteer. I figured that if I didn’t get it, I still was able to have five amazing weeks as a counselor. A sixth would just be a cherry on top.
Then, while I was in Kirtland, I got an e-mail saying that I had an available contract for EFY. I checked the link and found out that it was for Cedar City 2. I was super excited and accepted it, telling all my girls how excited I was to work another week, especially the session my sister would be attending. I wasn’t quite sure how it happened, but I was grateful. (I found out later that some spots opened up and as the administrator was talking to the team about who they could offer it to, lots of people said my name. So she offered it to me and I accepted it.)
So all that back story explains why I wasn’t supposed to be in Cedar City. But I was so excited for another week and so ready to go. However, as the week wore on, I truly started believing that I really wasn't supposed to be in Cedar City. That I should have just stayed home and ended my EFY counseling career in Kirtland. I felt that I wasn’t making a difference. That I wasn’t clicking with my girls. That some other counselor should have been offered and taken the contract because she would’ve been able to help these girls (and boys). That I shouldn’t have fought so hard for that week, by constantly reminding people that I wanted that week.
Needless it say, with those feelings going on… It was SUCH a hard week.
But the week wasn't all bad. I had 16-18 year-olds again and they were fun. Of course, just like every week, there were some problems here and there, but nothing terribly major. Most of the hard stuff going on was my personal stuff and feelings with me, not issues with the group. My co-counselors were great and our name was Everlasting Glory (taken from Revelations 14:6-7)
And there were lots of fun, funny, and spiritual things that happened. Plus, there were so many tender mercies that happened that I am SO grateful for because they showed me that the Lord truly is aware of me and looking out for me. Just a few of those tender mercies... a couple of my girls coming and dancing with me in the lobby when I was on dance duty during the second half of the Friday night dance and feeling super down (though I don't think they realized that). And the session directors (the Dixons) coming up with one word to describe each counselor and my word being "depth." Until that word was said after my name, I didn't realize how much I've been working towards exemplifying that word this summer. I really have been trying to deepen my testimony, as well as deepen my relationships with Christ and those around me this summer, and it was so amazing to have somebody recognize that. And then just to have some participants and other counselors say or do certain things that helped me to realize that maybe I did help to make a difference.
So... maybe... just maybe... I was supposed to be in Cedar City. And I am so grateful for that.
But I miss EFY already. Those six weeks were some of the craziest, hardest, and most emotional weeks of my life. However, somehow, they were also among the most fun, fulfilling, and growth-promoting, weeks of my life. Funny how that works. And just like I'd tell my kids each week, I don't want it to stop here. EFY shouldn't just be a fun memory or a neat week (or weeks, in my case). It should be a springboard to the rest of your life. I rose a little higher because of EFY and I want to continue that growth and not sink back down to where I was (not that I was in a bad place before... I'm just in a better place now). It won't be easy, but I know I can do it. And I WILL do it.
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