I never would have imagined myself as a chaperone for Youth Conference in Kentucky. I'll just add this to my list of things I never thought I'd do.
Youth Conference 2007 held at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green Kentucky. The theme for this year's Youth Conference was "Don't Miss IT for the World" ("It" meaning the temple, or at least what the temple represents.)
Above is a picture of all the youth and leaders at Youth Conference from the Franklin, Hopkinsville, and Paducah Stakes. What a great group of youth! It is good to know the church and the youth are the same everywhere. Bob and I are in the picture, but good luck finding us. Oh wait, Bob would be the only one with sunglasses on.
Bob took this wonderful picture of me while I was giving some instructions for a game we were about to play. Doesn't humidity do lovely things to hair?
We were given responsibility for 20 kids. Bob had 6 boys and I had 16 girls (how fair is that!). Only four of them were from our stake, so we had to get to know names and faces really fast! We were the "Blue" group which started out having 14 kids and by the end of the get to know you games there was 20. I don't have any idea how that happened, I just know I kept adding names to my list. At the end of the first day, we were able to recognize the kids in our group.
This picture was taken before the last 2 kids joined our group. They were a very "spirited" group (to say the least) but they were lots of fun to be with. Two of the girls in our group were non-members who came with some of their friends (all in other groups) thinking they could have a fun, free food weekend. Both ended up bearing their testimonies the last day of youth conference saying they felt much more, and wanted to investigate why they felt the way they did.
To get this many youth together, they combined stakes from Tennessee, Kentucky, and Illinois. Some of these kids are the only member in their high school, so it was really fun for them to be able to spend a weekend with so many other members.
I am still trying to figure out how the paths leading anywhere on campus from the dorms are uphill both ways. My feet could not walk another step by the end of the first day (which, by-the-way, ended at about 3 a.m. when my body finally slept for about a half an hour in between trains). At 2 a.m. I couldn't help but burst into laughter, so my roommate (who I knew was still awake) and I finally got up to look out the window to see how close it was because it sounded like it was right under our window. IT WAS! It was right across the street! Needless to say, it was a long night and we were glad to see the sun rise. It's a good thing they had amazing speakers lined up for the classes.
Here are a few highlights from the classes on Friday:
- We can tell how we are doing spiritually by the way we feel about sin.
- Two words that describe the secret to scripture study are: consistency, and intensity.
- Get out of the "check off the box mode" when it comes to scripture study.
- Learn to "juice" the scriptures.
- Keep a scripture journal.
- There's more to a picture of David and Goliath than a small guy, a big guy, and a rock.
- If you are a casual christian, someday you will be a christian casualty.
- Write down your general impressions and follow them.
- If we follow our general impressions, more detailed impressions will follow.
- Keep a small notebook and pencil with you.
- Tommy Babylony Figer is not the place to shop.
- You can always tell where something was made whether it be Zion or Babylon.
- So check your music, clothing, movies, books, etc. and see where they are made.
- We are in the middle of the most brutal custody battle ever waged.
- "Who's your daddy?"...you choose.
Great fun, free food, and so much more...
We are happy to report that we still like each other after having spent an entire week together. Even Joe and Devon survived their week with the in-laws! 
This is the night we've waited for. Luke helped me begin our family night with an opening prayer. We talked about family unity. We'll all think about the story whenever we use chopsticks. Remember we are stronger together just like a big bundle of chopsticks tied together. If someone in our family needs us for anything....remember to say "chopsticks" and then work together to bless one another's lives. 
Everyone needs an Uncle Michael! 
It was a great day to spend at the beach.
When Michael is at the wheel, it's sure to be an exciting ride!
No wonder Parker has no fear!
nothing like having our own private beach! Oh did I say "private"? You mean we weren't suppose to be there?
Wait...this is a photo op we can't miss. We know the tours of the Midway end in an hour, but we're taking this picture anyway! It's not as easy as it looks to stand like that!
We made it on the ship and went straight to the top so we could see the fighter jets. Devon could have spent three days on this ship and loved every minute of it. 
Hurry, hurry, walk a little faster, faster....hurry, hurry, maybe even run! We've put our money in the meter and it's ticking! We only have an hour and a half to do a three hour tour.
Is is really worth an hour and a half wait to ride this thing? How about if you guys go on two or three other rides while me and dad wait in line!!! Actually, we really didn't mind. As it turned out, this was the only long line in the park that day anyway. Great day to go to Disneyland!
There's nothing like seeing Disneyland through little children's eyes.
I never thought a fireworks show could be that amazing!
Warm California nights are the best...especially at sunset at the beach.
Are all California girls blonde and tan? Kimberly finally achieved her goal of being more tan than the rest of us. 
I think the guy in charge of this ride loved us! It was the most excitement he's had in days at Lego Land. Nothing like a little competition between family members. I think Dad and Michael's fire truck was rigged!
Michael and Joe continued their search for the most exciting ride at Lego Land. You can tell this one was Waaaay exciting! They look like they are with a summer camp group in the same color shirts.
Taking a break from the heat and the rides....all the adults watched with envy as the kids all played in the cool water park.
Our last night together having dinner at King's Fish House....yummm! The hardest decision of the night was what kind of dessert to surprise Robyn with. We all enjoyed sharing the one piece of chocolate cake that we got especially for Robyn. Thanks for sharing it with us!
