Foundations of Leadership 2009

Before school started I was blessed to go to a FOL (a leadership conference) up in Aspen Groves. It was one of the most incredible experiences. We were broken into 26 groups of eightish so that we were able to get super close to everyone. It was amazing how fast the group bonded. We were like a family! One of the things we got to do was a rope course. It was pretty entertaining. We had to do all these things according to the rules they told us. Here is a picture of us having to put all our feet in the hoop. :) We also did all these games. They would give us vague rules and kinda let you figure it out. It was pretty entertaining because my group was the annoying ones that would find the loopholes or the random ideas like the one below. We had to get the giant ball to the other side without it touching the sand. We could use sheets and touch the ball but if we were we couldn't move... so we decided to make a "human track" and roll the ball to the other side. It actually worked out really well but we were racing against the clock and ended up throwing it to Sean who then bumped it over the net and then rob head butted it to the grass in 3 seconds. The record might I add :)
Another amazing thing that we got to do is have a "Rise and Shout" pep assembly. It was awesome and got everyone so pumped for athletics this year. We got to hear from the QB coach and the cougars united (the official BYU fan club) president. The cheerleaders and Cougarettes came and we were taught the fight song. Cosmo the cougar was there also. We had a relay which is what the picture is of below. It was so much fun, and I can't wait till the season starts.
Tuesday we got two and a half hours of free time and I decided I wanted to go on a hike. It was gorgeous, but I thought I was seriously going to die in about the first five minutes. Altitude kills! Luckily I survived! :)
We hiked up to this waterfall that ran down. This is Sam. He is from Ohio. We were hiking buddies I guess, or rather he was just by me when we took a picture. (Don't anyone get any ideas... I'm not getting married in the next 6 months so stop planning)
That night we participated in one of the most spiritual experiences of my life. We were all blindfolded and led out in the dark and cold. We had no idea where we were going and I'm pretty sure we were all shivering. Sometimes we stumbled, but we always had that person in front of us leading us. It was amazing the overwhelming spirit that was there and how similar it is to our own lives. We have no idea where we are going, or how we are getting there. All we do it hold the hand of our Savior who leads us. Sometimes we trip over things, or trip, but he always picks us up and pulls us to keep going. It is scary not knowing where you are going or how you are getting there, but if you just have the faith and trust everything will be alright. There were times when we were split up and had to stand there by ourselves, shivering and alone, but there was always someone who can and got us. We started singing hymns and instantly felt a warmth and strength. At the end we got to bear our testimonies. It was truly inspirational.

The last day we did another amazing thing. In our groups we discussed our divine potential to lead, then we met all together. We were given pieces of wood and pens and asked to write all of the goals we had for this year. One the opposite side we were asked to write all the fear we had. Then we "broke through our fears to grab our goals." It was such an empowering moment, like you could do anything you wanted. Some people did it the first try, I took multiply tries but when I did it, it was awesome! Below is my friendors breaking through their fears.
I just thought this was a really awesome picture. Both the american flag and the BYU flag. What a blessing we have to be able to practice freely what we want to and to be able to be at such a wonderful university.
This is the group that we were with. They are my family, and we are so so super close! I love them all!