Five years ago, I worked at Oakcrest LDS Girls' Camp. I had the opportunity to be a counselor for 10 weeks to some of the most incredible girls from the Salt Lake Valley. It was one of the hardest experiences of my life, but because of the hardships and difficulties I faced, it became one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
I vowed to never work there again.
Fast-forward 3 years: my mom is called to serve on the Oakcrest Womens Committee, a group of 15 women who oversee the workings of the camp year-round. When I heard this news, I secretly thought, "Oakcrest?? Never, ever again!" However, I was quite intrigued by the OC and the changes I heard. I decided to assist my mom during the summers at the camp by driving the two-hour commute with her to spare her back, help out with small tasks around the camp, etc. I thought, "Huh...this place isn't what I remember. BUT, never EVER again!"
After two summers of this psuedo-service at Oakcrest and through a series of unfortunate events, my life was blown into a drastic change of direction: I realized I was graduating with a Masters degree in May--a mere six months away--as a young single adult in a very LDS-centered community (again). Gulp. Last time I graduated (with a Bachelors), I still had grad school to fall back on as my plan. This time? No such luck. I figured I had three options: start working in the public schools as a certified Speech-Language Pathologist (work...what is that, exactly?) , serve a mission (finally!), or work at Oakcrest (where in the crazy did this come from??). Despite all of my efforts, I couldn't figure out which direction was best. I knew what I wanted, but what did the Lord want?
Because I didn't have a clear direction to take, I chose to pursue all options. I met with my supervisors and started a very basic job search to determine where I wanted to apply, I met with my bishop to discuss a mission and start my papers, and I applied for assistant director at the OC. After taking all of these actions, the answer finally came. I was offered a job as assistant director at Oakcrest 2012.
Ha ha! Good one, Heavenly Father!
But He was serious.
After much thought, prayer, temple attendance, fasting, scripture study, more prayer, and pondering I came to the conclusion that Oakcrest is where the Lord wanted me to be for the summer. I was
While I can't say that I'm uber excited for a summer at the OC again, I am very grateful for the miracles I've witnessed and the blessings I've already been given for accepting the job. I've met some absolutely incredible women and already forged amazing friendships with them. I'm looking forward to working with the rest of our staff (whom we picked yesterday! hallelujah!) and learning from both the staff and the girls. Oakcrest truly is a place of miracles and peace. I know, without any doubt, that Oakcrest is where I'm supposed to be this summer.
I'm still working on figuring out the "why". Help a sister out!
1 comment:
I don't know the details of your first experience as a counselor there, but I do remember the feeling I had attending Oakcrest as a teenager. I LOVED it. I loved my counselors, I loved the activities, the cement-block cabins, the hikes, everything! I hope you have a wonderful experience this summer, Kat.
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