EFY

To me, this picture sums up EFY. Do I remember what I was doing as I was caught in this ridiculous pose? No. I just remember that that night was a ton of fun. Some of the kids are participating with me, some are bored or looking at other groups. But those that put effort and love and heart into our group learned something, I know it. I know it because their involvement helped me learn something. Like it's ok to be crazy and I don't have to worry that I look stupid in this photograph, because I'm all in. I was 110% there. And when you were all in to EFY, great things happened. Not just great relationships or competitions, but great spiritual experiences, because you were all in to the Spirit.

Got the Message Yet?

I feel like that's what Heavenly Father's been saying to me lately. He's sent me many slaps in the face to say, "Just be patient already and keep waiting." Here's the slaps I've collected so far:


[Sung at EFY]

"Waiting can be hard. Children know it, and so do adults. We live in a world offering fast food, instant messaging, on-demand movies, and immediate answers to the most trivial or profound questions. We don't like to wait. Some even feel their blood pressure rise when their line at the grocery store moves slower than those around them.

Patience-- the ability to put our desires on hold for a time-- is a precious and rare virtue. We want what we want, and we want it now. Therefore, the very idea of patience may seem unpleasant and, at times, bitter.

Nevertheless, without patience, we cannot please God; we cannot become perfect. Indeed, patience is a purifying process that refines understanding, deepens happiness, focuses action, and offers hope for peace....

If children are every going to mature and reach their potential, they must learn to wait." - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
[Excerpt Quoted in Ward Bulletin]

[Full Talk Read Separately at EFY}


[Heard at the Fabric Store in Minnesota}