Spirit Conference

I'm finally in Idaho! Wow, it sure has been an incredible week. I arrived in Rexburg Wednesday evening to find Juston waiting at my complex ready to help move me in. That was sure nice of him and sure was appreciated by me. I got everything moved in and uploaded that night and had the next day to go shopping. It sure was lonely on Thursday though. No one was in town or available all day. Luckily, Friday morning was the start of Spirit Conference to train the I-Reps and I-Team leaders. What an incredible experience that was! The conference was about 9 hours a day for 2 days, all about learning how to best interact and teach the incoming new freshmen and to become a Disciple of Christ. We learned "know", "feel", "become", and "do". It was funny going to sacrament today, too. Everyone in town is bascailly involved in Spirit Conference until the new students arrive tomorrow and all of the testimonies were based u[on the spirit challenge, which in my eyes, was a life altering and humbling experience.

The Spirit Challenge started with our mentors blindfolding us with white cloths and telling us we couldn't speak from that time on. They led us to a grassy field and spread us out in said field. I was standing for close to 20 minutes before anything happened and all of a sudden a loud, uncomfortable sound of worldly news reels from the last decade were blasting through out the area. I was instructed to walk away and after a while, I could faintly hear the voice of the prophet. I would walk toward it but other volunteers who were not blindfolded would be temptors and temptresses. After several attempts I walked into a rope which signified the "Iron Rod" and all I had to do was stay on that path to return to heaven, or the top of the hill. What was so incredible ab out it was how it protrayed real life so perfectly. Once you get on that path, it only takes a temptor to say "Trust me, this is no fun, coem with me" and you are led away. You have to fight to get back. Along the way you hear angels' voices as well, who were other volunteers that were not blindfolded. Finally, after a hard battle being blindfolded, you arrived at the top and were told to remove your blindfold. As I did so I was stunned with the vision of 200 volunteers singing hymns all hugging and embracing one another. It was heaven. Basically, I cried. I realized that that was an answer to my recent prayers. I have to endure. It will not be easy. But it will be worth it.

My testomony has grown so much in the past few days, especially with the people I have come to meet and have started to love. This school continues to blow me away. I am so excited for the Fall 2009 semester. Welcome home, new freshmen! Now let's just see if I can answer all of the parents' questions correctly.