Be Strong and of Good Courage

The theme for this year was Joshua 1:9 Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest”

This year at girls camp our theme was Wearing the Armour of God. We had a little class about it with our camp director and these are some of the things I learned.

1. We are fighting a war. Right now. A war against Evil. I knew that we are tempted by Satan to do wrong and that we need to choose the right but I never thought about it in a war like type of way. We need to win. We are Gods army. We need to choose righteousness.

2. If we are fighting a war, and if we are gods army, we need Armour. The Armour of God. It protects us from evil. It will help us win. If we always wear it we will never be defeated. We should never take off the armor of god. We should never give in to the temptation.

3.The Armour of God is all defensive except the Sword of the Spirit. I never realized that before. We use the Spirit to fight off the evil temptations.

4. The Shield of faith is important. We are protected by faith. I feel invincible now that I know that I have that shield of Faith.

We also had a Lesson on the Stripling Warriors. They were Strong and Courageous men that were chosen by god to fight against evil. They wore the Armour of god. They were taught by their mothers.

It sounds a little like us.

We were chosen by god for these last days, We are fighting a war against evil, We are wearing the Armour of god, and we are taught the gospel by our Mothers.

After I heard this lesson I wanted to be just like them. I also decided that someday I want to find a man just like the Stripling Warriors to live with eternally.

During Girls Camp they would quote Elder Uchtdorfs's talk called "Your Happily Ever After" I liked these Quotes:

“Happily ever after” is not something found only in fairy tales. You can have it! It is available for you! But you must follow your Heavenly Father’s map.

Sisters, please embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ! Learn to love your Heavenly Father with all your heart, might, and mind. Fill your souls with virtue, and love goodness. Always strive to bring out the best in yourself and others. Learn to accept and act upon the Young Women values. Live the standards in For the Strength of Youth. These standards guide and direct you to your “happily ever after.” Living these standards will prepare you to make sacred covenants in the temple and establish your own legacy of goodness in your individual circumstances. “Stand … in holy places, and be not moved,” regardless of temptations or difficulties. I promise you that future generations will be grateful for you and praise your name for your courage and faithfulness during this crucial time of your life. Sisters, we love you. We pray for you. Be strong and of good courage. You are truly royal spirit daughters of Almighty God. You are princesses, destined to become queens. Your own wondrous story has already begun. Your “once upon a time” is now. "

I have learned A lot from girls camp this year. I think girls camp is the place I feel the most spirit and a place I can gain a testimony. I know that this theme has helped me be more Courageous and Strong. I feel like a Daughter of a King, Chosen for this time. I have a purpose. My Story begins today. I am a princess destined to be a Queen and to return back home with my Heavenly Father some day.