Girls Camp and the Tree of Life

Justin took Annie to our church's girls camp again this year.  One experience was particularly special and memorable.  Justin told us about it when they got home from camp and here's my brief re-telling. 


The leaders at camp set up a trail to be like the path to the tree of life with a rope as an iron rod. Along the way they had pictures of Christ, the temple, etc. set up and they planned to have a leader at each one to talk to the girls.

Knowing that it would be tough to take Annie on the trail, Justin decided to get a head start with Annie while the other girls listened to a speaker at the beginning of the trail first. Justin took Annie on the trail, which was very bumpy and rough, but it was still light outside so he could easily see to navigate the trail.

No leaders were at the pictures when Annie came to them, but Justin stopped at each one to talk to Annie about it. Eventually they arrived at the end with the tree of life before anyone else. They had a big tree in an open field decorated with white Christmas tree lights to signify the tree of life. Annie loved looking at the lights and was really happy when she made it to the tree. She was smiling huge and just loved being there at the tree. Justin stayed at the tree with Annie for quite a while before any other girls started to arrive.

Later at the girls camp testimony meeting, Justin learned what that iron rod experience was like for all the other girls. They talked about how distracting it was to have other young women off in the bushes away from the trail yelling things at them and telling them they’re no good and worthless, and to hear other young women who were in a small shed away from the trail, laughing and having fun, working to convince the girls on the trail to join them (like the great and spacious building). They also talked about how difficult the trail was because it was dark and they couldn’t see their way very easily.

It wasn’t until Justin heard the other girls’ experiences that he was touched with comparing their experiences on the trail with Annie’s. Annie's experiences on the trail were very symbolic to her unique life. Annie didn’t have to go on the trail when it was dark—her path was continually lit--just as in her life, she continually has the spirit with her and is never left without that special companionship.

Annie's path was still a rough and rocky trail and not always easy to travel. But on Annie's rough and rocky path, she wasn’t tempted or yelled at by the “adversary” or the other girls hiding in the bushes.  And that's true of Annie's life. She faces difficult challenges every day--seizures, medical challenges, physical challenges, and even mental and communication challenges--yet Satan is powerless over her.  She is immune to his temptations.

Annie was the first one to get to the tree and was thrilled to be there.  Likewise, she will return to live with her Heavenly Father before her friends at girls camp do. And I know that when she gets there, she will be even happier than she was when she arrived at this tree decorated with Christmas lights, because her surroundings will be even more glorious! 

When the leaders decided to provide this symbolic experience for the girls, I'm sure they had no idea that they would also be providing Annie with her own unique symbolic experience. Annie truly had a wonderful time at camp and Justin felt equally blessed to be able to attend with her and experience this Tree of Life trail with her.

Annie arriving at the Tree of Life

Just like last year, a group of girls included Annie in cookie baking. We were touched that none of these girls are in Annie's ward, yet they still reached out to her to include her.