Back in September, Kim put me in charge of our activity at
the dorm. I had just taught a lesson in Young
Women’s on trusting in the Lord, the theme for mutual this year. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and
lean not unto thy own understanding…. and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs
3:5-6 It reminded me of the trust falls
we use to do at girl’s camp at Camp Shalom.
So, I looked up trust falls on YouTube and found some directions on how
to do one successfully. I also found a
sitting challenge that looked fun too.
We started that night singing the song that goes along with
the scripture theme. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMNngnJ3u8w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0JvM7pbPTo
We talked a little bit about the theme then I showed a video on how to do the
sitting challenge. We started with the
girls. Everyone sits in a circle on
chairs. Everyone turns sideways and lays
down on the person’s lap now behind them.
Then one at a time, the chairs are removed. Miraculously, you remain in that same
position. The girls were surprised to see that it worked. As soon as the boys saw how it was done, they
made their own circle and were successful.
Someone thought it would be “fun” to put Sister Roper in the mix. Not such a good idea! My feet didn’t quite reach the ground, I
didn’t have the strength to pick myself up off the chair so it could be
removed. So not so successful. My chair never left the circle. Oh well. Nice try though.
After the chairs, I showed the videos for the trust
fall. They were super excited to try.
Susanna was the first to get up on the table.
For those of you that don’t know the trust fall, someone stands higher than
everyone else. 6-8 people stand behind and below them. They put out their arms in a position to
catch the person above. The person
above, with their back towards the others, calls out, “ready?” The others
respond “fall”. The person replies back, “falling” and then falls straight back
into their arms. It’s a great scenario to
show trust. There were several that
wanted to try it. There were even more
that didn’t have the courage. We quickly
learned that standing on a chair on the table was better. Those that did the fall really had some
hesitations once they got on the chair.
But once they fall, they realize that they COULD trust those below.
Afterwards we talked about it. I asked them how this related to trusting in
the Lord. One girl said, “I knew I could
trust the girls catching me because I knew them. I knew they wouldn’t let me
fall.” Then I added, “when we know Jesus Christ, we can more easily trust
Him. We can know that He will NEVER let
us fall. And if we do, he will be there to catch us.” Love Love Loved this activity.
Lafaele was trying to pull the chair out but I don't think he wanted to be the one that made Sister Roper fall flat on the floor regardless of how many times Elder Roper told him to pull. He was being so gentle and careful.
The guys were much more successful....but maybe if Elder Roper had been in there, it might have been a different story.
Here's the first fall. Susana is a new student this school year. She is very brave and is always there willing to take on any challenge. She wants to be a brain surgeon.
They love having their pictures taken.
You can see the technique in this video. And you can also tell we had way too many people there to catch her. We really only needed 6. Here's Susana from another angle.
Daniel came forward next! Calm and Cool and Confident!
Vuna (Aiavuna) has been in the dorms for 3 years. She will be graduating this year in December. She was so nervous to fall but eventually got up the courage. She's just that kind of person, willing to put forth whatever effort it takes to accomplish her goal. On Friday, she opened her mission call. She will be serving in none other but Fiji Suva Mission beginning her MTC experience in February. She is from PNG so she will get to home for a couple of months before she leaves. Grateful she'll be coming to the Provo MTC so we'll be able to be the ones to pick her up at the airport and deliver her in Provo. Love this girl.
Hubert is kind and loving and very social. He reaches out to all and is a friend to everyone. He is also from PNG (Papua New Guinea) and has been here for three years with no visits home. He has received his mission call and will be going to the Philippines. His MTC training starts on February 24 in Manila. Did you know there are 23 Philippine Missions? WOW!
Wewena (pronounce way-way-nu) almost landed on the floor. This shows how important it is that you fall straight back and not bend at all! These girls saved her!
Randy is a big guy and he was so nervous. We have laughed many times watching him trying to get up the courage to fall. Do you love how he crosses himself at the beginning? Where did that come from? 😂 Randy is another one of the young men who has received his mission call. He too will be going to the Philippines and doing his MTC training in Manila in February. He and Daniel, who is not in any of these videos, will both go to the MTC on the same day but will be in different missions in the Philippines. They are excited that they will travel together.
Elder Roper had a good time editing these videos and doing some bouncing and going backwards, etc. Unfortunately I don't have copies of them. So you get the originals.
Other calls that came this week were Annie. She is excited to serve in New Zealand Hamilton where she will go to Auckland MTC. We went to the Auckland MTC in 2019 and loved learning from President and Sister Dill. I only hope they will still be there when she arrives. Mazina will also do her MTC training in Auckland before she goes to Ghana. At first, she was feeling realling left out since all the other students that had calls were going to Philippines, but now Annie and Vuna have calls in other places and Annie will be at the MTC with her. So much excitement with these youth as they prepare to serve the Lord and be representatives of Jesus Christ. That's 8 with mission calls and many more that either have papers in or are working on submitting their papers.
Randy with the dorm dad, Mosese, talking with his family before reading his mission letter.
Getting lots of congratulations afterward!
Randy with Lafaele and Jopeth who are both waiting for mission calls as well.
Maikep, mission call to Philippines, Ashton, Philippines and Mazina, Ghana. Elder Roper talking to them about what a great experience this will be for them and how it will mold and change their lives.
Daniel and Hubert both waiting to read their mission letters to see where they will serve for the next two years. What great, dedicated young men who love Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.
Hubert reading his call. He will be serving in Philippines beginning February 24. He will serve in the same mission as Ashton.
Hubert and Ashton hug as they realize out of the 23 Philiippine Missions, they will be serving together. Ashton will leave for the MTC in Provo on February 13 while Hubert will go 10 days later but will do his training in Manila.
Jessy and Paruru waiting for mission calls to be read! You'd think that senior missionary would be a little more mature! 😂😜
Daniel reading his call. Yep! Another Philippine missionary going to Naga on February 3. Also Manila MTC.
Aiavuna reading her call. Fiji Suva Mission February
Annie and Vuna preparing to read their calls while the other dorm students wait to hear the exciting news.
Annie is going to Hamilton New Zealand in March.
Girls talking to Annie's family.
Mazina feeling better knowing she isn't the only one not going to the Philippines. Ghana will be lucky to have her.
Elder and Sister Patton are also ITEP missionaries and do a lot of help at the dorms. Fun night for all of us!
