Oakcrest has changed my life

I went to a "farewell" on Sunday of one of the sisters I worked with at Oakcrest girls' camp during the summer of 2010. It has made me think a lot back to that summer and why it was such an amazing experience.
I was also talking to my bishop that night to receive some counsel and the things he said reminded me of our theme from that summer. That is why I dedicate this blog post to Oakcrest. I wrote about it in another post back in May, but this time I want to talk about what the theme means to me.

Here is a link to listen to the theme song from 2010. It is a video by "The Ward Choir Guy", Jason Robison, who helped our directorship write it.

Theme Song Video                                                                                                                                  
The first verse and chorus go as follows:

"A world full of voices trying to change what I do and who I am. And sometimes the voices become so loud it's hard to hear Heaven is near. But as I try to listen to the still, small voice, I feel His love around me as He leads me to my choice. He says, "Come unto me, bring me your burden, I'll bear it for you. Come unto me, I am the Giver of light and truth. I am waiting for you. Come unto me, my arms of mercy reach out to you. Oh, you are one of the Father's best, Find yourself when you come unto me."

The scripture that we used with our theme is 3 Nephi 9:14. It says:  
"Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me."

I love these words, both in the song and the scripture, because they tell us how important it is to come to our Savior. The world is telling us so many different things. How are we supposed to know what we should listen to or believe any more? In my Communication Theories class today, we brought up the question whether society is reflected in the media or whether the media has influenced our society to change the way it has. What do you think is the case?

I know in my own life, I think the media has influenced some of my thoughts. I have felt that I don't measure up to the beautifully skinny and blonde girls that are portrayed as the ideal. I used to think guys didn't like me. I only got asked out twice during high school. Many of the dates I've gone on in my life were when I asked the guy. Since I'm not that super gorgeous girl that our society believes what beautiful is, I have felt inferior and worthless at times in my life. Those voices of the world have told me this.

This is not the case.

Our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ love us more than we will ever know. We can feel comfort and strength through them. They are here for us. We just have to be willing to come unto them. Christ has taken our burdens and sins upon Him. We will be blessed for remembering Him and being willing to say, "Lord, I can't do this alone. Please help me. Help me be better. I need Thee."

I am trying to figure out some things right now. I think I had forgotten some of the lessons I learned at Oakcrest. I am grateful for that camp and for what working did teach me. I may have been teaching others about the Gospel, but I think I learned so much more. The truths we taught to our campers have changed my life and have brought me closer to my Savior. I pray that I may be able to remember the lessons taught that summer. I love Him and am trying to be more like Him. I know He will take our burdens and help us as we come unto Him.


Images Credit
I don't remember the artist of the first one, but it can be found at Deseret Book.
Second one - Art by Liz Lemon Swindle, found on Google Images