If you have LDS teens, then you know all about EFY (Especially For Youth). It’s a wonderful opportunity for your teens to grow spiritually. Or, it is a fantastic chance to broaden the dating pool. The definition, of course, depends on who you ask (and who they are responding to). If you don’t keep up with the calendar, your teen can give you some great signs that EFY is fast approaching.
1. They ask if they can go ahead and purchase some nice school clothes now, instead of waiting for fall. They want to look their best!
2. Suddenly, your teen is diving into their scriptures. Could it be they are growing spiritually – or do they just want to be able to respond positively when asked if they are reading them daily?
3. Family prayers now include petitions that someone specific is also going to EFY. This person may not be mentioned by name, but perhaps by ward or stake, as in “And please let the Southland Stake youth be especially committed to attending this year.” If pressed, your teen might casually note that said stake (or ward, or branch) has really struggled to get their youth to attend – but don’t be fooled!
4. If your teen is traveling, family prayers might also include petitions from the smaller kids that “the plane won’t crash.” Don’t you love when toddlers pray?
5. You spot your teen sporting a brand new hairdo, completely out of the blue.
6. Youth in your ward are moving forward on service projects at a dizzying speed. Of course, it’s possible that they are simply managing to do more service because it’s summertime, right?
7. Your teen has also started applying him or herself more towards their summer job. Could they be saving up for next year’s EFY?
8. You thought your daughter was on the phone all the time already, but now she takes it to new heights as she and her friends plan for the upcoming event.
9. Your teenager seems to be increasingly nervous about flying or driving such a long distance – even if you live very close to the location. They get even more quiet than usual on the trip over (or just before, if they are flying). It could be homesickness kicking in….
The Especially For Youth program offers some fantastic and uplifting opportunities for LDS teens all over the United States. There is a very good chance that they will come home feeling spiritually strengthened – even if they told themselves that wasn’t why they were going!
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