The Person I Want to Be

This summer I got the opportunity to be an EFY (Especially For Youth) counselor for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This literally has been the best experience I have ever had in my entire life. I have grown so much and love the person that I have become.
When I was a youth I went to EFY and it was the best week of every year I went. It changed my life as a youth and showed me what was really important. Back then was when I said I wanted to be an EFY counselor when I grew up...

Provo 1B and Gainesville GA 01

First day on the job! (Provo 1B) All the counselors from Georgia on the right!

I'm not grown up just yet, but I sure got to fulfill and check off what I think is one of the best and most important thing on my bucket list. I still can't believe that I got that opportunity and everyday I was at EFY I thanked the lord for that amazing blessing. I caught myself looking around and saying to myself, "I'm really an EFY counselor...how did this happen!?" and probably way too many times!

Fourth of July in Gainesville GA 02

Provo 4A

These kids have taught me so much and they have each individually blessed my life more than they will ever know. I wish I could go back and be with those amazing kids and around that spirit all the time. This summer has been amazing and has truly strengthened my testimony.
I know that my Savior loves me and knows me. I am so blessed that I had this opportunity.
I will never forget the feelings that I felt and the miracles that I saw.

Provo 9A. Never laughed so hard in my entire life this week!!

Such an amazing speaker Brad Wilcox! This picture is hanging up
in one of the main buildings at BYU. Just sporting EFY!
Too bad I go to USU! 

I will NEVER forget what EFY has taught me.
Anxiously Engaged 2014
D&C 58:27

Signed, A better person


Provo 9A

Blessed.

This past semester of school has been crazy but I have been so blessed through it all. I've learned new things, gained new knowledge, and had fun with what was thrown my way.
This semester I tried to learn how to longboard. Successful? I probably wouldn't go THAT far...I can get on the board and go straight but hey, I'm still learning!
 

 

I got to see some old friends that I haven't seen in years. Jackson was on an LDS Mission and I hadn't seen him in about 3 years. He is an old friend from Georgia and was visiting Utah and dropped by! So good to see an old friendly face! Harry is an old friend from dance. I got to see him when I was in Georgia visiting the family. Love these people and so glad I got to visit with them.

 

Jackson

 

Harry



Speaking of friends I met some good ones this year!! I basically lived with these crazy girls all semester. Having the same Major and same program meant we had all the same classes together. Early mornings, late nights, and long days with these crazy ones but I love them to death! Funny talks and awesome date nights! I have definitely made life long friends this semester!
 

Raquel, Lindsey, and Me

Being an Education Major, our classes rock! We get to build things, paint, color, play with play dough, and get children's books read to us! Basically it's the greatest thing ever. I loved these classes and I loved these girls. I fell in love with Kindergarteners this semester and I love teaching them. Those sweet little 5 and 6 year olds will forever have my heart. I love them to pieces!  

Lindsey and Raquel



The rest of the crazies!!
Teachers gone WILD


Lindsey, Raquel, and I decided that we would run to be on the board of the Council for Exceptional Children. Why not!? We needed to join the council for our program in school anyways so we decided why not be on the board for it? Well...we actually ALL THREE of us got on it! Woohoo! Raquel and I are on the activities board and Lindsey is State Rep! So that was pretty sweet!
 
Also did I mention I got all A's AND got on the Dean's List...?
WHAT'S UP WITH THAT!? I guess all the hard work paid off.
 

 
Even with all the craziness of school I still made time for lots of fun!
Late night Motorcycle rides with my boy NEVER get old! Always have to make time for those.
Love this boy!





 Camping outside of Al's Sporting Goods for their big open sale. We brought a tent to sleep in and we were 1st in line! Lots of people said we were crazy but we got tons of free stuff and had a blast doing it!

 

One of me and Tyler's good friends got married! So awesome that we got to be there for the wedding! <3 Congratulations you two! We love Shawn and Kelsie P.

 

BBQ's with my girls and our boys! Grillin' whatever we can find and watching Lindsey start fires (or trying to). Summer breeze and playing with the cutest puppies. Good people and good food! So glad I met these two.

 

 

And lastly, I got accepted to be an EFY COUNSELOR this summer!! EFY stands for "Especially for Youth." It is a week long youth-oriented "camp" that focuses on the teaching and the principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). I went to EFY when I was a youth and I went for 5 years. It was so much fun and I always thought that being a counselor for it would be amazing. Well folks, looks like I'm gunna be one for 8 weeks this summer!

 

I have been incredibly blessed. 2014 has been good to me so far. I can not wait for more adventures to come and to share them with the people that I love.

 

Signed,

Counting more blessings than I deserve 



Only the Best Time of Year

Family traditions, hot chocolate, ice skating, gingerbread houses, cookies and milk, warm fuzzy socks, presents under the tree, kisses under the mistletoe, twinkling lights, and being with the people you love the most. Who doesn't love this time of year!? Gosh I love Christmas. Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. It's about love and caring, spreading that spirit around everywhere we go. We should do this all year round but unfortunately we only try around Christmas time. Even though its cold outside and snow is everywhere there is still a warmth that comes from the spirit of Christmas. 
This year has really felt like Christmas for me! Boy have I been blessed.
I went ice skating with some friends and let me just say we are all oh so very good at ice skating that we don't fall...ever. Haha

You can't forget about making gingerbread houses! Couldn't be Christmas time with out making a mess and getting frosting everywhere! We made a gingerbread house and a gingerbread train. It was messy and yummy and oh so very great!

Took a trip down to Temple Square in Salt Lake City! Gosh it was beautiful! The trees were all twinkling in any and every color you could think of. It was freezing and crowded in Temple Square but still in some way you felt warm inside. I love those lights and how they make you feel. I love the way you can see how beautiful the Temple is and how lit up it looks with all the twinkling lights around it. Such a fun night.

This time of year is wonderful and magical all at the same time. Keep in mind why we celebrate it and what's most important. Christ. The birth of a man who is perfect and our brother who loves us unconditionally. Merry Christmas everyone! I hope its full of people who you love dearly and the spirit of Christ.