Coming Back Home! Aug 10-26

I debated writing a whole post about my summer and EFY but I realized that I have too much to say even in a blog post. I need to write a book! I really hope to document and write everything down with pictures, because this summer was such a big blessing and gift from my Heavenly Father. It was the most healing and spiritually uplifting summer and I miss all my EFY people dearly. Im so grateful that I was able to experience being a counselor!

Im grateful for my family and our spur of the moment trip to Disneyland! It was soo awesome! Im grateful we were able to make it work!
 
 

I get very excited when I get to return home to Virginia. The drive was good and long! Thank Goodness for my Dad and Harry Potter audiobooks. I really wanted to stop in Nauvoo and my Dad made that happen! What was funny is we arrived on the day that EFY had just ended there, so I saw participants and counselors everywhere! I will never escape the EFY life haha! I hope to return to Nauvoo to spend more than a few hours there, but I was so grateful and happy we got to go!

 

When we arrived in DC we spent a fun Sunday night with the Garfields. We went on a gorgeous walk around a battlefield and ate delicious food!

 

I was so excited to drive back to SVU! The only problem was that I am use to being back on campus this early for RA jobs. So I usually have lots of running around doing training and checking residents in. But this time it was just for work which didn't start untill Wednesday and I was SO bored... I just kept wandering like a lost puppy. I also couldn't move into my house until Saturday so I was house hopping.

But some good moments in that week:

-This random leaf lying perfectly on my car

-The goat field I found

-Heidi making me lots of food!

My first Sunday in my house was great! I woke up, ate breakfast on my porch, read my book. It was delightful!


The first half of the week was really boring... I literally sat around all day and organized my room and then went to work. I was going crazy!!! 

Monday was the eclipse though! I must admit that I was not on the bandwagon until I actually saw it. We had about 88% totality here. Everyone gathered on Chandler Field and every time there was a break in the clouds everyone would freak out and throw their glasses on. It was very entertaining. 
 

We've been having a Princess Diaries watching party! Can't beat that!


I love living in a house! Our friend John came over and we were teaching him how to compliment girls haha!!!


Don't worry everyone, my kids are making sure I stay in fashion!


I went to the gym this week with my housemates! WHAT? That's right. Lauren went to the gym!

So because I was so bored and had two very willing hands, when checkins started on Thursday I woke up early and volunteered my services.
I basically just stayed with my friends Colby and Bailey and we helped move people in, deliver water, hang up signs, and other random odd jobs. It was a lot of fun! And then that night we all went to the football scrimmage, Ihop (Thats right! Lexington has an Ihop now), and blasted the new Taylor Swift song the moment it came out.
 
(Note: School colors are now Crimson...)

Friday I wandered around campus and joined in on some of the orientation events. I am friends with all the Student Government people this year, so I just find myself helping out for random events. I love it! 

I got home from work and Alayna invited me to go with Rachel to get tacos at a taco stand. We arrived and they were all out of tacos... but we ate at Mono Taqueria instead, which is absolutely delicious!


That night we had an outdoor movie in front of main hall. The feature was the 5th Pirates of the Caribbean. I thought it was pretty good!

Saturday I helped set up for the dance. We started around 1:30pm and didn't finish until about 6. The more leadership roles you have, the more you really do appreciate all the work that goes into the events to make it happen. 

Before the dance Colby and Jahren and I went to Cook Out and then Walmart to buy cups for the dance haha. Good times! The dance was a lot of fun! I danced and then sat and helped swipe people in. I love my friends :)

Other random moments from the week, there was this massive spider at work! I wish you could truly understand its huge size from the picture. It was basically the size of the door handle.


I swapped the lofts hill for this one. It has a slower incline and goes on forever haha! I feel completely out of shape every time I walk up it! HAHA

I am very excited for this semester! Lots of exciting things happening and lots of awesome people! Here we come Senior Year!

Spring Semester Wrap Up

Yes I am writing this months after the semester has ended. But I couldn't not write up a summary of last spring.

I just sat and read through all my blog posts from this past semester and I just kept smiling :) 

How was spring semester?

It was wonderful. I LOVED spring semester 2017. I was busier than I have ever been, but I cannot believe the smiles, tender mercies, and people God sent me this semester. I felt my Saviors love and Atonement stronger than ever before. 

Comfort, Joy, Love

Three words for my semester.

Gods Timing

This is something I mention a lot on here. Its something I think and talk a lot about with other people. Our timing is very rarely God's timing. We have certain trials and sometimes the lessons we need to learn and the person we need to become means that the trial lasts a little longer than we would like. But they last the length we need them too!

Christ's Atonement

This goes hand in hand for me with God's timing.This semester I felt a trail physically lift off my shoulders while performing The Lamb of God. Christ suffered for me. He knew exactly how I have been feeling the last two years. Every tear and heartbreak he was there. Because of the Atonement and the Enabling Power I have been given strength. My burden isn't my burden anymore.

Others Need to Lift You

I love my friends at SVU. I love the opportunity to be friends with literally everyone and grow so much from so many different groups of people. I started to hang out more with one group of people the last few weeks of school. I realized that as I spent time with them I would laugh and laugh and just smile. They lifted me and were on the same plane as me. We helped each other equally. I sometimes find that with certain circumstances and personalities sometimes you have to be more of the 'mom' or adult. But I appreciated this group of friends and the way they lifted others and myself. And I think in order for that to happen we have to allow others to lift you.

God is aware of all his Children
I had so many people I needed to be aware of this semester whether it was friends, my Relief Society sisters, or my girls. But I found that when I was sometimes the busiest my presidency had stepped in and already accomplished something that I needed done, or someone else was sent to help the person in need. God always has a way to accomplish his work, and he will never let someone go without help. 

The Greatest Week! April 24-May 2

I didn't take a lot of pictures of the greatest week ever and I don't know if I can really explain why it was the greatest... but it was just so much fun! 

I kicked off finals week by leaving at midnight Monday morning and going to Cook Out with friends. Did we all have 8am finals? Yes. Did we blast Taylor Swift songs in the car till almost 2 in the morning? YES!

I definitely went to cook out again Monday night and goofed off in the library for forever. I've never had such a funny and fun finals week. I studied in groups a lot more and it seemed like we all helped each other and also just got really distracted. Like when three of my friends all had me download Fun Run Arena and we sat and played on separate phones but against each other in the library till 1am. Yup. HAHA!!

My finals all went really well though! 

It was also my last few days of work. I love these kids. I know I say it every blog post. I am just so grateful for them and so grateful for the wonderful ladies I have gotten to work with almost everyday. They are just amazing!


Its always bitter sweet to say goodbye to all my residents as well. This year was so different than last year! These girls were a lot more independent and didn't spend as much time in my room which was totally fine. But I loved talking to them and visiting them in their rooms! Watching them grow and learn about themselves is always so amazing.

Deciding not to be an RA again next year was a really difficult decision. It was something I felt for a little while but still went back and forth about till the very last possible second. I LOVED being an RA. I loved serving and watching over 24-28 girls. They kept me laughing and busy. I ADORE working with the other RA's and the Rogers and Tuttles. I loved growing and learning more about myself through them. It was definitely hard somedays. Oh yes it was hard. But I would never change it in a million years. I NEEDED to be an RA! I just love it!

Commencement is always so exciting and sad at the same time. I had so many friends that graduated this year. Brigham and Jared both spoke and they made me cry! I love them and the things they have taught me. I love singing Shenandoah all throughout the year but especially at Commencement on the front steps of Main Hall. It is something so special. 
 
 

I was walking around the day after Commencement and can I just reiterate how peaceful and amazing Southern Virginia University is? 


At the beginning of the year I hung up a whole bunch of pictures from Sophomore Year. That year was so hard and those pictures were there to remind me of who I had become and what I had endured. I loved the reminder and when I went to take it down I was really sad.. Obviously the pictures I will always have. But it was just kind of sad.


This was the ending of a huge season of my life. I have lived in the lofts every year I have attended SVU. I have been an RA two years in a row with a very similar routine. I have grown and cried and laughed till my stomach hurt in those rooms. It was my home. And It was so weird to pack and know I wasn't returning to that building. But also... a little exciting and terrifying.

One thing I will really miss? MY VIEW!


The last morning everyone was there the Rogers fed all the RA's breakfast. The Rogers are moving to Arizona and I am going to miss them and the opportunity to play with and watch Baby Marshall grow up! Here is an adorable picture of Marshall being one of the boys.


Also, shoutout to the bug catcher that has been with me since Sam made it my first semester. It has done well :) 


Shoutout to Chalae for being my travel buddy down to DC. I love this girl and learned so much from her every time we talk!


Now. 

Off to the first great summer adventure. AH!

The Greatest People I Have Every Met. April 17-23

The week before finals is the worst week of the whole year. And this semester's last week of classes was ROUGH.

But,

I am just full of love for the people around me. I LOVE these people. I love my friends and their support and amazing ability to make me laugh till it hurts. Let me give you some examples...

Cody Rogers

I was sitting in the library attempting to study when I get this text.

 

Thats right folks. I got handed pizza. It was the best!

Colby, Jessica, John John, Chalae

I was studying on my own...but like I said, I have some of the greatest friends ever. So of course I moved by them when they came in.

Lucy, Mariah, Anton

These three were my pilate partners in crime. Our mats were by each other everyday! And I mean everyday. We never missed once! (Except Mariah because she was dying one day). I love them and made them take a picture with me because I was going to miss working out with them twice a week! Also congrats Lucy on your pregnancy and Mariah and Anton getting married! Love these guys!

Raspberry Moosetrack Ice Cream

Yes. This is also one of my closest friends.

Lauren, Lauren, and Kamila

These girls rock! Heavenly Father knows who needs to be called to help keep a ward going. And in this case one Lauren wasn't enough. These girls were one step ahead always. I relied on them so much and grew from their testimonies, service, and examples. Thank you for being the best presidency members EVER!

Sarah Foster

This girl is great. She is wicked talented with a camera, has grown so much spiritually, one of my residents, and great friends. We are experts in the quick rant department. Love ya Sarah!

Leilani

This girl is one of the funniest people ever. I am going to miss her and her huge smile, but she is going to be one amazing missionary! Love ya Lei!

Jessica

I have learned so much from Jess this year. I work with her and she's in my ward. She is so aware of those around her, an amazing listener, and never fails to make me smile and laugh!

These are just a handful of the amazing people here at SVU that I get to call my friends and family.

This notification pops up every night. I don't think I could tell you the last time I listened to it...

Wednesday was the lip sync battle. 

Highlight: The one man Beauty and the Beast duet.

At one point I had to escape to the side of a building on campus to cram a little bit more for a test. You got to do what you got to do.

Other notable week activities:

Accolade concert and our pilates teacher taking the three of us that hadn't missed a class out to lunch where we found out we had a flat tire and had to get it fixed before we could return back to school haha!

It was the last Sunday as the 4th ward. I would be lying if I said I wasn't relieved...but it was also sad. I loved serving as Relief Society President. I feel like I could have done a lot more, but I think we always feel that way. I had an opportunity to really see the Lords work unfolding around me. 

 I learned that Gods work moves forward and that he is always there to help make up the difference when we are trying but come up a little short. Which we all do because we are human! I love these women. They taught and shared their testimonies endlessly.

I had the impression that I needed to write a note to every sister in my Relief Society. Even though it was an absolutely crazy week I did it! 47 notes later. Everyone is important and God knows us each individually. I loved writing those notes! They helped me think about each sister personally and how amazing they are!

"There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal." 

-C.S Lewis

It was an absolutely hectic week, but I loved it. I smiled and laughed. I love my life. Its amazing!