the one about EFY

I am so beyond grateful for the chance I had this summer to be an EFY counselor. I have never had a more exhausting, exciting, rewarding, entertaining, and spiritual job! I loved every minute of it. From my first week to my fifth, I learned lessons from the classes, leaders, and especially the youth that I couldn't have learned in any other way. Words can't even describe my gratitude. Each Sunday I would be handed a list of 9-15 names of the girls that would be in my group and each Sunday I would almost be in tears. I loved them so much from the start! After meeting the girls on Monday and meeting the rest of my wonderful companies, I always felt an instant connection with all my youth. Each week they impressed me with their testimonies, their consideration, their love, and their actions. They have changed me and have made me a better person. Everything we do at EFY is to help each other strengthen our testimonies and relationships with our Savior Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. We played games, we cheered, we laughed, we sang, we were taught in firesides, lessons, and classes, we cried, and we bore powerful testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is amazing to see how inspired of a program EFY is and what a difference it makes in these young people's lives. A few of my favorite activities throughout the week included:
Meet Your Counselor: This is the first time I get to meet my girls and I'm always just bursting with excitement so of course this would be my first favorite!
Gospel Study: I love testifying of the blessings from personal study. It is perhaps one of the greatest lessons anyone could learn at EFY, that God answers are questions and can provide revelation and knowledge through taking time to study the scriptures.
Games Night: Although it was a challenge to close my big mouth, I loved prepping for games night because it was amazing seeing how unified it made the companies each week. As they struggled to work together without the counselors help they had to rely on each other. Also games night is just a bunch of games so of course it'll be up there.
Pizza Night: I love pizza night with my girls (sad we don't get one for stay-at-home sessions). It is so fun to get to just talk and get to know the girls on a more personal level and strengthen bonds.
Young Women's Activity: Although I know I'm not qualified to teach the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I loved studying for my girls and focusing on how to help them strengthen their understanding, appreciation, and testimony in and of the Savior. It was always such a powerful experience for me and I'm grateful they trusted me with questions each week. I learned far more from them then I could ever teach!
Testimony Meeting: It's amazing to hear someone who has become so special to you stand and testify of their beliefs. These were sacred moments for me that I will forever remember.
Sharing the Gospel: Because I loved my mission with everything I have, this is one of my favorite moments. We role play gospel related questions in pairs. It made me feel like I was a full-time missionary again!
The EFY Medley: This is always my favorite part to sing with my company each week and look at each of them, with so much love. I cried every time as I thought about the memories we've made throughout the week and how much I'll miss them.
By the end I knew I had gained friends for a lifetime. And although I literally bawled each week saying goodbye, I would do this summer all over again if I could.
To all my youth from Logan2, Logan3, Logan SAH2, Provo10A, and South Jordan SAH, please remember how much you all mean to me. Please remember and apply what the Spirit taught you at EFY 2016. Please know how loved you are by a perfect Father in Heaven. My greatest wish for you all is to cherish and love the Gospel with all your heart. I've said it so many times but it's worth repeating; everything good in my life is because I chose the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is worth it. I cannot wait to hear from each of you and to see how Heavenly Father uses you to bless and strengthen those around you! Love and miss you all so so much!

          

          

            

                  

the one about standing firm

i've been thinking a lot about this topic so here it is. i'm all for people having their own opinions, in fact i try to always allow myself time to consider all the possible outcomes and i try to make my own opinion of certain situations. i hate having someone else's to rely on. i want to know for myself. but something has gone terribly wrong if you or someone else has made their personal opinion, and is penalized for having that belief. leave them be. discussion is good, yes! but blowing up over the situation, is just pure selfishness and immaturity. everyone has been taught at a young age, stand up for what you believe. how can we/they do this when they get judged and bashed and ridiculed for it? if you don't agree, that's ok! life will go on. why throw temper-tantrums and make a scene when someone is just doing what they believe is right? people have little respect these days for each other, and because of that they believe they can do anything they want "it's their right" no, it's not. human decency is and will always be important. why wouldn't it?? everyone will disagree in some situations, that's good, that's how it should be. it helps people think and ponder about other options and ideas. but when someone doesn't think exactly how you do, and you treat them and their idea with disrespect, you and only you are in the wrong if you don't. i've always really looked up to people who knew what they believed and stood up for that belief. not thinking they were better than anyone else, and not thinking their opinion was better, just different. like i've said, i've been thinking a lot about this subject and i've come to the conclusion, we're all going to have different ideas and opinions in some areas, when you come to someone who does disagree with yours, you treat them with the upmost respect as they should to you. consider possibilities. don't be hypocritical. don't falter and waver. be strong. and please, always stand up for what you believe, no matter what the consequence may be.

"May we ever be courageous and prepared to stand for what we believe, and if we must stand alone in the process, may we do so courageously..."

the one where i ponder about life

A lot has happened lately that has just opened my eyes to how simple and yet fragile this life truly is. Tuesday morning i attended a funeral. A friend's ten year old little brother was killed in a car accident just last week. Although i didn't know this boy well the few times i've been with him he was always giggling and shyly whispering into the ears of his siblings making them laugh. At the funeral I really learned what a great kid he was and how he was always trying to uplift others. I can't even comprehend the strength the family has to be able to go on with a smile on their face and at least know that they will see him again. I have a strong testimony of the Plan of Salvation, but i can't say it really has ever been tested and i hope and pray it doesn't have to be. But really, the only family members i've lost were grandparents and although it's sad, it's life and it makes sense. But to have someone so young that has barely lived? It doesn't seem fair and i think that's truly when someone's faith would be tried. I'm so very blessed to be able to understand and know my Heavenly Father's plan for us. What a comfort it has been, and will be, to be sure of seeing my loved ones again. I can't help but thinking how blessed I am to be so close with my siblings and parents. What a strength they have been in my weakest moments. They are honestly and without a doubt my closest companions and greatest friends. To know they will always stand up for me and be there for me is so gratifying. Life is very delicate and i think it's so important to know what things in life will make you the happiest and the best person you can be. As much as i love sports, materialistic things and such, are they truly what we should focus this life on? This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often. That doesn't mean "YOLO, be crazy have fun, go wild!" it means in the long run, what makes you happy, do that. And if you realize you don't like something...then change it. Make it better because you can and don't be afraid to. You have the ability to do that.If you don't have enough time for the important moments in life then get off the computer, iPod, or phone and change that too. Don't overanalyze life, all emotions are great and every incident will be worth it, even those beautiful disasters and those perfect flaws. it's ok to be lost at times, that's what will help you find yourself. Open your mind, arms, and heart to new things. And people, we are and will be united with our differences! And although i've only lived for 18 years, i feel as if i've been blessed to know what, undoubtedly, the greatest things in life really are.

There's a Reason

I've been thinking about the fact; everything happens for a reason. There isn't one thing that isn't supposed to happen. If it happens, it's meant to be and there is a life lesson to learn from it. Every beautiful surprise and spontaneous mess has a purpose.

This reminds me of my very favorite scripture: D&C 122:5-9

Please Read.

My daddy (yes, I still call him daddy <3) showed me this scripture the night after my baptism when I received my very own scriptures. It's been my favorite scripture ever since. =)

No matter how hard is. Life is wonderful.