greater things

Once again my heart is filled. I just got back from a weekend of fun in the mountains. I got to go on 4th year hike as a YCL and it was very rewarding. I had a blast with my 3 4th years and was asked lots of questions about high school. Girls I'm pretty sure you are going to rock the high school.

This summer has been one fantastic thing after another and you can't help but be filled when the spirit is so strong and so constant in your life. I discovered many things this summer that mean so much to me. Some of them tangible, and some of them little gems of knowledge, or love, or memories, or laughter, or music notes. All of them have made me greater and helped me live in a higher manner. I hope that as this summer comes to an end, and the dreaded school year begins, that I will be able to take these things with me to help me continue to live in a manner that my father in heaven would be proud of.

One of these wonderful things is journal writing. I just filled my large grey journal and I just love it. I also have discovered how much I love hand written notes. There is just something special about them that brings people together into a tighter bond of friendship. Another thing I will always cherish is the people I have met this summer. I have met so many wonderful people who have blessed and changed my life and ultimately made me a better person. I have also discovered a deep love for the temple and have found great peace in attending as often as I can. I cherish the wonderful things given to me by the wonderful people I have spent time with this summer from the notes, to my lucky turtle it will always be loved and I just want to say thank you. All of these things have brought me the greatest thing I have. This is a stronger testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints is the only church with a complete fullness of the gospel. I know that through him I can do anything and through him I can be made whole. I know that even when you're broken you are loved.

Feel my Sunlight

p.s. SHOUT OUT TO MAMMA SHELL BELL!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!

p.s.s. People are so great.

p.s.s.s. If you belong to the group classified as "young women" READ THIS!!

#TheCharitytez A week of EFY

Notes from our lovely boys.

Scriptures scriptures scriptures

We did baptisms on Thursday

Our lovely counselors Mama Shell Bell and Papa Spence

"If this isn't your castle, then you aren't my prince." Yes, I did take and edit this picture
 

Hiking Ensign Peak

The Beehive House

Our wonderful company at the top of Ensign Peak. {don't mind my awesome bangs...}

Last week marked my third time attending EFY and it hasn't ceased to be my favorite thing of the year. I'm sure you all ready know I have an obsession with EFY and dream of being a counselor one day, so I will spare you from hearing that again. What I would like to share with you are a couple of things I did, felt, and promised to do.

WHAT I DID

Now I won't share with you everything I did because well, that would take a week. But I will share with you a few of the highlights form each day.

Monday-Monday I met my wonderful counselors and my fantastic room mate, and hiked Ensign Peak with my new family. How much better can it get?
Tuesday- Tuesday we spent the day at This Is The Place National Park. We also had the best donuts ever eaten by man. There was also a dance at the end of the day.
Wednesday- Wednesday we pretended to be missionaries, we played a bunch of games, and pigged out on pizza while we laughed until we cried. "call Ellen right now." "I heard you were more beautiful on the inside, so I brought a knife."
Thursday- Thursday was spiritual day and we spent the day at Temple Square. We did baptisms in the morning and that was when we almost met the prophet but didn't. {more on that story later.} We toured a bunch of things and spent a lot of time in the scriptures and I sang and bore my testimony in the musical program. We also had testimony meeting. Thursday is always my favorite day.
Friday- Friday is always a hard day because it is the last day you get to spend with your new family before they all hop on airplanes and fly out of the state. We danced like we had never danced before at the second dance, and we cried a little bit as it started to get dark.
Saturday- We got up early so we could spend our last final minutes with our company and counselors. We gave lots of hugs and before I knew it I was in my car driving home.

WHAT I FELT

I felt the spirit constantly testifying to me thought the week that this is the true church. I felt the presence of the prophet when we sat in the chapel of the baptistry on Thursday, I felt extreme love for people I had just met. It always amazes me how much you can love a group of people after only knowing them for a week. I felt love for my amazingly wonderful counselor/ mama. I felt gratitude towards my Savior for all he has given me and all he has done for me. I felt a little piece of heaven.

WHAT I PROMISED TO DO

Every year at EFY you make commitments to be a little better and to stand a little stronger. I made the commitment to be open in sharing the gospel by bringing it up whenever I have the opportunity while talking to people. I made the commitment to help hasten the work of salvation by indexing at least three times a week. I made the commitment to make my scripture study better by studying in the morning and by not setting a time limit on my study. And my final commitment is to use my "castle license" {temple recommend} more by attending the temple at least twice a month, and every week where possible. {if anyone would like to join me in my temple attendance any time I would love you forever.}




It was a super fantastic week and I am so excited that I get to go back and do another session in a few weeks. I'd just like to say thank you to my amazing new family for making it so wonderful. #TheCharitytez

Now, I have a week of normal life, and then I get to hop on an airplane and fly to Missouri to compete in the 2013 US Junior Olympic National Power Tumbling Championships. AHHHHHHHH! I am so excited I can not even stand it. This week will consist of nothing but preparation for that. Wish me luck.


Now that I have talked about myself, myself, and myself, I'd like to share a video with you that I have posted before, but that really shows what EFY is all about, and how I feel right now.

Feel my Sunlight




p.s. I really love summer. 

I'm back!... for a week

My view of the Temple on Thursday. Same day I almost met the prophet... cool stuff.

Hey friends! I'm back from my summer adventures for a week and I must say I had one of the best weeks ever. I spent the week in Salt Lake City at a special edition of EFY and it was fantastic. I will post more about that later. 

Now I have a week at home, and then I leave to Missouri to compete at the US Power Tumbling National Championships. I'm excited. kinda sorta extremely excited. I just wish I didn't have to return to real life this week. Sorry this post is short I promise to post more later today. Love you all! I wish all of my EFY friend from out of state safe travel home. {ha! The perks of living the closest! No long road trips or plane rides.} You guys rock!

Feel my Sunlight

p.s. Have I ever told you I love EFY?

I hope everyone is having a super fantastic summer. Sorry this post is short