My trip to New York #EFY2014Palmyra

Whoa! Hi guys!

Today while coaching tumbling to my class of 2-4 year olds I asked the class to pretend to be an animal, and then I proceed to ask each child which animal they wanted to be. When I reached one of my small blond students I said, enthusiastically, "WHAT ANIMAL DO YOU WANT TO BE?" And she replied with: "A CUPCAKE!"

Any argument that your job is better than mine is invalid.

So, how are you my people? I hope you're doing swell. I sure am, which might explain my lack of posts, but I promise I have good reason!

I spent last week in the beautiful Palmyra, New York.

I mean, is this not the most gorgeous place you have ever seen?!? I fell in love instantly.

So like you may know if you read any of my recent posts, I was there attending a special edition session of EFY. For those of you who don't know, EFY stands for Especially For Youth, and it is a week of non-stop spiritual stuff, line dances, and pure awesomeness. This may or may have not been my 5th time going to EFY. I love it a lot.

Like I said, this was a special edition of EFY which means that instead of a normal session like the ones in Provo, we were able to travel to the various church history sights in and around Palmyra, which as you might know, was where The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints (AKA "LDS," or "Mormons") began.

Growing up in the church we hear about these places all the time, but being able to go there and experience these places for myself was awe-inspiring, and I loved every second of it.

So, I'll spare you the details about what time I brushed my teeth, and what I ate for each meal (although, I must say that if you are ever in charge of providing food for anything, you should avoid meatloaf...) But I do want to share with you the more exciting parts, the amazing places I went, and things that were note-worthy of my journal. I apologize for the length of this post. It was an entire week of almost non-stop amazing experiences, and I filled 101 pages of my journal during this week alone. I did the very best I could at condensing it, but it is all so good! If you want a quicker read, I suggest you at least read all the italicized parts. Those are the very best!




Saturday July 26th- Raegan and I flew out from Salt Lake City to Rochester, NY all by ourselves. It was at this moment when we became pro-airport people. It's a thing.




Sunday July 27th- Raeg and I went to Church in the morning at the chapel right behind the hotel. It was great how welcoming the ward was and just how many people went out of there way to say hi to us. We met several other people who were there for EFY and between all the visitors we at least tripled the size of their Young Womens group. It was awesome.

After church we took a walk to see the temple and the Sacred Grove, and then hung out with other people as they arrived for EFY.




Monday July 28th- The official start of EFY! This day consisted of the ever exciting orientational stuff. Getting to know your counselors and everyone in the group, hearing from our session directors, a fire drill, and some some great spiritual discussion right outside the Sacred Grove with our company.




Tuesday July 29th- After a breakfast of blueberry muffins and peaches, My company headed to Fayette to visit the Whitmer Farm. If I could pick a favorite place we went, this would be it. We were there in the morning and this is what I wrote in my journal as we sat outside taking in the beauty of the farm.

"We are currently at the Whitmer Farm which is one of the most beautiful pieces of land I have ever seen. This was where the church was re-organized and there is no doubt in my mind that this farm wasn't hand selected. While sitting here I can feel the love of my Savior so strongly. I am at peace from the silent atmosphere and the gorgeous chirping birds. I can't help but think that it would have looked exactly like this back on April Sixth of 1830 when the church was restored. This is sacred ground we stand on. Just like those who were here in 1830, I express my desire and determination to act in accordance to the commandments of God. I am determined to find more heavens on earth like this beautiful farm, and in places where there are no heavens, I am determined to create them. This is what Heaven feels like."

After our time on the farm we went to visit the Hill Cumorah which is the place where Joseph Smith was guided to to find the Gold plates, which he translated and are now what we call The Book of Mormon. Here is my journal entry about this place.

"This is a surreal experience for me. I'm sitting atop the Hill onlooking a gorgeous view that stretches for miles. This was the very place on earth where Moroni sealed his testimony by burring the plates. He gave up his live so that I might be able to know the truth. It is also the very hill where Joseph was when he received the plates. He also gave up his life so that I might know the truth. I am forever grateful for these men, along with my Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave up their lives for me, so that I might know the truth."

After the Hill Cumorah we went to Musical Program Practice, Dinner and then one of the most rockin dances I have ever been to.




Wednesday July 30th- After breakfast we headed to the Sacred Grove and Smith Farm House. While sitting in the Sacred Grove I pondered this statement;

"God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith in this Grove."

I then wrote the following;

"I need to think about this statement a little more. Either it's true, or it isn't....While sitting in the grove I ponder these words. I sometimes feel that I need to see for myself that it is true, but I don't need to because I can see the evidence. I've never seen my own face. I've seen the reflection, and I've touched it, and I know that others have seen it, but I've never seen it myself, likewise is my testimony of the Gospel. I haven't seen angels or heard voices, but I have seen the reflection of the truth in the way the sun comes up in the morning, I've been touched by the Holy Ghost, and I know that others have seen physical evidence. So no, I've never seen God, or heard a voice, but still, I know that this church is true, and that Joseph Smith really did see God the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ here. Because, like Emma Smith said, there are some things more certain than sight."


After the Sacred Grove we visited Alvin Smith's Grave, and then we toured the Grandian Building, which was the shop in which the Book of Mormon was first published.

After that we headed to the Palmyra Temple. Here is my journal entry.

"We are at the Palmyra temple and we just did baptisms and are in the waiting room waiting for the boys. This is a special experience because it is the only temple that had it authorized by the prophet to have a clear glass window. The window looking out shows a view of the Sacred Grove. It is significant because the Sacred Grove was the place where it all began, and the temple is why we are all here. From this window everything looks lush and healthy and it looks like how I imagine Heaven, beautiful and full of life. After we did baptisms we went outside to take pictures and as it started to rain we were blessed with the gorgeous view of a stormy sky, with a lit-up gold Moroni in the foreground. It was magnificent beyond description and I feel like with each of these magnificent experiences I reach closer to heaven and the thunder we can hear from inside the temple just confirms it."

After the temple we had dinner, made up a cheer, had games night and Cheer-Off, followed by Pizza Night, and Reflect and Review in bathroom at the Hill Cumorah due to the pouring rain. One of the most memorable R&Rs by far!




Thursday July 31st- We started off with breakfast and then time in the Sacred grove as a company. After that we had an activity with just the girls that was splendid. After Lunch we had the EFY Game Show and a Musical Program Dress Rehearsal. And After Dinner I performed in Musical Program, which I had a speaking part in by the way, and that was followed by a Fireside, and Testimony meeting. During testimony meeting I wrote these words:

"I've never heard silence quite this loud. This is hollowed ground. This will always be a special place to me personally. We are here because we have Lives to Brighten, Hearts to Touch, And Souls to save, That we may all sit down together in Heaven. I'm walking on Sunshine"

After testimony meeting we had R&R on temple grounds and it was wonderful.



Friday August 1st- We started off the day at the Sacred Grove and then went to breakfast. We had a morningside, and company pictures, we then went to a Panel Discussion that was very good. After Lunch we went to the Variety show, and after free time and dinner we went to a second awesome dance. After the slide show and Taking it home we had R&R at the church.




Saturday August 2nd- We woke up and packed our bags. Said goodbye and headed to the airport. We flew back to Salt Lake with several of the other youth in our group, as well as most of the counselors including both of ours. In fact, we even sat in front of  my counselor Kourtney! It was fun and after we got back to SLC we said our real goodbyes and headed to Texas Road House for Dinner with my family and Raegan's family where I proceeded to almost fall asleep due to the wonderful exhausting week I had just been through.





So, in all I'd have to say that it was a successful trip. I got to know some incredible people including my wonderful counselors Kourtney and Brady! They were so much fun to be around and I couldn't think of two better people I'd rather have spent this week with. I'm so grateful I had this opportunity to go and that I made the effort to pay for most of it myself because it made it that much more special. Thank you to everyone who made this week so great! I will forever cherish it!





feel my sunlight




p.s. I promise a picture post soon!!! :)

New York and a sweet reunion

Todays post has three pieces and they all happen to relate to the State of New York. How that happened, I don't know, but I think it's kinda fun.

NY #1
Remember when I said I had a big decision to make regarding this summer? (aka the P.S.S. of THiS POST.) Well, I made a decision, and I made it official. I am officially registered to attend EFY in Palmyra New York this summer!!! I am SO excited about this and it feels so right. This does; however, mean I probably won't be able to compete at the US Power Tumbling National Championships this year in Louisville, KY due to the fact that bank accounts aren't bottomless. I am super bummed about this, but I have prayed about this and NY is where the Lord wants me to be. I can't wait for this adventure!

NY #2
The second piece of this blog post is simply a link to something awesome. I don't know about you but I get sick of listening to stuff that is on the radio at times and I just need something else to fill the sound waves in the air around me. CLICK HERE to listen to some awesome recorded blog posts by the incredible Al Caraway {aka Al Fox}! I have been listening to them today and they are probably my favorite thing. How is this related to New York you ask? Al lived in New York before she moved to Utah. It's a big part of her awesome story. Go check it out!

NY #3
Number 3 is the main bulk of what I wanted this post to be about and it is related to New York due to the fact that my current scripture/seminary journal looks like this...

This thought originated from my seminary teacher but I thought it was so powerful that it needed to be shared.

This comes from Alma 17

This is the part in the book of Mormon where Alma is reunited with the sons of Mosiah.

It had been 14 years since he had last seen these friends (Alma 17:4). And these sons of Mosiah had not only been his friends, but they had shared a conversion story. They were there when Alma was first visited by an angel.

Now, Alma hadn't seen them for 14 years. And not had he not seen them, he hadn't heard any word from them. After 14 years of no word it could have easily been thought that they had perished in the land and that they would never return. Imagine how sweet this reunion would have been.

Alma 17:2 says "Therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still is brethren in the Lord."

Think of the longest time you have been away from someone you love. How sweet was the moment when you were finally reunited?

Now, imagine what the reunion will the reunion be like when we go back to our heavenly home? What will it be like to go to heaven and see those you haven't seen in years, to see those who you thought wouldn't make it.

How will it be to see your Heavenly Father again?

I ask you, is this not motivation to live your life in such a way that this sweet reunion will be made possible in your life?

Have hope in this reunion.

Feel my sunlight

p.s. Seminary is a very good thing. Go to seminary.

p.s.s. Here is an awesome Mormon Message about being Strengthened in the Lord. Can you guess were the youth are from in this video? That's right! New York!!!

Writing your script

I'm back!! Oh how will I miss the sweet taste of warm air and the lack of school, but I'm pretty sure I won't miss having my WiFi back because blog lover gotta blog. 

This week has been so good.

food waiting. It's a hard life.

St. George Temple!

with my dad and sista at the temple! #baptismsswag

Reunion with my amazing EFY counselor, Michelle. I pretty much love her to death.

Attending other peoples wards is always fun especially when you don't know anybody in the ward. 

Today as the person conducting got up and said "we have had a new family move into our ward!" everyone turned around to look at us while we smiled and sank down in our seats. I'm sorry tiny southern Utah ward, but I can't stay. Haha the awkwardness of the situation was so great that as soon as the closing prayer was said my mom says "let's hurry and leave before somebody talks to us." As we shuffled out the door.

Regardless, it was a great sacrament meeting. There was one thing that the first speaker said that really stuck out to me. She said something to the extent of 

"you are writing your movie script for your life. If you are the person that reads their scriptures and says their prayers every day, make sure it's in the script. If you are the kind of person that goes to the temple every month {or week}, make sure it's in the script. And then once we write it in the script, we need to act it out."

I loved this because for the most part we are all good people with good intentions, but too often we let life get ahead of us and we forget to set aside time for our scriptures or to attend the temple and before we know it we have missed our chance.

I don't think any of us would write 8 hours of Internet and TV into our script on purpose, but still it happens because we don't write anything at all.

If we set aside time for the good things by "writing it in the script" we will more likely be able to accomplish the things that make us the person that we want to be.

I think I'm going to go work on my script now. What about you?

Feel my Sunlight

P.s. Everyone needs to go watch the Saratov Approach. It's pretty much the greatest ever.
p.s.s. If you want to serve a mission don't bring your mom with you. ^^^ 
p.s.s.s. I have been reading this blog by this lovely chick. I can't get over how stinkin' awesome she is.

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!!

I'M HOME! {from the 2013 US Power Tumbling National Championships in Kansas City, Missouri}

I have spent the last week in Kansas City, Missouri as an athlete competing in the 2013 US Power Tumbling National Championships. This was my third national championships, and while I can't say the results of the competition where what I was hoping for, it was magnificent none the less.

Tuesday~ July 2nd

I started off the week getting on to an airplane with nobody except my lovely team mate Teri. First time flying alone without parents for both of us so that was kinda fun and I'm sure our parents were freaking out the whole time. But have no fear, we made it to and from Kansas City and we are now professional flyers. We spent the rest of the day doing things like this...

Wednesday~July 3rd

We headed to our training session early in the morning and lets just say that didn't go so well. After our warm up session we decided to spend the day in the midst of church history. This was one of the very best parts about having Nationals in Missouri. I myself, being that odd Mormon girl that I am, absolutely love things that have to do with all things churchy so this was fun. We went to visit Liberty Jail (where the  prophet Joseph Smith was held for about 4 months. This was were he received the revalations that are now D&C 121,122,123), Adam-Ondi-Ahmen (the third temple commenced but never constructed. It is believed to be the place of the Garden of Eden, and where Christ will someday come again to receive the keys of the kingdom in preparation of his second coming and where he will hold his council with his stewards of all dispensations.), and Far West (the second temple commenced but never constructed. The corner stones have been laid and will it someday be built.)
These were awesome experiences and was a day I will never forget.

Thursday~ July 4th

Competition day! I hit passes that were much better than in training and that were better than warmups and that I was proud of, but that were unfortunately not good enough for this competition. I scored a 41.60 and placed 38th overall. While this was not the results I was hoping for, I am very thankful for all those around me supporting me and for the opportunity to compete this year because I know many people who didn't even make it this far. Congrats to all my competitors! You all did fantastically amazing and I am so glad we could become friends even though we are competition. After my competition we watched Anedy compete in prelims. She did amazing and was in third place in the nation after prelims was over with one more competition to come.
After the meet we were going to go do baptisms for the dead in the Kansas City, Missouri temple. We forgot that it was the fourth of July you see, so we forgot that the temple was closed. So no baptisms :/ I was kinda bummed but it's okay. After that we headed to Independence (I know, fitting for independence day right?!) where the first temple was commence to be built in this last dispensation, but has not been built yet. We toured the visitors center and the missionary that took us around was just awesome. We decided not to go to fireworks since we knew it would be an early morning the next morning with competitions and such. So we watched fireworks outside our window as they exploded all across the horizon.

 Friday~ July 5th

We got up early and headed to the arena. Teri competed in prelims for floor and was ranked fourth after prelims, Anedy and Eden both competed Double Mini and both did AMAZING placing 54th and 56th out of HUGE groups. After that we watched the Elite prelims and our lovely coach/team mate Stephanie compete as a senior elite finishing prelims in third.The elite competitions are always my favorite to watch.

Saturday~ July 6th 

On Saturday we watched Teri compete in finals on floor and she did amazing placing 4th in the nation. After that we watched finals for the elites. Our absolutely amazing coach/team mate Stephanie competed Senior Elite and placed 3rd overall. We love you Steph! I love love love watching the elite competitions and this was a fun competition and guess what! You can watch it!




After Steph competed she gave each of us one of her flowers and I am proud to say my rose made it all the way home in one piece. Thanks Steph! We love you!

Sunday~ July 7th

I spent the morning swimming with Eden, Teri, and Stephanie and I learned to be a cheerleader, then we headed over to the mall to shop. There were lots of laughs and it was a fun day. Later that night we headed over to the arena to watch our little Anedy compete in finals. She did amazing and placed 5th in the nation. Great job Annie! After Anedy competed we watched the Regional All Star competition. This is a fun high energy team competition between each of the 6 regions of the united states. It is comprised of the level 10s from each age division that won their own regional championships. Our region (region 1) did the best I have ever seen them do placing 5th. ha. After regional allstars we went to dinner with none other than Kalon Ludvigson and Justen Millerbernd (The world champion/record holder and his coach). I'm kind of a big deal.

 

Monday~ July 8th

The rest of our team got up early to fly home, while Teri and I stayed behind since our flight wasn't until 6:30 at night. We got up and packed our stuff and headed over to Panera to get my favorite frozen cherry lemonade for the fourth time. We sat there for a while doing pushups and other fun things while texting Stephanie. At 3:14 we hopped on the blue shuttle and headed to the airport. We flew home and because of delayed flights we didn't land until 11:00 which means I got to bed REALLY late last night.


So that was my national championships. I had a great time and it was by far one of my favorite tumbling trips. I am already looking forward to next year and I can't wait to get in the gym and start working. I vow now to work harder than I have ever worked before. Thanks for all those who have supported me. I love you all!


Feel my Sunlight



p.s. Would someone like to come over to my house and do all my laundry?

Nationals Nationals Nationals

Nationals 2011~ San Antonio, Texas

Nationals 2012~ Long Beach, California

Today is Monday. I leave for my third US National Championships on Tuesday. I leave for Kansas City, Missouri TOMORROW! AHHHHHHHHHHH That is about all that has ran through my head all day. This will be a different nationals seems how I am going all by myself in the sense that neither of my parents are coming along. It will be weird to not have Shawn, Kenzi, Cid, Britt, or Brinna since they have been to every nationals I have been to. It will be different but it is going to rock. We have our last chance workout tonight and then we zip up our bags and hop on an airplane to take over Kansas City.

I may not be where I wanted to be when I imagined nationals at the beginning of the year. But I did learn something from this year of struggling in the gym. I learned that my place on the awards stand doesn't define who I am. Chances are I may not even make it to the podium {I never have at a national championships. I'm competing against 50 people for crying out loud!} I learned that competitive power tumbling is a part of my life to give me experience. I know that sounds like a lame excuse that someone who doesn't win a lot would say, but I truly believe it. Tumbling has brought me some of my strongest friendships, some of my greatest roll models, some of my hardest struggles, some of my sweetest moments. Tumbling has brought me a job that beats the work most of my friends get paid for. Tumbling has brought me growth. (not literally ha!} It has taught me how to trust in others, and how to trust in myself. Tumbling has taken me to places I would have never gone otherwise. Tumbling has allowed me to meet some incredibly awesome people who have taught me great things both pertaining to tumbling, and not. Tumbling has brought me some cool missionary experiences and has given me a chance to share my testimony through example to many who are not of my faith. Now when I get on that airplane and when I enter that arena. I hope to be able to tumble for those reasons, and not for a ranking. Because to me, those are the things that matter most.

See you on the Flipside!



Feel my Sunlight



p.s. Who do you know that is pro at packing a weeks worth of things in a carry on bag? That's right! ME!!!

p.s.s. I will try to post updates as often as I can this week so check back often.

p.s.s.s. I compete at 10 am on the 4th of July. So while you are all at your parades of red, white, and blue think about me!

Vegas and Regional Championships

I'm home now. I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. Vegas was fun. St. George was partly pukish. I have to go to school tomorrow and I know how I feel about that. {pukish}

I had a good meet. I hit my passes okay and ended up in 8th overall out of 10 different states. I wasn't pumped about my ranking, but wasn't disappointed with it either. It was a good meet and I had fun running around with my comp friends. I'm not kidding when I say I make more friends at tumbling competitions than I do at school.

Sid and I made a new friend from Washington. His name is Stephen. That is Marissa in the background. I met her at a tumbling competition as well. We are BFFs now.

Here are a few other pictures from this weekend. Notice how there are no pictures of me on the podium. This is because someone had the bright idea that only the top 6 should get awards. Ya, I know.

M&M world

Midnight dinner on Friday {because that's how Flipside always rolls. At least it wasn't Denny's.}

Gene Simmons, Iron man, and a ninja turtle I think... not sure.

Well I guess I should be done now. I have a few essays to write, and a whole bunch of stuff to unpack. Oh and it's a school night. :/  Read your scriptures, say your prayers, choose the right, return with honor, and so on, and so forth, and what not, and what have you. Love y'all

Feel my Sunlight

p.s. I'm ready for a good long session of EFY. Kj? Randi? I need some EFY inspiration. Vegas deprived me.

Whoever had the idea.... I hate you. {a weekend story}

This is my new favorite picture

This weekend was the best kind of weekends. It was a long weekend. We headed to a condo in the middle of no-mans-land with best friends to forget everything and take a break from life. We played guitars, we sat in the hot tub, we laughed, we had a photo shoot, we sat outside under the moon in the most perfect weather, we talked about boys, and school, and spiritual stuff. We ate some home made pizza, and danced around the kitchen to the sound of Taylor Swift. We went to church, and fit all 13 of us on one bench, We sang some songs, and most importantly....

 we made memories.

Now whoever had the idea that we should all go back to real life..... I hate you.

But hey, Next weekend is TOFG with these lovely ladies in the picture, and the weekend after that is State Camp with my team!

So all I can say is I <3 the weekend.

Feel my Sunlight

p.s. Reading Shakespeare is bringing back so many memories, and I can hear voices playing in my head, and I want to go back. #Theaternerdatheart #Imissit

p.s.s. RED came out about an hour ago... enough said.



Coach Ashlie

This post goes out to a great coach.

This coach has pushed me hard, and never let me take the easy way out.

This coach taught me that I will fix it, and I will never go back.

This coach taught me that great success doesn't aways involve tumbling.

This coach left on her mission today.

ASHLIE! I love you so much! You have been one of the greatest coaches that I have ever had. You have pushed me harder, and gotten me further. You helped me get over fears, and helped me overcome obsticles. You have fixed my bad habbits, and taught me new skills. You have taught me to work hard. You have taught me that it doesn't matter if it felt funny, you go for it! You taught me to pray before I compete. You taught me to trust. You taught me that sometimes the most success we will have in our lives, doesn't involve tumbling. We love you so much Ashlie. We believe you will make a great missionary. 18 months will fly bye. We will be right here waiting for you when you get back with a few new tricks to show you. Your testimony has strengthened mine. We will always have your voice playing in our heads as we tumble. Good luck! We are praying for you! Love you!
-Whit


"Lift and finish!"



After Ashlie's Mission Farewell talk on Sunday.





Ashlie's last night in the gym. Her last night as coach for the next 18 months. Like my leo?? Ashlie gave it to me.

Remember how I had the best Summer ever?

13 days left of Summer.

 I want it to be more than 13 days.
I have tumbling tonight.
I can't find the chalk board paint.

 My EFY counselors are dating.
Its really sunny outside.

 This was pretty much the best summer ever.

Remember how I went to that family reunion, and played spoons for hours?
Remember how I went to EFY, wrote a letter, and cried when it was over?
Remember how I went to youth conference, and the bishop photo bombed with the hoarse head?
Remember how I competed at Nationals, and the sky was purple and orange at night?
Remember how I love my team, and how we prayed at Nationals?
Remember how I went boating, and I learned how to wake board?
Remember how I slept at the gym, and how we read scriptures, and watched Stick It?
Remember how I went on 4th year hike, and lived off what I carried on my back?
Remember how I hiked 20 miles, and wore socks, and sandals for the first time?
Remember how I watched the Olympics, and was inspired by the Magnificent Seven, and the Fab Five?
Remember how I went to girls camp, and we did log yoga?
Remember how I started work at Bowmans, and can reach the top shelf with only 1 milk crate?
Remember how I read the best book ever, and did it in less than a day?
Remember how I went the ward swim party, and I wore my new swimsuit?
Remember how I made this blog to document it all, and just love posting?
Remember how I had the best Summer ever, but know there are still good times ahead?

A random picture from EFY

I pretty much just love this picture. Even though we are all squinty eyed, and I seem extremely short. Such a great moment.

This is EFY. 

This is summer. 

This is friends. 

This is happiness 

yup.

Feel my Sunlight

the definition of Summer

Sum-mer.     n.       [suhm-er]
1-Three months out of the year where you get to do whatever you want, and you gain a false sense of thinking there is no stress in your life.
2-A short period of time where you attempt to get tan, yet fail every time thanks to sunscreen, and mothers.
3-Swimming season (also known as swimsuit season)
4-The part of the year where you get to do fun things like EFY, sleep in, girls camp, boating, 4th year hike, family reunions, late nights every night, youth conference, be in parades, and National Championships.
5-What you dream about, and wish for the other 9 months of the year.

Feel my Sunlight

p.s. School starts in 10 days...and I turn 16 in 34 days!

day two. {4th year hike, & girls camp}

day two. Tuesday

a day I will never forget

The waterfall

We got up and I ate a bagel. (I know, exciting right?!)

My friend, Kaylee, had gotten sick in the night and didn't know if she could make it all 15 miles. She had been throwing up in the night (I know you where dying to know that.) The priesthood holders gave her a blessing that she would be able to make it the entire way. If I was in her position I would not want to attempt the 15 mile hike. But she set out with faith with the rest of us.

The hike was long. It wasn't too bad for the most part for me, but it was so hard for some of the other girls (like the one who was sick).

"you will find you are your strongest when you bend down to pick someone up."-Meg Johnson

I kept thinking of this quote over and over while I was on this hike. I knew I had to be a motivator. I had to help the other girls. I hiked with Kaylee almost the entire way. I found that when you tell others that they are doing awesome, you start to believe you are doing awesome yourself. Every time someone asked me how I was doing I replied with "I'm fantastic!" And I was! (Katie asked on the hike "how's life?" I replied "my life is fantastic!" She thought I said "my life is hectic!" It was kinda funny.)

I hiked with Trisha Green (yes, my favorite sewing teacher), and Kaylee almost the entire way, and we discussed everything

from the hardest thing about being a teenager, to our favorite vegetable. Talking to these two made me really rethink some things, and get excited about the future. It gave me the strength, and the mindset for starting high school. Because life as a teen in our day is hard. And we need to be strong. 

Bob's Lake. Our destination. Every single person that started on the hike made it. Every. single. one. I know that there where times when angels had to carry the girls. We kept calling Kaylee our miracle because she had the faith to try, and by the time we got to the top she was feeling tons better. We made it to Bob's Lake, and that was such a great feeling. We took off our shoes, and soaked our sweaty toes in the freezing water. It was such a great moment. 

The hardest part of the day hike was the giant hill we had to climb before we reached our destination. This hill was huge (well lets face it, it was a mountain.) We decided that 

"it's always darkest before the dawn."

The hardest hill was right before the triumph. In life that is often true. In in times of the hardest trials you just half to keep going, because as soon as you get through it you will be stronger, you will be wiser, and you will realize the reason for your trial.

Me and Katie T. with our socks and flip flops!

After Bob's Lake we made the descent down the mountain. We hiked down that mountain like we had wings on our feet. Taking almost no breaks, and speeding through as fast as we could. We made it back to camp in what felt like record time. We where so proud of our selves. As we where walking through the meadow with our camp in sight Kaylee said to me "Whitney, I'm proud of you." and I replied with "I'm proud of you."

We got to camp, took our shoes off. (this was the very first time I sported the socks and sandals look. And let me just say, I LOOKED HOT!" haha) We then ate dinner. I had Mountain House Chicken Al A King. It was DELICIOUS!! I'm pretty sure it wouldn't taste as good at home, but it was a ridiculously yummy backpacking meal. 

After dinner we talked, Sang our awesome Amazing Grace song (not the one you are thinking) and played some more games. We had a devotional and testimony meeting. It was such a fantastic spiritual night. Sister Greens words ring in my head. She said that 

"In our hardest times in our lives, I want you to remember these moments. Remember that time you hiked 20 miles, and lived out of the things you carried on your back. Remember that you can do hard things, but through the strength of the Lord you can do all things." 

Bob's Lake

 

Bob's Lake

My dirty shoes...EW! They smelled as bad as they looked!

Fred the Flamingo! We found him outside our tent one morning! Every Tent had been flamingoed! Ours was the best because it was zebra striped!

Bobs Lake

Marissa, Katie f, and Katie T.

Kaylee

Bob's Lake

Madie, Marissa, and Shavini

Bob's Lake

Rocks!

Bob's Lake

Trisha Green, Kaylee, and Katie

Lauren & The Meadow

This was one of the most fantastic days of my life. A day I will never forget. I am a much stronger person because of this hike. I would do it again in a heart beat!

day one. {4th year hike, & girls camp}

4th year backpacking trip, and girls camp

...4 more miles...

day one. Monday

So I kinda forgot to take pictures the first day. Mostly because my camera was packed in my 30 pound pack and I wasn't to fond of taking it on and off. So I got up early and took my last real shower. Carina and her dad picked me up to go get our lunch and Subway, we got to the church by 7:15, and headed out by 8:00. We said goodbye to civilization as we know it.

We got to Lake Lymen and ate our lunch. We put on our shoes, used the flushies for the last time. and loaded up the cars. We drove about 45 minutes to the trail head. Bumpiest road I have ever ridden! 

We arrived at the trail head. We put on our packs, and we started to walk.

I hiked about 2.8 miles with a 30 lb pack on my back. It was hard, but it was okay. I didn't have a problem physically. By the time we got to camp I was feeling pretty darn good about myself. 

I ate my first freeze-dried meal. I had Chicken Alfredo. It was okay, I would never eat it at home, but for backpacking, It wasn't to shabby. 

There where lots of laughs. We played the "Name Game" and Mafia while we waited for the stars to come out.

We went star gazing in the meadow. It was one of the most fantastic things I have ever seen! I learned so much that night, and the spirit was so strong. I went to bed with excitement for the day to come. 

I'm BACK!

Hey guys! I'm back from a long week at girls camp and 4th year hike. It was so fantastic I can't wait to tell you all about it so stay tuned! (yes, I like to pretend I'm a news caster.)

Astalasagna!!!

Hey guys! I'm leaving for 4th year hike & girls camp tomorrow morning! My last vacation of the summer :( hope everyone has a fantastic week and I'll write again in 6 days. Astalasagna!!!