utah GIRL am I

well it came. last october when I decided to go to the U of U this year... I never thought it would come.
my Logan friends have moved away, they are moving into apartments, going to dances on the quad and free concerts.
I will and do miss it.

but... I am also SO happy!

This is a new adventure that is so needed.
I know more people on campus than I expected (partially thanks to brighton camp)!
football starts in a week. campus is beautiful. classes seem challenging but SO MUCH FUN!
so Logan you are missed but U...I'm so excited!

GO UTES.

loveONEanother

I have been back from Brighton for about 1 week now.

I.CANT.BELIEVE.IT.

and I can't believe how much I miss it.

I thought I would relish in the free time, more sleep, tv, cell phone, family.
While I am enjoying these things I miss my best friends.

I miss my Mountain Home So Dear.

This summer the main thing I learned was how to love and serve.
I have never noticed so many opportunities to serve as I did this summer.
Every single staff member was tired but even during breaks they would offer to do what they could to help out. whether it be taking campers for a while, setting something up for someone, or just giving a hug.
I will never forget this summer for as long as I live. I will take my future husband there. my future kids and grandkids there. I will show them where I painted my name, where I knew without a doubt that God loved me, where I made my lasting friends.

FAREWELL SONG

Goodbye canyon friends. Farwell to you.

Your visit here at Brighton now is ended.

We offer you or friendship true, until we meet again.

Remember the times you've had here.

Remember when you're away.

Remember the friends you've made here,

And don't forget to come back some day.

Remember the hills and woodlands,

the skies of heav'nly blue.

For you girls belong to Brighton

and Brighton belongs to you.

Farwell to you, girls of M.I.A.

The time for you to leave us now is nigh.

Our final words we'll sing to you,

"Be good.  God bless you.  Goodbye."

Week 8-Christmas Week-1st Years

well I did it! 8 whole weeks of campers. 9 weeks in total! this last week was a complete WHIRLWIND of emotions! I wanted to endulge in every single second and I also had to make sure I was giving 100% to those campers.

I had all first year campers this week-for the FIRST time EVER.
that was a challenge! they asked lots of questions, some home sickness, some injuries, some non members, some from really difficult backgrounds, some already having word of wisdom issues.
every challenge possible.
but it was SO amazing!

Morgan

Alexis

Paige

Frederica

Madison

Gabi

Natalie

Megan

Emma

Kylie

Eva

Elizabeth

monday night was theme party filled with snowflakes, dress up, and santa's lap.

tuesday night was legend. and once we tucked the girls in we had STAFF "MEETING". we did our gift exchange. star drew my name and my gift was for dynamite! it was such a fun night.

wednesday was a HARD day. I don't know exactly why.  wonderful Moki offered to take my girls for an hour and the day turned around from there. cookout was great and testimony meeting was EVEN better. they were all so tender and sincere and it was really powerful.

thursday night was devotional and my cute mom and sister came up for it.  a couple campers had to leave that day for mandatory 7th grade day at their school.  that night while they were asleep we stuffed their "stockings" (a sock we had them save at the start of the week).

friday it was time to say goodbye-i cried AS USUAL!  

that night we moved out of our cabins, had a big chrismtas dinner, memory gift exchange (i got abu's and she got mine), and a testimony meeting.  followed by a GIANT sleepover in the George.

on saturday morning we all cleaned up camp and then headed to rock to get a shirt, picture and say goodbye. then we were hit with the news that the road connecting the bowl and camp was going to be closing in 10 minutes and we wouldn't be able to get out for 2 hours. we "creeped" and prayed sooo fast and ran out of there! not too many goodbyes. like a band-aid. i walked back up from the bowl to paint my name in Columbine and Bluebell.  great great week. great great summer. i'll do another post that's more about my overall experience.

6 weeks down... 6 weeks to go

BRYCE came back from SAN BLAS for the week! we had the chance to exchange a few emails which was really nice.  sounds like he had a great time in San Blas

a few baptisms
shower, bathroom, wash clothes... in a river
small area
great companion
flip flops
he now likes seafood

and so much more that he couldn't plug into a few short emails.
we talked about life, panama, friends, home, and he was so great and supportive.

So today he should be on his way back to San Blas for another 6 weeks to serve with his new Tongan companion.  I ALREADY miss him.  not talking did make time go by a little faster but it didn't make the time any easier.  It is getting hard and I'm starting to get slightly nervous.  I am on the count down and it is becoming very real.  I still love him so I just got to hold on and push through a little bit longer.

Bear Lake 2011

so bryce's WONDERFUL family invited me to bear lake this year!  because of camp I could only go up for the weekend.  after camp on friday of week 6 I drove straight up! we stayed in a cabin instead of a condo this time! when i got there we headed out tubing-which proved to be eventful because of the storm. loading a boat in the wind isn't easy!  that night we played minute to win it games and got shakes!  on saturday it was another boating day and also games, movies, and because of dallin and bradley, a LOT of MARIO!
it was a great weekend and I am so grateful to them for including me and always making me feel welcome!