8/25 summer thank you's

This summer--the summer before college--was definitely one for the books.
*cue sappy and cheesy and lowkey gross and all feelsy blog post NOW*
It was seriously a great way to end the Life-Before-College-and-Adulthood chapter of my life. I love the friends I've strengthened my bonds with this summer, so I wanted to take a bit of time to thank some of them more than I already have:

Maxx & Mom + the rest of my fam
I'll never stop thanking you all just because yall the bomb dot com, and there's literally no other people in the world I would rather be sealed to for time and all eternity (besides my future spouse...MAYBE). Without yall's endless support, patience, and unconditional love, I would not be the person I am today. I would not be where I am today. From the bottom of my heart, I love yall so freaking freaking much. I thank God basically every day that I picked and was able to placed into this family a long time ago. Thank you for all you do for me. I hope to do the same one day! :-)

Mags & Getz
I don't think you two understand the impact you've had on my life this year. Seriously, you both are in so many ways my Saving Graces. From all of our dinner and movie dates (FINE I'M CALLING THEM DATES) to our midnight rants about people (especially boys), the two of you have never stopped listening to me. No matter what, you always understood and empathized with me, and that means the world to me.
Mags, I will never forget the times you've shut me up with all of your freakin SKERRRT-ing or the times you've insulted me and I you. Even more memorable, however, are the all of the times you've almost killed me and Getz (esp. ME) in your car. Getz, I will never forget the times you Keisha'd in all of your stories or the way your mom loves me more than you jk.
Lastly, I have no idea what I did without yall pre-Carmike-and-GoPo and what to do without yall post-Carmike-and-GoPo. All I know is that this summer would not have been the same. So thank you.

Brielle, Noelle, & Brock + the rest of my Mormon kids
All of you have touched my heart so many times this summer, and I will never forget each and every one of those times. You guys always make me feel so so so loved, and when I'm around you guys, I always want to be better.  You are all so talented like I'm so freaking proud to know all of you. (YES even you Brielle, no matter how many times you deny it) And seriously thank you for letting me intrude in yall's youth activities even though I'm so old :-(

To end this blog post, I made a video of my random experiences this summer, playing to a sort of nostalgic yet hopeful song: "Home" by Gabrielle Aplin.

"So when I'm ready to be bolder, 

And my cuts have healed with time

Comfort will rest on my shoulder

And I'll bury my future behind

I'll always keep you with me

You'll always be on my mind

But there's a shining in the shadows

I'll never know unless I try"

...and so I'm off to stranger places! Well technically, I'm already IN stranger places...I made it to Providence! I've been here for a few days now and will be blogging about it in a few weeks, of course, so be on the lookout! AND if you wanna send me letters (WHICH I WILL LOVE AND DIE FOR), hit me up on Facebook or something and I'll give you my box number :-)

7/28-7/30 Youth Conference #3fy

Every summer, the youth of my church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have the glorious opportunity to participate in one type of summer program/camp. This year, I participated in my local stake's Youth Conference with two other stakes. (Note: "Stakes" are basically just a giant group of LDS churches, organized by their area.) There was over 300 youth there, all ranging from the age of 14 to 18, coming from all different places to stay at Mars Hill University for three and a half days.

At Youth Conference, I was so so so lucky to be placed into a super chill company (a group of boys and girls) with super awesome counselors. Seriously, I miss them all so freaking much right now. My company was a HUGE (like 85%) part of my experience there, and I know that without them, I would not have felt the same about Youth Conference. I would not have had such a memorable experience. Because of them, I always felt the Spirit. Because of them, I always felt happy, content, and at peace. Because of them, I began seeing some things in a different light. Most importantly, because of them, I strengthened my testimony of Jesus Christ's Atonement.

Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered for us in the Garden of Gethsemane and died for us on the cross. He suffered all of the sins of the world so that we can repent and atone for our sins and wrongdoings. He died for us so that one day, we can all live again with our Heavenly Father. Through the Atonement, we can literally do anything. It enables us to ask for Heavenly Father's help and strength in anything we do, whether it is as trivial as giving us the strength to get out of bed or as challenging as becoming a more patient person. Because of Jesus Christ, we can learn how to become more loving, kind, and humble. We can learn how to become more perfect people, so perfect that one day, we can sit next to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ on thrones as gods in Heaven. I know this fact with every fiber of my being, and I want nothing more than to do just that one day. I want nothing more than to spread the love of Christ everywhere I go.

(our first group pics minus Zack)

(my favorite kids in the entire world)

 (This is Zack and Forrest. They're both into cinematography and make cool videos! Click on their names to check out their awesome YouTube channels!)

(Idalis was my roommate!! she's great)

(Long live, my Look and Live-rs. I wouldn't trade my time with yall for anything.)

Finally, as I'm now 18 and going to college, this youth conference was the last one I could attend as a youth, so I thought it was fitting to make a video of my experiences there, duh!



The thought of never going again makes me sad, but I'm so happy I have the memories of this last youth conference to hold me over for a long time. Not to mention I can always try to go back as a super awesome counselor ;-)