Moments are like Molecules

Wow. I can't believe how long it's been since I've updated my blog. Well, I'm back :D I know the perfect way to sum up everything that has happened to me since I've last written, specifically what's happened to me this Summer term:

"Moments are the Molecules that make up eternity" -Neil L. Anderson

 Really, truly, these past two months have been filled with so many wonderful moments, so many wonderful memories, so many wonderful people that it would be impossible for me to try to all list them here. Just know that this term Ive been having an absolutely WONDERFUL time! There's only a week left, then finals and check-outs, and I'll be back on a plane to Ohio after 8 months of living in the Wasatch front. I'll come back just 5 short days later, start band camp, my Fall Semester, and then in February, be on a plane across the world. Again, crazy. Life really doesn't stop. It's one of those things that you kind of have to hang on or be swept away by. Some thoughts that I've been having lately:

 -I have now watched 7 incredible young men become Elders and put on nametags to serve missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Actually, I know over 40 young men who have done that but I'm specifically talking about the 7 young men who make up our freshmen class on BYU's Drumline. David, Drew, Jordan, Josh, Joseph, Mason, and Phil have now become Elder's Van Komen, Chandler, Turner, Parco, Lawrence, Blackham, and Kirknier. Some of them are also serving in places far, far away such as Peru, Sweden, Mexico, and Honduras. Crazy, huh!?

 -I have absolutely LOVED my time working as an RA. I have had the opportunity to live a life of constant service, which has been incredible! I have also had the opportunity for others to serve me in countless ways, for which I am eternally grateful. I have met so many fabulous people and hope to cherish these friendships I've formed for the rest of my life. So, in no particular order these are some moments that have mapped the course of my living and have made this term the enjoyable experience that it has been. Thank you SO much to everyone who has been a part of such a fantastic journey!

• Kneeling in prayer with my roommates at the end of the day and sharing one thing that we are grateful for.
•  Waking up every morning during the month of July to find a Christmas surprise waiting outside our apartment door provided by our amazing secret Santa, Megan.
• Random dance parties in the front office, painting nails in the front office, and the times I've stayed up way too late talking to either Amy or Emily. 
• Emily's Texas Sheet Cake. Enough said.
• building a blanket fort with Nicole and Beth and watching Mulan II underneath.
• Beth freaking out when she thought a lizard was crawling over her that wasn't Mushu.
• Watching two male ducks fight over a female duck late at night after a fun night of bowling with some other awesome RA's.
• Every single time that I've had the opportunity to attend the temple.
• The life-changing experiences I have had with the Sister missionaries in the MTC on Monday afternoons where the Spirit is SO strong as I pretend to be a less active and they really believe me. The love and the caring they share is just incredible, and blesses my life SO much, even though they will never know that I really am a very active member :D 
• Every time I have the chance to unlock someone's door. I LOVE being the one that has that ability to help others! 
• Seeing all of our hard work pay off at Murder at the Masquerade. Seeing everyone watching the murder mystery videos, loving the food and decorations, and having big smiles on their faces. I had a fabulous night, and it made all the long hours of planning, filming, and editing the murder videos worth it. 
• That time I made pancakes for my roommates and they totally failed. Seriously. They were more cake than pan :D 
• Hiking the Y with my FHE family and hiking up Rock Canyon earlier this month. Being able to climb up a mountain and experience the thrill of God's creations. 
• Going to the Pioneer Village on Pioneer day with Dave and Ashleigh and feeling very close to those pioneers that made it possible for me to be here today. 
• Finding out a General Authority was coming to tour our apartment and frantically cleaning beforehand then having our apartment smell like their cologne and aftershave lotion for two hours afterwards.
• Walking in the living room after doing my laundry to find Amanda jumping up and down silently screaming that she made the BYU Drumline. Then, jumping up and down with her and not so silently screaming.
• All the Creamery runs I made with my roommates, whether in my pajamas, stopping to see Jacob Richardson in the Central building, or singing and dancing like a dinosaur. 
• Laying out under the stars late at night talking about living and feeling, and then getting chased off the ground by the sprinklers :D 
• Walking to Spanish class and finding out it was cancelled :D 
• Volunteering with the Spanish speaking missionaries in the MTC and feeling the Spirit so strongly as the gospel is preached in another language. Also, being able to respond to them and understand what they're saying is also cool! 
• Volunteering with the ESL missionaries on Friday nights and getting to know Elders and Sisters from all over the world. I've seen their prayers answered and the gift of tongues work in their lives, and their faith and testimonies have only strengthened my desire to teach English as a Second language.
• All the funny times that we've had in Staff meetings saying the most random things ever. 
• Spending a day with Jessica Swenson visiting the Provo Farmer's Market and mall. Seriously love this girl.
• My random sleepover at Glenwood with Jessica Young staying up until 3 a.m. being band nerds :) 
• Going to the Manti pagaent with Daniel Bittner. The Manti temple is SO gorgeous, and I had great company! 
• All the random dinners and game nights our apartment has had with various other apartments. Especially the RSVP we had with origami birds all over our door :D
• Volunteering with Junior for the past week helping him during his bowling class. I have loved this opportunity that I have had to volunteer for the Accessibility center and get to know him. 
• All the time I've been able to spend in the gym this term. :) 
• Also all the times I've eaten ice cream. Both balance out :D 
• Stadium of Fire! Seriously, those fireworks were AMAZING...and so were the Beach Boys! 
• Seeing the Provo Mission missionaries march in the Provo City parade on the Fourth of July. They got the loudest cheers of all, and they made me so proud to know so many strong missionaries.
• Waiting in line for a half hour at Subway with Amanda and Ashleigh to celebrate passing our cleaning check :D 
• Having the opportunity to usher for Junior Miss! Having the opportunity to participate in the program in such a small way and to talk to the participants before the show helped me remember what Distinguished Young Women means to me and how much it has changed my life. 
• Tunnel singing on Sunday night and hearing so many beautiful voices blend together in praising the Lord. 
• Making an AWFUL looking gingerbread house. The intention was not for it to turn out so terribly, but that's just how it worked :D 
• Sitting in the hallway at 12:30 practicing cymbal music with Amanda, clapping out pregame.
• Feeling the Spirit so strongly at the Relief Society tea party and having the opportunity to get to know my residents better. 
• Picnic at the temple with Amy Michelle and Dave!
• Walking down to Wyview and remembering all the good times I've had there and being able to see some wonderful people from Spring term. 
• Attending a USGA (Understanding Same-gender attraction) meeting as a group of RA's and walking out of the meeting no longer ignorant. I seriously learned SO much! 
• Sliding down water slides with David and his family so that I could see him one last time before he left on his mission. 
• Grilled cheese sandwiches and applesauce every Sunday after church <3

I know there are hundreds and hundreds more awesome memories, but I just don't have the time to write all of them.  Just know that I am SO grateful for everything that the Lord has blessed me with, for the many wonderful opportunities that I have had, for the many fun memories I've made, for the awesome people that I have met, and specifically, the opportunity that I have had to work as an RA. Summer flew by, but it was truly a fun time :) 

Summer Lovin' 2012 <3