Sharing the 4th!

Hillary and I decided that since we didn't have many people around we'd share the day together through pictures throughout the day. So without further ado, from Michigan and Maine... Fun times!

Trek: Knoxville, TN Youth Conference

Ten years ago, I attended a wilderness youth conference, where we night hiked into our camping area, set up camp, and lived church history for two 1/2 days. On our first day, we built rafts like Nephi in order to cross to the promised land (we crossed a lake on makeshift rafts); on the second day, we were pioneers. That day, the mobs came and drove us out of camp.

(Youth conference is a camp when youth 14-18 years old get together to learn, socialize, and spiritually strengthen themselves by learning more about the gospel of Jesus Christ; this particular one simulated the dedication of the Mormon pioneers who helped in restoring The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the earth; hence, the pioneer clothing and handcarts.)

These pictures depict my life ten years later. At this Trek youth conference, the youth, assigned to handcart families, came in and "lived" as pioneers, with the exception of food. I was part of the kitchen crew, captained by my mother. That was my ticket.

As I looked at the youth, I thought back to my conference and realized that when I was in their shoes, the youth were at oldest four years old. I thought of all that they would do in the next ten years.

In that time for me, I survived high school, served a mission, and graduated from college. I couldn't help but imagine that some of them would be married and be parents; some would serve missions; some go to college. I could not help but also think about the temptations in the world, hoping that they would not weaken and fall away. This weekend they were sitting in a grove of Tennessee trees, feeling strong. Oh, how much they have to accomplish afterwards.

This weekend my testimony grew by seeing them. My commitment to stay close the Lord and do His will has deepened. I know that He has a plan for those youth, just as He has had a hand in my life. God is in control and provides opportunities for us.

Camping In Tennessee

NINJA!!
BEST OUTFIT EVER!
ZIPLINING!
OUR ISLAND

Imagine this:

It's beautiful in Tennessee. My family and I have our own hide-away island in the middle of Douglas Lake (the big lake near us-not to be confused with the giant lakes up near Michigan...). We set up five tents, returned to our fire built many years ago, and made camp. We strung up two hammocks, created a kitchen area with some tables, and even a bathroom area, though I still prefer running water and electricity. We played for five days, boating, tubing, and jet-skiing.

Because of the storms hitting lately, the water is higher than I have seen it in years. The lake covers farmlands from yesteryear; they flooded the area with a dam so that they could create a power plant, which means that when we're swimming, we're really above old farm fences and such sixty feet below. The sunsets were great. We need to find a good spot to see sunsets in Provo. Maybe Utah lake?

I'll admit that I'm tired of the spiders.

I am only moderately sunburned! (Sweet! That means I'll turn brown!)

I read two books.

I swam a lot.

I jet-skied!!

I played tetrus.

I think I decided on the I-Phone, unless Ashlee tells me her (speak to text) is worth it.

I beat my Mom at a game (usual).

I have since showered.

I slept on the ground for five nights (with three bed rolls...)

I sweated my body weight off (oh. wait... the s'mores put it all back on; it's still there).

I built a fire.

I killed spiders.

I saved spiders that weren't in my tent.

I played "Ninja" with my nieces and nephews.

I talked with my older sisters.

I relaxed on a tube with Grace.

I discovered how much I depend upon electronics.

I swung in a hammock.

I stared at the fires flames and red coals; this never bores me. They're fascinating.

That probably covers the last five days.

Face Crunch: the Opposite of a Face Lift

New Experience:
Got hit in the face with a volleyball. I don't know how this was a new experience, but it was. It hurt a lot more than I expected!!! Note to self: avoid ball hogs who will try to steal your playing space and hit you in the face (even if only accidentally).

Official Business: A Utah Bank Account And A License

Well, I opened an account with a credit union yesterday. Grown up stuff. I'll be transferring my funds there soon.

Also, I went and got a Utah license. Because of a mishap, I didn't realize that they'd be taking my picture again that day. The following comment from my roommate sums it up.

"Well, it doesn't show you off... but it's not too bad..."

Thank you Rachel.

Maine

This is the feel of Maine! I love that I just steal someone else's picture...

NYC--From the Sky

We just flew into an airport in New York City on our way to Maine. Normally on an airplane, my nose is locked into a book, and not even in landing do my eyes leave the pages. But not this time.

At a side glance I noticed a bridge crossing a waterway, and since I'm obsessed with any body of water, I immediately stated examining the metal connection cords, the cars crossing it, and then, whoosh! It was gone, severed from my sight by a curtain of cloud. After a few seconds, the next scene flashed--blocks of buildings that reminded me of legos, locked in side by side, slued to each others sides. I couldn't tell from the air whether they were homes or apartment buildings.

Flash. The clouds again. Till I noticed a grouping of skyscrapers, scraping the haze of the city ceiling. As I glanced back, seeing more water and bridges, I saw the Statue of Liberty. I jerked in recognition and immediately searched for Ellis Island. It was so cool. Bridges. Buildings. Sandwiched Houses. Clouds creating snapshots. Soccer Fields. And the Wide Expanse of Population. So Much Humanity Built Into Once Space.

I thought of Milena, my friend from high school. I don't know if she's here or traveling abroad. But in NYC, there are thousands of families, thousands of people. The cemetery is heavily populated and condensed just like its city. The brick expanse of suburb surrounds the glassy tall buildings that make up the capitol.

I thought to myself, "where would the Twin Towers have been?" I remembered not even knowing of them until my freshman year on September 11, 2001. I'm sure that New Yorkers do not say the same.

The clouds were such great breakers. They broke up the details and let me absorb little things--organizing my thoughts and reactions to the Big Apple, as seen from the sky.

A Rock Collection

Well, Elizabeth Bennett asked, “what are men compared to rocks and mountains?” Well, men are still important to me, but I still think that rocks are important too. While we were in South Carolina, I collected little white rocks along the crabbing shoreline. Here in Maine, I found black and checkered rocks to match them. If I like them once I put them together, then I am going to make a rock bowl centerpiece or something, representing both of my grandmothers: one from South Carolina and the other from Maine. I hope there pretty physically, and not just in theory.

Feliz Dia de Independcia!

Happy Fourth of July.

Well, a few weeks ago, Hillary and David's mother asked me whether or not we were going to root for the U.S. team or Brazil and Argentina. Well, it made me think about my patriotism. When it comes to soccer, I think I'll swing south, but as for all other sports and things, I'm all for the United States of America. I love that I had to seriously think about this though.

Today at church, we sang patriotic songs for the hymns, which I enjoyed. It was fun to sing about the truth marching on because it is all over the world. Patriotism is more than for a country; it is for God; it is for truth. And this American country is where the gospel was restored. I love Argentina. I love studying and visiting the world. But I love the smell of fireworks, the salty air of the east coast, the cool breeze in the Tennessee trees, and the smell of campfire. These are the traditions of my homeland. Plus, jet-skiing and boating tomorrow.

God Bless the USA. And God bless the world. And God bless the people.

Wildlife Affecting My Dreams

Well, I am at the beach. It's great fun. Yesterday, we went para-sailing (if that's how you spell it). It was weird being up so high in the air. My sisters and I were in the same harness, which was fun. We saw three sharks from high above. One of them was only about 50 yards from where they dunked us before pulling us back to the ship. Thus, we freaked out while we were bouncing in the swells, though I imagine that 50 yards was a gross exaggeration. We probably were much farther.

You would think that would be enough wildlife for one day. It should have been were we not so adventurous. We went jet-skiing to a small Carolina wharf to have lunch. While in the rivers, we spotted a giant alligator on the shoreline. Gluttons for danger and/or punishment, we circled back five times to see it, and in alignment with our heritage, take a picture (stab at mother!).

Unfortunately, such adventures made me sea-minded at bedtime. After watching the midnight premier of Eclipse with my sisters, being thoroughly tired, I felt like I was floating on my back in the water, even though I was only on my solid, stable, flat, and non-moving bed. While trying to drift asleep, each time I drowsed off, immediately a giant alligator head surfaced in my heart and I immediately jerked awake with an intake of breath. This happened five times before I was finally able to fall asleep without dreaming of this alligator. It's amazing how real and frightening dreams can prove to be.

Today, I was contented by a harmless dolphin off the shoreline, as I sat in the sun reading the last of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet . My sisters laughed that I would read Shakespeare on my own, and so would I have if before my Shakespeare class this past winter. I loved it. And now, I love Shakespeare. I never thought I'd be converted. But alas! I was.

Summer Lovin'

I am in Michigan at the moment with my best friend and her family! Last night, I asked Hillary what time she wanted to get up. She said that "she didn't care because we had nothing to do today!" It was so weird. I fell asleep, looking out her bay window at the moon and the clouds surrounding it. Around 9:00, we woke up, ate banana milkshakes, and watched LOST. Then, we went outside to the pool to lay out and swim a bit. We ended up reading to each other at the poolside, talking girl talk, and napping a bit. I thought to myself, "this is it?" What am I going to do all summer? I'm not sure that I like the lazy life.

It was so good to see David though. I was so excited after I hugged him that I was shaking. Man, that must have been excitement. It's like he never left. Missions are so weird. Friends part for a long time, but because of the shared service, even though each person served in different parts of the world, when they come back together, it's as though everything is back in sync. I love it! The final piece to my puzzle from before my mission is back in place.

And now I have new pieces to add to the mix. I get to add Karin to my circle of love. Of course, there are many other companions and converts, but she is in Utah, which makes her more permanent. Alysha is a stronger piece as well. Before my mission she was my friend from Spain. Now she's that, my MTC companion, and my friend who coached me through the first stages of dating (we started dating guys at the same time; hers is still going on; I left mine behind :-)! ). And of course, there are new friends and interests that entered my life this spring. But I will divulge these things later.

That's summer fun (laziness) and spring updates!