Maren--Ma-ren is What Brings Us Together Today

Maren is one of the best people I know. She is so genuine, so loving, so concerned. Freshman year, we were randomly paired to live together. At first, it appeared that we were total opposites. She was very studious, I was very social. As the year progressed, we both rubbed off on one another (which was very good for my GPA). By the end of freshman year, I could not believe how close we grew. I think I appreciated her more than I vocalized, but I learned a lot from her. She was my constant. We are both extremely logical and we would bounce ideas off of one another (and talk sense into one another) daily.

I have so many memories with Maren. Lot's of late night talks lots of random phone conversations. I love that our relationship can be picked up so quickly. We don't require a lot of time spent with one another. A random phone call or ice cream trip will catch us up after being away for months at EFY or months in Belgium.I really appreciate her example and desire to always do good. We have had so many deep conversations and discussed many of our fears and aspirations.

Maren got married to Patrick Perkins on August 22, 2008. She looked so beautiful. She will be the first one to tell you, she did not think she would be married so quickly. But it works. It always works. She looked gorgeous. The wedding reception was the most beautiful, perfect reception I have ever been to. My mom was running around the yard taking pictures of random artistic formations for "one day". Sorry, Mom, that day isn't coming any day soon, but I'll see what I can do. Anyways, Maren's wedding day really was perfect. I felt so flattered to have been asked to be a bridesmaid. I know that Maren has really made an impact on my life. I really value her friendship and know that we will be friends for a long, long time.

I'm so glad Maren and Patrick were able to be married in the temple--for eternity. What incredible truth we have! I love that we can be with the person we love most forever. That makes everything worthwhile. Congratulations, Maren and Patrick!!!

Football and Family

My family came to town. They took me grocery shopping (if you are in college you know how that is one of the greatest gifts ever) and we went to the football game together. The tickets they ordered on ebay almost didn't get here on time. My mom tracked down the postman on the way to the game. Thankfully they were in the mail truck!

Have you ever...?







I'm not going to lie. Some times I catch myself doing this in class. (the pen holding...not the teeth brushing)...
Now that is love.

New Roommates!

I have new roommates :)
Nicole is my room roommate. She is so much fun to be around. She is always so positive and encouraging. She is incredible and always trying to serve us as roommates.

Amy makes great cinnamon rolls (amongst other things). She is always waiting to ask me how my day was and to make me laugh. I love being around her.

Carie shows her love to us by serving. She is always asking what she can do to help and really loves real conversation.

I love living with these people. They are such great examples to me of charity. We really all have a good time and enjoy being around one another.

Family Time is the Best Time

Since I've been off to college, my family does a lot of stuff. Don't get me wrong. During my childhood we did a lot of stuff--but now I think I'm just realizing it more because I'm missing out on it. I really love spending time with my family. I find myself turning down opportunities to spend time with my friends when I go home so I can spend time with my family. I love them and miss them. They are so good to me. Good thing families have the potential to be together forever, right? (Picture taken at the Angels vs Dodgers game)

Hard to believe, I know...

I updated...slightly. I guess it isn't even "updated' since i posted on month old news. More to come. Promise.

The Summer Fun Continues...

Ok--Let's be honest. I don't want to write humongous paragraphs of this past summers events and you probably don't want to read them. So--here is a play by play accounting for you. Enjoy!
The UW Geologists left their baby pool and water slide out. After games night, we capitalized on this opportunity. As everyone on the team knows, the presence of water always leads to water fights. Thist picture could have been taken many, many times this summer. This is BYU Team 3.
Wet...Thanks Emily and Glen.
Brother Galke invited us to their incredible house near Yellowstone. This is the only picture I took...It was such a beautiful, beautiful place. We fell out of the swing.
The Musical Program was my biggest fear entering EFY as a BC this summer. It turned out to be the greatest experience (twice--I had it 2 of our 8 weeks). I (re)learned that my Heavenly Father loves me and won't let me fail--even when I face tasks that sem impossible. I had 108 incredible youth in it :) Such good, good kids. This is the boys half.
Welcome to Ephriam, UT. Here on the left, we have sheep. Yes that is correct. They are running down the middle of the road. The main road. Who knows...
This is the only team formal picture we took. We hate banquets!!! And apparently hate looking at the camera.
We were told to flash our legs. Note--Juls actually showed some skin. HAHAHA it was hilarious.
Now here's a story. Chelsea and I headed up to Montana a few days early to set up the Dillon sessions. We stopped in Rexburg, ID to go to the new temple and drive around BYU Idaho. It was such a great little stop, complete with Applebee's, which everyone knows i LOVE. Anyways, we went to get back on the road. However, instead of getting back on I-15N we got on Highway 20. We didn't notice we were on the wrong road until we reached Yellowstone National Park. We thought we were about 10 minutes away from Dillon when we stopped for gas. Little did we know we had another 4 hours to drive. It was quite the experience!!! haha--and makes a great story.
These are the youth we worked with all summer. We crammed these 500 youth in this small room for a dance. Boy, that smelled great.
When in Ephriam for the session, we drove to Manti went to the temple again as a team. Sunday we went back with a fun group and hung out on the temple grounds for a few hours. We relaxed, read, and slept...and even found an old cemetary with some of Chelsea's family members.

We missed the olympics on tv...so we had an Olympic game's night.
The boys are always working on their serenading...
New Cannon Center food is SOOO GOOD!!! Get the eggs!!!
Team photo--complete with Ben Socal. Thank you Matt and Brendan.
Brother Wilcox invited Kenneth Cope and Sister Dalton to come speak to us.
Montana games night--with 130 youth. So little! And, remember those geologists who were so mad when we kicked them off the field?
We LOVE JORDAN!!! We met Jordan in Montana. She is incredible. She helped us a lot throughout the week and, along with all the campus contacts, was just so good to us. We really miss her. Come to Utah!!

1/2 the team left. This is who was left of us!!! Common trend throughout the summer...
Ephriam bonfire!! Thanks to Jessica's sweet connections.
Happy Birthday, Brendan! Look out girls and boys--he is mine on July 9, 2010 if he isn't Jessica's first ;)
And...let's not forget this summer without THE Brittany Dahlin.

It was an incredible summer. Very different than past summers...but good nonetheless. Sad that it is really over, but made so many priceless memories and quality people along the way.