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.

Apparently, We LOVE polo's...or each other

For BYU Team 3's off week, we all headed to sunny California. I planned on coming home to Apple Valley for the two weeks off and the team planned on coming down to go to Magic Mountain. Glen and I drove to California Sunday night and the rest of the team (with Jessica in spirit) met us at my parents house on Monday night. We had some great adventures!Adventure #1...I got in trouble for standing up on the ride and minutes later Glen ran across the tube to avoid water. Well, security was called and we almost got kicked out of the park. DO NOT stand up on rides!!
Adventure #2...my little brother, Sheldon, came along. He was a great sport and we even got him on a few roller coasters.
Adventure #3...we met some furry creatures on our way to leave the park for Wendy's. (Why did we walk a mile to Wendy's?!?)
Adventure #4...About 25% of the park had been to EFY at one time and kept stopping us to ask if we knew their counselors. I even saw my participant!
Adventure #5...Brendan kicked over Batman's head and he even cracked a smile.


Adventure #6...We went to the LA temple and did baptisms with a youth group. The guys spent a really long time on their hair so we spent longer than expected--but it was so worth it!
Adventure #7...Oh Venice beach. Need i say more?
Adventure #8...we got to the beach so late that we planned on just walking around and flying a kite. Naturally, the guys tossed us all in.

What a great way to spend a week. We even were able to figure out the confusing highways and get back home (even though we ended up in Pasadena and missed Hollywood). I am so grateful for our team. We are all so different, but we work together so well. I am blessed to be around so many quality people. And they are hilarious, too. SO HILARIOUS.

Kendra's Mission Farewell

Today, Kendra Left on her mission. She will be serving in the Brazil Sao Paulo North Mission for the next 18 months. She will be a great missionary!
While Kendra is gone we will make sure Kyle Korver waits for her and hopefully have fairy tale romances of our own ;)

1. Bone face, White Lightening, and some other horse. I couldn't resist: Erik's ears.
2. Cody, Erik, Payton, Tyler, Derrick, Nate, Lisa, Kendra, me, Lisa
3. Lisa, Kendra, and I--Old roommates

Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright--HEY!!! EFY!

Those of you who know me (and hopefully, all of you who are reading this do), you probably know that I work for Especially for Youth during the summers. EFY is a program sponsored by the Church Educational System of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Each summer 50,000 youth attend sessions across the world. Throughout the week they participate in classes, dances, devotionals, service activities, and other activities--and usually, they love it. I love it! I went growing up with my friend, Amber, and it was great to go learn of Christ and meet so many good people.

The last 2 years, I have been a counselor which I absolutely loved. This year I am a building counselor, which is a little different. Instead of having youth, I have counselors. I am kind of a counselor's counselor. I really, really miss having youth. I love being a BC and teaching the counselors to be better teachers. I love problem solving and figuring out logistical problems. I do really miss having my own girls, though.
My first week this summer, my counselor had to leave early for a funeral, so I was able to be a counselor for a day. It was really hard to juggle both duties, but it was great to get to know so many good kids. It was the best of both worlds (yes, I just quoted Hannah Montana). So this week, I was choosing rooms to assign for something later in the week, and i found this little guy, with his arms in his shirt, in a corner asleep. Naturally we took a picture (for the slide show) and I woke him up and sent him to class. When I became a counselor on Thursday, I inherited this little ball of joy. Here is a picture of him knitting a hat--and yes he is threading the yarn through both of his big toes. We at EFY are very sanitary. Friday, I also got to wake him up while asleep on his scriptures during gospel study, under a pew during a class, asleep out in the grass, and in numerous other places. What a cute little guy.
Some of our BC team and others (YAY Brooke and Whitney!) went to the Real Salt Lake game and to Applebee's. It was so funny that we later discovered someone "peed their pants--a little bit" hahaha.
Matt, me, Brendan, Emily, and Jessica--The BCs minus Glen (Week 3--Provo 4B)
Matt, Chelsea, Brendan, and Jessica all admiring Emily's great slide show

Grandma

Last month, my Grandma Worthen passed away. She went into open heart surgery to have a valve replaced. After the surgery she seemed fine, but then complications arose. She went into a coma and never woke up. It was a very tender time for my family and me. It was so hard to be at school in Utah and unable to be there, to say goodbye, or to comfort family members. When I reached Seattle, it was very hard for me to walk back into my grandparent's home--to see my grandpa alone, and no one snoozing in the blue chair. At the funeral, I offered the opening prayer and our family sang, "I Am a Child of God." I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, for the ability it gives us to be with our families eternally. I know that I am at peace because I know I will see my grandmother again. I know that she is watching over us from above, hoping that we make correct decisions so that we can see each other again. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us and created this plan for us to be happy--now and forever. I know that my grandma knew this. I am so thankful for my Savior and the potential we have to live with our families again.

Memories of Grandma
--"Those Jerks lost again!" In reference to the Seattle Mariners
--Random college care packages with address labels stuck all over everything (like oatmeal packets)
--Shopping trips
--Weekly phone calls
--Sleeping in the blue chair with her scriptures on her lap
--Grandma's Pretzel Salad
--"Amber, we are proud of you!"

I'll miss you grandma!

Meeting the POTUS and Mitt Romney

Today, I met Mitt Romney and the President of the United States, George Bush. No big deal, right? Just another normal day in the life of Amber Anderson. Yeah, right.

Last Wednesday night, my friend Chance called me to ask if I wanted to volunteer for the event which would host President Bush and Mitt Romney. Naturally, I said yes. It was incredible. Alyssa and I drove to Salt Lake at 9AM. We toured the gardens of the Stewart's home and looked over the beautiful city. The gardens had an amazing view of the Utah Capitol building and the Salt Lake City Temple. Around 10, all volunteers and caterers were sent out so that the Secret Service could sweep the house and gardens. So many secret service men and other undercover officials came in to secure the location. It was seriously right out of a movie.

While we were waiting for the security sweep to be completed, we received assignments and instructions. I was assigned to the Registration table (conveniently located under a white canopy in the shade, which was sooo nice). When we reentered the premise, we quickly organized and began to register people. All kinds of prominent, wealthy people came. I loved talking to the people. They were so generous and willing to help out the Republican Party. It was great to be with so many good friends and to be united in a good cause.

Soon, the festivities began. Govenor Mitt Romney stood up first to speak. President Bush was running behind because he spoke at the Air Force Commencement and afterwards spoke to each graduate individually. Mitt spoke and it was great. He never ceases to impress me. Sometimes I wish he involved more impromptu speeches while he was running--he is so personable and easy to like--the general public just didn't see this. He spoke of the importance of joining forces between Senator McCain, the Republican Presidential Nominee. He is such a quality person and I learned how funny he is. I love how confident and comfortable he is in groups. He even took questions from the audience.

President Bush arrived shortly after Mitt's speech. After hearing Govenor Romney speak, I wondered how he was elected (I mean, I voted for him, but Mitt is SO well spoken), but I was very impressed. President Bush was hilarious. I mean SO FUNNY!!! I couldn't believe it. He laughed at his own jokes, too...which is always funny. He began by speaking of the importance of us to support John McCain in the general election. He said that he truly believed McCain could win. He also said that he thought the Detroit Tigers would win the national league in baseball, and that didn't work, so he wasn't very good at predicting things, which was so funny. He spoke on his belief in God and how he has recognized the millions of prayers offered by Americans for his safety and good decision making. People in the audience began to clap, but he held up his hand to silence them. He continued to state the absolute right that all individuals should have to freedom and how it is our responsibility to guarantee this freedom to all whenever possible. It was powerful. It really was.

He continued to speak of how the past 7.5 years of his term has strengthened his relationship with his wife and how incredible she is. He also spoke of his daughter's recent wedding and told how he broke down "blubbering" down the isle. He is excited for grandchildren.

I know I have casually joked on the President's speech giving capacity, but I was extremely impressed. I wish I could recall more of his funny jokes and inspirational stories. After he closed his speech, he walked to a disabled child and gave away his American flag pin. He shook peoples hands and asked if they knew his relatives in varied places. He showed concern and gratitude. I'll say it again, I am impressed.

Before Govenor Romney left, I called to him and asked if I could have a picture with him. He had just been given a book by an indivdual which explained how "protestants view Mormons." He accepted the book and gently told them they are spending too much time researching these issues for the book. It was funny. The guy looked shocked. When I asked to take a picture with Govenor Romney, he was leaving the event. I called, "Govenor Romney, can I take a picture with you?" He ignored others and looked at me and said he would. I told him I had traveled to Nevada and helped with the caucus there. He looked and me and sincerely told me thank you and he appreciated my help. Governor Romney was truly great and I love his character. I'm excited to see what job he receives in McCain's administration if McCain is elected. He said he won't be VP but will have another role. I'm excited to see!

The day was unforgettable. I'm so glad Chance asked if I was able to volunteer. Great friends made it so much more memorable. Wow. What an experience!