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!

A Year in Pictures

I went with my family to Disney Land :) It was so fun to be around them, especially because I am not home very often. Our faces explain everyones attitudes of roller costers. I moved to Condo Row and got new roommates! I knew Kendra before from the dorms and Glenwood but Ashley and Lisa were new ones. They are so great and there has been no arguing, drama, annoyances, or any of that girl drama. Well I haven't noticed it anyways...Then again, i might be the cause of it.

My family was supposed to go to Seattle for vacation but my dad wasn't able to leave work, so he gave me his ticket! I flew out for the weekend and took a much appreciated week off of school. It was a great week. To satisfy my brother, we went to Safeco field (where the Mariners play) and took the tour. My brother is growing up...he is cute again!!! (don't read that wrong...he was just the cutest little boy EVER!!!)
My mom and I tried to break out of the dugout...she is funny. haha---oh wow.

I made fruit pizza with my newly gained cooking skills from my HFL class. My grandparents always do so much for us. They are so skinny! We tried to fatten them up a bit. It was great to be around them for the weekend!

BYU football!!!

Linze got us great football game seats. This is a group of EFY counselors I met this past summer. Cosmo decided to join us for the evening. We had front row seats to all of the games :) Welcome to my life in Provo. It snowed. It always snowes. It is April 25 and it snowed yesterday for graduation. I do love that the cheerleaders are singing "once there was a snowman" on the football field. Everybody, welcome to Provo!




Coralie always takes so great care of me. She has been married for 3ish years and has the cutest baby, Jaden. She is always bringing me food, inviting me over to dinner, and visiting me at work. What a best friend. I love her little family!!

The old roommates reunited for Linnea's birthday. All last year, they tried to get me to have "photo shoots" and lets be honest, i never did. I enjoyed sleep. BUT--we had a photo shoot and it was fun to be around them again. I miss those girls!!! I REALLY miss them!
I already wrote about this but Novemberish-February i campaigned for Mitt Romeny. A group of students from BYU (above) traveled to Las Vegas to campaign for the caucus. This was our smaller group. It was a great opportunity to become more politically involved and get to know great people. I know that it is the people I was with that made the trip. We had a blast with one another and enjoyed the great driving skills, random sleep overs, and even pulled over a few times for an individual to throw up (don't worry...he wasn't sick...he was laughing to hard).
The BYUSA elections took up quite some time! Adam and Chance ran for BYUSA President and Vice President and all these people in the above picture (and many, many more) campaigned for months. We worked so hard. During the actual campaign week we were all campaigning from 7AM and making signs and phone calls until midnight. It was quite the experience (and our grades for the semester will probably reflect that...)Oh yeah, WE WON!!! These were pictures from the victory party at Bamboo Hut. SO GOOD.
This typifies my relationship with Linze...

Chance went to DC for the week to speak at the Republican National Committee convention and we went to pick him up from the airport. Linze made it just in time with a banner from the campaign. haha--we got some interesting looks that night...For those of you who do not know, i have had over 20 children. I have been a Family Home Evening "mom" in my ward. My "husband" and I planned activities and lessons for every Monday night this school year. It is a program that our church has instituted to improve family relationships and learn Christian principles in the home. Since we are at BYU we don't really have our families nearby, so we were divided into "families."

We got to know each other really well...and went Classic Skating. Don't you worry, they even had Britney Spears and Hannah Montana videos playing on the wall inside the rink. Remember when it was the cool thing to do to go skating on Friday nights in middle school at Stardust? those were the days...

We even went to the Bean Museum and touched things...ugh.
To cap the semester off, Kendra, my roommate, got her mission call. She is going to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the next 18 months. She will be such a great missionary and we will really miss her!!

This has been a year in review.... what a great school year!!

Another Semester Gone...

Today was the last day of classes! I cannot believe it. I feel that this semester went by considerably slower. I am not sure why, but it might be because it is still cold. Yesterday, it reached 80 degrees and today it snowed--yes, SNOWED!! I could not believe it. It is hard to believe that I am 3/4 of the way done with college. It seems like just yesterday I was graduating at Lee County, saying bye to all of my high school friends, and driving across the country to California with my family. It is crazy to think how quickly time goes. It is also amazing to me how life changes, but it is always for the best. Leaving high school, I didn't think life could get much better. A small town like Leesburg, Georgia allows everyone to know eachother and be known. While this did have its consequences, it was great to know people at all the time. Lately, BYU has been this way as well. With so many connections from past wards, EFY, BYUSA, California, and Georgia, it is great to know so many amazing people. With this always comes a feeling of inadequacy...but what a great feeling this is! THe opportunity to continue to work and better myself so that one day I will be able to better serve my family and loved ones. Isn't that what life is all about? Stealing others ideas and implementing them into our own lives :)

Well, to stop rambling, another semester is gone. It has been a great semester with no regrets--mostly. Of course, there will always be the assignments I should have spent more time on and people I should have spent more time with--but if we did everything right all the time, we would never have a need to improve, which is the purpose of life on this earth.

How greatful I am to be at BYU. A campus that allows so much independence, yet can secretly unite thousands of people in a "freeze mob" thanks to the workings of facebook. A place where people take pride in following the teachings of the Savior, Jesus Christ, and show this in the way they live their lives. I'm glad I can be at BYU and i'm excited to keep working to improve myself :) Happy Spring! I hope it doesn't snow wherever you live...and may this be a productive reading day!

(This is how we spent our last reading day)

Compliment of the Day?

My boss just told me (in a serious and sorrowful tone) that she thinks I have leukemia. As comforting as this is, I hope she is wrong.

Signs of Old Age...AH!!!

#1--I started a blog. Yes, that thing that married couples to to show their family vacations and pregnancy photos, that is what blogs are for. A family journal, if you will (or a way to show off cute kids). And, I began one...kidless.
#2--I attended a book party. Yes, it is on the list of Mary Kay parties, jewelry parties, Avon parties, and Pampered Chef parties. Every one was buying books for their toddlers, nephews, and grandchildren and telling great success stories of childhood reading. Don't get me wrong, I totally agree with this and think it is essential. Unfortunately, I do not have grandchildren, nephews, or toddlers. So yes, not only did I attend a book party, but I also bought a book. It is pictured on the right. Why did I buy a book on Martin Luther King, Jr for ages 7 and up? No idea--I am becoming like my grandma who buys Bath and Body Works goods every time she receives a coupon (we don't think she knows she can let those monthly coupons go to waste--that she doesn't HAVE to use them). Anyways, I love that my grandma does this because she is so generous and sends me many appreciated care packages. Now, I am rambling. I am getting old!
#3--I am becoming indecisive (for lack of a better word). There are so many new things I want to do! Add a minor in Political Science, learn ASL, learn Spanish, student teach in DC, go to DC and NY, get married (haha), do BYUSA, keep working, get my Masters, the list continues...So basically, there are just way too many great things to do and not enough time to do it in unless I become a lifelong student at BYU. That is not going to happen.
#4--I can no longer get by with 4 hours of sleep nightly like Freshman Year. I need at least 5.
#5--I took a cooking class. For Fun. Who does that?
#6--TBC...