Old Friends and a New Church Calling

**WARNING - this is kind of a long post because I can't sleep so I'm just blabbin'...so feel free to scroll down and just look at the pictures...especially if you have ADHD**

This weekend consisted of seeing old friends. It's kinda funny how it all ended up on the same weekend. I had a lot of fun and it made me miss those that I used to hang out with on a regular basis, but also grateful that we can at least still get together once in a while and catch up and have it be like we've only been away for a few days.

On Thursday night I got together with the girls from Academy Music to attend Katie's reception. It was so lovely and I am so excited for this girl to start her new adventures with her new husband. Their reception was actually the night before they got married, which I thought was a little strange at first, but now I think that it is the best idea ever! Seriously, no waiting around after getting married and being so exhausted by the end of the night. After their luncheon and what not they could be on their way boarding a plane to relaxation and love. Katie is an awesome person and friend and I wish her the best in her new endeavors.

On Friday afternoon Brindy, Anna, Alex and I were off to Time Out for Women in Logan. These girls I spent pretty much every waking moment with for 2 years down at Snow College. They are like sisters and I miss that daily interaction with them. We all live kind of spread out and are all so busy so we can only get together a few times a year. Anyways we have been planning this little get away since around Juneish and it ended up being so fun!!! We went to eat at Coppermill and then bought loads of junk food and had fun chatting the night away, hot tubbing and watching movies. The next day we went to TOFW which was such a good experience. It's one of those things that leave you uplifted and make you want to go out and change the world for the better. Some of the speakers included: Kenneth Cope, Mary Ellen Edmunds, Amanda Dickson, and Camille Fronk Olsen. I enjoyed every speaker I heard. One minute we were laughing our heads off and the next we were tearing up over a touching story of service...to me that says a lot about the speaker when they can bring in the spirit, make you laugh, make you cry, and most of all touch your heart....ps Amanda we missed you and can't wait for you to move back to Utah.

Saturday night was fun as well. Tyler and I met up with Val and Dan at the State fair. Ok, so Val and her husband moved to Salt Lake about 4 months ago because Dan is attending Law School at the U and I haven't seen her for at least that long. It's kinda sad that we only live a 1/2 hour away, but somehow its so hard to get together. So, I was really excited to hang out. I LOVE the fair and activities like it. One of the main reason that I like to go is for all of the interesting and expressive people. It can be very entertaining sitting around on a park bench watching different kinds of people take a stroll past. You can see anything from mullets, to mohawks, to foo-man choos. Something about this "fair" environment that makes me excited. I love bright lights, vendors, and walking around aimlessly and suddenly running into something interesting to look at. Oh, and another reason that I can't stay away from the fair is of course the food. Thanks Tyler for pretending like you are excited for the fair.

Ok, to end the weekend................today I was released from my calling as the YW's 2nd counselor. Talk about heartbreaking, for all of the right reasons. It has been such a great 4 years and 3 months being in with the Young Women. I have watched beehives become young women, and testimonies grow. The girls that I have worked with have inspired me to be a better person, and to love the gospel even more. For me it was sad mostly because I love the interaction with the girls and they have seriously become some of my good friends. I will also miss the presidency(s) that I have worked with. To me it kinda seems like a chapter of my life coming to an end. I know that's kind of a wierd way to put it, but I have had this calling since we first got married and for example, every Tuesday night for the last 4 years I have had somewhere to go after work. Now, it will be kind of wierd to actually go home instead of to the church. I LOVE the Yw's and hope that at some point in my life I will have another opportunity to work with them. So my new calling is the Nursery Leader. Talk about intimidating. I have never been in the primary or nursery and am a bit overwhelmed by the idea. I'm mostly afraid that I'll get there next Sunday and all of the kids will freak out because of this new person, who they definitley do not know. I have already had 2 mom's apologize in advance for their children, which I think is hilarious. All in all though, I am completley excited to be working with these young children who are so innocent and sweet. I'm really excited to teach the gospel in a fun simple way to kid's who's testimonies are just starting out.

K, so I need to go to bed now. Hope everyone has a great week...aren't you just loving this perfect weather? Love, Sara