life + efy = :) :) :)

as i have said, i miss efy like i've never missed anything before. it was the most amazing experience, and i have yet to dish about it! AH! but, here's a little tidbit for all my lovely little readers out there :)

this song was in the musical program at efy this year. i did the musical program last time i went to efy, but this time around, it was a whole new experience and touched my life so much more than i expected. we had incredible counselors to lead us, and the music was uh-ma-zing. every single song was so powerful and beautiful and exactly what i needed. music can touch our lives like nothing else, and i am so grateful i was able to participate in such an uplifting program. we all had so much fun, and i met some of my very best friends in that little classroom. :) if anyone that is reading this goes to efy in the future, please do the musical program! no one cares if you can't sing or read music or any of that junk. the beauty of a choir is that no one can hear you anyways! ;) it's an unforgettable experience, and i love that they have it available. just one more thing that makes efy perfect. i cannot get over how close efy is to being like Zion...and what a beautiful thing it would be to have just a taste of Zion in our everyday lives. and the more we are obedient to prophets and strive each day to be more like Christ, the closer we can get to becoming everything He knows we can be.

i found an app on my phone that is for LDS youth and i'm in love with it. it has wonderful articles and videos and songs and talks and AH. i love that there is so much to help the youth gain strength in a world that is always trying to get us off the path. i love that there are so many people everywhere around us to help lift us up and help us be better people. our parents, siblings, leaders/teachers, friends, and neighbors love us and want to see us succeed, no matter our age or circumstance.

life is good, everybody. although we may have trials and tribulations (as i definitely know we all do...) there is an infinite amount of good, beautiful things in our lives and in this world. i challenge you to watch for them, and help others look for the good in everything as well. it makes your life and the lives of those around you so much brighter. i'm grateful for you all (even though i may not even know all of you) and for the support and happiness you give me. it's always so nice to know that someone out there loves you and cares about you and wants you to be happy...tell those you love that you love them. give others genuine compliments (even complete strangers--it's fun, i promise ;) haha). keep smiling, singing, and believing. :)

ps-parentals, thank you for letting me have such great experiences like efy and all. i know it isn't cheap (but since when have i been cheap?? ;)) but i am really grateful for your sacrifices. you're the greatest!! (just sayin ;) haha)

love always:

L