Rebekah

Well, today's a year since Amanda's baby girl, Rebekah passed way. I'll admit, it hasn't been one of the easiest days, but not as sucky as it was last year. And today I've come to a major realization.

I'm not so sad for Rebekah anymore. Don't take that wrong, I really wish she was here, and sometimes I wonder what it'd be like to watch her and Sam every day after school, but I'm not sad that she got to stay up there with Heavenly Father. As I've said on this blog before, I'm honored to be the aunt of someone who was "too pure, too lovely to live upon the earth." And once again, as I've said before on this blog, I can't wait to meet her.

Who I'm more sad for, is Amanda. I know how hard this was on her, and I think it's amazing how well she's come through it. Her example to me has changed my perspective on things this past year, through her faith and obedience in the Lord's will. I'm so impressed with how she's dealt with it. I honestly have never met such a strong woman in my life. So even though I'm sad for her loss, for Andee's, and for Sam's loss, I'm so glad for Amanda's strong, testimony-building example of faith. I don't know if you'll read this anytime soon Amanda, but I hope you know how great of an example you are to me. And I'm really grateful for that.

And Amanda, if you do read this, even if you aren't part of the "Eternal duo", I still consider you to be one of my best friends. And as you wrote on your blog, I'm grateful to have grown up in a family where the words "I love you" are exchanged so often as well.

I love you Amanda.

Weeks of Excitement: Chapter 2- EFY

So before I knew it, just two short weeks after I got home from Girl's Camp, Mallory and I were on our way to Provo, Utah for the next two weeks. I was really excited to go to EFY, especially since this was my first year, and I'm glad I got to go and room with Mallory. Here is a picture of us in the car, almost in Provo by this point. (We'd been in the car for 5 hours, so give us a break on our hobo looks)

This was one of the most awesome, spiritual weeks of my life! We had so much fun! Our company was pretty awesome, and I'm glad I got to meet so many new people. Our counselor, Tyne was flippin' amazing, and I'm so glad she was our counselor! Ours was her first week as a counselor ever and she did such an awesome job! I'm so glad I went to EFY this year and I really hope I get to go next year! So here's more pictures:

This is my whole company! Our name was "As a Child". I think this picture is freakin' awesome!

Me and Mallory in the little river! That felt so nice!! I love my cousin!

These two girls were so awesome! The one to the left of me was Katelyn, and to the right of me is Chelsea. They were cousins, and we all got along really well! I miss them!

This is Tyler! He and his roommate Austin were from Texas! They were so awesome! (They lived in Tyler, Texas. So I think it was awesome that both their names were cities in Texas!)