Back in Utah

On the plane from Phoenix to Salt Lake

A lot of stuff has happened since I've been back in Utah, and it's only been 2 weeks!

I got a new calling... the first Sunday I got back.  I was called as the new Relief Society president for my singles' ward.  It's definitely been an overwhelming experience so far, but I think once I get used to my new responsibilities that things will seem much more manageable.  It's also nice that the ward is small right now because it's summer term, so I get to practice in a smaller setting before the deluge of new students in the fall.  It's going to be a great experience!

Sara started classes... just 2 days after we got in town.  Luckily, she has her friend Christina out here with her, too, so they've been spending a lot of time together navigating campus and figuring things out for classes and such.  I know it's a lot for her to be experiencing at once, but I think she's really enjoying it so far.  Most everyone she's met in our ward likes her a lot, so she already has a lot of friends, whether she realizes it or not.  It's cool to watch how much she's grown just the last 2 weeks.  She's learning a lot more about life and being independent, which is really good for her.  I think she's going to love BYU!

Work, work, and more work... I'm not taking classes this term (thank goodness!!), so I've been working upwards of 30 hours a week which is really great for the money, but doesn't leave me with as much time to spend with Sara or my other friends as I would like.  But, I can't complain.  I have a great job and work with great people.  What's not to like?

Lehi Rodeo... The weekend after I got back, we had a tri-ward activity to go to the Lehi Rodeo.  The wards did a BBQ before it started and then we walked over to the rodeo grounds.  It was pretty cool to watch the rodeo. I've only been to one rodeo before, but I don't remember much from it, so it was fun to actually pay attention to what was going on.  My favorite part was when they had the motor cross bikes come out into the arena and do flips and tricks off a ramp.  It was quite thrilling.  After the rodeo, there was a YSA dance at a chapel parking lot down the road.  We went to check it out and I ended up staying with some of my friends until 1am.  It was a pretty lame dance music-wise, but still fun to spend time with friends.

Missionaries... Also, this last Wednesday I said goodbye to two of my good friends who entered the MTC.  One of them, Ashley, is one of my best friends who I met in my freshman ward and we've been really close since then.  She is going to Romania and I am so excited for her!  I'm very, VERY sad to see her go, but it will be fun to write her and hear about all her adventures.  The other one is a guy from my ward last year named Conrad.  He's my friend Taylor's older brother, and he and I got to know each other pretty well in winter semester.  He's such a great guy, and I'm so glad he's serving a mission!  He's going to Russia (brrrr!) and it will be really fun to hear from him, too!  I LOVE missionaries!!

My mom is in town... and it's been really fun having her here!  She hasn't been out for 5 or 6 years, so she's having a great time visiting places she used to live and seeing old friends.  She's getting to meet my friends, too, which I think is a lot of fun.  I've had to work a lot most of the days since she's been here, but we hang out whenever I'm not at work.  Speaking of, tonight we're going to watch STADIUM OF FIRE together and we are so excited!  Stay tuned for pictures from that!