Why?

It's an interesting thing. Summer has been just going along for the past 2 and a half months. I mean, it's been great; I've been able to hang out with a lot of my friends, and do pretty much whatever I wanted, but over the past couple of weeks, there seem to be more and more things going on, and leaving for this trip is turning bittersweet.
I don't like missing things, and I'm afraid of what I'll miss while I'm gone. Don't get me wrong, I am STOKED for my vacation, for many many reasons, but why does everything have to turn so awesome right before I leave? Is it because I am leaving? Why can't we, generally, value what we have until it is almost gone?

I Stand All Amazed

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,

Confused at the grace that so fully he profers me.

I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,

That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

Oh it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me.

Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me.

I marvel that He should descend from his throne divine,

To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine.

That he should extend his great love unto such as I,

Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

Oh it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me.

Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me.

I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt,

Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?

No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,

Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.

Oh it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me.

Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me.

Over the past several months, this song has come to hold immense meaning for me. It has helped calm my soul during storms in my life and always gives me more faith and hope for tomorrow. This song helps me know that I am loved, I mean the world to someone. Christ gave His life for me, even with all of my faults and imperfections. Every time I think about Him and this sacrifice, I stand amazed, filled with awe. The Atonement, Christ, the Gospel; it's all so amazing. Every time I think of or hear this song, it makes me want to be better. Maybe it will do the same for you.

Queen Victoria

Over the past several months, I have learned quite a bit about Queen Victoria. It all began in my British Literature class. While Lord Byron and the other figures of history were dull to me, Queen Victoria stood out. She was such an incredible woman. She came from a life of being told what she could and couldn't do, and she rose above it. When she became Queen, she didn't let anyone use her. And her relationship with Prince Albert, even though he was her cousin, was incredibly romantic and was one of the greatest friendships I think the world has ever known. She ruled for the people, always striving to do what was right for others, not for herself.

A new movie, The Young Victoria, does an excellent job of showing what Queen Victoria dealt with and how she came to be the Queen she was. It really is a good movie.

Queen Victoria is, to this day, the longest reining Queen.

Not Forgotten

No, I haven't forgotten about my blog. I simply don't have internet at my house, and I think of things to put on here, but then forget them before I get to my parent's house to write about them. I'm kinda forgetful like that...
Much has been going on this summer. But the most exciting thing? I'm going on a MONTH long trip!!! Ya, I'm pretty excited. :) And I'm going to be SO dark when I come home! Not to mention have totally awesome calves because of all the hiking we're going to do. 13 days...not that I'm counting down or anything.
I've made new friends, had more than my fair share of drama, gone on a blind date, hiked the Y many many times, worked at my parent's house, and had tons of fun. I'll really try to write more, and when I leave (July 21st, after my writing class, which I am SO excited for!) check back for updates on wherever I am in the country.

Spiders

Okay. I. HATE. Spiders. HATE them. So, this afternoon when I was weeding my mom's flower garden, I was ready with shovel in hand to kill any who dared to show their faces. I had a few run ins, but considering the fact that I was dealing with spiders, I was doing quite well. Then.....out of no where came a MAMA spider!!!! You know, the kind that are carrying the eggs with them. Ugh, I shudder just thinking about it.

Needless to say, after getting rid of mama spider, I didn't stay working in the flower bed much longer.

Summer and pillowcases

Well, summer is at last here. I was hoping to be fully busy at work all the day long, making endless amounts of money with my hard work. Alas, this is not the case. I have yet to find a job. Oh, I've had interviews, just no offers. However, I'm trying my best to just stay busy with other things, which includes making lots and lots of pillowcases!!!!!

This summer the quilting community is doing a service project. The goal is to get 1 million pillowcases by the end of the year. I believe that the pillowcases will be going to kids in foster care, since that's what they

put all of their belongings in when they change houses. This thought just breaks my heart, but if I can help in any way then I am going to!

So, if anyone wants instructions on how to make pillowcases (they are SUPER easy), just let me know and I'll be more than happy to help you. And if you do make pillowcases, you can get them to me and I will make sure they get to the right people. I'd love it if anyone could help!!!

The end of things...of this year anyway

Well, my freshman year is over and all (okay, most) of my stuff is packed away in the car. Everyone has left, and I'm at a loss of where my life is going to go over the next 4 months. Living place? Check. Awesome roommate at said living place? Check. Job? NO check....which I am quite worried about.

As my wonderful roommate Mel was leaving this morning, it hit me how different things are going to be. Most of the people who I spent many hours of everyday with, I'm never going to see again. The great boys just down the hall, who can make me so angry and so happy, I'm pretty sure that I'll only see one of them next year, and that makes me really sad. I guess it's just because these people have been such a big part of my life, shaping how I changed this year (which is a lot, I think), and now they won't be there any more.

So, here's a shoutout to all of those great people who influenced my life this year. Thanks. I'll miss you. Good luck in every aspect of your life.