EFY = Good Times March 7, 2009

Anyone who has ever attended an EFY session (Especially for Youth) can attest that they’re some of the best times ever. EFY is synonymous for the cutest boys, little or no sleep and the most fun you’ve ever had… in addition to being a huge testimony booster. At EFY chivalry is alive – boys open doors for girls, carry cafeteria trays and serenade them on a regular basis. It’s amazing.

In 2004 I had a chance to be an EFY counselor in Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta – and had time of my life. Several of my kids from EFY have gone on missions and gotten married in the temple. It’s incredible to see how the gospel sticks in their lives.

I always had HUGE crushes on my EFY counselors – always the older, hotter guys – and it was interesting to have the tables turn 🙂 One of the kids from EFY Calgary had a big crush on me. So cute!

Did you go to EFY? What were some of your favorite memories? Here are some of mine…

Chivalry is alive!

EFY dances.  There’s no going back.

Marking up brand new scriptures

Maren Ord came to perform at our EFY talent show. Michael proposed. Maren played along.

My Edmonton girls

being randomly serenaded by the boys

the poster contest – Ezra on the left has gone on to major in art!

heart attacks

the Asian invasion

awesome fellow counsellors

the lost and found fashion show

utter and complete exhaustion

Let’s hear it for EFY.

Heart Attack! February 8, 2009

So Wednesday night, I’m pulling out of the driveway to go to the grocery store when several cars pull up behind me.   In our neighborhood, seeing that many cars at once is abnormal.  All of a sudden the young women jump out of the cars and start throwing heart messages into my car!  I was heart attacked!  They were so sweet, shouting “I love you’s”, sharing lovely messages and bearing cookies.

Thanks girls for showing love!  You totally made my day!  Miss you!  Love you!

So your challenge.  Heart attack someone!  You’ll make them feel so loved.  And what timing!  Valentines is right around the corner…

A Brand New Year January 18, 2009

This Wednesday, the youth in our stake had a huge joint activity where we all watched a broadcast from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City featuring Elder Jeffrey R. Holland & Elaine S. Dalton. The 2009 worldwide theme for the youth of the church is to be an example of the believers. The youth have been encouraged by the First Presidency of the church to do 3 things: read the Book of Mormon for five minutes every day, pray daily and to smile. At this same activity, each of us was assigned a page or two to read from the Book of Mormon. We all collectively read the entire Book or Mormon in seven minutes!  🙂  Beat that!

And the biggest shock this week – I was released from my calling in the Young Women’s presidency! In fact, our entire presidency was released. You know when you can feel it coming?  It’s still so strange and I feel somewhat directionless.  The girls are blessed to have an awesome prez coming in w/Kim, Mindi and Jamie.  We all had opportunities to bear our testimonies in Sacrament Meeting today and I’m so glad we did – I had really wanted to.  It’s been an absolute privilege to serve the amazing girls in our ward – I have needed them as much as they’ve needed me.  I really have thought twice about what type of example I’d be setting for them, so they’ve helped me be a better version of myself.  We really have had awesome memories together.  I love you, girls!!!

Okay, so what do you do with yourself once you’re released from a momentous dream calling?  Advice, please!

Photos by Alexei