Welcome back

I am ashamed that it has been so long since my last post, but to plead my case I was focusing on my three AP classes and the tests in May. How wonderful it feels to have those four-hour tests off my chest, mind, shoulders, and every other part of me. Finally I am able to breathe and enjoy the wonderful weather that has graced Salt Lake. At times it is very hot (especially as I leave school and get into my car) but I am not one known to often complain about the heat. What makes the days even more wonderful (after I get off work at 5:30 working at Poulton Associates, Inc.) is that all of my friends who graduated last year are home from school or aren't working anymore. Despite mom believing that the weeknights are still school nights (trust me, they aren't any longer) I have somehow managed to find some time each night to go spend with my friends. One of the perfect opportunities are the Jazz games that have become regular activities for so many Utahns, and we have taken full advantage of the game time. Another activity that I am so excited to have started once again is playing at the park. So what if 'playing' right now consists of laying on the grass with an occasional grass fight here and there, it is time with my friends and I love it! But the coming of summer brings a pain along with the freedom from school: my mishies are starting to leave one by one. So far four of my boys have already departed, half now serving out in the field. Two more are set to leave by the end of May. Spencer and Sean, the two guys I care about the most right now are the next in line and it is slowly eating me alive. There is nothing else in this world that I would have for them here and now than to devote two years and serve the Lord. But at the same time, I don't know what I am going to do without them here to talk to, joke around with and make temple runs at 5:30 in the morning to do baptisms for the dead. This afternoon was especially hard for me as every moment of the day I struggled to keep myself from crying. Luckily, by the time that Institute rolled around I had managed a nap during lunch and was ready to find some answers or at least comfort in the scriptures. Yay for me, I found it (somewhat by accident, but I think it was inspiration) in John 16: 20 & 22...

20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

I read these scriptures to a few of my friends and I felt kinda dumb, but they really helped me in my time of need. My mishies are going and I love them to death! Many of the posts from here on out will most likely be based around them, so please bear with me.