The End of the Beginning......FInally

Well this semester is ending much the same way it began. I am at Chloe's surrounded by her kids playing and having a blast. As I look back on the past semesters, my beginning at BYU-Idaho I am filled with gratitude. I have learned so much and come to appreciate the good qualities that I have. I have had my testimony reaffirmed to me of the truthfulness of His gospel. I have made many friends that have changed my life for good. Maybe not always for the better but definitely permanently. I have had my heart broken and put back together again. I have felt the pain of losing a dear friend over religious differences along the way.

This bumpy road has provided with a view like none other. I've been down in deep dark caves and on top of "world famous" (according to Jace Briggs) sand dunes. I have built bonfires and fences, both literal and figurative. I have helped others hearts mend and broken a few. I knew when I moved to Rexburg that I would face a lot of challenges and I was so focused on that that I let myself forget about all the happiness and good times that I would also be blessed with.

The view from my seat at church in the front of our Relief Society group is as diverse as the human race. Life long members, 4 year converts, the only members of their families, to families of 20. Girls who have never been visiting teaching and returned missionary sisters dot that view. Faithful, valiant, women of God, striving to become what he wants them to be.

As for my view of the men, I choose the one that I see from the door of Apartment 4, Sunrise Village. While it is very easy to fault the men that I have met on this campus for all of the flaws that are so apparent to a woman, and maybe not so much to men, this group of men is the best that I have ever met. I would like to tell you about them, individually and collectively.

Collectively to the ward they are the Elders Quroum President, the Sunday School President, the Ward Clerk, the Executive Secretary, the second counselor of the Elders Quroum and the group family home evening coordinator. To me they are the men I call when one of my girls needs a blessing in the middle of the afternoon or the middle of day. To my heart they are so many different things.

Mike is the man I call when I need reassurance that I don't totally stink in my efforts to help the Relief Society and who helps me plan things for all the ward activities. Seth is the man that I confide in about my secret crushes and the boys that really annoy me. He takes me random places and is very honest with me. He tells me what he thinks is best for me and always tries to help me with whatever I need. He runs around finding people for Bishop and chalk for me on Sundays. He is a mover and a shaker, with Sethry you never really know what you will get into but you can bet it will be a good time for all.

Bryce is my go to man for all things YouTube and matters of the heart. He understands that faith isn't blind and that 'why?' is a valid question. He is blunt and honest about things that matter to him and he is kind to everyone. He included me in family plans and hosted a semester end party at his home. He laughs a lot and helps everyone feel welcome. I think Bryce helps me feel the love that Heavenly Father has for ALL of his children more than any other man. Its like no matter happens to me or him or in life in general, he keeps that the focus of who he is a where he is. Its refreshing and a wonderful change form the gloom that can settle on those who are trying so hard to be and do what the Lord would have them to.

Justin is the ghost of the apartment. I don't know a lot about him but he is very kind when we see him and quick to laugh which I need sometimes. He is always very cordial and checks in on me right when I need it. Ryan is just a doll. When we leave their apartment he always shakes my hand and says, 'thanks for coming" which makes me smile. Consistency is always appreciated. He is soft spoken and sort of timid in front of girls which is a welcome change to some of the overzealous ones that are on campus here. Last but certainly not least is Jace.

Jace is painfully shy with females and it takes him a while to open up. The very last Friday that we were in town he and I went mini golfing and to see the Harry Potter movie. It was very interesting how much he opened up and was quite talkative. The other couple that went with us also had a blast and it was fun to get to see some of the nearby places that I am not brave enough to explore on my own. He is definitely the go to man for secret little places to explore and enjoying the lesser known Idaho. The thing that I love the most about him is his smile. He is quick to smile and makes me laugh so much. He has a shy little grin and his brain is always thinking. He notices lots of little things about those that are around him. When he is tired he wears his little black rimmed glasses and during the HP movie I was teasing him about not dressing up like Ron because we saw a boy who had painted his hair orange. He looked at me dead serious, and said, "Don't you know, I'm Harry Potter." I laughed so hard. But he could have said just about anything and I would have thought it was great. He understands the value of hard work and what it means to do a job well. He also understands and has perfected the art of saying what needs to be said, nothing more, nothing less.

Individually they all hold a different piece of my heart and collectively they are the peace in my heart. Here is to good, loyal, just, god-fearing men and the Father in Heaven that made them that way. Hats off to you my dear friends. Until we meet again........

~AzK~

A stirring in my soul......

I had the opportunity to spend the 4th of July this year with some pretty amazing people. I have not been home for a celebration of this variety in a really long time. I have been away from home for the summer for 4 years, but in so being, I have met some really good people. One of which is my dear friend, Bryce Arnold.

Let me tell you a bit about him. He is originally from Washington State and moved to Idaho in his youth with his family. He is a pre-med major and is in my ward here at BYU-I. He is really funny and smart. He has white blonde hair and a small build. He plays competitive baseball here on campus and enjoys most sports. He is good at card games and always seems to have a good time. My favorite thing about Bryce is that he always speaks his mind. He believes in certain things very passionately and spares no words in expressing those thoughts and feelings. I admire him so much for that.

For the 4th of July Bryce asked if we would like to go to his families big cookout and to watch fireworks in Idaho Falls. We all readily agreed. We left about 2:00 pm and headed over for a day of fun in the sun. We ate burgers, played football, frisbee, soccer, and threw a baseball for a while. We, most of the girls, sat in the shade all day and I still got sunburned. We were able to partake of the spirit that usually accompanies a large family enjoying a good hot day outside. There were babies galore and Bryce was so cute when he would pick them up and play with them. Whether he would comfort Presley, the 2 year old, from the scary airplanes, or move Preston out of the middle of the playing field so he didn't get ran over, he seemed to be as absorbed by them a the rest of us.

Mike and Courtney came with us also and it was such a comfort to see a good man treat his girlfriend with respect. He rode in the back of Bryce's car and gave her the front seat, I think my heart melted. He brought food for them and they cooked it together. They were snuggled under a blanket watching the fireworks together and I couldn't help but feel at home. I know that they are both wonderful people and are so good together. I love them both so much!

We spread out blankets and all settled in for the fireworks at around 10:00 pm. We sat mostly in a line with Bryce, Me, Dollie Mae, Kenzie, Boden and Bailey sitting on the side of the little hill and then Mike and Courtney sitting behind us. We sat on a blanket and the more Bryce moved the further down the hill he slid and eventually he was sitting on the grass by the edge of the blanket. We laughed at his folly and then everything kind of got quiet as we watched. Bryce said to me, "It's amazing how patriotic I feel right now. I want to run for President." I whole-heartedly agreed with him.

It is funny how something as small and insignificant as fireworks can speak so clearly and universally to the heart. It made me feel a huge responsibility and even more blessed to live where I do. To have been born in the Good ole U. S.of A! Surrounded there on the side of that parking lot in Idaho Falls, by some of the best people on earth, my dear friends, I realized how important it was for this nation to have been created by loyal god fearing people. There is a plan in place now for each of us and being born in the United States of America, is a large part of mine. I have many friends and family who have served and are serving in the military to defend the freedoms that we enjoy today. The right to barbecue and play all day in the sun, the right to pursue education at this university, and to strive for happiness no matter what life hands us. I felt, as did Bryce and many others I am sure, that stirring in my soul to be a little better, to make more informed decisions, and be more loyal to my country. My father in heaven created this country so that we could come here and worship as we see fit. He restored his gospel in this land of religious freedom so that we may all worship him and return to his presence, as his children, sons and daughters of a king. God Bless America, this land that I love!