The 12 Reasons I Am Going To Miss Utah

These are the things I am going to miss most about Utah:

1. The ridiculous proximity to several temples.  When I moved out there I was determined to attend the temple, well, religiously.  How did I do?  Not bad.  Not impeccably, but God helped me make it a priority.

2. DownEast Basics.  Basically this is where I buy all of my dresses.  They are one of the only stores I've found that sells dresses that are truly modest...that don't need any altering.

3. How late the sun stays up in the summer.  It's just no like that in So Cal.

4. The lack of traffic.

5. Thunderstorms.  They happen a lot more in Utah than they do here and I am bummed to be missing them this summer.

6. The way the Draper temple looks on the south mountain bench as the sun comes up.

7. Fry sauce.  I dislike both ketchup and mayo, but I'm down with the fry sauce.

8. Seven Peaks.  I went 4 times in my last 13 days in Utah.  It, alone, it to thank for the current depth of my tan.

9. Feeling special.  I just now realized this.  In my Utah wards people always made me feel different...but in a special way.  Like I was some kind of flavor of the week...not just your normal old vanilla.

10. The boys.  I never dated an LDS boy until I moved to Utah, and I dated more than one during my time there.  Obviously, none of them ended "ideally" (marriage), but it was nice to entertain the possibility, as opposed to California, where I feel like I may as well commit to a life of singlehood and celibacy.

11. People.  A few in particular who I think know who they are.

12. Teaching the gospel every day.  Both the most trying and the most sacred experience of my life.

Teenagers Give the Best Advice

On one of the last days of school I asked one of my classes to give me their best piece of life advice.  This is what they said.

"Don't doubt yourself and just keep following Christ."

"Have fun."

"No matter what, trust in God.  If you have faith, all will be well."

"Don't let anyone who isn't important to you tell you what to do.  Always turn to the Lord no matter what.  Never talk bad about anyone, just because you may not like them.  ALWAYS be happy!  Life is too short to not be happy.  I feel it is the most important thing in this life."

"When life has you down, always remember you can find a way back up."

"Nothing if worth comes easily.  Love when there is love to be had.  Your future is as bright as your faith- Pres. Monson.  You can't fully embrace the future until you fully embrace the past.  Matthew 19:26"

"What matter is between you and the Lord, not what others think of you.  No matter what, no matter what, if you are striving to be the best person you can be with an eye single to the glory of God, then everything is going to be okay.  Your joy will be complete when you stand in front of your Savior and know you did your best."

"Wait for the right one.  He will come.  Remember everything happens for a reason.  That alone has gotten myself and my family through a lot."

"Make many babies.  One of them may find a cure for cancer or something like that."

"No matter what happens, life goes on.  Things will always change, just embrace it and make the best of it."

"STAY OUT OF DEBT"

Love them.