EFYSA. Especially for Young Single Adults. Western Kentucky University. June 23rd - 24th.
Food. Feeling the Spirit. Fantastic Adventures. Boys. Girls. New Friends. Tons of 'em.
I just had the greatest weekend of my whole summer. Why? I was able to go to a conference for young single adults similiar to the EFY program but for ages 18 - 30 and I learned so much! The theme: Ether 12:24 -
Anchored in the Faith. It's SO easy to feel like you're alone in life with school weighing on your mind, and huge life choices ahead of you while you're trying to figure out work and friends and decisions and sometimes it's hard! EFYSA was an amazing reminder that there are TONS of other people my age facing some of the
same decisions and issues that I am. There were people there who were changed by that fact, and at the end of the conference, we all left with a re-newed goal of endurance and strength and lots of new friends!
"Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with a b for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which c cometh of d, maketh an e to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in f works, being led to g God."
Ether 12:4
I love that scripture in the Book of Mormon! I was sort of thinking about why Ether would write that specific advice to us. He was rejected from his homeland, and he had to watch all of his people die. What courage he must have had and what hope he must have had to be able to write such beautiful words to us in the latter-days. This scripture is wonderful.
A little about my experience at EFYSA .... I was a little nervous at first because my roommate was someone that I didn't know at all. But through her, I met some of the most fun people from Louisville (pronounced 'loo - vull, don't get it wrong in the South). She is Kellie, the short haired strawberry blonde girl with a whole lotta laughter. We stayed up late every night talking about the most random things, like boys, sisters, goals, boys, church, school, boys, the future, boys, the weather, hobbies, boys, and ... you guessed it, boys. :) We both had many different experiences but we understood each other so well! I was blessed to have her as a roommate and a new friend!
From her I met the rest of the YSA's from Lousville. There were 2 boys I hung out with quite a bit - Fu Cheng Cheng, the tall goofy Tawainese pop-singer wannabe with Gucci sunglasses ("watch, I can look like a white person!") and a love for Korean pop music; and Pablo, the shorter fun loving Guatemalan ("I hate when people call me Mexican, I'm Guatemalan!") with a huge smile crinkly eyes and big laugh. I met people from all walks of life: Josh the tan, tattoed motorcycle rider, Michael the 12 string guitar player surfer from Hawaii, Tanner, the class clown with a big heart, Andrea the tall beautiful cat lover girl, Buddy whose real name is Bryant and every girl has a crush on him but he doesn't even know, Anthony the shy one who is actually a DJ and has been mixing music for 8 years, etc etc etc.
Other than laughing my head off with fabulous people, I attended some classes taught by church leaders from the area. I learned about forgiveness and that it is my responsibility to forgive others NO MATTER WHAT they have done to me, because that is what Christ did for all of us. I know that. We need to forgive ourselves too, even though sometimes it's really hard when past mistakes keep replaying in your head ... I can do it!! Today in church I heard a cool saying from my new bishop - God forgives us not because
we are good, but because
He is good. Cool, huh?
"Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to a one another; for he that b not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.
I, the Lord, will a whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to b all men." D&C 64:9-10
My testimony of the Plan of Salvation was strengthened too, as I was reminded that Heavenly Father is alive in each of our lives and He knows exactly what is going on in your life. He knows you can do it, you are His child! I was also reminded of the simple but beautiful fact that we are His children, and that we have so much potential to be like Him.
I loved being at EFYSA. What a neat experience for me and for all those I met. More pics coming soon! :)
From left to right: Me, Caitlin, Lisse, Kelsey, and Emily. TN girls! :)
Feel free to comment below!
