"I never knew a few seconds under water, could change your life"

I want to start my saying congrats to a friend of mine named Andres. Yesterday he took a leap of faith and entered into the waters of baptism. :D

The past 10 week can be compared to a roller coaster, it had its ups, but it also had all-time lows. I have been looking back in this summer and I have realized a few things. Looking back at the Mortensens empty, old row it hit me, and it hit me hard. Most recently, my favorite young women teacher had her last Sunday in our ward (today) which was hard to see someone SO inspiring have to leave. Before that we also had my young women leader and my nephew move, which was hard because that family has touched my heart in the 4 short years they lived in SOFLA. In addition to that, possibly the CUTEST kids and their parents moved to embark upon their new journey in Utah. I love those kids with my heart, remembering when there was only 1 child, and now there are four. those kids will always hold a special place in my heart. <3 And last, but CERTAINLY not least is the wonderful Mortensen family! I will never forget that Monday night when the family left, hugging us all saying our final good-byes. I will never forget the words spoken or the memories made. Looking back I realized just how many people special to my heart have left in just a short 11 weeks. This is where my title comes in, This summer has been quite an event! I got my license(On the first try!), finished my personal progress, shared my testimony, got to see good friends from pageant, visited BOTH sides of my family, went cherry picking, hung out with friends, flown by myself, saw fireworks on the 4th in CA, and even saw a 14 year old boy, with faith stronger then most people I know, come unto Christ and be baptized! It couldn't be better, right? Wrong. I failed to mention I also attended my best friend since birth, funeral. Seeing her family, someone I consider to be my family suffer, in loss of a sister and best friend. But from it, I have just learned and grown. I have blossomed. My faith has grown so much. In that fraction of a second between life and death, so many lives have been changed. So really, who knew a few seconds could truly change your life? Not me. Well, at least until now. I feel like I have come to my Savior, and in doing that, I feel like I found who I am, and who I want to be. I know, sounds cliche, but, it really is true. I feel like I finally have my OWN testimony, it doesn't have to be borrowed anymore. I also have come closer to the Youth in my stake. We all came together and we were there for each other. I feel like I have made new friendships, lasting ones. People I have known my whole life, and now, just now were getting to know each other. I feel lucky to be in the ward I am and to have the people in it that are. And some may leave, and others come, but with good-byes, comes hello. You really don't know what you have, until it's gone. If I could learn one thing from this summer it would be live in the moment, and not just with you, but with the Lord, and you will end up straight on your path. <3 So summer 2011 has ended and Junior year is starting! So, good luck to everyone and remember "trust in the Lord with all your might"