on the horizon: new blog, packing, and EFY!

Hey! I guess now is as good a time as any to introduce myself. I'm Eden, and this is my blog; Worth Saving. Now you may be asking yourself, "Why that title?"

It came from an EFY lesson I learned last year from a wonderful teacher named Sister Alissa Smith. She spoke about how the worth of souls is great, and a few things that specifically stuck out to me were, "God is pleading and begging us to realize we are worth something. We are worth something." That being said, I hope to help others realize that we are ALL worth something in the sight of our Heavenly Father, and he loves all of us. Jesus Christ thought we were all worth saving, and that is why he died for us, so we can be saved through repentance. I'll be writing about experiences of mine, or my thoughts on some things. It is my belief that all the experiences people go through are worth saving. After all, it is those experiences that make up who you are. Hopefully, these stories and experiences of mine are worth something to you, too!

So next Monday I will be having the amazing opportunity to attend San Antonio 02 session of EFY, just like last year. I am SOOOO excited. Words cannot begin to express how much I am looking forward to this chance to go again. Last year was my first year, and it was great. I wish I had written it down, but I plan to have a detailed post about my experience this year. I've found myself spending the last few days reading up on a ton of EFY experiences online, watching Variety Show videos on YouTube, and just continuing to get myself even more excited than I was before. I'm not quite sure yet if I will survive the week. The wait just might kill me. I came up with a few goals for myself, too.

First, be social and branch out. I know a good amount of people going to the same session as me this year (specifically around five), which technically means I could spend the entire week cozy with a circle of familiar friends. However, I am planning on not doing that. I want to branch out and meet as many new people as I can, and build (hopefully) long-lasting friendships. My goal is to help everyone I can feel loved and welcomed. Last year, it was my first year and I was somewhat on the shy side. In only a year, I've blossomed and somewhat cracked the shell of insecurity. I like meeting new people and making new friends!

Second, participate in the Musical Program! Last year, I didn't even try doing any of the extra-curricular type things, like the Musical Program and Variety Show. I just wandered along in a fog-like state. It wasn't until my friend Brayden, who I had met at a Youth Conference earlier that year, told me I should start coming to the practices. So on Wednesday during my free time, a day before the program, I started attending practices. I was too late to audition for any solos, duets, speaking parts, or bearing my testimony, but that was okay. I was still shy and probably would not have tried out anyways. Thankfully, I knew a lot of the songs already, so I was pretty okay with only going to one or two practices. I am SO thankful that Brayden pressured me into participating in the program (even though I later found out he only did it to get candy, which is the reward for recruiting others). It was such a spiritual experience being able to perform in front of all those people and feel the spirit radiating throughout the room. It brought tears to my eyes, which happens a lot when I listen to spiritual music. I want to do that again this year, and I have even recruited a few of my friends! I'm thinking of even trying out for a speaking part. People tell me I have a soothing speaking voice...

Third, bear my testimony!! I didn't bear my testimony last year. I was far too timid to share it in front of all those people, and not only did I feel like my testimony was not adequate enough, but I didn't get any spiritual promptings to get up there. And yet, still, I found myself regretting it afterwards. Throughout the year, I've born my testimony more and more. Not a whole lot, but it's an improvement. It all started after I heard somewhere that testimonies only grow from bearing them. Also, here is one of the quotes that I found last year, which contribute to why I share my testimony more. "Your story is the key that can unlock someone else's prison. Share your testimony." I can't seem to remember who said that, though. Anyways, my hope is always that I might share something that will touch someone else's heart, even if it is in the smallest way. I've found that for me, bearing my testimony on the Savior is when I feel the strongest. I'm looking forward to having the chance to go up and bear my testimony, but I'm scared. My legs tend to shake uncontrollably when I get up to speak, and my heart swells and starts beating like crazy. I always have to pray beforehand for comfort.

Anyways, there are a TON of things I am looking forward to this EFY. Meeting new people, the amazing classes, Musical Program, the college food, building my testimony, and further understanding who I am. Be prepared for more EFY posts even before I've gone. I'm that excited.

Last year at EFY with my former roommate, Bryn (glasses)