River Trip & Girls' State

Summer vacation has finally made it!! For my lovely friend's birthday we all went on a rafting trip. This is definitely the longest I've been on, and only the third. I had so much fun though! Just being outside for a change and being with all my friends was the best possible way to start the next two and a half months. I even tanned.... Which was a bonus because I did not think that was possible! 

I also had Girls' State, which is a week long "conference", just for girls (duh), that is all about our nation's flag, government, and service men/women. I admit I was super nervous that I would hate the whole week and wish to be home the whole time. Being away for six precious days of summer didn't sound worth it at the time...

I'm back from Girls' State now. I loved it so much! I've made new friends that I know will last a lifetime. They were the cutest people and so kind, fun, funny, and intelligent beyond words. Just thinking about it I want to go back and be with them for another week! Besides the girls, the entire program was remarkable. Governor Herbert, Lt. Governor Cox, Holly Richardson (she has 24 kids!!!), and Chris Stewart (favorite author!) all spoke to us. They are such amazing people. I actually know what the government does now... Such as the caucus system. We had a retirement of the flag ceremony. It was such a reverent atmosphere, and even more so being with a group of people who all have passion for America. 

I went to Girls' State caring about our country just because.. It's our country. I came home with a deep testimony that this nation is God-given, and gratitude for all of the veterans who did serve or are serving right now. I think I cried every time we sang "God Bless America". 

I can't even convey how much I love our nation now! It really was given to us by God.