This is old news, but last September through December I spent 4 rockin' months in Israel with the BYU Jer
usalem Center Study Abroad. It was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! Every day was spent being immersed in the culture and history of the land and beautiful people. We traveled throughout the country (with two opportunities for visits to the secured West Bank), swam in the Mediterranean Sea at Tel Aviv, explored the sights where the Savior walked, talked and spent his last days and hours, spent 2 weeks on the Sea of Galilee, hiked in 
the Golan Heights, explored a fortress overlooking Lebanon, came to know each winding street in the old city of Jerusalem, visited the Western Wall and the Temple Mount, spent a week among the ruins and pyramids of 
Egypt, climbed Mt. Sinai in time to witness an early morning sunrise, sang "I am a Child of God" in every church we set foot in and made forever friendships. I will carry Jerusalem and the experiences and friendships made in my heart for a long time to come. And, I'm pretty sure a piece of my heart was left back in room #304 of the J.C. overlooking that beautiful city!I came back from Jerusalem to complete one final semester at BYU of pre-requisite classes for the BYU Masters of Social Work program which I applied and got accepted to. I start my grad program in the fall, and am super anxious and excited to get that underway!
This last April (2008), I graduated from BYU with an undergraduate degree in Therapeutic Recreation. Part of the stipulation about receiving that degree entailed a 4 month summer internship at an agency of my choosing under the direction of a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. I chose West Ridge Academy - a residential treatment center for youth-at-risk - in West Jordan Utah. The last four months have been a great learning experience as I have been part of the rec therapy staff at West Ridge. We have spent many hours with boys and girls on the awesome ropes course located on our campus, rafted the Green River, backpacked the Little Wild Horse in Goblin Valley, rappelled in Leprechaun Canyon near Hanksville, UT, backpacked to Lake Blanche with the youn
gins from West Ridge, tube-warred and wake boarded with the generosity of the National Abilities Center in Park City, enjoyed getting to know the individual boys and girls who have come to West Ridge Academy looking for change. West Ridge Academy used to be the Utah Boys Ranch (started by the same legendary Lowell Bennion who started the Idaho Teton Bennion Boys Ranch next to our cabin in Victor, Idaho). One of my favorite aspects of the facility is that because it is affiliated with the Church (althouth it is non-denominational), the Spirit definitely abides in its halls. And, to me, the Spirit is KEY in helping people change, especially these youth who are struggling. There are full-time married mission
ary couples who are responsible for being "spiritual advisors" in the youths' daily life. It really is a unique program and I feel blessed to have been able to take part in the change that many of these kids have experienced.
ary couples who are responsible for being "spiritual advisors" in the youths' daily life. It really is a unique program and I feel blessed to have been able to take part in the change that many of these kids have experienced.I end the internship this coming Monday -- my four months is up. This week 20 of the boys are actually on a 40 mile backpacking trip up King's Peak - the highest peak in Utah (over 13,000 ft). I should be with them right now, but I was strickin' with some nasty flu last week that just seemed to linger through this week. The boys left Tuesday morning. I was packed and ready to go, but woke up Tuesday morning with a fever of 103 degrees. Needless to say, my supervisor wasn't too stoked about bringing me, and I honestly didn't think it was the best idea myself. So -- I stayed back.
Last night, my friend Charity and I drove to her home of John Day, Oregon (Central Oregon)...her grandpa is sick and not doing too well. She wanted to come home and since I wasn't doing anything, I came with her :) She's been visiting with her grandparents and family while I've just been chillin' and getting projects done. It's been relaxing -- and a more beautiful place to chill than South Jordan, Ut!!
Welp -- other than many trips home to Pocatello to visit my super cute niece Hadlee, a 4th of July trip to the cabin in Victor, our annual Lake Powell family reunion in July and hanging with friends and family, that's about the excitement in my life right now!!
