Happy Halloween!! I hope everyone had a good holiday!

If you haven't seen it on Facebook or haven't heard it from anyone else, I am single again. Justin and I broke it off mutually and we are still close friends. I'm over him, mostly, but I'm getting over it a day at a time.

School has been schooly and life is life-y. Partyed this weekend with friends for Halloween and had a ball!

I also gave myself bangs!! I haven't had these since elementry school! Crazy! I like them but I still have to get use to them.

So that's all folks!

Life Goes On

Yes it has been a while since I have posted anything, I'm sorry. Life has been happening and it's been a joy ride.

As those who are members know, we had General conference 2 weeks ago. My favorite was, of course, Elder David A. Bednar. He gave a great talk on the Holy Ghost. Then the hymn "Now Let Us Rejoice" really touched me like never before. It was awesome!! I also was found worthy to hold a temporary temple recommend by my bishop so I could do work the coming Tuesday.

Monday was a typical Monday, not wanting to get out of bed and so on. Tuesday, after pulling an all-nighter, went to meet others to go to the temple at 5 in the morning. I slept like a baby the entire ride up. I woke up just in time to hear my name get called to remind me of going to do baptisms and quickly change. I had the best time! I also later helped with putting up the Christmas lights on the trees around the grounds with Justin. Afterwards, we left and decided to visit his family for a while. We got home late that night because I had misplaced my purse, but was found by a friend and given back later.

Thursday, after all my classes and my homework was finished, Justin and I went to Harrisonburg to meet with his high school friend Brittany. She is a theater major and is really random and fun! We ate at a Greek restaurant! It was SO good!

Friday was the beginning of a great weekend. Mom and Brandon came to visit for Parent's Weekend. Justin got to visit with Brandon, roommates their freshman year, and we all ate at Applebee's. Later, Justin and I performed in the Homecoming concert. It was amazing! Many people enjoyed my cymbal and bass drum "solos" in Dance of the Comedians and The Firebird Suit. We then had ice cream at Alexander's, owned by our own Nate Pence.

Saturday, Welchs went shopping at Walmart and bought plenty of food! We then went to the football game, which we won! Justin and I played in the Pep Band and had fun cheering on the team. We then got ready for Stake conference and the Homecoming dance. Yes, we attended both. I got a whole lot out of the session. 2 investigators spoke!! That is amazing itself! The dance was fun and there was much smiling and laughing as there was dancing.

Sunday was the general session of Stake Conference. It was a great session as well. Mom and Brandon left that afternoon and life has been pretty normal since.

That's what is up with me and SVU. I can't wait to hear from you all! I love and miss you!

Counting My Blessings

I know I'm not going through anything rough now but I feel like I've been blessed more since last Saturday.

Before I started dating, it seemed like I had a testimony of things in the church, but also kinda going through the motions, just doing something to do it. Afterwards, I've changed my attitude about reading scriptures, praying, journal entries, and everything church related. I even bore my testimony about that one youth conference that the 4 oldest Ohio Welch youth went to a few years ago. After I was done, a priesthood holder stood up and said that I gave him the confidence to share his with the congregation! I wonder if the missionaries feel as excited as I did when they go teach people.

Thursday, I was in a group that presented information on A Midsummer Night's Dream for an Intro to Theater History class. The professor was excited that we got people in class to participate the way audiances did in his time! He was happy and talkitive on the positive of the presentation, I believe that we got a really good grade!

Friday, Justin and I double dated with our friends Tim Knouker (pronounced no-ker) and a girl named Jo. We ate at Lee-hi's, watched Toy Story 3, and his high school James Bond movie. It was good for a high school production.

Saturday, we had breakfast together, did homework, had a photoshoot with his dad, and played in the Pep Band. It was his first time ever to play Quads and he did an excellent job! He also helped in getting things to and from the stadium, even was helpful to our baritone sax player who had an allergy attack and had to go home. It was fun!

Katrina James, a friend from last year, and I watched the Relief Society broadcast at my mod because we got finished with band things 5 minutes before the broadcast started and we knew we couldn't make it to the stake center on time. President Monson was our favorite! He talked on not judging others in a comical and serious way that really makes you pay attention.

That's all I really got to say. I hope to hear from you all soon!

What's new...

So some of you may know that I have a boyfriend now. His name is Justin Bowes, a wonderful, active return missionary from Northern VA. He is friends with Daniel and Brandon from when they attended SVU and is a music major. No, we are not engaged and we won't know until the Lord tells us otherwise. We will get pictures soon so if you don't have a Facebook account don't worry.

School is going well. I'm doing fine in all my classes and no job, no calling. Umm... so yeah... I love you all and I hope to see or hear from you soon!!

labor day weekend

So classes here have been great!! Introduction of Theater History we went outside to experience a Greek-like theater setting, learning how to use my ears to identify music, how to use resources wisely, about the Enlightenment, and all that other fun stuff.

This past Friday, our school football team won against Radford University 44-6! It was amazing to watch a game that we actually "slaughter" the opposing team and not be in the Pep Band! (First game of the season and we didn't get time before to rehearse properly).

Saturday, a day to complete homework and have movie marathons. So much fun!! Sunday was very spiritual with testimonies, learning about Hosea, and talking about unity with each other. Later that day, I got together with other people who live in the mods and we played Band Hero!! So much fun playing the drums!!

Monday, I slept in, took care of some business around campus, and then more movie marathons!!! That night I went to Family Home Evening and learned how to Salsa dance! Then, attended the local fireworks display! SO MANY BRIGHT COLORS!! AND SO LOUD!!!

Class this week has been good and easy. I love you all and can't wait to hear from you all soon! If you want my mailing address, email me or call me!

Picutes of the Mod

Here are the pictures of my home for the school year!! It's small but it has everything i need except food!!

SVU: The Sophmore Year

So on Friday I made my glorious return to SVU!!! My mom drove down with me, since I don't have my license yet. I live in a modular (trailor) home with a kitchen, dinning, and living areas, 2 full bathes and a double bath (2 toilets, a shower, three sinks). There are 6 bedrooms as well, all with 2 beds. One room is for the RA only, so 5 rooms for everyone else. So far, my roommate hasn't shown up and I don't think she will... so I might get a room to myself!!

Saturday, mom and I had the adventure of finding the storage building that my friends were sharing! Oh it was frustrating!! We eventually found it when I realized that I didn't know which one it was!! I tried calling them multiple times, trying the locks with the key I had, and praying it would work. Again, we were frustrated!! Finally, I found out which one it was and got all my things out, never wanting to do that again. I finished setting up my room and it looked like I had lived there for a while. After a dinner at the local Applebee's, I went to the dance at school. I saw many friends that I missed over the summer! Oh it was great!! The dance ended late and I went to bed late.

Sunday, Mom and I went to church together in my new ward, Buena Vista University 1st Ward. All the meetings were combined and talked about the temple, except Sunday school which was about Jonah. We got VERY DEEP. But it was nice. After church, mom ate lunch with me and left about an hour later. I met with the bishop for him to get to know me and then I went to a Stake Fireside. This too was very nice and focused on hwo we need to prepare for the rest of our lives. Afterwards, I officially met the infamous Justin, Brandon's roommate from his freshman year here. He was funny and very knowledgeable about the scriptures!! I then went to Hymns on the Hill, activity where we gather to sing hymns every sunday night. We had the biggest attendance ever!!

Well, I await for my birthday in the morning. I'll be 20 and going to classes for the first time this fall. I love you all and I hope to hear from you soon!!