Back to School.

Well the fall semester has begun.

I had forgotten what it was like to have so much homework.

And I'm having a hard time making myself do it.

But its so great to be back with my cohort.

They are just the best!

Before school started, we got to help out with orientation.

It is really fun to help the first years.

I got to be in charge of the mentorship program.

It was a lot of work, but it means I got to know all the firsties a bit.

I had fun being involved

and helping these new students transitions a little more smoothly into grad school.

Here are some pics from orientation.

My cohort had a lot of fun being back together.

The semester is going well so far.

I'm already being pushed and working hard.

I'll try to keep you all updated on how things go

with the last year of my masters program.

Loss.

Some hard things have happened lately.

My dear friend Elise lost her father.

I love Elise so much and wanted to cancel everything I needed to do to be with her.

Her family is fantastic.

I miss them.

I always have so much fun when I visit them.

Her dad is amazing!

He is so kind and funny and determined.

Their family has helped me out several times and mean a lot to me.

I pray for them often.

They are strong and will support each other through this.

I will never forget her dad and the wonderful memories I have of him.

Not long after the loss of Elise's father, a boy in my ward passed away.

It was very sudden and unexpected.

He was only nineteen.

About to go off to college and on a mission.

It was incredibly sad.

I attended the funeral to show my support to his family.

It was so powerful.

Each of the boy's six siblings spoke as well as his parents.

It was amazing to hear their memories.

One of the boy's siblings is my friend Pete.

He read some experiences from his journal.

It was so great to hear his thoughts from those moments.

It really showed the power and importance of keeping a journal.

It made me want to write in my journal more and on this blog more.

I know that both of these wonderful people are in a better place.

That there was a plan for them and this was all part of it.

I know that they will be with their families again.

If you would like to know more about my faith, please learn about it here.