It was not until today, after I took my last final, that I hit that point where I realized I am a full-fledged adult.  This whole time, I've kind of been feeling like this is just some freakishly long summer camp.  On one hand, I'm really upset that I can't be home right now, but on the other I'm really glad and grateful for all the experiences I had this summer.  I have met some incredible people and it has been a dream come true (dramatic?) to be around people who share my exact same values and beliefs.  I no longer have to suppress my biblical jokes, or when someone says a line from a hymn in regular conversation, I am no longer the only one who gets that hymn stuck in their head immediately afterwards.  More than just those values being matched in everyone I meet, I have met people that I have no trouble being my full self around, which is just incredible.  Don't mistake me as putting on some facade.  I just mean, with every friend we have, we magnify some specific personality trait around specific people, but I think I have held nothing back with every wonderful person I have had the privilege of meeting.  I am so excited for what Fall has to offer.

Tender Mercies

College really has been everything and more everyone has pumped it up to be.  It has been an incredible experience.  Throughout my time here at BYU, the Lord has extended so many tender mercies through my more difficult times and has blessed me with such wonderful moments that I vow never to forget.  I know it is just Summer term, and there will be even more difficult and joyous times come Fall, but it has been a better Summer than it probably would have been had I stayed at home watching Doctor Who and Disney movies for three months.  Sure, I miss my bed, my dog, my mommy, and maybe even the humidity, but I'm so grateful for the shocking surprise of being accepted to this amazing school for Summer instead of Fall as was planned.

It seems every time I get a little homesick, the tender mercies of the Lord fall into my hands before I pluck up the courage to buy a plane ticket I cannot afford and rush back home to my mommy's arms.  Yesterday was one of those days.

I was coming home from the dollar movie theater with Amelia, Isabel, and Mariangel.  We took a creepy shortcut and came out of the brush out into a sidewalk near the open road across from their apartment complex.  There was a girl on the sidewalk.  I didn't really pay attention to her because it's rude to stare, but I shouted something to Amelia who was being crazy, and I think the girl thought I was talking to her.  We made eye contact and she said, "Jazmin?!"  It was my childhood friend, Celeste.  We grew up in the same ward until we were about twelve and she moved.  I've only seen her three times since that move, and of all places to see her, it was such an awesome occurrence.  Even though she has not been a part of home for a long time, it was still a strangely comforting reminder of the home that I was starting to miss.  As I walked and talked with her for a bit, I was kind of super comforted.

My Heavenly Father is incredible.