To Keep the Church from being Homogeneous and Monoculturistic:

 In our religion, as in ecology, the potential for change is found at the edges, where tens of thousands of unorthodox members already live. The church needs these members to start talking. Not protesting, not arguing, not resigning their memberships in solidarity. Just talking. Being seen for who they truly are. Connecting.
Each time a non-traditional Mormon lets her neighbor see her unique beliefs, she makes it easier for everyone in the congregation to be true to themselves. One respectful voice at a time, the silent minority will begin to understand that they aren't alone in their doubts and beliefs.

Because when we can ask questions, we can find answers.

taken from this article, emphasis added.

Beautiful Music

I keep playing these a cappella's off of youtube. They're both so moving, and the first one reminds me of my Virginia home.

I'm listening to Pink Floyd.

Why? Because I just bought a Pink Floyd tshirt. And I would feel really lame wearing it without actually knowing anything about Pink Floyd...

So I am listening.

And you know what?

I have no regrets.

It makes pretty decent background music.

And, most importantly... The shirt is super cute.

The back of my head does look kind of weird, though... Almost pointy?

So Much Food.

We don't think my parents have quite figured out yet that half the kids are no longer living at home.

This means..... lots of leftovers.

It Can Be Magical.

We look so happy... but the truth is that we'd just eaten WAY too much lunch at Sammy's in Provo and were sprawling on the grass full of both food and self-loathing.

But it was pretty nice out.

Butterfly Circus

I have a couple of friends on missions who I get emails from weekly. One sister mentioned this video, and said to watch it with the Atonement in mind. It's beautiful.

Summer in Utah.

I lived and worked in Logan for a little under 2 months, quit, and have been traveling the state with my family, and then with Colin's family. One might think of it as a symbolic trade-off. Haha. I'm funny, but I jest.

The biggest thing to report is that my face has subtly darkened and my hair is longer and blonder. I am thrilled. I would say that I'm tan, but people laugh at me when I do that.

We took family photos because Jake and I are leaving to serve missions in September. I'll be gone for 18 months, he'll be gone for 2 years, and Ben may leave in the interim. So it's our last family photoshoot for awhile. It was a real last-minute thing. But I like how they turned out, haphazard color scheme and all!

The missionaries-to-be.

Jake and I went through the temple together, and a lot of my dad's family was there. My maternal grandparents came down from SLC, as well. You may have already heard, but there's actually already a "Lauren no-middle-name Hafen" serving in Paris (where I'm headed), and her grandparents are the temple president/matron at the St. George temple, so talking with her grandma was just really neat.

After 3 months of intermittent skyping, texting, and a couple of phone calls, I could finally bask in the presence of Eagle Scout Colin S. Smith once again. I like him, so it was exciting.

Coincidentally, tomorrow is our 23-monthiversary.

We had a fabulous Pioneer Day, which is a strangely patriotic tradition 'round these here parts, considering the original pioneers fled the U.S. and its government for Mexican territory... (I'm pretty sure it was Mexican at the time... Saying facts publicly on the internet always makes me nervous. I don't like being wrong-- especially not publicly.)

Happy Pioneer Day from Ivins!

We also went hiking in Zion National Park, rafting in Lava Hot Springs, ID, visited with my grandma in Santa Clara, UT, and various other fun activities. But I either don't have pictures of those things, or they're not flattering pictures of me. So no photos.

We also went to the wedding reception of our dear friend and my former roommate/fellow Phi Alpha Theta sorority member/nerdy history compadre, the beautiful Randi Leigh Jones Cline. Except I think she's dropping the Jones and just becoming Randi Leigh Cline. A beautiful southern-sounding name.

She looked happy to see us, which made me feel validated and special. 

So there's that.

Over and Out.