Called to Serve

"Sister Vergara: You are hereby called to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Paraguay Asuncion North Mission. You should report to the Buenos Aires Missionary Training Center on June 23, 2016. You are expected to serve for a period of 18 months."

WOW. WOW. WOW. 

If you had asked me last year if I was planning on serving a mission the answer would have been a heck no. It is amazing how the Lord works and how perfect His timing is. He knew exactly what I needed to experience and exactly how to soften my heart. He has an amazing and perfect plan for me and I cannot wait to serve Him in His vineyard. 

I love this gospel and I love Jesus Christ. They inspire everything in me! A mission is something I never thought I would do or could do, but I am going to do it anyways and I just cannot wait! 

xoxo, 

future HERMANA lyds :)

Let's Rally

Campaign season: when three candidate pairs run for President and Vice President of BYUSA. Each has their own team of students helping them campaign and spread their platform. I was lucky enough to be a part of Aidan and Malorie's campaign to Make It Count! 

They asked me to be their events manager for the campaign and I gratefully accepted! I had the awesome job of putting on a campaign rally for their team at The Wall! Now, if you haven't been to The Wall, make a trip down to the basement of the Wilk. It is my favorite venue on campus! The management was so great to work with on this event and really helped us throw the best and biggest party! 

We had participation from different clubs on campus, including Hip Hop club, Abracadabra club, and the Footlights. They all were incredible. We also had a much needed and always wanted Photo Booth, free fries and drinks, a dating raffle, and a surprise video from Aidan and Malorie's families. It was such a fun night for everyone involved and my team did such an amazing job keeping me sane! 

Even though Aidan and Malorie did not win the vote, I am still so grateful that they were willing to put themselves out there and advertise BYUSA even more. They are such an energizing pair with Christ-like attitudes that anyone who comes in contact with them can feel. I know they both have amazing things in store for them!

xoxo, 

Lyds 

High Stakes Bingo

Student choice activity #2 was originally what this event was called, so thank goodness I ended up with the most incredible event lead and her committee, because they came up with a brand new event that filled up with 500 people before the event even started! That's right, we reached capacity in 10 minutes. 

High stakes bingo, except the students did not buy in with high stakes. BUT what was at stakes were some pretty amazing prizes! Spikeball, doughnuts, penny board, movies, chick fil a coupons, goPro, and not one but TWO apple watches. 

We played 5 rounds of bingo with 4 table games in between so that there could be a total of 40 winners that night. Pretty awesome, right? 

Best part? This brand new event set such a great precedence that the activities area is going to do it again next year! 

xoxo, 

Lyds 

GALentine's Day

So, I was feeling a little bit antsy with being in Provo and my amazing Mom knew exactly what I needed. We found a great deal on plane tickets, she was already there for a conference that weekend with my Aunt, and Paige just happened to be right along with me when we planned an impromptu trip to NYC! 

We seriously just left. We jumped on a plane on arrived in NYC late on a Thursday night and walked an empty Times Square planning out the next few days. 

We saw a grand total of four shows: Les Mis, Kinky Boots, Something Rotten!, and Finding Neverland. Each just as good and maybe better than the last. We ate at every place on my food bucket list. We braved the coldest weekend that New York had had that entire winter (just our luck, right?). I got to cuddle with my mama every night and we all just loved being in that amazing city. 

I do not think I have ever had a better Valentine's Day and I got to spend it with the most amazing women! So thank you Leslie Knope for inspiring our love of Galentine's Day! 

xoxo, 

Lyds 

ReTREAT x2

I think my favorite part of BYUSA, besides the people, are retreats. Not just the treats at retreat, but all the other fun things that happen at retreats. 

This retreat was just for the executive directors and the VPs. Our last big shindig all together before the year is over. We definitely made the most of it by keeping with tradition with signs, #ballislyfe, and late night talks. I also loved hearing the testimonies of the people I have been serving with this whole year and I am so grateful for the friendships and family I have in the office. 

I am dead serious when I say that the BYUSA office is the best place on BYU's campus. So make sure you stop by sometime. You WILL find a home there. 

xoxo, 

Lyds 

*shout out to Rachel's leg