A Singles Ward-imony. {Really.}

Today is my last Sunday attending a singles ward. I've got to admit, its sort of overwhelming because I've been attending singles wards for ten years now. TEN. I've been around the block long enough to retell the Good, Bad, and the Ugly of a singles ward. And I could easily fill the next ten minutes with amusing anecdotes and the stereotypical stories about ridiculous things and drama and the "bad and ugly" part of things. But I'd rather not. Because despite the struggles and challenges that often accompany attendance in one of these wards, I have to say there is a LOT of positive in the Singles Ward experience. And I am going to miss it, believe it or not. (Not the Drama and Ridiculous, but I'll miss the Good and Awesome.)

Its thanks to a Singles Ward that I gained a lot of social confidence in myself--enough to really get outside myself, meet people, and make new friends.

Its thanks to a Singles Ward that I had the opportunity for great service opportunities. Many of those opportunities taught me firsthand important truths about the worth of souls, the value of service, and the Lord's individualized plan for each of us.

Its thanks to a Singles Ward that I made the important step of going to the Temple to receive my own Endowment. And it was partially the strong encouragement and support of a Singles Ward that took me back to the temple regularly.

Its thanks to a Singles Ward that I made some amazing friends who supported me thought good and bad and everything in between. As a girl said today during her testimony, I believe in eternal friendships and many of mine started in a Singles Ward.

Its thanks to a Singles Ward, and the inspired leadership therein, that I found the help and guidance and direction I needed when life was throwing lemon after lemon in my direction.

Its thanks to the friendly people in a Single Ward that I found a new "home" almost immediately after nearly six years in my previous ward. I hope to one day find another ward as outgoing and welcoming as the Heritage Ward proved to be.

Its thanks to a Singles Ward that I'm "graduating" today, and moving on to the big, scary-ish, world of the Family Ward. I met Skyler in our Singles Ward, and for that alone I'll forever be a fan of the YSA program. But its not just my fast-approaching "nuptials" that lead me to speak highly of the YSA wards. Its the great blessing they can be in a young adult's life in so many ways besides the dating/marriage thing. Really.

So I am grateful. A bit overwhelmed and full of trepidation at this new step I'll be taking in the world of family wards, but I'm grateful for my experience in the Singles Ward world. I have every confidence that the establishment of the YSA Wards was inspired. And I know, for myself, that I have been very, very blessed by the events, people, experiences and more over my Singles Ward years.


Yes, I am well aware this post is oozing cheese and other such things. But sometimes I AM a wee bit cheesy and nostalgic. So...Deal. :)

Desserts Are a Different Story

I haven't cooked dinner in days...possibly weeks. I could run down the schedule for you but suffice it to say I've been eating out. When I say "eating out," I mean it simply--I've been eating outside of my own house. Sometimes I'm at my mom's, a friend's, or a restaurant with friends. This sort of lifestyle does mean my budget gets a little tight, but the convenience is fantastic. But tonight I decided it was time for a change. Tonight I cooked for myself, and in honor of this rare occasion, I tackled Lasagna.

I've never made lasagna before. My mother hated making it so we rarely had it growing up. The occasions we did enjoy lasagna it was brought to us by Stauffer's Frozen Dinners. I've always liked the cheesy pasta layers, but my mother's disinclination towards the dish definitely impacted my own views on creating one of my own. Quite honestly, I don't know where my sudden desire to make lasagna came from. But it came all the same, and I've been thinking about attempting lasagna for a few weeks now. I stuck with a simple recipe Meredith suggested. There's no doubt its simple because its called Simply Lasagna--brought to you by Kraftfoods.com. And it was simple! And it is delicious! And it makes a massive casserole dish full of lasagna so I'll be eating it for weeks!

I imagine when I'm a mother and have a hungry brood to feed, this will be a great dish to prepare. It would also be good to take to a potluck dinner. But for one person? THERE'S SO MUCH LASAGNA!! Its really rather insane. Anybody want to try some? I have lots.

But enough about lasagna and back to the idea of me cooking in general. I like it. I like creating tasty things that can be consumed (Did anyone else just picture some bizarre edible scrapbook page or toll painted frame? No? Okay, just me then.) Like I said, I enjoy it. But it also makes me tired and that's before the clean up. I still think its probably worth it. There's a great deal of satisfaction to be gained in cooking something delicious. And I'd bet in the long run its cheaper.

So perhaps I should set a goal to go a week without eating out. I should create/cook 3 meals a day for one week. Think I can do it? I'm willing to bet I could rock that idea. But it will have to wait until after Crown Burger tomorrow. And Lagoon on Friday. And Mom's on Saturday. And...

Oh who'm I kidding?! This'll never work.

Here's to cooking once in a blue moon and lovin' every minute of it!