How Fast? Very.

A while ago, I wrote a post called "How Fast?". A basic summary is how fast will you let yourself live the most epic life, listen to the Spirit, and how fast things can change when you follow Christ. I wrote it in September, right after we had settled in Esparza, Costa Rica, and I was struggling. Lonely, sad, and friendless. However, I knew that something better was going to happen. So I wrote about it. And now that better thing has happened.

In January, I moved to Panajachel, Guatemala. The ultimate "amen hallelujah". I love my life here. I love the people, the lifestyle, and the things I've learned and the person I've become because of my time here.

March 28th, I left on an epic solo adventure (well, solo for a couple hours). I flew from Guatemala City to Las Vegas. This was the beginning of a two month period of pure awesome sauce. I went to Washington D.C. with the Clark County Children Choir, took a day trip up to St. George to visit some friends, went to a wedding, attended two sessions of Elevation, and had group therapy at the Brown's table (shoutout to the Browns for opening up their home to me, a wandering hobo in need of vegetables). I was able to see so many family and friends, explore a little more of this wonderful world, and love more deeply. Because it's hard to write about two months in one post, I'll just give a quick summary of each experience.

Washington D.C.:

I LOVE AMERICA. I got to see a beautiful city and culture, apply what I'd learned in U.S History, and fangirl over Abraham Lincoln (no shame).

St. George:

I have so much love for this adventure and these people. From cake batter chapstick, to Cafe Rio, to Pineapples, to International Shoot Up, to stalking Mr. Brown, and Veyo Pies, this day was the best. I'm honored to call these people my best friends. 

Erin's Wedding:

Because sometimes you need to go off-roading in Tuxedos and Dresses. 

The wedding cake may or may not have fallen on me on the drive home.

The Burger Meet Up:

I realized that it's not that rare of a phenomenon to see your friends in the flesh. #ThanksWilliamsburg. 

 ELEVATION:

The most incredible two weeks. First session I went as a student (HARD CORE POD 4 #sparklesssss) and second as a photographer. My life was changed. I was changed. I made amazing new friendships, saw old friends, and strengthened my relationships with my people. I'm so grateful for Williamsburg Academy and the roll it has played in my life.

Hard Core Pod 4. I love my sparkles. 

Weekend Adventure:

Again. Seeing your friends in person isn't totally foreign! Cliff jumping, seeking fortune elsewhere, Kanarraville Falls, Even Stevens, Waffles, Urban Renewal with Wes, homemade vegetable soup, getting sick, spending majority of my time with my best friend sleeping, and discussing America's political stage with Ben, I loved these few days. Thanks for all the memories.

LANV's formal:

Shoutout to Ames and Bri for being the best brownies ever.

Mini Pod 4 reunion!

THE BROWNIES (much love).

In a few months, my family will be taking off for Europe for x amount of months/years. That's kind of crazy to think about. I'm grateful for this life. I'm grateful for my God and my Faith. I'm thankful for my family. I'm thankful for friends. Thanks for making this life awesome.

The Elevated

Right now, I am writing. I should really be sleeping. Sometimes adventure equals being sleep deprived. That's okay. Today I am writing about something I haven't felt for a long long time. I'm not sure how I identified it or even what to call it. But it has to do with people. Missing people, specifically. I've only experienced this type of emptiness a few times in my life. Although many people experience the pain of missing someone or something, I believe that a small group of specific people really know this feeling. These people are known as Williamsburgers, Burgers that William made. A group of really odd people who laugh at the story of Preston Wesley and get emotional when they see llamas and want to hug a random stranger after hearing the word "walls". These people get nostalgia by eating a Clif Bar and like studying and have meaningful relationships with their mentors and peers, often times people they've never met in person before. These people are scholars of the most worthy education. And I miss them. This weekend, I had the spectacular opportunity to meet and spend a day with two of my best friends, these friends being Burgers. And man do these people know how to adventure. These people are elevated. Twice a year, Williamsburg Learning hosts a camp called Elevation, and it literally does elevate you. There's a reason why Burgers are my people. They elevate with me. In 22 days, Elevation will begin elevating. Oh and I cannot wait. My anticipation is so great that I shed a tear everytime I think about it. I cannot wait to meet my pod, to stay up until 1 am talking with my pod sisters in a freezing cold tent, eating the disgusting elevation oatmeal, rock climb and repel and do walls and just LIVE in the most BEAUTIFUL place with the most SPECTACULAR PEOPLE.

Some of you who don't know Burgers or Elevation or USH Study Guides might be wondering, why does it matter? They're just people. Just experiences. Well let me tell you.

When you love someone so much that you will stay up until 1 am to talk to them over a computer, you're going to miss them. When you love someone so much that when you have the opportunity to sacrifice money and time and energy just to see them for a few hours, you're going to do it. When you take time out of your already busy schedule just to call these people, you're going to love them. And when you finally meet them and see them in person and hug them and joke with them and laugh with them, you're going to live with them. And when you have to leave, you're going to leave part of yourself with them. And they're going to leave part of them with you. And you hold onto that love until you can finally see them again and give more to receive more.

You want to go conquer the world with these people because you know that they know of their potential and you also know that they know that you know of YOUR potential and that you will support each other in your dreams. But alas. All you can do is send a text telling them of what goal you just achieved or what opportunity came your way, and at best, call them. That hurts.

The perfect gift would be an infinite amount of time in the mountains with these people. Why, oh why can't it be so? Fate is cruel.

Gah. The Elevated are to be treasured. Love your elevators. Till 22 days, Burgers.

Savannah