Sweet is the Peace

Exactly one week ago, I had the opportunity to visit the beautiful Washington, D.C. Temple one last time before leaving. As I approached the temple, I marveled at the beauty of its grounds; soaking up the sunshine, enjoying the colorful flowers and butterflies. With my friend Ben singing hymns in Italian in the background, I wondered if this moment was a taste of what Heaven might be like. I relished the experience and the peace that was there.


All things denote that there is a God . . .

To escape the almost unbearable heat outside, my friends and I wandered over to the Visitor's Center. It too had a welcoming, peaceful feeling inside. Right now, it has a special exhibit of photos from the Hubble Telescope in which pictures such as the one below are displayed, along with several scriptures concerning the creation. I can't imagine a better explanation than the fact that there is a loving God who created us and the universe we live in. I stared at these pictures in awe of everything that our Father in Heaven has created and the extraordinary vastness of it all. It is beyond all comprehension.


Not only in space can we see the magnificence of God's creations, but we can also see and enjoy them every day on this Earth. I find myself marveling over the wonders of this planet, particularly in nature. One of my most spiritual experiences in D.C. occurred when I took my favorite walk around the Tidal Basin. When you stop to admire the cherry trees, or the reflections in the water, or the movement of the clouds; when you stop and take a deep breath and feel the sunlight on your face, you can't help but feel the presence of God and His son Jesus Christ, and feel their love for you. My favorite primary song says, "I feel my Savior's love in all the world around me. His Spirit warms my soul through everything I see." These words perfectly describe the way I feel. I offered up a small prayer of thanks in my heart as I walked along the water that day.

That day, as always, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for my membership in His church. It is not just something I belong to, it is literally who I am. And because of it, I have been blessed beyond measure.

"O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, thy power throughout the universe displayed; Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee, How great thou art! How great thou art!"

Butterflies

The National Museum of Natural History currently has a special butterfly exhibit open on the second floor. Visitors can walk through an enclosed space that is about 85 degrees with 80% humidity, and see dozens of butterflies of all shapes, sizes, and colors. I wanted to go ever since my first visit to the museum. The only thing is, you need a ticket to get in. I found out that tickets were free on Tuesdays, so I decided to go then. I usually only worked from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Tuesdays, so I figured that I would have plenty of time to get down there and get a ticket. Well, it took me four tries but I finally got a ticket! As you can see, it was well worth it the effort. . .

This was the biggest butterfly I had every seen! It was seriously the size of both my hands put together.

As you left, they had a room full of mirrors where you could check yourself and make sure that no butterflies had landed on you and were trying to hitch a ride out of there! One large blue butterfly tried to escape as I left and a museum employee had to come catch it with a net and take it back inside.

Random Pics

A splendid D.C. sunset.

Nest at Mount Vernon

T-Rex!

These balls (for lack of a better word) were at the Van Ness metro stop where I would get off every day for work.

There were tons of squirrels all over D.C., and they are used to people so they get right up close to you. This one kept me company while I sat on the grass in a park and read my book.

This is the United States Supreme Court Building. Engraved above it says "EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW."

There's nothing like the shade of a beautiful Magnolia tree.

I believe that's a statue of Andrew Jackson on his horse. In the background you can see the White House and the very tip of the Washington Monument.

There's no place like home

Wednesday was a long day, my emotions fluctuated between sadness and complete excitement. It all started at 5 a.m. when I woke up. David was nice enough to drive me to the airport so I didn't have to cart all my luggage on the bus and the metro. I started tearing up as I said goodbye and approached the counter to check my bags and get my tickets. It had all ended so suddenly. My internship/D.C. summer had come to a close and I would never get it back.

After two different flights totalling about 4 1/2 hours with a pit stop in Denver, I finally made it to Salt Lake City. Hello mountains! As I was standing at the baggage claim, I spotted a shock of red hair and it took a second to register that it was my sister. She and Colter ran up and gave me a big hug. I was so excited to see them!

After that, we had another 4-hour drive back to Rexburg. I was chatty for most of the way, telling stories about experiences I had and people whom I had met. It was so good to finally arrive; to see the temple, and all the other familiar places that I love. I forgot how beautiful Idaho is. Needless to say, I was completely exhausted by the time I went to bed at 12:30 a.m. (21 1/2 hours straight!)

What I love about being home:

I can play my piano, a real piano, anytime I want

I have a car (although I haven't driven it yet)

Idaho water - it's so much better

Late night talks with my mom

I can wear a jacket, because it's not hot and humid

Since I didn't take very many clothes with me to D.C., my wardrobe has tripled in size

And best of all . . . I get to be with family and friends whom I have not seen in a long time

So Long, Farewell

Today is my last day in Washington, D.C. I have mixed feelings as I pack up my belongings and prepare to head home tomorrow morning. My room looks weird, all bare like it was when I moved in 11 weeks ago. I am ready to leave though, and move on to the next phase in my life. I know that after I have been home for awhile I will start to miss this place and wish that I could come back and pay a visit. I plan to someday, but for now I am just excited to get back home and see my family.

Don't worry though, I will still continue to make posts about D.C. long after I have been back because there are still so many stories to tell and pictures to share!

Here is a little list I have compiled in my mind over the past week or so . . .

Things I will miss:

My friends

All the tress

The people at work

How green it is here

The Intelsat building

Institute with Brother Pratt

All the good places to eat out at
Always having something to see or do

Wednesday night dinners with the missionaries

Things I will not miss:

All the concrete

Waiting for the bus

My roommate's dog, Lily

Lots of secondhand smoke

Public transportation in general

Being away from my family and Britton

How much more expensive everything is here

The sticky feeling you get every time you go outside due to the humidity

A Lot of Lasts

Today was a day of lasts:

My last day as an intern, my last time seeing several people whom I have come to consider friends, and my last day as a 21-year-old.

I decided that I don't really like lasts.

Today was a good day at work though. My internship couldn't have ended on a better note, but it made me so sad to leave the fitness center and then the Intelsat building. I hope to come back someday and visit.

Elaine (my program manager) gave me a going away card today. I just expected the staff to have signed it, but when I opened it up it was covered with messages from not only the staff, but from several fitness center members as well. Getting that card was the best part of my day!

I also received a little present from my dear friend Anu. She gave me a little bag with handmade jewelry from India in it. She is so sweet. I wish that I could have taken a picture with her. I will miss her spunk and the way she would lovingly pinch my cheek, give me a hug, or call me "Miss Kimberly." The other day she told me that I was the cutest intern they have ever had. :)

I never realized how much these people cared, but today and over the course of this past week I have received an outpouring of love from these people. They are wonderful and have taught me so much.

The Intelsat Fitness Center Staff

Hakeem, me, Elaine, Ali

We're pretty silly at times!

This picture is of several of the members and me after our step class. They weren't very happy that we took the picture after we had gotten all sweaty.

I sent out one last email to all the fitness center members telling them goodbye. I said that if they wanted to, they could come down and get a picture with me before I left. These two promptly showed up. :)

Tesfu, me, and Timothy

This telephone booth is inside the Intelsat building for display only. I walked past it every day and always wanted a picture. Unfortunately, I couldn't open the door to go inside. Oh well, it's still awesome!

A Tribute to Good Friends

Like I've said before, my D.C. experience just wouldn't have been the same without all my friends. The parting of ways has now begun. It's hard to say goodbye to these people, not knowing whether or not I will ever see them again. Most are headed back to Provo, while others are staying here. Jon has gone back to Colorado, and I will be in Idaho in less than a week. Thank goodness for modern-day technology which allows us to keep in touch so easily.

I just want to say thanks to them all. I will miss them. I will miss our movie nights and Sunday potluck dinners and random escapades. This one's for you guys . . .

Movie night at Laura's.

Our hard-earned cash (not really).

David and Lily.

Hot dog roast at David's.

Laura Jayne (Princess Shuffles)

The camera wasn't supposed to be zoomed in, oops.

More cupcake fun!

Me and the boys :)

Baltimore

Sunday Potluck

It's Ben Sellers!

Temple trip