Back West Part 4: Kalena off to EFY

We went to church in the Lindon 16th ward and I miss everyone there a ton!!! We were able to spend dinner the Eastman's and boy it was nice to sit and catch up with them. We stayed into the late evening and it was so relaxing. The kids had a blast hurting each while playing red rover, the first time ever that my children were introduced to the game. the little kids were getting killed by the older ones, but they tried to hold on tight and not let anyone pass.

The next morning, we dropped Kalena off at Especially for Youth (EFY). She was so excited and anxious. I was excited for her!!! We met her roommate in the elevator on the way up to the room. The conversation went as follows:

Roommate: Hello, my name is Liz. What's yours?
Kalena: Kalena
awkward silence for about 5 LONG seconds (I almost stepped in and asked the other girl in the elevator what her name was and where they were from, but decided not to because this is her time)
Kalena: So, what is your name?
And, all was well...

Kalena did know how to talk and make conversation with someone else. It may have taken AWKWARD SILENCE, but she CAN do it! After dropping her off in her room, I got a picture of them together, and a hug and kiss good-bye from Kalena and left. She was off on an adventure that she would cherish for the rest of her life.

She would text and call us on her free time while her friends were hanging out, to make sure we knew she was doing well. One day, I remember asking her if she didn't have anyone to hang out with. Her answer was this, "I do, but I wanted to call and talk to you guys first." What a sweet child! I told her she could get off the phone and go hang out and that was all it took.