it will all be worth it

i have been pondering how this blog post would come out since last friday when i received the news that lamba delta sigma had been cancelled for good, and that the organization was no more. i refrained from speaking out about it until i knew more, and until i had really gained an understanding, so here i am now...

for those of you who don't know. Lamba delta sigma is an LDS sorority organization that i have been a part of for the past 5 months. i joined hesitantly back in January after i finished student teaching in hopes of meeting new people, and as a means to find adventure. i was hesitant due to the fact that i had graduated and was not a student, and have never attended the U, and because the idea of a 'sorority' has always struck me as a bunch of catty girls up in every bodies business. well, little did i know, that this organization would become such a huge part of my life.

since i started in january, i have met some amazing girls. before i joined sigma, i didnt have very many friends in salt lake, and life was just so so. but the blessings have been numerous. these girls are amazing. they have become friends that i know will be forever friends. we have had countless adventures, an infinite amount of late night giggles, and even some silly drama that just ensures that we are real friends. being a part of this organization has made this the best year of my life. its amazing to belong to a sisterhood that is centered around the church.

in april i was called to be the sisterhood officer for sigma next school year. over the past 2 months i have been planning for the next year with the rest of the presidency. from rush week, to fall activities, to exchanges with the fraternities, and sweatshirt and t-shirt designs. until now. when we got cut off.

i will admit i have been really confused. maybe a little mad. and definitely really sad about this. hence, why i have refrained from posting until now. it makes sense. they want us to devote more of our time to the newly reorganized YSA wards, but its still hard to come to terms with. no more weekly sigma. no more rush carnival, no more fall barn dance or winter formal, which are all things i never got to participate in since i joined mid year.

but at the meeting on tuesday night, we were given a lot of reassurance and we left feeling at peace with the decision. the first presidency made this decision unanimously in the temple, so it is up to us to stand beside them and look at the positive. the priesthood leader of sigma shared this parable, which i found fitting.

“The Pearl Necklace”
The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost
five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she
saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil
box.
"Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy,
please!"
Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box
and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her
little girl's upturned face. "A dollar ninety-five. That's
almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some
extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough
money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a
week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from
Grandma."
As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank
and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more
than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and
asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten
cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new
dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the
necklace.
Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and
grown up. She wore them everywhere ~ Sunday school,
kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them
off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath.
Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.
Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she
was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing
and come upstairs to read her a story. One night when he
finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?"
"Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess ~
the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink
tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you gave me. She's
my favorite."
"That's okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night."
And he brushed her cheek with a kiss. About a week later,
after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, "Do you
love me?"
"Daddy, you know I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby
doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so
beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches
her sleeper."
"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one.
Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek
with a gentle kiss.
A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was
sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he
came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one
silent tear rolled down her cheek. "What is it, Jenny?
What's the matter?"
Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her
daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl
necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here,
Daddy. It's for you."
With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy
reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace,
and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and
pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls
and gave them to Jenny. He had them all the time. He
was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so
he could give her genuine treasure. So like our heavenly
Father. What are you hanging on to?

so now, here we are. its sad, but its not the end of the world. i still have some amazing friends, and amazing memories. and there are several blow out parties this summer that we have to look forward to. and boy, they are going to be EPIC! 

now, heres a glimpse at some favorite sigma moments...