About two weeks before being extended the call, I knew I was going to be Relief Society president.

I was standing at the sink doing dishes. It was evening in late August or early September. The door stood open, the sun shining golden orange onto the living room carpet. Amid the soap bubbles, water, and dishes, a thought popped into my head:

If God’s going to call you to be a Relief Society president, He’s going to do it this semester.

I have to admit, I felt a little guilty when I thought that. Isn’t it prideful to think you’re going to be called to something? Whenever my roommates jokingly brought it up, I always denied it. But in those words of denial, I knew the truth.

That’s why I wasn’t too surprised when the bishopric extended me the call on the first Sunday of the Fall 2015 semester. But after I walked out of the bishop’s office, the weight of the calling starting sitting heavily on my shoulders. I was going to be a leader. I couldn’t honestly say that the girls in my Relief Society would look up to me, but regardless of that fact, I was going to be an example. Not only that, this was a brand new ward – the Rexburg YSA 100th ward. It was our first semester and I felt the weight of needing to lay out the groundwork for 2nd Relief Society.

Over my life, I’ve had a handful of callings: various positions in Young Women class presidencies, Relief Society activities committee, Relief Society secretary, Relief Society pianist, gospel doctrine teacher, missionary, Home Evening group leader … but being Relief Society president has been, hands down, my absolute favorite calling.

It was challenging. I had to learn to compromise with my presidency. I had to learn to voice my opinion (and there were plenty of times when I didn’t, but should have). I had to learn, even more, how to take charge. I had to learn not to take it personally when someone didn’t act in her calling or when our visiting teaching report wasn’t quite as high as I hoped. I had to attend ward social activities.

At times it was a lonely calling. I remember one combined Relief Society activity we had with 1st Relief Society. I was the very last person to leave that activity. I helped clean up the lounge of a completely different apartment complex, awkwardly gathered up the remainder of the stuff for the activity – several bulky bags and extra food – and walked home, alone, in the cold and dark, trying hard to not let anything fall on the ground.

This, I remember thinking, this describes what being a Relief Society president is like.

But I wouldn’t change it. I would never trade that time for anything.

Yes, I had to deal with girls who made me want to rip my hair out. But in those six and a half months, I learned how to love people. I learned the importance of interacting with others on a face-to-face basis.

My favorite part of being president was visiting the girls in their apartments. Every semester I made a point to go with my entire presidency to each individual apartment, where we would share a brief spiritual thought. If I could have done that every day, I would have.

Never before have I loved people so much. The love I gained towards my girls surpassed how I felt towards people on my mission. I’d never been so concerned about others’ spiritual and physical well being. Whenever I looked out at my Relief Society on Sundays, I saw so much potential in them. I saw greatness and goodness and power.

During those six months, I was so happy. I loved seeing my girls and saying hi to them on campus. When I was released released, I felt myself slip back, almost, to the quiet Kim who never reached outside of herself and rarely attended a ward activity.

At BYU-Idaho, the semesters are fourteen weeks and everyone is put on a different track. Needless to say, it’s rare that a Relief Society presidency ever remains the same for more than one semester. But we were lucky. All four of us stayed both semesters. By the time Winter semester rolled around, we all gelled so well.

I could not have survived without my presidency. Leese, Ashlyn, and Ting-Yao were my saving graces so many times. Calling counselors and a secretary is a very special experience. The day I was called, Bishop told me that in two days I needed to have the names of my counselors and secretary. I felt horrified. I didn’t know anyone in this ward – how in the world would I call my presidency?!

I’ll never forget how I was able to find the names for my presidency. Each experience was special and very unique. As the months passed and we were able to work together, I grew more and more thankful that we’d been given the gift of the Holy Ghost to prompt us. Each of those girls brought something so needed to the presidency. They helped me see when my ideas weren’t good.

It’s been two years since I was released. Yet it feels like a lifetime has passed. I remember looking at the new presidency called after us and, though it was hard at times to hand the 2nd Relief Society off to different hands, I began appreciating their efforts. Goodness knows I wasn’t a perfect president, but their individuality and charm added a sparkle to things. I couldn’t help but sit back and smile during Relief Society one time and think, I wonder how much they’ve changed and grown since the semester started.

More than anything, I wanted my girls to know that they were loved unconditionally. That was my biggest thing during my time as president. I never wanted a girl to feel that she was unworthy, unloved, or unimportant. I’d been there in my past. I knew how it was to feel like an obligation to my leaders instead of a real person. I never wanted my girls to feel that they were a burden to me. Because they weren’t.

If there was one thing I wanted them to gain, it was a stronger testimony of Jesus Christ. It was understanding of their divine worth. It was a desire to become a better disciple.

One of my biggest regrets is that I didn’t go to apartments my last week at school and say goodbye to all the girls. I knew after graduation in July that I probably wouldn’t see any one of my girls again, and I wanted to let them know how much I appreciated them. But that never happened.

So, even though the vast majority of them will most likely never read this blog, this is what I wanted to say:

Thank you so much. Thank you for being you, for helping me to grow and learn to love others. Thank you for all of your willingness to do what’s been asked of you. Never forget your worth as a daughter of God. No one can take that away from you. Because of your divine DNA, you are destined for greatness. Build on that. Cherish that. Use your light to lift others, to love others, to let them know that they’re important, too.

Don’t forget who you are. Don’t forget that you have great power. You can do it. You have the Lord on your side, and there’s no one better to have on your team.

Good luck. You’re going to change the world.

Rexburg YSA 100th Ward 2nd Relief Society will always, always hold a deep, special, abiding place in my heart.