NOTE: I started writing this two weeks ago, so the timing is a little off in the first paragraph...
This time last year, I was procrastinating the packing process and trying to deal with anxiety that was in me almost everyday. What would college be like? Would I get along with my roommates? How would I handle school? Would I survive living on my own? Would I still be shy? What would my freshmen ward be like? Would I like my Family Home evening family? The questions and concerns seemed endless last summer.
So skip ahead two semesters, a spring term, and a few months of summer to the present point in time. Now I think, "What? It's only been a year? Really? Feels a lot longer than that. College has been awesome and will continue to BE awesome." I seriously cannot believe that it has only been a year since I was stressing over what college was going to be like. I have grown so much in this past year. I think back to who I was a year ago and I cannot believe how much I've grown since then.
The changes have been good changes. Here's a "short" list:
1. I'm not so shy anymore - if someone had told me my senior year that I was going to be an out-going person in college, I probably would have laughed. Hysterically. That wasn't me until I came to college. Then I realized that I wanted to make more friends and to have fun in college (in between calculus, biology, and American heritage...and all the other classes that aren't especially my favorite). In the past two weeks, I have met so many wonderful people. Hopefully, I will remain to be friends with them and the people I became friends with over the spring/summer. I'm realizing that with all the friends I have made recently and the friends I have made in the past year, I am going to have a difficult time seeing all of them on a somewhat-regular basis. So many people to be friends with already and so many people that I have yet to meet!
2. I can live on my own - being thrown into a situation where you have to shop, cook, and do things without being reminded to is a life-changer. Or, at least for me it was. I could - and still can - talk to my parents for help or consolation (like when I would get sick...) or call my sister for help but on the whole, I was on my own. But the nice thing is that I had people to help me that were going through the same thing (like my awesome roommates that I had in Heritage! Love you guys!).
3. I realized you don't have to have a major right away - that's right. You don't. You're going to change it, anyway. Most likely, at least. Of my roommates that knew what their majors were coming into college, four of them changed what they were doing. And I personally have thought of - about - fifteen majors for me. At the moment, I'm seriously considering food science, the management track. How about that, Kylie? We could - possibly - be in the same major... =]
4. I am a Mary Kay consultant - yes, I sell makeup and skincare to people. No, I did not think that I would ever do this as my job. But I love it. I'm still getting used to working my business at the moment, but so far, I love it. Thanks, Kelly, for helping me learn and understand my business better.Looking back to last year, I never thought that I would be doing this as my job, but when I think about this decision that I made back in February, I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to have a job. And I'm realizing (as I'm taking an intro. to entrepreneurship class) that this might be one of the best decisions I've made in my life.
5. I have made so many wonderful friends that I cannot even BEGIN to describe my appreciation for them. To my awesomely amazing Heritage roommates, Audrey, Katelyn, Juliette, Natalie, and Kylie - I love you guys. I loved our talks in the middle of the night, the movies we watched, almost constant Youtube video quotes (Julian Smith, Tobuscus, and Kid History), the jokes we had/have, and just getting to know each of you. Thanks.
To my other wonderful friends from Harris Hall - I'm so glad we met and that we had special times, too (like Once Upon a Time and cookies, Dr. Who in the middle of the night, clogging in the basement, group dates and bowling, Disney conversations, surprise birthday parties, and numerous other fantastic adventures).
To my friends I've made in the past few months in Glenwood - oh my gosh. You guys are great. I had no idea spring/summer term could be so fun and jam-packed with movie nights, group dates, and ultimate Frisbee.
And to my family - thank you for supporting me in coming to college and helping me along the way. And helping me not freak out over little things that I would worry about.
Basically, to all the people I have become friends with in the past year, thank you. Thank you for being wonderful people that put up with my nerdiness and shortcomings. Thank you for helping me grow into the person that I am today.
6. Definitely not the least in this list, my testimony has grown so much since coming to BYU. It's still a work in progress - when is it not? - but I have come to understand so much about the Gospel and Heavenly Father's love for me. He knows who I am and He cares about me. He is always there for me and He will never let me down. I think it's comforting to know that. I know that the Atonement works and that Jesus Christ suffered for my sins so that I can repent of them and return unto Him and our Heavenly Father. I know that there is a prophet of Heavenly Father on the earth today, President Thomas S. Monson and that he receives revelation from Heavenly Father for the members of the Church and for the whole world. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and I have grown more and more to love the words on those pages. Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the power of the Holy Ghost and by the Urim and Thummim. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true church on the earth today. I know that God lives and that He loves me and cares about me. I - one of seven billion people - am "known and remembered by the most majestic,
powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! [I am] loved by the King
of infinite space and everlasting time!" (President Dieter F. Ucthdorf)
I know that I have been blessed by this opportunity to come to Brigham Young University and I am realizing this more and more. So here's to more time flying by in the passage of time and to getting the most out of my time wisely spent.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
"Space, the final frontier..."
"...These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise." - Captain Kirk
No, I'm not going to be talking about Star Trek. As much as I love that series/movie, that is not what is on my mind. Nope - just the universe, quantum physics/mechanics, and black holes today, folks!
The universe - it just blows your mind, doesn't it? My dad and I always talk about infinity and how after considering it for about five seconds our brains are completely fried. And that's just the universe infinity. You can go the other way, too, into an atom. It goes on in both directions - outward and inward - and our human minds just cannot truly comprehend how it all works.
My physical science teacher was talking about how science and the Latter-Day Saint religion and how they relate. Somehow, he said, they match up. We do not quite understand how, but they do and they will. And there is no problem in trying to understand what is around us while believing in God and all that He has done for us. Personally, I am alright waiting until after I die to figure out how it works. I recognize that I will not know all things in this life - true fact - but I know that all things can be revealed to me. But I am alright putting my faith in God that they do match up and fit together. I cannot remember who said it but they said that in the end, Latter-Day Saint doctrine and science will match up. It won't be the religion that changes to match up - because it is true - but our understanding of science. Our comprehension of the universe and the laws that govern it are limited by the way our minds work. We cannot comprehend infinity. We do not know the exact way that things operate. It isn't that nature is wrong or cheats laws that man has created, nature just does what it does. It is right and true. Gravity works throughout the whole universe. The speed of light is the same everywhere. Elements are the same throughout the galaxies. Nature is right EVERY TIME. It is just our understanding of the way it works that throws us off of truly knowing how it works.
Think about it. There have been many models of an atom - changing over time with our understanding and technology - and we still do not completely have it right. There are still things that we are missing. Science is a changing form that changes as we - as the human race - grow in understanding and knowledge. As our technology grows, so does the information that we have access to to comprehend what goes on around us.
I love science. Or, the physical sciences (I'm still trying to get along with biology...). These things have interested me for the longest time. I love thinking of space and what is out there. And yes, I wanted to be an astronaut when I was little (and a part of me still wants that). It is so cool to think of supernovas and how it might relate to the creation. It is fun to think of parallels between the universe and church doctrine. I love thinking of how all of this is all related. I have no problem believing in science and my religion together in the same mind. It will all work out, I know it.
I am so grateful that I am able to be on this earth and learn what I am learning. We are here to learn, to grow, to gain experience, and to return to our Heavenly Father (yes, those are really broad, but it is true). I am appreciative of the fact that we have resources to learn about what is going on around us and that we can think of how it relates to the grand scheme of things. Theology and science do not contradict one another but fit hand in hand. I know there is a lot of debate over that, but I know they work together. It's just that we can't quite understand how it all works out.
Here's a video that kind of describes how religion and science are reconciled in real life:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbuHakabdMU
I know that we are here to learn about what is around us. It will all work out in the end and all truth will be reconciled and brought in the end. I love science and I love my Heavenly Father. I do not see a problem in loving both and being "a [person] of science and a [person] of faith". It all works out. Promise.
No, I'm not going to be talking about Star Trek. As much as I love that series/movie, that is not what is on my mind. Nope - just the universe, quantum physics/mechanics, and black holes today, folks!
The universe - it just blows your mind, doesn't it? My dad and I always talk about infinity and how after considering it for about five seconds our brains are completely fried. And that's just the universe infinity. You can go the other way, too, into an atom. It goes on in both directions - outward and inward - and our human minds just cannot truly comprehend how it all works.
My physical science teacher was talking about how science and the Latter-Day Saint religion and how they relate. Somehow, he said, they match up. We do not quite understand how, but they do and they will. And there is no problem in trying to understand what is around us while believing in God and all that He has done for us. Personally, I am alright waiting until after I die to figure out how it works. I recognize that I will not know all things in this life - true fact - but I know that all things can be revealed to me. But I am alright putting my faith in God that they do match up and fit together. I cannot remember who said it but they said that in the end, Latter-Day Saint doctrine and science will match up. It won't be the religion that changes to match up - because it is true - but our understanding of science. Our comprehension of the universe and the laws that govern it are limited by the way our minds work. We cannot comprehend infinity. We do not know the exact way that things operate. It isn't that nature is wrong or cheats laws that man has created, nature just does what it does. It is right and true. Gravity works throughout the whole universe. The speed of light is the same everywhere. Elements are the same throughout the galaxies. Nature is right EVERY TIME. It is just our understanding of the way it works that throws us off of truly knowing how it works.
Think about it. There have been many models of an atom - changing over time with our understanding and technology - and we still do not completely have it right. There are still things that we are missing. Science is a changing form that changes as we - as the human race - grow in understanding and knowledge. As our technology grows, so does the information that we have access to to comprehend what goes on around us.
I love science. Or, the physical sciences (I'm still trying to get along with biology...). These things have interested me for the longest time. I love thinking of space and what is out there. And yes, I wanted to be an astronaut when I was little (and a part of me still wants that). It is so cool to think of supernovas and how it might relate to the creation. It is fun to think of parallels between the universe and church doctrine. I love thinking of how all of this is all related. I have no problem believing in science and my religion together in the same mind. It will all work out, I know it.
I am so grateful that I am able to be on this earth and learn what I am learning. We are here to learn, to grow, to gain experience, and to return to our Heavenly Father (yes, those are really broad, but it is true). I am appreciative of the fact that we have resources to learn about what is going on around us and that we can think of how it relates to the grand scheme of things. Theology and science do not contradict one another but fit hand in hand. I know there is a lot of debate over that, but I know they work together. It's just that we can't quite understand how it all works out.
Here's a video that kind of describes how religion and science are reconciled in real life:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbuHakabdMU
I know that we are here to learn about what is around us. It will all work out in the end and all truth will be reconciled and brought in the end. I love science and I love my Heavenly Father. I do not see a problem in loving both and being "a [person] of science and a [person] of faith". It all works out. Promise.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Why am I still up right now?
Yes, I know it is 2:05 in the morning, but I cannot sleep for the life of me. There has been something on my mind for the past six hours and I need to talk about it somewhere. What is that topic, you may ask? Family.
I have not been home in California since December. I got to see my parents a few weeks ago, but those weeks have been very hectic and it seems more like three months ago. I don't know what it is, I just all-of-a-sudden had a burst of homesickness/missing my family. Maybe it was the fact that my oldest nephew was in the hospital a few days ago. Or the fact that my friend got to go home for Mother's Day (which is awesome, by the way. Her mom didn't know and her reaction was priceless). Or maybe it was that one video I watched of a dad coming home from Iraq and his son completely breaking down and crying. Or maybe it is the fact that I get to go home in July and I CANNOT WAIT!!! Or the fact that Mother's Day is this weekend and I miss my mom a lot.
It's a rarity when our whole family can get together. I kind of used to take family for granted (not completely, but somewhat) and now, being away from home has put that into perspective. I miss them, so much. No joke. I love my family. I always have, I always will. We have our ups and downs - like any family - but it's mostly ups when we're all together, I think. I love how someone can say a line from The Sound of Music and the rest of us can finish the scene that the line was in. I love how we have the same sense of humor and how it all meshes together when we start telling jokes or using our sarcasm. I love how I'm an aunt, a sister, a sister-in-law, a daughter, and a friend to my family.
There are so many things I love about the members of my family. To start off, my dad - race car driver, landscape architect, pilot, great example, best dad on earth, and an all around good person. My mom - where do I even begin? She's so many things that I can't even begin to list them. And she has done so much for me that cannot even be explained in words. Both of my parents, in fact. They have done so much for me to help me get to where I am today. They have helped me have opportunities that would not have been possible otherwise. Thank you.
My sister, Jen - pianist, flutist, my big sister, my Harry Potter movie buddy, former drum major, and likes to spoil me. =] She's amazing. Her husband, Adam - smart, went to Australia on his mission, loves golf and motorcycles (or anything with a motor attached, really). Their two kids, Andrew and Sam - I miss being able to play LEGO's with them and just playing with them in general. Apparently, when they go to my parents' house sometimes, they ask my sister, "Is this the time we get to see Michelle?" It almost made me cry when my sister told me that. I love you guys.
My second-oldest sister, Laura - drummer, family consumer science guru, and world traveler extraordinaire. She just blows my mind when I think of all that she has done. Her husband, Ryan - amazingly smart, speaks a lot of languages (I lost count), and a Scrabble devotee. Their kids, Audrey, Chester, and Timothy - they've all been born in different countries, but they're all still sweet and adorable.
My favorite (and only) brother, Seth - computer mastermind, fluent speaker of hilarity, and a great big brother. You get my brother, a bag of Costco rolls, and me in the same room for an hour, that bag of rolls will mostly be gone. His wife, Jenna - favorite sister-in-law, amazing cook, and one of the sweetest people I know. Their kids, Afton and Chase - they're also adorable. They both have dimples. Do you know how cute it is when siblings have dimples together? So cute.
My closest in age sister, Kelly - Mary Kay consultant (pretty good at it, too), history major, and a very good planner of anything. I get to see her the most out of my family, since she only lives about thirty minutes away from me and we have the same job right now. Her husband, Glen - English teacher, technology wizard, and amazing at cooking bacon/meat. Their kids, Sarah, Katie, and James - a blond, brunette, and a redhead. They're fun and very energetic. And adorable. I just have very adorable nieces and nephews in general.
So that's my family, in all their amazingness. I miss them incredibly but I am so excited that I get to see them in about two months. Definitely my motivation for the rest of spring and part of summer term. Sorry this post is so long - it's just, if you couldn't tell, family is really important to me.
I love all of my family, so much, and I just want them to know that.
I have not been home in California since December. I got to see my parents a few weeks ago, but those weeks have been very hectic and it seems more like three months ago. I don't know what it is, I just all-of-a-sudden had a burst of homesickness/missing my family. Maybe it was the fact that my oldest nephew was in the hospital a few days ago. Or the fact that my friend got to go home for Mother's Day (which is awesome, by the way. Her mom didn't know and her reaction was priceless). Or maybe it was that one video I watched of a dad coming home from Iraq and his son completely breaking down and crying. Or maybe it is the fact that I get to go home in July and I CANNOT WAIT!!! Or the fact that Mother's Day is this weekend and I miss my mom a lot.
It's a rarity when our whole family can get together. I kind of used to take family for granted (not completely, but somewhat) and now, being away from home has put that into perspective. I miss them, so much. No joke. I love my family. I always have, I always will. We have our ups and downs - like any family - but it's mostly ups when we're all together, I think. I love how someone can say a line from The Sound of Music and the rest of us can finish the scene that the line was in. I love how we have the same sense of humor and how it all meshes together when we start telling jokes or using our sarcasm. I love how I'm an aunt, a sister, a sister-in-law, a daughter, and a friend to my family.
There are so many things I love about the members of my family. To start off, my dad - race car driver, landscape architect, pilot, great example, best dad on earth, and an all around good person. My mom - where do I even begin? She's so many things that I can't even begin to list them. And she has done so much for me that cannot even be explained in words. Both of my parents, in fact. They have done so much for me to help me get to where I am today. They have helped me have opportunities that would not have been possible otherwise. Thank you.
My sister, Jen - pianist, flutist, my big sister, my Harry Potter movie buddy, former drum major, and likes to spoil me. =] She's amazing. Her husband, Adam - smart, went to Australia on his mission, loves golf and motorcycles (or anything with a motor attached, really). Their two kids, Andrew and Sam - I miss being able to play LEGO's with them and just playing with them in general. Apparently, when they go to my parents' house sometimes, they ask my sister, "Is this the time we get to see Michelle?" It almost made me cry when my sister told me that. I love you guys.
My second-oldest sister, Laura - drummer, family consumer science guru, and world traveler extraordinaire. She just blows my mind when I think of all that she has done. Her husband, Ryan - amazingly smart, speaks a lot of languages (I lost count), and a Scrabble devotee. Their kids, Audrey, Chester, and Timothy - they've all been born in different countries, but they're all still sweet and adorable.
My favorite (and only) brother, Seth - computer mastermind, fluent speaker of hilarity, and a great big brother. You get my brother, a bag of Costco rolls, and me in the same room for an hour, that bag of rolls will mostly be gone. His wife, Jenna - favorite sister-in-law, amazing cook, and one of the sweetest people I know. Their kids, Afton and Chase - they're also adorable. They both have dimples. Do you know how cute it is when siblings have dimples together? So cute.
My closest in age sister, Kelly - Mary Kay consultant (pretty good at it, too), history major, and a very good planner of anything. I get to see her the most out of my family, since she only lives about thirty minutes away from me and we have the same job right now. Her husband, Glen - English teacher, technology wizard, and amazing at cooking bacon/meat. Their kids, Sarah, Katie, and James - a blond, brunette, and a redhead. They're fun and very energetic. And adorable. I just have very adorable nieces and nephews in general.
So that's my family, in all their amazingness. I miss them incredibly but I am so excited that I get to see them in about two months. Definitely my motivation for the rest of spring and part of summer term. Sorry this post is so long - it's just, if you couldn't tell, family is really important to me.
I love all of my family, so much, and I just want them to know that.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
The Newness of It All
Hello everybody! I cannot believe that it has been over two months since I posted last. It definitely does not feel like that. It feels like yesterday was the beginning of Winter Semester classes and today is the third day of Spring classes. Craziness.
So Winter Semester went well - it was a lot better than Fall (or, at least classes wise). Finals were not as stressful as last semester - which was helped by the fact that I actually studied throughout the semester and didn't have calculus and American Heritage at the same time - and I did very well on the tests. I only know my grade for one class so far, but I feel confident that I will have decent grades this past semester.
Spring Term is going well so far. I am taking Physical Science 100, LDS Marriage and Family (with my friend Chanel Cartier), and History of Creativity. I had them yesterday (no classes on Tuesday - it was awesome and will continue to be awesome) and I think I am going to have fun this semester.
I still have not chosen a major - at the moment I am going between English and Family History. It may change in a week - it has before - and the process of finding that elusive major continues on.
In February, I became a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant. If you had told me a year ago that I would be selling Mary Kay, I would have laughed. But it is one of the best things I have done. I have not really been able to run my business as of yet (there's a "No Soliciting on Campus" rule...), I was able to go to Career Conference with my sister, Kelly. It was the funnest twenty-four hours I have had in a long time. And those twenty-four hours motivated me to actually get into my business and think of it as a job. This is my job, now. And it has been - and will continue to be - an amazing ride.
My testimony while being here a BYU has grown so much. I still have my off days - everyone does - but my testimony is still there. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church on the earth today. We have a living prophet - Thomas S. Monson - leading the church today. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith translated through revelation. I am grateful for Jesus Christ and all that He has done for me and all of those who have lived, will live, and are living on the earth today. He was crucified for our sins and knows what each of us is going through in our lives. He knows me and cares for me. He wants me to return to Him and Heavenly Father. I love the Gospel and know of its' truth. I know that I can be with my family for time and all eternity and that we do live after this life. Without these truths, I do not know how I would be able to function in everyday life. I am grateful for my family, my friends - old and new - and I am grateful for this Gospel.
Hopefully, I will keep this blog more up-to-date and will keep all of you informed with what is going on in my life here at BYU. It will be a fun ride to discover the newness of it all.
So Winter Semester went well - it was a lot better than Fall (or, at least classes wise). Finals were not as stressful as last semester - which was helped by the fact that I actually studied throughout the semester and didn't have calculus and American Heritage at the same time - and I did very well on the tests. I only know my grade for one class so far, but I feel confident that I will have decent grades this past semester.
Spring Term is going well so far. I am taking Physical Science 100, LDS Marriage and Family (with my friend Chanel Cartier), and History of Creativity. I had them yesterday (no classes on Tuesday - it was awesome and will continue to be awesome) and I think I am going to have fun this semester.
I still have not chosen a major - at the moment I am going between English and Family History. It may change in a week - it has before - and the process of finding that elusive major continues on.
In February, I became a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant. If you had told me a year ago that I would be selling Mary Kay, I would have laughed. But it is one of the best things I have done. I have not really been able to run my business as of yet (there's a "No Soliciting on Campus" rule...), I was able to go to Career Conference with my sister, Kelly. It was the funnest twenty-four hours I have had in a long time. And those twenty-four hours motivated me to actually get into my business and think of it as a job. This is my job, now. And it has been - and will continue to be - an amazing ride.
My testimony while being here a BYU has grown so much. I still have my off days - everyone does - but my testimony is still there. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church on the earth today. We have a living prophet - Thomas S. Monson - leading the church today. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith translated through revelation. I am grateful for Jesus Christ and all that He has done for me and all of those who have lived, will live, and are living on the earth today. He was crucified for our sins and knows what each of us is going through in our lives. He knows me and cares for me. He wants me to return to Him and Heavenly Father. I love the Gospel and know of its' truth. I know that I can be with my family for time and all eternity and that we do live after this life. Without these truths, I do not know how I would be able to function in everyday life. I am grateful for my family, my friends - old and new - and I am grateful for this Gospel.
Hopefully, I will keep this blog more up-to-date and will keep all of you informed with what is going on in my life here at BYU. It will be a fun ride to discover the newness of it all.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Gaining Experience
"[T]he Lord has in His purposes a time when we're called to serve. He expects us to use the talents and experiences He has given us. I'm a great believer that the Lord provides us with specific experiences to prepare is to deal with some of the challenges that we're going to encounter in out own period of service." -Thomas S. Monson (emphasis added)
This quote was in one of my readings for my Living Prophets class. I read it and highlighted it. Twice. It's a deep statement. This idea has been on my mind for the past couple of days. I had a discussion with a few of my friends about this subject, actually, and it was a good discussion.
We are put into situations or given hardships with three ways - our own doing, other people's agency, or the Lord wants to strengthen us with that hardship. When we encounter a trouble in our life, how should we react? Many of us react with the phrase, "Why now? Why me? Why this?" Maybe we should think more towards the idea of "What can I learn from this? How will this help me grow? Did I do this to myself or does Heavenly Father want to help me grow and become a better person?"
Sometimes, life is hard. I know it. Even if your life might not be necessarily hard, we - ourselves - can blow it out of proportion and make it harder. Sometimes, things happen. We might not know why, but we know that with the help from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that we can get through anything.
With all of this in consideration, I sometimes wish that we could ask Heavenly Father if I am going to turn out all right. Where I am going to be in the next few years. Who I am going to marry. How many kids I am going to have. What I will be doing with the rest of my life. What will happen with that friend that I gave a copy of The Book of Mormon to.
I know that Heavenly Father does not work like that - He gives us revelation line upon line, precept upon precept. He gives us what we can handle at that time. He helps us with what we ask for and helps us to the next point in our lives. President Packer says that you have to take a few steps into the dark before you will be shown what way you are supposed to go. Someone else says that God cannot drive a parked car. John Bytheway says, "I will go and do, not sit and stew." Sometimes you have to take a few steps before Heavenly Father will tell you or show you which way to go.
I have some big decisions in my life right now - where to live next year, what to major in, whether to worry about certain things or not, and how I should treat things from the past, present, and future. These are slightly scary things to worry about and it is definitely hard sometimes. But I know that I can pray to my Father in Heaven and that I will be able to get help from Him with what I need help with. I might not get the help exactly when I want it, but I know that I will get it. I just have to rely on God's timetable and not my own. As Elder Robert D. Hales said in the last General Conference, "Too often we ask for patience that we want right now."
I love being here at Brigham Young University and having all of these new experiences and classes that are helping me grow as a person - spiritually, mentally, and socially. I am so grateful for this opportunity to be here. I miss my family, of course, but I want them to know that I still love them very much. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ is the true church on the earth today and that it has blessed my life immensely. I know that my Heavenly Father lives, loves me, and wants to help me return to Him. I know that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world and that He rose again and lives. He is my redeemer and I am forever grateful. President Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet on the earth today and I know that he will guide us in today's day and age and not lead us astray, if only we listen to his counsel and that of his counselors.
Sometimes, life is hard. But as long as we know that these "experience[s] shall be for [our] good" and to "fear not what man can do" (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7, 9), everything will turn out all right.
This quote was in one of my readings for my Living Prophets class. I read it and highlighted it. Twice. It's a deep statement. This idea has been on my mind for the past couple of days. I had a discussion with a few of my friends about this subject, actually, and it was a good discussion.
We are put into situations or given hardships with three ways - our own doing, other people's agency, or the Lord wants to strengthen us with that hardship. When we encounter a trouble in our life, how should we react? Many of us react with the phrase, "Why now? Why me? Why this?" Maybe we should think more towards the idea of "What can I learn from this? How will this help me grow? Did I do this to myself or does Heavenly Father want to help me grow and become a better person?"
Sometimes, life is hard. I know it. Even if your life might not be necessarily hard, we - ourselves - can blow it out of proportion and make it harder. Sometimes, things happen. We might not know why, but we know that with the help from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that we can get through anything.
With all of this in consideration, I sometimes wish that we could ask Heavenly Father if I am going to turn out all right. Where I am going to be in the next few years. Who I am going to marry. How many kids I am going to have. What I will be doing with the rest of my life. What will happen with that friend that I gave a copy of The Book of Mormon to.
I know that Heavenly Father does not work like that - He gives us revelation line upon line, precept upon precept. He gives us what we can handle at that time. He helps us with what we ask for and helps us to the next point in our lives. President Packer says that you have to take a few steps into the dark before you will be shown what way you are supposed to go. Someone else says that God cannot drive a parked car. John Bytheway says, "I will go and do, not sit and stew." Sometimes you have to take a few steps before Heavenly Father will tell you or show you which way to go.
I have some big decisions in my life right now - where to live next year, what to major in, whether to worry about certain things or not, and how I should treat things from the past, present, and future. These are slightly scary things to worry about and it is definitely hard sometimes. But I know that I can pray to my Father in Heaven and that I will be able to get help from Him with what I need help with. I might not get the help exactly when I want it, but I know that I will get it. I just have to rely on God's timetable and not my own. As Elder Robert D. Hales said in the last General Conference, "Too often we ask for patience that we want right now."
I love being here at Brigham Young University and having all of these new experiences and classes that are helping me grow as a person - spiritually, mentally, and socially. I am so grateful for this opportunity to be here. I miss my family, of course, but I want them to know that I still love them very much. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ is the true church on the earth today and that it has blessed my life immensely. I know that my Heavenly Father lives, loves me, and wants to help me return to Him. I know that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world and that He rose again and lives. He is my redeemer and I am forever grateful. President Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet on the earth today and I know that he will guide us in today's day and age and not lead us astray, if only we listen to his counsel and that of his counselors.
Sometimes, life is hard. But as long as we know that these "experience[s] shall be for [our] good" and to "fear not what man can do" (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7, 9), everything will turn out all right.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
"False Masks and True Colors"
I have genius roommates. Deep-thinking roommates. Inspirational roommates. Lately, we have all been into blogging - well, four of the six of us - and one of my roommates said something so profound that I want to do a post in response to it. She said:
"But sometimes I want to get past everyone’s smiles. I want to know who they truly are, and I want them to know me. Why do we put up false masks? Why are we scared of showing our true colors?" -Ky (Read her entire post here)
That is so true it is not even funny. Here at BYU, everyone puts on a smile to show that they are excited to be here - which we are - and we never show what is really wrong. We never tell anyone what are deepest fears are - the REAL deep fears - and we try to hide our true feelings. It is as if all of us are on one giant first date and "we put up false masks" and are "scared to show our true colors". Yes, we tell our roommates things and we tell our few close friends what is really going on, but we never really tell anyone else. I had a hard time telling my home teachers what I needed help with first semester because I do not usually open up to people in that way. It is uncomfortable to show that part of me to people. Yes, I show emotion. I am not disputing that - for the longest time I was the biggest crybaby. I'm better at it now, but it still comes out sometimes. I show emotion, but I never really tell people what is really wrong. I talk a lot about myself, but it is usually the things that happened to me and not how I really felt about the occurrence. I talk and sometimes, I feel like I should just be quiet and see if I can see people for who they really are. For what they truly believe in and what they really care about and stop talking about me and hiding my true self from them.
I love helping people and I love seeing people being happy. That's just the type of person I am. I love giving service and doing good. I wish I could do more in my days. But the thing is, I get so involved in what I look like and what I am doing and how I am presented in front of others that I do not get to see other people as much. I do not see their true cares, hopes, dreams, or problems. I do not see their struggles and their triumphs. Sure, I see some of them, but I do not get to know the person, help them through it, and celebrate with them when they succeed or comfort them when they fall just short.
It goes back to my roommates quote - we all put up false masks and never truly show are true colors. We are trying to be the best we can be and when we fall short, we either get back up, see what we did wrong, and move on, or we curl up in a corner and give up. We try not to go to others because we would feel weak if we did. If only we could be frank with one another and just be able to tell the whole entire truth about ourselves and have someone else understand where we came from and who we are.
Luckily we do have someone that understands. He might not physically be right in front of us, but we can feel of His love, and the love of His father. I am talking about Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. Jesus Christ is my brother and he understands what I am going through. He suffered for my sins and the sins of the world. He was - and is - a perfect being who took upon him all the sins for everyone everywhere so that we might return to Him and our Heavenly Parents. He understands. We can pray to Him for help and comfort. I know I have.
The reason most of this post is generalized is that I was hoping that someone else feels the same way I do sometimes. I hope that I'm not the only one that feels like this - granted, it's not all the time, just some of the time - and I just wrote how I feel sometimes and did it in broad terms because I did not want to keep saying "I". And I know that all of us feel like throwing up false masks and hiding our true selves from the world and even sometimes from ourselves, but we have to keep moving on. We pray for help, we ask our family and friends for help, and then we do all that we can and pray that Heavenly Father can help us with the rest. I know that things happen and we get down on ourselves sometimes, but we have to keep on going with the help of our Heavenly Father, Christ, the knowledge that they love us, and the knowledge of the Atonement.
"But sometimes I want to get past everyone’s smiles. I want to know who they truly are, and I want them to know me. Why do we put up false masks? Why are we scared of showing our true colors?" -Ky (Read her entire post here)
That is so true it is not even funny. Here at BYU, everyone puts on a smile to show that they are excited to be here - which we are - and we never show what is really wrong. We never tell anyone what are deepest fears are - the REAL deep fears - and we try to hide our true feelings. It is as if all of us are on one giant first date and "we put up false masks" and are "scared to show our true colors". Yes, we tell our roommates things and we tell our few close friends what is really going on, but we never really tell anyone else. I had a hard time telling my home teachers what I needed help with first semester because I do not usually open up to people in that way. It is uncomfortable to show that part of me to people. Yes, I show emotion. I am not disputing that - for the longest time I was the biggest crybaby. I'm better at it now, but it still comes out sometimes. I show emotion, but I never really tell people what is really wrong. I talk a lot about myself, but it is usually the things that happened to me and not how I really felt about the occurrence. I talk and sometimes, I feel like I should just be quiet and see if I can see people for who they really are. For what they truly believe in and what they really care about and stop talking about me and hiding my true self from them.
I love helping people and I love seeing people being happy. That's just the type of person I am. I love giving service and doing good. I wish I could do more in my days. But the thing is, I get so involved in what I look like and what I am doing and how I am presented in front of others that I do not get to see other people as much. I do not see their true cares, hopes, dreams, or problems. I do not see their struggles and their triumphs. Sure, I see some of them, but I do not get to know the person, help them through it, and celebrate with them when they succeed or comfort them when they fall just short.
It goes back to my roommates quote - we all put up false masks and never truly show are true colors. We are trying to be the best we can be and when we fall short, we either get back up, see what we did wrong, and move on, or we curl up in a corner and give up. We try not to go to others because we would feel weak if we did. If only we could be frank with one another and just be able to tell the whole entire truth about ourselves and have someone else understand where we came from and who we are.
Luckily we do have someone that understands. He might not physically be right in front of us, but we can feel of His love, and the love of His father. I am talking about Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. Jesus Christ is my brother and he understands what I am going through. He suffered for my sins and the sins of the world. He was - and is - a perfect being who took upon him all the sins for everyone everywhere so that we might return to Him and our Heavenly Parents. He understands. We can pray to Him for help and comfort. I know I have.
The reason most of this post is generalized is that I was hoping that someone else feels the same way I do sometimes. I hope that I'm not the only one that feels like this - granted, it's not all the time, just some of the time - and I just wrote how I feel sometimes and did it in broad terms because I did not want to keep saying "I". And I know that all of us feel like throwing up false masks and hiding our true selves from the world and even sometimes from ourselves, but we have to keep moving on. We pray for help, we ask our family and friends for help, and then we do all that we can and pray that Heavenly Father can help us with the rest. I know that things happen and we get down on ourselves sometimes, but we have to keep on going with the help of our Heavenly Father, Christ, the knowledge that they love us, and the knowledge of the Atonement.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Hello, 2012!
So it's the beginning of a new year - new experiences, new "resolutions", new friends, new semester at college, etc. This year is new. With this sense of newness, I have made some personal goals to do better this semester in college and in life. I'll keep those to myself - this is the internet, after all - but I feel good about this upcoming semester. I've learned some lessons from last semester and I am looking forward to fixing a few things and applying things I've figured out to my life. I think that it's going to be a good semester - and rest of the year - in these upcoming months. I'm excited to learn more, have new experiences, meet new people, and grow closer to those I already know.
I got back to college today and I realized that I have missed it. I have missed my roommates - love them to death - and I've missed the view of the mountains and just the area and people in general. It was weird getting books today, though - campus was pretty much empty and it was strange.
First semester went well - I've learned a lot about myself and I have realized some things that I need to change for my upcoming semester. It's a new experience - something that I have to keep telling myself when I am really critical of myself - and it's also a learning process. Learning to do everything by yourself and to not be reminded by your parents is a new thing to figure out, as well as cooking and shopping for yourself. It takes a while to get used to. And juggling your classes, church calling, and social life on top of that (not necessarily in that order) just adds to the difficulty of differentiating between what you need to do and what you want to do. It takes definitely practice.
I look forward to this next semester of school and the goals that I have set for myself to grow more. I'm extremely excited for school and everything that falls under that category - and that includes the stress (maybe not so much like the stress during finals - that was bad - but just good stress...). Here's looking up, 2012, and stepping forward with faith in every footstep and a prayer in my heart.
Happy new year, everybody!
I got back to college today and I realized that I have missed it. I have missed my roommates - love them to death - and I've missed the view of the mountains and just the area and people in general. It was weird getting books today, though - campus was pretty much empty and it was strange.
First semester went well - I've learned a lot about myself and I have realized some things that I need to change for my upcoming semester. It's a new experience - something that I have to keep telling myself when I am really critical of myself - and it's also a learning process. Learning to do everything by yourself and to not be reminded by your parents is a new thing to figure out, as well as cooking and shopping for yourself. It takes a while to get used to. And juggling your classes, church calling, and social life on top of that (not necessarily in that order) just adds to the difficulty of differentiating between what you need to do and what you want to do. It takes definitely practice.
I look forward to this next semester of school and the goals that I have set for myself to grow more. I'm extremely excited for school and everything that falls under that category - and that includes the stress (maybe not so much like the stress during finals - that was bad - but just good stress...). Here's looking up, 2012, and stepping forward with faith in every footstep and a prayer in my heart.
Happy new year, everybody!
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