The Hallmark of Discipleship

Working at the Maxwell Institute gives me a lot of time to think about Elder Maxwell. It seems that discipleship and Neal Maxwell are synonymous. Lately, discipleship has been something I've pondered. I had an experience recently that connected the dots as to what discipleship looks like in my life.

BYU never gives us a spring break like other universities do. This year however, we had a spring day. By that I mean BYU gave us a Friday off, so we had a long weekend. I wanted to make the most of it so I headed to Zion National Park with some friends (Adrienne Ventura, Aliza, Kelli Monk, and Marissa Paxman). We had a great time hiking, shopping, and spending time with Adrienne's grandparents in St. George. It was a much needed break for all of us. 

Saturday night rolled around and we discussed our plans for Sunday. We had originally planned to go to sacrament meeting with Adrienne's Grandma and then leave to do a short hike before heading back to Provo. I agreed to the plan but instantly felt unsettled about it. I have always felt strongly about going to all 3 hours of church. It would be so easy to just go to sacrament meeting and then go hiking. "We would still get the sacrament which is the most important anyways and we would get more out of our trip" were my thoughts. All of us were RMs, I would be with good people wouldn't I? Sure, it's OK I thought. I still felt unsettled though with my choice. I decided to voice my concern to the other girls. I tried to keep it simple by saying, "You guys go ahead and take my car and hike, but I would like to stay for all 3 hours of church." They respected my decision, Marissa even said she wanted to do the same. In the end 3 of us stayed for the full 3 hours and the other 2 stayed for sacrament meeting and then went hiking.

 Now here comes the lesson... it didn't dawn on me until after I made the decision to stay for all 3 hours that this was a clear demonstration of my discipleship. It would have been easy to justify going for sacrament meeting. It was inconvenient to go for all 3 hours anyway, we were on a trip, we were having a break from everything. This is the hallmark of discipleship: when we do what is right when it isn't convenient. This is when we truly show the depth of our conversion to the Lord. It's easy to go to church every week in Provo when everyone else is doing just that. But what about when it's not? Whenever I can make a clear choice to show the Lord just how much I love him and want to be obedient, I want to do it. I want the Lord to know that even when it isn't convenient,  I will do it because he has asked me to. Not only that, but I need it! I need all 3 hours of church every week whether I fully realize that yet or not. It is all about doing things with intention. This experience has helped me look at other areas of my life where I can make better choices to show my discipleship. Examples include greater studying my scriptures instead of watching a show, inviting my visiting teachees to do things when I would rather have my friends come, or doing family history on a Sunday instead of taking a nap (i'm still working on this one). All in all, it is these sacrifices that I make to keep my covenants, to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, that sanctify me. If I am living my life without intentionally making decisions to do the harder route, then I am not progressing and certainly not showing my commitment to Christ.

I think sometimes living in the Provo bubble it is easy to assume that you are doing everything that's right. It's pretty easy to go to church every Sunday and to keep the commandments when you are surrounded by others doing the same. You don't have clear black and white choices that show who's side your on. It dawned on me through this experience that is the simple things like choosing to stay for all 3 hours of church, or really studying your scriptures rather than just reading them quickly on my phone before bed, or really being friends with those I visit teach that show the Lord I am on his side. I must intentionally make these simple choices. It is not enough to let life happen. I make the choices. 

Behold a Royal Army

The following article was in BYU's "Daily Universe" Newspaper on September 1, 2015. I think it shows what an exciting time it is to be a young adult at this time.

BYU enrollment predicted to rebound with return of ‘age change’ missionaries

By Chris Larson on September 1, 2015.

President Thomas S. Monson announced the age change for missionary service in 2012. The full impact of the change will become obvious in the Fall 2015 semester.

The first full wave of “age change” missionaries is expected to hit BYU this Fall Semester, once again bringing changes in enrollment and character of the student body.

Ever since the announcement lowering the minimum age change for LDS full-time missionary service in October 2012, undergraduate enrollment in BYU has seen dramatic swings, particularly with regards to female and freshman male enrollment.

BYU University Communications manages publicly available undergraduate enrollment stats at yfacts.byu.edu. According to the web stats and updated information obtained from University Communications, total undergraduate enrollment fell from 30,290 in Fall 2012 to 27,191 in Fall 2013 — a 10.23 percent reduction. The downward trend continued into Winter 2014 with enrollment dipping to 26,392. That is a 2.92 percent reduction between the semesters and a 12.9 percent reduction from Fall 2012.

Fall 2014 shows a slight uptick with the very first few age-change missionaries returning, raising undergraduate enrollment to 26,673. The trend has continued to increase to 27,557 in Winter 2015. Fall 2015 undergraduate enrollment numbers will be officially released after the add/drop deadline in mid-September, but university spokesman Todd Hollingshead says administrators expect enrollment to continue its upward trend.

The number of total freshmen in 2012 dropped from 3,074 to 1,973 in 2013, a reduction of 35.18 percent. This reflects activities of high school grads going straight to missionary service or other activities.

Paul Langi graduated from Bingham High School in 2012 at the age of 17. He joined the Army National Guard and completed Basic Training, Advanced Individual Training and Jump School before serving a mission in Honolulu, Hawaii. He returned in May 2015.

“(The army) prepared me to be the odd man out when you are a missionary; that’s one of the biggest things you experience,” Langi said. “Just getting away from home for the first time helped, so when I left to Hawaii it wasn’t that hard.”

Langi said he feels that a mission and military experience have prepared him well for college, helping him mature and gain planning skills.

“It gets you in the mind set that goals are what are going to get you out to do things,” Langi said. “When you come home, you are already goal-oriented, so if you have a goal to accomplish in the next week you know what to do.”

Langi’s experience reflects the impact that former BYU President Cecil O. Samuelson anticipated when the age change was announced.

“A mission contributes not only to the growth and vitality of the church, but also to the maturation and development of the missionary. Thus, in a couple of years, many of our entering students and those who will be returning will come with more highly developed study skills, increased self-discipline, and increased clarity about their life and academic goals,” Samuelson said in the 2013 University Conference. “Our already impressive student body will become even more so with an earlier mission experience.”

Enrollment by gender showed a particularly sharp decline in all female undergrads and freshmen males over the same years. In Fall 2012, undergrad enrollment was 52 percent male and 48 percent female. This changed to 54 percent male, 46 percent female in Fall 2013. The trend of less females continued into 2014, with enrollment totaling 55 percent male, 45 percent female. There has been a small stabilization in Winter 2015 with 54 percent male, 46 percent female enrollment.

The change seems to have affected male freshman much more heavily than female freshman, since females still have time for a year of college before they leave on their missions at age 19. The freshman enrollment numbers jumped to 63 percent female and 38 percent male in 2013, exactly a year after the announcement.

Certain class levels were affected more than others. The enrollment of juniors and sophomores dipped the most from 2012 to 2013, with junior enrollment dipping by 23.84 percent and sophomore enrollment dipping by 32.4 percent.

The true impact of returning age-change missionary on enrollment and quality of student participation on BYU will only become obvious once the Fall 2015 data is in the books. But faculty are anxious and are preparing for a surge in attendance.

Jennifer Lindsey, University Writing Program assistant, said that the University Writing Program cut 600 seats — 30 sections of 20 seats —from the general education class Writing 150 in 2013 and 2014, due to lower freshman numbers. Despite the cuts, she said sections still rarely reached capacity.

“We won’t know the quality of students until we go through Fall 2015,” Lindsey said. The University Writing Program has added 400 seats to the Writing 150 program but still sees massive wait lists. The American Heritage program is anticipating a 1,000 seat increase for Fall 2015.

- See more at: http://universe.byu.edu/2015/09/01/byu-enrollment-return-of-age-change/#sthash.ZctTyNhM.dpuf


It feels like just yesterday that the age change for missionaries was lowered. Yet, here I am a product of it. It is absolutely incredible to be at BYU with so many amazing returned missionaries. In my English class, 98% have served missions. In my ward well over 60% have served. All I can say is, "Behold a Royal Army." 

More Summer Adventures

Summer Semester is officially over. The proof is above. When a semester ends it brings a variety of things one of which is cleaning checks. I had to pack up everything and put it on top of my bed, clean the fridge, the freezer, and a few other kitchen items. Finals ended really good. I received the grade I anticipated in my classes so I was happy about that. 

                                                                                                    

Once finals was over I hopped on a plane to Kansas City Missouri to visit Chris who lives in Liberty. I hadn't seen his family since I had been home from my mission. I also hadn't met Jett or Daxton, my 2 nephews. Jett was born while I was on my mission, and Dax was born shortly after I returned home. Dax is on the left above while Jett is on the left. It was so fun to meet them!!! They are such adorable little boys. I enjoy being an Aunt very much. 

One morning we went running with the boys in the stroller. It started pouring rain and we all got soaked. Jett and Dax were good sports about it. 

We did a variety of activities: swim, grocery shop, Liberty Jail, Independence Visitor Center, watch movies, and Disc Golf. It was so fun to see Chris and Echo as parents. There little family is doing so well. 

One afternoon I got to do a session at the Kansas City, Missouri Temple. 

Visitor Centers really make me miss being a missionary with poster's like this! Sister missionaries also give the tours... I even got to go out teaching with the Sisters! It was soooo much fun. 

Echo and I at Liberty Jail. With Chris working everyday, I had a lot of time to talk with Echo. It was a lot of fun to get to know her better. 

I love these little boys!! 

What I am going to miss most about summer. #fruitfruitfruit

I Can Do Hard Things

I love a talk in this past General Conference by Larry M. Gibson, recently released first counselor in the Young Man General Presidency entitled, "Fatherhood--Our Eternal Destiny". In the talk he relates a story of an endurance challenge he did with his 3 sons: walking 50 miles in 20 hours. Though overtaken with fatigue and pain when they had finished, they triumphed in the fact that they had done it. Brother Gibson took this event as an opportunity to teach his boys that they could do hard things. He says, "I told [my son] how proud I was that he had accomplished such a hard thing. I knew it would prepare him for other hard things he would face in his future." I love this example of powerful, intentional parenting. I know that doing hard things enables us to face future hard things with greater optimism, courage, and faith. That being said, let me tell you what "hard thing" I did this past weekend.

I ran a 10k with my roommate Allie Jensen! After setting the goal at the beginning of the summer semester, we each made plans as to what we needed to do to be ready for it. We each ran consistently for the next month. Starting short at only 2 miles...we slowly lengthened our distance to 3, then 4. It was quite the triumph when we started running 5... and finally we conditioned ourselves to the point we could run 6 miles. Race day came and I had one goal: to run the entire time! and guess what? I did just that! I never stopped. Even when an unexpected MOUNTAIN (ok it was only a small hill but it felt like a mountain at the time haha) unexpectedly presented itself on the trail, I kept running. I never stopped. The last mile was the hardest. Every turn I kept thinking the finish line has to be there but it wasn't. Motivation dwindled in those moments but I keep going. Both Allie and I are so proud of ourselves! It was a hard thing, but we did it. I know that I am physically stronger, mentally stronger, and spiritually stronger because of this event. I know that doing hard things brings added strength, added discipline, and added confidence. Truly Christ did the hardest thing of all--he completed the Atonement. Because he did, we do not have to face the hard things alone. We can have his added strength, his added discipline, and his added confidence, while we work to develop our own. Only with him can we do hard things. 

School...Summer...Fun

I can't believe that I only have 1.5 weeks left of school! The semester has gone by so fast. Here is a little picture update.

Kayla Barber (one of my roommates) and Tylie Polatis and I ran the "Temple to Temple" 5k on pioneer day July 24, 2015. It is a run from the Provo Temple to the Provo City Center Temple. They said an opening prayer before the race started and the person said, "Please help us all to have a good time." He meant that we would all have a fun but I took it as that we all would have a good running "time". haha it kept me laughing. 

I am talking Microbiology and it is very fast paced since it is summer semester. These beautiful girls and I study together regularly to keep on top of everything. Left to Right: Ashley, Suzie, and Sarah. Sarah is a twin as well! I am so grateful for all these girls. 

There is so much hiking to do up Provo Canyon and I have had the opportunity to do a few. It is nice toe get away from campus and be outside. It makes me feel more at home here. Ashea Hanna and I did Stewart Falls a few weeks ago. She loved it because she is from Kansas which is FLAT. The mountains and the view just amazed her. It is fun being back with good friends that I made Freshman year. Ashea emailed me my entire mission and I am so grateful to her for that. 

Grandpa Hartley's sister, Doreen and her husband Mazer live in Orem. They are so good to me and feed me Sunday dinner ever few weeks. It feels so good to have family so close. Being with them helps me feel more connected to home. Well Uncle Mazer turned 90! They had an open house for him at there house that I went to and helped with the refreshments and got to visit with family that I haven't seen in a LONG time. In fact, I don't know most of them very well... second cousins, third cousins. etc. 

Uncle Clinton and Uncle Gene. Classy guys right here. Uncle Clinton sure liked to joke. Actually, they both do! Uncle Clinton may have done it in a jokingly manner, but he gave me a lot of really good advice. He told me to never underestimate what I can do. I can do anything if I put my mind to it. He shared multiple stories to illustrate the principle. It made me very grateful for these wise, experienced, mentors in my life. Uncle Gene laughingly told me to take a BYU dance class because that is where he met Lola. hahaha 

The Birthday Man Uncle Mazer and me. He held up like a champion. He is usually pretty hunched over but he stood up straight the whole time and didn't stay in his chair to much. 

More Cousins that I haven't seen in awhile. Martha Oakerland and her daughter Olivia. 

 

Classy guys dress alike. I am so grateful for the strong heritage I have. These men and woman love the Lord and have served him all the days of there lives. I am so grateful for their incredible examples.

I went to a Lady Antebellum concert with Crishelle Steglemeier, her sister Chelsey, and Tylie. It was SOOOOO fun!!! Sam Hunt and Hunter Hayes performed as well. I loved singing along with the songs and dancing with good friends. 

One thing I love about living in Provo is being so close to missionaries I served with. Alyssa Smith got married a few weeks ago and it was like a mini mission reunion at her reception. Elizabeth Olvera from Miami even came! It was great to unite with her and Sister Montoya 

Left to Right 

Me, Sister Suyheen Montoya, Sister Lindsey Bird, Sister Sam Gordon, Sister Kelli Dougal, Sister Crishelle Stegelmeier, and Sister Hannah Dunford

Wouldn't be summer if we didn't hike the Y! I love spending time with Burgandy Nerenberg.

Shelby (one of my roommates) and her boyfriend Taylor got engaged this past week!! We are all so excited for them. 

And that is what I have been up to lately! 

God's Ever Present Hand in my RM Life

It has been exactly 2 transfers since I have been home. I thought that mission time went fast but since being home I am learning that time flies here as well. It is all relative I guess. It has been a while and I am not really sure where to start... So I will just dive right into it. The main thing that I wanted to touch on is God's ever present hand in my RM life. I will share experiences to illustrate this point.

1. Even before I was home, I had plans to return to work at Atkins until I left for the summer semester at BYU. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out quite as I had hoped, for Kris had had something come up where she didn't need me at that time. I was a bit frustrated by it because who would want to hire me for six short weeks? I spent my first weeks home helping Dad with various jobs on the ranch and babysitting for Jenni-Rae Bevans. However, most of my time was spent at home. Katelyn showed me on Facebook of a lady who was looking for a babysitter while she worked as a nurse. It wasn't steady work but it was something. I was able to babysit for her multiple times and I just fell in love with the 2 little boys and girl. I got to know the mother really well in addition. It definitely was the Lord's hand, but the miracle didn't end there. 2 weeks before I left to school Carey Quinton called and asked if I wanted to work for him before I left to school. They were short staffed for the next 2 weeks and really needed someone who could learn quick and be effective but only be there for a short time. Of course I took it. I was able to work with Katrina one of my good friends and we had a great 2 weeks together. God's hand is ever present.

Working with Katrina at Pharmasave. I love the button on my apron. It says, "I'm new and improving."

2. The lady I babysat for had a friend that lived in Provo and she sent me with some stuff to give to her when I got here. I met up with the friend and we had a brief conversation and I gave her the possessions and that was it. I honestly never thought I would here from her again. Remarkably, she Facebooked me the next day explaining that she worked for BYU and wanted to hire me for a position starting in the Fall. Tracy (the lady I babysat for) had spoken so highly of me and that from meeting me she could see that I was just what she wanted to hire and offered me the job right on the spot. After hearing the expectations, I accepted the job! Can you not just see God's hand in that, for he prepared everything perfectly. If I had gone back to work at Atkins I never would have babysat for Tracy, I never would have met her friend, and I would not have the job that I do now. God's hand is ever present.

3. I had just gotten back from visiting some friends when I got out of my car I noticed a man across the parking lot going into one of the apartment buildings. I thought to myself, "Wow that sure looks like Elder Passey?" No it couldn't possibly be?... I kept walking, but couldn't help but wonder if it really was him. I texted him and asked if he lived at The Elms because I thought I saw him and guess what.. .HE DOES! I went over and we caught up. I haven't seen him since February when he went home from the mission. He is one my most favorite Elders. I look to him and respect him so much. I trust him a lot as well. He texted me later that night and said, "Remember that if you ever need anything you have a brother that lives right across the parking lot." Having him live so close to me brings such peace and comfort. God's hand is ever present.

I know that I am in the right place at the right time. It has been hard though. Loneliness, homesickness, and inadequacy are all real emotions that I have experienced in varying degrees since being home and more specifically returning back to school. On my mission though I saw the power of overcoming each of these things through relying on my Savior and his atonement and it is the same now. I don't mind these feelings because they push me to grow and be better. Though they are normal feelings it is not the emotions that I strive to experience regularly. Happiness, peace, joy, and love are all fruits of the spirit that I enjoy on a daily basis through obedience and they outweigh all the other negative emotions. I need not fear, for God's hand is ever present.

Katelyn and I all ready to brave Cardston YSA

My super inspired roommate Allie. We are so much alike it is crazy... she uses vaseline to take her makeup off, she is so ticklish she can barely hug people, she is a nutrition major, she gets up early, goes to bed early, and eats just like I do... #soulsister

Remember this beautiful girl? Lexy was my roommate freshman year and she just returned home from her mission not to long ago and got married. This was at her bridal shower. 

Fun weekend with Tylie at Island Park.  

First day of school!! Pretty excited. #jordanbackpackliveson

Cafe Rio with Tylie! It was so good to see her again!

Lexy's Wedding. Brigitte another roommate from freshman year was there...she is got married and had a baby in the 18 months I was gone. 

Beautiful Bride 

Reunited with Crishelle Stegelmeier my mission trainer. 

This beautiful RM is an amazing friend. We caught up after going to at Temple session together. 

BYU FHE's.... classic. 

I still get caught in rainstorms with no umbrella. #nothing'schanged

"Kayla what should we do tonight?"

"Let's dye my hair!"

So we did. 

Catching up with some FFLM alumni. Lance Elliott, Ben Passey, and Kaytie Nimer