Procrastination=Catch Up!

School has been in going for a whole month. And that means MIDTERMS! I have already had two and have two more left. The last two are going to be the hardest--anatomy lecture and lab. I am in desperate need of a break (yes I am procrastinating!) so I figured I would do a quick catchup. (I started this post thursday night and finished it today)

Last Friday Saydi and I had no plans so we decided to make it an oatmeal movie night. We made oatmeal and watched "She's the Man" and were in bed by 10:30! I know we are just your typical party college students! : - D

Saturday night Mandi, their roommate from last year, brought her "Just Dance" for WII that we played and it was a lot of fun.

Sunday we got to participate in the Brigham City Temple dedication. It was a really neat experience. President Packer dedicated the temple. One thing that caught my attention when he was dedicated it was that he was when he said that "dedicating" means turning it over to the Lord. I really liked that. When we dedicate our lives to the God, we are turning it over to the Lord. Additionally, when we dedicate our homes to God, we are turning them over to the Lord. That simple statement holds much power.

Sunday night I was privileged to go to my Aunt Doreen and Uncle Mazer's house for dinner. They don't live far from BYU. I was able to take a short bus ride (about 5 min) and then walk the rest of the 2 min walk to their house. It was so nice to have dinner and visit with them. Aunt Doreen and I even played scrabble. It was so good to be around older people. I miss being around them. It also felt good to be near family. Even though I don't know them to well, it made me feel I felt closer to my family by being with them.

My study methods for anatomy lab. I have a little white board that I rewrite the name of each structure on. The repetition and concept of writing it out really helps me to memorize the terms. 

So our fridge froze my eggs! Luckily I was able to get three out of the dozen for lunch today. 

My roommates and I cook together. Each girl has a night that they are responsible for dinner for everybody. It has been working out really well. I love coming home each night to a "whole" meal rather than just a bowl of cereal. I also love eating dinner with all of my roommates. We are our own little family. We have even begun to say prayer together each night. They really are my family right now and I am grateful for each one of them. Tonight Jess made us this tasty little dessert. The dishes we ate it in were so cute! They were a score from her recent trip to DI. 

I got a calling! I am a member of the activities committee. I have never done anything like this before and look forward to the growth I will receive through fulfilling this calling. 

One thursday I got to open another present from my 24 hour homesick kit. It made me feel so good! I waited until the end of the day to do it because I knew waiting would be better. I am so grateful for all of the love I feel from my family. I get regular letters that bring so much peace and comfort. I am grateful I can constantly email my Mom, as well as talk to my family regularly through text and calling. 

Friday night there was a football game against Hawaii. BYU won easily 40-0. 

My roommate, Jess, is a cheerleader for the all girls team. She is super talented! She is the one facing forward holding the horizontal girl's hands. One thing I love about Jess is her sincerity. When she says something you know she really truly means it. 

They sing the Cougar song a lot and I have yet to know all the words. Luckily the guy directly infront of me had a t-shirt on with all of the words. 

Everyone minus Jess and Brigette/

Lexy, Saydi, me, Kiki

Kiki and her boyfriend Ben. It is kind of nice having a guy around the apartment a lot. It balances everything out I guess. Ben is really good for Kiki and I hope things continue to go well for them. 

Well that pretty much sums up my week. Last night was the Relief Society General broadcast. We all went to Brother Oldroyd's house (a member of the bishopric) to watch it and have banana splits. I am really looking forward to conference this coming weekend. I don't know yet if I will have the opportunity to go or if I will just watch it here. Either way I am still looking forward to it. I hope I can prepare myself physically, mentally, and spiritually to hear the words of the prophet and his leaders. I know that if I listen with an open heart and willing mind the Lord will be able to instruct me as he sees fit. 

This past week has been very stressful with midterms. I am quickly learning that in order to do well I must manage my time. I haven't been doing to good of a job of doing this lately and it is beginning to show. I studied hard for my tests but I know had I managed my time I would have done better. Although I studied, I am not happy with the results. I hope I can strive harder to do better in my schoolwork. There are so many things I want to do but don't feel like I have the time for. Every saturday I have really wanted to go to the Temple but I always feel like I have to do homework or I will fall behind. I know that if I balance my time better throughout the week I will have time to do things that matter most. I also know that if I put first things first everything else will fall into place. I have been taught these foundational principles my entire life and I pray daily that I will be able to put them into practice. 

JENNY-RAE HAD A GIRL!!!

I am so excited right now because Jenny-Rae Bevans had a baby girl today!!!!! Her name is Oliva Kathlene! I am so excited for them! Jenny-Rae even called me to tell me the news herself! I am so happy for them and can't wait until Thanksgiving so I can see her.

Spiritually Strengthening

This past week has been packed with spiritual strengthening experiences! It has been amazing. I feel so uplifted. Truly a great feeling. I will try to share them in a way that is meaningful and beneficial not only to myself to others who one day may read it as well.

I know I have already spoken of this but I can't help do it again. I LOVE BYU! This place is amazing. Not yet has there been one day where I haven't left campus feeling edified and uplifted. Classes, Devotionals, and just the people in general are truly amazing. Here is an email I received from one of my professors.

Dear Students,

I know that the study of anatomy is time consuming and can be overwhelming. I hope that you are able to enjoy this class in spite of the stress. I believe that bodies that we each inhabit, and the bodies we study in the cadaver lab, are exactly like the bodies of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Parents. I think this fact is amazing! When we study the human body we are also studying the anatomy of the Gods. This knowledge is certainly humbling but it also inspires me to want to learn everything I can about the human form.

The human body is incredible!

Rachel Tomco

Anatomy Program Coordinator

“The spirit of man consists of an organization of the elements of spiritual matter in the likeness and after the pattern of the fleshly tabernacle. It possesses, in fact, all the organs and parts exactly corresponding to the outward tabernacle” (Parley P. Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, 79)

"God Himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret. If the veil were rent today, and the great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who upholds all worlds and all things by His power, was to make Himself visible,—I say, if you were to see Him today, you would see Him like a man in form—like yourselves in all the person, image, and very form as a man; for Adam was created in the very fashion, image and likeness of God, and received instruction from, and walked, talked and conversed with Him, as one man talks and communes with another" (Teachings: Joseph Smith, 2007, 40)

Don't you just love that?! That is just a small taste of what I get to participate in each day! Remember the article I shared earlier? About the things that Legrande A Richards, wished he would have known while studying at BYU. . . well one of the core things he mentioned was to learn the secular in context of the eternal. I have really tried to implement this this past week. It has made an immense difference! I find myself excited to go to class, excited to do homework, and just excited to learn! It has made such a difference in my day to day life. I know that if I continue to view my education in its eternal context not only will throughly enjoy my university experience but also get the most out of my classes.

I have had the opportunity to go on multiple dates since I have been here. Boy has it been an experience! I have learned so much from them. Luckily, they have all been group dates. They have been with members of my ward. It is really intimidating because they are RMs and I just feel overwhelmed by the whole experience! I mean I feel like since he is an RM I am being evaluated for marriage in a sense you know what I mean? and the thought of this SCARES ME TO DEATH! The main thing I have learned from going on dates is that I am in no shape or form ready to get married anytime soon! YSA church in general has made me realize how much I need to grow and learn before that part of my life comes. My date on Saturday was really fun. We went to a place called Hang Time. They have trampolines, and foam pits and all sorts of fun stuff. I was extremely nervous because I am not really into the whole gymnastics thing and I was worried I would greatly embarrass myself! It was so much fun though and I am so glad I went! It made me laugh because it was such your typical BYU date! haha Hang Time was doing a food drive so to speak but only with shampoo so if you brought shampoo your group got in for free. . . therefore, all of the guys brought bags of shampoo so we could get in for free! I guess they are always looking online for good deals like that so they can afford to go on dates! It made me laugh! We went for frozen yogurt afterwards and played a board game. It was fun and I am so glad that I  had the opportunity to go. Another good thing that I have enjoyed from going on dates is noticing qualities that the guys have that I want in my future husband as well as qualities to stay away from. That may seem judgemental but I figure that that is the point of dating is it not? To figure out what you want in your future spouse? I have spent so much of my teen years dreaming about this time of my life, dating, and then dating that eventually leads to marriage. I know that in order to live the life I have always imagined I need to live that way now! I need to develop the necessary qualities now! The key word my friends if you haven't already caught on is NOW! Now is the time to prepare. . . to become! In the words of Elder Holland: 

On a lighter note. . . I had my first experience at the testing center on saturday. I had to take a quiz for my anatomy class. I studied hard for it and was pretty nervous about it. I was so happy to see that I got 100% on it! After you are done the test you go downstairs and they have a monitor that shows all of the scores. Beside mine it said Perfect Score 100%! I was so happy! I know that as I continue to work hard the Lord will bless me in my efforts. 

This past weekend we had the opportunity to participate in Regional Stake Conference. The saturday session was held at the JSB and consisted of just our stake. I loved every minute of the meeting! During the 2 hours I felt such deep love, and appreciation for our stake presidency. I don't personally know them but I feel of their love and concern for me. The theme for the Conference came from John 15:21-27 "Feed My Sheep". We were greatly encouraged to serve others. I felt the spirit so strongly during this conference! I realized there are so many opportunities to bless others in the simplest ways. Visiting teaching and home teaching was also greatly stressed. I pray to be an answer to someones prayers. . . to help someone feel of the Savior's love through my actions. I hope I can strive to make service a big part of my semester. I know that as I do I will be blessed and protected. At the stake conference they released the patriarch. We were privileged to hear testimonies from both the released patriarch and his wife. I loved this. I miss having old people around me constantly! There countenances alone hold such wisdom and love. I love the elderly people so much and greatly miss Aetna ward for that reason! 

Sunday was the Regional Stake Conference. It was AMAZING! It was held at the Marriot Center and begun at 10 am. I, however, got there 1 hour and 20 minutes early to save seats. Why you may ask? Because Dallin H. Oaks was there, William R. Walker, the primary general president and many other influential church leaders! How lucky am I do be able to hear these great people speak in person! I was ecstatic and determined to get a good seat. I was surprised how many people were already there saving seats but I managed to still get good seats front and center and quite close. It was truly an amazing experience. One of the things I loved was just watching them walk in and sit down, as well as observing there interactions with others. I love the love and tenderness that they all show to there spouse! You can sense the deepness of there relationship. I love the way they look at each other and communicate with each other. In Stake conference one brother devoted an entire five minutes to pay tribute to his beautiful wife. I can't help but want that for myself. Not for my husband to feel the need to pay tribute to me, but to know that I am loved, and appreciated and possess a relationship that envelopes such trust and compassion. It is truly beautiful. I also loved the singing in both conference sessions as well as other meetings I have attended. There is such strength and spirit in unified, praising song! I love it. Topics that were stressed in the conference were:

The importance of "remembering"

Establishing a Christ centered home 

Missionary Work

Coming unto Christ 

Temples

Family History Work 

I felt the truthfulness of each of the speakers message and I know that if I apply there messages into my life I will grow in testimony and be blessed behind measure.

Saydi and I had the opportunity to have our first visit with our home teachers today. There names are Connor and Talon. They are brothers. Connor just got his mission call to Brazil and Talon just got home from his. They are both super nice and funny and I was touched by the message they shared. I am so glad to have good home teachers. I know that if I ever need anything they are there for me! 

 I love the Lord, and I love this gospel! I have felt the Savior's guidance in my life so much this past week and I hope I can continue to make righteous decisions so I can constantly feel the Holy Ghost in my life. 

Saturday. . .

I will post a more in depth post tomorrow but as for right now here are a few pictures updates from this past week. . .

On Labor Day Monday, Lexi, Saydi, and I went for a little hike along the Jordan river. It was a really nice day and we all needed a break from homework. It was great just to walk and talk. I am so grateful for these good girls and for the amazing examples to me. Being one of the newbies in the apartment, they have all readily accepted me. They are all so sweet and patient. They truly have a way of making you feel appreciated and needed. The sign does say mile 15. . . haha but we started at mile 13. Shhh no one needs to know that part! : D 

After hiking we went and got a "Fresh Peach Shake". It was an all around memorable time. 

So why did a throw in a random picture of myself? Well I took this prior to a date because I wanted to make sure I looked ok. Dumb I know. . . but I was really nervous about the whole thing. I liked how it turned out and figured I might want to see it again the future. 

This picture was taken at New Student Orientation of all of the freshman. I am in there somewhere! If I remember correctly I am in the center somewhere. 

This is my FHE group. Everyone is so nice and accepting; I have an amazing group! I hope I can get to know and develop relationships with every individual.

Remember a while back I shared that my Mom made me a 24 hour homesick kit? The first day was Wednesday September 12. I was so excited to open the present! I wanted to open it first thing wednesday morning, but I knew if I waited it would be even better. I made myself wait until after classes. I had no idea what it could be and was so surprised to find a bright pink Canada hoodie! I love it so much and and have already worn it multiple times. My Mom is so amazing! She truly knows how to take simple things and make them meaningful! I have gotten countless cards in the mail from my family and grandparents. It is such a strength to know that I have family back home who loves me and wants me to do well. I often wonder what I can possibly do to return to them the love and support they have given me. What can I make? say? or do? It is a question that constantly weighs on my mind. After much thought, I have come to the conclusion that the best way to return all of my families love and support is to do my best in all that I do. I hope that makes some sense. Let me clarify a little bit. My parents have done so much from me. They have taught me the Gospel, they have instilled in me eternal values, they have supported me in everything I do, they have contributed a significant portion of my education, and they continue to shower me with gifts every day! I believe that the best way to show my gratitude and love to them is to do my best in everything I do. To do well in school, make smart choices, and ultimately make them proud. I know they are already proud of me, but I know that by using all that they have taught and given me to do good they will know that I appreciate and love them. 

(left to right) Lexy Anderson, Saydi Wilde, Kiki Golden 

Aren't my roommates gorgeous? I love them to pieces! We took this before leaving to stake conference saturday morning. 

After studying for a while we decided to go and get a treat. We went to a place called "The Chocolate". It was a place right off of Pinterest! I hope I can take Katelyn there sometime she would love it! We got a "cazookie"--a giant fresh baked  chocolate chip cookie with ice cream on top. It was soooo good! Definitely a good reward for studying hard all day. 

And that is all of the pictures I have for now. I really need to take more, as I already have some regrets of not taking pictures of certain things.

The Big Step

So no one back home knows this yet, as I was planning on telling them today. I am no longer a pre nursing student! I have changed my major to pre dietetics and I couldn't feel better about it! I am not exactly sure what made me change. I went to the pre nursing meeting during orientation and immediately following that talked to a nursing advisor. I felt out of place and uncomfortable throughout both of the meetings. When they talked about the process and the steps to becoming a nurse my heart just screamed BUT I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT! I WANT TO HELP PEOPLE BE HEALTHY! AND LEARN ABOUT GOOD FOOD! I think that is when I knew I had to get out of there. Thus, I took the night to think about it before I decided. The choice was clear. I don't know why I stuck to nursing for so long. I always had dietetics in the back of my mind but there was so much pressure to do nursing. I am so glad that I changed.

A Spiritual Dwarf

Well I made it through my third week in YSA. I will admit it. Sundays are hard, mostly because I feel so homesick for good ol' Aetna Ward! How I miss it! Things are so different. Don't get me wrong the doctrines they teach are the same, the sacrement prayers are obviously the same, but the way they are presented is totally different! Another thing that I have struggled with is the fact that I know very little people. The ward is so big and I am beginning to remember faces but I now only a handful of names. It is so overwhelming. I am also struggling with the fact that I don't know the bishopric, or any of the leaders at all! At home I knew everyone, and they knew me. I knew the Bishopric really well as well as all of my leaders. I had a callings where I felt needed. I know that it is only the third week and it will just take time to adjust but right now it is very hard. I hope that I will have the opportunity to have a calling. At home I learned to love fulfilling callings. It bring so much joy to serve the members of the ward as well as growing personally in the process.

Another reason I am struggling with my ward is the fact that I feel spiritually immature--a spiritual dwarf amongst giants. Let me try to explain. The majority of the men are RMs so they are on a complete spiritual high, and all of the girls seem so much older, stronger, and more experienced then me. At home I felt like I had a really strong testimony and new quite a bit. Here, however, I am not so sure anymore. I know I have a testimony but it has so much room to develop and strengthen into something more. I hope I can find my place in my ward; I know it is crucial. I have such a strong desire to get to know, serve and love the members of my ward. I hope I can gain the confidence through the Lords help to be able to do this.

A BYU Education

I love BYU! This place, this campus, is truly an amazing place! I am learning so much! Life in general has just been placed in an entire new perspective.

I don't even know where to begin all of my thoughts; however, I feel impressed to start here. My writing teacher encouraged all of us to be reading continually. Since I don't have many books with me to read I decided to read out of my writing textbooks which contains renowned articles, talks, and essays. I came across one in particular that changed my outlook completely on the BYU experience. When I first decided to come here I didn't really realize what a BYU education could hold. More specifically, I didn't realize all of the opportunities it would hold. My BYU education can be, if I let it, a time where I grow significantly in my understanding of the gospel, my self and the sacred mission that God needs me to perform. I want to share some thoughts from the article with you. It is by A. LeGrand Richards and is titled "What I now Believe About a BYU Education that I Wish I Had Believed When I First Came".  Based on three main points, Elder Richards relates how we can make the most of our time here. The three points include

1. "I wish I had placed my education in its eternal context." 

He then goes on to state "The purpose of education, is to assist us as we discover, prepare for, and freely fulfill our divinely ordained missions." One of the things that I love about BYU is how every professor relates whatever we are learning back to the Gospel. Whether it be Chemistry, Anatomy, or writing I am amazed how well it all fits into Gods plan. I knew that all of these subjects were important but knowing that God has a place for them in my life makes me enjoy and want to know about them even more! I find I am beginning to love learning even more.

Elder Richards forms a very good point through a question "How well are you using the resources available to you on this campus for preparing to fulfill the mission to which you have been foreordained?" This question really made me think. The opportunities here are endless. Am I taking full advantage of them? Another great point I love is the need to "learn the temporal in the context of the eternal". I have tried hard to do this this past week. It has made an immense difference! Not only am I more willing to study harder, but also I feel a great amount of joy and desire to learn more! I feel my horizons broaden and my testimony deepen. I love it when he says "The sacred and the secular are not determined primarily by the subject matter but by the hearts and purposes of those engaged in the process." I know that it is up to me, not my classmates nor my professors, to make this possible. It is the condition of my heart, my perspective, that will make all the difference. 

      2. "As an undergraduate, I wish I had believed that my professors were nothing more and nothing less than my brothers and sisters." "I don't think that I prayed very often that my professors would speak with the power of the Holy Ghost or that I would listen with that same power." 

I love this idea of praying for my professors to teach by the spirit and for myself in turn to pray to listen with the Holy Ghost. What a difference this will make! I love being able to feel the spirit as I learn the anatomy of the body, or how the human brain works. I pray I will be able to do this on a regular basis. 

    3. "I wish I had believed that the standards of the world were not sufficient for a consecrated people." 

He stresses the importance of staying away from the world's view of education. In other words, the worlds view of education is solemnly based on pride. As a member of the restored gospel I need to remember the sole purpose behind education. He creates the picture of us meeting the Savior, who poses the question "You've just had a semester at BYU. How well have you used your time talents, and energy to prepare yourself to serve the Lord?" Wow did that question make me think! 

From reading this talk I have realized the great opportunity that the Lord given me! He has allowed me to come here. To this beautiful campus that holds the opportunities that no other university can offer! I am astounded. I am so grateful to him for allowing me this opportunity. I know there is a reason why I am here. I couldn't have been accepted without the Lord's help. Everything fell into place so smoothly that it couldn't have been the works of man. It was said in church today that all of Gods plans are miracles. I know that it is a miracle that I am here. I hope and pray that I can learn more fully what my life mission and seek to fulfill it. I pray that I will be able to utilize all of the wonderful opportunities that this campus holds to prepare for experiences to come, to develop and strengthen talents, to learn and begin to fulfill my life mission, and ultimately bring me closer to God.