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Why BYU?

So I've decided to attend Weber State University next semester. Why? The only answer I can give is called, "Trusting in the Lord". Why did I attend BYU for a semester then? Why didn't I just go to Weber in the first place? These have been the questions consuming my thoughts for the past month or so. But I finally know why I was suppose to come to BYU - even if just for a semester.

Last spring was a time I wasn't looking forward to. Choosing which college to go to seemed like such a big decision, like it could affect the rest of my life - and it probably has. There were so many different choices and they all had their benefits. U of U: great school, expensive, close to home (good and bad)... BYU: great school, church emphasis, not too expensive... Weber: too close to home, in my opinion then "just" Weber... I prayed about my decision a lot but never had that undoubtable conformation that I wanted for any of them. Yet there was a little something pulling me more towards BYU, yet with no real reason to back it up. So... I went to BYU.

The past month I've had a feeling that I needed to rethink my college decision. So I studied it out, weighed the pros and cons, consulted friends and family, and prayed about it. The answer was Weber. Yet I wasn't so sure that was right. Maybe it was just my opinion getting in the way of revelation. So I studied and thought about it some more and prayed again. Weber. Instead of embracing the direction the Lord was giving me, I questioned it. "Why did I come to BYU then? Why don't I transfer at the end of the year instead? Why didn't I go to Weber in the first place? Why Weber?" I didn't get an answer to any of these questions - until today.

Human Development with Dr. Nelson. That's why I came to  BYU. Are you thinking, a class? She's HAD to go to BYU for a simple class that could have been taken anywhere? Ya, that's exactly it. But no, it's not just a simple class that I could have taken anywhere. Dr. Nelson truely changed my life. His passion for the subject he taught made him the best teacher I will probably ever have. But more importantly, his testimony of the gospel was so real and unwavering that it penetrated my soul and left something there that I will never forget.

Dr. Nelson was able to apply the scriptures to what we learned and to our lives more than any other "church class" I've had. As he shared his very pesonal experiences with us, I not only knew that he cared about the subject, but he cared about us as students, just as the Lord cares about all his children. As we wrapped everything up today, he bore his testimony so powerfully as he told us what he believed our purpose on earth is and why he teaches what he does. Many professors share their last few words and testimonies the last few days of class, and a lot of them seem like forced words - like they're just sharing because they're BYU professors. But Dr. Nelson was different. He bore a little part of his testimony every day. I learned so much from him. I understand this gospel so much more, why were here, why God loves us, and how I'm going to teach my children the same things. Not only was Dr. Nelson an amazing professor, he was the greatest example to me as well. Being a father himself, everything was just so much more relevant to him and therefore more relevant to what he was teaching.

There are SO many reasons why I had to have this class. I honestly can say that I see life differently now because of what I've learned. I will be eternally grateful for Dr. Nelson and this class. With more conviction than ever to go on a humanitarian trip because of him, I'm going to be able to embrace Weber, make the most of life where ever I am, and trust in the Lord always.

Christmas at Wyview

Trans-Siberian Orchestra!

Tanner and I went to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert last night! It was PHENOMENAL!! I absolutely loved it! Here's just a glimpse of what we got to experience... (you should be jealous)

Essays and Pneumonia

College is so hard sometimes - and that's even before you get sick. My goal this year has been to not procrastinate, and I haven't, I just don't have time until the last minute.... I had three essays due today, one of them was 7-8 pages. I planned my weekend around these essays and I knew I was going to get them done... until I got sick. No, I don't have pneumonia. As of right now I just have a viral infection in my lungs that could become pneumonia. Could this virus have hit me at a worse time? I guess during finals would have been worse... I'm still not very happy though.

You know those Puffs tissue commericals? There's always one character with a red nose because of the rough tissues they've been using and then they get Puffs tissues and they feel better. Well that's what I feel like. My nose hurts :( I may go through this whole box of Kleenex in just a couple of days with all the coughing and sneezing I do. And last week I almost used an entire bag of cough drops to avoid getting a sore throat I felt coming on - didn't help obviously. Sigh.... I though complaining a little would help me feel better, but I'm still sick, and I've got homework to do. Hello college....

Delicious and Nutritious!

Doesn't this look delicious?! Well it was :) I eat a salad probably every day here at college. It's fast, easy, and nutritious, It combines my daily veggies, meat, fruit - usually dried but sometimes fresh, little bit of oil from the dressing, and nuts all into one meal! For the first couples weeks all I had was a chicken salad with ranch dressing and I got bored pretty fast. So I've decided to create and try new salad recipies every so often. Today it was this delicious combination of craisens, shredded chicken, pecans, and crutons covered in a delicious poppyseed dressing. (I wish I had taken this pictures, mostly because I wish I had square plates like that, but I was too hungry to go find my camera. But after seeing this, maybe next time I'll add apple slices...)

Tender Mercies

"Provo may seem like a safe haven, but a young woman's experience last week proved otherwise. The Provo Police Department dispatch center received a call from a young woman who had been assaulted while running on the Provo River Trail. She said a man attacked her from behind as she was running on the trail, forced her to the ground and thrust a piece of cloth with an unidentified chemical substances over her mouth. After the young woman screamed, the suspect let her go. Following the attack, a man was at the scene and assisted the young woman. He indicated he chased the suspect away.

The police took both the young woman and the witness to the police station for interviewing and found out that Micheal Workman, the purported witness, was in fact the alleged suspect. He told police he intended to sexually assult the victim, but desisted. Police arrested him and charged Workman with one count aggrivated kidnapping, as well as one count of attempted rape."

I read this in the newspaper today and was absolutely shocked. Before I left for BYU my dad made sure I knew that just because I was at a "mormon school" surrounded by "good mormon kids" didn't mean it was a safe place. He told me it was the perfect place for preditors to attack girls because they got too comfortable with their environment. I've always made sure I'm safe though. When I'm walking on campus after dark I always call Tanner and make sure I stay on main sidewalks.

The scariest part of this story is that I often contemplated running on Provo River Trail. When it was warmer I would go running a couple times a week and that trail was right next to my apartment. It seems like a beautiful trail, but for some reason every time I went running I felt like I should just stay on University Avenue... So I did.

I'm so grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord and the guidance of the Spirit and that this time I was willing to listen. I just pray that I will be in tune more often...