#20 My BYU-tiful Experience!

When Sister Steadman said that we were going to be doing a blog throughout the semester I'll be honest I wasn't as excited as I am now, and clearly I wasn't as on top of it as I wanted to be. However, I can honestly say that I have loved having the opportunity to have this blog to share my thoughts and experiences throughout my first semester at BYU. I am particularly good at thinking up titles so when we received this assignment I immediately started thinking of what I could call this; then I thought about how I wanted my experience here at BYU to be and I want it to be beautiful! Thus My BYU-tiful Experience began! And I can definitely say that this semester has been a beautifully growing time for me! 

First Day Jitters!

I have met so many wonderful people and I am so grateful for all of their influences in my life. My goal for my goal is looking at the positive when things are hard because I know that those hard times aren't always easy to ignore but it's always in our power to look up in those situations. This semester I've learned more of myself than I could've in any other situation like taking a year off or living at home and still going to school. Some of the things I've learned about myself is: I have a long way to go but with each day I'm getting there one step at a time, it takes a while to get used to the college workload, I don't like staying on campus all the time and need to get off once and awhile, and most importantly I can do hard things including this whole college thing!!

Sometimes you just need to get off of campus!

I am so grateful to be here at BYU and I'm so grateful for the gospel and for the impact it has in my life! I'm especially grateful for my missionaries and for the weekly pep-talk they give me. They help me see that I'm doing more than I think and they help me open my focus so that I can remember that there is more out there and there are so many people I can serve! I love getting their letters and emails and I can honestly say that their examples of humility and strength makes going to class and work easier for sure.

Missionary Letters are better than Christmas!

There is so much good in this world and there are so many opportunities that we can take here at BYU and I say GO AND DO!!! Don't be afraid to be you because that's exactly who our Heavenly Father and Mother need us to be; be a light to the world and be happy. Go find those people who need to be happy and talk to them, the power of a 'thank you' is so overlooked and should never be a phrase that we grow tired of saying or accepting. Keep true friends close because they are little angels that are sent from heaven to you! And in the wise words of my dear Grandma Barbara, "Everything will be alright in the end; if it's not alright then it's not the end!" 

         When you're feeling down just look up!

#19 I hear His Voice

The Lord’s voice has never been louder in my life than when I started this new chapter in my life. I hear his voice in the conversations I pass, introductions of new friends, while typing on the computer for a class, but most importantly while I’m searching His word and works. College is so new and scary at times; I feel lost, small, and at times very forgettable which has been really hard for me because I’m used to being known. Having growing up with the title of honor ‘HESS’ it was a huge shock coming and having maybe three people who already knew who I was or that’s what it felt like at least. I was so lonely and depressed I just wanted to go home. I just needed a hug; the kind of hug that makes you forget why you were sad and you’ll never remember again.

 I got through the first three minutes until I realized in a greater abundance that I needed my Savior’s voice and the hug and comfort from His Atonement. I learned that homework is done quicker as you do it after scripter study (not just reading) and I would have better focus if I did that; I heard His voice. My roommate was super shy the first couple days and now we stay up singing Nacho Libre songs and laughing our heads off; I hear his voice in our late night conversations that help me know that He is fully aware of me and every aspect of my life. The temple is where I feel His voice; when I go to His house I’m surrounded by His love and guidance and I need to go more often. I’m so thankful for the temple and I really can’t wait to make sacred covenants with Him soon!  I'm also preparing to serve a mission and hopefully that while I'm there I can be an instrument for His voice and work.

#18 #A Savior is Born

Have you ever realized that if you split the word Christmas into two parts it becomes "Christ mas" which can translate to "more Christ" so while everyone was getting excited that it's November so it's finally okay to listen to Christmas music and get ready for that time of year I had already been feeling that already (let the record show that I also listen to Christmas music way before it is "socially acceptable")! Some people wish it could be Christmas all year round but you know what? We are so blessed to be apart of a gospel that believes that we can have the true spirit of Christmas always and that's the spirit of Christ Himself! I've often wondered what makes this time of year so special and why it really does feel different and I think it's because the Holy Ghost is just so much louder in proclaiming the joy of the birth of our Savior and people remember Him more and we're more aware of His children. Oh how I love Christmas and oh how I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and all that He's done for me! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came out with this beautiful video and I invite you to watch and ponder on how you can better remember Him during this holiday!

#17 Why can we Think but not Learn Philosophy?

In my History of Psychology class we read a book titled Sophie's World  and had to write a series of one-page responses of our opinions of learning philosophy and were asked if it's true that we can think philosophically easier than learning it.

Why can we Think but not Learn Philosophy?

            In Sophie’s World we find that she believes that you can’t learn philosophy but you can think philosophically. I agree with her; however, I do believe that you can still have philosophy taught to you. Having a teacher of philosophy can do a great deal of good in guiding a student’s journey in philosophy. According to Dictionary.com philosophy’s definition is: the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct (Dictionary.com). In this definition philosophy is described as an investigation which makes it seem to me as a more personal pursuit. Gaining that rational perspective of the meanings of life that can be hard to figure out on our own so I do believe that we can be taught philosophy, but after we are taught it is up to us to either accept or deny what we were taught.

One thing we have learned during this course is that philosophy evolved and thoughts changed; that happened because the students of the great philosophers listened to what their thoughts and reasoning for things were and then decided if they agreed or disagreed with them. If we still fully went with the philosophies of the past then how would we grow or progress? That evolution is vital to understanding and relating to what is happening in the world today. To be able to think philosophically rather than just trust and ride the bandwagon of someone else’s theory by learning or being taught philosophy opens so many more doors to the growth of one’s understanding of their environment and surroundings in their daily lives. We need to think philosophically to reach a better understanding, we live in a time where there are difference in opinions so we need to do our part and gain our own opinion and hopefully that opinion is educated. 

#16 Finals got me Like...

I've heard the horrors of finals week from older friends and sisters and I must say I'm already feeling it, but I've found comfort in knowing that everyone else is stressed to! So just know that you're not alone in this, remember what Sister Steadman said that now is not the time to give up on sleep and good food-- and that does not mean junk food that "tastes good"-- we need to be on top of things! Finals are important but they're not always the end of the world, or at least that's what I keep telling myself so I don't shut down in the stress of it all. I don't know if I'm the only one but I find joy in looking at those memes about finals week (be careful though  multiple ones swear so don't just google them)

If I may give just one more piece of advice: maybe read your scriptures before your study session! I learned this early on in the semester and I am so thankful that I did; I had a lot of mid-terms to study for and I was stressed out of my mind so I decided one day that I would take the time to really study a talk or the scriptures for as long as it took. And you know what?! I was able to sit down and do SEVEN hours of studying without losing my focus! It just goes to show that as we put God first in all of our doings whether that be doing out home/visiting teaching or personal scripture study that the Lord will put our needs first as well! He wants us to succeed and that's just what we'll do!

#15 Sisters before Misters... Or so I Thought!

In the wonderful movie "White Christmas" there's a song that goes: Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters... That is a song especially made for my sisters (not really) and it's so true! We are known as The Fierce Five because I only have sisters! We share so many things including: clothes, talents, and a bathroom. I always thought we were going to stay the same way forever (not true I wanted my sisters to all be married before I left on my mission) until wedding bells started to ring... My oldest sister, Cassandra, was married December 20, 2012 and it was a whole new thing for my parents--- who would've thought that this wedding was meer practice for my family!

The "sister pose" for Cassandra!

The year 2013 brought the proposal of my second sister Julia so my family was on the wedding train again with the flowers, dresses, special musical numbers, and SO MUCH MORE! Weddings are wonderful things but when you are on the Bride's side of things your home turns quickly into a craft bomb zone and the level of stress in the home is tangible when you see practically see the steam coming out of your mom's ears when the Bridesmaid's dresses are back-ordered and go back to square one! Although it's a stress-filled time I'm continually surprised at how wonderful the Lord is on the actual wedding day where He fills it with so much joy and happiness!

"Sister pose" for Julia!

With just a month until Julia's wedding my sister Ashlee decided she had found her eternal companion so the date was set two month's after Julia's May 16th wedding! We started the summer with a wedding so why not end it! It was the summer leading up to my senior year so I guess it was perfect timing because with the age change for missionaries I didn't want to miss any of these important dates in my sisters and best friend's lives! I 

And lastly, for now, Ashlee's "sister pose"

I look back on everything and ask myself how on earth did we accomplish three weddings in one and a half years?!?!?!?! And the answer is: because the Lord's timing is perfect and He knows how to lead His children and His will is so good and He will always guide His children. I am so thankful that my sisters found amazing men of God to marry in the temple. They are such amazing examples to me in my life and I'm so glad that through the years we've been able to really become friends above sisters only. Families are eternal and I'm sure happy that I get to keep these amazing people for that time! The best thing about having all my sister's married is now they can have babies!!! Julia already has a lil baby boy named Daniel, and Cassandra is pregnant and due January 11!

Our complete family... so far!

                                                         

#14 I have been born of Goodly Parents

As I have read the scriptures I’ve read the words, “I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents…” maybe hundreds of times and heard them even more. Growing up with a seminary teacher for a father I would play ‘Book of Mormon: Whose Line is it anyway’ where we would act out those famous stories of: Ammon, Samuel the Lamanite, Helaman and his Stripling Warriors, and any my dad could think up that would be easy to act out according to our age and comprehension level. That was perfect for me while growing up because I got to become friends with the prophets of old and learn their stories the way I knew best at the time, but as I became older and had to become more accountable for my scripture study I continued to study the best way I could which was to apply the stories into my own life, being a young teenager that seemed to be #1 on my priority list. I would bring the mirror up to my face as I read the scriptures, and that brought so many blessings into my life because I was able to connect on a deeper level and feel the love of my Savior for me. I'm so thankful for my dear parents that taught me at a young age to love the gospel and now that I’m becoming older and my focus has turned from myself to my Father’s children I have learned to put the mirror down and meet my hero’s all over again. They say the best way to get to know someone is to walk a mile in their shoes; well, by putting the mirror down I have been able to get to know Nephi and the ancient prophets on a whole other level. I know I’ll never be able to know as well as my Redeemer does, but I can get one step closer by doing so.

My parents and I at my Seminary Graduation!