I'm a Big Kid Now!

Good news! I'm officially DONE with my first semester of college! And let me tell you, it was a crazy one.  I mean I guess I don't really have anything to compare it with, but it seemed pretty crazy to me! I learned so many new things about myself that I never knew.  Apparently I have a sassy side in me that I didn't discover until I met Nahiomi.  Also, I can actually survive subzero temperatures! Who knew?! I sure didn't think I could do it.  I also didn't realize that I can sing opera.  Now just because I can sing opera does not mean that I can sing opera well or that I enjoy to sing opera, but I'm trying to learn to enjoy it.  I learned that Heavenly Father truly does hear and answer all our prayers, even if it isn't how we expect.  And finally, I realized how much I am truly blessed.  Even in the middle of trials, I could always reflect on my life and see endless blessings from my Father in Heaven.  So here are just a few of the things that I was blessed with this semester (in no particular order).

1. The Rexburg, Idaho Temple

Even though I didn't attend the temple nearly as much as I should have, it was amazing for me to be able to look up and see the temple each day as I was walking to class.  It was so amazing to have that constant reminder of why I need to do my very best each day.

2. Lauren and Nahiomi

I love these girls so freakin much. I don't know what I would have done this semester without either of them! Lauren is such an amazing example to me in so many ways!  Even if she didn't know it at the time, she always helped me by to remember to say my prayers each night.  She is so in-tune with the Spirit and I admire that so much! Not to mention how gorgeous she is.  She will never ever admit that this is true, but Lauren could wear no makeup at all and still look flawless.  And she's pretty dang hilarious too.  Especially when you get a little Red Bull in her system (;  Then there's Nahiomi.  She just cracks me up every single day!  Only Nahiomi and I can make fun of each other as much as we do and still know that we love the crap out of each other (;  I'm so excited to see everything she accomplishes in Guatemala and on her mission wherever she goes!  She is going to be the greatest missionary ever, even if she does go to Georgia (;

3. Tender Mercies

 

It's the little things like cupcakes on a bad day, new fuzzy socks when it's cold outside, packages from your sister, and President Monson shaking a little boy's hand after General Conference that you don't ever forget.  There are so many tender mercies in our lives; all we have to do is look for them and we will realize how blessed we are.

4. Tickets to Wisconsin

If you've never lived a thousand miles from home, let me tell you, it's hard! Obviously I loved it in Idaho, but there were days where all I wanted to do was go home and even though I didn't get to do that, I was lucky enough to get to fly out and see my family in Wisconsin for a weekend.  I had such a great time and after that, it was so much easier for me to push through the hard days.

5. Devotionals

Maybe it's just me, but I think it's so cool that at BYU-I we have the opportunity to all meet together every week to hear from inspired men and women.  Even though sometimes I had to drag my feet to devotional, I never once regretted going.  The Spirit you feel in a room full of thousands of disciples of Christ ready to learn about the Gospel is incredible and each week I learn something new.  I also got to sing with my choir in devotional several times which gave me an entirely new perspective as I got to look out and see all of my fellow students in the audience.

So basically, I think it's safe to say that I go to the greatest school ever! I know I just got home, but I already miss Rexburg and the people there. BYU-Idaho truly is an inspired school led by inspired people.  That being said, it is so great to be back home again! I missed everyone and everything about Fishers like crazy!  Rexburg is great, but Fishers will always be my home.  I'm so excited to spend the next 4 months here (: