Snow? BYU-I? USU? SLCC? Where Should I Go!?

Random post, and I know I posted earlier today, but I have to get this one off my chest.

I'm having a hard time choosing where to go to college next. I obviously have to worry about how to pay for tuition and all that, but money will never keep me from earning my degree.

I'm attending Snow College right now and as much as I've loved learning here, I can't live there anymore. It's not that I hated my roommates (which I didn't), or that it smelled (pretty badly), or that there was nothing to do, or that I didn't have a car, friends, family; it just isn't for me anymore. I feel like after this semester, my heart is telling me I need to attend somewhere different next fall.

So here are my options and explanations. Maybe you could give me some advice or something!? I'd appreciate it!

Here we have, Salt Lake Community College. I live near the Jordan Campus and it's seriously a 5-10 minute drive from my house. I loved attending Institute there over this past summer, and the campus didn't seem too big. It'd be easy, cheap and I'd be able to live at home.

Next we have Utah State University. Now, this I have to say, would be my last choice. I have no idea why. But ever since I started to really get involved in college and scholarship stuff in high school, I just felt that Utah State wasn't for me. But maybe it is and I just don't want to accept it? I don't know. I went here for EFY 2010 and I stayed in the towers. It was a terrible living space, but easy to get to and they had elevators. I didn't get to see much of other living spaces. Tuition is a lot more expensive there. It's a big campus, and I'd know some people, but still wouldn't have a car. What'd you think!?

Last, but never least, we have Brigham Young University-Idaho :) This university is my dream college. I seriously have never wanted to go to a college so badly like I have with this one. I attended EFY in 2009 here and I loved every minute of it. It was beautiful, green, sunny, and just a place where the Lord's Spirit was, at all times. The Rexburg Temple was just minutes away. It was a pretty big campus, but something I know I could get used to. The dorms I stayed in (at least, I think they were dorms) while I was attending EFY, weren't too bad either. I mean, I hated that we only had two sinks, one shower and one toilet to six girls, without a kitchen but I managed the whole week. I seriously just imagine myself going to college there someday.

Right before Brady left I would tell myself, "Just three more semesters at Snow and he'll be back. But he doesn't want to go to BYU-I when he gets home, and I do... I don't want to miss out on the opportunity to go there, but I don't want to put off being with him forever any longer when he gets back either." I can honestly say those have been my thoughts since I started dating him. Brady has been offered a scholarship to Southern Virginia University, so that's a possibility for him and for some reason, I have no problem dropping everything in Utah to go be with him while he goes to school. I know I'm looking in the future WAY too far than I prolly should, but I feel I need to prepare.

Which brings up my next subject. Prayer. My dearest friend Megan, posted on her blog about prayer (Click here to read it). It was amazing and it's something I look at a lot. I even ordered myself a copy of the book she writes about because I know it'll help me! I guess my last resort for this situation is to council with my Heavenly Father. I still have to finish my second semester at Snow College before I make any final decisions, but I know he'll help me, and he'll remind me of the true intents of my heart, and what he thinks is best for my future.

Should I stay at Snow College one more year? Or should I transfer to Salt Lake Community College, Utah State University, or Brigham Young University-Idaho?

I definitely can't decided right now.

Blessings

So this post is long but about the blessings I've seen in my life lately. Plus, I made a comment towards some of my roommates and I feel terrible about it; I owe it to them. I've been realizing how I should and shouldn't act towards people and my roommates have helped me see that as well; I'm grateful!!

My roommates :)

(In no particular order)

 

This is Whitney :) She is my room, roommate. I love her to death. It's been one heck of a ride living wit her, but I've enjoyed it. She keeps me sane. I'm so lucky to know her and to have her as my roommate. She's a beautiful girl and such a wonderful friend. We've gotten to know each other pretty well, but we've also taken care of each other too. I'm so blessed to have had her as my roommate and learn from her as well! She's pretty close with her family, and values them highly. She's always laughing and reminding us all to be positive, even if she's having a rough day. Whitney LOVES to sing. And when I say love, I mean, LOVES to sing. She'll sing anything, out loud or quietly; she's gonna sing it. Hahaha and it's usually always Disney ;)

Well Jade, our picture is a little blurry because I had to crop it. But it works :) Haha, so this is my other roommate Jade. She's such a great person :) She's been through a lot, but I've seen the biggest change in her. We're actually both from the same town up north, and I've never known her till now. Our high schools were rivalries :p She's such a sweet and caring person. She's strong and knows what's best for her. I'm so proud of all the changes she's made, and is currently making. She's becoming a better person, and I can see that it makes her happy. Her family is very supportive and loves her to death! I love that she's close to her family! She's moving back home this weekend and I'm going to miss her. It seriously just won't be the same without her, but I hope we'll all stay in touch!!

This is Katie, she is a very funny girl. She's always laughing and smiling and we're always joking around. She loves music and loves to sing (but not as much as Whitney ;)...) She's a smart girl and knows what she wants in life. She tries really hard to do really good at everything, and succeeds. She's a positive girl and a very caring friend. She's helped me grow up while I've been here at Snow, through her example. She was able to receive her patriarchal blessing this semester and I'm so proud of her :) It can be a huge deal for some people, and most aren't prepared. But this was something Katie wanted, and she got it. The Lord knew she was prepared :) I'm so lucky to have her as my roommate!

This is Lexika! She'll be moving in next semester :) She currently lives well.. at our apartment. Ha! She first lived at Park Place Apartments but then became good friends with all my roommates and now she basically just lives here. She bought Jade's contract and will be moving in this weekend. I've known Lexi since the 10th grade. We've always been pretty good friends :) We've got wicked sweet memories and connect on so many levels! I'm really excited to have her as one of my roommates next semester! She's been through a lot this year but has pulled out stronger than ever. She's so funny and loves music as well.

This is Mariela :) She's hilarious. And when I say hilarious, I mean it. I remember first meeting her and just laughing my head off ALL the time because of how funny she was. She's strong and bold, and knows what's best for her. She has been dedicated to school work lately, and I'm so grateful for that example. She works out a lot, and I wish I was more like that. I guess next semester is a new year, maybe that should be my resolution? Anyway, Mars is beautiful and a wonderful friend :) She's leaving this weekend as well and I'm gonna miss her too!! It's been so fun just having good times, staying up late, eating, talking, taking pictures, making music videos, jammin' out to music early in the mornings. I've loved getting to know her!

And last, but certainly not least, meet Kiera :) She's our newest roommate! She moved in about 3/4th's of the semester being over. She's such a beautiful girl and a great friend to have :) She's really strong, and confident. She's a very smart girl, and I wish I knew as much as she did. She made a huge turnaround in her life and for that, I'm so proud. She's stuck to it and I know it means a lot to her. She and my other roommates have all gone through something huge this semester, so I'm glad she was able to join us in moving on even if our situations were different. I'm so excited to get to know her better next semester! It's been great having her around! :)


Well roommies, I love you all. And I want to publicly apologize for any hurt I've caused. Especially the comment I made to some of you yesterday. I've realized sometimes my sarcasm can go a little farther than I'd like it to, and you've all helped me understand that I need to change my ways. I really am grateful for being able to live here with all of you. We've all been through SO much this semester but we've always gotten each other through with the help from everyone. I'm going to miss those that are leaving, but the memories we've made will always stick with me. I love each and everyone of you so very much. You're all such beautiful Daughters of God and I know our Heavenly Father is so proud of you for pulling through everything that has happened this semester. I love you!!

***********************************

Well, this morning I was able to do baptisms for the dead with my YSA ward at the Manti Temple :) It was my first time doing baptisms there and I was a little nervous to be honest. I know the work is the same, the prayers are the same but the directions and rooms and such are completely different. It was beautiful though. The colors inside were magnificent and the benches they had you sit on were very old looking but so Manti Temple-like. hahaha The baptistery though, just absolutely STUNNING. It was in such a separate room, I almost had no idea it was there until they opened the doors. It's BEAUTIFUL. It's right in the center of the room. There are murals everywhere. They had one of Christ walking out of the water after being baptized and the one next to it was of Joseph Smith baptizing someone else. They were very pretty. The ceiling in the room was awesome. Right above the font they had it painted with gold stars and there was a "white dove in the blue sky"; it was just pretty. They painted their oxen brown. The only other Temple besides Salt Lake that I've actually seen them a color other than white.

It was wonderful. I confirmed ten people and baptized ten people. I always close my eyes during the baptism and picture what it must be like for the person waiting in Heaven after all these years, to be baptized; same with confirmations. The Temple is such a Holy place and I could feel the Spirit while inside. The smell is the same, everywhere. But I love it. It's the Temple smell and it just gets me every time. I knew that was where I needed to be this morning and I'm so glad I got up early to go, even when I didn't have to. I miss the Temple so much and I'm really going to try and make it a priority to at least go once a week, or once every two weeks (since I don't have a car in Ephraim). The Temple is a sacred place and I'm so grateful for the blessings that come from attending and doing the work. The work will always be going on in the Temple. I don't think it'll ever stop; nor will we ever get it all done. Which I'm grateful for because then I can keep on going to the Temple. :) I cannot wait to be sealed for time and all eternity to my returned missionary in the Temple someday :) I'm just positive it'll be the next best thing :) I know that families are forever and that Temples is where that takes place. I'm grateful for the power of the priesthood and the authority they have to perform such ordinances :)

 

Luckiest Girl

Well, I had a crazy day!

I went Christmas shopping with my sister. Well okay, she took me to get some gifts. (Thanks Lins!!) I got the cutest gift for my roommates and my friends. I can't tell you what it is yet, because my roommates or friends might read this! :p Anyway, then I bought a gift for my cousin Noah since I drew his name out of the cousins to get a gift for. I'm so sad about that a little because we're all getting older and that tradition is slowly dying. It's so different when you're younger. You want so badly to be older with all this freedom and such, but then you get to that point in your life and you miss all the fun, silly, and good traditions you had when you were younger. I'll keep that alive with my future family though :)

I came home, and got started on my studying. There is so much that I have to understand and know for Psychology and Math by Monday night!! Ahh!! I never knew how stressful a test was for school until I came to college :/ I'm so happy to be done with my first semester. It's been a long, very hard road, but I've learned a lot. I'm excited to start new and learn more next semester!!

After I got a little burnt out from studying, I put together some of the gifts I got. They turned out cute and I'm so excited to give them for Christmas this year :) I kept worrying that it wouldn't be as nice as maybe some people expected, but then I kept reminding myself that, that isn't the reason for giving at Christmas time. It's truly the thought that counts. Then Brady's mother called and told me they'd be home in a half an hour, so I continued what I was doing and when the time came, I headed over to Brady's house.

I wasn't sure how to feel about this. It truly was weird at first coming home this weekend and not being with Brady, and now, here I am, going to his house without him. Haha, but I made it without tears or feeling nervous. When I got in his house, I just instantly was overwhelmed by the smell. It was my best friends smell. I couldn't believe I was in his house without him. I've missed him, his house and his family! It was so good to see his dog too. Weird as that sounds, Kortni has become apart of my life because of how important she is in Brady's life.

His mother let me in and we started to talk. She went and got the box that Brady had for me. He put together quotes and thoughts that I can read when I have a bad day, he signed them and kissed them all too! :) Cheesy, I know, but SUPER cute! So then she took me downstairs, to read the email he sent her on his first P-day, but we stopped in his room so I could see how clean it was. I almost started to cry at that point. I miss my babe :( I miss his smell, and his clothes and his hugs and him. But I didn't cry :) But I must say, he sounds SO grown up in his letter!!! (Click here to read it.) He's matured in just over a week. It's amazing! I can't wait till I get my first letter, I hope it comes soon! Anyway, so then we talked some more about how he's going to grow so much from this. She showed me pictures of the night he was set apart. He looked so cute with his missionary tag and all. We looked at the pictures from the airport and such. It just felt good being at his house. It truly helped me. I was even having a hard night, thinking about him too much, and being at his house helped me.

The time came for me to leave, and his mom told me to come over whenever. I left feeling good. It was a good visit, and I'm so happy I went :) I remember feeling unsure about it, but now I'm so sure it was a good thing to do. I'm so proud of Brady. No matter how hard it has been, and most likely will continue to be; no matter how much I miss him; how sad I get; how much I whine; I'm so proud of him. It's a huge deal to up and leave your family for two years, in an unknown place, preaching the Word of God. But how amazing :) I've felt the Spirit tonight, just reading his letter, and I'm so excited for others to start feeling that Spirit from Elder Ziegler. He's truly doing so well and I can't wait to start hearing about his mission :)

Overall, great ending to a good day :) I'm the luckiest girl ever. Happy Holidays! Wish me luck on my finals and cross your fingers that I get a letter this week, or next week!!

Happy Birthday Jessica!

Today is my little sisters birthday :)

I can't believe she's growing up so fast, right behind me!

Best friends since we was kiddies :)

Spiritual Learning Gives Secular Learning Purpose

The reason I post this is because I feel the need to share what I learned today in Institute.

"It is clear that our first priority should go to spiritual learning. Reading the scriptures would come for us before reading history books. Prayer would come before memorizing those Spanish verbs. A temple recommend would be worth more to us than standing first in our graduation class. But it is also clear that spiritual learning would not replace our drive for secular learning.

The Lord clearly values what you will find in that history book and in a text on political theory. Remember His words. He wants you to know "things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations" (D&C 88:79). And He favors not only Spanish verbs but the study of geography and demography. You remember that His educational charter requires that we have "a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms" (v. 79). There is also an endorsement for questions we study in the sciences.

It is clear that putting spiritual learning first does not relieve us from learning secular things. On the contrary, it gives our secular learning purpose and motivates us to work harder at it. If we will keep spiritual learning in its proper place, we will have to make some hard choices of how we use our time. We generally know when papers will be due, when tests must be taken, when projects must be completed. And we know when the Sabbath will come. We know when the institute class will be held. We know when the prayers at the beginning of a day and those at the end should come. We know about how long it takes in reading the scriptures before we begin to feel the Holy Spirit. We know about how many hours it takes to prepare and to perform our service in Church.

When we see life as it really is, we plan for a time and a place for all of those things. There will come crises when there does not seem to be enough time. There will be many instances when one thing crowds out another. But there should never be a conscious choice to let the spiritual become secondary as a pattern in our lives. Never. That will lead to tragedy. The tragedy may not be obvious at first, nor may it ever be clear in mortal life. But remember, you are interested in education not for life, but for eternal life. When you see that reality clearly with spiritual sight, you will put spiritual learning first and yet not slight the secular learning. In fact, you will work harder at your secular learning than you would without that spiritual vision."
Elder Henry B. Eyring Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, CES Fireside for Young Adults, 6 May 2001

Amazing isn't it? I learned about this in institute today about remembering what the Lord has said, and done for me and all that he asks. I love this article and I'll keep it forever. I struggled with making sure the Lord was my first priority this semester, but after reading this I know I want to work harder at keeping it my first priority.

Special

I must say, it's been a rough week but I made it through. Brady has almost been gone a week! I've missed him so much :) I finally saw pictures of him when he was at the airport and I almost cried (You can see them here). It was so hard even seeing pictures of my babe leaving.. But I can't wait to hear from him and I hope that if his family gets an email tomorrow, that they'll inform me of how he's doing! :) I'm so excited to hear from him!! I can't wait till I get my letters from him :) I've been writing him everyday since he left, about my days and what I've been up to till I get a letter from him and then I'll just send them all! I hope he's doing okay, especially with the time change. He is definitely so sweet though, he put together a box full of quotes signed and kissed by him so that when I have a bad day, I can pull out a quote and have a better day. I thought that was very nice of him!

I had a rough time the other night, and I really missed him. When I really think about it I get sad, but that's why they say, stay busy so that you won't think about it and get all sad. I woke up and my roommates made breakfast and it was so yummy! I decided I couldn't sit around and just sulk. So I got up, cleaned my room, washed my bedding, folded clothes, and finished homework and organized it for my last week here for fall semester!! So then I felt much better. Then to a surprise for all of us, my roommates came home with a puppy :) Then my roommate Jade and her fiance went and got the boy :) We have two puppies. Mollee and Trigger. They're SO stinkin cute. They're stinkers themselves but it's been fun having puppies, and falling in love. It was like they brought so much happiness to me that day. I was really glad they brought them home.

Mollee :)

Then later that night, we all decided to watch a movie together and Lexi and I were writing things to our missionaries. She let me read a little of what her missionary wrote her, and my spirits were lifted again. I felt comfort and happiness and so grateful she let me even read as much as she did. Missionaries are amazing people. They're so spiritual and connected with the Lord that I wish I were with them all the time. I'm so lucky to have a missionary out there that can share that with me too :)

Today was fast Sunday! I was too sick to fast, which I was sad about but you do what you can and the Lord knows the intent of your heart. So I went to church with my neighbors and I bore my testimony of the Book of Mormon and how much I've witnessed miracles and the comfort that it's brought me from reading it everyday. I've been so happy and if I miss out, my day is off and I feel out of place. It's become apart of me and my everyday and I can't ever go a day without it, and if I do, I feel terrible. When I got home from church I had this feeling to check my gmail account. I've had this feeling all week long since Brady left but I never did anything because I knew he wasn't going to send anything there. So I checked it and sure enough, I had an email from him. It said, "It is November 9, and I just found this thing that would allow me to send you emails that would come later :)))))))))))))))))))) You will be getting emails on Valentine's day, your birthday, and Christmas." Cute huh?? I seriously smiled SO much when I read it. I read it a million times over and I couldn't stop smiling. I love him so much, he's so caring and it's so sweet to have been thoughtful a whole month before he left! He's the sweetest missionary and I'm so lucky to know him and someday spend forever with him.

Say it's too soon to be saying that about him but I just know it. I'm finally so happy and I'm okay without dating other boys and trying to find someone to like me for who I am because Brady loves me for who I am and more. Gosh, I'm so grateful for him! He's made me feel so special. I feel like the most wonderful person in the world because of him. I want to be a better person because of him, and to do good, and to just laugh when life throws things my way that may upset me, Brady is always there to help me remember to just laugh. Sometimes I get tired of teasing but when it's from Brady, I'm grateful for it. I hope I can get through these first six months and the rest of the years easily because I deeply miss him but until then, I hope I get a letter soon!!

Happy Sunday :)

Keeping Busy!

Brady made it to England today :) I'm sure it's night time there and he's sleeping right now. They're seven hours ahead of us! I am more excited because time will go by faster for him, than for me! I can't believe he's in England! He's so lucky :)

Anyway, I'm making a list of things to do while he's gone, on days when I have nothing to do (like today, hence the blog post.)

This is what I've got so far:

• Try new foods/meals
• Study hard
• Work hard
• Make bracelets
• Make hair clips
• Go to the Temple
• Play board games
• Write a song
• Learn on a song on the piano or guitar
• Buy a crazy nail polish color
• Watch a scary movie
• Create a good workout
• Become good at halo, so I can win when he gets home
• Buy Safetysuit album and review it for Brady
• Buy crazy outfit from the D.I. and have a photo-shoot
• Buy a super nice outfit and high, high heels and treat myself to a nice dinner
• Dye my hair
• Read a BIG book
• Scrapbook
• Print scrapbook pages of Brady
• Drive far somewhere in the night
• Serve someone (a lot)
• Make a blanket
•  Denny's Run
• Graduate from Institute
• Learn to make a 3-Column Template for bloggers
• Take lots of pictures!!
• Read the Old Testament
• Possibly finish the New Testament
• Make a snowman!
• Go snowboarding/skiing
• Write a poem
• Read D&C
• Be a missionary at all times as well :)

So I've got quite a few things going on that I would love to accomplish while he's gone :) I feel okay to be honest. I feel much better knowing he's in England and that I'll never experience a "first day" of him being gone from me. I am staying in Ephraim these next two weekends for finals and then I'll be home for Christmas break! I cannot wait! :) I hope I still have some family and girlfriends that'll want to hangout with me! Brady was my best friend, and for a while, my only friend, and now that he's gone, I hope I still have some friends out there that'll spend time with me!

I feel very proud of me and Brady for making this sacrifice. I've been reading in Alma for a couple days now and I love it! I have literally learned so much from Alma (and Amulek). I feel like they've been teaching me the gospel these last two days. All the things they know, straight from God has given me comfort. It's been crazy but I've loved it. My testimony has grown stronger too! The last chapter or two have been on missionary work and making sure those in this world hear the word of God and I think of Brady, and how important it is that he's serving right now, for the people to hear the word of God. :) Goodness we're such a blessed people!

I know I'll be okay :) It'll be tough in the beginning, but I'm sure it'll fly by. I'm ready to dive into these things I have on my list. So if you have more ideas of things I could do, whether it's crazy, random, spiritual, daring, big, small, important, just anything, please feel free to tell me :)

Have a wonderful and safe weekend!