{be}lieve {the}re is {good} in the world

It's that time of season in the semester where students are either having an identity crisis, stressing over their major, or loosing momentum to do well in their hard classes. Students get into a mentality where they feel like they can only handle themselves, putting all their energy into their studies and homework, and coming up with the excuse "I don't have time" when asked to socially engage. It's a hard balance to be able to maintain good grades, finish homework, make time to have scripture study, engage in social interactions and keep a wholesome relationship with roommates. Oh, and calling mama at least once a week to reassure her of your existence.  This is an essential time in our lives where our choices determine our destiny. We will experience hard times as well as trials. Some trials we are blessed with to help us obtain our desired potential, some are natural trials such as sickness, and some trials come because of our own choices we have made.  I had ...

This summer has been one of the hardest, longest, but meaningful summers I have ever had in my life.  There were many days when I wanted to give up because I felt like I didn't have any plans for my life, nothing was going the way that I had planned.  My summer started off with breaking up with a guy I was seriously dating that I met at school, I didn't receive the job that I was promised for the summer, and I had a major change in my academic career choice. With one thing happening after another, I was having a really hard time having hope for my future.  I sought advice from my bishop, my parents, close family friends, scriptures and articles from LDS.org.  I attended Institute every night that I could.  I spent many night in bed praying with all my heart, might, mind and strength.  I felt alone a huge chunk of summer.  I watched as it seemed like many young adults my age were moving forward in their lives while it seemed like I was lagging behi...

It is late, I am up doing the homework that I neglected for too long.  I should probably be in bed but there is something indicating that I need to share my thoughts and feelings. As I am home for the summer, I have had a lot of time to reflect on the different events and situations that I have been through the past two semesters away at school.  Something that I have come to learn while I have been at home is that fact that your 20's suck.  It is a lonely time.  Okay, it might not be lonely for everyone.. there are friends of mine who are traveling the world, or staying at school, or being EFY counselors, or working away from home in a different state, etc.  But I come from a hometown that at the moment has a small pool of kids my own age.  Instead of hanging out with them, I'm hanging out with kids who aren't even half my age (I am a nanny for the summer).  Now, don't take any of this as if I am complaining.  I love being at home and being abl...

Yesterday, on that wonderful, surprisingly warm Friday afternoon, which is unheard of here in Rexburg especially in February, my best friend and I got on the topic of the Gospel starting with the mind blowing, impossible answer to comprehend of how Heavenly Father became who He is today.  He had to have had parents of his own right? But how did his parents become human beings? How and when did all of this begin?  We were squealing at the though that our minds could not comprehend the reality of how everything, the Earth, Heavenly Father, human well-being had began. This then led to talking about agency and how we are here on this Earth to one day become Gods ourselves. 2 Nephi 2:27 says that men are free to choose, whether that be liberty, eternal life, captivity or death.  These last two semesters here at school, I have learned more about agency than ever before.  Something that I learned for myself fall semester was the fact that I felt like I had the wrong persp...

With being frustrated with homework tonight and not being able to understand anything I was doing, I was about to throw my computer out the window and just give up on homework.  I was feeling pretty dumb because I was not capable of being able to figure out my homework.  Some of you might know, I am not one to ask anyone for help when I need it the most.  I like to figure things out for myself, hiding in my room from any interaction with anyone.  I feel as though helpless, silly or a bother to someone when asking for help.  I shut my computer, decided to take a deep breath, and distract my mind with something else.  I was bitter, frustrated, and annoyed.  But the thought of reading my scriptures came to mind.  I grabbed my Book of Mormon and opened it to the last spot I had left off reading.   1 Nephi chapter 15: Nephi interprets the vision of the tree of life to his brothers.  His brothers say unto him "we cannot understand the words ...

The first Sunday of this semester was a Fast Sunday.  A little nerve racking due to the fact that for some of us it was the first Sunday in that specific ward.  One of the Bishoprics counselors was conducting and he started with his testimony.  He said that it is tradition to have New Year's resolutions.  It is a new year for a new you, and that is possible by the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  He can help us become who we are willing to become, a better and new you.  With it being a new semester, we must take a leap of faith knowing that Heavenly Father is there for us and he knows what He is doing.  This really stood out to me as every New Year, I make a list of goals for myself that I hope to complete by the end of the year.   During the sacrament, I was reading in 1 Nephi chapter 4.  (One of my New Year's goals is to read the Book of Mormon in a year.)  I came across verse 6 which says, "I was led by the Spirit, not kno...