A Grateful Heart
Ok, so I'm not much of a blogger type person, but I decided to start this blog as a way to express little thoughts and impressions of gratitude. To start, I am so very, very grateful to be here at Brigham Young University. My heart just wells at the thought of being here! I wanted to share something from one of my classes today that really got me thinking.
It's been a rough week. Not in a bad-things-woe-is-me way, but in a my-first-exam-is-coming-up-and-I'm-worried-sick-about-getting-a-good-grade type of way. I've always tried to be a good student, one who strives for A's to maintain a strong GPA (maybe that's just part of my oldest child syndrome?). I've really tried hard to keep that smile on my face, but when I'm stressed, that's just hard to do.
Today in my Book of Mormon (one of the beauties of BYU, by the way, having a REQUIRED religion class! I love it), my teacher Brother Hilton was reminding the class of our midterm exam on Friday. Needless to say, I've been really worried about this exam. After all, it is my first college test; I want to do well!! Many students were moaning and groaning about it, and after the opening prayer (another bonus of BYU) Brother Hilton started talking about how we "get" to take the test. We don't "have" to, we get to. Interesting perspective, I thought, still sitting in my chair with all the woe-is-me-I-have-to-take-a-test thoughts running through my mind. Then Bro. H. said something that really got my attention. He said, "Now, you guys really don't have to take this test. You could skip out on it -- granted you'd fail it -- but you still don't have to take it if you don't want to. But I wanted to remind you of something. There were over 5000 applicants that applied to BYU that did not get accepted. Those 5000 people, wherever they are in the world, are thinking of you and how lucky you are. So you might as well take the test." Ouch. That got me right in the gut.
You see, I've dreamt of coming to BYU since I was probably five or six years old. One of my fondest memories is as a young girl being able to attend football games with my grandpa (I call him Papa), sitting with him on the west side of the Lavell Edwards stadium, eating licorice and feeling the brisk autumn wind blow at my cheeks. Not only that, but I got to look at the gorgeous Rocky Mountains as the sun would set and while looking at the Y on the mountain think, "I want to come here one day." These thoughts were only strengthened as I have had the opportunity of attending Especially For Youth camps here a few times, knowing that this is the place that I wanted to continue my higher education.
I love what President James E. Faust says in this quote on obtaining a higher education,
"As you grow older you will look back on this season of your life as one of the sweet experiences in your preparation for eternity. Please know that we have confidence in you. We pray for you. Only through the quality of your lives, your achievements, your faith, and devotion can you justify the expenditure of the widow's mite to provide this religious and secular education for you. I know of the heartache of thousands who are not so privileged....May our Heavenly Father bless you so that you will have the vision, an enlarged vision, of the purpose of your being at Brigham Young University and a full realization that you are in fact learning for eternity."
Following the lecture in Book of Mormon, I thought long and hard on my bike ride back to my apartment of how truly blessed I am to be attending this magnificent university. I am surrounded by people with my same standards, and where those standards are upheld; I am able to share my testimony during a psychology lecture and not feel awkward or embarrassed; each step I take on Brigham Young University's campus, I can feel safe, I can feel loved, and I can know that I stand on dedicated ground. I stand in a place where education is not the only important aspect; Heavenly Father is the other part. He is fully invested in my education, little Natalie from Utah! I know He cares, He loves me, and He wants me to succeed. THAT's why I'm at BYU. I'm here for a purpose, and whatever that purpose is, He will help me fulfill any task that is placed in front of me, even if it is a Book of Mormon or Humanities midterm.
Well, back to studying! Another post soon.
~Natalie
It's been a rough week. Not in a bad-things-woe-is-me way, but in a my-first-exam-is-coming-up-and-I'm-worried-sick-about-getting-a-good-grade type of way. I've always tried to be a good student, one who strives for A's to maintain a strong GPA (maybe that's just part of my oldest child syndrome?). I've really tried hard to keep that smile on my face, but when I'm stressed, that's just hard to do.
Today in my Book of Mormon (one of the beauties of BYU, by the way, having a REQUIRED religion class! I love it), my teacher Brother Hilton was reminding the class of our midterm exam on Friday. Needless to say, I've been really worried about this exam. After all, it is my first college test; I want to do well!! Many students were moaning and groaning about it, and after the opening prayer (another bonus of BYU) Brother Hilton started talking about how we "get" to take the test. We don't "have" to, we get to. Interesting perspective, I thought, still sitting in my chair with all the woe-is-me-I-have-to-take-a-test thoughts running through my mind. Then Bro. H. said something that really got my attention. He said, "Now, you guys really don't have to take this test. You could skip out on it -- granted you'd fail it -- but you still don't have to take it if you don't want to. But I wanted to remind you of something. There were over 5000 applicants that applied to BYU that did not get accepted. Those 5000 people, wherever they are in the world, are thinking of you and how lucky you are. So you might as well take the test." Ouch. That got me right in the gut.
You see, I've dreamt of coming to BYU since I was probably five or six years old. One of my fondest memories is as a young girl being able to attend football games with my grandpa (I call him Papa), sitting with him on the west side of the Lavell Edwards stadium, eating licorice and feeling the brisk autumn wind blow at my cheeks. Not only that, but I got to look at the gorgeous Rocky Mountains as the sun would set and while looking at the Y on the mountain think, "I want to come here one day." These thoughts were only strengthened as I have had the opportunity of attending Especially For Youth camps here a few times, knowing that this is the place that I wanted to continue my higher education.
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| My friend Allie and I at the freshman pep rally |
I love what President James E. Faust says in this quote on obtaining a higher education,
"As you grow older you will look back on this season of your life as one of the sweet experiences in your preparation for eternity. Please know that we have confidence in you. We pray for you. Only through the quality of your lives, your achievements, your faith, and devotion can you justify the expenditure of the widow's mite to provide this religious and secular education for you. I know of the heartache of thousands who are not so privileged....May our Heavenly Father bless you so that you will have the vision, an enlarged vision, of the purpose of your being at Brigham Young University and a full realization that you are in fact learning for eternity."
Following the lecture in Book of Mormon, I thought long and hard on my bike ride back to my apartment of how truly blessed I am to be attending this magnificent university. I am surrounded by people with my same standards, and where those standards are upheld; I am able to share my testimony during a psychology lecture and not feel awkward or embarrassed; each step I take on Brigham Young University's campus, I can feel safe, I can feel loved, and I can know that I stand on dedicated ground. I stand in a place where education is not the only important aspect; Heavenly Father is the other part. He is fully invested in my education, little Natalie from Utah! I know He cares, He loves me, and He wants me to succeed. THAT's why I'm at BYU. I'm here for a purpose, and whatever that purpose is, He will help me fulfill any task that is placed in front of me, even if it is a Book of Mormon or Humanities midterm.
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| Cosmo the Cougar, world's best mascot! |
Well, back to studying! Another post soon.
~Natalie
Glad I found your blog, Nat. Really needed to hear this today, all of your posts but this one especially! Let's go to lunch, I am missing my cousin. Love you so much. XOXO
ReplyDeleteThat's what I made the blog for!! To share my thoughts and feelings and gratitude about life, trying to look for the positive in everything (even the hard times), and to be there as a source of love and help to anyone who needs it. Sure love you Em!! Can't wait for our lunch date. XOXOX
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