A Clean Slate

Spring term just started up last week and things have been really busy. I have two classes for my major (Comms 300 and Comms 321), work at the library, a possible internship with the Red Cross, my service calling I'm working to do more with in my ward and tons of other little things running through my mind.

I'm very grateful for this change of pace in my life and the opportunity that I have to start fresh and be reinvigorated with my classes. I don't know what it it's been, but lately, I feel like something is lacking.

For the first time since I first came to BYU, I don't have a leadership position on campus. I miss BYUSA a lot. I really have been changed by the time I was able to spend in that office and the people I was able to interact with. It's really strange for me to not have a responsibility on campus; however, I still feel like focusing on public relations is what I'm supposed to be doing. Part of me feels like I've opened the next chapter to my life- and that's both completely exciting and utterly terrifying.

With the added time I'm reinvesting myself in my classes- that is, after all, what I'm here for- and trying to figure out where exactly that hole in me is.

Last night there was a CES Fireside with the Primary General President, Rosemary M. Wixom. You can find the broadcast for yourself here. Sister Wixom posed the question, "How can our surrounding landscape help us come to our Redeemer?" and offered four further questions to ponder on:

1. How can I come to know the Spirit of the Holy Ghost?
2. How will I come to know the Book of Mormon is true?
3. How will I come to know the personal plan Heavenly Father has for me?
4. How will I come to know the Father and his Son?

In reflecting on her words, there was one quote that really hit me.

"You are on this Earth and have merely forgotten what you once knew."

I think that this is part of my hole. I can improve in so many areas of my life but I feel like starting back at the basics with who I really am is going to really help.

So much depends on what you do today.

One of my favorite things to volunteer with here at BYU is New Student Orientation. For the past three years I've had the great opportunity to help out with six NSOs. Every time I get the email asking me if I'd like to be involved in the next one, I always have to say yes. There is a special spirit with BYU's newest students. I always feel like I'm discovering BYU for the first time as I sit in convocation, explore campus on the Cougar Walk, visit Education in Zion, and laugh at Tradition of Honor.

The time that I have here at BYU is special. I'll never have an experience quite like this again in my life. A NSO first for me- at this session I was paired with transfer students, and not just my typical 20-30 students, but 80. To make things a little more daunting, this was also the first time that I didn't have a partner.

I was humbled. Eighty brand new BYU students and I was going to be their first impression of campus. Some of them were international students ranging from Jamaica, Colombia, Australia, Mexico, and South Korea- I could possibly be one of their first impressions of what the United States was like. Even though I was scared, and at times didn't know quite know what to do, I knew that I could be a friend to these students. Coming away from my experience today, I have a more sincere love for my fellow students at this university. I have a great testimony that each student is at this institution for a reason. I'm going to be working harder this semester to treasure this experience and truly have a BYU Experience.

Below is my favorite BYU movie. I get goosebumps every time.

Here's to a new semester. Winter 2011, I'm ready for greatness.