Lucky me, I got to give a talk in church right before leaving for SVU again. Chiggity check it out peeps.
Last week brother Jacobson came to my house and asked me to share some things that I have learned from my family that have helped me throughout my time in college. I immediately thought yesssss this is the perfect topic for me because I love my family and I love southern Virginia university so sweet deal that I get to talk about both amirite?
Alright. My family. I guess I could talk about things like how I've learned it's important to be kind to your family members, and in turn other people, when they beat you in fifa or else you might end up feeling really bad and having to repent for the mean things you say to them because you are a sore loser. Or I could talk about how I've learned to carefully plan my nap schedule in between running errands for my busy mother which translates to carefully planning my nap schedule in between running errands for my busy college self.
But I've decided to narrow it down to one thing from each family member that I've come to learn is crucial in a college setting, and in life in general. I like to call these the three B's
First we'll start with Lyndsey. My sweet and sassy little sister is the zest of our family. If you know her at all, you know that she has so much energy she could easily put the energizer bunny to shame. She is constantly moving and talking and dancing and bouncing off the walls, and sometimes just watching her makes me feel like I need to take a nap. But she has taught me something that has served me so well and will continue to do so.
She has taught me to BEAR TESTIMONY.
By this I mean it in the literal way like getting up during fast and testimony meeting to share my feelings about my savior and his great church, but I also mean it in more of an example type of way. 1 Timothy 4:12 says Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Lyndsey has taught me the real meaning of this scripture. I can bear my testimony by my words, attitude, and actions, just like my little sister does. Lynds is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. She knows what's right, and even when she gets pressure from others around her, she is able to stand firm and defend her beliefs.
She sets the example for me by saying some of the most heart felt thought out prayers that I have ever heard. She isn't afraid to dive right in to discussions about church related topics with our family or friends. She isn't afraid to do her own thing when she notices that some of her friends are hanging out with the wrong crowd. If there is something on her mind, she isn't afraid to say it. Watching her and hearing about her strong will to bear testimony in whatever she does, whether she realizes she's doing it or not, has come in so handy for me.
Belonging to a school like SVU that is dominantly LDS and has such high standards has made it easier to stick to my beliefs. But there were a handful of times last year that I found myself in certain situations and felt the need to stand firm in my testimony by saying things like, "instead of watching this R rated movie, how about we watch something more appropriate" or "I would love to go up to the fields and kick a soccer ball around instead of sit through three hours of church but I'm going to go to church anyways because I know it's the right thing to do." In this way, I am remembering my sister and bearing testimony by standing up for what I know is right.
Next is my dad. My dad and I are basically the same person. We both like to watch movies, we both have a hard time dealing with incompetent people, we have the same sarcasm, we just get each other. So I try to listen to his advice as best as I can. Last year, as we were hugging good bye and my family was getting ready to fly home after driving me out to school, he said two words that have stuck with me. BE SMART. At first he said this and I thought, "yeah dad sure I'll go to the library and study and whatnot." But after really thinking about this simple yet powerful phrase, I've come to learn that it means so much more than just being a good student. Whenever I make plans I think BE SMART. Whenever I leave my apartment I think, BE SMART. To be smart means to use wisdom and judgement in all that I do. Living 20000 miles away from home, I've had to grow up and really learn about the responsibilities of taking care of myself. I've learned how important it is to eat good food, get the rest that I need, and plan adequate time for homework and studying. I've learned about being smart with boys and staying away from the type of people that I know wouldn't have a good influence on me. I've learned that being smart means being a safe diver and not being careless about things that should be taken seriously. So basically, to be smart is to be responsible. I've applied this phrase heavily towards my physical and temporal needs while at school. But I've also learned a little about being smart when it comes to my spirituality as well. As members of the church we all are all responsible for seeking our own salvation and the salvation of others. During General Conference last spring, Elder Jorge F. Zebellos of the Seventy said these two responsibilities that have been trusted to us, which we freely accepted, must define our priorities, our desires, our decisions, and our daily conduct. We must press forward by learning our duty, making correct decisions, acting according to those decisions, and accepting the will of our Father. In other words, we need to be smart.
BE SMART covers just about anything and everything. It's a short and sweet phrase that I have adapted to every aspect of my life and will continue to use until the day I die. And I'm so thankful that I have such a sweet father who knows how to give me direction.
Last but certainly not least is my mom. I've learned so many things from her over the years I could probably write a book about it all. She has taught me how to have a good work ethic and how to laugh at yourself when you sing and dance in the car. She is like the coolest mom ever so it came as no surprise when my friends wanted to hang out with her as much as they wanted to hang out with me. My best friend Rose would come over to my house and say, "Michele I need your wisdom." So the three of us would sit in our kitchen for hours and talk about everything from boys to school to jobs to just about anything else you could think of. One of these special therapy sessions stands out to me in particular. Rose and I were in the midst of our teenage years and getting ready to go to high school, so of course we needed all the motherly wisdom we could get. I don't remember the exact context of the conversation, but I do remember one very powerful thing she taught us.
BUILD YOUR FOUNDATION ON CHRIST.
She very strongly impressed that we were at the time in our lives when building this foundation was crucial. She promised that if we were steadfast in our testimonies of our Savior and built ourselves up on him, then we would be able to handle anything that the adversary would throw in our paths. Going to college can be a scary thing. There are so many temptations that can potentially throw anyone off balance and cause foundations to crumble if they aren't built correctly. Scripture study, prayer, weekly church attendance, and institute are all good things but the one thing that can withstand any storm or temptation is a sure belief in Christ.
Helaman 5:12 says And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you,it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation wherein if men build they cannot fall.
My mothers words and this scripture have definitely helped me at school. I know that because my foundation is built on Christ, I don't need to worry when a trial comes my way. And my relationship with my Savior has only grown since being at school. I'm so thankful that my mom taught me this lesson because I know that without my sure foundation in Christ, I would not have had such a wonderful college experience.
Families are one of Heavenly Father's greatest gifts and they are essential to his eternal plan. I'm so thankful that he has blessed me with such a wonderful family that supports me and loves me unconditionally. This summer I've learned just how precious spending time with them is. And while I'm certainly going to miss them when I go back to school, I'm also thankful that I have found a family in my soccer team, coaches, and friends 2000 miles away so that I can continue to receive the blessings that come from families.
