My Life as a BYUI student

Madness!! That is about the only word to describe my life over the past 3 months. Things have been so crazy!! I have truly been blessed with the opportunity to attend BYU-Idaho. It is definitely a culture shock!! A lot of the things I did back home are not acceptable here. They aren't necessarily bad...just not up to BYUI standards. Some of these things are wearing shorts or capris (we can't wear them on campus) or the curfew of being home and in the apartment at midnight. I know that some of the rules here are really hard to understand but one of the things that we have to remember is that they are set in place for a reason and if we just obey them and not ask why or how then we will be blessed. I know that I have not been perfect by any means but that doesn't mean I am not doing my best. This semester has been a true test of willpower. It is a big move to leave your home and family and venture across the country to move in with 4 people you have never met and another person that you have been around but not more than a week at a time at the most. A lot of my family and friends thought I was crazy, my heck, I thought I was crazy myself but I knew this is what Heavenly Father wanted and who am I to tell Him no?!?! I jumped in head first and in the crazy city of Rexburg is where I spent the last 3 months. Three months has felt like a moment in time at some instances and like an eternity at others. I have been blessed with some great friends in Florida, Tennessee, Utah, and here in Idaho. Sometimes you are really surprised by the things that hit you in the face with life. I miss my family and friends back home more than most can imagine. I worry about them so much but I know that I am blessed with this gift. Not worry itself but the intuition I have sometimes is definitely a gift from Heavenly Father. My family is really doing great, even with the tragedy that hit in April. We miss Jada Dawn so much but we do know she is with Heavenly Father and we are all dealing with it in different ways but we all have done what we needed and moved on...one step at a time. I can see miracles in my family everyday, things are happening that I would not have seen in my wildest dreams, it truly brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. I can definitely say that this has been the toughest three months of my life but making it through has shown me that with Heavenly Father I can truly make it through anything. At times I am amazed with my strength but at other times I just feel like it is not enough. I have had roommate drama and I have spent a lot of time at Kayla's. Kayla's roommates have been really great to let me stay with them. I am especially grateful to Kayla Cook who is sharing her room with me. I am extremely grateful for the blessing that I have had to be out in Idaho with two of my best friends. There have definitely been ups and downs between us but the greatest thing is that we have been able to work through them and move on. I talk with Kayla daily about the things that we have been through and how amazing it is. We have truly butted heads over things but we talk and work through it. I think that I am learning lessons with my friends that I will definitely use in my future. I really think that EVERYTHING happens for a reason. It is amazing to look back and see how true this is for things in the past. I am eternally grateful for the friends that talk to me at late hours even when they aren't here in Idaho. Thank you so much Jessica, Elizabeth, Sarah K., Sarah S., Shanna, and everyone else that I have talked to on the phone and on facebook that have helped to keep me sane. I am thankful for everyone who has sent up prayers for Kayla and I and my family, they have truly been felt in the blessings we have received. I am thankful that I have had Kayla here and that I have been able to hold her hand and help her through the things that she needed help with and that she has been able to do the same for me. We have a friendship that is just not explainable. I take friendship seriously!! The friends that I am close with are like sisters and brothers to me and they mean the world!! I would do anything for them and I would hope that they would do anything for me!! It hurts badly when you lose a friend especially when you just don't know why things changed so fast but I guess it is another challenge that I have to face and another stepping stone in life. Another thing that I have been blessed with is the opportunity to go home for summer. This was something I never imagined would be possible when I came out here. I was able to find a plane ticket for the same amount as it was to stay the summer out here. I am more than ready to surprise my grandpa and Gage and to spend some quality time with my family and friends back home. I have worked and gone to school since I graduated high school and have never had the opportunity to spend good old fashion quality time with my family and friends over the summer. I can't wait. I would love to have some odds and end jobs while I am home and be able to make a few bucks here and there but I am going to try not to stress too much and take it one day or moment at a time. I am looking forward to the future and the stepping stones along the way.

Love Always,
<3 Ashley :)