Rivalry Week

Hello all! Yet another week has come and gone. And with so many fun things!

Last Sunday I went to a CES Fireside where Elder Oaks spoke. It was so wonderful! On Tuesday, for our devotional, I got to listen to Elder Neil L. Anderson. So it was a great way to start off the week! Both of them spoke about Honesty, Truth, and Tolerance. I learned so much but one quote that I really like is from Elder Oaks. He was talking about how we must be tolerant with others, especially where our beliefs are not the same. Then he went on to say that we should not be tolerant with ourselves. We need to be strong with ourselves. To "be the one who makes a stand for right, even if you stand alone."
As far as classes go, it's just been the same old thing. I love all my classes and I love getting to learn in this environment. My physical science teacher started off class on Wednesday by saying that the chapter we're covering in class isn't supposed to be understood... by anyone. He doesn't understand it, another professor (of quantum mechanical physics) doesn't understand it, you're not going to understand it. Just except it as truth and don't ask questions. So science is definitely new and interesting. :)


Friday night I got together with some friends and we played some "Minute to Win it" games and had a lot of fun! :) 

 That's me! :)

 This is Courtney showing us all how it's done :)

 Mac and his date stacking dice on a knife

 Nathan's turn to stack 'em

Logan and Courtney's turn

 

On Saturday I attended World of Dance (a show put on by the BYU Department of Dance) It was really good and had all types of dancing and music in it. :) That night I went to the "Big Game" (aka: BYU vs Utah State football game) Clayton Anderson invited me a few months ago to sit with his group of friends at games. I did and it was a lot of fun. I ended up sitting next to his roommate who was really nice and helped me get into the game a bit more... only to be twice as crushed when the score turned out to be BYU-10 Utah-54. But it was still fun enough. But until I can be convinced otherwise... I'm of the opinion that football is not all it's cracked up to be.

Today I played the piano in relief society...  songs I've never played... with no practice before hand... but it went well enough haha. :) This morning I saw Bethany and Ryan and the kids for a few minutes. It was nice to see some family. Then tonight I saw my friend Chapman and his mom from Wenatchee. They were driving through on their way home from a wedding and stopped by just for about 10 minutes. It was also nice to see them and get to talk a little bit. Tonight I have ward prayer and then TUNNEL SINGING!!! :D

That's all I got for this week. Still love and miss you lots. <3
~Katie

One Fantastic Week Down, And So Many More To Go!!!

     First of all... Here are a few pictures of my room. :)
   

 Here is my desk area and the shelves above it

This is my bed, the window, and our little fridge.

      My roommate finally showed up! Last Sunday night she got here at about 10:30 at night. Her name is Laura Lee and she is from Salt Lake area. We couldn't get along better! :) We are both night people and do not like mornings. Neither of us have classes early in the morning either so we have no issues with our sleeping schedules. She is so much fun and somewhat outgoing and one of the sweetest girls I know. Sometime this week, I can't remember when it was, she came home from her sister's apartment with two bags of cookies. We both decided that we didn't want them in our room because we would eat them all. So we took them and knocked on everyone's door in our hall. It was a lot of fun getting to see everyone on our floor and introduce ourselves a little bit more. (not to mention get rid of the cookies)
     So my first week at BYU is over. I love my classes SO MUCH!!!! I'm taking Music101, Physical Science100, WRTG150, Country Western Dance, Book of Mormon, and an effective learning and studying class. I start classes at 11 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I start at 9 on Tuesday and Thursday. I enjoy not having to wake up for Early Morning Seminary (although I do miss Seminary). I love being here where the teachers are all so awesome and passionate and they bring the gospel into almost everything. My anxiety issues slowly went away over time. By Friday I actually had an appetite and I ate all 3 meals! (something that never happened before then) So now I have my appetite back just in time for fast Sunday... yay!
     I have met a few people and made a few friends while I've been here. I haven't really done anything with friends though outside of classes. But last night I met 4 girls as I was walking out of dinner and they just sort of "absorbed" me into their group. I then spent the rest of the evening with them just talking and having fun and we watched a movie. They live in David John Hall, the building right next to mine. It was really great getting some friends who I can start doing some stuff with on weekends (especially because this is a long weekend).
     This week has been kind of hard for me in the fact that I have felt alone so often. As this week has gone by, I would constantly turn to prayer or scriptures or call Dad and Renae. All of which have been an enormous blessing and comfort to me. But I am so blessed to know that I am never alone. I always have my Heavenly Father, or my daddy to turn to. I don't think my testimony has ever been so strong. My Book of Mormon teacher asked us to read David A. Bednar's talk of the Tender Mercies of the Lord. This really helped me a lot. I found a few lines that really touched me. He said, "... and when it seems that perhaps we are so totally alone, truly we are blessed by the tender mercies of the Lord and made mighty even unto the power of deliverance." As I said, I was feeling very alone so reading this brought such a wonderful feeling of comfort and love. My Book of Mormon teacher, who is really a Biology professor, is such a wonderful man. He teaches in a way that you don't realize you're talking about the scriptures and the principles that are found in them until the end when he ties it all together. He also has what is called the Yogurt Policy. If you 1- Are late to class, 2- Miss an assignment, 3- Get angry (at anyone for any reason), 4- Don't make your bed, or 5- Don't go to bed on time (aka don't get enough sleep)... you have to bring him a yogurt. :) I am so looking forward to this class and getting to know him better throughout the semester.
     Well, I think that's about it for this college student. I'm going over to the Todd's (my aunt and uncle's) for dinner tonight. I love you all so much and miss you tons too.
<3 Katie