I've decided to raise the intellectual content of this blog by posting some of my school papers. Here's my Born Again paper for my New Testament class:

My born again experience is probably similar to many others. It closely follows the same steps outlined by Nicodemus’s experience, but I know that my life is unique, and my experiences culminate in a born again experience that is uniquely mine. I have come to know Christ as my individual Savior through my life experiences, and I’m grateful for the blessings that have come through those experiences.

Like Nicodemus, my born again experience started by “seeing the kingdom.” From an early age, my parents tried their best to teach me the gospel. We started reading the Book of Mormon when I was five, just a few verses at a time. It took us two years to get all the way through, but that was my first memorable introduction to the stories and a little bit of the doctrine that the gospel teaches. I remember having the Spirit in our home and being taught about Christ. I knew my parents had testimonies of Him, and so I tried to learn and gain a testimony of the same truths.

When I was eight, I decided I wanted to be baptized. I had felt the Spirit’s promptings before, and I knew that getting baptized was the right thing to do. It was more than trying to please my parents, especially my dad, who was also my bishop at the time. I knew that “entering the kingdom” was something I needed to do. I was especially excited to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost; I wanted to be able to feel that special Spirit all the time.

When I was twelve, I went to the temple to perform proxy baptisms for the first time. I went with my ward’s youth to the Atlanta Georgia temple, three hours away. I loved the Spirit I felt inside. I had never felt closer to my Savior. I consider that first temple experience one of my first “receiving of the wind” experiences. It seems that I’ve always known about the gospel, but at the temple, I first gained an inkling of my own testimony of the profound truthfulness of the plan of Salvation and Christ’s central role in that plan.

From there, I think that I have progressed in becoming closer to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know that they love me, and there is a specific plan for me. I know the Atonement was a very real event, and that it applies to everyone who will come to Christ and take hold of His hand. One particular experience drove this truth directly to my heart. I was flying home to Utah as an unaccompanied minor. It was dark and raining when we landed in Las Vegas, and due to some timing issues, I missed my connecting flight to SLC. I had to wait for the next plane that would depart at 6:00 AM, eight hours later. I was completely alone in an unfamiliar place, worried about getting home and staying safe. Fortunately, due to an over-packed suitcase, I had transferred my scriptures, to my carry-on bag. As I settled in for the night in the airport, I pulled out my scriptures and was able to read verses of peace and comfort. I prayed in my heart, and I knew that I would be ok. I felt the Holy Ghost with me as I waited that long night. That night I learned that Heavenly Father was directly aware of me and my unique needs, and that He loved me enough to send His Spirit to protect and comfort me. I came to understand that because He loved me, He sent His Son to die for me and for everyone. I became more aware that I truly wanted to return to be with Him and Jesus Christ and my family for eternity.

I never want to stop “receiving the wind.” I look forward to being able to continue to serve and make future covenants in the temple. I want to continue to progress and understand more and more of the gospel of Jesus Christ through scripture study, prayer, and personal revelation. My born again experience may follow the same steps as many others’ experiences, but I know that I have these specific experiences to help me come to know my Savior personally as I have become born again.

Applications

‎I'm told I should liken the scriptures to my life (see 1 Nephi 19:23). So I was reading in Mormon the other day. The opening verses of Chapter 5 just really seemed to stick out. So here they are:

1 "And it came to pass that I [the physics TA] did go forth among the Nephites [physics students], and did repent of the oath which I had made that I would no more assist them; and they gave me command again of their armies [homework problems], for they looked upon me as though I could deliver them from their afflictions.

2 "But behold, I was without hope, for I knew the judgments of the Lord [professor] which should come upon them; for they repented not of their iniquities [mathematical errors], but did struggle for their lives [grades] without calling upon that Being who created them."

Anyways, I think I'll be sharing this with the next physics 105 student who needs a prayer or two said in his behalf.

To the nice boy on the stairs south of campus:

Thank you. You don't know how much your simple compliment meant to me. You see, I had just finished a physics test on a Friday night and was walking home somewhat distressed about my score and the fact that I had no plans for later that night. I don't know what made you say "Have a good night." Maybe you saw my worries in my face. Maybe you're just that nice to everyone you meet. And then, to stop, turn around, and say, "I'm sorry, what's your name? I'm Matthew. Oh, Jenny, I just wanted to tell you that you look really nice tonight." was completely unexpected, so all I could say in reply was "Thank you." I hope I run into you again sometime, because I love being around nice people like you. I want you to know that I appreciate the few moments you took to tell me something nice, to completely turn around what was going to be a horribly worry-filled night. Matthew, you are genuinely amazing. I hope you know that. Thank you once again for, well, everything.
--Jenny

Thoughts in the Form of a List

Since I'm a list person today:

1. I should probably eat more than pasta and rice for dinner this week...
2. I don't enjoy taking two tests in one day.
2.5. I don't enjoy Music 201 tests that I don't feel adequately prepared for. On the other hand, Math 214 tests are just fine. I'll take one of those any day.
3. I have no motivation to study after taking two tests in one day, despite the fact that I have another test to take this week....
4. I had a happy birthday.
5. I'm no different than I used to be, despite being older. I like that.
6. Fall weather is beautiful.
7. I need to buy groceries. I don't even have enough food to make cookies!
8. My new blanket is so soft and warm. I like that too.
9. My roommates and friends and family are amazing.
10. I am tired.

Facebook knowledge

With everything that facebook knows, and the vast amount of data amassed on that website, the following shouldn't be too surprising:

Facebook knows when you'll break up

By Doug Gross, CNN November 2, 2010 1:05 p.m. EDT |

This chart tracks relationship trouble via Facebook status updates, which show a spike of breakups in the spring.

(CNN) -- Worried about when you might get dumped? Facebook knows.

That's according to a graphic making the rounds online that uses Facebook status updates to chart what time of year people are splitting up.

British journalist and graphic designer David McCandless, who specializes in showcasing data in visual ways, compiled the chart. He showed off the graphic at a TED conference last July in Oxford, England.

In the talk, McCandless said he and a colleague scraped 10,000 Facebook status updates for the phrases "breakup" and "broken up."

They found two big spikes on the calendar for breakups. The first was after Valentine's Day -- that holiday has a way of defining relationships, for better or worse -- and in the weeks leading up to spring break. Maybe spring fever makes people restless, or maybe college students just don't want to be tied down when they're partying in Cancun.

And let's hear it for cheapskates. The other big romantically treacherous time, according to the graph, is about two weeks before Christmas -- presumably as people begin pricing gifts for their significant others.

Mondays, as if they weren't bad enough, are the most likely day to break up. Summer and fall look like the safest seasons.

And, possibly showing that some people's sense of humor is more twisted than others, there's a spike in breakups on April Fool's Day.

What single day are you least likely to get a "Dear John (or Jane)" letter?

"Christmas Day," McCandless said. "Who would do that?"

20

I have less than a week of being a teenager left. Part of me wants to do something completely silly and irrational to leave my teenage years with a bang while the other part of me wants to just smile to myself, accept the fact that I'm growing up, and settle in to my 20s quietly.
I think I'll miss the silliness, the giggling, the extreme moodiness, the sudden changes, the many memories, those secret smiles, the giddiness, and everything else that defines a teenage girl. I know I won't lose those things completely, but they'll be muted.
I'm a little scared to be responsible, to make important choices, to be a 20 year old! It'll definitely take some getting used to.
I'm super excited to be 20! I'm entering a whole new decade of my life! Just look at how much the last decade defined me! I'm sure the next decade will be just as defining and life changing!
I'm bidding a fond farewell to Jenny the teenager and looking forward to meeting Jenny the 20 year old. I'm hoping she's nice and friendly and not too different from the Jenny I'm used to being.

Flute Drama

Dear Jimmy,

Sorry, but I have a new make-out buddy. His name is Adam, and he's an alto flute. I love him so so so so much. I promise I'll play with you sometimes, but it's so much more fun to play with Adam. His rich, dark tones make my heart melt.

Don't worry, it's not because you're fat (you're not. Adam is larger than you), or because you're too old (you're not. But Adam is a little newer. And golder.). It's just because I won't let you be the only thing to touch my lips. ;)

Love you still (but sharing my lips and heart with another),
Jenny

Hard Things

“We've got to learn hard things in our lifetime, but it's love that gives you the strength. It's being nice to people and having a lot of fun and laughing harder than anything, hopefully every single day of your life.” -- Drew Barrymore

We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too." -- JFK

Wow. I'm still growing up. And it's hard! Really, really hard sometimes. But I choose to do things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard. From everything like school or dating to wearing modest clothes and acting appropriately, I can say that I can do hard things!

I had a high school English teacher who was fond of saying, "Yes, it's hard, but you can do hard things!" as she had an animated picture of the mythological Greek guy who had to push a rock up a mountain endlessly. High school was hard, but I did it! Freshman year of college was hard, but I did it! Right now, it's hard, but I can do it! I love accomplishing the hard things. I think I learn the most that way.

General Conference Part 1

So basically I loved conference. Just like every other typical BYU student out there. Seriously though, I felt that the words were coming directly to me. They were exactly the things I needed to hear, the exact answers to the specific questions I had in my heart.

So, let’s start at the very beginning (A very good place to start!)

Saturday morning:

Jeffery R. Holland is so emphatic when he speaks! His testimony is powerful, and he bears it powerfully. I had my testimony strengthened through his talk; I know that I am individually loved of God. I know He is aware of me and my needs.

Pres. David McConkie spoke to the teachers, a career path I’ve been considering. The truth is that teachers change lives. I started working as a Physics TA this semester, and I absolutely love it! I love teaching, I love seeing the light bulb go off in people’s eyes when they finally understand. That wasn’t the only thing about that talk though; I was reminded that I can find answers to my questions in the scriptures, and that I need to follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost when I receive those answers.

D. Todd Christofferson spoke on consecrating our lives to the Lord. That is the measure of success, not worldly fame or fortune, or Nobel Prizes.
And of course, Pres. Uchtdorf spoke on flying airplanes. How could he not? As a busy college student, this was the most clear, timely reminder I could have received that I need to focus on the essentials, that I shouldn’t waste my time doing too many trivial things. As Leonardo daVinci said, “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” I should proceed at the optimum speed for my circumstances, that is, don’t try to take 17 credits every semester I’m at BYU unless I know I can handle it and still have a good balance in my life. And lastly, “Love” is spelled “T-I-M-E.” The things I spend the most time doing, the people I spend the most time around, these are the people and things I love the most. Are they the right things? If I spend 12 hours listening to music, I must really love that music. Do I love it more than my studies? Maybe I should reconsider the time I spend doing the trivial things and refocus that time into the essential things.

Well, this is long enough for now. And I have some tests to study for. SO, for now, this is my conference report. More to follow!

Prayers

Are Answered.

Can I just say how true this is? It is. Really. More to come shortly hereafter.