Life Planning and the Accompanying Stress

image is mine.

When I was a senior in high school, I wasn't too worried about college and the whole process of applying and getting in.  I knew I wanted to go to a church school and just did what it took to go to one. Meanwhile, my friends stressed out, did tons of research, and prepared for the SAT as if their citizenship depended on it.

Now I understand.


If all goes according to plan, I'll graduate from BYU-Idaho in July 2013. That's 16 months away. I want to get my MPA after that--but where? Now I'm doing what my peers did looking for an undergrad program--trying to figure out where I'd like to live and study, where the good programs are, and how much each place would cost. I've also learned that I need to start studying for the GRE three months ago.

But as I've looked around, I've been excited. I know any program will be expensive, but I'm willing to do what it takes to further my education. And I'm still working on where to apply, but here's my short list.

• BYU
• La Verne
• MAYBE Loyola New Orleans. Their MPA program is also a JD program.
• LSU (added post-publishing, thanks to Sister Sant)
• Memphis 
• (If I go east, I have to go South. I'm not sure why.)
• UCI
• Cal State Fullerton

But who knows. Maybe I'll change my mind again and that will open a whole new range of options.

And that's just what's coming up later. What do I even do about the news that my internship, while still happening, will not be paid, and that any job I get while doing my internship will have to be approved by my teacher? And then how do I make time (or pay for) the 10 credits of online classes I'll be taking this summer? 

Now here's the cool part.

Yesterday as I began to process all of this information and worry about it, I opened up my scriptures to where my bookmark would have me read next--the Liberty Jail sections of Doctrine & Covenants. (For those not acquainted with LDS church history or scripture, look here.) Let me tell you, reading those words brought comfort and a reassurance that everything will work out somehow.

And it is going to be fantastic.

He is Not Ashamed.

I love arguing and debating...but I will never start one about things that are really important to me. I only ever really talked about Proposition 8 two and a half years ago on this blog (sort of) and with those who brought up with me. And I was terrified. I know in my bones that "marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God," but usually I'm talking to atheists about it. My argument is completely invalid to them and I can't win. 

(photo by Jill Rich Photography)

My brother John is not that way at all, and he is my Hero of the Day because of it. He's outspoken on the topic in the best way possible. He does not go looking to alienate anyone, but he will bring it up when he feels moved to. He is not ashamed. Today I watched him hold his own against two or three of his friends on Facebook. I did jump into the conversation to try and even things out some, and I think we made a good case together.

I was supposed to watch this for my journalism class a while back, but I didn't get to it today. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in religious freedom.