Do we believe? or Do we know?

First week of college: CHECK.
Well, I made it through my first week of classes. College is so much different than I thought it would be. I entered my first class waiting for this grumpy, rude, old, and frumpy professor to walk in and just start lecturing. But, that never happened. All of my professors are so funny, and so kind, and they care. That my friends, is a benefit of going to a small school... professors who care and know your name.

Really, this week was much, much better than last. I think I cried only once... so really, MUCH better than last.

Monday: I went to classes and braved my whole first day of school without my mom only 10 minutes away. We also had FHE, and we just played games and got to know each other. It is so weird to be a family of only adults. I miss having kids around in my life. Highlight of the day, was walking with Nicol to our last class.

       
Tuesday: I have no classes on Tuesdays! So to be honest with you, I don't even remember what I did. However, highlight of the day was talking to my momma. I miss that lady with my whole heart. We sat and chatted about all things in life, but what killed me most, was to hear about Taegan. He is growing up, and he is becoming a BOY. He likes girls, and gets in fights, and "needs to do things for himself now." I don't think I miss anyone more in this world than that kid. One day he is going to have a REAL good wife.

Wednesday: I went to classes all morning and studied what felt like all afternoon. That night I went to Food & Faith BBQ on campus and then went to Institute. My friends, Institute is a dream. My teacher is so awesome, and hilarious. But also, he knows his stuff. He is brilliant, and has such a raging testimony of the gospel, and our prophet.

Thursday: I also only have one class on Thursdays, so I didn't do much either. I studied, and worked out, and laughed. But, Thursday was Paint the Town Red. They shut down all of Main Street, and SUU clubs, food trucks (aka heaven), and the whole city came out. We partied, we hand printed a wall, danced, and ate really good food. Is your town cool enough to shut down Main Street? I didn't think so.

Friday: I felt as though Friday might not ever come this week. But I went to classes, and I did NOT study because it was the weekend. But night time was quite the adventure. We went to this place called 2000 Flushes. Really it is just this HUGE crater where people used to mine for iron, but over the years the bottom has filled with rain water, and snow. So... what do you do? SWIM! We were swimming at the bottom of this crater in the most perfectly clear water under the moon light and stars. It was absolutely breathtaking and perfect to say the least.

Saturday: The week just kept getting better. We went down to a lake called Sand Hollow. We paddle boarded, went cliff jumping, swam, sun bathed, and our RA brought down his wave runner. It was hours of endless sun-filled bliss. (I was reminded how much I need my mom, especially to tell me to put on sunscreen. I am pretty much a walking lobster.) But it felt like home. Life here in Cedar City, is starting to feel a little bit more like home.

That brings us to today. Never in my life have I looked forward to Sundays more than now. I love being able to go to church, to feel the Spirit, and to be with something that I love so much. I still miss my primary, and seeing so many familiar faces. But church is still church, and it is still so good. 

Today in Sacrament meeting this guy spoke about the difference between knowledge and belief. For so much of our life, I think we go about only believing. We believe the church is true, we believe He lives, we believe in the Book of Mormon. However, there comes a point where we must stop only believing, and we must know. I don't think this knowledge comes all at once, but slowly. I think each time our faith is tested and tried, we go from believing to knowing. Because if we don't know, we won't quite make it. 

Ever since having moved away from home, so much of my faith has been tested... and it has not been easy. I know it has only been like a week, but I feel like I have learned more in 7 days, then I have in 7 years. I feel like I went from believing to knowing in so many aspects of my life. I know that my Savior lives, and I know that He has a plan for me. I know that the gospel is true. I know that I love my parents, and I know that I need them. I know that we are eternally blessed for this world we live in.

I know that this life is SO so good. And I know that I am happy to be in it. 

xoxo, 

ellie d.