Miracle Summer

The Bethany that left for EFY in June is not the same Bethany that is writing this post.

This Bethany has an absolute assurance that God hears and answers prayers, because she had to be positive of that fact before she could tell dozens of youth about it.

He really, really does hear us. And He answers. I know it.

This Bethany is sure of her identity as a Daughter of God.

He is my Father. I am His daughter. Nothing will change that, ever.

This Bethany has learned to rely on the promptings and inspiration of the Spirit to sustain her from moment to moment.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

This Bethany has learned the meaning of patience, humility, and servant leadership.

This Bethany has 82 pieces of her heart spread out across the country in the form of amazing, strong, beautiful young women facing real heartache.

This Bethany will forever look at others differently. This Bethany is not afraid to open her mouth and share the Gospel with friends, family, strangers, everyone.

This Bethany has fallen in love all over again with the word of God. This Bethany knows the meaning of 'study' and not just 'read' the scriptures.

This Bethany is different.

And she is grateful.

I also got accepted to nursing school this summer. Twice. Looking back at this post, or just searching 'nursing school' in the search box up yonder, you will maybe catch a glimpse of how much this means to me. Four years, people. Four years of crying and worrying and stressing about making my dream come true. I have three major dreams to accomplish in my life, and that is one of them. A third. People at EFY keep asking me "Where do you go to school? What are you studying?" And I am filled with the biggest sunshine ray of gratitude and happiness when I reply "I actually just got accepted to nursing school at BYU...." WHAT?! That's a real thing??? Those words are coming out of MY mouth??

This is how it happened:

At BYU, they have a rule that you can only apply to nursing school two times. MAYBE they will let you appeal for a third try, but rarely. So I applied twice in the last 3 and a half years at BYU, and I was rejected both times. So I made a few plans, prayed, cried, researched, adjusted, and moved forward. This past April, life changed around and I decided to apply to UVU's nursing school. For two weeks I ran around in a flurry taking entrance exams and getting credits transferred so I could meet the deadline.

I also appealed and was allowed to apply to BYU for a third try. Why? Because I hate being told what I cannot do. And I'm not a quitter.

On June 16th, I was working the EFY Salt Lake City Special Edition session. My mom texted me that the letter from UVU had come. I had planned to make her wait so that I could open it myself, but I changed my mind and told her to open it. She texted me a photo of a letter that started like this:

"Dear Bethany, CONGRATULATIONS!!"

I was walking at the back of a line of youth when I opened the message. I tilted my head back and faced the sky while I laughed and prayed and cried tears of gratitude. Finally. 

Two weeks later I was working an EFY session in Tacoma, Washington. I received an email from BYU that said "We're sorry, your application to the College of Nursing has been denied...." I smiled. I had read this message twice before, and I could face it with peace because I had tried my hardest and was still going to become a nurse. Just not at BYU.

On July 16th, I was working EFY in Provo. We were sitting in morning side, learning about choices and personal revelation and how sometimes the Lord gives us two good choices and He trusts us to make the decision ourselves. My thoughts: "This is so great for the youth to learn. I'm so glad I've learned this lesson already in my life. Agency is so great." 

At this moment, I looked down and saw a missed call from BYU on my phone. I excused myself from morning side and listened to this voicemail:

"Bethany, this is Cara from the BYU College of Nursing. We have had a spot open up and want to extend to you admission to our program for Fall 2013." 

Wide eyed, shocked, and shaking, I realized the entire morning side was for me. Heavenly Father is smart like that.

I took 24 hours and prayed about it. I weighed the pros and cons. I remembered telling people that if I was admitted to both programs, I would choose UVU. I laughed at the irony of it all.

I chose BYU. I feel so happy about that decision. This was my dream, and it was given to me after a long trial of my faith. While I have wrapped up my EFY summer here in Provo this week, I keep having little shivers of joy at the prospect of coming back here to study what I have always wanted.

The words blessed and grateful do not even begin to cover it.