This past week has been a bit crazy and eventful. School is, well school. I am trying hard to get good grades. I will see how well I am doing in my classes in the next week. For the most part I am struggling in Biology. She is inconsistent on her tests. The first lecture test was full of short and paragraph length answers. There was maybe four words that needed defining. Well this last lecture test had three pages of words that needed defining and only one short and paragraph answer. I had my first lab exam (that covers all of the past labs). She is slow about grading so I will not find out what I got until next Monday or Wednesday she said. She is a wonderful teacher she just makes difficult tests.

I will have my first test in America and the Enlightenment. I am studying hard for her class.

I am doing really well in Information Literacy; although, this new home work assignment is challenging.

I am still trying to get used to speaking French completely in class. It is weird to do everything in French. I love it though.

I really love my Doctrine and Covenants Institute class. I think that it is my favorite. Elder Bastian is amazing. He is serious though, we have a test every day and he does grade us.

I have had some medical problems but I am trying to deal. I am coming back to Detroit for Christmas Break to get it all cleared up.

While praying to Heavenly Father about my pain and all the medical stuff, I felt Him here with me. He told me to start preparing to go on a mission. Well His exact words were "Diamond, you need to go on a mission. Start preparing now."

So that is what I need to do. I talked to the Bishop and he said that before he gives it real consideration, I must get all of my health problems out of the way. I have a meeting with a gynecologist November 10th (Prisca's birthday) I believe. I will then go home for Christmas Break to talk to my gynecologist and other doctors.

I am so extremely happy for the gift of receiving revelation. I am so grateful that my heart and my mind was open so that I could listen. I am so grateful for the priesthood and most importantly, I am grateful that Joseph Smith's heart and mind was open to the Spirit and he was able to receive and act on that revelation.

Could Sundays get any Better?

Sunday was the best Sunday I have had in a while. It was not that special but it made me feel so much better.

Me and Prisca went to church as usual. The lessons were amazing though. In Relief Society (we have our classes backwards) the lesson was about Baptism. We ended with the teacher (Jenna) saying that when we partake of the sacrament and doing baptisms for the dead, we should think about when it is our turn to go to the temple and get endowed. She said that that should always be our goal- the temple. It really got me thinking that I have changed. That is my goal. I have been working on it even more since coming here. I know that what I am doing is right.

The Gospel Principles class was about... eternal marriage. It was a wonderful lesson. Again we talked about the importance of temple marriage. We also spoke about how we should always be worthy of entering the temple. It was pretty fun. I really enjoyed it. I really learned a lot.

After that me and Prisca was home taught. That was so much fun. I love Michael (VMI cadet) and Alex (Freshman football player). They are so much fun. They made fun of Prisca (texting while being taught). But they made her feel comfortable and they made sure to ask her questions. The lesson was about temples; however, they did not make her feel awkward or weird. They really included her.

She is really changing. She is not cussing anymore. She is more confident in herself. She is more happy. But at the same time, she is still her. She is funny and silly. She loves to be on the phone. She is awesome.

After dinner we went to family ward to watch a movie about the building of the Salt Lake Temple. It was amazing. It truly testified to me that the prophets are called of God and that good and wonderful things can come from trials. It reinforced the power of prayer and work. It humbled me and got me thinking about a ton of stuff. It was awesome.

After that we went to "Hymns on the Hill". Students get together to sing hymns in front of Main Hall. I have not done it since last Spring but I really wanted to start back up and Prisca wanted to go to. It was so much fun and so spiritual. It is always great to be around other people singing hymns. I felt the spirit so strongly and enjoyed it so much. It was magnificent. I am so grateful for Sara (a student) for coming up with this idea last year. There is a power that comes from singing hymns.

After that we came home and did roommate devotional. We have been reading from the BOM for a few weeks. We started from the beginning and we are at 2 Nephi 22. We are almost done with the Isaiah chapters. We read about the birth of Christ and the Second Coming. We both got a lot out of it. It was wonderful. We actually went to bed at 11:30 last night; however, I feel like I never slept. But it was an amazing Sunday and I am blessed to have had it and feel the spirit so strongly.

A Wonderfully Amazing Day

Yesterday was truly fun. I have tons of things to be grateful for.

It was fun hanging out with my roommate as usual.

Friday morning we went to breakfast together and just talked about everything.

Forum was simply amazing. The guy spoke about service and how we should acknowledge the little blessings that we have had in our lives. I have had a ton of them. I am grateful for all of them.

I went to my classes and had a ball.

Then I got to talk to my last roommate and her mom. It was fun seeing how well Kaili is and how much her family cares for me.

I am truly blessed.

My roommate also had a fun night and we stayed up until 1 am talking about it. It is a good thing that today is Saturday.

If I was a captain I would say Argh all day

This past few days has been down, up, and then down back again. I am so lucky to have such a great roommate and wonderful Home Teachers because I have been floating on thin ice for the past few weeks. With my PCOS and a blood clot in my left ovary, I have been in a ton of pain and I have a beautiful limp. I am both frustrated and annoyed at my health right now. Because of this I missed a ton of classes and work. My roommate is nice enough to bring me food when I am an in so much pain and talk to me. My Home Teachers (and random guys who are around when I fall from being in so much pain) have given me blessings. I have been messaging one of my home teachers for a few days and he always has something insightful to say.

Monday was so horrible. The Honor Council met with seven students who decided to go on a theft spree during a movie. It was horrible. I cried for like half an hour later and all during it. I just felt so bad for them and for their future. It was so horrible. After that I got sick (from my PCOS and blood clot) that night and just cried myself to bed because I did not want to wake my roommate.

Tuesday me and Prisca went to the Washington D.C. Temple on the school temple trip. It was amazing. I totally felt the Spirit. It was magnificent and gorgeous. I loved it and Prisca did as well. Later on that night I was in a lot of pain and I could not sleep. It was a good thing that I did not have class until 12:30.

Today I was angry and mad. I probably should not be but I just could not take it anymore. I have been trying so hard to just look at the bright side and not think about the bad. But because I was ignoring my feelings everything came out all at once. I lost my job thanks to my health. I failed my first paper test in Biology (D+) that I studied like crazy for and thought I did a good job on. In America and the Enlightenment, they talked about how the English settlers killed all of the Indians (for the better of mankind) and Friday we are talking about African American slavery. Really! Now! Seriously! Why?! I just got so upset. I cannot deal with anymore. I am tired and I want to just give up.

I am suppose to be strong but I am irritated at everything. But I am trying to follow the Prophet. I will be more grateful. I am grateful for my friends, my roommate, my family, the Priesthood, and temples. I am grateful for little acts of miracles- like the awesome message my Home Teacher wrote me and all of the people who helped me get to SVU and for missionaries bringing me the gospel. I am grateful for the plan of salvation and most importantly the Atonement. I am grateful for life.

Feeling Spiritual in a Tough Time

The hospital has been my best friend lately. Not because I want it to be but because I keep going there. I have been there twice in the span of one week. The first time the abscesses under my arm got infected (it is not that serious but it is taking FOREVER to heal) the last time (yesterday) was pretty serious. I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and it flared up. This was the worst pain it has caused me since being diagnosed with it two years ago. The pain was so severe that a the strongest (and safest) pain pill took three hours to take affect (which normally takes effect almost immediately). It was so severe that I am still limping and was put on bed rest.

However, instead of doing like I normally do (cry) I put my trust in the Lord. Maybe it is because I am reading a book that Hallie gave me (Trusting in the Lord by Elder Holland). Maybe it is because I am fellowshipping my roommate and dealing with my family issues and thus I do not have time to wallow in my misery. Maybe it is because I am forcing myself to do better in school so I have to study. I do not know. All I know is that Christ is here with me, he knows my needs. He knows that I am trying to be a better person, friend, and member.

Yesterday I was given a Priesthood Blessing and everything that I needed to hear was spoken. Today was the Relief Society Broadcast and I was able (although in pain) to walk down the horrible hill to the chapel and listen to the messages that was given. I was able to feel God's love for me so strongly that I know no matter what happens I am His daughter and that will never change. I know that as long as I live righteously I will be with Him again. I know that the sun will somehow shine and this trial will pass.

Tomorrow I have the opportunity to fast. I am so appreciative of Joseph Smith being given the keys to restore the gospel so that I can fast. I am humbled by the thought of it. I love this gospel and the wonderful scriptures. I am able to read verses on how to overcome adversity and trials. I am able to feel the love God has for me. I am happy that I have so many people who care for me and love me. I am grateful for friends and wonderful and meaningful friendships. I am also grateful for Priesthood Blessings and just the Priesthood. How wonderful it is to know that God loves us so much that he gives us men who can comfort and bless us when we need it most. How amazing to know that my name can be put on the Temple Prayer Roll. How amazing to have a temple! How amazing to have the gospel!

Lonely

School has been going good for the most part. I really enjoy my Information Literacy and Body Attack classes. They are so much fun- times goes by pretty fast in there. French is well French but I like it, I am still trying to get back in the rhythm of speaking it (especially since you are not allowed to speak anything else). I love Biology and on my first lab a got a B+. I however, could not manage to get that or better on this last one. I went to the hospital and after hours of being there they finally told me that an abscess had got an infection. The next day was lab and I was in so much pain. I ended up with a D; however, I talked to the professor and she told me that the worst lab grade gets dropped. I do; however, have to study that lab and make sure that I understand it because I will be tested on that stuff on the Lab Test. America and the Enlightenment is not my most favorite class. It deals with the Pre Enlightenment and post Enlightenment era. We read tons of books and discuss them in class. Everyone views the Enlightenment (or the reading) differently so we spend the hour being told that we are wrong.

For the most part I love my classes. Me and Prisca (my roommate) have been getting to know each other. We spend meals together and have Body Attack together as well. She is awesome. We have been meeting with the missionaries. She is afraid of getting baptized because her father does not approve of the church. I am not sure if she will gt baptized but she goes to all of the meetings (even the out of church ones). Yesterday we had our first roommate Devotional. I just flipped through the scriptures and landed on 3Nephi (it ended up being the Matthew chapters) it was great because she did not really want to read the BOM. It turned out well. We even sung "How Great Thou Art" I of course cried but she was nice about it. She said a prayer as well. It was nice. I felt the Spirit.

Now for the name of the post. Last night I was bombarded buy guys (not in a bad way). The guys were friends and they wanted to talk to me (or so I thought). Turns out they wanted to meet Prisca. That was fine. The guy said that he had been trying to talk to her but every time he sees her I am with her and so he wanted to talk to her alone. He went on to say maybe I should be lonely and let her "out". I guess he meant that I should stop hanging out with her all of the time and let her meet other people. I had not noticed that we hung out all the time. Any way it made me sad because he called me lonely. He then asked me if I could bring her down (we were in the Lofts on the first floor). I said OK. They hung out, I came back upstairs.

Some how it got me thinking. Am I lonely? The truth of the matter is yes I am. All of my family and friends are back at home. Yes I have friends here but not true friends. Not the ones that I can talk to forever. Not the ones I can call up at midnight to say I need you. The truth is... I am homesick.

Donations needed

Canned/ Boxed Food Assignment from October11th- November 15th.

My biology teacher (Professor Schramm) has given the class an assignment to donate 15 cans and/or boxes for the Buena Vista Community Share Project Food Bank. The food must be non-perishable such as vegetables, SPAM, fruit, tuna, noodles, rice, macaroni, oatmeal, potatoes, etc.

Because I am a poor college student, I am looking for donations. If you are willing to donate any food please let me know. You can leave it as a comment or email me. Thank you so much.