Skinny Jeans HAVE NOT Been Banned at BYU-I!

I got on facebook this evening to find a bunch of statuses about BYU-I and skinny jeans: (I left the authors anonymous intentionally.)

"I love how an article in the Scroll about one girl not being let into the testing center because of tight jeans has caused everyone to assume that there is a school wide ban on skinny jeans..."

"I'm only wearing spandex for the rest of the semester"

The original article comes from the Scroll (the student published newspaper at BYU-I):
Testing Center reminds students of Dress and Grooming Standards

And because of that one article there has been much misunderstanding.

Then I read this...
BYU-Idaho bans skinny jeans
Most of the comments written in response to this article are disappointing. And it's amazing how rapidly false information has spread and how because of it people are coming to conclusions about BYU-I, BYU, and the Church that are not true.

Then, I saw the following status:

"The honor code isn't put in place because flip-flops and skinny jeans are "of the devil." There is a much more significant purpose. It's not about shorts or flip-flops. It's about the concept of obedience. If you sign a contract that says you will obey the conditions of the honor code (which every BYU Idaho student must do upon acceptance), you are expected to be obedient to those conditions. More than a secular institution, even more than a university of the Church, BYU-I is a disciple preparation center. The honor code is just one of the pieces that help us to become disciples of the Lord and to learn OBEDIENCE. It's never been about what we as students can or cannot wear. If that is your focus then you have little concept of why the honor code exsists. Not trying to call any of you out. I've read about a million negative statuses regarding this whole skinny jean thing, and I'd thought I'd share the way I feel about the honor code. I have a testimony that when I obey the honor code to the letter, the Lord blesses me innumerably. I encourage every one attending BYU Idaho to re-evaluate their attitude toward the honor code and strive to not question why, but simply obey because it is what you covenanted to do."

I couldn't agree more!

In light of this comment, a friend showed me this article:
Mormon College Objects to Skinny Jeans

While reading the last article, I was happy to see the statement from the school:

"We have not identified "skinny jeans" as a specific violation of the dress and grooming standard. We are aware of the incident and the Student Honor Office is working with the Testing Center to address the issue.

"The Testing Center has not made any new standard, nor has there been a ban of a particular piece of clothing. The effort of the Testing Center as well as with other employees and students is to encourage others in their commitment to comply with the Honor Code."

-Kevin Miyasaki
Student Services and Activities Vice President

Even if skinny jeans had been banned, why can't we willingly obey? Why is that so hard? Why are people so resistant?

I feel like as members of the Church, we tend to question the commandments that are inconvenient or that we don't like. Because God said so should be a good enough reason. We shouldn't need an answer as to "why" we do everything. Because we love God and have chosen to willingly obey Him should be attitude and mindset, and if it isn't, we should pray that it will be.

I love this quote:

 "The process of giving your heart to the Lord is the great key to understanding the purpose of the Honor Code. The Honor Code is a preparatory commitment to live the gospel and conduct your lives in a spirit of obedience." -President Kim B. Clark

I found this devotional, given by Elder Bednar, that is very fitting for this topic, and I love what he said. The full talk is here: In the Path of Their Duty. Here are a couple of quotes from it:

"Much discussion occurs on this campus about the topic of enforcing the honor and dress codes. Focusing upon enforcement totally misses the issue and emphasizes a symptom of the problem rather than the root cause of the problem. The solution to this issue is really very simple. We do not need more or better enforcement. We simply need more obedience. You can read and understand these codes; that is all that should be necessary. An endless checklistof what can and cannot be done, what can and cannot be worn, is contrary to the spirit of the honor code.

"Men and women are to act and not be acted upon. Obedience as submission from "within" is acting for ourselves. Enforcement as control from 'outside' is being acted upon."-Elder David A. Bednar "In the Path of Their Duty" Ricks College Devotional September 1, 1998

I hope that we can find out the truth before jumping to conclusions. I also hope that we can choose obedience no matter what because we covenanted we would obey, because we want to obey and because we love the Lord.

Where did 2011 go???

I can't believe it's December! Where does the time go?

January-returned to BYU-I, winter semester began

February-counting down for Corey to return!

March-Corey returned home from serving his mission in Japan

April-mission reunion, prepared for my study abroad trip, left for Mexico

May-most of my time was spent in Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize

June-started 2nd block classes (back to reality)

July-I got a job working on campus in the online learning department, spent the 4th of July in Utah, the semester ended, started working as an EFY counselor

August-I turned 23 at EFY and EFY ended

September-fall semester began, ran 1st relay-Temple 2 Temple,

October-1st snowfall in Rexburg, MTC district reunion, mission friends' wedding

November-more mission friends' weddings, went home for Thanksgiving

December-fall semester will end, Christmas in San Diego, and hopefully I'll spend some time in Utah, then onto 2012!

Recent Claims in News about Mormons...

It makes me so sad to hear others claim what we, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, believe, when they aren't right. It makes me wish I could tell everyone the truth and set them all straight! 


All I have to say is this... If you want to know about science, you'll ask a scientist. If you want to know about music, you'll ask a musician. If you want to know about Judaism, you'll ask a Jew. If you want to know about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), you'll ask a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (a Mormon). 

I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I'm a Christian. I know Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. I know that He is at the head of the Church, and He leads our prophet, Thomas S. Monson, today. I know that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ, that was written by ancient prophets. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on the face of the earth. It contains the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that you can know the truth of these things if you will pray with a sincere heart and with pure intent, willing to act on the answer you receive.

Despite that I'm a Mormon, and I know what we believe and what we don't, people will still believe things that aren't true pertaining to what we believe. People will still seek out answers and information from the wrong sources. They will still claim that we believe things that we don't. But I would invite and encourage everyone, to go to the source, to Him who knows all. Don't just believe us, Mormons, but ask God. He will answer you and you will learn the truth of all things.

*****For more info ask me or visit www.mormon.org

Back to School (a month ago) & Back to Blogging...

It's been 5 1/2 months! I'm so fired from blogging! :/ I seriously used to love it SO much, and now the thought of blogging just sounds lame. But here I am anyway...


So a lot has happened between MesoAmerica and now. When I returned from my adventures in Central America, I went back to regular school. Then the semester ended, I began a journey of working with the youth for 3 weeks over the summer as an EFY counselor. Seriously, it's the BEST job in the world! Man, I miss it so much! I miss EVERYTHING about it... my youth, the fun, the spiritual high, my fellow counselors, the polos (hahaha, yes, even the polos), and the precious truths that I was taught and reminded of.


After EFY, I spent the rest of the summer working full-time on campus in the online learning department. Basically, I just do a lot of projects that require gathering information and gathering some stats, so that the department can better meet the needs of instructors and students as they schedule future online classes for future semesters. 


And then the summer ended all too soon, and I started school again! I'm taking 14 credits and working part-time (same job as I had over the summer). I am also a mentor for the Pathways program, an usher for devotional on Tuesdays, and I'm a facilitator for the Realize the Vision seminars. I have never been so busy in my life! I'm finishing up my generals this semester, and if everything goes according to plan, I should FINALLY have my associate's! (Which, it's about time! Really, I should have my bachelor's, but I have taken the road less traveled. If I'm lucky, I'll have it in a couple years.) I feel lame being excited for my AA, but considering what's happened over the last few years, it will be an accomplishment. And it's made me really want to work fast to finish and graduate with my BA. I seriously want to teach so badly!


At the beginning of the semester, I ran my first relay/race. I've never been a runner, though when I did/do run, I love it. But the furthest I've ever ran in one shot is probably 1.5 miles, maybe 2 miles. But I ran in the Temple 2 Temple Relay (we started at the Rexburg temple and as a team, 8 of us, ran to the Idaho Falls temple, which was about 37 miles total, I believe). I ran the first leg, which was 2.8 miles. Again, I feel silly being so excited about running a measly 2.8 miles, especially when it seems that I have lots of friends who run lots further. But again, it was an accomplishment for me.


Though this semester has been super busy, and in many ways a huge trial of my faith, I'm LOVING being in Rexburg, Idaho at Brigham Young University-Idaho. I feel so lucky to be here! The only thing I could do without is the cold (we already had our first snowfall last Thursday, the 6th). But everything else is just amazing! And I am surrounded by SO many wonderfully incredible people who I know from all over... back to my freshman year here, my mission, San Diego, EFY (both 2 years ago and this summer - my youth and counselors), San Diego RMs, MesoAmerica, former jobs, and so many other places! It's so fun to just walk through campus and constantly run into people I know! I love it! I continue to meet awesome people, and I feel blessed to be encircled by so many awesome members of the Church!


That pretty much sums it up! I don't really have concrete plans beyond this semester. I plan on staying in Rexburg until I graduate. But aside from that who knows what will happen and where I'll end up. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for me, and He continues to place me where He needs and wants me at the precise time that I need to be there with specific people doing certain things. I'm grateful for that guidance and assurance in my life.


And I'll try to update this on a more regular basis and maybe I'll even get back to adding photos! We'll see! Don't hold your breath! ;)

MesoAmerica Itinerary

It's almost been 2 months since I last posted. Crazy! Well, I leave for Mexico tomorrow. I'm way excited! I can't believe it's really going to happen... I'm really going to go to Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.  It's so weird to think that two years ago I was supposed to go on this trip, but it got cancelled because of the swine flu. I'm excited and grateful for another opportunity to go. I'm going through BYU-I study abroad. I'm taking 6 credits-Pearl of Great Price, sociology, and creative writing. 

I included my itinerary, so you can check out where I am and what I'm doing. I will love and miss y'all, but I'll be back on May 21.

Mesoamerica 2011: Itinerary Detail 

Day #	Day of week	Date	Schedule of Activities	Spend Night in (City: Hotel)
1	T	April 26	BUS from Rexburg to SLC airport, 2:30 a.m. MEET at Delta desk at 7:30 a.m. Breakfast (BYO in Airport) DEPART on Delta Flight 0513 to MEX, 9:58 a.m. Lunch (BYO for Flight) ARRIVE in Mexico City at 2:54 p.m. BUS to Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe EXPLORE Basilica and La Villa BUS to Hostal Catedral CHECK IN @ Hostal Catedral Dinner (restaurant) EXPLORE Latin American Tower	Mexico City, Mexico: Mundo Joven Hostal Catedral Travel Tip: No shorts today; bring a lunch for the flight and some snacks. Dinner will be late.
2	W	April 27	Breakfast (Hostal Catedral roof) EXPLORE Zocalo, Tenochitlan, Catedral , Nat. Palace METRO to Chapultapec Park Lunch (Chapultapec Park) EXPLORE Anthropological Museum BUS back to Hostal Catedral via Reforma Dinner (restaurant) Ballet Folklorico Performance at Bellas Artes 8:30	Mexico City, Mexico: Mundo Joven Hostal Catedral Travel Tip: No shorts today; concert dress required for the Ballet Folklorico.
3	Th	April 28	Breakfast (Hostal Catedral roof) BUS to Teotihuacan EXPLORE Teotihuacan Lunch (restaurant) BUS back to Hostal Catedral (BYO lunch for tomorrow’s bus ride; change clothes) BUS to Mexico City Temple (Bring your recommend) EXPLORE temple grounds and visitors center Baptisms at 6:00 p.m. Dinner (MTC cafeteria) BUS back to Hostal Catedral	Mexico City, Mexico: Mundo Joven Hostal Catedral Travel Tip: Shorts, hat, and sun block, recommended for Teotihuacan (am), Sunday dress for Temple (pm); BYO lunch for tomorrow.
4	F	April 29	Breakfast (Hostal Catedral roof) CHECK OUT/LOAD LUGGAGE (Where’s your passport?) BUS to Oaxaca (8+ hours) Lunch (BYO, on bus) CHECK IN @ Casa de Arnel Free time/class time Dinner (restaurant)	Oaxaca, Mexico: Casa de Arnel Travel Tip: enjoy the views; watch for volcanoes, cactus, and canyons.
5	Sat	April 30	Breakfast (Casa de Arnel roof) BUS to Monte Alban EXPLORE Monte Alban BUS back to Casa de Arnel Lunch (restaurant) EXPLORE Santo Domingo, Zocalo, and Market Dinner (restaurant)	Oaxaca, Mexico: Casa de Arnel Travel Tip: It’s Fast Sunday tomorrow; buy food for the bus if you need to break your fast before dinner.
6	Sun	May 1	(No tour breakfast – fast Sunday) CHECK OUT/LOAD LUGGAGE (Where’s your passport?) WALK to Church in Oaxaca BUS to Villahermosa (12+ hours) CHECK IN @ Hotel San Juan Dinner (restaurant or pizza)	Villahermosa, Mexico: Hotel San Juan Travel Tip: Long Fast Sunday bus ride today; good day for hymns, reading, writing.  3 Nephi 13:16-18.
7	M	May 2	Breakfast (hotel lobby or restaurant) CHECK OUT/LOAD LUGGAGE (Where’s your passport?) BUS to La Venta Olmec Archaeological Park EXPLORE La Venta BUS to Palenque CHECK IN @ Hotel Kashlan Lunch (money for groups) Free time/class time Dinner (restaurant) (BYO lunch/snacks for tomorrow)	Palenque, Mexico: Hotel Kashlan Travel Tip: Palenque’s little town is a fun place to explore and shop; if you get hot, try a licuado (smoothie); I recommend melon con leche.
8	T	May 3	Breakfast (hotel lobby or restaurant) BUS to Palenque ruins EXPLORE Palenque and rain forest BUS to grocery store Lunch (money for groups) (BYO lunch/snacks for tomorrow) Free time/class time Dinner (restaurant)	Palenque, Mexico: Hotel Kashlan Travel Tip: choose footwear for hiking pyramids and rain forest today; bring water; watch for howler monkeys.
9	W	May 4	Breakfast (hotel lobby or restaurant) CHECK OUT/LOAD LUGGAGE (Where’s your passport?) BUS to Miso-Ha waterfall EXPLORE waterfall BUS to Agua Azul SWIM at Agua Azul Lunch (BYO) BUS to San Cristobal (5+ hours) CHECK IN @ Hotel Real del Valle Dinner (restaurant)	San Cristobal, Mexico: Hotel Real del Valle Travel Tip: We’ll be swimming today! Wear your suit beneath your clothes or change there; hike the path up river for good views; bring dry clothes for the bus ride afterwards (5+ hours).
10	Th	May 5	Breakfast (restaurant) BUS to Zincatan, San Lorenzo, Weavers BUS to San Juan Chamula, Church of San Juan BUS to Zocalo Lunch (money for groups and tomorrow’s BYO) Free time/class time Dinner (restaurant) ***Pack a small bag for your two-night’s stay with your host family including church clothes and carry it onto the bus; once luggage is loaded tomorrow you won’t be able to get to it until Sunday night***	San Cristobal, Mexico: Hotel Real del Valle Travel Tip: Subdued behavior is best for our visits to Maya villages today; no photography allowed in Church at San Juan Chamula. At night, pack a small bag for your stay with LDS host family.
11	F	May 6	Breakfast (restaurant) CHECK OUT/LOAD LUGGAGE (Where’s your passport?) ***Carry two-day pack onto bus; don’t put it below*** BUS to Grijalva river BOATS through Sumidero Canyon Lunch (BYO on bus) BUS to Tuxtla Zoo EXPLORE Tuxtla Zoo BUS to Tuxtla LDS Stake Center/Temple Meet LDS host families at church Dinner (with host families)	Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico: LDS host families; directors at Hotel Regional San Marcos. Travel Tip: Bring your binoculars on the boat and watch for wildlife; be sure to see the Quetzal birds at the zoo.
12	Sat	May 7	Spend day with host families	Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico: LDS host families; directors at Hotel Regional San Marcos. Travel Tip: Be grateful
13	Sun	May 8	Meet at Tuxtla Stake Center/Temple at 7:30 a.m. LOAD two-day packs onto bus. ATTEND Sacrament Meeting 8:00 a.m. BUS to Guatemala border (5+ hours) Lunch (on bus) ***BORDER CROSSING: MEXICO TO GUATEMALA*** ***HAVE YOUR PASSPORT WITH YOU ON THE BUS*** BUS to Panajachel (7+ hours) CHECK IN @ Hospedaje Jere Dinner (restaurant)	Panajachel, Guatemala: Hospedaje Jere Travel Tip: Be prepared for a long bus ride today; directors will bring groceries for today’s lunch.
14	M	May 9	Breakfast (restaurant) WALK to Zip Line ZIP LINE tour of canopy WALK to Lake Atitlan Lunch (restaurant) BOAT to Santiago Atitlan EXPLORE Santiago Atitlan, Weavers, Maximon BOAT back to Panajachel Dinner (restaurant)	Panajachel, Guatemala: Hospedaje Jere Travel Tip: Avoid bargaining unless you intend to buy; don’t make an offer unless it’s a price you’re willing to pay.
15	T	May 10	Breakfast (restaurant) CHECK OUT/LOAD LUGGAGE (Where’s your passport?) BUS to Solola Market EXPLORE market Lunch (money for groups) BUS to Antigua CHECK IN @ Casa Santa Lucia No. 4 Free time/class time Dinner (restaurant) (BYO lunch/snacks for tomorrow)	Antigua, Guatemala: Casa Santa Lucia No. 4 Travel Tip: Take the Maya market challenge—buy something weird and see what you can trade it for.
16	W	May 11	Breakfast (hotel lobby or restaurant) BUS to Guatemala City Centro BUS to LDS Temple grounds BUS to Picaya Volcano Lunch (BYO, on bus) EXPLORE volcano BUS back to Antigua Dinner (restaurant) (BYO lunch/snacks for tomorrow)	Antigua, Guatemala: Casa Santa Lucia No. 4 Travel Tip: Shoes required for volcano hike; stay together, follow guides.
17	Th	May 12	Breakfast (hotel lobby or restaurant) CHECK OUT/LOAD LUGGAGE (Where’s your passport?) BUS to Rio Dulce Town (5+ hours) CHECK IN @ Hotel Hacienda Tijax Lunch (BYO) Visit Casa Guatemala Orphanage Dinner (restaurant)	Rio Dulce, Guatemala: Hotel Hacienda Tijax Travel Tip: Love the kids.
18	F	May 13	Breakfast (hotel lobby or restaurant) CHECK OUT/LOAD LUGGAGE (Where’s your passport?) BOATS to Livingston EXPLORE Livingston Lunch (money for groups) BOATS back to Rio Dulce BUS to Finca Ixobel CHECK IN @ Finca Ixobel Dinner (Finca restaurant)	Peten, Guatemala: Finca Ixobel Travel Tip: Imagine being among the first explorers to pass through this verdant paradise.
19	Sat	May 14	Breakfast (Finca restaurant) WALK to cave (2 hours) Lunch (sack lunches at cave) Cave Hike (2 hours) WALK back to Finca Ixobel (2 hours) Dinner (Finca restaurant)	Peten, Guatemala: Finca Ixobel Travel Tip: Closed-toe sandals or sneakers that can get wet required for cave hike; don’t be afraid  to lend a hand or take a hand.
20	Sun	May 15	Breakfast (Finca restaurant) CHECK OUT/LOAD LUGGAGE (Where’s your passport?) BUS to Church in Poptun Sacrament Meeting 9:00 a.m. BUS to Remate Lunch (sack lunches on bus) CHECK IN @ Gringo Perdido Sunday School Groups Dinner (restaurant) Poetry Reading (prepare a poem to share)	El Remate, Guatemala: Gringo Perdido Travel Tip: “Can we swim on Sunday?” Don’t ask me. Ask the Lord.
21	M	May 16	Breakfast (restaurant) CHECK OUT/LOAD LUGGAGE (Where’s your passport?) BUS to Tikal EXPLORE Tikal Lunch (sack lunches) BUS to Guatemala/Belize Border ***BORDER CROSSING: GUATEMALA TO BELIZE*** ***HAVE YOUR PASSPORT WITH YOU ON THE BUS*** BUS to San Ignacio CHECK IN @ Venus Hotel Dinner (Restaurant)	San Ignacio, Belize: Venus Hotel Travel Tip: Be very careful when climbing pyramids. Falling isn’t funny.
22	T	May 17	Birding at Cahal Pech Breakfast (restaurant) CHECK OUT/LOAD LUGGAGE (Where’s your passport?) Green Iguana Conservation Project Lunch (money for groups) BUS to Belize Zoo EXPLORE Belize Zoo BUS to Belize City port BOAT to Caye Caulker CHECK IN @ Tom’s Hotel Dinner (restaurant)	Caye Caulker, Belize: Tom’s Hotel Travel Tip: Once we get to the port, stay there please. Wandering out into Belize City isn’t safe.
23	W	May 18	Breakfast (restaurant) BOATS to Belize barrier reef Snorkeling BOATS back to Caye Caulker Dinner (restaurant) (BYO breakfast/lunch for tomorrow)	Caye Caulker, Belize: Tom’s Hotel Travel Tip: Snorkeling tip will last all day. Sun block is good, a t-shirt or rash guard is even better; don’t bring anything you don’t want wet.
24	Th	May 19	Breakfast (BYO) CHECK OUT/LOAD LUGGAGE (Where’s your passport?) BOAT to Belize City BUS to Belize/Mexico Border Lunch (BYO on bus) ***BORDER CROSSING: BELIZE TO MEXICO*** ***HAVE YOUR PASSPORT WITH YOU ON THE BUS*** BUS to Tulum CHECK IN @ Hotel La Vita e Bella Dinner (restaurant)	Tulum, Mexico: Hotel La Vita e Bella Travel Tip: Our last long bus ride and border crossing; remember to bring some lunch/snacks.
25	F	May 20	Breakfast  (hotel restaurant) BUS to Chichen Itza EXPLORE Chichen Itza Lunch (Chichen Itza food court) BUS to Hotel La Vita e Bella Free time/beach time Dinner (restaurant) Testimony meeting Pack (we leave tomorrow)	Tulum, Mexico: Hotel La Vita e Bella Travel Tip: Can you find the bearded Quetzalcoatl  at Chichen Itza? Enjoy the beach!
26	S	May 21	Breakfast (hotel restaurant) Free time/beach time BUS to Cancun airport 11:30 Lunch (money for groups at airport) DEPART Cancun on Delta flight 0464 at 4:20 p.m. ARRIVE in SLC at 8:11 p.m. BUS from SLC airport to Rexburg	Travel Tip: bus will arrive in Rexburg about 1:00 a.m. Sunday morning.