Identity. We all have one. Some of us are musicians, leaders, jocks, computer geeks, or artists just to name a few. At Utah State University I was a student. Just a student…and that had never been me. My entire school career from the 5th grade I was involved in some form of leadership. It runs in my veins its my PASSION. I love it more than anything I’ve ever been a part of , and I’ve had my share of amazing experiences. I tried out for leadership positions at Utah State, some I got, some I didn’t but when I prayed about it the spirit would say NO. This was so hard on me. But I tried my best to be patient and simply WAIT.
Life right before going to Utah State was very rough for me. Some things happened to me that drew the light and fire out of my eyes. I was constantly sad, angry, or depressed. I’m Julia…and I never ever thought I would be capable of feeling what I did, or being the way I was. I felt like one of the idiots you see on movies and you just want to yell at them and say “HEY IDIOT! LOOK HOW BLESSED YOU ARE! STOP CRYING AND GET TO WORK!” But now I was that girl. The one that was crying, the one that couldn’t see the good. Not alone that is. My Heavenly Father had things that he needed to teach me, and he did. He needed me to simply be Julia for a semester without a title. Just Julia His daughter. Up at Utah State is where I was able to heal from the deepest hurt I’ve ever come to know and feel. It was in my moments on my knees in sincere prayer that I learned of my true worth and love that my Father in Heaven had for me. It was in the moments where I was walking home from class that I got to marvel at the creations of this beautiful world and I would think, “God is brilliant. He is so real.” I came to know of the reality of the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ. I always knew it was true, but feeling the hurt and ache I came to know as my own, and then to know that my Savior took that hurt upon Himself truly humbles me. I have the deepest love for my Savior. I would never wish the pain I went through on my worst enemy, but I am happy to say that I am grateful for the lessons I learned through it.
You’re probably all wondering why I put that, well it’s to show why I went up to Utah State. And now to part two of this wonderful story! One day during LDV my beautiful wonderful friend Bethany randomly came up to me and said, “Hun, you should move in with me!”
I was taken back, first because it was so random, and second because I felt the spirit saying you should pursue this. I had a great apartment, great ward, why should I move? If there is anything I have learned recently is that when the spirit speaks to you, obey!!! So I was looking into it, and decided to do it! THEN… like a week later it feel through. I was sooo confused. Why had I felt so good about this? Then that night my best friend from junior high Kristie Kitto called me at 1 in the morning to tell me some great news. We were just talking, then she felt the need to tell me about this leadership program at UVU.
This instantly intrigued me because like I said previously leadership is my passion and I had missed it so much. The next week was Thanksgiving so I was home in Orem. I got interviewed, the spirit was strong and I MADE IT! I was thrilled! I’d be living in Ventana apartments in the Presidential Leadership Scholarship. Talk about a dream come true.
I then had the greatest last 3 weeks up in Logan Utah. It made it so hard to leave… Here are some pics of my last days there.
Those are just a few 
NOW I’m here at UVU and I LOVE LOVE LOVE my roommates. Oh my gosh, I was so blessed with this move. They are Jamie Groesbeck, Morgan Lazenby, and Jill Scott. I love them. I share a bathroom/side of the apartment with Jamie and she is one of the biggest answers to prayer I have EVER had. Everyday she answers a different prayer. We’re so alike and for the first time in forever I don’t feel like an alien! She is my angel, and I’m so thankful for a Father in Heaven who blessed me with her! I want to be just like her
Life now is so great.
When you follow the Lord, He makes every day better than you ever could!
