Now this is a story all about how my life got flipped - turned upside down

And I'd like to take a minute

Just sit right there

I'll tell you how I became .... well not the prince of Bel Air. 

{1}

Before we met, Stephen and I both desired to see the world.  Early in our dating relationship, we discussed "hypothetically" moving abroad together for school.  We investigated many graduate programs internationally, looking for the perfect "dream" school.  Quickly, we discovered the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), and were sucked in by it's magic.  I was drawn to one research group in particular, the IRIS Lab, who specialized in medical nano-robotics.   It was the perfect school for us, but then again - this was all a pipe dream.  We weren't even married. 

{2}

Stephen and I continued to work hard in school and research.  Stephen was working for a professor on dialectric spectroscopy of proteins (aka what do proteins do in an electric field).  I worked with a professor on Sodium MRI for breast cancer research. 

{3}

Fast forward a year, Stephen and I are newlyweds.  I am flipping through IEEE Spectrum (aka the electrical engineer's cool stuff magazine) when an article called "Magnetic Mircobots to Fight Cancer" piqued my interest.  Reading through this article, I learned that there were 6 groups in the world performing nano-robotic surgery.  One of the leading groups was using MRI to guide the nanobots through the body.  I then recognized that this group happened to be the IRIS Lab at ETH.  What the what??!!  I literally shouted for joy.  Not only was I in exactly the right research field for where I wanted to go with my career, but my dream path was being created at the school that I wanted to attend with the professor and research group that I was most interested in. 

{4}

At the end of that semester, a professor asked us to switch our senior project to the light dresses.  The Ballroom Dance Company was going to Europe in the spring and needed engineers to join them.  Unfortunately,  I was registered for a class in the spring that was a requirement for graduation, and there was no wiggle room.  I was incredibly bummed.  A few days later,  I was walking with another professor and he mentioned I could get credit during spring term for going on tour.  WHAT?!  You mean I can work on the light dresses over spring term (which I will have to do anyway) and go to Europe, AND get credit?  Done.  Decision made.  I could move my schedule around and still have the required credits to graduate. 

{5}

The following semester we worked insane hours on the light dresses preparing for tour.  And we kept up classwork, callings, club responsibilities, research, and ambassador presentations.  We'll just say it was a crazy busy semester. 

We learned that we would be touring in Switzerland, and that we would have a morning to explore Zurich.  Perfect, we can visit the University!  We had been communicating with an American graduate student in the IRIS Lab, and planned to meet him while in Zurich.

The light dresses almost didn't make it, but through a series of miracles they worked flawlessly!  Tour was a success, and we had a fun time.  Zurich was perfect.  ETH was perfect.  We tried not get our hopes up too much.

{6}

That fall we submitted our applications for graduate school, crossed our fingers, and prayed.   

{7}

In March, we received the news that we were accepted to ETH and I would be working in the IRIS Lab.  As it turns out, ETH was the only university (aside from BYU) to accept both Stephen and I.  Coincidence, I think not.

{8}

Our visa applications were supposed to take 8-10 weeks to get approved.  We were approved in 4. 

{9}

Zurich housing is a nightmare.  A zillion applicants, crazy amounts of documentation, last minute showings, and a requirement to meet in person.  It would be next to impossible to secure an apartment before arriving - even if we flew to Zurich beforehand.  We had tried.  Hundreds of emails sent and phone calls made.  We accepted the fact that we would likely be living in a hostel for a month while securing our own housing.   And then there is the whole CRAZY EXPENSIVE part. 

Well... this week we signed a contract for an apartment.  

We know the Lord is working in our lives.  

It is so obvious to us. 

We don't know what the future holds, 

but we are excited for the adventure

and can't wait to be the Lord's hands in Switzerland. 

It is done

only about 10 hours of sleep this weekend.

But I FINISHED. 

I honestly didn't think it was possible;

I hadn't planned on writing the paper,

or finishing the math.

I had weighed out the consequences 

and come to the conclusion that the not even touching the big paper would still leave me with a solid A.

Doing a crap job on it would leave me with an even higher A. 

My math homework, though VERY beneficial to my knowledge and understanding of the subject matter, 

is only worth about .001% of my final grade.  

So I could handle not finishing it. 

My only concern 

was finishing writing two computer programs. 

and after spending 6 hours in the lab Saturday and just barely finishing an assignment

I did not think it humanly possible. 

MIRACULOUSLY

I finished the second lab in record time.

AND had time to complete ALL my math homework. 

AND wrote the paper,

a FULL LENGTH paper, 

a GOOD full length paper.

The Lord works in mysterious ways. 

He really does.

Because there physically were not enough hours in the day.  

Even beginning work at midnight last night and only sleeping 5 hours. 

But it happened.

I finished. 

And I am so grateful.

I just remembered

I guess I am kind of a special kid...

Today was productive. 

I completed a CS lab 3 days early,

Phys lab and hw 2 days early, 

and Math hw 5 days early.  

I cooked a fabulous dinner

watched some season premieres

visited friends

AND the part that reminded me I was special......

I updated my resume for a STEM Career Fair tomorrow

*Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics*

and all my achievements and accomplishments came flooding back to my memory.

I don't know how I did all that I did.  

and I don't know how I continue to do it today. 

But I know that with the Lord's help, anything is possible. 

I see his hand in all that I do. 

He is the reason I am who I am.

I am so grateful to him

and hope I will never forget all that he has given me. 

and now I should sleep, 

so I don't mess up his plan for me by getting sick

or becoming sleep deprived

*been there, done that. NOT a good place to be mentally*

buona notte e dolci sogni
goodnight and sweet dreams

Fortification

My faith and conviction that my church, 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints,

is the true church

was fortified today. 

I had the opportunity to attend a non-denominational church in the Annapolis area this morning. 

While not my first time visiting a church besides my own, 

it was a new and interesting opportunity.

The service was great, but very different from my own.

I knew kind of what to expect, 

Samantha, on the other hand, was a little overwhelmed. 

This visit to another church was different from the last.

The last, I was caught up in how foreign everything was to me. 

This time, however, I was able to focus on the service and I learned a lot. 

These preachers know they're stuff. 

They know the bible forwards and back; 

but they know so little. 

There are so many gaps that they cannot fill because they don't have the full doctrine. 

They try desperately to fill in the gaps and make sense of it all. 

Some concepts, they can grasp;

but they don't quite get the full meaning. 

There is just something missing. 

All they know is turn to Jesus. 

Every scripture discussed, every song sung, every prayer spoken said turn to Jesus. 

Go to him, pray to him, walk with him, be like him. 

Which is absolutely true;

but there is more to it than that.

Honestly, I felt a bit sad for the congregation;

The preacher, the worship band, the directors.

They try desperately to feel the spirit 

backing up the prayers with peaceful music 

raising their hands to God

but it's just not there. 

They are missing the Holy Ghost. 

They are missing the Priesthood. 

They are missing the fullness of the Gospel. 

Along with a much appreciated fortification of my testimony,

I have a much stronger desire to share the Gospel with others; 

especially to invite people to church with me. 

I know the spirit of the Lord is in our meetings. 

I absolutely feel the difference. 

There is no comparison. 

I know that if I could simply invite a friend to church,

they would be able to feel it too. 

The Lord is there;

he is real and you can feel it. 

It is an amazing feeling.

I cannot imagine life without it. 

Today I had a glimpse at life without the spirit and the truth,

and I felt very sad for those who do not have the gift that I have.

I am going to make a much greater effort now to share the gospel;

more than just discussing church or answering questions. 

But by sharing the Book of Mormon and inviting others to church with me, 

despite possible embarrassment from stepping out of my comfort zone. 

The world needs the Gospel. 

They need the truth, the FULL truth. 

I can share it with them.

I love my church.

I know it is absolutely the true church of Jesus Christ. 

I know it is the same church he established on the Earth so many years ago.

I know that he is the head of our church

and has called President Thomas S. Monson to be our modern-day prophet and revelator. 

I know that they are the mouthpiece of the Lord,

there is no doubt in my mind that they speak the truth.

I know that the spirit is real, and available to everyone.

I know he is present in our church meetings.

I know there are temples on this Earth dedicated by the proper authority

so that we may perform those sacred and holy ordinances.

I know that one day, 

hopefully in the not so distant future, 

I will be able to enter into the temple 

to seal my family together for time and all eternity. 

I love this Gospel with all my heart

I testify of its truth. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

you never know

the impact you may have on those around you.

I was inspired by my spectacular friend Trisha to start a blog

(well, her and a fabulous fireside I heard at BYUH which you can read about here)

I recently was told that I have done the same for my friend Caitlin. 

Check out this awesome blog by an even more amazing girl :)

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's...

Superman.
Saturday I went to Six Flags.
GREAT DAY.
aside from the sleep deprived part.

after many fun rides and lots of long lines
we decide to hit up superman.
one of the best roller-coasters. period.
After approximately 2 hours of waiting in line,
while playing a physics game on K's iPhone
*in love with by the way*
we reach the front of the line.

standing feet away from the best seat on the entire ride
(front row, side seat)
I get this small feeling I shouldn't get on the ride.
Pushing the feeling aside, I try to converse with my friends and enjoy myself
but the feelings wouldn't go away.
for what felt like an eternity, I ran these thoughts through my mind
over and over.
I prayed to my heavenly father.
was he serious?
I really waited in the longest line at the park for the best ride
and I wasn't supposed to go on it?
I asked for a sign *shame on me* to prove that I wasn't dreaming.
no earthquakes, no bolts of lightning,
but a very real sign.
A feeling.
Yes, he was serious.
I was not supposed to go on the ride.

When the gate opened for us to hop into our seats,
I walked straight across to the exit.
My friends looked at me like I was insane.
I had been talking about the ride all day.
And I wasn't going to go?
I briefly explained the feeling I had received.
Probably not the best idea.
They were kinda freaked out.
Were they not supposed to get on either?
Too late.
The ride took off.

They made it back in one piece.
V and K said my comment made the ride better;
more thrilling?
I can understand that.

Who's to say anything would have happened?
It's not likely I would have flown off and died.
Or blacked out.
But you never know.
Perhaps it was just a test.
This much I know;
I have no regrets.
I listened to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
I know I can obey,
even when the desire to do otherwise is strong.
I know he will always be there.
His promptings are small, and often hard to hear.
We have to be listening to receive them.
He does hear our prayers, our thoughts, our desires
and he answers them.
But we must be willing to hear them
and most importantly
to obey them.

faith without works is dead
James 2:20

a greater perspective

As you may know

Lucy's transmission died. 

I realized today

while I was driving home

that this is not the first time this has happened. 

In the past month I have looked at numerous cars. 

Every time I arrived to look at, and potentially buy, the car,

it had been sold just minutes prior.

I took this as bad luck;

but now I see that it was all a real blessing. 

As with Lucy's transmission, 

these instances were annoying and a pain to deal with.

In the end,

I happened upon the perfect car

one that I had imagined was impossible to get. 

The Lord looks out for us in many ways

ways that we may not see. 

ways that may take us weeks, or even years to see. 

ways that we may never see.

We do not know his full plan for us;

and we don't have to.

 He is here to guide and direct us in all of our doings. 

In some of our greatest decisions of life - 

our education, marriage, career -

and in all the little things along the way

such as buying a car. 

It is our job to obey his commandments, 

listen to his prophets' counsel

and do his will

without question. 

I know that if we do this, 

everything will be okay. 

The game of life will be played the way it was meant to be played

and we will win. 

We can ALL win.

We have an amazing opportunity to be here on this Earth. 

We sided with our brother, Jesus Christ in the preexistence.

It is for that reason that we are here. 

Life is not easy, 

But that is the way it was meant to be. 

If life were perfect and easy for everyone, 

it would be called Satan's plan. 

We are here on this Earth to prove to our Heavenly Father

that we love him. 

That we will be instruments in his hands

and do what it takes to return to him 

and become like him. 

We will obey his will, 

and help others to find the true happiness he brings to us. 

That is his eternal plan. 

To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. 

ULTIMATE HAPPINESS

Not short term ecstasy from a drink, 

or a one night stand. 

Not feeling like the most beautiful person in the world

because all the guys want to take you home.

Not having a rich and fabulous life.

Not graduating first in your class from Harvard or Stanford or MIT.

Not holding the single most important political position in the world.  

These things, 

though to the world may seem to bring happiness

do not do so. 

We all know this is true. 

How many beautiful stars

with glamorous lifestyles

and everything they could possibly ask for in the world

are unhappy?

How many of the smartest people in the world, 

are unsatisfied because they are not THE smartest?

Was Einstein happy?

If we continually strive to please the world,

we will never achieve happiness. 

I am not saying stars, and government officials cannot be happy. 

They absolutely can be. 

Warren Buffett is one of the richest men in the world. 

He still lives in the same house that he lived in 20 years ago. 

*now it had a helicopter landing pad 

But nothing else has changed. 

You can call him up on the phone and he will talk to you like any other person. 

He is different from Oprah, or Bill Gates. 

He doesn't seem to care that he has money. 

He is himself, and does not try to please the world. 

And I bet he is happy. 

When we give up the natural man

and listen to the Lord and his counsel, 

we can achieve true ETERNAL happiness. 

Mosiah 3:19

What more could we ask for?

I will get off my soapbox now. 

I just felt inspired to share my thoughts on the subject. 

I do not claim to be perfect in this area either;

infact, I am mostly preaching to myself. 

tis a miracle

tonight, I ran.  For the first time in YEARS.  It felt amazing, It wasn't a long run, just about 3.5 miles, but that short 3.5 miles broke down a massive wall that has been building and gaining strength for years.  I have long avoided running with the excuse that I don't force myself to breathe correctly and therefore cramp up immediately and stop.   Tonight was a miracle;  I was hardly short of breath at the end of the run, didn't cramp up in the least bit.  Now tomorrow, I will be sore, but it was worth it.

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint"

Isaiah 40:31