Marci Nelson

2015 is already proving to be a very different year. 2014 was exciting and full of lots of surprises - performing as the witch in Into the Woods, graduating from high school, getting a niece, having my last voice recital, going to my first semester of college, watching my friends put in their mission papers and open their calls, taking my first real life college finals, moving away from home, and living with my best friends. One thing that made all this change bearable- was having all of my friends and family near me. 2015 is different. I have all of my best friends leaving within the next two months. I'm currently starting my second semester with roommates that I don't know and standards that aren't quite up to par. This year will be the year that I get out of my comfort zone and really learn a lot about myself. Perhaps my difficult roommates will prove to be a missionary experience. Maybe I'll learn to be bold while still being kind. Perhaps I will have to branch ou...

Life is hard. There are things that happen daily that could get me stressed, anxious, discouraged, or worried. But because of what I know to be true, it leaves me with a hope that everything is going to be okay. Hope is a word that is often misunderstood. Hope often denotes a worry or a struggle that, "[I] hope ______ works out."  Hope, however, is much stronger than a wish. Hope is trust- hope is faith - that God knows what is best. Hope is an action word, a verb that signifies your ability to trust in a powerful being. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - day Saints is a Christian based faith that is in many ways similar to other churches based upon Christ. We believe in faith, good works, baptism, and grace just like many others do. Our church, however, is different in the way that it focuses on not only the individual, but the family. Because our church is lead by Jesus Christ, we need a mouthpiece, a spokesman if you will, to teach us what God and His Son w...

I was always told that I was a goal-setter growing up. That I naturally gravitated towards a schedule, being organized and using my time wisely. Then I became a teenager. The only way  I can describe this change of personality is with the word 'rebellion'. I rebelled against making goals. Why? Because goals are for people who can't promote change in their lives with pure willpower. Perhaps it's because goals are for people who need to change. For me, I think, was the fact that I didn't like failing. And making goals was just setting me up for failure. I remember sitting in Young Women's thinking, "why is personal progress so necessary? I'm a good person, I just don't write things down!" Because of this aversion to goals, I haven't received my YW Medallion yet. I'm almost done, but I don't quite have it. Why does this bother me now? I have learned since living on my own, that goal-setting is absolutely ESSENTIAL. If you w...

I sit here tonight in my first ever apartment. Riviera apartment number 8. Bedroom behind the bathroom. My roommate, Rachel, has gone home for conference weekend and I get to lie here and think about my ambitions, dreams, goals, and desires. Not only that, but I get to think about how blessed I am to be here at the Lord's University. Upon arrival here at BYU-Idaho, I have been reminded over and over again why it is that I am here. A year ago I never would have let myself come here - I wanted to break the mold and do something no one had ever done before! I wanted to make a name for myself- do exotic things, with exotic people, at exotic places. My goal upon arrival was this: I am going to get my associate's degree here, serve a mission, and then transfer to Utah State to get my bachelor's degree in Music Therapy. And then perhaps go on for a master's degree. The first two days of my stay here in Rexburg consisted of those dreams diminishing and new ones arriving. ...

So these past couple of weeks have been tender mercies, to say the least. About two weeks ago, I went to All-State choir. I have been before, my sophomore year, but for some reason the same insecurities I was having then I was having again this year. Anxiety filled my heart as I thought of what might happen this week. I didn't know my music, I didn't know who'd I'd be rooming with, and I couldn't remember why I had such a fun time my sophomore year. So I asked my father for a priesthood blessing. In the blessing, I was told that I would come back from this experience having a greater appreciation for my family. Great,  I thought. That means I'm going to have such a terrible experience that I'll be so ready to come home. Needless to say, this didn't help my anxiety. Now, before I go with this story I need to interrupt myself and tell you about my dad. I love my dad. And I know he loves me. But sometimes I think we have a hard time understanding e...

To My Mother This woman... Loves purple Plays the drums, and is DANG good at it, too!  Is a good dancer Has a smile that can light up a room Loves everyone Has a hug that can heal This woman... Started it all. She brought me into this world, and teaches me how to be the best me I can possibly be. She is the one who gave me my love for singing, dancing, and laughing. Some of my best memories include my mommy.  I will forever be in her debt for loving me unconditionally, no matter what. She supports me in absolutely everything I want to do.  She is the most forgiving person, and someone I hope to be like one day. She is so close to the spirit and she brings me so much joy. She has never said a mean or unkind thing to anyone, nor has she allowed anything negative to come out of her mouth. My mom has a gift. A gift to love everyone. She honestly has never said an unkind thing in her life. And she is amazing. She knows how to make a gloomy day...

One of the best days of my life was Saturday, April 13, 2013. The day I lost Distinguished Young Women of Rigby. Now, you might be thinking, "Wow, your life must be pretty terrible then." Actually, no. Quite the contrary. I got do something I love, I felt loved, and I had one of the best spiritual experiences of my life. I got numerous flowers, cards, gifts, and hugs from people wishing me good luck and telling me how awesome I was. I think I have 4 or 5 separate vases of flowers in my house symbolizing how blessed I am. I will forever be in debt to everyone who supported me and wished me the best. I will be forever grateful. The night was so fun. I did my absolute very best. And it was so fun! The awards ceremony was hard, but worth it. I knew how it would end up, and I felt satisfied, because I had done all I could. But I think the best part of the night happened after it was all over. I was emotionally, physically, and mentally exhausted. I felt good. A little upset....