The Miracle of How I am Getting to Jerusalem

Hello Friends! I wanted to share some miracles that have happened in my life to help me get to Jerusalem in January. I testify that God is a God of miracles and is so aware of each of us. I have no doubt His hand has been in my life. I share these things to hopefully help you see His miracles in your own life. 

Miracle 1. How I heard about Jerusalem

Once upon a time I moved to Hawaii last summer (2021) with my bestie cousin, Liza, to have a new and fun experience. Part of the reason I went was to find some new life direction. After attending massage therapy school and working in the field for 6 years I'd been feeling a little stagnant and wasn't sure what to do next. 

While in Hawaii my local church Bishop, Bishop Hughes, became a dear friend. When I first arrived I met him and told him I was looking for some direction and hoped to find it during my 4 months on the island. 

Fast forward to one of the last weeks I was there, I got my covid booster shot - from Dr. Hughes (my Bishop, he's the best and does a lot for Oahu :)) - and he followed up. He asked if I had found that new life direction. I said I hadn't, but it had been an amazing experience to live in Hawaii. 

Out of the blue he said, "Ashley, you should go to BYU Jerusalem." What???? I didn't even know that was a thing!! He said he went when he was a few years younger than me and it was life changing for him. He still thinks about Jerusalem every day. 

I felt enlivened (pretty sure it was the Holy Ghost) and decided that was what I wanted to do. I applied for last fall because they were asking for more applications, but one of the requirements was to attend 2 semesters of an undergrad school, which I hadn't, so I didn't get accepted. 

SO

Miracle 2. How my perspective of education changed

I wanted to go to Jerusalem. What did I do? I applied to BYU Idaho, got accepted, and for the last year have attended 3 semesters - all in working toward attending BYU Jerusalem. That was a miracle in and of itself. I never thought I'd go to a 4 year school, but Rexburg has become my favorite place on earth up to this point, and I'm planning on graduating when I get back from Jerusalem! I LOVE school. And as you all know, I LOVE my Marriage and Family Studies degree. 

Another blessing has been willing, deeply caring, and kind teachers who have worked with me through various challenges I experienced this year. Without them I wouldn't have been able to have the credits needed to apply to BYU-J!

Miracle 3. The Monies $$$. I expected miracles at Sundance.

BYU Jerusalem is quite pricey (think $15,000 pricey). My parents pitched in a LOT for me growing up, which I'm so grateful for. The past few years I've reached the blessed 'adulting' age and now pay my own way - tuition, housing, car, phone, insurance, etc., - which makes me feel good. $15,000 is a lot of money, and after paying for a full year of school and housing I wasn't sure I would even be able to pay for Jerusalem. I weighed out all my options MANY times and didn't think I could go without taking out a loan. 

I've worked at Sundance Mountain Resort as a Massage Therapist on and off the past 3 years and they are so good to me. Luckily I make good money and they let me work for them over the 7 week break. I told God that if it would be a good thing for me to go to Jerusalem I needed miracles. I needed to make $10,000. I needed to massage a LOT of people.

Well, my brothers and sisters, through my hard work, God's hard work, and miracles of getting a ton of clients, I made what I needed to in those 7 weeks. Lol I was so tired HAHA. But God is good and helped me through it. 

Miracle 4. Getting off the waitlist 

After filling out all the paperwork I submitted my application and was notified I was number 14 on the waitlist. I wasn't sure if or when I would get off it. Weeks passed and I felt I needed to move on with my life, so I signed another apartment contract in Rexburg and was about to sign up for classes when on Halloween day I got a call that I had been accepted. 

At that point I honestly wasn't sure if I actually wanted to go because that money would pay for my next year of school. I was back and forth for days. I prayed, fasted, attended the temple, weighed the pros and cons dozens of times, counseled with my closest friends... In the end I told God I would do whatever He would want for my future, and it was to go to Jerusalem. Once I finally made that decision I can't tell you how excited I've felt the past month and a half! I feel FREE. I KNOW God is taking care of me and will continue to. He has worked miracles in my life as I have expected them. 

Brothers and sisters, God will perform miracles in your life, too. I think sometimes He's just waiting for us to ask for them. 

Thank you all for your support and kindness. Can't wait to share what I learn about the Savior while I'm gone for the next several months. I love the Lord and I love Heavenly Father. 

Well wishes, 

Ashley Marie