(Yeay... an entry from Greg! Please read all...)
So I've been having a difficult time with the school (ASU) in regards to a Spanish class I am taking.
A week or so before school started, I received a letter (email) from the Spanish Department Head that stated that "anyone who was bilingual or a heritage speaker should not be in this class (SPA313) but should be in a higher level course (SPA315)". I did not worry because I interpreted that as being someone who knew Spanish from birth (not a young man who knew "gospel" Spanish).
To humor myself, I looked at the schedules and the Spanish course I was in was the only time I could possibly have a Spanish course. None of the SPA314 or 315 were an option... I work full-time! So I ignored the email. The only thing that worried me was that in his email, he said that "taking this class for a better schedule is not grounds for staying in this course".
I went to class the first day and my Spanish professor gave each of us a diagnostic test to see if we truly belonged in this class. I took it honestly (in fact, I wanted to prove my Spanish prowess) and went home content I had done well.
The next time I was in my Spanish class, the professor handed back the tests to each student. She did not hand me back mine and I was confused. "Had she lost mine?" I though, "or maybe I did so terribly she needs to speak to me about additional tutoring?"
The professor pulled me aside and quietly spoke to me in Spanish. "You realize that there were no grammatical errors, and in fact, your test was so well done, I don't believe you belong in this class. You should be in a higher level course."
At this point I should have been satisfied at having done so well and exceeding expectations, but I was devastated! I could hear one young man who then began complaining to the teacher about the markings he rightfully did not deserve (I kind of chuckled because the class before he had been so arrogant and explained presumptuously he shouldn't be in this class). It was also kind of funny because he had been home 5 months from his mission in Mexico and I have been home 2 years... My Spanish should be much worse than his... but never mind that. It seemed more like a mere suggestion, so I didn't do anything about what my teacher though (nor could I do anything...). She did tell me she sent me a link to another placement test via email and asked me to take it then I could decide from then on.
I thought it funny that the placement test was developed by BYU and proceeded to take the test. There were no more than 6 questions and I could tell I wouldn't be able to take it lightly. I put my all into it and was pleasantly surprised to find I received 100%.
I knew I was in trouble now. What would they say now? Could I stay in the class still? Surely the differences between SPA313 and SPA314 weren't that large...
The next class my professor pulled me aside and asked if I had checked my email. I responded I hadn't. She said that the Spanish Department Head had sent me an email and I hadn't responded and I needed to as soon as possible. The thing that troubled me most was that she said the Spanish Head was notorious for dropping students in similar situations as myself.
Now I was seriously worried. I went home after work and the email said just that. "You cannot stay in this class." I began the task of writing a long email and stated I would lose my grant (which is paying for all my classes... without it, we would now be in debt $4000), my wife is pregnant, I work full-time and the only other possible class that could fill this spot would be a "Political History in the USA" class which was closed and unless he (Dept. Head) could help me I would be in deep doo-doo (though I said it more professionally than that).
I begged him. I pleaded for my sake and for the sake of my wife to let me stay. I went to bed after having had a long talk with Heavenly Father. I felt like everything would work out and I also needed to trust Heavenly Father, even if it meant that I would lose my grant and I would go into debt. I learned long ago never to question those kinds of feelings. As I laid in bed, I decided to read the assignment for Institute class the next day which was a talk by President Monson about charity (all this time I was angry at the Spanish Head and thought of all the mean things I could say or could do to him, but after reading this, I knew I couldn't feel this way about him if I was to receive help from Heavenly Father. I quickly realized I needed a change of heart, and asked for forgiveness from Heavenly Father for my thoughts and feelings I had allowed myself to have.
I woke up the next day and still worried of what could happen, but went to Institute, hoping to receive comfort. At some part in the lesson, they got a little off topic and I felt I should share my experience regarding the Spanish Dept. Head and charity. I believe my emotions had had the best of me and I cried in front of my class. The Spirit was strong in class. I was comforted and I could tell that others in class could feel that burning in their bosoms.
I felt encouraged and realized there was something to be done. I could not sit and wait and hope it all works out, so after my BIO class, I went to work and talked to my boss (briefly explaining the situation) and asked for 4 hours to go back to school and get it worked out. My boss consented and I was determined to do everything possible to get this to work.
As I walked back to my car (still worried and going over what I needed to do) the lyrics from "Count Your Many Blessings" came to my mind... "so amid the conflict, whether great or small, do not be discouraged, God is over all..." (bold added).
The Spirit took the time again to me to "not be discouraged... [for] God is over all". I did not worry and knew that I would do my best and God had taken care of the situation.
I came back to school and went to the computer lab to find all the info I needed (when and where to find the Spanish Dept. Head and also the Dean/Undergraduate Admissions if I couldn't fix it with him) and checked my email to see if he had responded to me... which he had.
The Spanish Dept. Head started by saying that he could understand my concerns, but still did not feel I should be in this class. However, he was going to concede to helping me out by letting me stay in class... ?!?!
Again, i thought of those lyrics "God is over all". How true that is! I can never be more grateful nor more content in knowing that fact.
Never be discouraged for any conflict you may have, remember, God is over all!
