When I applied to graduate school my first time and was waiting to hear back, my grandma said to me, “it’s not a matter of if you get into graduate school. It’s just a matter of when.”
I found comfort in that sentence many many times!
For example, on January 24, 2024, I had to remind myself that Heavenly Father had a plan for me when I found out I had not gotten into the program I so desperately wanted to get into.
“It’s just a matter of when. It’s just a matter of when.”
On December 23, 2024, when I realized I did not get an interview to a graduate program I dreamed of getting into, I questioned Heavenly Father and sobbed out in confusion, “I don’t understand. This doesn’t make sense. What now?”
Again, reminding myself, “it’s not a matter of if. It’s just a matter of when.”
I felt devastated that I had to wait another year to apply, but I was undeterred. The next day I realized there were still two programs that had not closed yet. Their application due dates were in January, so I applied to both. A final Hail Mary.
Each step of the application was tedious and anxiety-provoking.
But I put everything I had into them, and I prayed and prayed.
To my delight, I received an email with an invite to interview for UVU’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. And on the morning of that interview, I got another email. From BYU’s Master’s of Marriage, Family, and Human Development Program.
I had my interview for UVU on February 3rd and BYU’s on February 10th.
You can listen to my podcast episode titled, “It’s Just a Matter of When: Part Four” to hear the details about those interviews, so I’ll leave them out of this post.
Then, on February 24th, I heard back from UVU. The words I was extremely familiar with, “We regret to inform you …”
To my surprise, I didn’t feel too badly. In fact, I was kind of relieved.
On February 25th, I received an email I did not see coming.
I received words I did not see coming.
Words I had not seen before in the context I so desperately wanted to see them in.
“We are pleased to inform you that the Marriage, Family, and Human Development Graduate Committee has unanimously voted to recommend you to Graduate Studies for admittance into our Master’s program starting in September 2025.”
To say I jumped around in excitement is an understatement. (Yes, I really did jump around emphatically.)
My grandma was right. It wasn’t a matter of if. It was just a matter of when.
Being where I am now and being able to look back, I clearly see where Heavenly Father led and guided me along the path to His perfect plan.
And I am so excited to see what else is in store for me!
I’m excited for you too.
I promise you that God’s plan for you is not a matter of “if.” It is a matter of when.
In General Conference of April 2025, Bishop Gérald Caussé said,
I testify that while many circumstances in life may be beyond our control, none of us is beyond the reach of the Lord’s infinite blessings. Through His atoning sacrifice, the Savior will compensate for every inability and injustice if we offer our whole souls to Him.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/04/44causse?lang=eng
(I highly encourage you read or listen to his entire talk. It’s very good!)
I know Heavenly Father loves you. I know the Savior understands you.
And I know your desperate pleadings and quiet prayers are heard.
They will make sense.
They will be answered.
It’s just a matter of when.
I’m trying something new today. Rather than leave it all on one page, I decided to split it up with the main post here on page one and the rambles of thousands and thousands of words on page two. Feel free to stay on page one and skip all the rambles (or skim page two). I’ll never know!
Hey, I just felt like letting you know that I really have enjoyed your blog posts recently (well all the time really, but you know what I mean). I appreciate how vulnerable you are, and how you share the downs and not only the ups–because it helps others to relate to you more, and it helps the ups to have more meaning.
I also wanted to mention how your situations (as well as the sayings that come from them such as “it’s just a matter of when” and “maybe it’s not impossible” have related and been applied to my life so much (there’s also so many other things you have said that I have kept with me, like “i get-it-now moments” which I refer to when journaling and making notes). Especially the past few weeks when I was trying to finish up school (yes… over the summer) and my deadline was this past Monday, I have used your saying. I was sooooo stressed (like the most stressed I’ve ever been about anything) and it was literally the most impossible task I have ever tried doing in my life. Yes, that dramatic.
But I would tell myself (on occasion, I wasn’t very good at believing, trusting in God, or hyping myself up) to try and help myself feel more calm and trusting in God, “maybe it’s not impossible, maybe it’s not impossible, maybe it’s not impossible”. And it wasn’t. After weeks (and really months leading up to the deadline of when my classes expired) of stress and so much work, I literally took two finals the day before those last classes expired, and finished those courses once and for all. I was very bad with my faith, and yet that didn’t stop that miracle from happening. I am so soo grateful, and I know that really, nothing is impossible. I already knew it beforehand, but it was hard feeling it, especially for feeling that the “impossible” would happen to myself.
Anyways, I just wanted to share, and thank you for the things you share. I think of you often and miss you!
Love, Isabella.
Thank you for your kind message, Isabella! It is really meaningful for me to know that my messages are read and matter to you!
I’m so glad you were able to finish up those assignments and finals. School can be sooo stressful; I totally get that!
I love that you repeated phrases to yourself that were uplifting. Way to go!!!!
And I don’t think you were bad in your faith. You just said you held onto hope. 😉
I think about you all the time too and miss you as well!
Take care! I love you!