The Goal

When Jenny and I started to date we spent a lot of time together and it put homework on the back burner. It did not hurt our GPA too bad, but it made life a bit stressful with doing homework at the last minute or late at night. When she came back from Iowa, we set a goal to get straight A's. That would be 6 A's for me and 7 A's for Jenny. Well, I am now faced with the music of really reaching for that goal and seeking the Lord's help or cruising on with how I am doing. Right now, I have an A in Book of Mormon (2nd half), A in MUSC 1010, A- Fitness for Life, B (-) in Biology, and B in Financial Accounting. The two B's just so happen to be my toughest classes. Last semester, I complained about my classes not having the challenge of what I thought should be a challenging class. Well, these two are that and more. I have struggled continually throughout the semester to survive in my Biology class. I bought my book late and had to catch up. I lost my book and had to buy a brand new one. That resulted in catching up. I find that I was leaning heavily on the Professor curving the exam. Well, with that being the case I have been upping my level of study.
Right now, in my current state of mind, body, spirit, and everything else... I am tired and feel the threshold fastly approaching. Yet, I am pushing myself to not give in. Two weeks ago, I pulled off a miracle in passing all 7 mid-terms. Instead of taking a break, I have felt more to work harder. Tonight, I finished my Ch. 8 Financial Accounting homework. I thought it would be fun to see what grade I would have based on the percentages taken from my actual scores. (To clarify: Exams 60% + Quizzes 20% + Homework 20% = 100% Grade) Doing my calculations I am at a strong 82, B. If I keep up what I am doing, I will receive a strong B or even a B+. But, that is not what I want. I want the A. Being this deep into my class, I need a miracle to get that A. I have one more exam and a possible extra-exam. (Professor Smith will drop the lowest. Right now that is an 80%, B- [my last exam which I studied hard for, yet came up short at 78.95. He curved it since the average was 65%]) I would need to receive a 95% or higher on each exam or a combination summing to the total of 190 %. My quizzes would need to be straight 10/10. I have five more opportunities. If I do that, my lowest quiz a 6 would get dropped. That would allow me to pull off a 90, A- . So, I have been thinking... do I want to put even MORE effort into studying or cruise with how I am. On my mission, I asked for your prayers for my investigators and the members I served. I thank you all so much for that. I felt your prayers and faith. Sure, if I earn a B it is still passing and I will still be allowed to move on to Managerial Accounting and later earn my Associates in Arts in Business Degree. But, the point here is the goal. When you set a goal you bind yourself to it. It is like a covenant. It is a binding between you and God. This goal is between me and me. I want this A. I want to do my best, yet I know that I am weak and will come up short. I ask for your prayers for this. I know that when we set goals and do our part, the Lord will make up the rest. But, remember the scripture where the Savior said, "Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you;..." (Doctrine and Covenants 88:64) If it is expedient and we ask in faith and do our part, He will bless us. I know He loves us and He lives! I love you all!
_James