Trusting God to Direct Her Path

January 2025

Growing up in Provo, Utah, just steps away from BYU, Addy Wilkey grew up in a close-knit family of five. Her childhood was filled with family, dance, and exploring the outdoors. Addy danced through her sophomore year of high school, until she decided to explore her passion for music. She plays the piano, sings, and writes her own songs. 

Addy graduated high school in 2021 and began attending Utah Valley University (UVU), pursuing a mix of elementary education and business management. However, college presented a new set of challenges. “I always planned to go to college, and I enjoyed my time at UVU,” she says, “but it was tricky since I didn’t feel like I had the same resources I did in high school and didn’t feel confident in my major. My classes had 300+ people, and I felt like I disappeared in the crowd. It was hard to feel like I belonged.” The financial strain and the uncertainty left her feeling disconnected from her college experience.

While serving a mission in North Dakota, Addy was unsure what she would pursue after returning home. She had applied to massage therapy school, but something didn’t feel right. “I knew I wasn’t supposed to do that,” she reflects. That’s when Addy turned to sincere prayer, seeking guidance. “For some reason, I kept thinking of BYU-Idaho, but I brushed it off. I wasn’t planning on moving to Rexburg. My dad went to Ricks College, and he would’ve loved it if I went, but I didn’t have any other ties to BYU-Idaho, and no friends who were there.” However, over the next week, BYU-Idaho kept coming up in unexpected ways. At member meals, people would bring up BYU-Idaho, and members who came to volleyball nights were wearing BYU-Idaho t-shirts. 

The following P-day, she found herself browsing the university’s website. That’s when everything changed. “As soon as I opened the BYUI website and looked at the majors, I felt the Spirit so strongly. I knew something was different, there was something unique about it. I applied and was accepted into the vocal performance program.” Even though she had no idea what was ahead, when she returned home from her mission, she packed up her things and moved to Rexburg.

Addy’s first visit to BYU-Idaho confirmed what the spirit had whispered to her all those months ago. “My parents and I took a tour of campus, and as soon as I stepped out of the car, the Spirit was so tangible. For the first time, I felt excited about school. I knew it was going to be okay and that there was something there for me.” As Addy and her parents walked around campus, professors took the time to stop and welcome them, something that still resonates with her today in her job as a campus tour guide. 

Financial worries still weighed heavily on Addy; however she moved forward trusting the Lord and His plan for her life. “My savings were basically gone from my mission, I barely got myself up to Rexburg. I didn’t know how I’d afford groceries or the basics.” That’s when she discovered the Return Missionary Scholarship, a program that provided the financial relief she needed to start her new life in Rexburg. “Without that scholarship, I wouldn’t have had money for groceries in those first few weeks. It was a huge blessing.”

For Addy, BYU-Idaho has become much more than just a place to study. It’s a sanctuary where she feels the presence of God in her daily life. “When I’m stressed, I do my homework on campus or in the gardens, where I can feel the Spirit. Campus has a feeling similar to the temple. It’s a safe haven for me, a place where I know I’ll feel peace.”

Now studying Public Policy and Administration with an emphasis on Family and Social Impact, Addy dreams of a career in advocacy, possibly working for nonprofits or even the Church. Her experience at BYU-Idaho has given her the tools and confidence to pursue a future she loves and feels confident in, and the financial support she’s received has made that dream possible.

“Without scholarships, I wouldn’t be able to afford the education that’s setting me up to contribute in meaningful ways. BYU-Idaho is a place where people can heal and draw closer to Christ, and it’s a place where I’ve found purpose.” Addy’s journey is one of faith, perseverance, and the power of trusting in the Lord’s plan for her life.