Institute Graduation

Today, I  received my institute diploma!  For those of you who don't know what institute is, it an organization through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that offers scripture and doctrine classes aimed at college students.  I was asked to speak at graduation, and I decided I want to share my talk here on my blog because it contains my testimony of the power of institute.  I didn't read all of this word for word, but this is basically what I talked about.  Enjoy!


The question I've been asked to ponder for this talk is this: "How has institute impacted my life?"  First, I would like to mention some of the promises our leaders have given us about institute.

President Thomas S. Monson

“If you are a single college student, I ask you to make participation in institute a priority. Married students and other young adults are also welcome and encouraged to attend. Think of it. Friends will be made, the Spirit will be felt, and faith will be strengthened. I promise you that as you participate in institute and study the scriptures diligently, your power to avoid temptation and to receive direction of the Holy Ghost in all you do will be increased. Divine favor will attend those who humbly seek it. That is a promise which I leave with you.”
President Thomas S. Monson (April 21, 2009)

President Gordon B. Hinckley

“We urge all for whom [institute] is available to take advantage of it. We do not hesitate to promise that your knowledge of the gospel will be increased, your faith will be strengthened, and you will develop wonderful associations and friendships.”
President Gordon B. Hinckley (in Conference Report, April 1984, 69; orEnsign, May 1984, 47)

Elder Boyd K. Packer

“Students, if your values are in place, you will not hesitate to forego an elective class that may decorate your life in favor of instruction which can hold together the very foundation of it. Then, once enrolled, attend, study, and learn. Persuade your friends to do the same. You will never regret it; this I promise you.”
Elder Boyd K. Packer (in Conference Report, Apr. 1983, 91; or Ensign, May 1983, 67)


As I have attended institute, I have made friends, I have felt the Spirit.  My faith has been increased.  I have come to a greater knowledge of the truth of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I have never regretted attending institute.

Transition From Seminary to Institute

When I went to my seminary graduation at the end of high school, I heard a talk quite similar to the one I'm giving now about how institute was amazing and would bless my life.  Although I attended seminary throughout high school, I had never really found it that exciting, and I sort of sighed, thinking institute would be exactly the same.  However, knowing it was something I should do, I decided to test it out.

I first attended institute during the summer after I graduated high school.  There was a special Book of Mormon class specifically for recent high school graduates in my area, which was taught by my Bishop, who also happened to be the CES coordinator for our area.  This class was amazing.  It was there that I learned the power of institute.  Students at institute aren't there because their parents have forced them to attend.  They are there because they want to learn and grow in the Gospel.  Because of this, they ask questions, they answer questions, and they give their own insights.  Attending institute with these enlightened students, I have gained my own enlightenment, and I have learned to ask and answer questions in class, which has allowed me to gain more out of institute.

First Semester SUU and Songs of the Heart

My first semester at SUU, I was looking through the institute class schedule, and I saw the audition choir, Songs of the Heart.  I had been in a choir of some sort for most of my life starting in fourth grade, so I decided to audition.  Being chosen to be a part of this choir was one of the greatest blessing I experienced during that semester.  Several of my closest friends today, I met in Songs of the Heart.  It was there that I met my sweetheart, on the very first day, actually.  Our first date was the institute date that is held in the fall of every semester.  It was because of Songs of the Heart that we sang the duet that sealed our relationship from the day we began practicing it.

I have learned of the power of music, which is a huge influence in my life.  The music we sang taught me to draw near unto the Lord so that He could draw near unto me ("Draw Near Unto Me").  It taught me of My Father "that dwelleth in the high and holy place" ("O My Father", Eliza R. Snow).  I heard it's call to "awake...no longer droop in sin", but to rejoice and praise "the Lord my God who is my rock and stay" ("I Love the Lord").  I joined the royal army of God in singing of "victory through Him that redeemed us" ("Behold! A Royal Army", Fanny J. Crsoby).  This music truly became the song of my heart as I joined in harmony with my brothers and sisters in that choir.
[I apologize; I don't know all the names of those who wrote the lyrics for these songs]

Songs of the Heart Choir that first year

Other Blessings of Institute

I have also seen the blessings of institute in other aspects of my life.  The days I attend institute, my soul is lifted, and I am filled with joy.  One semester, I had a hard time finding an institute class to fit in my schedule, so it took me a couple weeks to get into one.  Once I started attending, I knew that it didn't matter which class I took, but I needed to go.  I've sometimes thought to myself, 'Well, if I need to skip class one day, it's not a big deal.  It's just institute.'  Yet, I always find that I never want to skip class, even if I have other things I need to do.  I just trust that if I put institute first, the Lord will help me get the other tasks done.

In institute, I have learned about who I was in the premortal existence [life before birth], who I have the potential to become, and how to do so.  I have learned of my purpose and the responsibilities and blessings I have as a member of the House of Israel.  I have learned that I am important to the Lord, and that he knows me individually and has a plan for my life.  I have seen His hand in the implementation of that plan as I have been directed out here to school, led to my husband, and guided in my education and career choices.  I have met amazing people who love the Lord and want to serve him as I do.  I have gained strength in their testimonies, and I hope I have offered them strength in mine.  I have gained peace.  I have learned of the love of God.

"For he doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world, for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him.  Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation" (2 Nephi 26:24)

I know that institute has blessed my life, and I know that it can bless all of yours.  I know that the Lord established institute for the benefit of the world.  It benefits those who attend, and they, in turn, bless the communities in which they live by living true to the Gospel.  I know that he wants everyone to partake of His salvation, and that institute is one of the ways that He draws us unto him.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

A Month of the Journey in 10 Minutes or Less

So, at the beginning of the semester, I had big plans about writing a blog post every single week! Yeah… we all see how well that's worked out thus far. I haven't really had a whole lot to write about. Peter and I have gotten back into the routine of school, and not a whole lot changes for us. I still don't have a ton of homework, which in turn decreases motivation to do any of it--terrible, I know. (Don't worry, mom, I am getting it done :P).  I have really enjoyed using the tablet I got through the CSIS department. It's so much lighter than carrying around my laptop. That thing seriously doubles the weight of my book bag.

I guess I can talk about school a little bit. Three of my classes seem to play off of each other some: Computer Organization and Architecture, Microprocessors, and Operating Systems.  Architecture is fairly interesting, if a little slow-moving.  I'm learning a fair number of Linux commands in Operating Systems, which is good since I don't have a whole lot of experience with Linux. Microprocessors, let's just say that the only reason I understand anything in that class is because I'm sitting next to James. We are building a tankbot, and I think it could be a kind of fun class. The problem is that the teacher explains everything at once, and/or explains the next step like 1-2 weeks before most of the class is ready for it, and then expects us to remember it all and just do it.  Plus, I think he assumes we have more background knowledge than we actually do. So, I just plug along, and when I get to the next step and have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing, I turn to James and he explains it to me. What's nice is that he doesn't do it for me, but explains every little piece I have a question about, so I actually do end up with at least a semi-complete understanding. We'll see how well  I truly understand it during the midterm, I guess.

Mobile Apps is one of my favorite classes because we're doing what I actually love about computer science: programming.  The only drawback is that since we're learning Objective C (the language used for programming iPod and iPad devices), I can only use a Mac because the best program for writing Objective C is Xcode-- which is really good, but the only version is for Macs.  And seeing as I don't own a Mac this becomes a problem (anybody want to lend me one? Haha, just kidding). I really would like to practice Objective C and work on my homework assignments at home, but I haven't found a way to make that possible.  So I guess I'll start scheduling more time to be at the school so I can work in the Mac lab!

Finally, I'm taking a forensic science class.  This one is basically an in-depth review of other classes I've taken.  However, the teacher has told me that in replacement of the final paper, I can give a presentation in class on Computer Forensics during that section of the semester!  Truth be told, I'm kind of excited for it.

Peter and I are both taking the Doctrines of the Gospel institute class, albeit at different times.  The teacher is Sister Cox and I love her.  The class is great!  I've really been enjoying it.  It is the highlight of my Tuesday/Thursdays.  Plus, it counts as a scripture-based class, which I need to graduate.  Win-win!

I can't tell you much about Peter's classes, but his schedule is lighter this semester, too.  He is enjoying the Master's level class he is taking, which is good because it is down in St George, and I think it would be really hard to make that trip each week if he didn't like the class.

Also, the company he'll be working for after he graduates (Café Zupas) came to the career fair this week, and while they were here his recruiter and the COO (Chief Operating Officer, for those not too savvy with business terms) took him and their other hire-ees here in Cedar out to dinner to make sure they knew they weren't forgotten.  :D   The COO was also the speaker for the Business department lecture series today, and Peter went to all of that.  I came for the tail-end (I had work for the first part) and got to go with Peter to the luncheon afterwards, where he officially introduced me to the COO.

In non-school related news, last month our stake did it's annual Marriage Symposium.  The symposium has been fantastic both years we've gone.  They have speakers come in and talk to us about how to build happy marriages.  One of this year's speakers was John Bytheway!  He was really funny, and gave some really good tips.  The second speaker is a family life professor at BYU, Mike

Goodman, and he actually spoke to us about marital intimacy--not about the mechanics (of course) but about the spiritual aspect of it and how men and women think about it differently.  It was an awesome talk, especially since it's not a topic we usually talk about in church but one we as young married couples need to understand better.  Another cool thing they've done at both the marriage symposiums we've gone to is a text message survey.  They ask questions about things we're doing or our opinion on different things, and you text your response in.  The niftiest part is that the results show up live through the website that hosts it, and we get to see the answers from all the other married couples immediately!  They had questions geared toward the brethren as well as questions geared towards the sisters, such as, "What does your spouse spend too much time doing?"  For the sisters to answer, the choices were like watch sports, play video games, homework, etc.  For the brethren to answer, the choices were things like social media (Facebook, pinterest and the like), talk on the phone, and homework.  I really enjoyed both the marriage symposiums I've been to; and to any married couples living in Cedar next year, I would highly recommend going.

Well, I think I've covered a month worth of stuff fairly well with this little post.  I will try to be better.  I should have something more to say during the next week, what with Valentine's Day being tomorrow.  Love y'all!

Back to School

Well, we have finished our first week of the Spring smeseter.  Peter is excited because he is going to have a much easier semester than this past fall, and I think I will have a somewhat easier semester, also.  Last semester we were both taking 18 credits and working two jobs.  It was pretty busy.  We’re both still working two jobs, but we have less than 18 credits this semester, especially Peter.

Classes seem like they’ll be mostly enjoyable, with maybe one or two exceptions.  I’m excited to be learning mobile app development, even if we are focusing on iOS devices :P.  Since Android uses java, Dr. B says the learning curve isn’t as big, making iOS more important for us to learn in class.  Dr. B is employing the “flipped classroom” method of teaching for this class, since a teacher of iOS (Objective-C) at another university who used to work for Apple has put all of his lectures for a similar class on iTunesU.  We are charged with watching lectures at home, taking notes and a short (open lecture) quiz on them, and then coming to class prepared to discuss or follow along as Dr. B helps us actually do some coding.  Should be interesting.

My Operating Systems class is a strange combination of students that I know.  Some of them are younger ones I TA’ed for last semester, and others are ones that have been in many of my classes and are at about my same level.  Almost too many people to talk to; half the time I can’t decide whose conversation to join!  It’s fun, though J

I have a new lab to TA in that is much smaller and is also a private lab, so I can prop the door when I’m working so students can come in and ask for help or leave it closed when I’m off the clock.  It’s nice and quiet.

I have also started eating lunch with some other CSIS students.  I just sort of randomly sat with a friend named Randy the other day, and then like 3 other CSIS students joined us!  When I said something about never having eaten lunch with CS students before, they were like, ‘yeah, we ended up doing this last semester’.  They must have enjoyed it cuz they’re doing it again this semester!  I like it because it helps me not be deprived of socialization when I spend all of my day in class and working.

Peter and I are both taking the Doctrines of the Gospel Institute class, although we’re taking it at different times (he’s taking it at 11am while I’m working, and I’m taking it at 1pm when he’s working).  I’m quite enjoying it.

So, that’s the first week of school!  One down, just a few more to go! ;)

Misc.

Okay, I'm going to try to be better about blogging this school year.  So, here are some pictures from August:

Last weekend, Peter and I went to Hatch to see Grandpa, and he took us to the Grand Canyon!

Yesterday was institute date night, so Peter and I went on the hike and after we went with a couple friends to Krave for some frozen yogurt!



St. George and YSA Conference

So this weekend was the YSA Conference.  It started with a talent show on Friday night (Songs of the Heart provided the entertainment, singing Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride, while the judges were making their decision.)  Then Saturday, there was a speaker, a lunchbox competition, a humanitarian aid drive, dinner, and a dance.  Peter and I went shopping instead of going to the speaker (I know, we're sinners! haha), and I'm so excited because I helped Peter pick out some shorts and shirts!  Then we went to the humanitarian aid drive, which was pretty good.  After we finished collecting, the Bishop from our "Sister Ward" paid for all of us to go get some frozen yogurt from Krave!  Then we had to go sort everything we had collected and make hygene kits!

After we finished that, they fed us dinner.   Then the dance was at 7pm.  We had time, especially since we didn't really want to be on time, so we went to the mall, and I found some shoes!  I will have to take a picture of them.  A couple of our friends came with us, and helped me find them, which was awesome!

Then we went to the dance.  There was a live swing band, and it was really fun!