A Birthday Graduation

Last week was very big for Peter.  He had a birthday and graduated college!

 I know he loves strawberries, so I made this cake for him.  It's white cake with sweetened condensed milk poured over it, topped with strawberries followed by cool whip.  It had to sit in the fridge overnight, so I made it the day before.  Unfortunately, I was making it right before I had to go pick him up from work, and it was too hot still to put in the fridge before I went to get him.  I went straight from picking him up to going over to the school to work on an assignment, so he had to put it in the fridge.  There went my surprise...Oh, well.  It still tasted good.

For his birthday, he got an polo from SUU and an SUU bumper sticker.  I made him let me take pictures while he opened his present.

The next day was graduation!  His parents, my dad, my sister, and my grandpa came to see him graduate.  It was also Paul's graduation from the Master's of Accountancy program, so he and Kylie were there, too.  The first part of graduation is the processional.  The grads line up on the Eastern side of the clock tower and walk underneath it then into the Colosseum.  This is part of a new tradition started a couple years ago, where freshman process underneath the clock tower going the opposite direction, then avoid going underneath it during the rest of their time at school until they graduate.

Peter managed to sit on the same side of the Colosseum as us!  

Kira pointed out that this guy (Peter actually knows his name, but I don't) looks like he's going to whack any of the graduates that get out of line with this ceremonial mace he is holding.

This is a terrible picture taken on my phone, but this is Ann Romney.  She was the Commencement speaker this year, and she gave a great talk!

Between Commencement and Peter's Convocation, we had dinner at the All American Diner, which is a little Mom-and-Pop place Peter and I discovered this last semester.  We were excited to share our discovery with our family.  When we first came in, "Let it Go" started playing over the sound system, which caused several of us great delight.

Then we had Convocation with the School of Business, where the graduates walked across the stage and picked up their diploma holders.  Actual diplomas are supposed to be mailed sometime this summer.

Now that he has a college degree and is qualified to, he's contemplating the great philosophies of life.

Or maybe he's just bored.

 Picture with the School of Business Sign.

There was a little meet and greet with the professors in the Rotunda after Convocation.

 Then we decided to get a jumping picture with the Congratulations! sign.

Paul's landing was just so lovely!

Pictures with Family

Having some fun!

So proud of my graduate!!!

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 Few Short Updates

Last Saturday, Peter and I did some cleaning, then went to the Temple for our ward Temple day.  Afterwards, we went to Texas Roadhouse and then to see Captain America 2!  It was really fun.

Since Sunday was Easter, we had our friends Adam and Carly over for an Easter dinner!  We had pork chops, rolls, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, deviled eggs, and then these yummy chocolate peanut butter bars for desert.  It was fun and very tasty!  We are really going to miss Adam and Carly.  Hopefully, we'll get to see them sometimes, since they'll just be in Provo!

Yesterday was study day (this semester has gone by so fast!).  I felt very productive because I got my Microprocessors tank bot project and my Mobile Apps project done!

Today was both Carly and Malinda's baby showers!  I was helping Carly's mother-in-law plan hers, so I was more involved with it than with Malinda's.  We did a storybook theme, and it turned out really cute.

April: Conference, Sunshine, and Other Delights

Wow, this month is going by really fast.  I have a lot to catch up on.  The General Women's meeting was the Saturday after Skills USA, and Kira came up, so we watched it together.  It was really good.  You could really feel the Spirit when Sister Wixom asked all the girls aged 8, 9, 10, and 11 to stand and sing the first verse of "Teach Me to Walk in the Light" and then had the rest of the ladies respond.  This really helped me feel closer to all the sisters in attendance, united in our desire to learn of God.

President Eyring asked daughters to smile at their mothers
if they were sitting next to them; we decided to send our
mom our smiles.

The following weekend was General Conference!  Peter and I were able to attend the Sunday Morning Session at the Conference Center.  We also got to visit with Peter's parents and see the progress his dad has been making on the basement of their new house.  We decided to drive up Saturday morning, so we ended up listening to the first session of Conference on the radio in the car.  I really enjoyed Elder Holland's talk.  I stayed awake through all the sessions of conference, except during the Sunday Morning session when I dozed off during Elder Bednar's talk.  I kept awake during the other sessions by working on a cross stitch project I got just for Conference!  It actually really helped.  

Saturday afternoon, Peter helped his dad with the basement some more.  While the menfolk were at Priesthood Session, Peter's mom and I went to dinner and then to Sam's Club for a little grocery shopping.  Saturday night we got to visit with our friends Ben and Missy (and they got to meet Peter's parents) at Leatherby's where we ate delicious ice cream (and caramel sauce!).  

Working on the basement

Outside the Conference Center

Temple after Conference

My cross stitch project!

The Friday after Conference, we got our car fixed!  Yay!  Good as new!

That week, the weather was beautiful here!  Saturday I just had to get out and about, so we went to the park and ate a Subway picnic lunch.  I read my book for a while.  Peter decided to get the kite out.  He asked me to help him get it up in the air, but when I saw that he had other assistance, I stayed in my seat:

The Kite actually attracted a fair amount of attention from others who were also out in the sunshine!  It was kind of funny.  A little girl came over with her daddy to watch, too.  Then I took over the kite flying, and couple on bikes with one of those bike strollers stopped and pointed the kite out to the kids inside the stroller.

Later that evening, our friend had a bbq birthday party, which I was able to attend, but while Peter dropped in, he had to go to a concert (he told me not to come because he thought the music was boring).  Then we ended up at the local frozen yogurt place.  They have these chalkboards for customers to draw on, and we saw this one hanging up while we were eating:

Shortly thereafter, a little boy came over and added this one:

We thought that was pretty cute, so being obsessed with Frozen as we are, and also happening to have an artist among our group, we decided to contribute a couple more:

We thought ourselves pretty clever ;)