BYU Graduation Party!!

When BYU throws a party... they really know how to throw a PARTY!!!

^^Free Dinner (Hamberger, Hot Dogs, Pizza, Chips, and an open fountain drink)^^

^^Finally got my photo with Cosmo!!^^

^^My Family with Cosmo!!^^

^^A Game of ping pong^^

^^A {Free} game of Bowling^^

^^Lots of free BYU Ice Cream^^

A vocal point concert.

President Samuelson came.

We were pretty excited when we went onto the next activity-- free prizes. I said a prayer and after this complete stranger gave us 5 of his tickets because he was leaving we won a big first aid kit and THE GRAND PRIZE!!! A bike and a helmet!! {With the tickets he gave us}. We were on cloud nine!!

We're feeling so grateful!! :D

Fulton Conference

The BYU Fulton Conference was awesome!!

I got to stand by my poster and talk about my research!

My professor, Dr. Busby asked if I wanted to eat by him -- What an honor for me!! We got to know each other better. :D

During the luncheon they presented awards and I got the honorable mention!! I was so happy!!

After the lunch, he said we could take our posters home when the conference is over and then hang them up for our roommates to read. Then he added, "maybe not the one on Sex" -- then a ton of people turned and looked at me.

I talked with President Samuelson briefly and he asked me if my research intimidates people. He also asked about my plans after graduation. I really like our president! He is a great guy!

BYU Bell Tower

Sam and I had the opportunity to get a tour of the BYU Bell Tower. It's amazing!

We even got to play a few bells!! :D

Our 1st Furniture - A PIANO!

We bought our first piano!! (With cash)

We were not going to get it until after graduation but we just really felt like now is the right time.

I have LOVED how much this piano has benefited our family. The spirit that comes in, the stress that is relieved, the talents that are developing-- it's priceless.

We're so HAPPY!!

Faith and Fear

Life is hard. My heart aches. I feel sorrow. 

I turn to the Lord and pray with full purpose in heart. With REAL intent. I know he is listening.

I listen to many testimonies bearing witness that God loves us, that things will work out. I believe them. I know God wants what is best for us and our family. 

I know the suffering Sam and I are experiencing is for a purpose. To make us stronger. I feel myself slowly becoming stronger as time passes by. 

But I still ask why. I want to see full picture, I want to see what he wants us to become. I don't see it yet. At times I can feel that fear seeping in. I don't like it. So I constantly have to keep turning to him.

I feel like no matter how hard we try and how hard we work it really doesn't make a difference. I feel like things are not working out. As of right now, they are not working out. The only thing that is working out is God's plan. It's funny how I thought I had more control over this. But I guess this is what faith is. Belief.

I am mad. I am not mad at my Heavenly Father though. Every time I pray to him and tell him how I feel he always wraps me up with his unconditional love and tells me it'll be alright. I cry, pleading for more understanding. More patience more anything that will make this pain go away.

And so I trust Him, something I am very bad at (I have  a really hard time trusting others), and ... I wait. I pray. Hoping for brighter days ahead. 

"Do your best, and leave the rest to him"

Y Ball and Intramural Soccer

BYU put on a free dinner and dance for married or engaged couples on campus. It was so awesome!! 

^^I got so many compliments on my dress!!^^

Sam and I participated in Intramural soccer again. It's so fun!!

Soaking It In

I am so sad to graduate! I am excited to graduate, but I have LOVED my BYU experience!! Just the other day I was driving past the Hinckley Center and I started to get emotional. A part of me doesn't want this chapter of my life to end! I am cougar/true blue/BYU through and through!

Every year I have gone to the University Accessibility Center Banquet. This may be my last year attending this banquet-- I was sad. It was such a good program!

^^During dinner we sat next to the son and daughter-in-law of Ernest L. Wilkenson. Such sweet people!^^

 

 ^^Me beginning to realize that these kind of experiences are coming to a close^^

 ^^ I am so grateful that I get to share these experiences with my hubby! ^^

* * * * *

Over a year ago Sam and I talked about the BYU bell tower and the rumors of what it is like inside. We wanted to go inside and see it--and  we got too!!

After we found out about some exciting news about graduate school we didn't have any dinner ready and we knew we wouldn't start our homework because we wanted to talk about all these exciting things! So we decided to use one of our gift cards to Olive Garden. It was so fun! I am so glad we did that! It was a great Thursday night.

 ^^We both got accepted into our graduate programs^^

I participated in the Civic Engagement departments' workshop. 

^^A great keynote speaker that talked about how Martin Luther King Jr. was able to be so successful. He was friends with him.^^ 

 ^^My first research conference--UTCFR^^

The other day I was walking across campus and I was just soaking it all in. BYU has a beautiful campus!! These pictures in the rain don't do it justice. BYU really does have a sweet spirit to it. I will definitely miss this time in my life!!