Institute

What an amazing Institute class we had tonight. I am so in love with the institute teacher Sister Dorff. She is amazingly talented and brings in an unbelievable spirit to the lesson. Going to her class is so worth the 45 minute drive that it will take every week to get to Saratoga to hear her words of inspiration.

But tonight it was more than just getting to listen to a great lesson from Sis. Dorff. Tonight I heard the voice of the spirit come from two of my greatest friends. Listening to the words that they had to say in response to the lesson we were being taught about what it is to know Christ, I really was touched by their words and could feel their love and understanding of the gospel parallel to my own testimony. It was the greatest feeling.

I know that we are not the quietest people and that we aren't perfect, no one is, but I was so glad that we were able to share this experience tonight. I think that is why I enjoy having them at church with me on Sundays because it feels exactly like that is where we are suppose to be together. And tonight was an even stronger bond, I have never felt as close to my friends as I did tonight when they were being sincere and sharing their thoughts and feelings about knowing Christ. My spiritual cup for the night has been filled and I have my two best guy friends to thank for that. I don't feel as bad for forcing them to attend class with me tonight.

From: Gospel Art Book

The Approaching Holidays

Everywhere I go it is apparently clear that the fall season is fast approaching. It is not necessarily the crazy weather because let's face it the weather hasn't been reliable for telling the seasons in quite sometime. It is not even the fact that every morning when I walk my dog there are kids waiting for the school bus. What really reminds me that fall is here is the fact that Halloween candy and decorations are already on the shelves.

I am not the biggest fan of Halloween, although I am learning how to enjoy it more each year that I get older. I even have decorations, garland, light up ghosts and a door hanger that unfortunately no one will be able to see because of where my front door is currently located. At least I know that I don't have to buy candy this year because there are no children to visit me.

But what it all really means is that as Halloween gets closer so does the other holidays that come very quickly after. I have always very much enjoyed Thanksgiving and Christmas, they were some of the best memories I have of growing up. However I am realizing how much I kind of want to forget the holidays this year. It is not so much that I dislike them, it is more that I dislike how different they are in my family now that my grandfather has passed away.

It feels so different and not like the holidays at all and it was really hard for me to adjust last year. In fact I don't think that I was able to adjust at all and that is why I am having this small dilemma. I worry that I don't even want to take the time to go home this Thanksgiving. I am eagerly awaiting for the time when my holiday traditions change and are more like they used to be only just two years ago.