BYU Education Week

BYU Education Week could not have come at a better time. I was burnt out with work, summer, the girls, church- just all of it. I really needed a break, some time to myself, a change to reset. O'Hare was unusually busy and I realized as I was leaving town, the Democratic National Convention was heading into town. 

The Hall of Flags was all decked out for it and Uncle Same gave me a very nice key ring!

Seeing this couple in the American Airlines lounge made me realize this is what I want to do with Brent when the girls are grown and flown. I was excited to get some alone time, but he loves Ed Week just as much as I do and I wish we could have gone together!

Spectacular summer clouds!

The first class I attended opened with a prayer- per BYU standards. I nearly cried. It was like a reprieve for my soul. Katrina got a one-day pass and I treated her to lunch at the Skyroom. I was shocked to hear that she'd never eaten there as a student! I know it's a little pricier than the Taco Bell down in the Cougareat, but every student needs to take in the views at the Skyroom at some point in their BYU career!

The session on Women and the Priesthood by Mary Ann Woodger was so incredible! I had a great day with Katrina. She's always really busy and this day just happened to work out for her. 

I treated my nephews Eli, Noah and their girlfriends to dinner. Oh my gosh! It was so fantastic. I love these boys so much and I really love the girls they are dating. Afterward Eli offered to walk me to my car so I would be safe. What kind of a kid thinks like that? They are such gentlemen and we had such great conversations. This was definitely a highlight of my entire trip.

I was out so late, and the altitude was getting to me so I accidentally slept in the next day. I called Brent and laughed, "I'm gonna be late to class!" It felt good to say that again somehow. More stunning clouds as I was running from the Marriott Center to the Wilkinson Center.

I'm a fan of Jared Halverson's podcast Unshaken Saints and his session on Faith Crisis did not disappoint! It was packed, even in the overflow room but I was lucky to get a seat on the 3rd row. He talked about any crisis of faith can be seen in the context of the 3 pillars of the eternities: creation, fall and atonement. Then he talked about the Prodigal's Son and when someone reaches the atonement stage, who is the first person they run into at church? The judgmental brother? Or the forgiving father? Honestly in that parable I had always kind of sided with the older brother who did everything right, dangit! Why throw a party for the younger brother who made bad decisions. This session turned my thinking on its head. 

I went to classes on angels, investing, teaching your children to work, retirement, the BYU Jerusalem Center, serving a senior mission, mindfulness with food, time management, Easter Holy Week, signs of the last days, patriotism and Church News highlights. I furiously took notes and soaked up being back on that campus. 

It's so fun to see all the new buildings and improvements- like a waterfall! I bought chocolate covered cinnamon bears at the book store and tried a cougar tail at the Marriott Center. Speed walking to make it to my next class I was reminded BYU campus is a young man's game. Those buildings are spread out and I was always battling for air with the altitude. 

One evening when I was headed back to the rental car I realized as a student how worried I had been about my future. Would I ever marry? Would I ever have children? I called Brent and we laughed about it- he'd had the same concerns and well, things worked out. 

I really want to go back next year but I think Brent and I will swap. He will do Education Week and I will take the girls to BYU camps. Like I said, eventually they will be grown and flown and we will make a point of doing this together. In the meantime, going to Ed Week was one of the best decisions I've made in a long time!

I came home feeling so refreshed and inspired. Seeing family was like being wrapped up in love. Classes gave me so much to think about. Being at BYU gave me a much-needed change of scenery and a reminder of how far I've come.