On Wednesday, July 29, I flew to Salt Lake with almost-two-year-old Spencer and dropped him off with my sweet mother-in-law, Peggy. She took such good care of him while Eric was making the drive with Ethan, Grace, and Alia. I couldn't have done this without their support...and the children had a blast.
Peggy let me take a long nap, loaned me a car, and sent me up to Rexburg that evening--where the first thing I saw was THIS, the new Rexburg Temple. It is simply gorgeous. I sat on the grounds for several minutes totally admiring this beautiful House of the Lord.
After spending the night in a local hotel (and having nightmares that my classes turned out to be disasters), I started my first day of classes in the Hinckley building: Two for mothers titled "There's No Place Like Home: Recreating Heaven on Earth" and "Faith and Miracles Amidst Carpools and Clutter" and one for youth: "The Power of One." My friends Christine Gilbert and Sue Clark (who I knew in Boston but who now live in Idaho) and my freshman roommate, Shawna, came to support me--I love these ladies!
That night I got to go to the youth game night, and I had such a wonderful time hanging out with these stellar teenagers. This game is called "Man Overboard." A caller yells out things like "Six in a boat" or "Man Overboard" or some other sailing-type term, and then the group has to divide up into smaller groups and act it out. Sorry--I'm not explaining that very well. It was fun, though. Then we did a blindfold walk where we learned how to decide which noises to listen to, how to "hold to the rod," and how to strengthen each other. It was such a sweet experience.
The next day, after my two motherhood classes ("Heavenly Help to Expect When You're Expecting" and "Act or Be Acted Upon"), I ate lunch with these great people at the Manwaring Center. This is Andrew and Regina--two of the four people who run Education Week at BYUI (and many other programs). Andrew does all the tech work/website maintenance, and Regina does all the contracts, paperwork, and a million other things, I'm sure. They are just the nicest people, and I felt so welcomed there.
Teaching at BYUI's Education Week was such a privilege, and I loved every minute, but to be perfectly honest, I was scared to death about teaching. What made it doable, though, was having friends with me. I know how hard it is to get away, but things worked out so that Saren and Shawna were both able to join me. Saren's family drove for three hours to drop her off, and Shawna flew out from Wisconsin and then drove back with her sister's family. It was heaven to be with these two "sisters" of mine. I believe there is going to be a Motherhood Track at Education Week next year (July 29-31). Put it on your calendars and join us! It's like a motherhood retreat/conference right in the middle of this larger conference. I'd love to have all my friends and family there.
I had to include this photo of Jan--my room hostess for the entire three days. She brought me water, made sure my computer worked, and encouraged me through the whole thing. She's an ordinance worker at the Idaho Falls Temple, and I told her that I felt privileged to have my own temple worker right there in each class. It was such a blessing.
Day 3 of the conference ended with my youth class titled, "Who is Requesting YOU as a Friend?" We talked about why the Lord gives us friends, how we influence our friends, and how our friends strengthen us. One of my object lessons involved a game of "Red Rover." I asked the smallest girl in the room to come up to the front (Liz), and then I asked the tallest/biggest boy to stand opposite of her. Her instructions: pick the best Red Rover team you can possibly get because this big guy is going to come running at you. Here is her team:
That night I got to go to the youth game night, and I had such a wonderful time hanging out with these stellar teenagers. This game is called "Man Overboard." A caller yells out things like "Six in a boat" or "Man Overboard" or some other sailing-type term, and then the group has to divide up into smaller groups and act it out. Sorry--I'm not explaining that very well. It was fun, though. Then we did a blindfold walk where we learned how to decide which noises to listen to, how to "hold to the rod," and how to strengthen each other. It was such a sweet experience.
The next day, after my two motherhood classes ("Heavenly Help to Expect When You're Expecting" and "Act or Be Acted Upon"), I ate lunch with these great people at the Manwaring Center. This is Andrew and Regina--two of the four people who run Education Week at BYUI (and many other programs). Andrew does all the tech work/website maintenance, and Regina does all the contracts, paperwork, and a million other things, I'm sure. They are just the nicest people, and I felt so welcomed there.
Teaching at BYUI's Education Week was such a privilege, and I loved every minute, but to be perfectly honest, I was scared to death about teaching. What made it doable, though, was having friends with me. I know how hard it is to get away, but things worked out so that Saren and Shawna were both able to join me. Saren's family drove for three hours to drop her off, and Shawna flew out from Wisconsin and then drove back with her sister's family. It was heaven to be with these two "sisters" of mine. I believe there is going to be a Motherhood Track at Education Week next year (July 29-31). Put it on your calendars and join us! It's like a motherhood retreat/conference right in the middle of this larger conference. I'd love to have all my friends and family there.
I had to include this photo of Jan--my room hostess for the entire three days. She brought me water, made sure my computer worked, and encouraged me through the whole thing. She's an ordinance worker at the Idaho Falls Temple, and I told her that I felt privileged to have my own temple worker right there in each class. It was such a blessing.
Day 3 of the conference ended with my youth class titled, "Who is Requesting YOU as a Friend?" We talked about why the Lord gives us friends, how we influence our friends, and how our friends strengthen us. One of my object lessons involved a game of "Red Rover." I asked the smallest girl in the room to come up to the front (Liz), and then I asked the tallest/biggest boy to stand opposite of her. Her instructions: pick the best Red Rover team you can possibly get because this big guy is going to come running at you. Here is her team:
And here is the "big guy," Jeff.
I asked the Red Rover team, "What would you do if Jeff came running directly AT Liz?" They all gathered around her and totally protected her. Jeremy, the boy to Liz's right, was particularly protective of her. It was so neat to watch. Then we talked about the parallels. Liz represents each of us, Jeff represents the adversary, and the Red Rover team represents our friends. I then asked the class, "How strong is your Red Rover team?" It was so neat to see these youth discussing the importance of good friends.
At the end of class, Jeff asked if he could say something. He stood in front of the class and asked the Red Rover team how they felt when they were together. "Strong!" they replied. He then challenged the entire group to join together for the final three hours of the conference--to strengthen each other, to reach out of their cliques, and to become great friends with everyone around them. It was so powerful--and the class took the challenge. I couldn't have asked for a better group!
I wish I had taken more pictures and documented that conference better, but I'm planning to return next year (and I'll take more photos then). Saren and I spent some time in this beautiful garden on campus and brainstormed the idea for a Motherhood Track, and then we had some neat opportunities open up to present the suggestion to Regina and Brother Young (the man directly over Education Week). They liked the idea and are planning to implement it next year. I can't wait. Saren and I just loved being at Education Week, and we felt that if the mothers could have a similar bonding/learning opportunity to what the youth had, it would be a great, great experience for all involved. I'll spread the word when I know more about it, but if there's any way you can get to BYU Idaho next July, please do!
Okay, I know this post is kind of long, but I wanted to put it all together. After Education Week, I spent a fun weekend with Eric's brother Jake and his wife Cami (and their two boys), along with Trisha, Tara, Peggy, and Evan (Jodi and Jon are on their missions...we miss them!). I don't have any good photos of all of us, but that gathering was such a highlight of the trip.
I headed down to Provo in time to join in with the game night, which just happened to be located right outside my freshman dorm building...ah, the memories.
I asked the Red Rover team, "What would you do if Jeff came running directly AT Liz?" They all gathered around her and totally protected her. Jeremy, the boy to Liz's right, was particularly protective of her. It was so neat to watch. Then we talked about the parallels. Liz represents each of us, Jeff represents the adversary, and the Red Rover team represents our friends. I then asked the class, "How strong is your Red Rover team?" It was so neat to see these youth discussing the importance of good friends.
At the end of class, Jeff asked if he could say something. He stood in front of the class and asked the Red Rover team how they felt when they were together. "Strong!" they replied. He then challenged the entire group to join together for the final three hours of the conference--to strengthen each other, to reach out of their cliques, and to become great friends with everyone around them. It was so powerful--and the class took the challenge. I couldn't have asked for a better group!
I wish I had taken more pictures and documented that conference better, but I'm planning to return next year (and I'll take more photos then). Saren and I spent some time in this beautiful garden on campus and brainstormed the idea for a Motherhood Track, and then we had some neat opportunities open up to present the suggestion to Regina and Brother Young (the man directly over Education Week). They liked the idea and are planning to implement it next year. I can't wait. Saren and I just loved being at Education Week, and we felt that if the mothers could have a similar bonding/learning opportunity to what the youth had, it would be a great, great experience for all involved. I'll spread the word when I know more about it, but if there's any way you can get to BYU Idaho next July, please do!
Okay, I know this post is kind of long, but I wanted to put it all together. After Education Week, I spent a fun weekend with Eric's brother Jake and his wife Cami (and their two boys), along with Trisha, Tara, Peggy, and Evan (Jodi and Jon are on their missions...we miss them!). I don't have any good photos of all of us, but that gathering was such a highlight of the trip.
Monday afternoon (August 3rd), I dropped Eric off at the airport so he could go to Yosemite with the Young Men in our ward, and I took my children to my sister Page's home in Draper. She is a saint! For two whole days, she took care of 8 children so I could teach at EFY. I really appreciate you, Page!
I headed down to Provo in time to join in with the game night, which just happened to be located right outside my freshman dorm building...ah, the memories.
The game featured above is called "Machines." The counselors tell us the name of a machine, and we act it out. Ours was a blender. I'm the handle, the youth in front are the buttons, the guy on the left is the cup, the guy in the middle is the blade, the guy on the floor is the plug,
and the one standing on the far right is the person who activates the blender. We had to make all the noises and movements and everything. I had such a great time! We also acted out a pin-ball machine later...so fun. I loved these young guys and girls!
Then we played "Anteater." And yes, that's me as a "stunned" ant. The object of the game is to get the whole team of ants from one side of the grass to the other, but there are four anteaters in the middle, and if they tag you, you fall on your back with your limbs in the air, and you have to wait there until four people from the "safe" side come and carry you back. I had absolutely no intention of being carried around that evening, but that's exactly what happened.
and the one standing on the far right is the person who activates the blender. We had to make all the noises and movements and everything. I had such a great time! We also acted out a pin-ball machine later...so fun. I loved these young guys and girls!
Then we played "Anteater." And yes, that's me as a "stunned" ant. The object of the game is to get the whole team of ants from one side of the grass to the other, but there are four anteaters in the middle, and if they tag you, you fall on your back with your limbs in the air, and you have to wait there until four people from the "safe" side come and carry you back. I had absolutely no intention of being carried around that evening, but that's exactly what happened.
Afterwards, we had to look up scriptures that applied to the game (like "when you are converted, strengthen your brethren" or "leave the 99 to find the 1"). I think this would be a great ward activity or family night!
This is Ashley Jones, a cute girl from my ward who was a counselor there this summer. She is a great leader, and I was so excited to get to be there with her!
This was our faculty group at EFY. We only had four teachers that week: Jayme Quigley, me, Jaime Capener, Brother Buckner (our session director), Brad Wilcox (who I heard speak when I was a teenager!), and JD Hucks (who is in charge of all of EFY). They were all so wonderful!
Since there were two EFYs going on that week, plus sports camps, a ballroom dance camp, etc., all the main meetings were held in this HUGE tent by Cougar Stadium. They lovingly refer to it as the "Tabernacle."
When I was at the dance, I ran into the other session director, Elizabeth Craig, who spoke at my youth conference with John Bytheway when I was 17. Such a small world....
Here is one of my classes. We taught at the double Stake Center right across from the stadium (where I attended church when I first got married and had Alia). I had one of the Relief Society rooms, and it worked out perfectly. The classes were packed, but they were small enough to enable good discussions. I can't even begin to explain how neat these youth are. They totally paid attention in each class, they took notes, they searched the scriptures, they contributed neat insights.... I couldn't have asked for more.
In one class, we were talking about listening to the voice of the Lord, and I asked if any of them had had an experience with that that they wanted to share. One boy told about a time he was walking home from school with two guy friends and two girls--on their way back to one boy's house (where his parents were not home). He felt an impression not to go to that boy's house, so he suggested that everyone go to HIS house (where he knew his parents were home). The boys didn't want to, but the girls did, so he took the girls to his house, and they later called their parents for rides home. Well, the next day at school, the two guy friends were upset with him for ruining their plan (they'd had not-so-good intentions for those young ladies).
I pointed out that this is EXACTLY what we're going for. What a blessing that this young Priesthood holder was sensitive to the Spirit so that he could take care of these daughters of God and protect them from a bad situation. The whole room could feel a beautiful warmth and peace as we discussed this, and I think each of us left with a desire to always listen to promptings. I felt so strengthened by this stalwart group.
I didn't get any photos of my sophomore roommate, Laurie, or of my sister and nieces/nephew (next time!), but my trip wouldn't have been complete without seeing them. I'd planned to spend an extra week or so in Utah, but all that standing up during the conferences quite literally put me in the hospital (I go in for surgery on Tuesday), and I had to get home as fast as I possibly could. I've had some health problems for the past several years, and when I stand up, they are rally aggravated. It was worth it, but I don't think I've ever had that much consistent pain. I'm hoping that next year will be better!
Since I couldn't make it home in one day (driving alone with 4 children!), and since I desperately wanted to spend some more time with my friend Saren, I stopped in St. George for two nights and got to put my feet up while Saren waited on me hand and foot. She fed us, changed Spencer's diapers, took us swimming, and helped me recover from my busy week. We took these photos to put up on our website (http://www.powerofmoms.com/). Out of 19 photos, this was the only one that featured everyone looking in the same direction. Such cute (and blonde) children.
So that was my trip! It took hundreds and hundreds of hours to prepare, but I've dreamed of this since I was in high school. It was such a blessing from the Lord to finally see these dreams come true. Many people have expressed interest in also speaking at Education Week and EFY. If you're one of those people, you can apply through their websites. It's not an "invite-only" kind of thing, like many people think. It is very time-consuming, and you don't really get paid much, but the experience is really wonderful. I think life is more exciting and meaningful when you are working on projects that you love. Because I've started speaking at these conferences, I pay close attention to the scriptures as I study, I listen intently in General Conference and in Sacrament meeting for ideas that will strengthen others, and I try to be a good example in how I live my life. If you have that desire...go for it! Or if you want to attend and just soak it all in...please do!
All right, I think that's all for now!
Can I pass for a teenager? I wandered around the dance floor for awhile, but I started feeling way old. These girls were so darling, though. They called out, "Sister Perry, come dance with us!" The cute girl in the white shirt is named Sage, and she came to every single one of my classes. I miss my EFY friends!
Here is one of my classes. We taught at the double Stake Center right across from the stadium (where I attended church when I first got married and had Alia). I had one of the Relief Society rooms, and it worked out perfectly. The classes were packed, but they were small enough to enable good discussions. I can't even begin to explain how neat these youth are. They totally paid attention in each class, they took notes, they searched the scriptures, they contributed neat insights.... I couldn't have asked for more.
In one class, we were talking about listening to the voice of the Lord, and I asked if any of them had had an experience with that that they wanted to share. One boy told about a time he was walking home from school with two guy friends and two girls--on their way back to one boy's house (where his parents were not home). He felt an impression not to go to that boy's house, so he suggested that everyone go to HIS house (where he knew his parents were home). The boys didn't want to, but the girls did, so he took the girls to his house, and they later called their parents for rides home. Well, the next day at school, the two guy friends were upset with him for ruining their plan (they'd had not-so-good intentions for those young ladies).
I pointed out that this is EXACTLY what we're going for. What a blessing that this young Priesthood holder was sensitive to the Spirit so that he could take care of these daughters of God and protect them from a bad situation. The whole room could feel a beautiful warmth and peace as we discussed this, and I think each of us left with a desire to always listen to promptings. I felt so strengthened by this stalwart group.
I didn't get any photos of my sophomore roommate, Laurie, or of my sister and nieces/nephew (next time!), but my trip wouldn't have been complete without seeing them. I'd planned to spend an extra week or so in Utah, but all that standing up during the conferences quite literally put me in the hospital (I go in for surgery on Tuesday), and I had to get home as fast as I possibly could. I've had some health problems for the past several years, and when I stand up, they are rally aggravated. It was worth it, but I don't think I've ever had that much consistent pain. I'm hoping that next year will be better!
Since I couldn't make it home in one day (driving alone with 4 children!), and since I desperately wanted to spend some more time with my friend Saren, I stopped in St. George for two nights and got to put my feet up while Saren waited on me hand and foot. She fed us, changed Spencer's diapers, took us swimming, and helped me recover from my busy week. We took these photos to put up on our website (http://www.powerofmoms.com/). Out of 19 photos, this was the only one that featured everyone looking in the same direction. Such cute (and blonde) children.
So that was my trip! It took hundreds and hundreds of hours to prepare, but I've dreamed of this since I was in high school. It was such a blessing from the Lord to finally see these dreams come true. Many people have expressed interest in also speaking at Education Week and EFY. If you're one of those people, you can apply through their websites. It's not an "invite-only" kind of thing, like many people think. It is very time-consuming, and you don't really get paid much, but the experience is really wonderful. I think life is more exciting and meaningful when you are working on projects that you love. Because I've started speaking at these conferences, I pay close attention to the scriptures as I study, I listen intently in General Conference and in Sacrament meeting for ideas that will strengthen others, and I try to be a good example in how I live my life. If you have that desire...go for it! Or if you want to attend and just soak it all in...please do!
All right, I think that's all for now!
9 comments:
wow! What an amazing experience for you and all those that got to hear from you!
I am so glad you documented this so well. It will be neat to read back and remember this time!
My goal is to one day hear you speak!
Mom,
Education week sounds fun!
Alia & Grace
Hi mom!
I hope you had fun at Education week! I bet you made lots of new friends! -Grace
I wish we could have been there to hear you!!! Loved every description of your experience. You are such an inspriation to me! Love ya!!!
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us! You are such an amazing sister and a great example to us all!
How awesome that you were able to be part of Education Week and EFY! Those who got to hear you were truly blessed I'm sure because when you speak you carry the spirit with you so strongly!
I cannot believe I have never known you've had a blog all this time. Every time I clicked on your name when you commented on my blog, it never directed me to your blog.
Sounds like a wonderful time! Next summer sounds great, we will have to check our schedule but I would love to attend.
We're glad to see your cute family blog :)
So Fun! You were one of those good friends to me who strengthened me! I was so with you at the John Bytheway conference and we did crying hands forever after that!
PS You totally look like you belong...you still look like a teenager!!!
Post a Comment