Together At Last

Last week, a whole week ago exactly today - I (Jen) graduated from BYU-Idaho with my bachelor's degree!!!! It feels SO good! It was great, my mom and dad came up along with Braden and his parents. I hadn't thought I'd want a big deal made out of my graduating, but as it got closer, and especially when I was sitting with all the graduates in the Hart Building, I was overwhelmed with a feeling of great accomplishment. Education is so important, my dad stressed it's importance to me all throughout my growing up, and he made me promise I'd finish and get a bachelor's degree. I am honored to say I have and I will encourage our kids to do the same. Elder Ballard spoke at the Convocation Ceremony and talked a lot about communicating and being missionaries. With the technology available today, we can be missionaries and examples of what we believe every minute practically.






At the Commencement Ceremony - where I received my amazing diploma "cover," we had performances including an interesting chicken/rooster opera! All of us were wondering, "What the heck?!" It was pretty funny! :) We went out to dinner to Craigos - a great pizza buffet, then went to my apt., packed up my things, came home that night and - Braden and I have seen each other every day since!

Last Sunday, was one of my last companion's homecoming - Sister Palmer - I can't believe she's home. It was so good to see her and her Russian - AMAZING! This Sunday is the homecoming of the first girl I trained on my mission, my greenie, Sister Brunson. I can't believe how fast time goes by. I look back at my time with each of them and it didn't feel like it would end, that I would always be a missionary in Ukraine. Now, believe it or not, I have been home for just about 9 months.



Monday we received hard news that over the weekend, our "soon to be landlord" forgot about us and gave our apartment away to a couple getting married this weekend. It was really hard news to take, but I feel like we have grown a lot together because of it! So, we're on the hunt again for a new place. If you know of anything, please let us know.

Yesterday and today have been really fun! We have been taking or engagement pictures! Dad did them and now our only problem is going to be too go through like 400 pictures to find only a few as our favorites- having to eliminate!



Braden is finishing up his finals! Today was his class's film final and we watched their final movies! - and tomorrow his live "Operation game will be done and we get to play it! :) Well, for now, I'm signing off. Take care everyone!

Conference Weekend

Well, this last weekend was General Conference and it was really good. First of all, let me say that Jen somewhat surprised me by coming down from Idaho on Wednesday, a whole day earlier that usual. That was awesome. She had to finish a project so on Thursday, we got down to BYU at 6 AM!!! 15 hours, a website and a good chunk of my research paper later, we called it quits and finally got to relax. I relaxed so much, that my immune system took time off and let in a nasty head cold. As I'm writing this, I have a cool movie-announcer voice and frequently have the opportunity to blow my nose.

Anyways, we had the priveledge of watching Genereal Conference. I won't talk of any specifics, but I want to mention a few things I thought were really cool. I don't know if it's been done before, but I loved how we were able to sustain all the General Authorities. We had the chance to actually stand up and sustain Pres. Monson, the 12 Apostles, and other general authorities. The spirit, at least for me, was really strong and I knew that those I was sustaining were actually called of God to do what they are doing. Another good experience was the Priesthood Session. I overcame some early tiredness and was able to really enjoy what was said. All the messages, for me again, pointed towards knowing our divine potential - that we can be with and like the Savior and Heavenly Father. It just really motivated me to be better and to help others also.

I loved conference. Admittedly, I was always waiting for Pres. Hinckley to get up after Pres. Monson, but it was still awesome. I can't wait to start studying all the talks further.

As far as other news goes, Jen and I were able to secure our first "home." Its in north Provo by the riverwoods. For those that are interested, it's in Donny Osmond's stake. Cool, eh? Well, until next time...