that all may be edified

Years ago, I was privileged enough to attend Education Week at BYU with my Grammie when I was 14. Then a couple years later, I went with my younger sis, Jenna.  I remember walking campus with Grammie, trekking up the Smith Fieldhouse stairs with her, laughing our heads off at the youth classes, and becoming uplifted at the spiritual classes.  I remember the first day Jenna and I went, my flip flop busted and died and proved my mom correct when she quoted, "Necessity is the mother of all invention."  We got creative and used a pin to keep my flip flop together until the end of the day, although thinking about it makes me wonder where in the world we got a pin.  Who carries a pin around?  Anyway, between the two years, I also attended classes with my good friend Jennifer and we felt so adult as we navigated campus by ourselves and envied the stage presence of Barbara Barrington Jones.  What good times!

Each year since then, Education Week comes and I look at the pamphlet listing all the classes and teachers. I always look at my calendar wishing upon a star that I might have time to spare.  So far it hasn't worked out since I was a youth.  

Well not this year!

I have been able to go to a few classes in the evenings this year.  Amazing.  Between leaving work a little early everyday and getting a babysitter for E when needed and sparing a few of my hard-earned dollars, I somehow managed to get to a few classes each day.  Oh, what a joy it was!  It was just what I needed to get a burst of spiritual energy and a pick-me-up from the other stresses of life.  I hated only seeing Emerson for a few minutes in the mornings, but it was sooooooo worth the time I spent soaking up gems of information and spirituality.  Will decided to join me on Friday evening for the last day.  We had a great date night and loved being back on campus again together.  We topped off the night with a run to DQ for some blizzards - yum.


I have a whole notebook of notes and scripture references and reminders from promptings.  Some favorites were classes about parenting and scripture study.  I also learned a lot from the classes I attended about food storage and general conference.  I laughed a lot in the classes about marriage relationships.  I'm sure I got more exercise last week than I have in a long time, too.  I hauled everything around including my breast pump so I could pump in between classes.  My legs and back got a good work out :)


All in all, it was a great week, and although I was physically exhausted, I came home every night energized and ready for the next early morning.  I highly recommend spending any time you may have to spare at Education Week each year.  It's a treat.