So I've been spending a lot of my time at the Jordan Institute :) It's been the best ever! I miss seminary and wish I could make it to summer seminary but Institute has really helped me feel like I'm transitioning okay into the adult/college student world. I'm currently in 8 classes, and I could be in 9 classes, but I'm not. I'm taking Book of Mormon, Mission Prep, Parables of Jesus, Doctrine & Covenants, Doctrines of the Gospel, Gospel and the Productive Life, Teachings of the Living Prophets, & Life of Christ! It keeps me busy and I'm there a lot but I love it with all of my heart :)
I've made some pretty good friends and I feel welcome every time. I'm a rep for one of my classes so it's been fun to already have some sort of calling and it's only summer! The teachers are great and it is just really different than seminary. People care to be at Institute, they care to learn and they actively participate. I don't feel I'm surrounded by people who are forced to be there. I mean, don't get me wrong. I loved EVERY minute of Seminary and I really tried my hardest to help those around me feel welcome and like they wanted to be at Seminary, but with Institute, I feel more loved and not so alone and just happy :)
Institute has changed my life. My testimony is so strong because of it. In my Life of Christ class we talked about if we could spend a day in the Savior's life with him, which day would it be? and why? I chose when he visited the Nephites because he showed them his wounds and they got to feel and I said that because when I'm downtown at the Visitor's Center, seeing the statue of Christ, I want to touch His hands. I want to hug Him and feel of His love. I want it to be real when I'm looking at it. I share that because I can't even comprehend what it must've been like to see Him face to face, to have Him in my presence, to feel of His wounds. I just, feel the spirit so strongly and I want to cry because most days I just wish that could happen now.
Then one other kid in my class said he would've liked to see Him walk on water with Peter. And I thought to myself, he's right. How amazing would that be? To experience that? To watch how calm and patient the Savior was with Peter. What a GREAT symbol of how the Savior really NEVER leaves our side :) He'll stand there, with His arm stretched forth. He wasn't mean and stopped helping just because Peter lost a little faith. He didn't tell Peter, "better luck next time." or "How could you??" Instead it was something like, "Come on, I believe in you.", "I'm right here, I won't EVER leave your side." It's just comforting :) I've really enjoyed that class every week because the strength I receive to always have faith in my Savior and to know of His love for me just gets me through the next week.
I know my Savior lives and loves me endlessly. I know He truly suffered for all of our sins, and only asks of us to do our best and do our part in this marvelous plan. The Savior would never bash us, or make us feel lower than we're worth. Instead, He would run at us. He would pick us up and carry us through whatever it is we're going through. He suffered the Atonement so we knew we could make it through. So we knew that because He did it and knows how we're feeling, that we could make it through. I love my Savior! I can't wait to hug Him with everything I am. I can't wait to see His smiling face again, and to hear the words, "I love you." fall from His lips into my ears. This gospel is amazing and I'm truly blessed to have it in my life.
I truly believe attending Institute (Seminary, Mutual, & other Church meetings) have completely strengthened my testimony and have kept me strong and have made me who I am today. There is no doubt in my mind that if you attend these wonderful things in life, you will never be lost :) I say these things, humbly, in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen!
I've made some pretty good friends and I feel welcome every time. I'm a rep for one of my classes so it's been fun to already have some sort of calling and it's only summer! The teachers are great and it is just really different than seminary. People care to be at Institute, they care to learn and they actively participate. I don't feel I'm surrounded by people who are forced to be there. I mean, don't get me wrong. I loved EVERY minute of Seminary and I really tried my hardest to help those around me feel welcome and like they wanted to be at Seminary, but with Institute, I feel more loved and not so alone and just happy :)
Institute has changed my life. My testimony is so strong because of it. In my Life of Christ class we talked about if we could spend a day in the Savior's life with him, which day would it be? and why? I chose when he visited the Nephites because he showed them his wounds and they got to feel and I said that because when I'm downtown at the Visitor's Center, seeing the statue of Christ, I want to touch His hands. I want to hug Him and feel of His love. I want it to be real when I'm looking at it. I share that because I can't even comprehend what it must've been like to see Him face to face, to have Him in my presence, to feel of His wounds. I just, feel the spirit so strongly and I want to cry because most days I just wish that could happen now.
Then one other kid in my class said he would've liked to see Him walk on water with Peter. And I thought to myself, he's right. How amazing would that be? To experience that? To watch how calm and patient the Savior was with Peter. What a GREAT symbol of how the Savior really NEVER leaves our side :) He'll stand there, with His arm stretched forth. He wasn't mean and stopped helping just because Peter lost a little faith. He didn't tell Peter, "better luck next time." or "How could you??" Instead it was something like, "Come on, I believe in you.", "I'm right here, I won't EVER leave your side." It's just comforting :) I've really enjoyed that class every week because the strength I receive to always have faith in my Savior and to know of His love for me just gets me through the next week.
I know my Savior lives and loves me endlessly. I know He truly suffered for all of our sins, and only asks of us to do our best and do our part in this marvelous plan. The Savior would never bash us, or make us feel lower than we're worth. Instead, He would run at us. He would pick us up and carry us through whatever it is we're going through. He suffered the Atonement so we knew we could make it through. So we knew that because He did it and knows how we're feeling, that we could make it through. I love my Savior! I can't wait to hug Him with everything I am. I can't wait to see His smiling face again, and to hear the words, "I love you." fall from His lips into my ears. This gospel is amazing and I'm truly blessed to have it in my life.
I truly believe attending Institute (Seminary, Mutual, & other Church meetings) have completely strengthened my testimony and have kept me strong and have made me who I am today. There is no doubt in my mind that if you attend these wonderful things in life, you will never be lost :) I say these things, humbly, in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen!
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