Education Week 2022

When we moved to Boise in 1988, I was blessed with a great group of friends in our church congregation.  We had kids of similar ages and shared many of the same interests.  These women had gone to BYU Education Week for many years and they invited me to join them.  I'm not sure how many times I've gone since then, but I am guessing about 25.  

Education Week is held on the BYU campus during the week between summer classes and the beginning of fall orientation.  From the website "At Education Week you can choose from hundreds of classes on a variety of subjects, including education, religion, marriage and family, finance, health, personal development, family history, communication, and much more. Come enjoy dynamic presenters, evening entertainment, and the Spirit you’ll feel on campus with friends and family."  This year marked the 100th year of this unique program.  I'm not sure there is anything quite like it in the world.  

The theme this year was

100 Years of Instruction and Learning

Of Things Both in Heaven and in the Earth

This year the attendance was abut 16,000 people which is close to pre-pandemic levels.  Prior to the Covid pandemic, the total attendance was closer to 18,000; in 2020 the event wasn't held and last year the attendance was 13,000.  900 classes are held. 53% of the attendees were in the over 63 age group so we felt right at home.  Our group stayed in the dorms but I know people who stay with friends, or rent houses, or stay in hotels.

I'm lucky to have gone with a group of women I've known since 1988.  Even though we don't see each other often like we once did, our friendships pick right back up.  We are instant besties! I truly love these women.  They make living the gospel of Jesus Christ easier.

Here we are about to listen to the devotional in the Marriott Center.  Notice my dress.  Now take a look at the dress that the soloist is wearing. 

Yep, same dress!  The really funny part is that at least 5 women stopped me to say, "Hey you are wearing the same dress as the soloist.  I have it too."  From then on I noticed this dress or others in the same style but with different fabric every where I looked.  Way to market Old Navy!  It was inexpensive, cute, modest and comfortable and even has pockets.  Perfect for summertime!

I attended 38 different classes on a range of subjects from marriage to family history to prayer to church history.  The classes start at 8:30 in the morning and go until 9:25 at night.  I did take a dinner break each day but other than that, I sat through class after class.

Wednesday night we attended an top rate performance entitled 

'Timeless: The Golden Age of Broadway'.  The two excellent vocalist entertained us with some of my favorite songs from the old Broadway shows.  Some Enchanted Evening, Sunrise - Sunset, Edelweiss, To Dream the Impossible Dream, I Could Have Danced All Night .....ending with one of the most beautiful songs ever - Bring Him Home from Les Miserables.  A wonderful evening!

A side benefit of going to Education Week is that I get to see friends from Portland.  Ron and Linda Mathews were driving through on their way home and stopped for dinner.

I just love them and miss them so much.

Friends plus learning plus feeling the Spirit.

New goals set!  Feeling renewed and refreshed!

It is a life changing week.

I hope I get to go many more times.

Education Week 2017

 Education Week this year was a totally wonderful experience!  For the first time I shared the time with my daughter and friend Mary!  I couldn't help but think of all the years when she was growing up that I went to Education Week and came home full of stories and 'wisdom' that I had learned.  Pages and pages of notes that I wanted to share with my family!  It makes me smile to think of her sharing her own 'wisdom' with Mark this week! 

Our Mom-Daughter time started with a couple of days in Salt Lake where we acted like tourists and went to the Visitor's Center, toured the Conference Center, and walked around on Temple Square.  We enjoyed a great lunch with Jan Degiulio and a fantastic dinner at the Lion House where George and I had our wedding lunch almost 42 years ago.  The rolls are just as yummy as I remember! 

This is from the roof of the conference center.  Did you know that it has more than a million square feet of space?  23,000 people can attend conference! 

Couldn't resist a photo at the perfect temple viewing spot!

One of the funniest parts of the day was going to the Family History Discovery Center.  We 'discovered' that we are related to lots of famous people from Walt Disney to Harry Truman!  If you are ever in Salt Lake City I highly recommend it! 

On Sunday morning we attended the broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word which has been on the air for more than 89 years!  Nothing quite like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir! 

I fell in love with this painting in the conference center.  It reminded me of the song I sang as a child, "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world". 

On Sunday afternoon we drove down to Provo and spent the week in the 'best bed and breakfast' in Provo - Tammy and Richard's beautiful home!  Good food, comfortable bed and great company!  It couldn't have been any more perfect! 

First event on Monday morning - a solar eclipse!  In Provo we got about 90% coverage but it was still very impressive.  In 2024, I'm already planning a trip to Maine or Texas or Ohio....or maybe Arkansas to experience an eclipse in totality! 

Obviously, since I was in Provo, I didn't take this photo but it is so beautiful, I wanted to share it.

During the week we attended 39 classes, one devotional, saw Brigadoon, went to a wonderful American Piano quartet (2 pianos and 8 hands), and learned about everything from how to teach adults to improving communication skills.  Although I ate too much chic-fillet, I did pass up the mint brownies until the last day and I managed to only gain 1 pound!

Poor Mary got terrible blisters from the new shoes we both got in Salt Lake so she hobbled around a bit and spent a few classes like this. 

Another highlight was touring the brand new Provo Missionary Training Center.  With this bright beautiful addition up to 3700 missionaries can be housed and trained.   

 Saturday morning we went to the exquisite Provo City Center Temple with Tammy.  The architects and designers did a masterful job capturing the pioneer feel of the old Provo Tabernacle which burned down several years ago.  The temple stands in the exact place and looks very much the same on the outside. 

On our way to the airport we finally found out what makes a 'dirty Dr. Pepper' and savored a totally yummy sugar cookie.  That may have been how I gained my pound but I don't even feel guilty.  I'm not going to be going Swig often!
A perfectly wonderful week in every way!!!!