For the next several days I will be posting about the World Congress of Families. This year it is being held in Sydney, Australia.  Remember how we helped to raise funds for Angela to attend? She is sending daily reports of the presentations, interviews she is able to have, and more. I am excited to share with you what she is experiencing. There are so many around the world - politicians, religious leaders, community organizers, trained professionals, and others - who are dedicated to defending the family. I will try to post each day's events in order so you are not reading them backwards as you scroll down. I have broken up Angela's summaries into several posts so it isn't overwhelming to see a HUGE post. Remember, if you have any questions you would like her to ask when she gives her interviews, leave them in the comments and I will pass them along to her.

Happenings

October 15th. My oldest was looking forward to this past Monday. Applications to attend BYU and BYU-Idaho in the fall of 2013 could be started that day.

Until they couldn't.

She actually started the online application process last week but stalled when the option to attend for next fall wasn't up yet. That magical day was October 15th.

And then it wasn't.

She eagerly logged on only to be met with red letters stating something to the effect of "Due to unforeseen circumstances, applications are not being handled at this time. Check back soon."

What were those special circumstances? It probably has something to do with the HUGE announcement made by President Thomas S. Monson during the opening session of General Conference. The age at which young men can be recommended for missionary service was lowered from 19 to 18. Likewise the age for young women to begin serving missions if they want was lowered from 21 to 19. Wow! You can read more about it here and also watch the news conference about it.

"Check back soon" has meant my daughter has checked several times a day since then and yesterday we got in! It was rather surreal to sit next to her on the couch watching her fill in more of the application. I can't believe the time has come for her to start preparing to leave and spread her wings even more. My children are growing up way to fast.


Cookie turned eight at the end of September which means she got a new sewing machine from Grandma and has started learning all about it. She's been practicing following lines on paper and doing other beginner sewing basics. Last week we made it to Reno and she chose out fabric to sew her own Sew-doku quilt. It will be a little different from her sisters' quilts since hers will also be a flannel rag quilt.

Flannel fabric

Didn't she chose some really cute fabric?



Next week our family will be taking a day trip up to Boise to attend the Boise Temple open house. It recently underwent remodeling and renovation. During the open house anyone can take a tour of the inside, whether you are a member or not! If you live around the Boise area I encourage you take some time and tour the temple. It is beautiful inside and out. You will need a reservation. They are free and can be ordered from here. The open house runs every week day except Sundays until November 10.


jonagold apples

Some friends brought us two boxes of Jonagold apples straight from an orchard in Utah. They are perfectly crisp, not to sweet, and delicious!


Brownie, the artist of the family, is helping me with a special countdown to Christmas I am putting together. More details to come.... {We don't want to give away too much just yet!}.




11 comments:

  1. We are going to the Boise Temple Open House Friday night and THEN taking a group of youth on Wednesday. So excited for that to re open.

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  2. AHH. AHH. I WAS DOING BYU APPLICATIONS TOO. I was so mad. No but really. GRRR. I just want my application IN and DONE so it's one less thing i have to worry about but nooooo. way to kill my hopes and dreams BYU. Or at least put them on hold for a week or so.

    Actually, everything about my application is complete except the ecclesiastical endorsement. I went to print out the EE form on Sunday to take to my stake president and that's when I found that delightful note. So I didn't see my stake pres, but our bishop says I can meet with him anyway and have him submit my info by hand. Which I am going to do because I AM TIRED OF THIS THING HANGING OVER MY HEAD.

    Ahem. :)

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  3. What a blessed time it is for you in your home! I attended BYU Idaho, though it was Ricks College then and have fond memories of it! Praying all goes well for her!

    What lovely fabric your daughter chose. We, too, do sewing machines at 8 years old and begin the sewing process. :) Good luck to her!

    Have a blessed week ahead - I want to head up to Idaho to see the open house ~ and may do so. Looking forward to your thoughts on it! We loved going to the Brigham City Temple. :)

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  4. What an exciting time for your family! I hope that all goes well with the application!

    I am going to the temple a week on Saturday with our youth to do baptisms - very excited about it. I haven't been able to go in any capacity since March so a visit is definitely overdue.

    Those apples look delicious! I suddenly have a craving for hot apple cider... Mmmm :-)

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  5. What kind of sewing machine do you recommend for beginners? I'm terrified to teach my daughters. They are almost 9.

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    1. The sewing machines my mom has gotten for the last four girls have all been Janome Jem Platinum 760. They are small, portable and very durable. There are three speeds which is perfect for beginning sewers. You can read more here: http://content.janome.com/index.cfm/Machines/Specialty/Jem760

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  6. As homeschooling students what documentation do you have to provide for your application?

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    1. Great question, Sheila! My oldest did two years of BYU Independent study. They provide transcripts. When that got to be too expensive we switched to Nevada Virtual Academy which is an online high school. It is considered a public school here in Nevada even though all schooling is done at home. So her transcripts are all regular high school transcripts.

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  7. We are three years from college essays, etc. Time does go too quickly! Is she considering any other universities? You know, William and Mary is fabulous and wonderful people live nearby :)

    I need to start Jazz's lessons on the machine. Lately, I'm very stingy with my machine time and use it all for me!

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  8. We are in the Boise area & I took my youngest couple boys to the open house on Wed., next Monday we are going as a family. My teenage boys are having a great time preparing for the cultural celebration. Have a nice visit.
    My oldest stopped applying to college, because he is super excited to go on his mission at the end of May, after HS graduation.

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  9. We just toured the Calgary, Alberta temple. It was such a wonderful and spiritual experience for my boys. Enjoy your time in the Lord's house.

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Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you'll get one thing done. ☺ There, don't you feel better?

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