Week 48
Yesterday we had a baptism--always a wonderful experience.  Johnathan wandered by the booth that the missionaries put up on campus every week.  He said as he talked with them and the YSA members who were with the elders, he simply felt they were teaching the truth and that he needed to learn more.  We don't know him well yet, but hope to get to know him as he comes to institute.  The bishop commented in ward council today that for the first year he was bishop we had no baptisms in the ward, but now we have had six in the last nine months.

Elder Richards, Johnathan, and Elder Van Alfen

At FHE on Monday, the activity was bleached T-shirts.  Instead of adding color, as in tie-dye, you tape down a cut-out then spray bleach water on it, followed by vinegar to neutralize the bleach.  We weren't going to do any, but there was an extra shirt, so Elder Kerr decided to make a chess piece.  I think his knight was one of the best efforts of the evening.  Too bad the shirt is too small for him!

Artists working madly

Kerby's stellar knight

On Saturday morning we had a CES in-service in Edmond.  Brother Valletta showed a picture of Walter Johnson--a baseball player from 100 years ago who was the fastest pitcher ever in that time period. He then showed a picture of a player today, and asked how he would fare if dropped into the game 100 years ago.  The answer is likely that he would be a far superior player--faster, stronger, taller, better nourished, in better condition, etc.  (Walter Johnson's pitches were just over 91 mph--unheard of in 1916; the fastest pitcher today does over 105 mph and almost all current pitchers do over 90 routinely.)  Brother Valletta then asked us to consider how emphasis on the body has completely overshadowed emphasis on the character today.  The societal focus seems to have moved completely to the 'tabernacle' and away from the spirit it houses.  A really interesting discussion followed about how to help students with doctrinal mastery.  This was more applicable to the early-morning seminary teachers than to us, because it's the first year of doctrinal mastery replacing scripture mastery in seminary.  It will work its way into institute in another year or two.  

One of the things I really enjoy at the institute is putting up spiritual thoughts on the bulletin boards and in frames in the lounge area--I change them every month.  I create a lot of them myself, but the LDS website has some incredible picture quotes. Perhaps I was the only person around who didn't know about this website, but in case anyone else is unaware, here is the link to an amazing array of beautiful picture quotes:  https://www.lds.org/media-library/images/categories/inspirational-picture-quotes?lang=eng  Interestingly, the October, 2016, General Conference quotes are just lettering (no pictures), but they are still great for printing and posting.

I just can't say enough about the wonderful young adults in our ward.  They continue to amaze us with the depth of their testimonies and desires to follow the Savior.  Our classes are so delightful to teach because the students (though few in number) are mighty in spirit and participate so thoroughly.