The Blessings of Institute

This quarter at UW has whizzed by. Time has raced onward, professors keep giving large loads of homework and institute keeps hosting fun socials and activities to attend. Initially when I moved up here I thought that 10 weeks would be an eternity, however I soon found that it to be the contrary. I wished time could slow just a little.

I found that I was so busy that I could easily stay up into the early hours of the morning studying, get three hours of sleep and repeat the cycle the next day. In fact this is what I did for the first couple of weeks. I'm learning a new spoken language and a new programming language and adapting to both has required significant investments of my time. Initially I thought, who has time for institute? Who has enough time to maintain their grades, attend institute and then attend all the activities that they host? Did I at least have time to attend the institute class each week, or was that too great a time commitment?

Mentally I told myself institute seemed like a huge commitment. My grades- I thought- would define my life and success in college, effect what jobs I could get later in my professional career and what schools I could apply to for grad school.

However, spiritually I knew this wasn't the least bit accurate. I knew that I would need the strength that Institute would provide from the spiritual calamities that I encounter every day- foul language, beliefs that are in direct contradiction to mine and people challenging to do things that I knew to be wrong. Although it didn't really make sense to me mentally or mathematically, I told myself that Institute was worth the time commitment and I told myself that I would attend class every week without fail. I even told myself that I would attend the committee meeting held every Friday morning to serve the Lord and the Institute.

As I tried this out the first couple of weeks something astonishing happened. Although I was spending less time on my studies, and was giving up a morning once a week, I found that my grades actually improved and that I was succeeding in all of my classes. I was going to institute, the meetings on Friday and all the socials and doing less work and study, but my performance had increased.

I know that this is because the Saviour is seeking to bless me for giving Him my time. Matthew 11:28- 30 states: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light."

Through application I have come to know that this scripture is true. Mentally we may feel like we don't have enough hours in the day to do all that needs to be done. We may feel like we have so much that we can't fit institute in. But I know that if we put the Lord as our first priority everything else will fall into play. I know He loves us and seeks to bless us for following Him and that by attending Institute we can build our relationship with Him. If you want your burden to be light, come to institute!

Learning to do the Lord's Work at Institute

Elder and Sister May are fabulous teachers! I have been learning so much about family history. Before this quarter I had no idea how to do family history work and now my tree is HUGE. I come from a family of nonmembers, so there is a lot of work to be done! It is so exciting to find more and more family members whose temple work needs to be done. I am looking forward to taking family names to the temple for the first time at the end of this quarter!

This week we learned how to use documents to find new people. Through an old census record I was able to find that my great great grand parents had seven children, all of which need temple work done. It is so exciting to find new people, it is like solving a puzzle. They are all waiting to be found and to have their temple work done for them, and I am excited to be that person for them. I am thankful for the opportunity that the Institute has provided for me to learn to do family history and learn about the importance of family. Institute has blessed my life, and it can bless yours too! It's never too late to sign up for a class!

Hope to see you at Institute,
Danielle

We Want You!

The institute got off to a great start this quarter with our new mission president, Elder Choi.  He and his wife spoke at the Back-to-School fireside and inspired us all to be positive!  And Sister Choi taught everyone to sing, sing, sing because everyone loves to sing a song! Sing, sing, sing!
Our Opening Social we played several TV game show games - Minute to Win It, The Price is Right, Know Your Neighbor to Win.  Those who stayed and played had a great time and got to meet a few people that they didn't know before.
General Conference gave us inspiring words of wisdom.  Counsel we can all take part in, and hopefully we will.  Those who came to the institute got to see it on the big screen!  And eat lunch prepared by our new Couple missionaries - the Mays.
Institute classes have been wonderful.  Inspiring messages have been heard.  We want you there to join us!  Time is not an issue as there are classes all day!  Come along and bring a friend.  Listen to our marvelous Prophet's words:  "Think of it.  Friends will be made, the Spirit will be felt, and faith will be strengthened.  I promise you that as you participate in institute and study the scriptures diligently, your power to avoid temptation and to receive direction of the Holy Ghost in all you do will be increased.  Divine favor will attend those who humbly seek it.  That is a promise which I leave with you."

Our next institute activity is November 1st.  We'll be having a tailgate party!  Ask your friends to come and join us for a hot dog and making posters to support our girl's volleyball players!

We're grateful for you!  And want to see you soon!

No Matter How Rough

It's really nice to be able to have that hour in the day twice a week, outside of church, to get together with other people my own age who share the same beliefs and values to grow together in the gospel. Each week I know that no matter how rough everything is going, I will have these great opportunities to feel the spirit and study the doctrine of Christ, it has been a great blessing to me. 


-Quinn L'heureux
Freshman, University of WA
Rugby Club Team

Great Expectations

Last Saturday, approximately 50 teenagers gathered at the institute for the annual Great Expectations event. This year's theme was inspired by President's Monson's announcement about the lowered age requirement for missionary service. The event started with a video by President Monson and some remarks by Institute Director Todd Knowles. It continued in a moment of epic proportions, 19 return missionaries and 6 current missionaries entered the gym singing Called to Serve and a question and answer immediately following. With several institute students leading, the teens broke into groups and went into the community. The goal was to engage strangers in brief conversations and give them a small gift that would brighten their day. After debriefing, the group broke into workshops that were led by institute students. The event was great for all involved. It was wonderful to associate with future missionaries and to see institute students lead these marvelous youth.

Below is the video of 25 young adults singing Called to Serve.

"Sing the Song of Redeeming Love"

I love Institute!  I am strengthened as I learn from the testimonies and examples of those attending class with me.  Their goodness reflects the Saviour's light and illuminates me.  I become so excited about the gospel that I often do not know how to express what I am feeling inside.  

This is why being a part of the Institute Choir has been a great blessing for me.  Through music, I am able to share my testimony in a way not limited to words alone, but truly convey the tender feelings of my heart.  No wonder those illuminated with the Gospel of Jesus Christ feel to "sing the song of redeeming love."  

Weekly as I participate in Choir, I am able to feel with greater magnitude of my Saviour's love for me and to express to Him what I feel inside because of the Spirit and our Saviour's goodness.  I am grateful for the chance to unite in music with so many others in Institute as we share testimony and praise our Lord!  

-William Brooke
Seattle Institute Choir Director

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to the Seattle Institute! Classes are starting on Jan 7. Make this quarter the quarter the quarter you GET INVOLVED. Get involved in CLASS, in leadership COMMITTEES, in institute CHOIR, in building FRIENDSHIPS, in OUTREACH projects. In short, get involved in the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ. 

For those who want to know "What is Institute?", see the video below, courtesy of the official LDS Institute webpage: