Bob failed to mention in his blog that he has signed up to play Settlers of Catan online now.  He did this Thanksgiving day, and made everyone (yes – all 10 of us) wait to eat Thanksgiving dinner while he was finishing up a game. Now 143 games later – I have been waiting to do a lot of stuff while he plays…

The other thing that Bob “forgot” to mention is that while he was watching the BYU/Utah game, there was a pot of black beans burning (literally sending up smoke) on the stove – and the entire house stunk, because he was so into the game that he didn’t take enough notice to do anything about it. The lost beans were worth the win though!

Last year, I was accepted into the Information Systems program at Brigham Young University (BYU). Instead of having class the first day of school, the whole ISYS core attended orientation meetings. These meetings were designed to introduce us to the faculty, the curriculum, and the importance of learning things on our own.

Dr. Gary Hansen gave a lecture on how important it is for students to be accountable and take their education into their own hands. Later in the orientation and throughout the semester, the importance of reading and learning was harped on again and again. I recall first listening to these lectures and wondering if I was in the right place.

Very few people have seen me dive into a novel. Harry Potter? I saw the movie. Thoreau? The cost of nails for his house puts me to sleep. However, I have started to appreciate the importance of reading in my life because it allows me learn. Winter semester is long gone, but by reading I’ve been able to expand my horizons, learn and internalize so much information.

Case in point: My current topic of study is on Web design and usability. Anna is probably sick of hearing me talk about usability. [She is nodding her head now, even in her sleep.] From criticizing road signs to scrutinizing commercial Web sites that are broken, I’ve transformed into a usability aficionado. I believe taking our education to a personal level opens so many more doors and an ability to really enjoy topics of our choice in our fields of study.

As much as I have come to love studying and reading about things, especially in the IT world. At times, it can make a person a little deranged. After taking my last final in April, I went onto Amazon looking for books to purchase for studying for the Security+ test. I wasn’t even two hours removed from my last final and I was already looking for more. . . All this knowledge might be great, but it can make you crazy too.

– Bob

I listened this morning to the funeral and farwell to Elder Neal A. Maxwell this morning, and wanted to share my own heart’s thoughts. Elder Maxwell exuded light and kindness everywhere he went. Throughout his battle with cancer, he exhibited the kind of faith, endurance and patience that is marked by those that know in whom their faith is grounded. What grace he carried with him throughout his life! What an awesome example for us all to follow. I feel a sense of gratitude and a full heart at his passing. Although he talked with language that often went over my head — I always felt that I understood him, and his one liners would always pierce my heart. I truly loved what this man did for all of us that have chosen to listen to his voice.

On a more personal note — I feel that one of Elder Maxwell’s talks is one of the reasons that Bob and I are now married. Last year I was faced with the decision to either stay in Utah and rough it while I find a job — or go home (and not pay rent) and find a job there. The decision was made to stay in Utah with prayer and fasting, in spite of all the reasons to leave. My time in Utah after school ended was incredibly hard. I left behind education — the core of my life. The emptiness that I felt was harsh. And being without a job wore deeply on my self – esteem. And at this point — Bob didn’t have any interest in me. I began to seriously question my decision to stay. My life seemed flat and desolate. Had I made the right decision?

As usual, I soon found myself in the Harold B. Lee Library, on the 5th floor in my favorite corner, seeking peace from religious and art books. (I thank the genius who put the two together.) In there I found an old devotional talk that changed my outlook. The talk was given by Elder Maxwell back in 1979 — and it is entitled “Patience”. (it can be found at BYU Speeches) His words changed my perception and as I can see now they changed the course of my life. Words like these: “Clearly, without patience we will learn less in life. We will see less; we will feel less; we will hear less. Ironically, “rush” and “more” usually mean “less.”" Who else would have thought that? He spoke of trying to find meaning in the flatness of life. I felt renewed in my decision, and a brighter understanding of this life came to my mind. I contemplated this new flatness of my life — and found piles of lessons to be learned. I saw weaknesses and built them into strengths.

In Elder Maxwell’s teachings on patience, I found the strength to build the necessary faith to carry on, though the way was unclear. I found with patience, all things do have there purpose. And I also finally found my husband — who was a lot closer than I expected.

– Anna