Our Trip to DC -- Part I: The Nauvoo Temple

Daniel and I are on our way to D.C. for our summer internships and adventures. We decided that since it was already going to be a ridiculously long trip in the car, we would stop at some cool places along the way and make a trip of it. Yesterday, we drove ALL DAY LONG, through Eastern Utah, all of Wyoming, and half of Nebraska. Not exactly an exciting drive, if you ask me. Today, we drove most of the day, our final destination being Nauvoo, Illinois. We had scheduled an appointment with the Temple to do the last session, at 6pm, and we sped a little bit to make our deadline. ;) But, no tickets, ...yet!

The Nauvoo Temple is amazing! We felt so thrilled to be there! I've been to Nauvoo before, with my family 5 years ago. But now, I get to go into the Temple! It has a really special spirit about it, I think. Just knowing all of the sacrifice the saints went through to build their temple, and then having to leave it, following the prophet. It's just ... amazing, to me!


We are standing in front of the Temple here. I promise.


Statue of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, their last ride through Nauvoo.

YEAY for Graduation!

So ... HOORAY!! I graduated over a week ago! This last semester was a real doosie. Super hard! I would say, probably my hardest semester. But I'm sure that a lot of that had to do with the fact that I was anticipating being done with school. But...I made it through and now I'm done!!

My parents came down for the event, and we had all sorts of fun. The ceremonies were really good; there were 2 separate ones, 2 different days. Commencement on Thursday, and Elder Christofferson spoke; Convocation on Friday, and it took 2 and 1/2 hours (yikes). It was so cool to be among those graduating, who put so much effort and hard work into their schooling. And it feels good to be done! I don't exactly know what to do with myself anymore.

Anyway, Daniel arranged to have professional pictures taken after graduation on Thursday. We have a friend and fellow ward member, Brandon McDaniel, who does some photography on the side. He is the one responsible for the beautiful pictures below.


Me and my Mom!

Me and Brigham!

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for being so supportive during my school years (all of them!), and for always believing so much in me! You are AWESOME!

HOORAY FOR ME!